Wife says yes to African Safari

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SimplyChad

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I tossed up a Hail Mary and it worked. Either on Mid-deployment or if I come back from Afghanistan my wife has given permission to go on safari. Here are the details. Not counting airfare I have 12 grand to plan a safari. We will have one hunter (me) one watcher (her). Ill have more later for the shipping and fees to get any trophies back. My question is do any of yall have any advice on how to get started? Where to look for deals? Anyone with experiences on the matter?
 
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Well, 4K of that will be the plane tickets alone, leaving you with 8K.

Mounting and trophy fees can be substantial ... I wouldn't feel safe spending over 4K on the safari alone, and that means your going to be limited to a week or so of plains game hunting (still very very cool).
 
You should be able to have a VERY nice safari for $12,000. I've been on a couple of safaris; once for 3 weeks and once for 2 weeks and paid less than half that not counting airfare. Of course, once you start paying for taxidermy, the cost goes up.

My advice:

1. Join SCI and go to your local chapter's fundraiser. The auctions can be a source of economical safaris.

2. Go to the annual SCI convention and talk to the outfitters.

3. Don't book with anyone until you have had some feedback from some of their clients. You will preferably get this in person or via one of the internet forums with threads dedicated to African hunting like accuratereloading.com.

4. Don't believe everything people tell you; do your own research.
 
12 grand might be enough, depending on where you go. The trophy fees($500US for a warthog), taxes, gratuities, etc. are not included. Have a look here. Only one of many outfitters and countries(links to other countries are at the bottom), of course. Give you an idea of what's involved. You'll need to know the gun laws for where you go and airline rules. A hard case is required, for one.
http://www.africanhuntingsafaris.com/african_safari_hunting_package.htm
Best forum to ask is the Accurate Reloading.com forums. Outfitters, prohunters, et al, post there. http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve
Keep your head down.
 
If you're in Texas, you have it easy. Join the Dallas Safari Club. They have a BIG yearly convention. The convention isn't quite as large as that put on yearly by Safari Club International but if I lived in Texas, it's the one I'd go to.
 
dprice3844444 said:
check with customs and see if any restrictions about bringing trophies back
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Why would you check with customs? They're not going to know. The one to ask would be whatever outfitter you choose to use.

There are some CITES animals you can't bring back at all and for some you need a CITES permit for but the vast majority of animals first time hunters to Africa take don't require a CITES permit. They have to be dipped, packed and then inspected by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service when they arrive in the U.S.A. Getting trophies back isn't really than complicated.
 
SimplyChad said:
the 12 is after airfare
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Remember that making impulse purchases is easier on a hunting safari than just about anywhere. All it takes is one trigger pull. I had budgeted around $13-14k for a hunting trip with my son last year; coming across a gold medal kudu and a white (!) waterbuck raised it to $20k+ so far and I'm still waiting for the taxidermist to send his bill.

"It's a big one! Shoot!" heard from a PH must always be questioned, even though in this case mine was absolutely right and I have no regrets. And that wasn't my first hunting trip to Africa, I just forgot to think rationally for a second.
 
I have several friends who have been to Africa - one 13 times, the other a few times more - permits, tips, fees, export fees for the mounts, etc. will quickly eat your budget.

At your budget, it will be a plains-game hunt, not for any of the big 5. One thing you might want to consider is one of the hunts in Texas where they have lot of African plains games - that MIGHT save you a buck or two.

Otherwise, the Dallas and main SCI conventions are where you book the hunts, but you need to do research ahead of time - what do you want to hunt? What country(ies)?
Do you have the rifles for the hunt, including back-up? What shape are you and your wife in?

here's a magazine called Shooting Sportsman, and while it is primarily a bird-hunting mag, it has ads for some the African outfitters.

You NEED a reputable organization to make the arrangements ahead of time so you can clear customs, etc., without too much hassle or added expense. That organization will also have several good PH's that can guide you
 
So much advice...

Grumulkin has been there and done that and so far his advice has been spot on. You can get yourself a buff or non trophy elephant hunt for 12K heck on a tuskless elephant hunt you'd have some money left over. So YES big 5 species are available at your budget level.

As far as plains game you can have a grand hunt as has been mentioned on your budget.

Airline tickets...Shop around but you can do a round trip for under 2K. I just got an E-mail from South African Airways they had a RT for two offer and it was like $1800 USD.

Shipping trophies can be very expensive look into surface shipping vs air you can save some bucks there.

Taxidermy is obviously up to you but the way I do it is mostly skull mounts and great pictures. Save the shoulder mounts for exceptional and greatly desired trophies only.

Go have a great time if you'd like I'd be glad to suggest some reputable outfits to hunt with via PM. Don't let anybody talk you out of living your dream. Especially not from folks who've never been there or done that. I don't think that you'll find any experienced African hands who'll steer you away from hunting there. the guys in the know usually are more than willing to share their experiences and help out.
 
You can get yourself a buff or non trophy elephant hunt for 12K heck on a tuskless elephant hunt you'd have some money left over. So YES big 5 species are available at your budget level.
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Is that including the export fees, import fees and taxidermy as well? (That's where I was going)
 
You can't export or import a cull elephant so it's a non issue.
 
Please register your rifles, cameras, watches with DHS on 4457. Call them in Dallas/Ft. worth for an appointment. That will serve as your entry when you return. Surface will be way cheaper for your trophies than air. I have never been to Africa, but I have cleared a few trophies from there. Most went thru Fish and Wildlife in Mia or Atl.
 
My sons wifes brother won a safari at one of those banquets!!

Wathch for those BIG sportsman shows. They often have exhibitors for all kinds of trips. I would use them as a basis to get started on your research.

You mentioned this trip could be on an R & R fron Agiganistan. That may be too quick to get it all together.

Thank you very much for your keeping us free.
 
If you can go last minute, subscribe to one of those services and see what comes up. It is a great way to save money, but you need to do your homework about the outfitter/PHs you want to go with, the area and type of game.
 
Form 4457 -is a requirement to have to enter most African countries. South Africa in particular considers your 4457 form to be your rifle permit. So for your rifles it is not just a good idea you must have it. You'll also need to fill out a SAP 510 form which allows you to enter South Africa with firearms.
 
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