Dangerous game on a first safari

littlejoe · Mar 22, 2012

Would any of you go for dangerous game on your first safari? If you did, would you do it again?

A couple of my buddies are 150% convinced it is a bad for the first trip. After having gone and done my first plains game only safari. I agree 100%.

There is so much to see and do to focus on one animal like a leopard on the first trip would have taken away from my experience.

Now going back later I can be picky and hunt dangerous game and some of the other specialty stuff like Sable and not be disappointed if I only come home with a couple of animals.

TAGATTRACTER · Mar 22, 2012

I doubt any reputable hunt in Africa could be bad, plains game or dangerous. I'm with you though as a plains game hunt will give you the most bang for the buck for a first timer.

My thoughts were to do plains game the first time and while on the plane ride home we began making plans to go back for Dangerous game. After a couple months to reflect we decided to go for plains game a second time. We had so much fun the first time and there were a few new species added for the second trip. Well, we ended up going a third time. All for plains game.

We are now booking for Leopard, Croc, Hippo and Buff. I'm sure this will be yet another great adventure.

woodruffhunter · Mar 22, 2012

Have your friends ever hunted dangerous game?
That would be my first question. Someone who as
would probably offer the advice.

Like mentioned in the previous post, any hunt would
be great in Africa, I'm sure.

kevinp · Mar 22, 2012

Yeah, I would...because I am!!!

but then again, I'm relying on many years of experience to back me up!...

kevinp · Mar 22, 2012

Dangerous game in Africa isn't getting any cheaper...just like sheep hunts in North America...Tag allocations are being cut and demand is going up...do the math!

I already have my Grand Slam...so I needed a new challenge!

LOL!

littlejoe · Mar 22, 2012

Kevinp, are you hunting leopard? Where? I am hearing a lot of unsavory things about leopard hunting in South Africa and they are very reputable sources.

As bad as I want a buff i just cannot do it next year so it will be a Namibian plains game safari which is fine. Hopefully the buff some day.

Blank · Mar 23, 2012

On a long enough hunt, say 14 days or better, I would not have a problem including some dangerous game. Especially if hunting leopard with dogs, there will be plenty of time for plains game and doing many of the things you want on your first trip.

Try adding a short side trip for hippo or croc to a hunt instead is another option.

Check out my friends, and their new concessions for DG.

https://www.facebook.com/Omujeve

CHWine · Mar 23, 2012

I've been to Africa 3 times. There's nothing like your first safari and I think a good 7-10 day plains game is the best way to get your feet wet.

I wish I would have done buffalo on my third trip instead of more plains game. Not that I'm not happy with my giant eland, wildebeast, zebra and other great trophies.

I think plains game on your first trip is kind of like African foreplay. You should work your way up and 'earn' a dangerous game trip, not do it your first time.

Venison and Zinfandel are GOOD!

CAelknuts · Mar 23, 2012

I think hunting dangerous game on your first safari is just fine if you do a long enough hunt. On my first safari, I took a leopard, bull elephant and two big buffalo, in addition to a fabulous bag of plains game that included a 45" sable.

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. It was the best hunt of my lifetime.

woodruffhunter · Mar 24, 2012

>I think hunting dangerous game on
>your first safari is just
>fine if you do a
>long enough hunt. On
>my first safari, I took
>a leopard, bull elephant and
>two big buffalo, in addition
>to a fabulous bag of
>plains game that included a
>45" sable.
>
>Would I do it again?
>In a heartbeat. It
>was the best hunt of
>my lifetime.

Can't argue with that! Wow, sounds like a dream hunt!

kevinp · Mar 24, 2012

Yeah...what a Dream Hunt!...Congrats CAelknuts!...You certainly made the most of your first Safari!...

I'm not planning on taking an elephant, but Leopard, Buffalo and Sable are on the list!...I go in 2014. Plan on spending 21 days in Africa. 14 of which will be hunting...and more days if needed to fill that Leopard permit!

Really looking forward to this trip!

CAelknuts · Mar 24, 2012

I don't think anyone would ever feel like they took too many days for an African safari. My first safari was 24 days, my 2nd was 15 days, 3rd was 24 days again, last one was 14 days, but only 5 days of hunting as it was a family vacation trip.

I hope my next safari will be a minimum of 15 days, but time will tell. My dream safari would be 30 days in Tanzania, split between the Masai and Selous. The only thing stopping me is a lack of funds to do that.

llamapacker · Mar 24, 2012

For the average person, I think a plains game safari is the best option for a first trip to Africa. There is enough exotic sights and sounds to make this a very interesting trip. And for many American hunters, it is the first time they expereince the trophy fee and pay if you draw blood philosophy. Most people initially find this enough pressure even when the dollars at stake are low.
A Dangerous Game safari is a whole other kettle of fish. For all but the very well heeled, the money involved is significant, and the need for great communication between you and the PH is essential. Practice on a plains game safari, and come to learn what might be expected. After 7 trips, and my 8th this year, I am going back to a plains game only trip this year, as it is primarily a family trip. Yes, I would love to be chasing another buff or ele, but I am still looking forward to this trip. I didn't do DG until my third trip, and felt this was about right for me. All my trips since have included DG, until the one upcoming.
Get your feet wet on a plains game hunt. Most people of average means will find this plenty fulfilling.
Bill

And although I respect CAelknuts views, I find 12-14 days is about right for me. After about the 12th day I start to think about home and wondering about family, work, etc. Until I am retired, and all my kids are married and settled, I just find I don't want to be gone longer than this. 10 days works out just about perfect for most people on their first trip.
Bill

littlejoe · Mar 24, 2012

Went 10 days and it seemed like two. Twelve would be perfect. Due to work there is no way I could go longer at this point in my life. Twelve is a big stretch.

CAelknuts · Mar 25, 2012

I can't disagree with llamapacker's comments above. My first safari was an incredible experience, but in this day and age the cost would be prohibitive for most, me included. A 10 day plains game hunt would give 95% of first time african hunters a great experience if they go with a top notch safari operator. There are plenty of good ones to choose from in South Africa or Namibia, even though some folks may opt to go to the Save Conservancy in Zimbabwe if they want to include a buffalo on a 10 day hunt, or to Zambia. Be warned, Zambia and Zim will cost more than SA or Namibia.

If time and money were not a major consideration, I'd still do it like I did, but if time or money were big factors, then doing it as he suggests would be a better way to go for many.

CAelknuts · Mar 26, 2012

LAST EDITED ON Mar-26-12 AT 09:03AM (MST)[p]I just finished reading, literally minutes ago, and article in Safari Magazine, titled 'The First Safari' by Craig Boddington. It can be found on page 46 of the March/April 2012 issue of Safari.

Mr. Boddington goes through all the pros and cons nicely, covering the various options, and in the end his recommendation is to hunt plains game, or plains game plus buffalo. He suggests a 10 day hunt as about perfect for a first time safari. He does acknowledge that if one has the budget and time availability, a longer hunt that includes more dangerous game can be wonderful, but that for most hunters a 10-day plains game and buffalo hunt is about the ultimate first safari.

One key point he makes, a very valid one, is that cat hunting usually involves a lot of time hanging baits, checking baits, etc and can detract from the overall experience that one should get on his first African safari. His suggested countries, if only plains game, include South Africa and Namibia, as expected. If one is to add buffalo, then he also recommends Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique.

It's a good, short article, one worth reading.

txmuley · May 5, 2012

i hunted buffalo in tanzania on my first safari and had no regrets, shot 3 buffs and had the time of my life - went back in less than 6 months to namibia for plains game only and had another excellent trip - to me the order that you take them makes no difference - basically just go - nothing over here compares, it's truly the "hunt of a lifetime"

goldhunter · May 14, 2012

For me buffalo and kudu are a couple of priority animals. I think kudu hunting will be around quite a while and remain affordable. Buff might not, so I would try to include a buff on the first safari. Hope it happens.

My dream hunts would be bull elephant and then Derby eland.