Safety?

AndymanSavage · Feb 27, 2013

Hey guys, I am looking at doing my first Africa trip in 2014. I know that there are many factors that play into the choice of location for a hunt (cost, species, ease of travel, etc), but how much does safety play into it? I'm not talking safety from lions and buffalo, but more like the robbery and murder kind. I have lived in third world countries and am not afraid of poverty and the like, but emboldened thugs are different. We will have women in the group. I would really like to do SA, for the history and landscape, but have been told places like Namibia are much safer. Any thoughts?

Also, if anyone knows of good deals for 2014, I am still open to ideas. I would really like a Kudu, Gemsbuck, blue wildebeast, and Zebra on this first trip.

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http://andymansavage.blogspot.com/

llamapacker · Feb 27, 2013

Andy,
I truly believe that safari hunting in South Africa is incredibly safe, at least as far as the thugs and murderers go. The buffalo, eles, etc., can be an entirely different matter, but still quite safe for the visiting hunter.

I've been to RSA, Zimbabwe, and Namibia with my wife previously, and even took my young children twice. I hunted South Africa last year with my wife, and I will be returning this spring once again, this time to Namibia. There was a time when I hesitated to go back to Zim, but even the situation has changed there for the better. (At least from the safety perspective of the visiting hunter.)

I would much rather hunt in RSA than hunt in Mexico. I wouldn't advise strolling the ghettos in Jo'berg after dark or visiting the local brothels, but I would suggest you avoid doing that in Detroit as well. Besides, there is very little hunting in these areas!

You will be met at the airport, escorted to the camp and you will find the local population friendly and welcoming wherever you hunt. Any problems, such that they are, are really confined to the inner cities, and not the hunting areas. Don't let some media hype dissuade you. The most dangerous part of the trip is probably the flight over, and we all know that air travel is really quite safe.
You will have the time of your life. Go. You will be changed forever.
Bill

littlejoe · Feb 27, 2013

I won't go to Mexico but I would go to Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia with my family, wife, 10 year old, 6 year old and not even blink. Never once felt in danger. Check out www.blaauwkrantz.com and www.kanana.com for excellent plainsgame hunting. Superb for taking your wife and kids.

If you want to chat I would gladly tell you what I know and have learned. I cannot go back soon enough!!!!!

Everything else pales in comparison after going to Africa.

woodruffhunter · Feb 27, 2013

Andy:

If you have an Outfitter tell you to stay over night in Jo-Berg I would tell him to go pound sand. South Africa is safe when you are hunting, but that city isn't safe, especially if you are alone.

I would book with an outfit that will be there when you get off the plane. One that will check in your guns, and escort you to the ranch.

I am taking my wife, kids, mom and dad, and a few friends in 2014 and cannot wait. I would be happy to talk to you if you want to send me a PM.

STOMPER · Feb 27, 2013

Just take about $500 worth of five dollar bills. Everyone will. E asking for tips including the gvmnt officials in most countries in africa. I walk around alone and when im in a bind i give the guy giving me crap a couple of fives. $20 got me out of customs last year. Never even got my guns checked in south africa. $50 in zim gets any weapon u want in the country without a permit. The corruption runs rampant and cash is king if your outfitter strands you. However if u do your homework you will hav a great outfitter and no problems. I would suggest you stay in botswana with kanana. Thats the best deal in africa period. Second would be a good place in namibia in my books.

woodruffhunter · Feb 28, 2013

Tony:

I don't think he's talking about Zim. It would be plain dumb to give anyone in RSA any money. There are people in the aiport asking to carry bags etc. Just ignore them!

Again, if an Outfitter won't be with you every step of the way, find someone else.

scottyboy · Feb 28, 2013

Hey Tony, ever heard the expression "Don't feed the bears"?

You are only facilitating the problem by handing those bills out so carelessly and freely..

I have been to Africa 9 times (and lived there for a year)...never once have I handed out any cash because I felt I needed to. Tell them to piss off.

As to the original question, Africa is a big place. Some are more dangerous than others. SA is the murder/rape capitol of the world..but I would still return there to hunt.

A French family of 7 that are currently in the hands of Boko Haram (Nigerian arm of Al Qaida). They were abducted in Cameroon (a well known hunting destination) and taken into Nigeria. This all happened just last week. Serious stuff can happen in Africa.

Ask Eric of CAWA how his 15 months of imprisonment went last year in CAR due to the murders in his hunting area.

Pick a good outfit and go have fun. I'm sure there won't be any issues. If there was no little bumps and "unknowns", there would be no adventure in it and wouldn't be worth going.

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DRSS

littlejoe · Feb 28, 2013

Some of those middle countries like the CAR can be scary but I have zero worry in RSA, Namibia, Zim or Botswana. Hopefully I can say that about Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia some day.

scottyboy · Feb 28, 2013

Have at it, littlejoe.

I need a big sable. After that, I'm completely satisfied with my African hunting. I'll go back someday for him. No rush to go back, I suppose. I'm burned out on African hunting. There's plenty out there to keep me busy until then!

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DRSS

Tristate · Mar 1, 2013

"$50 in zim gets any weapon u want in the country without a permit."

I will suggest people not try this one.

AndymanSavage · Mar 1, 2013

Thanks guys! I have been in contact with several guides , including some mentioned here, and they all provide the airport pickup service. The one I am leaning towards picks up in Port Elizabeth.

I am really excited for this first trip and appreciate the tips. I will shoot some PMs off to some of you for additional advise. Thanks again!!

Stomper, $5 gets you out of anything in Honduras too...haha.

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http://andymansavage.blogspot.com/

littlejoe · Mar 1, 2013

I hope you are going with Blaauwkrantz out of PE. Top notch. I would highly consider Crusader Safaris as well. If I go back to RSA I would go with them for various species but for myself it would be the springbok slam and an Oribi plus whatever else. They also have really good free ranging Nyala, Bushbuck and Southern Greater Kudu.

Trip of a lifetime at Blaauwkrantz.

llamapacker · Mar 2, 2013

Lots of nice places out of PE. One of the few places in Africa that I have hunted twice. See my hunt report from last year with Madabula. Crusader hunts ajacent to where Madabula hunts. Great, wide open hunting, in free ranging conditions.
Bill

HornyMan · Mar 2, 2013

Andy 2 things.

1- You didnt tell me women were going. That changes me going ha!

2- My direct flights from Perth are limited so keep that in consideration for pick up.

SDR · Mar 11, 2013

If you go to the East Cape then you will have to overnight somewhere. At least every time I have been there I had to. This last August I stayed at the new hotel at the Joberg Airport. It was surprisingly nice and very safe. At least I didn't have to drive across town to go to a guest house.
I have taken my entire family, including a 4 yr old, to hunt out of Port Elizabeth and they will all go again in 2014. I have never felt in danger or threatened in any way while there. Flying through JFK and spending the night there is a different story.
We have always hunted with John X Safaris while in South Africa and they make sure the family is taken care of.