It's time to hunt Africa!

CAelknuts · Jan 24, 2016

If you haven't checked lately, a variety of factors are coming together to make an African Safari a real bargain in 2016. First, the price of oil is way down... And so are airfares! You can fly San Francisco to Johannesburg, round trip, for about $1,000 this summer. I actually found flights under $900.

Also, the dollar is very strong against the rand, so there are some good deals in South Africa right now.

Finally, with oil and the stock market both in the tank and I expect that SCI will be slow for a lot of safari operators this year.

There should be some screaming deals as we get toward summer for those willing to wait and who are flexible with their safari plans.

Get off your butts and go on safari.

kilbuc · Jan 26, 2016

Dan..spot on. Will b e at SCI, already going to Africa in Aug. Better air fairs will mean more trophy fee dollars..LOL.
from the "Heartland of Wyoming"

CAelknuts · Jan 26, 2016

Let's meet up for a cold one. I'll be there only on Wednesday. Let's try to connect up at Ernest's booth. Dan

kilbuc · Jan 28, 2016

Dan....wednes sounds good. Mid AM. set a time, I'll be there. I have to see Earnest, I owe him money..LOL.

from the "Heartland of Wyoming"

CAelknuts · Feb 1, 2016

I have to meet up with Mark Young at 11:00 to discuss a couple of the hunts he has on offer, but I'm otherwise free. How about 10:00ish at Ernest's booth? I need to see him too, as I'm thinking about going back with him possibly next year.

ruttinbull · Feb 1, 2016

I agree that it is time.
When I went to South Africa just a few years ago the exchange rate was about 8 rand to the dollar. Right now it is about 16 to 1.

Flights have come down in price as well.

I will be in RSA in late March for a small safari with my daughter. I am already planning another for next year. I am not rich, it simply is becoming affordable and with planning can be done.

FamilyMan · Feb 24, 2016

Interesting discussion about the exchange rate. Let's see if I can make my question clear enough for you all to answer.

So if the exchange rate was 8 rand to a dollar, and is now 16, then a trinket you buy on the local economy to take to the family back home that is priced at 80 rand used to cost you $10 but now only costs you $5. Essentially a 50% discount. That seems straight forward.

But here's the question - Which of your expenses are priced in rand instead of dollars to begin with. Surly you are not seeing that same 50% discount on the price of the safari.

I have never been to Africa, but dream of going some day.

Mark

My hunting spot is so secret, not even the elk have found it yet.

340Wby · Feb 24, 2016

The daily rate and trophy fees are typically in US dollars and when you look on websites you will think that nothing has changed. However, call a few outfitters or look on Africa hunting.com and you can get a great discount.

As an example I booked a 7 day sable hunt for 5,600 which is a fantastic deal!!!! typically a sable trophy fee alone is in the neighborhood of 8-12K dependent upon ranch and then the daily rates are typically 300-400 daily. You look at that and you can see what a bargain you can get today. You are also seeing buffalo hunts in RSA from 7500 an unheard of rate as recently as last year

Now I fully admit that the recent lion ban may be leading to the low prices on buffalo and sable but with a rate that low with reputable operators I could not pass.

ruttinbull · Mar 14, 2016

24 hours and 44 minutes to lift-off for my next trip. Post photos when I get back.

Blank · Mar 15, 2016

Congrats and good luck on your newest adventure. Can't wait to see success pics! Travel safe.

Ltsheets · Mar 19, 2016

LAST EDITED ON Mar-19-16 AT 10:31PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Mar-19-16 AT 10:30?PM (MST)

Just won my first safari in a rmef banquet auction for half of what it brought last year. I'm still in shock but can't wait for 2017!! I'll be frequenting the Africa forum a lot more now haha!

Blank · Mar 20, 2016

Congratulations, nothing like a great first safari. Who are you hunting with, and what are your preliminary plans. I say that (tongue in cheek) because you will invariably change your mind and trophies on the list several times before you go!

Please feel free to PM any of us on here with questions. I'm envious of you already.

Ltsheets · Mar 20, 2016

It still feels very surreal. I'm going with 3 of my good friends who were also at the banquet with me. I don't believe any of them are on this forum. We haven't set dates yet as its too soon but the one guy who has done it before went in Oct and said the weather was fantastic then. The hunt is in South Africa with Richard Holmes Safaris.

Included in the hunt are common springbok and blesbok for each hunter. If I get the full green light, I want to add kudu, Impala, zebra, and wildebeest. I'm open to suggestions bough of what to consider.

>Congratulations, nothing like a great first
>safari. Who are you hunting
>with, and what are your
>preliminary plans. I say that
>(tongue in cheek) because you
>will invariably change your mind
>and trophies on the list
>several times before you go!
>

Please feel free to
>PM any of us on
>here with questions. I'm envious
>of you already.