FIRST TIME SAFARI PLANNING
PLANNING YOUR FIRST SAFARI
– A SHORT GUIDE TO GETTING YOUR FEET WET.
By Phil Massaro
So, you’ve decided to toss your hat in the ring, and satisfy that dream of going on an African safari. Congratulations, soon you will be part of a unique club, whose passion is nearly indescribable to anyone who hasn’t experienced it.
Odds are, you have a suitable safari rifle and cartridge in your gun safe already, especially for the majority of plains-game species.
This is not snobbery, nor elitism, as the hunter who has participated on the most meager of African hunts can be just as richly rewarded as he who lands his own private plane on the concession’s airstrip. But, there is only one first safari, and I promise you that you’ll never forget it.
“Where do I go to shoot the most animals? I’m only going to Africa once.” Yeah, right. While I firmly believe the inquisitor means what they’re saying, I also know better. You’ll be back, and I also feel strongly that there should be both a rhyme and reason to your African experiences. I have been blessed to have made thirteen safaris across southern and eastern Africa, and while I haven’t seen it all – nor taken all the major species, even – I have “been around the block”, as the saying goes. I am an American, so my point of view will be as a visiting sportsman who needs to travel roughly 9,000 miles from home to get on African soil; at least in the areas I like to hunt.
I am often asked for advice about areas to hunt, overall costs of safari, the best ways to achieve certain goals, etc. Herein, I’ll outline what I feel to be the best course of action, and help recommend some money-saving ideas, to maximize the experience. Mind you, this is an opinion piece, and my advice is based upon my own experiences, so nothing is written in stone. I can however, save you some time and money in certain instances.
From the beginning.
A safari is usually structured with a combination of daily rates – the cost of being in camp, the professional hunter’s services, the camp staff, the trackers, drivers, etc. – combined with the trophy fees associated with the different species available in the hunt. A plains-game safari will generally have a lower daily rate than does a dangerous-game hunt, which comes at a premium.
The majority of first-time safaris are centered around plains-game species, including the varied antelopes, zebra, and other non-dangerous species. I am very comfortable with this concept, as it allows the hunter to experience the sights and smells of Africa, as well as its unique style of hunting, without the concern of dealing with dangerous game. Shooting from sticks, interacting with your professional hunter, working the trackers – who are great, but might not possess the best English – identifying the varied species, and even seeing the game animal the team is trying to indicate: all are experiences that you will invariably rely upon when it’s the transition to dangerous game. It makes perfect sense to attain these skills on a lower-priced hunt, in a low-stress environment. Mind you, a plains-game safari is no walk in the park, and even after two decades of hunting Africa, I still get excited about stalking an impala ram or kudu bull. So to my mind, the greatest value for your first safari is a seven-day plains-game safari. You’ll have enough time to look over the herds without feeling rushed, and you’ll be able to enjoy the sunrises and sunsets; trust me, seven days will fly by.
Getting There.
A transoceanic flight from the continental U.S. to Africa – usually flying into Johannesburg, South Africa, and maybe travelling on from there – can be an undertaking, depending on where you’re coming from. I am fortunate to have both JFK International Airport and Newark International Airport within 2½ hours from home; both have travelled directly to Joburg at one time or another. Other parts of the country, especially our Western States, will have to fly to the East Coast, spend the night, and continue on from New York/Newark or Atlanta. Be prepared for a 15-hour nonstop flight across the Atlantic; it may seem like an eternity, but it is well worth it. I highly recommend using a travel agency familiar with the forms and requirements involved with bringing a firearm abroad; they can save your bacon before, during, and after your flight.
Travel Express has been booking and sending hunters to Africa for years – and we recommend dealing directly with them. Contact them at Team@TravelExpressAgency.com
The Preparation.
If you choose a plains-game safari, odds are you’ve already got a rifle of suitable caliber and power level in your safe. A good .308 Winchester or .30-06 Springfield, 7×57 Mauser or .270 Winchester, a .300 Winchester Magnum or 7mm Remington Magnum; all will cleanly handle any and all plains game. Use whatever premium bullet groups go well in your rifle, top it with a sensible scope, and learn how to shoot that rifle from field positions. (I cannot emphasize this enough: get off the bench and practice, practice, practice!) and you’ll have a great hunt. If you’re a bowhunter, use a draw weight that you can handle well and shoot accurately, and use a broadhead that is capable of penetrating thick hide.
Simple green clothing will work just fine; look at the photos in your PH’s portfolio, and pay attention to what he/she is wearing; it works. Most importantly, wear comfortable, broken-in hunting boots, capable of turning thorns, but light and cool enough for long-distance hikes in pursuit of a particular species. And wear a hat that keeps the sun off your head; the African sun is no joke, and you’ll burn quickly.
You’ll want to visit the nearest Customs and Border Patrol Agency and obtain U.S. Form 4457, to register the firearms and goods you intend to take abroad. This proves that you owned it before you left, and aren’t bringing items purchased abroad back to the U.S. You’ll also want to obtain the firearm import forms for the country you’re hunting; having these filled out ahead of time can save you from standing in line for a considerable time after the longest flight of your life. Buy the best gun-case you can afford, along with TSA-compliant locks. I like a Pelican case, and have a couple that have been all over with me.
And, no matter what country you are headed to, do a little research to find a few words in the native language. Most folks will do their best to speak English, but a bit of effort to learn the animal names, or even just to say ‘thank you’ to the trackers in their native tongue goes an awful long way.
The destination.
There is excellent hunting in most countries of southern and eastern Africa, from Namibia on the eastern coast, all the way around to Tanzania in East Africa. For the first safari, I would recommend either South Africa or Namibia; both have excellent hunting, both have similar species, and both have pros and cons.
For the long trip, the investment in a quality gun case for your rifle is worth every dime. Make sure and use TSA-approved gun locks, and bring a few spares in case they break in transit. Oh, and keep copies of all paperwork in your luggage and on your person.
South Africa has the most diverse terrain, and from the desert sand of the Kalahari, to the thickets of the Limpopo, there are plenty of hunting opportunities in South Africa. Much of it is high-fenced, though in a large concession this might not be an issue at all. Other concessions are smaller, so you’ll have to decide if a high fence is going to pose a personal issue for you. Quite often, a hunter can meet his or her professional hunter at O.R. Tambo in Joburg, clearing customs and heading right off to the hunting concessions. Namibia tends to have larger concessions, and a lower human population overall. It does require an additional flight – usually to Windhoek, the capitol – but the feel of the larger concessions can be worthwhile. Both offer the opportunity to visit beautiful National Parks (Kruger in South Africa, Etosha in Namibia), and both offer an unforgettable experience for your first safari.
There is nothing wrong with heading to Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, to Tanzania. Just realize that the plains-game hunting will come at a premium in the form of higher daily fees, as those countries tend to be associated with truly wild concessions holding both plains game and dangerous game alike. There are exceptions to this rule, but most folks tend to dip their feet in the water in either Namibia or South Africa.
If you want to bring your spouse/significant other, all the better, but discuss this with your PH, in case either might want to stay in camp, or find some different attractions nearby. Game drives, shopping, sight-seeing; all can make the safari even better.
Tipping, Trophies, and Sundry.
There are some traditions on safari that we Americans might not be used to. Tipping can be a hot topic among hunters, as the African system can seem foreign to us. You’ll want to discuss the expected tipping schedule with your PH or outfitter; but make no mistake that you’ll be expected to tip your guide, trackers, skinners, and all staff in camp. The amount varies from area to area, but generally speaking the PH gets the most, followed by the crew on the truck with you, to the skinners, chef, and then the camp staff at the bottom. Your PH should be able to give you an idea of the amounts, so you’re not caught short.
If you intend to bring your trophies home (and who doesn’t?) there are a couple of paths you can take. You might have the taxidermy done in Africa, and then ship the mounts home. Or, the skins, skulls, and horns can be treated and boxed up (this is referred to as ‘dip, pack, and crate’) for shipment back home. The cost difference changes each season sometimes, so do some homework, unless you’re adamant about one means or the other. Either way, the shipment will need to clear American Customs and Border Patrol, and it is generally easiest to use one of the reputable clearing companies like Coppersmith, or Flora & Fauna.
Depending on the area, you may or may not need a malarial prophylaxis, or vaccination against diseases like yellow fever. Make sure you have whatever medicines you may need with you, and that they are in original packaging or prescription bottles. The PH and camp staff will do their absolute best to see that you’re comfortable, but the items we’re accustomed too might not be available.
Lastly, bring a positive, flexible mindset. Everyone wants a big kudu bull, and everyone has their own preconceived notion of how things are going to go. The best attitude to have is just to roll with the punches. Stalks will be blown, there will be flat tires, missed shots, unforgettable memories, trophy pictures with irremovable smiles, and experiences that you’ll back on for the remainder of your time on earth. A few inches of horn either way shouldn’t dampen those experiences, and it’s a great idea to bring a journal to record the day’s events. You’ll enjoy re-reading that diary when the cold winter days set in. Lastly, bring a good camera, take a ton of pictures, and please take the time to soak in the sights and sounds of Africa; it gets into your blood, and you will leave a small part of yourself on the continent. You’ll want to go back as soon as possible to visit that portion of you.