African safari?

[robr]

I've wanted to go forever, and now I'm to the point where it will work. I want to take my wife and 10 year old daughter. I do want to do some hunting, but they will want to do the photographic stuff and whatever else we can. I'm thinking no less than 21 days inclusive, maybe a week more if need be. Traveling to see cool things/places is fine also. We know there are concerns with going to Africa, so no need to focus on that. We want to do it 'right', because we likely won't go back any time soon, if ever. Anybody been there? Ideas?

 

[MAROON]

-where do you live? If in Dallas, then you need to get to the Dallas Safari club convention (market hall) this weekend...most of the major safari outfitters are there. They will also come to Houston (Woodlands) from the 17th - 19th.

I went on a one week safari to Tanzania in the summer of 2006. I would have loved to had gone on a 21 day, but could not. Best hunting experience of my life.
The Link

this site has good message boards for hunting in Africa.

We used Swanepoel and Scandrol as our outfitter - probably on the high end of cost, but well known and top notch
The Link

Lots of countries to consider - South Africa is easy...Kruger National Park is supposed to be amazing for photo stuff. Hunting is good, but a friend of mine with considerable safari experience does not like it, because it's too much like a game preserve to him. He prefers, Zim, Zambia, and Tanzania. Others to consider - Mozambique (very expensive), Namibia (becoming very popular).

 

[Horneius_Maximus]

Be sure to take the season into consideration.

I might be wrong, game season in Kenya is different from South Africa.

 

[MAROON]

FYI - there is no hunting in Kenya......hence the downward spiral for all the "big game animals" in Kenya.

 

[robr]

No "canned hunts" for Rob. My guy says to dedicate 5-7 days for a big 5 hunt. Thats a lot of tracking.

 

[HornInDub]

I've been on safari 3 times, once in Tanzania for 4 days, in Uganda for 4 days, and in Botswana/Zambia for 13 days. Botswana is tops in my opinion for game viewing, especially if you go to a camp that is on its own concession (as opposed to those on national park land). On the concessions, you are pretty much guaranteed to see loads every day you go out, as they are not bound to drive on the dirt tracks (since they manage the land themselves) and it is much more exclusive, with each camp normally only having about 14 guests per night, meaning there may be 3-4 trucks, max, driving around on the massive concession area. Tanzania was my first safari, and it was fun, but I much preferred Botswana and Zambia for its exclusivity, the game, the camps, etc.

Uganda was to see the chimpanzees and mountain gorillas, so don't think thats what you are looking for, but it was an incredible experience. They don't allow anyone under 14 on the chimps due to a risk of chimp attacking the young ones mistakening them for small monkeys, so probably not what you want to do with your daughter.

I only used local agents to book my safari's, never used US ones as they always seemed to have a premium on the exact same itineraries. I used a Tanzanian agent for the Tanzania safari, and a South African agent that booked all of the Botswana/Zambia safari.

Botswana is very safe, Kenya obviously isn't too good at the moment but if you stay at high-end camps anywhere in Africa, you'll be well looked after and safe. I never once felt nervous in Africa (except for one day when I was in Zanzibar on election day)...

If you want to do it right, aside from the hunting part, I would recommend spending 7-8 days in Botswana, staying in 3 camps, cross over to Zambia and see Victoria Falls, then go stay at 2 camps in Zambia, then go to Namibia for a week.

 

[robr]

Thanks for the insights. I think I will go to Dallas this weekend for the Safari Show.