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African Hunting & Travel |
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BOOKING AGENTS (A valuable resource.)
Most years Jim and I book our hunts with a booking agent here in the United States. There are a number of good ones. (Tony and Sylvia de Costa were the best we had experience with but they've retired after years at it.) If you are new to hunting safaris, it would be advisable to get a reputable booking agent to set up your trip. Booking agents know the safari operators they work with and are familiar with the regulations and requirements of the various countries they send clients to. The agent will send you an information packet filled with papers to sign and lists of what to do, what not to do, firearms rules, and other helpful information.
SAFARI OPERATORS (The hosts for your safari.)
Every safari operator that we have booked with have had very nice facilities and amenities. For us the food and accommodations have always been top notch. Most hunt camps have a large staff to see to it that the clients needs are met. We always look online for facility photos and reviews by past clients to supplement the package of information that our booking agent sends us. We also like to call the safari operator directly and ask questions.
Most hunt camps will accommodate special diet requests. We always let them know ahead of time that one of us is a diabetic and the other a vegetarian to ensure they have time to prepare.
Most offer daily laundry services. This is particularly wonderful if you don't want to pack a lot of clothes.
PROFESSIONAL HUNTER (Your guide for the hunt.)
The hunt is led by the Professional Hunter (PH). He makes the call on which animals to take. Your booking agent should also provide you with your safari operator's license number and contact information and the license number of your PH. Prior to our departure date we like to call our PH and speak directly with him so there are no unanswered questions. He or she can provide insight on the current weather and what temperatures to expect. We have US Cellular and only pay .50 cents a minute for calls to South Africa. It's money well spent.
C.I.T.E.S. PERMIT (Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species)
There are times when CITES will be a consideration. For example, when a hunter wishes to export legally obtained elephant ivory. Booking agents are a wonderful resource and can provide details on the permit process and any specific requirements.
A percentage of Africa could be considered "third-world." But, depending on your yardstick, some remote and isolated areas of the US might also be considered as such. In the interest of going to where the wildlife is, some hunt camps are located in isolated areas. We have been to some of the more remote areas and observed that things are done differently. For example, phone service may be satellite only. Electricity may be generated on site with wind power or solar power. Water is likely pumped from wells and hot water is sometimes produced with fire. Yes, things are done differently than we and most Americans are accustomed to, but they are done. And - they are DONE WELL! Our accommodations in Africa have always been fabulous and the cuisine impeccable. From weekends at Lake Tahoe to a week onboard a cruise ship in the Caribbean, Susan attests that her favorite times are by far those spent in the hunt camps of Africa.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS (It's not always a walk in the park.)
African hunting safaris can be quite physically demanding. You may cut tracks early in the day on a herd of eland but end up trekking for five hours if the herd keeps moving. There can be a lot of walking and in the case of dangerous game, maybe some running (away) as well. During the southern African summer (our winter) the heat can be indescribably cruel and can take its toll on the body. A booking agent will send out paperwork to sign to acknowledge the physical nature of African game hunting. It's up to the individual to be realistic and not take on more than he or she is physically able to safely handle. If a person can't make that call, he or she should visit their doctor and get an opinion on their ability to handle the stresses of a safari.
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