G'day all, I thought it would be interesting to start a thread for advice for first timers planning to hunt Africa. If those who have experienced hunting there could offer their advice it would be much appreciated! I am hoping to go in a couple of years so am just starting to compare prices, facilities and reputations of various outfits etc.

Now I've done a bit of research, looked at a fair few operators, areas etc...and have my species 'list' picked out. I am leaning towards the Limpopo area for my first trip, it just seems 'accessible' with no connecting flights etc required, and has all the species I want to hunt in the terrain I think I want to hunt, along with ample operators and reasonable prices. But, obviously it is mostly high-fenced preserves.
This is one of my biggest quandaries at the moment. Obviously here in Aus I will not hunt behind wire as I simply don't need to. However, on a big-dollar trip overseas, I want to take several representative animals in a restricted time frame, and I do not have the luxury of time, knowledge, nor the ability to learn habits, scout etc like I do at home....So to be honest I'm not sure how I feel about it...I think I would be fine hunting in the preserves there as long as it was honest, on foot, and worked for without 'boundaries' coming into play, which will generally come down to picking the right PH I guess. Still thinking on this point

How do you go about picking an area and operator? How many references do you get, or do you just rely on forums/mates/hunt reports? Do you choose by price, availablity of your chosen animals, hunting methods, all of the above?? Not trying to sound like a total numpty, just trying to guage why people have ended up on the hunt they ultimately chose...

Another thing is my wife will be coming with me, she is fine with hunting, goes spotlighting occasionally etc, and is very able to handle herself. She will likely tag along on a few hunts too as well as some R&R. So we'd obviously need a comfy base camp which allows her some comforts and things to do. Me I couldn't give a shit, I'll camp in a tent and eat the basics if the hunting's good! But then, since we are both going we want it to be a holiday as well to a degree...

So anyhow, all that and any other advice would be much appreciated, and hopefully this thread can turn into a useful resource. If any others in my boat want to add some questions please do.

(Oh, and FWIW I hope to hunt Kudu, Gemsbok, Impala, Warthog, and my wife said I must shoot a Zebra for the lounge room

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Cheers

blacks