Gryphon,

You ask a very good question, and the answers you get, will depend very much on the type of person who makes it.
I am no authority on African hunting, but have done four separate hunts for DG in Zimbabwe, so I suppose I can speak with a little personal experience.
In my book, to do a 'real' hunt, one must go off, perhaps with a tracker, walk into the bush, camp out, and shoot your trophies.It is the way I used to hunt, many moons ago. However,this is more or less impossible to do in Africa, unless you buy a hunt at an auction. Even then, I am not too sure if you can go it alone.
In my time in Africa, I have seen grossly overweight and obviously very unfit characters, who have actually refused to walk more than 400 yards, sit at water holes, or get off the back of a truck and shoot their trophies.( If you can get your hands on a video called 'Return to Chewore' you will see exactly what I mean).
Another bad example I have on video (given to me by an agent in the UK, who was trying to sell me a hunt at the time) where the hunter jumps out of the truck and shoots a Buffalo, and later in the hunt, 'bottles' it when he comes up to shoot the tuskless elephant he has 'booked' and asks the PH to back him up. The PH, unusually declines, and you actually see a classic piece of film on how not to shoot an elephant. (You can have a copy of this one if you want, it is awful).
The other thing is, in Africa, Safari hunting is an industry, and as a result, getting a client his trophy is of paramount importance. Corners do get cut , and ethics do take a back seat.
Having said that, I have been priveliged to have hunted with some very professional PHs, and once they get to know and trust you, they will allow you to 'take the lead' in your hunts.
So, if you are used to walking into the hills and tracking down and shooting your Sambhar, then Africa will certainly be different.
Question is , is it unacceptable enough for one not to go ??!
Personally, I would go as often as my finances allow.
Mpofu.