Putting it into perspective.
An average price for a buff in SA on auction is R120 000 per animal. This excludes transportation from the place of capture to the place of release.
A very old bull, past it prime will go for a bit less. Lets make it R90 000 and forget transport fees. Last year the R/$ exchange was @ R11/$1 making that buff = $8200. At present we are sitting at R7.10 to the US$, making that same buff $12 500. A 52% inflation!
The buff at $19 000 is either a top 10 trophy animal or the owner does not have it or does not want to get rid of it. The next Number 1 Cape Eland is available at $14 000 at this point in time. They usually go for around $1 800.
Low $ to Rands does not only make outfitters nervous, but also make them go out of business. Outfitters living on 80% love and 20% money makes me nervous. Usually 80% of them run before the 20% drop in currency. I am curios to see how many bargain outfitter will hang around till 2004/5.
Tanzania’s buff packages at $8 000 odd is probably the best value for money - to a sure outfitter that is... Eastern Cape’s packages probably the best for plains game in SA.
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