Trad Gang
Main Boards => The Dark Continent => Topic started by: calgarychef on February 24, 2010, 11:30:00 AM
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I had such a great time in Africa last year (is it a year already?) I'm planning on going back in April or so next year. I've ggotten some very competative prices from the place I hunted last year. There's room for two more hunters to come along. I've been trying to find a couple friends in Alberta but there just doesn't seem to be anyone interested enough to actually make the plunge and say yes. So if you're interested in some great fun pm me. I'm not making any money off this by the way, just trying to get a fun trip together. It's all free range, no fences and great service in the camp.
the chef
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I could be interested. Have been to Africa twice.
Let me know where and the kind of weather they would expect in April. Seems a bit early for me.
[email protected]
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Where and when, what outfitter? What species are available? I might be able to fit a trip in.
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More details would be needed for me to be interested.
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Ok here goes. first of all I wrote a little blog last time I was there, titled 40 days in South Africa. It's probably a few pages back, but take a look and you'll know a lot more about the place. It's Zingela Safaris, and it's close to Weenan SA.
Mark has provided very fair pricing for bowhunters. The daily rate is $175.00 per day based on a 14 day hunt and I've not found anything cheaper. I'd suggest a long hunt like that because it costs lots to get to Africa and once you're there you might as well stay awhile. The camp is also family friendly so take the wife and kids if you want.
species are
impala
blue wildebeest (my nemesis)
grey duiker
bushbuck
warthog
kudu
nyala
zebra
bushpig
ostrich and giraffe
The trophy fees are about the same or slightly less than any other operator in SA.
This is fair chase, ethical hunting, and there is a waterhole but we all have agreed that getting game on the way to or from water is fine but it's not ok to sit right at the water. If you don't like this idea the place isn't for you.
The warthogs are fun to hunt, on the riverbanks. There are tons of dongas (ravines) to set up ambushes on. In April and May the rut is on so that's a good tim eto go by my books. We can use some interesting techniques to take advantage of the rut. There will probably be a shot opportunity every day of the hunt if we do our parts right, whether or not we make the shot is up to us too. I'll sure practice differently next time. We can bait the pigs and with 14 days oon our hands it's doable.
any other questions?
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Do yourself a favour. GO FOR BUSHPIG! Closest thing to a leopard hunt you will ever have. Very challenging and EXCITING
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I agree with Drenalinjunkie!!!!
I've been chased be a bushpig, really not fun. They're extremely agressive and are more than likely to charge you than run once shot. I've also seen a bushpig standoff against a 2 lions and get away untouched. The 2 lions, in my opinion had a greater respect for the pig than what I'd seen them have for a bufallo!
Bushpigs are respected by hunters all over South Africa!
Oh, by the way, Zingela are a really good outfitter! My wife grew up in the area, and they are quite well known by the family! I dream of owning a farm in this area, beautiful bushveld!!!!!
Pete
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I'm pretty surprised that no one seems interested in this. It's the cheapest price you'll prbably ever find in your life, it's a great area, you can walk and stalk at will, and there is lots of game. I've been there and researched the place it's as good as there is.
Sheesh it's easy to see that lots of people are dreamers but when the chips are down they can't be bothered. I run into this hunting locally too, so many guys say they want to hunt and I drop a good trip in their lap and they are too busy playing computor games or twiddling their pudgy little fingers to get off their ass and have an adventure. Life is short get out there and hunt, if you're so jacked up about hunting DO IT!
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Tracy,
In these economic times, it is hard for some people to shell out money for a luxery like this no matter how cheap. Lots of people out of work and some sitting on the edge of being let go. Not nice to get on people cause of their dreams maybe they just cannot afford it no matter the price, when you figure in airfare and the trophy fees it gets pretty expensive even with the cheap daily fees. Does not mean the are"too busy playing computor games or twiddling their pudgy little fingers to get off their ass and have an adventure". Uncalled for in my book.
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Thanks, Danny, well said.
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Gotta say here that while I am very interested, with a wife, two teenagers, a regular job, and two companies I run on the side the trip has to be timed right, and the costs something I can plan around and work into my family budget.
I also gotta say after the "flaming" posted above, I will definately look at the safari group, but I will be doing a trip on my own. I prefer to share my hunting camp with people who practice tolerance and understanding towards others. Patience is also a virtue I look for in a hunting partner.
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Originally posted by calgarychef:
I'm pretty surprised that no one seems interested in this. It's the cheapest price you'll prbably ever find in your life, it's a great area, you can walk and stalk at will, and there is lots of game. I've been there and researched the place it's as good as there is.
Sheesh it's easy to see that lots of people are dreamers but when the chips are down they can't be bothered. I run into this hunting locally too, so many guys say they want to hunt and I drop a good trip in their lap and they are too busy playing computor games or twiddling their pudgy little fingers to get off their ass and have an adventure. Life is short get out there and hunt, if you're so jacked up about hunting DO IT!
WOW :knothead: just so YOU know, most any outfit in the country would match that price during the off season. It will most likely be right at 100 degrees every day during April
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Well it wasn't anywhere near a hundred degrees when I went, usually a nice 80 degrees and 65 at night.
At least I woke you buggers up a bit. I'm very well known for stating my mind, and also well known to be a good hunting partner. So for those who don't want to share a camp with me that's fine. I also stand by my position that some people "dream" and some people "do" but I guess that's just the nature of the world and I should get used to it.
For those in bad financial positions I feel your pain. I'm busy looking around at my belongings to find things to sell to finance my airfare for the next go around. I've also started living and spending differently, the starbucks coffee is gone, I walk as much as possible instead of driving the truck, I'm making do with my old arrows instead of buying more etc. Sometimes I don't realize how fortunate we are in Canada that the recession hasn't hit us as hard as "South of the Border" My appologies to those who are truly strapped. It's just getting frustrating for me, I'm trying to help people out here and it seems no one can see the forest for the trees.
the chef
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What's do bad about saying buggers? It's a pretty common term around here, maybe not where you come from?
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I don't think buggers is a bad term, but I do like hunting over water holes :) ...just messing with you
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TxAg it's nice that you don't like waterhole hunting, I abhore it too. In fact if you look at my past postings you'll see that I've gone on record as saying it's not hunting at all.
The beauty of Zingela is there aren't any permanent hides at all and it's real hunting. There is an abundance of game, NO FENCES and I'm all excited about finding a truly wild place to hunt in SA. Now if I could only get some other guys interested we could have a fine trip.
the chef
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I think my post was slightly misunderstood. I actually enjoy hunting over waterholes. I was just messing with you in the sense that I know you don't and was trying to get a playful rise out of you. In realit I'm quite indifferent as to how others hunt. As long as you're out there hunting then more power to you. Congrats on finding an affordable hunt and best of luck!
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Thanks, sarcasm and "messing" don't always come through with the written word do they? I was in Texas last year for the first time it was a nice place and nice people too.
cheers
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Very well said Danny- as most of you know Donald is an avid hunter and he would love to go to Africa on an exotic hunt- but he was out of work for 9 months last year and just got back to working steady. For anyone to say that people need to get off their butts and quit playing games is just rude- there are many other people in our situation, and I think that was a very uncalled for classless comment. Until you walk a mile in our shoes you have no bad how many of our fellow Tradgangers want to go on these amazing hunts, but want to provide for their families more.
Originally posted by Danny Rowan:
Tracy,
In these economic times, it is hard for some people to shell out money for a luxery like this no matter how cheap. Lots of people out of work and some sitting on the edge of being let go. Not nice to get on people cause of their dreams maybe they just cannot afford it no matter the price, when you figure in airfare and the trophy fees it gets pretty expensive even with the cheap daily fees. Does not mean the are"too busy playing computor games or twiddling their pudgy little fingers to get off their ass and have an adventure". Uncalled for in my book.
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Originally posted by calgarychef:
I'm pretty surprised that no one seems interested in this. It's the cheapest price you'll prbably ever find in your life, it's a great area, you can walk and stalk at will, and there is lots of game. I've been there and researched the place it's as good as there is.
Sheesh it's easy to see that lots of people are dreamers but when the chips are down they can't be bothered. I run into this hunting locally too, so many guys say they want to hunt and I drop a good trip in their lap and they are too busy playing computor games or twiddling their pudgy little fingers to get off their ass and have an adventure. Life is short get out there and hunt, if you're so jacked up about hunting DO IT!
Tracy,
I think you have gotten off on the wrong foot with this one. Unfortunatly the internet alows everyone to read something with a different angle. You should not be suprised that there is little interest instantly on a trip of this magnitude for many reasons. 1st off - the cheapest price you'll probably ever find - Buff's right on this one - this is off season, outfitters will make many deals to get someone to hunt at this time, even more so with a group.2nd it's as good as it gets - this is your opinion - in my opinion as good as it gets does not exist in South Africa (we have different opinions-thats ok). 3rd off - sounding out because of little interest will only generate less interest. Your right on the temperature April will be cooler than say later in year - July to Oct = hot. If you wish to cultivate hunting partners on here you need to tread lightly and respect everyone. Ruffle too many feathers and you'll have few takers. I followed your last hunt and I like your style of hunting, Africa is a big country and free range spot and stalk can be had in much greater volume outside of S. Africa. I encourage you to see the truly wild areas of Africa - you will not regret it.Your 100% right - Life is short go hunting but pick your hunting partners wisely. 14 days across the pond is along time to share camp with someone you don't see eye to eye with. Good Luck.
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For some of us its not a matter of IF we do but WHAT we do....
That said, this kind of trip does potentially have some appeal for me. BTW, I almost never come in to this part of the forum.
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"I followed your last hunt and I like your style of hunting"
Can someone point this one out for me, I may have missed it.
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Steve,
See down near bottom of first page in this forum "40 Days in South Africa"
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Hunt it thanks for your input, indeed I did get off on the wrong foot and my origional comments weren't construed as I intended them- such is the internet.
I agree that there are many truly wild areas of Africa; Namibia,Zambia, Tanzania, Botswana, Mozambique all of these areas could be construed as being "better" than SA. But in SA I think there aren't many better areas than this one. I say this simply because of the freedom to "hunt on our own" not many PH's will allow you out there unless you're sequestered in a hide and stay there until picked up. Add to that the remoteness and it's a pretty special area within an area that's seen as quite well settled or civilized. It's like some of the truly big ranches in Southern Alberta, thousands of acres and wild as they ever were.
As to it being cheaper because it's off season, this area is used primarily as a base for white water and climbing activities this IS the hunting season. It's not possible to have hunters wandering about with the family oriented stuff going on earlier in theseason. Additionally the animals haven't been spooked by two months of rifle hunting prior to us getting there.
As a bowhunter I was able to make use of the rut in the late season. Anyone who's hunted antelope can guess the fun that several thousand impala in a rutting frenzy can create. Add to that the other animals and it's pretty fun to be there during the rut.
I also agree about choosing your partners well, I went to Africa with someone I met here on Tradgang. We took a chance but we were patient with each other and through the minor and major tribulations we encountered (missing our flight home wasn't too fun) we became good friends. We've hunted a LOT together since then, and are good friends. Once you've been "through fire" with a partner it makes for a lifelong friendship.
Thanks for your input it's appreciated.
cheers
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Did I miss it or do they have a website or do you have a published price list with other details?
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http://www.zingelasafaris.co.za is the website. I mentioned on an earlier page that the daily rate is $175.00 based on a 14 day hunt and the trophy fees are similar to any other outfitter maybe a tad lower.
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"the trophy fees are similar"
I saw the $175 per day part, I was wandering about trophy fees and any other charges such as airport pickup etc. I've seen price lists that varied quite a bit.
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I'm a little hesitant about posting every detail regarding pricing. I'm not trying to make this a free adverisement for Zingela.
Here goes, if this offends the mods please let me know and I'll delete the pricing.
The first price is male, the next is female, and the last is trophy sized.
impala 200, 150 250
blue wildebeest 700,500,800
grey duiker 200
bushbuck 700,500,700
warthog 250,250,350
kudu 1000,700,1500
nyala 1500,700,2000
zebra 900,900
bushpig 500,500
ostrich 700,500
giraff prices on request, I seem to remember something like 1500.
As far as the airport pickup, when we went we rented a vehicle but I wouldn't do that again. There's too much to see on the drive to worry about actually doing the driving. There is a local lad I just about hired to do some driving and his rates were very reasonable. By hiring a local like that it's the cost of mileage not a per person cost so it gets divided.
Something else to point out. These prices were quoted to me and aren't generally available. Although I've been suggesting a group hunt with me as one of the group if you had your own group I could chat with Mark and I'm sure he'd be able to match the price. Especially as I'm not going this year, if anyone was interested in going in the next couple of months it might work out for you.
cheers
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I thought I'd do a second post regarding taxidermy options.
I only got a kudu mounted, cheap $650.00. HOWEVER the shipping just about killed me. It brought the whole thing to over $2000.00. If cost is a big thing then I'd suggest getting a good camera and taking pictures. I'll be doing that next time, I just can't afford the taxidermy stuff.
I would consider just getting "flat skins" as the cost of tanning is low and shipping something like that would be much less. Another option is to pre arrange with the tannery to simply buy a couple skins while we're there and bring them back as luggage. With the necessary paperwork of course.
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Beauty of a group is if you all agree on say the best tannery in N. America - New Metheod in San Francisco - You can have all items shipped in one crate to New Metheod (cost divided by group = cheaper). They then would tan hides/capes and shipp to each persons desired taxidermist. Unmounted items will fit in smaller/lighter crate than mounted. Also, tanning process is best here.
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No fences and no waterholes in SA, that is a rare place. Where is it in relation to j-berg?
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It's North West of Durban. In a pretty little valley. So There's a flight involved from J-berg to Durban and then a drive of a few hours to the secret pick up spot. Then about 2 hours of the roughest road you could imagine. Those Uri vehicles made by Toyota are a heck of a good vehicle!
I'm still going next April or May if anyone's interested. We could do a kind of a revolving hunt here two buddies could hunt the place for their time then when they go two more could rotate in. That way I could go a few day early and set up treestands in the likely places that are carefully stored in my GPS ;)
I've got spots in mind for a couple of the dongas, Three good spots where the impalas hang out under some nice big trees There's a spot on the trail coming in that sees tons of traffic from ostrich, giraff, Nyala, and Kudu.
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It sounds great, but it will be a few years before I can get back there. Have Fun.
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Really appreciate the offer and great price and also would like to go to Alaska but don't see it happening anytime soon. Maybe in a couple of years.
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I must concur with Willem. All properties in SA are fenced in order to acquire exemption which allows hunting to occur year 'round. If, on the off chance, there is no exemption, then clients must buy a SA hunting license specifying game to be hunted, etc. Additionally, it is totally illegal for a SA outfitter to allow clients to roam about without a licensed PH with them. This is the law.
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I would love to go back in 2011 but with my animals and the beautiful kudu and impala that Willem put my wife on last month, I'm going to have to wait alittle... Say 2014 if that alright with Willam... and my wife.
If anyone is looking for a family run bowhunting outfitter in SFA, I can't say enough about Matlabas. This was my second time hunting with Willam and his son and I just got back last Saturday. I'm still jetlagging but I'm daydreaming about my wildabeast and impala, and our trip to Kruger and the river of happiness. Willam took us to the Blyde River canyon, the third largest canyon in the world and possibly the most beautiful place in the world. I will be posting pics soon but if anyone is intersted, give me a call. Willam, thanks for everything, Bhill
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Haven't looked on the website, yet. Do you know what the daily rate is to have nonhunting family in camp?
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Originally posted by Ragnarok Forge:
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I also gotta say after the "flaming" posted above, I will definately look at the safari group, but I will be doing a trip on my own. I prefer to share my hunting camp with people who practice tolerance and understanding towards others.
"Tolerance and understanding". I always find it interesting when folks use those terms at the very same time they are doing the same. They seem to preach tolerance and understanding, yet have none for the person they are accusing. Claiming him to be tolerant, yet not being tolerant of him. Sorry if that's off topic, I just hate hypocrisy by the tolerance brigade.
Now, lets see how tolerant he is of my post.
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folks, please keep in mind that only trad gang sponsors can market their products and services. thank you.
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well, well, well!
i certianally smiled when i read this thread last night- thought long and hard about it and thought that maybe i should add a little perpective here- dont want to see good people getting grumpy with each other!
times are tough, and we all have hurdles and obstacles to deal with- and thats only fair and well.
tracy(calgary chef), is a pretty straight talking guy, and sometimes that approach will ruffle a few feathers- maybe not always too bad a thing- but i also sense Tracy's frustration-
having immigrated from S.A.- and being extensively involved in the hunt guiding, and adventure tourism sector for the last twenty odd years, i really wanted to share some of those oppertunities with some like minded people- i really felt a debt to other members on this forum, and just wanted to pay it forward, no profit, no financial gain!!!
well.... i could hardly get replies from people!
so i gave up in the end.
ironically i kept reading posts about people going hunting in africa, paying huge amounts of money, and some of them having terrible times!!!
i have worked at Zingela Safaris, on and off over the last 25 years( and other places too!!!) and personally feel that they are one of the most forward thinking , and hospitable hosts around( i am sure there are others too)
mark , the owner has initiated some phenomenal eco-tourism perpectives.
he re-introduced,elephant, rhino and buffalo to the greater weenen biosphere reserve- over 100 000 hectares(220 000 acres!) of pristine wilderness orientated around sustainable hunting- involving the local native communities.
he humbly only accepts the title as "one of the founding members" when i worked for him as an apprentice, 10 years prior to the formation of the biosphere- i remember pouring over maps with him, as he discussed his dream of creating this wilderness area, where farmers and locals worked hand in hand.- he was the man behind it all.
he is very strict as to how he controls his hunting- and it is really orientated around managing "spook- free" game-
no fences at all- not even perimeter fenced- find me some other "game ranch" owners who do this.
the outer perimeter of the biosphere is fenced, which incorporates the the notorious Weenen Game reserve- thats how year round hunting is allowed.
the game have the sanctuary of the reserve- no hunting- and you would never be able to traverse the entire biosphere- just to huge and diverse.
an absolute abundance of game, many, many sci and rowland ward tropies have been taken at Zingela. he has hunted professionally all over africa- and all of the species!!!
his lodge is right on the banks of the mighty Tugela river, with some of the best frehwater fishing in the country- white water rafting etc etc.
a veritable bow hunters paradise-
I HAVE YET TO FIND A BETTER PLACE!!!
sorry about the ramble, but just painting a quick picture- so that you understand my motivation in trying to take fellow bow hunters there.
tracy was the only one who showed a real response- and so we went hunting.............
read his thread- 40 days in africa.
i have subsequently moved to the queen charlotte islands- but must add that Tracy was my hunting partner( i have never hunted with a partner before!!) for the few years i lived in alberta- i always found him exceedingly, tolerant, patient, kind, and generous- to the point that he would always seem to orientate our hunts around me getting a shot off- he was absolutely selfless.
we had many great times together- and i know we will hunt together again in the future- just not that often, sadly!!
but, he is a straight talker, and i do understand his frustration, be it founded or unfounded.
good luck all
and i wish you all the best of hunting and prosperity for the coming year.
wayne.