First time to Africa

[chefrvitale]

Hi all
I have always wanted to hunt kudu in Africa and I am finally going to plan the trip. I was hoping some of the African veterans could point me in the right direction and ball park the all in cost to budget for.

Thanks for the help

[Mike Yancey]

The very first thing that you need to do is decide on an outfit that for sure is 100% aware of the wants and needs of a traditional bowhunter. They might say that they are bowhunter friendly but some just don't understand the difference and what is required to hunt traditional. Many on this site have hunted with operations that cater to traditional, just don't stray to far from the list.
The hunt will run you a couple of thousand in airfare and a hunt package will run you around 3-4 thousand depending on the animals that you want to take, a kudu runs around 2000.00 to 2500.00. 

[chefrvitale]

Thanks for the info, it looks like a lot of guys on here had a great time in Namibia. I think I am going to look into outfitters there.

[acolobowhunter]

I just got back from Namibia and had a great time.  As Mike mentioned, the airline fare for me was $1800, but I got an isle (exit row) seat so it was a little more, but well worth it as it gave more leg room.  Also you need to decide what animals you want to hunt in regards to cost.  I had a package that the outfitter gave me ( at my request of animals) and the cost was a less that individual animal costs.  The hunt was 8 days, but we spent extra time seeing some of the country.  The outfitter and his wife took us to two parks in Namibia for sight seeing.  This is an option, but not necessary.  Kudu in my package was $1600 along with 5 other animals which I got.
There are many outfitters in SA and Namibia, so do your research.  I can help if you want more info.

[MedicineMan7]

Much good info above. Most definitely, the #1 thing to look for in my opinion would be an outfitter that has had TRADITIONAL archers there, and had repeated success. I know multiple people who went on archery hunts (both South Africa and Namibia) and ended up with either limited success or resorting to rifle hunting because of either being way to far from the water for shot opportunites (one place a friend went to the CLOSEST shot was 35 yards), to many water holes that the animals didn't have to come to certain spots, or the animals were hunted so hard with guns the only time they would water was at night.

For my first trip, I corresponded with over a dozen different outfits trying to decide which route to go. All welcomed me with open arms when I mentioned archery hunting, but only two out of all of them seemed to welcome my trad gear. I ended up going with Dare to Bow after multiple referrals and the fact that the owner Lammie was a traditional archer himself, and all of his setups were placed with the intent of hunting with traditional gear. Not only was I drawn to this place by him being a traditional archer, but also because it is a smaller outfit that only runs one or two small groups a month keeping more personalized and detail oriented, as well as his prices were about as good as I could possibly find. I have never looked back or regretted my decision on choosing his outfit, so much so that I just returned from my 4th trip and already talking about my next one!

Costs will vary from one outfit to the next depending on animals you want to hunt and length of stay. Package hunts are typically the best bang for you buck so to speak as you can typically get all of your stay covered (lodging, meals, laundry service, trackers, guides, skinners, ect.) as well as a group of animals to hunt. Any additional animals can typically be added in on top of that per the trophy fee list. Flight prices vary depending on time of year and which route you decide to fly ($1200 to $2000 is pretty much par). Getting your animals back is also something that can vary a bit depending on what you want done to them. For my last trip, I had 5 animals shipped back (skulls and capes), and with all costs tallied up (skins salt tanned, skulls cleaned and bleached, crating, and shipping costs) I had right at $1100 in them.

If you have any questions at all, feel free to ask!

[chefrvitale]

Do you have contact information for that outfitter? That sounds awesome!

[MedicineMan7]

Their webpage is https://www.daretobowhunt.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/DaretoBowhunt/ if you have facebook. You can also contact Lammie through email at [email protected].

[acolobowhunter]

Medicine Man is on the right track and I agree with everything he said.  Costs depend on how many animals you want to shoot.  I got a package deal with 7 animals in it.  I did not shoot a blesbuck, so he discounted that price and paid me back those funds.  He is up front with everyone.  He is also a bow hunting camp and only takes one hunter or one small group at a time.
As Medicine Man also mentioned about shot distances - I never took a shot over 20 yards.  Most of my shots were 15 yds and under.  I shot my Kudu and Gemsbuck at 11 yards from a ground blind.  I was actually shooting upwards.  If you go - REMEMBER to shoot through the front shoulder as the heart and lungs are further forward than our animals.  For several months, I would go to 3D shoots, but not shoot for competition, but focus on shooting in the shoulder.  Just look at the front leg and follow it up to the middle of the shoulder.  I shot all but one of my animals in the heart.  Antonie, kept telling me that I could shoot a little higher and be fine, but my shots he said were perfect.  Any questions, let me know.

[JohnV]

I hunted in July with Gert Coetzee of UIB Pro Bowhunting in Namibia.  He hunts about 35,000 acres of private land about 10 miles from the Etosha park.  Gert's operation is bowhunting only.  Gert hunts with both recurve and compound.  Quite a few traditional bowhunters have hunted with Gert;  the late Larry Fisher of Trad Bowhunter magazine, Fred and Michele Eichler, Mike Palmer, and others.  Gert uses pit blinds placed about 12-15 yards from water holes.  I shot two bull kudu on my trip, along with a gemsbok and wart hog.  Gert does not mix hunting parties and prefers to have 4 or fewer hunters in camp.  (During my hunt I was the only hunter in camp.)  Good rates (about $400 per day plus trophy fee of $1500 per kudu).  You can google Gert's name and operation for his web page.  (Unfortunately his web page is out of date and has minimal info.  Contact me if you want more info.)

[chefrvitale]

This is great information guys! I appreciate you taking the time to post. Has anyone had any trouble or bad experiences in Africa?

[acolobowhunter]

I had no problems.  I hunted in Namibia and had my luggage booked all the way through and no problems.  I did use a lady in Montana to do all my flight bookings and motel reservations.  I am really glad I did.  She monitored everything until I left the ground.  My flight from Denver to JFK had been cancalled.  She was on top of it and got it changed before I ever left home.  If I hadn't used her, I would have missed a flight and wouldn't have had another one scheduled.  Do you self a favor and use her.  I believe the name of her company is Travel Express from Hamilton Mt.  Her husband booked all my hunting and got everything in order with the outfitter.  They work together to make every hunt stress free.  I hunted with Makalaan Safari's in Namibia and highly recommend them.  If you want more info, send me a note.
Gene