Taking Your Wife

[Jack Shanks]

I would like to hunt plains game in Africa for the first time this year and take my wife as a non-hunter. I think she would enjoy spending a day or two in a hide watching game but not the entire time we are there. Could someone recommend somewhere that there would be enough things for a non-hunter to do that they would have a enjoyable trip too?

Thanks,  Jack

[Steve M]

There is plenty for the gals to do over there. A trip to Kruger park or one of the other parks is always nice and of course there is plenty of shopping to be done.

Often times wives enjoy filming the hubby's hunt from the same hide too. Great quality time together!

Best of luck on your trip!
Steve M.

[Jack Shanks]

Thanks Steve, Remember we spoke last year about hunting together with Kruger? My wife's mother had some health issues so I couldn't commit. She ended up having surgery and everything turned out fine so I'm looking at going this year. I haven't contacted Kruger yet but I certainly plan on doing so before I book with anyone else. I just thought I would try to get more information on other possibilities before we make a decision.

Jack

[Twang]

Jack,

I went with Ken Moody in '02, it was great.

He is offering a package, with a non-hunter rate of $50 per day for spouses.

[Jack Shanks]

Thanks Twang,

 I've bee talking with Ken Moody in the last week or two. Sounds like a great deal. I hope to talk with one of the wives that have gone to Africa to get their impression first hand. Ten days and the travel back would be a long time to spend with my wife if she wasn't happy. If you know what I mean.
 I read on another site about a wife that was along and ended up spending the entire time sitting around camp. My wife wouldn't mind a little of that but I don't think she would handle ten days of it very well. I know I couldn't.

Jack

[Twang]

One young man (17 yrs old) who hunted with us brought his mother along.  She went to the hide a couple of days; went to an observation tower another time; and spent the rest of the time reading and hanging around camp.  She seemed to enjoy it, but it depends on the individual.

Another guy had his wife there and she went with him each day and may have hunted herself, but I think was mainly an observer.

There are excursions that can be arranged, over to Kruger or elsewhere that would be interesting, so I would think it would work.  I think Moody and others have access to some 4-star accomodations with pool and other amenities that may be worth checking out.

[8th Dwarf]

My wife, Karen, started going as a bow hunter.  She hunted with a 55 pound longbow before a muscle disease called Fibromyalgia stopped her from shooting.

She now goes as an observer and has a great time.  She sits in blinds, hikes around on her own, shops for crafts, explores old ruins, photographs cave paintings, and swims in the camp pools.  She loves it.  Our outfitter, Greater Kuduland Safaris also arranges side trips to Kruger and other neat places.

She'd be happy to email your wife and give her details...she can also call on weekends (we're in New Zealand now and weekend rates are dirt cheap.)  If you haven't committed yet, you can join us at Kuduland.  We are still shy one person for August, 04.

Too Short

[Steve M]

Jack,

Yep I certainly do remember, Glad to hear she's doing fine! Things like that are exactly why I huunt when I can, one never knows what the future holds.

Just finished building a new studio and getting ready to go back to Kruger's again this May. Can't wait to get back!

Twice there have been hunters & wives in his camp while I was there. Kruger's wife would take the gals shopping when they wished but for the most part both gals spent a lot of time in the hides. One hunted (and did very well!) and the other video taped her hubby's hunt. I was fortunate enough to watch the hunter being filmed by his wife take a 39.5" Gemsbok. He was in a hide and we were on a ridge top coming to pick the couple up when the big guys came in. Kruger saw the Gemsbok before they saw us so we holed up at a great vantage point to watch the show. I can't say what a treat it was to see another trad hunter's success unfold so beautifully!

Drop me an e-mail sometime, and until then

Good hunting,
Steve

[Don Thomas]

If I ever went to Africa without Lori, I wouldn't have a wife to come home to! Of course, she's as busy as I am hunting with bow and camera... I have shared camp with a lot of non-hunting spouses though and most have enjoyed the experience. Anyone with any interest in wildlife should be able to enjoy some or all of the trip observing, learning and taking photographs. Most outfitters can arrange side trips to experience additional wildlife viewing, shopping, photography and local culture. Don