africa 2011-who's interested?

[calgarychef]

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

[Kimber Rowan]

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.

[hunt it]

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.

[Steve H.]

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.

[Steve H.]

"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.

[hunt it]

Steve,

See down near bottom of first page in this forum "40 Days in South Africa"

[calgarychef]

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

[Steve H.]

Did I miss it or do they have a website or do you have a published price list with other details?

[calgarychef]

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.

[Steve H.]

"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.

[calgarychef]

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

[calgarychef]

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.

[hunt it]

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.

[CB]

No fences and no waterholes in SA, that is a rare place.  Where is it in relation to j-berg?

[calgarychef]

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.

[CB]

It sounds great, but it will be a few years before I can get back there.  Have Fun.

[brinkwolf]

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.

[Ken Moody]

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.

[Brent Hill]

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

[Andy Cooper]

Haven't looked on the website, yet. Do you know what the daily rate is to have nonhunting family in camp?