Safari! Peter Capstick called it, "The Last Great Adventure!" To me, and many others, it is the ultimate hunting experience. A safari can be yours for a lot less than you think and while not inexpensive, it is the best bargain in the hunting world today.

  Today's air travel, new hunting areas and a variety of available safaris make an African Adventure within the reach of every sportsman. For the cost of a ten-day Alaskan hunt, you can travel to Africa, hunt for ten days, collect half a dozen beautiful trophies, like the greater kudu and impala, and have the hunting experience of your life. Hunting is alive and well in Africa and in many areas, just like in the U. S., it is better than it was twenty years ago!

  You need nothing special to go on Safari (khakis or jeans, your favorite elk rifle, light weight boots, sweater and wind breaker will do the trick.

  Health, in the hunting fields of Africa, presents no special problems. A tetanus booster, a course of malaria prevention tablets, and any personal medication, is all you need. And traveling internationally with your sporting firearm is no more complicated than in North America.

  Many people imagine Africa as a snake-infested jungle crawling with bugs. Actually, most of the game areas of Africa are rather arid and since you will be hunting during the southern hemisphere's winter, bugs and snakes are few and far between. Some mosquitoes are always present and a malaria preventative is recommended.

  Many clients are also concerned about the political situation, which translates: "How safe is it". With prudence, Africa - especially southern Africa - is certainly as safe as most comparable American areas and certainly much safer than Mexico. Travel to and from the hunting areas of southern Africa is fine and crime in the bush is next to unknown. The most popular hunting countries are hundreds of miles from the troubled spots of central and northern Africa. Africa can be quite harsh, but with a little planning, it is also normally quite safe.

  But how does it work? How do you get there from here and what about hidden costs and other surprises? Can you take your own rifle and bring home your trophies? The answer is yes, to the latter two questions, but how you get there from here and what surprises you may encounter along the way can be either complicated or simple. Let's see how it works.

  Most safaris are arranged by a booking agent or, as many prefer to be called, a hunting consultant. This agent, or consultant, works like a travel agent, representing various safari operators and being reimbursed by them on a commission basis. Using the service of an agent costs no more than booking direct and often can save you money.

  In planning your safari, pick your booking agent with great care because he or she is going to be responsible for the details that can make a safari a dream or a nightmare. If he does his job well, he will insure that you are booked with a safari operator that gives you the safari that you want at a price you can afford. He will help you arrange your air travel and side trips. His service to you should last until your trophies are safe in your den. Avoid disappointments and surprises; use a reputable, full- time booking agent.

  A few years ago, the American Association of International Professional Hunting and Fishing Consultants (AAPHFC) was formed to provide the traveling sportsman with a group of professionals on which he could depend for the finest in hunting and fishing adventures. Each member is a full-time consultant who has met the most stringent of requirements. I am proud to be a charter member and past president of AAPHFC.

Where To Start
  Every safari should start with a plan. Many inquiries 1 receive simply say, "I want to hunt in Africa," that's like saying, I want to hunt in North America(a pretty broad field. I help my clients make a plan. You need to decide on a budget; what trophies you want to take, how long you can be gone and when you can go. You would not shop for a new vehicle without knowing how much you wanted to spend and the type vehicle you wanted. A safari is no different.

  Of course, you want to go as reasonably as possibly, hunt for twenty one days (at least), take your wife and son along and shoot a black mane lion, two buffalo and possibly an elephant. Unfortunately, we must be practical, you simply cannot hunt the big five on a plains game budget (sorry, but that is a fact of life!).

  So decide how much, what, how long and when (I will help you do that) and then I will help you plan a great safari within those guidelines. A safari that you have chosen and that fits your criteria. And one last thought:

  Remember the cheapest safari around is a three-day hunt in my back yard. It costs only $110 a day, all inclusive. The area is beautiful, accommodations are very comfortable, my wife is a great cook, there is a pool and TV. Of course, there is no game but if there was I would charge a hell of a lot more. Think about it!

SAFARI COSTS
  There are three major costs involved in any safari. They are: travel, daily rate and trophy fees. Travel There are daily flights from New York and Atlanta to the major cities of southern Africa. Current costs for these flights is under $2,000.00 round trip and frequent flier miles can often be used. International travel with firearms is no problem if you know the simple rules and restrictions.

Daily Rate
  The daily rate covers the basic costs of a safari: the services of a professional hunter (PH), hunting vehicle, fuel, food, lodging, support staff, laundry service and field preparation of trophies. Licenses, permits and concession fees may or may not be covered.

  Daily rates vary tremendously based on the game available, the remoteness/accessibility of the area and the reputation of the safari company. A plains game safari costs less than $300.00 per day. A plains game/Cape buffalo hunt to a good area costs $750.00 and up per day, while a safari to the remote areas of Zambia or Botswana for lion and other game, about $900.00 per day.

  Most safaris are a minimum of ten days with leopard and lion requiring fourteen to twenty one days. In most camps the day of arrival and the day of departure are not charged.

  A non-hunting companion can also accompany you on your safari at a very reasonable daily rate, generally about $150 a day. They have the same camp benefits as you and can opt to accompany you on the hunting car or remain in camp. Many wives, who think roughing it is no room service at the Holiday In n, love Africa. About fifty percent of my clients take their wives and or other family members when they, go on safari. It is a fantastic family adventure. Camps are very comfortable, most with 'in suite' bathroom facilities. Camp food is famous and well deserves the reputation. The weather is very pleasant, the sun always shinning and snakes less common than many areas in the US.

Trophy Fees
  Trophy fees are, in most countries, collected at the end of the safari for any game taken or wounded and lost. Trophy fees vary tremendously based on availability of the game species just like a white tail hunt is cheaper than an elk hunt and a grizzly more expensive than a Black bear. Very few animals are lost through wounding, thanks to the uncanny ability of good trackers, although it does happen and if that happens the trophy fee must be paid. The trophy fee on an impala is about $200.00, a kudu about $800.00, a Cape buffalo $1,750.00 and a leopard $2,500.00 (an elephant is ten!).

Other Costs
  There are other costs involved in any safari and that is why 1 use a detailed contract signed by both the safari operator and the client: No surprises ! Other possible costs the client should be aware of are concession fees, charter costs and government taxes or permits. These costs are not associated with all safaris or countries. A charge that is universal is the packing, dipping and crating (PDC) charges to prepare your trophies for shipment to the U.S. They vary from thirty five dollars per trophy to a flat fee of five hundred to a thousand dollars, depending on the area hunted and trophies being shipped.

  On plains game hunts transfers to the hunting area are included in the daily rate or very minimal. In most big game areas a charter is required just like Alaska or the Canadian bush. Costs of the flights are, of course, based on passenger load and distance.

  Planning a safari and pulling all of the facets of the trip together it as much fun as the hunt itself Do it right and the safari will be a wonderful experience. Don't be surprised and disappointed - use a full time agent that knows what he is talking about and has a reputation for telling it like it is! I will not sell you a safari I have not been on myself nor one I will not stand behind one hundred per cent. I have been to Africa twenty some times in the last ten years. I have been hunting for over fifty years. I can guarantee you the hunt of a life time with a safe, enjoyable, successful safari.

Bill Williamson