An African hunting trip will leave you with lasting memories and is worth every cent spent! Whether you choose to go leopard hunting in Namibia, visit Mozambique for some dangerous game hunting targeting the Nile crocodile, or even visit South Africa’s Kalahari region for an African plains game hunt, there is something about Africa that has hunters returning time and time again. Apart from the hunting, lifelong friends and memories are made around the braai as you sit and retell hunting tales of old.

Africa sports an abundance of wildlife, and hunting in Africa can be as adrenaline-filled or challenging as you want it to be, depending on your target game hunting species and hunting methods. The cost of African hunting safaris differs greatly for numerous reasons, including, amongst others, timing, destination, type of accommodation, species targeted, duration of the hunt, and so forth.

The fact is that there is something for everyone with African hunting packages targeting various species, in various countries, at various times. Someone to help you through the process might be a hunting broker, or a specialist to assist you in making an informed choice.

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Hunting Brokers

Should I Book my African Hunting Package through a Hunting Broker?

Yes, it is recommended to book your game hunting safari package through a trustworthy and dependable hunting broker who has vast knowledge of your specific hunting requirements and is, therefore, able to meet your hunting objectives and provide you with an unforgettable hunting experience.

Using reputable brokers puts you in the fortunate position of having someone who can match your game hunting requirements with an expert African outfitter, thereby allowing you the African game hunting experience you want. Whether you have your heart set on African plains game hunting on the Serengeti or targeting the unpredictable and aggressive Cape buffalo in South Africa, the gaming broker has many different hunting destinations, and packages available, with a team who can make your dream a reality.

Why should I use a Hunting Broker for my Africa Hunting Trip?

• A hunting broker has a wealth of information at their fingertips and can easily match a hunter with an African outfitter who can meet the client’s expectations of a hunting safari. 
• A good and experienced broker will also have completed many of their hunts, using numerous outfitters, and will know the best outfitter to partner with you to meet your expectations.
• They are in a unique position to offer guidance and tips for the hunter, knowing what the hunter is looking for in a game hunting adventure, having been in his shoes many times before.

African Hunting Safari Packages

How Much Does an African Hunting Package Cost?

So, the time has come at last…you have saved for your dream game hunting safari and are now searching for African hunting packages to make this dream a reality. But which hunting package is best? How do you know what to choose and what to consider in a hunting package? Where do you even start the process? We are pleased to share an overview of African hunting packages and some items to consider during the process.

Prices of hunting packages are largely dependent on several factors, including:

• The final hunting destination (location as well as accommodation type)
• Species hunted.
• Trophy quality.
• Number of animals hunted.
• Duration of the hunt.

African hunting safari packages offer the best value and are the easiest way to secure your African hunting safari.

African hunting safari packages start from as few as a basic 3-day hunt to 7, 14, 21, 28-day or customized hunting safaris. An actual price in dollars per hunt is difficult to confirm, but to give you a very rough idea, a 3-day hunt with 1-2 common targeted African plains game species, such as springbok, impala, or blesbok, will set you back from US$5,500 upwards.

The type of species and trophy quality of the hunts will also affect the pricing.

One of the more common African hunting packages is those featuring African plains game, such as impala, warthog, springbok, blesbok, and gemsbok, amongst others.

Other specialty hunting packages would include species such as aardwolf, bat-eared foxed, Cape fox, spotted hyena, striped hyena, honey badger, warthogs, and the black-backed jackal.

The notorious African Big 5 hunting package would target the leopard, lion, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo. The Dangerous 7 would include all the Big 5, and the Nile crocodile and hippo. It’s a case of danger with a capital “D,” as any of these animals will take the hunter down without a moment’s hesitation or second thought. 

African big game hunting safaris target animals that don’t necessarily need to be huge or dangerous to fall under this category, although there are numerous that do! Rather, the hunt itself can have big challenges or experiences, hunting animals such as the eland, kudu, oryx, waterbuck, zebra, and nyala, amongst others.

The Tiny Ten game hunting package is another customized package, including ten tiny antelope with exceptional skills at camouflage, which aids them in staying alive! These remarkable antelopes include Cape grysbok, blue duiker, Damara dik-dik, gray duiker, oribi, klipspringer, red duiker, Sharpe’s grysbok, steenbuck, and suni.

If you are considering targeting African cats when hunting in Africa, your choice would include animals such as the lion, leopard, cheetah, civet, and African genet, for your hunting pleasure.

What Costs are Included in African Safari Packages?

Most African safari packages usually include the following:

• Transfers: Transfer to and from the airport from the hunting destination. If you land in South Africa, this will usually be from OR Tambo International Airport, as you will generally land in Johannesburg.
• Daily rate that includes accommodation, meals, refreshments, and laundry: Accommodation can differ from more budget style to luxurious 5-star options and will, of course, affect the price of your African hunting package. Scrumptious meals are included, along with alcoholic drink options such as local wines and beers, soft drinks, and juices. Hardtack is usually excluded.
• Hunting licenses
• PH & Skinner, and Tracker: Your professional hunter’s fee, as well as a tracker and skinner, are included.
• Transport: Vehicles and fuel for the hunting safari
• Field Preparation of the hunting trophy, transport to the local taxidermist

Are there other Pre-Costs not Included in the African Hunting Package that I should Consider?

Yes, some costs are not included in your game hunting safari package, such as your flights to the hunting destination. This is why it is suggested to get a full breakdown of inclusive and exclusive items for your African hunting package. 

Common exclusions on African hunting packages include, amongst others:

• Pre and/or post-hunting accommodation 

Should you arrive after 13:00 at OR Tambo International, your hunting outfitter will probably suggest overnighting at a local guesthouse and give a recommendation. 

• Observers Fees

Many hunting outfitters do pay for observers’ fees as there may be additional staff and/or vehicles involved in having observers on the hunt.

• Dip and Pack

This is self-explanatory and is charged as an extra fee.

• Taxidermy Fees

Many outfitters may include the transport of your game hunting trophy to the taxidermist, but the actual fee is excluded.

• Extra excursions

Should you wish to include local site-seeing options pre- or post-hunt, these are also not included.

• Gratuities

Gratuities are not included and would be most appreciated by the staff who looked after you during your stay. The below is purely a suggestion:

• • Professional Hunter

• • • $50-$100 Per Day for Plains Game 

• • • $100-$200 Per Day for Dangerous Game 

• • Tracker -$100-$200 total depending on the length of the African hunting package

• • Skinner -$100 in total

• • Cook -$10-$20 per day

• • Rest of Camp Staff -$100-$200 in total, to be split between the staff

• Hard Tack

Many outfitters do not cover hard tack on a game hunting safari but offer guests a remarkable variety of quality local wines, beers, ciders, soft drinks, and juices during the hunt.

• Rifle Hire

If you don’t bring your own rifle with you, you will usually be charged a daily rate to use one from the outfitter.

When is it Best to Book my Africa Hunting Trip?

Booking your African hunting trip has never been easier, with airfares opening almost a year before departure and an array of African outfitters standing by to make your dream hunt a reality! Many hunters book their specialist African hunting packages a year or more in advance.

When are the most Popular Travel Times for an African Hunting Safari?

Knowledge of local hunting seasons will give you a good idea of when the best time is to consider your Africa hunting trip, as well as allow you options to book items such as flights and pre- or post-excursions in advance and perhaps get a discounted rate. Game hunting safaris are generally undertaken during the cooler, drier winter months.

Although the timing may change or allow better hunting conditions for some species, the general hunting seasons for some popular African countries are:

• South Africa: All year around ,with May-August being the popular times
• Tanzania: July-December
• Botswana: April-September
• Cameroon: March-July
• Zambia: July-November
• Zimbabwe: 365 days a year 
• Namibia: February-November
• Mozambique: April-November

Although the general hunting season is listed above, many game hunting farms and outfitters have received a special exemption, allowing them to hunt throughout the year.

What is the Safest African Destination for a Game Hunting Safari?

Africa, in general, is safe for hunters to enjoy their safari hunting in Africa, as the outfitters collect guests at the airport or guest house, and they are transferred directly to the final game hunting destination. These are often a good few hours’ drive from the major cities or city centers, far from any crime or disruptions. 

Apart from South Africa, one of the safest areas in Africa to visit would be Namibia. Namibia offers hunters a rich cultural heritage, exquisite natural beauty in whichever direction you look, and game hunting destinations with a huge variety of game species. 

Other hunting destinations that are seen as being safe for game hunting safaris include Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, and Tanzania, to name but a few. 

Pre-Hunting Safari Costs

An African game hunting safari involves a lot of planning, from timings and destinations to the game species that you want to target and everything in between! It takes months to adequately prepare for an African hunting trip, and many people forget some of the costs that are not directly involved in the physical hunting safari:

•         Flights

The first item that would not be included within the package, would be your flights, either from the US or elsewhere worldwide.

Most international flights heading for South Africa land at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Smaller, regional, or charter flights then take you to your final destination should your game hunting safari be elsewhere in Africa.

The old saying that the early bird catches the worm is true, so be sure to take advantage of these special flights. Remember that seats will fill quickly due to the flight route being a popular one for game hunting enthusiasts.

• Passport

No visas are required for US citizens entering South Africa, but other African countries may well require a visa. Your passport must also be valid for 6 months minimum after your departure date from Africa. Ensure that there are a minimum of 6 blank pages available for your entry into Africa.

• Vaccinations for your African hunting safari

When traveling on your African hunting trip, the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all routine vaccinations be current with nothing outstanding.

If this overview of African hunting packages has whetted your appetite for a game hunting safari, read more about our head to our blog section, for some great first-hand experiences of life on an African safari, or to our Hunting Destinations section, for further information about some top game hunting destinations. 

Author: B. Hershensohnn