I was recently in a large classroom, and the question was asked how many people had been to Disney World. About 80% of the audience raised their hands. The second question asked was how many people had been back to Disney World, and almost the same number of folks raised their hands yet again. The upshot was, Disney keeps their guests coming back time and time again. I don’t think that there’s any question that Africa has the same pull for hunters as Disney World has for other folks. If you talk to someone who’s been to Africa, chances are they have been many times and plan on going back again and again.
The Dark Continent is a place of awe and amazement. If you have gone just once, and have experienced the abundance of wildlife and its scenic panoramic views, you cannot resist going back again so that you can feel the hot African sun on your back and marvel at some of the greatest sunsets ever. There is nothing like watching the blazing sun that has been punishing you all day set the sky ablaze as it sinks below the bushveld. I have had a few adventures in Africa, but still have only made a dent in the number of mind-boggling big-game species that exist here. My trophy room is filled with memories from Africa, but with its enormous diversity and richness of wildlife you could truly hunt here a lifetime and still take home a new animal every safari.
No place on earth has as many dangerous-game animals in such a variety. I have had the privilege of stalking through the thick brush, climbing up rocky peaks, sweating profusely through desert climate, and I have still only scratched the surface of the different and wonderful ecosystems.
I have yet to hack my way through the jungle or slog my way through the rainforest, but these adventures are still to come. I think the best part of planning my next trip to Africa is the expectation for the safari to come, which will keep me happy and driving forward throughout the year.
I have never had a bad safari and can’t imagine that that is even possible. Yes, some hunts are better than others, but every trip has been unforgettable. I have been lucky enough to see Africa with my daughter Misty, so it was as though I viewed it again but through a different set of eyes. The African bug has bitten Misty, and she is dying to go back, asking repeatedly when there is the next safari.
The SCI record book gives hunters various challenges and goals to accomplish.
You can try to collect all the spiral horned animals, the Big Five, the Tiny Ten, the Dangerous Seven, or try to qualify for the continent award. I love SCI for all that it does, and I have studied its record books to learn more about all the amazing animals on our planet, and specifically in Africa.
My recommendation to anyone who’s thinking about going to Africa is to take the plunge and go. Africa is not that expensive if you compare it to hunting and other places in the world. You can take four or five plains-game animals for the cost of an elk hunt in the US – it only takes one visit for the African bug to set in.
It is easy to take your hunting to the next level by booking a plains-game hunt to Africa, where you will likely be highly successful, and the drive and desire will set in to accomplish more. If this happens you should become an SCI lifetime member, not only to help conservation efforts, but lifetime membership has its privileges as you will be able to enter ten animals into the record books, plus you will receive free tickets to the greatest hunting convention on earth.
I joined SCI after my first safari as I wanted to get my animals into the record books so that I could honor the hard-working guides who helped me to achieve record book status with a number of species. Africa will test any hunter as the animals are plentiful, but they are extremely wary, and you will work hard to earn whatever you are after.
I never dreamed that I would do a green hunt and dart white rhino. I certainly didn’t envision that I would be charged by that rhino. (Let me tell you that it is not for the faint of heart.) It is so important to have a great PH with you. I went with Tam Safaris.
I have earned the continental award for hunting Africa. I have taken the South African spiral slam and have seen things afield that I couldn’t imagine. I saw a ten-foot monitor lizard eating a large waterbuck while I was out hunting waterbucks!
I explored Africa at night as she is even wilder when the sun goes down. If you want something to remember, try predator hunting at night. The variety of predators that prowl around is amazing and can be a little spooky. There is nothing like hearing the roar of the ultimate apex predator in the still of night. If that doesn’t get your adrenaline going, then nothing will.
The more time you spend in Africa the better the chances that you will see things that will astound you and leave you in wonder. The insects, the plant life, the culture – it is all unique, and exploring all that is Africa is what makes this place the best place on earth (sorry Disney). Go once and you will see.
