Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa Botswana Tuli Block Aug 2024 - Dates & Prices

Finally getting time to post of the dates and prices for the trip back to Botswana's Tuli Block and the prices for Kevin and Lindi's Darnaway Farm and Wim's Basinghall Farm.

The good news is they are both keeping the daily rates, trophy and cull/management fees the same as 2023. You'll notice that the animals they would have to hunt off of their farms are changed to POR (Price on Request). The reason they did this is to be able to shop around between the various neighboring farms at the time the game is needed. Normally, off farm game fees are sorted out during the off season for the following year. By waiting until after the rainy season to see how the fawn/calving is going, gives the landowner a better idea of how many head they want to make available. It also gives the outfitter/PH the opportunity to "shop around" a bit to find better availability and prices.

I've already set the dates with Kevin & Lindi and Wim.

Depart: 24 Aug (overnight flt)
Arrive Johannesburg (JNB): 25 Aug (7pm arrival) Stay overnight at the City Lodge Hotel in the terminal complex.
Depart JNB: 26 Aug. One of two morning flts on SA Airlink to Gaborone (GBE) Botswana.
Arrive GBE 26 Aug early to mid morning and in camp early afternoon.
Hunting: 27 Aug to 5 Sep
Depart on 6 Sep
Arrive Home 7 Sep

We are planning on using Delta because one of the original guys going this year had to cancel after he had already purchased his airline tickets and Delta gave him a full credit but not a refund. IF you decide you'd like to go, you can choose whatever airline and route you want to take and either meet us in Atlanta on 24 Aug or JNB on 26 Aug or in Gabs the morning of 27 Aug before 10 am.

Here are the prices for both. Note that Kevin is offering a 10 cull/management impala and one cull/management blue w/b for $1000.00.

Darnaway Game Ranch
Tuli Block, Botswana

Owners: Kevin & Lindi Nell
Tel/WhatsApp: +27 83 359 8885
E-mail: [email protected]

2024 MANAGEMENT GAME HUNTING PRICES (prices are in U.S. Dollars)

Blue Wildebeest 200.00 Kudu 450.00
Impala 100.00 Warthog 100.00
Zebra (Plains) 350.00 Chacma Baboon 50.00
Vervet Monkey 50.00 Blackback Jackal 50.00

Cull Impala special – 12 cull rams or ewes regardless of size, plus 1 cull/management blue w/b for $1000.00

2024 TROPHY GAME HUNTING PRICES (prices are in U.S. Dollars)
(Additional Trophy Game can be arranged on neighboring farms, Prices On Request - POR)

Blue Wildebeest 600.00 Zebra (Plains) 600.00
Limpopo Bushbuck 1000.00 Waterbuck 1400.00
Impala 400.00 Kudu (Greater) 1500.00
Steenbok 200.00 Warthog 300.00
Red Hartebeest POR Eland POR
Gemsbok POR Waterbuck POR

ACCOMMODATION/DAILY FEES:
1x1 $350.00 per person per day
2x1 $250.00 per person per day
Observer/non-hunter $150.00 per person per day

Daily fees include: •Hunting permits •Temporary firearm import permits •PH services •Road transfers from Gaborone Airport and back •Use of hunting vehicle •Initial preparation of trophies – skinning, salting/drying and delivery to local taxidermist •Accommodation •All meals, soft drinks, reasonable amounts of wine and beer and locally available liquor • Laundry and maid service.

Prices Exclude: •Airfare. • Lodging en route to/from Darnaway Game Ranch •Airport charged taxes and fees if any •All taxidermist fees •Dipping, packing and shipping of trophies •Insurance and medical expenses •Tips and Gratuities.

Terms of Business: • Confirmation of a hunting booking will require a deposit of 50% of the daily fees and game to be hunted •The balance is due at the completion of your safari •Trophy fees and any safari extras are due and payable at the completion of your safari • Payment must be paid in cash or wire transfer before leaving Botswana •Safaris cancelled more than 180-days prior to scheduled safari date - 50% of the deposit will be refunded •Safaris cancelled between 180-days and 60-days prior to scheduled safari date - no deposit will be refunded •Safaris cancelled less than 60-days prior to scheduled safari date - total deposit will be forfeited unless the client finds a replacement •Rescheduling, instead of forfeiting, is possible on a case by case and open date available basis.

Basinghall Game Ranch
Tuli Block, Botswana

Owner: Wim Biemond
Tel/WhatsApp: 228.263.1714
E-mail: [email protected]

2024 MANAGEMENT GAME HUNTING PRICES (prices are in U.S. Dollars)

Blue Wildebeest 200.00 Kudu (Greater) 450.00
Impala 100.00 Warthog 100.00
Blackback Jackal 50.00 Zebra (Plains) 350.00
Chacma Baboon 50.00 Vervet Monkey 50.00

2024 TROPHY GAME HUNTING PRICES (prices are in U.S. Dollars)
(Additional Trophy Game can be arranged on neighboring farms, Prices On Request - POR)

Blue Wildebeest 600.00 Zebra (Burchells) 600.00
Limpopo Bushbuck 1000.00 Kudu (Greater) 1500.00
Duiker 200.00 Impala 400.00
Warthog 300.00 Red Hartebeest POR
Eland POR Gemsbok POR
Waterbuck POR

ACCOMMODATION/DAILY FEES:
1x1 $350.00 per person per day
2x1 $250.00 per person per day
Observer/non-hunter $150.00 per person per day

Daily fees include: •Hunting permits •Temporary firearm import permits •PH services •Road transfers from Gaborone Airport and back •Use of hunting vehicle •Initial preparation of trophies – skinning, salting/drying and delivery to local taxidermist •Accommodation •All meals, soft drinks, reasonable amounts of wine and beer and locally available liquor •Laundry and maid service.

Prices Exclude: •Airfare. • Lodging en route to/from Basinghall Game Ranch •Airport charged taxes and fees if any •All taxidermist fees •Dipping, packing and shipping of trophies •Insurance and medical expenses •Tips and Gratuities.

Terms of Business: • Confirmation of a hunting booking will require a deposit of 50% of the daily fees and game to be hunted •The balance is due at the completion of your safari •Trophy fees and any safari extras are due and payable at the completion of your safari • Payment must be paid in cash or wire transfer before leaving Botswana •Safaris cancelled more than 180-days prior to scheduled safari date - 50% of the deposit will be refunded •Safaris cancelled between 180-days and 60-days prior to scheduled safari date - no deposit will be refunded •Safaris cancelled less than 60-days prior to scheduled safari date - total daily rate will be forfeited unless the client finds a replacement •Rescheduling, instead of refunding, is possible on a case by case and open date available basis.

Obviously, you can refer back to my last two trip reports here Botswana Tuli Block Aug 2023 and here Botswana Tuli Block Aug 2022 for camp pictures etc.

I plan is to wire over my funds for my 10-days 1x1 and Kevin's impala/blue w/b cull package after the new year. Then I plan on targeting just additional cull/management blue w/b while there. That way I can relax and take at least two head or more per day.

If you can't make these dates for this trip, PLEASE feel free to contact Kevin or Wim to set up your own dates. I'll still help you sort out the travel and lodging bits if you'd like. As of today, I have three 99% confirmed people going. Myself, Chris who went this Aug and Calaam who had to cancel the Aug 2023 trip. That leave two spots (tents) open. IF one more want to go (total 6), I will just stay at either the Rondavel next to Kevin and Lindi's house or with the PH's over at Wim's. I won't take more than six (me+5) as it becomes too much like herding cats. If someone wants to bring an observer/hunting spouse, you'd share a tent or you'd stay in the Rondavel instead.

I realize some may have some trepidation around the current world events. Understandable. At this point, it is still centered a full continent and 4000 miles away. Only concern I have at this time would be taking an airline route via Dubai (Emirates) or Doha (Qatar). Obviously, the situation can change pretty rapidly and Aug 2024 is still 10 months away. At least this way, IF someone is contemplating going and has to submit vacation dates well in advance, this gives you the dates needed.


DISCLAIMER: As ALWAYS, I have no personal or business financial interest in either farm or their owners, either directly or even indirectly. I DO NOT get a fee or commission from them for doing any of this. I pay my full way, all the way and the same daily rates and animal fees as everyone else booking with them. IF you go with me and have a good time, all I ask is on the way home thru Jberg and the Big Five Duty Free store, you buy me a very nice bottle of South African Whiskey that I love and can't get in the US.

Bill_Bolt _Action - responded to to your PM

Would you have to go on your dates, or would other times be open?

(I should have read down further, the answer to my question is there.)

Could a person buy 2 impala cull packages?

Hi AB.

Just to confirm for you, yes, you can contact them and set your own dates. I just do these group things for guys who want to go to Africa but, who don't want to go alone. I meet a lot of guys who've "always dreamed" of going to Africa but, don't have anyone to go with and have no idea where to even begin. It is a bit daunting when faced with the logistics of a trip. Sorting out airline tickets, rifle permits for the airlines and transiting thru Jberg and temp import permit for Bots. Even previous/experienced safari guys who are over collecting trophy heads but, still love to be "in the African bush" can have a good time. What I do for these group things and to assist a first safari person is, sort out the airline tickets, lodging on the way over, rifle permits and travel with the group to help make sure it all goes well. And if there is a hick-up along the way, get it sorted out as best as possible. If anyone wants to book their own separate dates, I'll still help advise airline routing/flights, transit lodging in Jberg on the way over and rifle permits etc. If it's more than 3 guys who want to go as a group on different dates and would like me to travel with them and I can fit the dates in with my schedule I'll consider it but can't promise it.

If you go alone (one person), I don't think Kevin will open the full tent camp. It's not practical for just one person. You'll likely stay in the little converted rondoval next to their house. If you bring another hunter or more, then they will open the tent camp for your group. One nice thing is, this is a "closed camp" which means it's only you, or the group, in camp and hunting on the farm(s) for the duration of your safari.

Yes, you can purchase as many impala cull packages as you wish. Just a couple of things though. That package is just applicable to hunting on Kevin's Darnaway farm and not Wim's Basinghall farm. You are more than welcome to hunt both farms on the same trip. With the exception of the impala cull package, that is one reason the fee's, rates and prices are the same. I'm pretty certain, if you don't shoot all the heads in the package, Kevin won't give you a refund BUT, you can ask him to apply an unused package amount towards another cull species or trophy head on his farm.

How many spots do you have open? My friend in south Africa that I was going to hunt with in 2020 has had a change of circumstances and is not recommending I come where he is at because it's been too unstable.

Botswana sounds more appealing right now and I wouldn't mind seeing it again. My only problem is I'm taking the family to Germany and Switzerland next fall if ww3 hasn't fully broke out. We haven't set those dates yet but my wife knows I have an Africa trip coming because she's done 2 long Switzerland trips in the last few years.

I really want to go do another hunt while I still can. My new immunosuppressants are working and I'm walking better than I have in years. I bagged 2 deer and an elk this fall and took care of them. My friend who's a dermatologist really wants to go with me. I'd like an Eiland, water buck, bush buck, and Nuala this time and the impala cull package and maybe another warthog or two. My dermatologist friend said he has $165000 in his hunting slush fund. He did a very expensive sheep and grizzly hunt in Alaska last year and had bad luck with a guide so he's ready to spend his cash elsewhere.


Bb

Evening BB.

As of this moment I have three of us committed and that leaves two spots open for a full camp of five.

Congrats on a pretty darn fine season this year.

Both farms have very good Limpopo bushbuck. One young ram even hangs out near the camp. We'd see him every morning on the way out but, on the RSA side of the river.

Eland and waterbuck will not be available on either farm but, they are available on at least one other neighboring farm. If you get more interested in going, either I or you can email or WhatsApp Kevin to get a price. I think I know the farm he will ask. If it is, I know and have hunted it several times. That is were the guy I took in Aug 2021 took that 31" one. I posted the trip report here but the search feature won't go back far enough.

Nyala, unfortunately isn't available and I'm not even sure they are anywhere in the area. Again, can ask them if you get serious about going.

The walking is not too difficult in the area. Mostly river bottom flood plane with few rock outcroppings. Like most places, they will tailor your hunting to your desires and limitations.

Can't flex the current dates as one of the guys already committed had to submit his vacation request for work so, it's kind of locked.

As I mentioned to AB above, you are more than welcome to contact them and set up other date for you and your friend. Also, if two of you go, I'm sure they will use the tented camp.

The nice things about Bots are it's safe, government is stable and none of the craziness going on in many parts of RSA now. It's a non-malaria area starting in about mid Apr. No special shots or vaccinations required.

Michael

“ That is where the guy I took in Aug 2021 took that 31" one. I posted the trip report here but the search feature won't go back far enough.”

I think I know the guy you are talking about Michael. He says his Waterbuck was pushing 31” Eland is nudging the 35” mark. This link might take you to the report. Sorry that it’s at another forum, hope that’s OK

https://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/hunt-report-botswana-8-21-long-and-pic-heavy.4055919/

In case anyone is wondering, I’ll just say Michael is the real deal. I am proud to be able to call him my Friend.
Kevin

Thanks Kevin.

I had the link to your write-up above but, didn't want to presume I had permission to share it. Your write-up is better than the one I did here.

We did have a damn good time, despite the extra challenges COVID caused. It's the really good guys like you is why I do these.

Also glad to count you as a friend as well.

Michael

Hi BB, glad your health is well enough that you feel you can go to Africa. Can you share where your friend lives? Why does he feel it is too unstable?

I’ve been to the RSA three times (May 2014, April 2019 and April 2023). Each time it is noticeable the deterioration of the country. In 2019 I noticed the drastic increase in street people in East London. East London looks worse and worse, especially downtown. I also noticed the beggars all over. I also noticed the new “farm settlements”. . In 2023 the 30-40% unemployment was noticeable by the people wandering the towns and villages like zombies (not necessarily on drugs, but no aim or goal in what they are doing. Also the country only had 16hrs of power a day. You will be without power for on 4hr period and 2 2hr periods a day on a rotational basis. If you use a CPAP, and there isn’t a backup generator or a solar powered battery bank ( there is a waiting list for solar cells etc), you will need a travel battery.

All that said, I am always escorted. That way I don’t go where I shouldn’t. Having your PH or Outfitter travel with you, or they can hire you a driver/tour guide. Or your rifle permit company can help. Air2000/Hunter’s Support has twice supplied me with an excellent driver in Joburg/Soweto.

In the rural area, where I’ve hunted, I felt completely safe. But I was in the Eastern Cape, not near Capetown, Joburg or especially Durban.

So I’m curious where it is “unstable”.

It’s so sad that such a wonderful country is being destroyed by Marxism, tribalism, graft, and incompetence.

Perfect description of the U.S.A. Rio7

I don't want to hijack my own thread but, here are a few general things that are significantly contributing to RSA slide into Zim 2.0.

The past two Presidents are arguably the two that have been the biggest contributors to the rise in outright and open corruption. There has always been a certain level but, these last two have taken it to a entirely new level. Current one, Ramaphosa has been the worst....so far. He's a significant reason for the rolling power blackouts.

He took control of the RSA coal mines that have been sending sub grade coal to the plants. The shipments contain (purposefully) significant amounts of unburnable rocks deliberately to add weight and therefore $$$. The rock obviosly doesn't' burn and causes high frequency furnace shutdowns to clean/remove the rock. Secondly, there is high and open theft of the transmission cables/lines. Lot's more going on but, those are the main points.

The big change in overall crime and security in the country is tied to a guy by the name of Julius Malema. He's a hard core communist. He was actually born in Botswana. His family (Malema) is one of the prominent/powerful old hereditary tribal Chief names. He started stirring up $hit in Bots and they tossed him out. I think they charged him with treason. He ran to RSA. He joined the main/biggest political party there, the African National Congress (ANC) and became the head of ANC Youth League. There he was able to sow the communist doctrine. His main goal is "reparations" and full communist/dictatorial control just like Zim's Mugabe who was Melema's mentor and chief financial supporter.

The ANC bounced him out about 15-20 yrs or so ago and he formed his own political party, The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). His main rise to power has been to use the "whites" as scapegoats for all the black problems in RSA (and Africa in general) like Hitler used the Jews. This despite the fact it has been majority black rule now for 35 yrs. His main talking points are taking land from the whites (without compensation) and redistributing to blacks ZIM/Mugabe style and his followers are carrying it out. Multiple 1000's of white farms have been raided, owners beaten, raped, killed etc. The next talking point is typical communist idea of nationalize everything. Several months ago, he had a huge rally in a stadium with over 100,000 followers all dressed in red and chanting/shouting "Kill the whites". Crime rates, burglaries, car jackings, murder rates are thru the roof and police don't really seem to care...especially if the victim is white.

I don't intend to paint all of RSA as a war zone against whites..... there are lots of places here in the US and in/around where I live I will not go day or night. As a tourist hunter or going in an organized tour group there, I think you're much safer then a general tourist traveling on your own. As mentioned above, you're met at the airport by your PH or someone within that organization and are personally escorted to maybe a few shops/restaurants etc. and to/from the camp. Your escort will likely be armed. Once in the hunting camp/area things will likely be pretty safe as everyone there (including you) is armed as well and like most criminals, they are interested in "soft targets". In the end, I think it is wise to listen to the people on the ground there. If someone tells me it might be best NOT to come to a specific area within RSA, I'd pay attenuation and the "why" is superficial. Especially, considering the person who may be telling me this may be loosing $$$ by my not coming.

To kind of keep this on track about Botswana....I make no claim that Botswana is Utopia , it has it's issues as well but NOTHING like RSA at the moment. One of Bots main exports is electricity to RSA. They share common extensive coal deposits along the Limpopo area. Bots has several strip coal mines with coal fired power plants next door and the primary customers are RSA and ZIM. in June of 2021, my wife and I got a 4x4 van and spent a month doing the "great perimeter road tour around Bots. I've travelled to a LOT of $hithole countries and places and would never think about taking my wife someplace dangerous/unstable. We had a great time and everyone was helpful and friendly. Same experience as we've had on MULTIPLE hunt/tourist trips to Namibia.

I spent a couple of months in Natal province near the town of Pongola in RSA in the fall of 2011 doing the PH school. Didn't get to do much sightseeing other than to go to Rorke's Drift where the main Zulu war battles were fought and a few hours in the little town of Pongola a couple of times with the school's director, Ian Goss. I will say this.....even at that time the "vibe" I felt from the black locals was that of... let's call it.... polite distain and not the general "friendliness" I had experienced over several previous trips to Namibia or my military time trips to Kenya, Ethiopia, Eretria and even Djibouti and Egypt. I still have a few acquaintances in RSA and we text from time to time. While large and mostly more rural areas seem to be generally less turbulent than a few urban areas, I'm not sure I would feel comfortable self-touring in RSA with my wife.

Again, I don't claim to know everything of what is going on in RSA. I would still likely go to hunt there as long as my Outfitter/PH says things are OK, just not sure I'd venture out on my own as things can get "switched on" there very quickly.

I hope to please keep this thread about Botswana as the main topic and not get pulled down a rabbit hole.

Michael

Happy New Year Everyone!

Short update on the trip for anyone that might be interested. I've responded to all PM's in my in-box.

Sill have three spots committed to and two spots available.

Everything is still on track and on schedule. I initiated my wire transfer this week. I wanted to make 100% certain I have Kevin & Lindi's new banking transfer info correct. Sent my full 10-days 1x1 daily rate plus on impalla/wb cull package and some extra for what I'll likely shoot at Wim's. This way, I'll only need to carry cash for incidental travel expenses and tips along the way and for Kevin, Lindi, Wim and their main staff/workers. Credit card will cover everything else like one night lodging at City Lodge in Jberg, SA Airlink rifle carriage fee etc.

Been checking airline prices. Still a bit higher than last year, but slowly coming down, a little. Reasonably certain it will be more than last year. Still planning on using Delta to Jberg to help the guy who had to CNX last year. Delta refunded his entire ticket cost for Delta credit plus, Delta is convenient and firearm friendly and the US Customs Office in Atlanta has been pretty hunter/firearm friendly clearing back home. There are less expensive airlines and routes but, most require two overnight flts each way, with LONG layovers in between that burns up two + more days of total travel time.

Same plan as I've laid out above:

Depart US on 24 Aug to Jberg. (Delta) Overnight flt (only one flt per day)
25 Aug Jberg at City Lodge Hotel within the terminal complex
26 Aug morning flt on SA Airlink from Jberg to Gaborone and "in camp" just after lunch.

Return 6 Sep and back in the US and home on 7 Sep

You're welcome to join us in Atlanta for the Delta leg across to Jberg and in to Gabs or, IF you want to or need to fly a different route or different airline, you just need to meet us at the City Lodge Hotel the evening of 25 Aug and be on the SAME or EARLIER SA Airlink flt from Jberg to Gabs.

Either way, I'll still help you sort out your airline routing and do the SAPS 520 forms for temp firearm transfers thru Jberg, book the hotel room(s) and do the paperwork for the temp firearm import permits for Botswana.

Be aware that some airlines and routes are NOT a good fit and be careful as some airlines use subsidiary code share airlines that DO NOT ACCEPT FIREARMS. Some transit airports like Amsterdam require a "Transfer Permit" that must be applied for 8 weeks before you arrive, even though you never even touch your luggage or rifle case. Qatar Air requires several pages of carriage and airport transit forms be filed at LEAST two weeks before you flts. Note, yes, there are cases where some guys have not done this and it all went just fine. There are also stories of guys who didn't do this and their firearms were confiscated in Doha. My point being, be aware of the requirements and do it right to avoid as many problems as possible Another big one is transiting thru London. Be careful, some routes you arrive at either Heathrow or Gatwick and have to change airports. In order to transfer your rifles you have to pre-arrange/hire a licensed firearm transport agent/company at about $600 US EACH WAY.

My general point above is, it is all very doable. You just need to go with someone who's been thru most of it a time or two or use a travel agent that is familiar with or specializes in booking travel for clients with firearms.

For anyone who may be in the Tampa/Orlando area, I'll be at the Lakeland Gunshow at the Fun & Sun Fly-in Hanger this weekend (20-21 Jan).

Happy to talk to everyone and meet people from the forum and talk about pretty much anything Africa.

Quick update......

The gunshow is always fun. Talked to a number of interested and interesting people as always and following up with further emailed questions.

Two of us are booking our airline tickets this week. The guy who had to cancel last year, has to use his last year Delta credit refund before it expires. I'll book with him since it's his first trip and first international flight. The third guy (one who went last year) is on a 30-day vacation to several South American countries and he'll book his when he gets back. He flies internationally a good bit and did the same trip/flts last year so no worries for him. We'll book the tickets from Jberg to Gabs a little later on. Two SA Airlink morning flts and one or two Air Botswana morning flts as well so, not really worried about getting seats and prices are pretty much constant.

Delta tickets are a bit higher than other routes to Jberg but, ATL to JNB is the shortest long-haul flt and going via Europe or middle-east.

You don't have to fly Delta with us. You're more than welcome to just meet-up with us in Jberg for the overnight there and on in to Gabs the next morning. I'll still help you sort out your airline tickets and do your SAPS 520 for transiting Jberg and getting your Bots temp firearm import permit as well and booking your room at the City Lodge if you want to stay there. You can also, sort out your off terminal lodging in Jberg if you choose.

Still have two spots available if anyone is interested.

An alternative to JNB is the Delta ATL-CPT flight as you don't have to deal with the nonsense at JNB - I avoid that $hithole every chance I get. Hotel Verde is very nice and you can catch AirLink flights out of Cape Town to anywhere they fly. I can clear CPT Customs in 5 minutes and be at the hotel bar drinking before you can enter the que at JNB customs which can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour plus.

If you do have to go through JNB, I cannot recommend a meet-and-greet service strongly enough especially when traveling with firearms.

Good tip, STRSWilson. I too do not like going via JNB either but, sometimes the connections don't work well otherwise. I just looked at the airfare prices same dates from TPA to CPT and they are about $100.00 less. However.....The difficulty becomes the follow-on connection from CPT to GBE.

SA Airlink flts all have a stop in JNB from 7-9+ hrs going over and 4-6+ hrs on the way back, so you end up burning an extra day on the way over and having to leave camp at something like 2am to make the morning flight to CTP with a 5 hr layover in JNB.

I didn't take the time to see if SA Airlink offered any direct domestic flts within ZA that don't require a connection in JNB but, if they do, CPT would be a viable alternative option to JNB.

Air Botswana from CPT to GBE does offer ONE direct flt per day but, only three days a week and not on the days we'd need them.

Yep. I fly CPT to Livingstone a couple of times a year and that generally requires a connection.

AirLink is great but it is still a small airline compared to the rest of the world, but I would rather fly AirLink than Delta any day.

Quick update....

Calaam and I booked our tickets to Jberg yesterday. He needed to book or he would have lost the credit from the ticket they refunded for credit when he had to cancel last year. I went ahead and booked with him since this is his first trip so he'd know for certain this was going to happen. Chris is still out of the US for a couple of more weeks and will book his when he gets back.

Going to hold off on booking the Jberg to Gabs leg for awhile. Still 180+ days from departure. SA Airlink had two morning flts to Gabs and their ticket prices don't fluctuate like US carriers. This way, if one or two more want to join us (hopefully), we can all get seats to Gabs and back on the same flt.

Update.......

Three of us our now locked and loaded, except for the airline tickets from JNB to GBE. Holding off on those for a bit on the chance someone else joins so we can all be on the same flt. Still room for two more.

One gentleman who couldn't work our dates into his schedule is going in May and hope he'll do a little scouting report when he gets back.

Kevin and Wim said they've had good rain in their area and the resulting grass very good. Wim's had a bit of a poaching problem and has lost a number of Kudu. The farm to the N. of his is paying for anti-poaching patrols that have simply caused the poachers to move to other farms. There is really only one village in the vicinity and he says the the local police show little interest in helping.

Hope the remaining two spots can be filled. You'll have a good time and really be helping them out too.

Pretty much the last update on this trip unless anyone has questions they want to ask in public.

Three of us are currently confirmed going. We have our airline tickets to Jberg purchased. I'm still holding off on purchasing the final leg from Jberg to Gabs until the end of May which is about 90-days from departure. The reason I'm hold off is to let anyone who might still be considering going to make a firm commitment and get their airline tickets to Jberg sorted out. This will allow us all to be able to be on the same flt from Jberg to Gabs and back.

There is a guy who wanted to go on this trip but dates conflicted with his schedule. He's been to Africa a couple of times so he's going solo for a week this May. I hope he'll post of up a little trip report when he gets back. It should be in time for any fence sitters to still commit and be pretty sure to get a seat on the JNB to GBE flts. If you haven't committed by the time we three book that last leg, can't be sure you'll get a seat on the same flt.