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I have thought a lot about big game hunting in Africa but doubt I will ever do that. I still enjoy hunting but since moving from Washington State to Michigan my hunting opportunities have diminished significantly.
I have supplanted my hunting more and more with birding. My wife does not hunt but she does enjoy birding so maybe a birding and wildlife viewing trip to Africa would be something we could do together.
Costs can be really outrageous though for many guided birding tours. Do any of be you know of some more reasonably priced outfits for birding/wildlife viewing in a relatively safe area in Africa?
So far we have birded in the US, Honduras, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic.
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
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What are you calling outrageous costs?
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
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Many guided birding outfits charge $3000/person/week or more. I suppose outrageous might not be a fair term. What I should have said is that many charge much more than I can afford or think is reasonable. Birding has sadly gotten to be a rich man's hobby but with some judicious research I have been able to find at times more modestly priced adventures. For example in Honduras once we were landed at the airport we spent $1400 for my wife and I (total, not per person) and that included 9 nights lodging, food, beverages, and 7 days of guided birding with transportation. That was a screaming good deal but we had a great time.
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
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That Honduras, not Africa.
In general, basic operating costs are higher in Africa, because of high fuel prices and many lodges being somewhat remote, which adds to costs in general. On hunting safaris, for instance, many places charge a minimum daily rate of $250-$300, which is basically just to cover the expense of putting customers up. They make their profit in trophy fees. And those are the "handier" places, closer to supplies.
The birding in Africa is great. In fact, most hunting guides are as good at birding as the average birding guide in the U.S. This is because they're often full-time guides, half the year guiding hunters, and the other half of the years guiding non-hunters on game preserves of one sort or another. In fact, on supposed hunting safaris (which generally also involved birding, both because of me and the guide) I've spent several enjoyable days after the game was "collected" just rambling around and looking at Africa, including birding, where the PH was just as enthused as I was.
And the bird life of Africa is incredible. I have birded quite a bit while hunting in the Americas from the Arctic to Argentina (including, fo course, South Texas a number of times) along with several European countries. Africa is a different world, just as it is for hunting.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
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JB, thanks for your perspective. I don't at all doubt what you say but still suspect that there may be bargains to be had, so if anyone has some more economically priced birding options in Africa I would love to hear about them.
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Campfire Ranger
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Very quickly, to hitch hike on Mule Deer's theme......When I hunted Namibia several times, I quickly realized the routing usually included going back to camp (if we were remotely close) for lunch, rest, and a nap. I'm not a napper, so I asked the PH if he would drop me off at a water hole after lunch while they napped. I was armed with my camera and binocs, birdwatching. I was amazed at the bird life there in the desert to say the least. Without a doubt the most beautiful bird I had ever seen showed up several times. I did not take this picture, but I described the bird to the owners and they knew exactly which one it was, a lilac breasted roller. Incredible is all I can say.
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Campfire Kahuna
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Great photo of a lilac-breasted, JG!
Our PH/bird guide in Namibia has a pretty strong German accent, and sometimes his pronunciation of their name sounded like "garlic-breathed." Which is why Eileen and I often refer to that beautiful bird that way....
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
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Garlic breathed....I'm going to remember that one if I go back over there. They are spectacular to say the least. I also remember seeing a dinasaur swimming across the water hole. When it exited it turned out to be a 4ft long monitor lizard, but it freaked me out because it was about 6 ft from me. Also say hirax......never heard of a hirax before. One of the beauties of Africa is you can never prepare for the amazing things you may see.
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
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Birding is fantastic in Africa. I did one trip in Kenya/Tanzania which was just looking at wildlife. I think we identified about 300 bird species over 2 weeks. But, as Mule Deer said, everything costs more in Africa, so you're not going to get the bargain rates you might get in Latin America.
But I think it's worth it. There is no other place like Africa!
That's why I'm planning to hunt in Mozambique next year.
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Love that pick JG! Lilac breasted rollers are beautiful for sure. My favorite.
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Don’t know about inexpensive places, but I spent 11 days in Kenya and was blown away by the birds. I never really considered myself a “birder” but you can’t help it once you start paying attention. We would stop as much to see a new bird as any big game. And yes, having a guide that really knows birds only increases your appreciation. I met a few guides who were really just drivers, and while they had great eyes, they didn’t know squat about the big game animals, much less birds. The average tourist wouldn’t know what they were missing with those guys, but they’d be missing a lot.
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All I had to work with growing up was Ethiopia's birds. By contrast, American birds are mostly boring. What I did not have to consider, other than hyenas if I stayed out until sundown, was what you DO need to worry about elsewhere in Africa. PH/guides are handy when lions, leopards, elephant, etc. are likely birding guests. (Once heard about predator calling and a leopard in the lap. Of course, I heard the same thing about deer grunt calling and the rancher's bull!) You'd quickly estimate what he/she costs as peanuts against getting stomped, eaten, etc.
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On a three week trip to Kenya and Tanzania a few years ago my wife and I went to see and photograph all the "big" wildlife. But the birds were always present, and very very interesting. Very worthwhile in their own way. Our photo tour guides ( 6 different ones in all) varied from very knowledgeable to quite ignorant about birds. If you get a good one, it really helps make the trip.
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I got 38 life birds on my week hunting in RSA. I would see a strange bird and then look at a bird book back at the ranch house in the evening. That book was in Afrikaans. A similar book but not colored and in English was useful for cross reference. For my second trip to Africa, Zim in that case, I bought a book called "Birds of Southern Africa" from Amazon.com. It's much like the Peterson guides except there are many more bird species in southern Africa.
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
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"Birds of Southern Africa" is excellent. Southern Africa (south of the Sahara) contains more bird species than have been recorded in the U.S. and Canada.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
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Hey Brian, when I've hunted Namibia I've always spent my last evening sitting at one of the water holes watching the birds come in. No guide and I wasn't bothered I didn't know the name of the birds but then they didn't know be either. May I suggest you visit the NAPHA website: www.napha-namibia.com. Read about the different farms and narrow down your choice and then give them a call. I know my farm had non-hunting visitors and charged the day rate. The farm I hunted has changed hands and their prices have doubled so I won't be recommending them. Also, I've hunted both Namibia and RSA and recommend Namibia hands down.
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits. Albert Einstein
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A friend of mine leads birding/Eco tours to Africa and other places. JB Journeys is the company name. She can't believe the birders wake her up at 4:30 AM all cheery and bouncy even before coffee is served.
It is very easy to rent a car and do a DIY birding trip. The birding can be great in the parks and there are usually a range of accommodations. Nothing beats tent camping and going to sleep with all the exotic sounds of the bush. A river trip is doable in many locations and an excellent way to see some country especially if it is hot for walking. Many parks have game guides or scouts that can escort you for a walking tour complete with elephant and lion protection. This is very enjoyable.
"When you disarm the people, you commence to offend them and show that you distrust them either through cowardice or lack of confidence, and both of these opinions generate hatred." Niccolo Machiavelli
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Thanks for the added ideas.
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Just got back from an African Trip that included 3 nights in the Okavango . The birds were incredible and an awesome bonus on the photo safari. We hunted in Namibia and the birds are great there also. But not like the delta was. As MD said, it was remote and not cheap. Worth every penny.
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