Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa What is the draw of Africa, and after having done it a lot what do you cherish

You guys have my wheels are turning. Being from Alabama, I made my first trip out west not many years ago in my early 30's. The west calls me like Africa calls you guys. I can only image the draw to Africa once you've tasted it.

I'd have to say my number one priority is to experience Africa with my family; wife and two girls, 8 and 11. They have no hunting interest at all. I would like to get a little hunting in but also would like to spend a lot of time with them. Can you have it both ways?

Nine hunts - one answer toi the question - EVERYTHING!

Terry

Everyone has made great posts particularly Ingwe and Mule Deer.

Why do I go back? I physically feel better in southern Africa. I'm dead serious. I feel more alive, happier and content. Once as a joke (kind of) I had my doctor write a prescription to show my wife that a trip to Africa was necessary for my health. My wife doesn't get it but my doctor does. He was born and raised in South Africa.

Everyone who has gone has sights, sounds, smells and tastes seared indelibly on their brain that they associate with Africa. People have talked about the "go way" bird but I always think of the cape turtle dove that calls out "work harder, work harder,work harder" all day long. I crave the smokey smell that seems to permeate the air and the blood red African sunsets.

I was able to get my hands on a South African soft drink that I started drinking when I was there. When I dip into my stash and drink a can I am instantly transported back to my first day of hunting watching the tracker load my first animal into the truck. It is that memorable to me.

For those who haven't been but want to should know that the hard part isn't the money; it is making the decision to go. Once you have firmly committed to yourself that you are going every else falls into place. For most of us a safari isn't cheap but for the richness of the experience its a bargain!

A great practical book about how to effectively plan and prepare a plains game hunt is called "Safari Dreams" by Kenneth Royce. It isn't talked about often but in my opinion the most useful book for the first timer by a long shot.

Was that soft drink schweps dry lemon?

No its Sparletta but I do like Schweps Dry Lemon too. Now I ask whoever I am hunting with that they have a good supply Sparletta and Klippies on hand. Usually not too much of a problem....

I'm stumped why there is no dry lemon in the USA. When a third world country like South Africa has it, and it's for sale everywhere in Europe? I travel to Europe often enough to see it.

Why would schweps not sell it here?

JJ...have you looked on Amazon(of all places) for it? Or called them? Just a thought. I have found some stuff there that no one else can get...you might get lucky.

Very good! We'll need to talk before you go.

Look for Bitter Lemon -- tasted the same to me.

Did you find bitter lemon in the USA? I have not managed to.

JJ,

I get my stuff from Africa Hut. Google it and you will find tons of
food and drinks for homesick Saffies.

Just checked they have your bitter lemon in 1 L bottles. Check it out.

http://www.africanhut.com/


here's the link JJ

Thanks fgold. I'm on my phone so it's hard to post links. Besides
I wanted JJ to work for it a little. :-)

Yeah he had to really work for this link didn't he?

No mopane worms though...



John

Okay, thanks for that! I can get my off season fix now in the states!!

That was a really nice thing to share with me!

Here is a recent NT Times article about that local delicacy:
Mopane Worms

No problem JJ, happy to share. Find me a source for Klippies in the US and we will call it even!

Interesting article, great photos!

Looks really appetizing too.


Mpokuhle Ncube begins to prepare harvested mopane worms by squeezing their insides out.

Mmmmmmmmmmm good!

John

Actually they are extremely tasty. I was not aware they were gutted. I eat sardines that are complete with alimentary canal in place. In the Philipines they eat "little fish" which are dried fish that are salted and dried whole. People get hung up on what they consider appropriate food. If local people eat it, it is good to eat.