Is African Hunting Affordable?

by
posted on December 12, 2011
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
bs_2015_fs.jpg (22)

The Myth: You have to be rich to hunt Africa.

The Excuse: I don’t know how many times I’ve mentioned hunting in Africa when the response has been “you must be rich." Well, I’m not. It’s a matter of priorities, and they guy accusing me of being an aristocrat usually drives a really nice pickup. I drive cars until they die, in fact, I’ve never bought a new car in my life. The last time that I had a car payment was 2004.

The Math: According to Edmunds, a new F-250 Super Duty XLT has a street price of $33,743, which equates to $719 per-month on a 60-month note. A one-on-one, seven-day plains game safari in Namibia including trophy fees for kudu, zebra, warthog, springbok, impala, blesbuck and hartebeest costs $6,320.00. Add in $500 for tips, and you’re under $7,000—if you don’t mount anything. If you use a frequent flyer credit or check card for all of your regular monthly expenses (please pay it off every month), airfare will be free.

Ten months of not having a truck payment gets you seven hunting days on the Dark Continent. And you don't need anything more than a deer rifle, a couple changes of clothes and a passport for a plains game hunt so don’t tell me that you have to buy a bunch of equipment. Drive your truck a little longer next time and you too can be “rich." I'm not saying that trips like this are within everyone's budget in this economy, but take out the calculator and you may be able to live your dream.

Latest

Upland (5)
Upland (5)

5 Keys To Make This Your Best Upland Season Ever

Tired of walking long distances and coming home empty-handed? Here are five keys to help boost your bag of birds this year.

C&H Precision and MERUS Adventure Launch Guided Hunt Giveaway

Free entry runs through Nov. 13, 2026, and one winner and a guest will be heading to the Texas Panhandle for a fully guided hunt at MERUS Adventure—a private hunting and off-road park near Claude, Texas, outside Amarillo. The trip includes a fully guided hunt, range time with top-tier optics and gear, on-site lodging for the length of the stay and off-road driving across the property.

Things I’ve Learned About Public-Land Elk

Every generation has a story starting with, “I remember the good old days.” Elk hunters have a similar dialogue and although elk numbers are at some of their highest in modern history, public-land hunting still represents a sea of challenges. With decades of elk hunting in my rearview and an ongoing education, a few lessons I’ve learned from elk hunting may aid you in your public-land elk pursuits.

Colorado Ballot Battle Heats Up

The required number of valid signatures to put a “Right to Hunt and Fish Amendment” on Colorado’s Nov. 3 ballot was reached on Sept. 4. If approved by voters—according to Ballotpedia’s summary—it would add the “…right to hunt, fish, and take fish and wildlife through traditional methods” to the state constitution.

#SundayGunday: CZ 600+ ST3 American

On this week's #SundayGunday, we are taking a look at the new-for-2026 design of the CZ 600+ ST3 American, the ST3 being the long- and magnum-action model. Built by the legendary Czech company for the American market, this is a rifle adapted perfectly to hunting on this continent.

How Can Hunters Travel Out of State With Suppressed Firearms?

Getting federal and state agencies out of the way of the citizens who wish to use suppressors to make their guns more polite to their ears and to their neighbors’ is an ongoing, complex and multifaceted effort. There is, however, progress being made thanks to the Trump administration.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.