What to Expect
PRICING
Safari prices are based on a day rate plus animals. To receive our newest price list and digital brochure, email : mark@tommiranda.com
BOOKING
Safari dates are also booked via email or telephone with Mark Colosi. email mark@tommiranda.com
or telephone 888-673-8909.
DEPOSIT
$1000 holds your date. An additional $4000 must be paid on account 90 days before arrival in South Africa. These costs will be explained in your Hunt Contract.
FLIGHTS
There are many options to arrive at Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport. Typically the best & most economical is Delta non-stop from Atlanta or United non-stop from Newark.
BUDGET
Everyone has a budget. When it comes to bowhunting Africa, the minimum cost will be plus or minus $7,000.00. This is for flights, day rates and tips. The animals will add to this sum, based on which species you choose. Every first time hunter comes to Africa with a wish list. Typically, first time Safari hunters seek these 4 species... the Impala, warthog, kudu and gemsbok. Success will vary based on opportunity as well as shooting ability and of course a little hunters luck.
Our advice is to be a little open minded on the species. An example is that a hunter may really want a Blue Wildebeest yet a Golden Wildebeest walks into the set and offers a perfect shot. The golden is yes $1500 more expensive than a Blue, yet is so much more rare and a fantastic opportunity...... The option to take this gift of the hunting gods will be only appreciated after the fact. Many evening stories around the campfire are prefaced with "Boy, I made a big mistake not taking that shot!"
PICK-UP
One of our Professional Hunters will pick you up at the airport. He will be waiting outside the customs doors in the welcome lobby, holding your name on a tablet. Likely the PH will recognize you. The drive to the Lodge is approximately 2 hours once you depart the airport.
JET LAG
Travel affects everyone different. For some the trip is easy and they awake refreshed.... for others it takes a day or 2 to acclimate. The hunting concession is 6 hours ahead of the USA eastern time zone. Thus when you land at 5PM in Johannesburg, it is 11am EST the same day in the USA.
HUNTING STRATEGY
In archery hunting, opportunity is a broad term. One may have a herd of impala at the waterhole with 3 shooter rams but have no shot. Some outfitters will consider this opportunity. Yet, for a bowhunter, it's all about a killing shot opportunity. Hunters will see many animals from the blinds every day. Some may drink, some may not. Some may offer an easy shot, others no shot. Some times the wind swirls and animals are spooky or on edge..
Our advice is to take advantage of shot opportunities. Think less about the species and more about the shot opportunity. The first animal into the blind may be the least wary of the entire trip, Thus, if it's a shooter warthog- take him.. a shooter sable- take him. The point is that getting an animal "in the salt" is a big deal when it comes to Africa bowhunting success. Building on this success will eventually define your trip. Wind, weather and other "uncontrollable" factors can affect hunting success and passing solid "shooter" animals creates lost opportunities that may never manifest themselves again on your hunt.
Here's an example... If you pass an easy shot at a shooter Gemsbok on the first day because you've made up your mind to shoot a warthog, impala or wildebeest first... the cold reality is that may never get another easy shot at a Gemsbok again.... Yoiu will likely see more Gemsbok, maybe even the same one again.... but the perfect shot opportunity may never present itself. Just remember that this is wild hunting and that there is no guarantee that you will see a shooter warthog, shooter impala or shooter wildebeest- let alone a shooter at the perfect angle, perfect shot scenario.
Yes we have many, many species and lots of animals on the concession, yet opportunity in bowhunting often only knocks once. You may see 10 Gemsbok on 10 different occasions, however there may not be a high percentage shot opportunity, or interference animals or other factors.
TAXIDERMY
Because of the high price of shipping finished taxidermy, we recommend that all clients use our Dip & Pack service and have all taxidermy done in the USA at your favorite taxidermist. Figure the USA delivered cost at $300 USD per animal.
FINAL THOUGHTS
We understand that safari rescheduling is sometimes necessary. Safari's more than 90 days out can be rebooked at N/C. Safari's inside 90 days waive deposits and encour fees.