South Africa in 2026

[Mike D Texas]

My wife & I along with another couple are looking at a South Africa trip in spring 2026. We just got back from the Dallas Safari Club Convention in Atlanta and are still a bit overwhelmed with the information we received from multiple outfitters.

We each have our desired animal lists and have built hunts around those animals but the costs are all over the place.

We are weighting “package” hunts vs a la carté hunts. I like the flexibility of being able to choose animals rather than what is typically included in the packages.

The biggest thing I don’t know where to look for the best yet affordable item is flights. Each airlines have their own rules, stops and pricing. Also depending on if there are any stops along the way, the countries vary so much regarding firearms. We’ve looked primarily at Delta for non-stop flights from Atlanta to Johannesburg. What we don’t know is what level of seating we should choose. It’s a 16-18 hour flight so we want to be comfortable but don’t have any experience with the varying levels of accommodations. First class is not an option from a cost perspective. Currently we are looking at the comfort + seats on Delta but it really only looks like you get a little extra leg room: no substantial reclining or leg/footrests. Not sure how big a deal that is but to upgrade to the next level nearly doubles the ticket price.

If anyone has any personal experiences with any of the items above and can offer their experience that would be greatly appreciated.

Currently looking at the Limpopo province with Limcroma Safaris. They seem to have the best amentities outside the hunting that the wives would enjoy. My wife will hunt but the other couple wife does not.

We also have a very attractive quote from Infinito Safaris, but I get a high pressure car salesman vibe from them.

Is anyone has any feedback from either of these, this would be appreciated as well.


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[BRTreedogs]

If you listen to podcasts Shoot2hunt did like a 4 part series on there trip.
Lots of info, worth the listen.

 

[WCB]

#1 if you got time to plan and do some snooping on online hunting auctions or go to local SCI banquets etc. You could pick up a package hunt with all daily fees, transportation, non-hunter costs, and a few animals thrown in for really cheap like 1/2-1/3 or less of the hunt cost. Then spend the saved money on animals on your list. I have never seen a package that would interest those other than wide eyed caught up in Africa first timers. Keep your golden wildebeest, black impala b.s...

 

[Northpark]

Sent you a PM.

 

[HandgunHTR]

If Delta offers a Premium Economy option for the flight, that gives the most balance between cost and comfort. The Delta Comfort only gives you a tiny bit of legroom and the drinks are free. In Premium Economy, you get a seat that is similar to a domestic First Class seat (wider with better leg room and better recline), free drinks, plated meals (similar to Business and First Class), and bigger entertainment screens.
Business Class gives you lay-flat seating and your own little pod, but are usually $1-3K more expensive/per seat than Premium Economy.

 

[Mojave]

Just do the biggest package you can afford.

You are lying o yourself if you think you are only going once.

Don't go crazy on taxidermy, just go back. 2nd-18th time.

I am fairly sure I am done with taxidermy except birds, sheep, cats that type of thing.

 

[Samson7x]

Your best bet is to get a package and add animals as they present themselves if desired. They will also quote you custom packages based on what animals you are interested in. I've heard good things about Limcroma. They were one of the outfitters I was considering when I went.

I flew Delta in economy but chose the seat without one in front of me so I had ample leg room. That changed when they switched to a different airplane. With the new layout, there's a row next to the galley with no rows in front. I'll have to confirm which one, but that's what I selected for this year's trip. From what I gather, comfort+ isn't enough of an upgrade and premium select is where you want to be. However, that comes with a significant upcharge. I'm cheap so I don't even consider premium.

Edit- Mojave is correct, taxidermy cost is very high now. I went with euro mounts to reduce costs and I don't have enough room for shoulder mounts anyway. Factor in another few thousand dollars for that regardless.

 

[HNTR918]

I took me three DFC Conventions to ask the right questions.

#1 questions to ask!

How many hectares of non high fenced contiguous land do you hunt on?

I wanted to focus on free range "actual" hunting like I do in the Rockies. I didn't want to be driving from one high fenced enclosure to another...

I hunted an area that was twice the size of Rocky Mountain National Park.

You don't need to go with THEIR package, tell them what animals you want to hunt and they can make you a custom package. You can typically get 15-18% off if you book directly.

My wife hunted ALOT, but all of her animals were "culls". Half were females and the other half were smaller males. This saves you alot! One was $500 versus $3,750. She got more hunting experience in 14 days then 10 years out west.

If you are booking with a US airline, see what airline is actually operating the plane. I'd highly recommend any middle eastern owned airlines over african owned airlines.

Don't take the vaccines and drugs some recommend, it could ruin your entire trip! This happened to another couple in camp.

Visit their preferred taxidermist the first day in country with your wives before hunting.

Springbok pelts are incredibly soft, and my wife wished we shot more for throw pillows in the house.

We did Euro only mounts and with all the fees and transit the total cost was more than the hunt... and it fit into 1 pallet crate.