Any person who has hunted in Africa in the last many decades knows that hunting here generally involves driving around for many hours a day looking for animals or tracks. This can become rather tiresome after a week, especially for the client who is adventurous at heart.
I have hunted from south to north of Tanzania for over fifteen years. I came to Africa to fulfil a dream of hunting and exploring and to live an exciting life in the wilds, not to drive around in a Land cruiser from morning till night with clients, only to stop and collect trophies like stamps. Somehow I think that I am not the only person on the planet with that sentiment.
I am not suggesting that the shooting normally takes place from the car, as this is both against my own principles and that of the law of Tanzania, but I am suggesting that hunting all over Africa has become a bit of a quick fix. The pressure to get so and so many animals of such and such a size, in so and so many days, is killing the fire in the belly of the one who dreams of Africa being a place where a trophy brought home comes with an exciting story. A story of distance covered, sudden challenges and surprising encounters with elephants, hippos, lions and leopards just to mention a few. A story of stopping to wait for a big herd of elephants to pass in their own time, spending the entire day on the tracks of a single bull buffalo, drinking a sun-downer by a river full of crocs, and sleeping under the stars to the roar of lions. To feel in your own bones many of the same challenges that explorers in times gone by experienced.
Though buffalo hunting is my favourite occupation, on this kind of safari I will not call the client a sinner to sit by a river fishing for tiger fish one day, or maybe just shooting game birds for the pot the next. It can be as fast or slow as the client wants, but as real as it gets every day.
Of course I have a satellite telephone in case of emergency and I have a GPS… now these are the useful pieces of technology that modern times have brought. When a certain amount of trophies have been shot, I will send a message for a car to come to a pickup point and collect them, so that we can keep moving without too much luggage, and with out worrying about spoiled trophies in the heat. But as far as our own transport is concerned.. those two shorts-clad sticks that were meant for walking will be the way forward at most times. For 16-42 days we will be will be out exploring and hunting. Only to change areas do we interrupt our trek and get into a small aeroplane for a few hours.
We will camp when we think we are in a particularly lovely area, whether scenically or because we find that there is a lot of animal movement around. Sometimes we might decide to stay in a place for one night at others we might decide to stay for five. There are no fences in Tanzania and the hunting blocks that we are hunting in are simply huge, so we will move according to the animal movement that we encounter.
This is not the safari for the man or woman who wants to be guaranteed SCI records or to have shot everything on licence as soon as possible, but I can promise that there will be plenty of game shot, both big and small, and an adventure of a lifetime in some of the most amazing wilds on this planet.
I will always be using some of the absolute best and wildest hunting areas in Tanzania. For outfitting and porters I work with absolute top hunting companies only. Each of my safaris is tailor made, maps spread out, and as on any true safari there will be challenges to be dealt with as the safari proceeds. Routes will be planned, game licences, gun import, export licences etc. will all be take care of beforehand, as on a usual hunting safari.
The point of a safari like this is not to go through unnecessary suffering... (as they say in the British army “any fool can be uncomfortable”), but to experience the essence of African hunting and bush, in a way that will give the clients an experience, truly, of a lifetime.
Food is of a simpler version than in permanent hunting camps, as our caravan of porters will be carrying our supplies, but a trained cook will be part of the party at all times and certainly your favourite tipple, be it a dry Martini or a Whisky, will be in your hand at the end of the day. Our camp equipment will also be lightweight but nevertheless comfortable.
I bring all of my clients to the hunting concessions of Robin Hurt safaris.
You must be fit mentally and physically, you must have the spirit of a true hunter / adventurer, and finally, a good pair of shoes.
Natasha Illum Berg
Exploring / Hunting Safari
in Tanzania
with Professional Hunter
Natasha
Illum Berg
Fact list:
I do occasionally take shorter safaris of ten days. These are more typical modern hunting safaris.
The hunting season in Tanzania is from the 1. July to 31. Dec. The driest months in Tanzania are from July to October. In these months you can hunt throughout Tanzania. After November and the onset of the rainy season in the West of Tanzania, it is my advice that we hunt the Northern blocks from then on and through December.
A safari of 10-42 days will cost from 30.000 US$ to 180.000 US$ all-inclusive.
Please contact me for details on cost breakdown and trophy list.
It is advisable to book at least a year in advance to make sure that the best areas and dates will be available.
By Tanzania Law, clients shall only hunt the animals issued on their permit (subject to quota availability). Only hunting clients are permitted to hunt. Observers are welcome to accompany the client at a smaller rate, but they will remain observers.
Though it might be possible to rent a rifle here, it is always much more advisable to bring your own weapons. Knowing your gun and a chosen brand of ammunition can do a lot in the “moment of truth.” Having a scope for precision is also a good idea. The law of Tanzania requires a minimum of a cal. 240 rifle for smaller game and .375 or larger for dangerous game. I insist on clients using larger calibre on big-bodied game like Eland.
Please train with your gun on a shooting range before you come on safari, it could save you a lot of disappointment.
CITES Permits
You must have CITES permits, from your country of residence (or country to where your trophies are to be shipped). Some countries will require that permits are obtained before you leave for your safari, others issue them on production of your safari trophy list, after completion of your safari. Please look into this.
Tanzania is a malarial area. Malarone seems to be the best option at the moment.
Camouflage coloured clothing is prohibited in Tanzania. Please bring a mixture of medium dark green to dry grass coloured clothes. You might find that you will prefer hunting in long trousers.
