Africa bound in 2012 - feedback on Zimbabwe?

[Rob]

I am biting the bullet sand starting to save up to return to Africa.  the plan is to go in late summer of 2012.

I think the folks in my party will want to do plains game, but I may want to look for a Buffalo or Croc - this is all still very much in the formative stages.

We are trying to decide on a country to go visit.  I did Namibia in 2007, and that was great.  I hear good things on Zimbabwe and think that to get a combo hunt between good plainsgame and decent dangerous game, Zim might be the answer.

Has anyone here ever done Zim?  Any advice on PH's, conservatories, etc?

Open to other countries as well.  Here are the criteria:
1.  Good value (would like to keep the cost for a 10 day plains game hunt including airfare, trophy fees for 6 or 7 animals, tip, etc to under 12K)
2.  Safe/easy travel (Zim has political issues, but I hear reputable PH's provide safe safaris)
3.  Opportunity for Dangerous game
4.  No high fence - or if there is a high fence, 100,000K + acres of unfenced land to hunt.

[Hyde]

I booked my trip to Namibia with Rick Wilks.  He's a booking agent who works with several outfits.  I recommend contacting him, if nothing else, for info.  http://www.wilkssafari.com

Another well known resource is Accuratereloading.com and heir forum.  They are Africa crazy over there.  I'm sure there are plenty more forums that I don't know of.

[Rob]

Thanks

I am a memeber over on Accurate reloading.  Love that site.  I may go to the SCI show in Reno in Jan too.

[Hyde]

.... I may go to the SCI show in Reno in Jan too.

There you go... great deals to be had there and TONS of info.   I wanted to go some years ago when I was preparing for Africa, but I couldn't talk my wife into staying home (now ex wife).  She despised anything to do with the outdoors, and I knew she would have just completely ruined my ability to really do research and talk to outfitters.  I am going to go to that some day. 

Keep us posted on your Africa adventure.