Hunting Africa???

[bo-n-aro]

As far as planning, it is never to early. Do what this post is doing, ask questions. Go to a SCI show, or the Dallas Safari Show and walk around and talk to folks, on both sides of the booths.
Use a travel agent that handles hunters. I have used both Gracey Travel and Wild Travel.
Make sure if you want to bow hunt that you book with a outfitter that specializes in bow hunting. When you narrow your choices down to two or three talk to hunters that have been there. Make sure the facilities are what you are looking for, a grade A lodge or a tent camp. Make a wish list of the animals you would like to hunt and make sure your camp has a good chance at them.
As far as the length of your hunt, If you plan on hunting one general area, without having other flights or travel, I would not recomend anything less than 8 full days of hunting, and I think 10 is perfect. One day before and one after your hunt and one day to get there and one to get back gives you a two week trip.
You can spread your finances out with a hunt like this starting with a deposit, followed say six months later to buy your airline tickets. A few months later you go on your hunt and pay at the end. You will have taxidermy expenses there, but usually a deposit followed by six or nine months later the ballance to ship. Most taxidermist will than work with you to spread your mounts out once a month or so.
I just returned a few weeks ago from South Africa. I had a group of 8 hunters including two couples where both ladies hunted. All had a great time and were talking of a return half way thru the hunt. We took 45 trophies and several culls.
Send me and email any time and we can talk in detail if you have any questions.