How do concessions work?

[Russ16]

So this is a rookie question.

I’ve booked my first safari but haven’t been to Africa yet.

But in doing my research I see that multiple safari operators show offerings for hunts in the same concessions. Sometimes they appear to show the same camps. I was looking mainly at Zimbabwe but some other countries as well.

I’ve also read her before to ask your PH how long they have the concession locked in for when booking multiple years out.

I was assured by my PH that they have the area I’ll be hunting for well past when I’ll be there and that we will have the camp to ourselves.

So this is really more curiosity than anything. I’d like to learn more about how the various areas work. Do outfitters sublease them? Are some of them leased to multiple entities? Are some of the safari areas leased to different operations for different parts of the year?

I’ve refrained from naming specific areas or safari operators because I don’t want this to become about who’s doing it right or wrong. I’d really just like to learn mor about how it works because I’m curious.

 

[Rafiki]

Good question.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Very simplified.
Typically, there are areas (Concessions) that have been "won" in bids for a period of time by a primary operator.
They can allow other operators into their area to hunt part of the quota for the year. They will contract to hunt particular dates that are available and not used by the primary operator/owner.

Now the word "concession" is also used by other Outfitters to describe land to which they have hunting access. South African Outfitters will often say they have multiple concessions. These are properties or farms to which they have the right to hunt for a day, a week or years. It could be for specific game animals.
Conservancies are another example in Namibia. Multiple properties operated in concert for conservation and/or hunting.

 

[Russ16]

Very simplified.
Typically, there are areas (Concessions) that have been "won" in bids for a period of time by a primary operator.
They can allow other operators into their area to hunt part of the quota for the year. They will contract to hunt particular dates that are available and not used by the primary operator/owner.


View attachment 681859

Now the word "concession" is also used by other Outfitters to describe land to which they have hunting access. South African Outfitters will often say they have multiple concessions. These are properties or farms to which they have the right to hunt for a day, a week or years. It could be for specific game animals.
Conservancies are another example in Namibia. Multiple properties operated in concert for conservation and/or hunting.

So looking at your map. An operator would have a lease on one of the orange or yellow areas for a certain number of years. They could operate that all on their own or sublease hunts within the area to other operators.

I can see what they would do that. Essentially lets them recoup some of the up front cost without having to book all the hunts.

Are those sub leases usually for a moment of days and quota?

How do you know if the operator you’re dealing with is the actual concession holder or a sub lease? Obviously you can ask but is there a way to verify the arrangement?

It’s very interesting that we are all spending what adds up to be a whole lot of money and there isn’t a lot of transparency on how it actually works.

To be clear I’m not accusing anyone of anything and I’m very happy and confident in the operator I chose. I just have a sort of intellectual curiosity about the process and economics of it from the operators end.

 

[buck wild]

Like an AirBNB

 

[Mekaniks]

So looking at your map. An operator would have a lease on one of the orange or yellow areas for a certain number of years. They could operate that all on their own or sublease hunts within the area to other operators.

I can see what they would do that. Essentially lets them recoup some of the up front cost without having to book all the hunts.

Are those sub leases usually for a moment of days and quota?

How do you know if the operator you’re dealing with is the actual concession holder or a sub lease? Obviously you can ask but is there a way to verify the arrangement?

It’s very interesting that we are all spending what adds up to be a whole lot of money and there isn’t a lot of transparency on how it actually works.

To be clear I’m not accusing anyone of anything and I’m very happy and confident in the operator I chose. I just have a sort of intellectual curiosity about the process and economics of it from the operators end.

Work with a trusted outfitter....

You book a hunt with the outfitter and it is their job to provide you with that hunt. Sometimes they will tell you exactly where you will be hunting, and sometimes that changes for any number of reasons...

If you don't trust your your outfitter, you may want to rethink booking with him...

 

[Russ16]

Work with a trusted outfitter....

You book a hunt with the outfitter and it is their job to provide you with that hunt. Sometimes they will tell you exactly where you will be hunting, and sometimes that changes for any number of reasons...

If you don't trust your your outfitter, you may want to rethink booking with him...

Thanks I appreciate that and am doing so.

I’m more just interested in how they work because I’m curious. I like to learn about the way different businesses operate and the economics of it. There obviously isn’t a lot of info available on this topic so thought I would ask.

 

[kpoynter]

It varies…Brickburn provided the Zim Map etc.
Most top operators control the “ Concession” and use/sell all their own Quota. Most have a Private financial backer/partner to help provide Capital needed for the year.. Lease, camp, expenses, equipment, supplies, salaries etc. leases are usually several years at a time as Operators want to ensure they don’t invest heavily in an area and just lose it and get hurt on their Capital Investments/Leasehold Improvements (Camp/Equipment etc)
Many areas aren’t great maybe at the Marketing side of the business and maybe have great areas.
They sell quota to other operators and the work in partnership. That’s what you are seeing typically in these instances. Or maybe they have say two Elephant left unsold…operator “B” knows about it and know some of us Dudes they have a relationship are looking and they book it.

 

[Hunt anything]

I have also seen where let’s just say a South African outfitter sells a buffalo hunt in Mozambique. The South African accompanied the hunter to Mozambique but is not licensed to be a PH there. The outfitter pays for the quota but is only along as an observer.
Outfitters offer hunts in multiple countries in Africa but aren’t licensed in those countries so they are basically a booking agent but with boots on the ground.
I have seen this a couple of times but I don’t think I explained it very well.