What would be considered a fair day rate (excl trophy fees) for a plains game safari in South Africa?
I am a South African and I'm considering starting a safari company that the average man can afford. In other words try to make it less exclusive, but also keep in mind a profit needs to be made to make the business worthwhile.
Your feedback would be most welcome!

Welcome to the forum.

Haven't been to Africa so can't comment much, but if I were you I'd use a search engine like google or yahoo and see what you can find. There's bound to be any number of outfits with information posted.

Good luck with your venture.

Do you own the property you would be hunting or would you be hunting other properties? How large of an area? Where are you located? Would you have exclusive use to the farms or would other companies and hunters be hunting the same area? What kind of camp (lodge, tent, house, etc...)? Would you be providing meals, laundry service, skinning, caping, dip and pack services? What other services would you provide? Would you have other PH's, how many trackers, skinners, etc, or would you be doing everything yourself?

Those are some of the questions that would need answered, I think. Also, what species would you have available for hunting?

Tons of questions would need answered, but you would certainly have to cover your costs.

SnipeSa where are you?

I had a business like this but climed out due to the impact of the new FCA and the government's policies on hunting, game conservation ect.

I now farm and relocate live game - much more profitable.

The previous guy had a few points. You have to take several factors into considiration. one of which is cost.
Also mate - it is not as nice as we think it - a lot of the hunters cant shoot and then you spend a day tracking down a wounded animal - and that is just the tip of the ice berg....

Moeras..............very true, guiding hunters is not all fun and games. Unfortunately many are NOT good shots and you do spend a lot of time chasing wounded game.....it is the same here in North America I can assure you.

One other thing. Day rates vary quite a bit, but many average in the $300 to $400US area. The thing I have noticed in SA is that cheap daily rates do not really mean much as you usually get hammered with inflated trophy fees.

Very true - in this business you will have to pay - either day rates or thophy rates.
My view is that rather ask a lower day rate and leave the guy with more cash to hunt more trophys. BUT the markup on trophys is very low, thus with higher day rates it is easyer to make some money.

Guys - remember one thing - we are here to earn a living - same as you - we need to cover our cost and then make some. The guy that finds the ideal modal on how to do that will get very rich......