Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa First Post, First Safari.

My first safari started at a beer fest that I went to back in June. There was a silent auction for an RZA hunt and a minimum $1000 bid. My buddy and I talked about it for a few minutes and I wrote my name in... for the minimum of course.

I was the only one who bid, so I won by default.

I booked my trip for April 1-10 with my quarry being kudu, gemsbuck, zebra, impala, and blesbuck. Though if I see a trophy bushbuck or waterbuck I'm probably going to shoot.

I'm bringing my mountain rifle. A Tikka T3 lite in 300WM with some hand loaded Nosler ETIPs over H1000.

A safari had always been on my bucket list, but only being 27, I was planning on getting some more Western, CONUS hunts in first. But... opportunities like this don't come often.

I have everything lined up as of now... does anyone have any last minute advice?

Take lots of photos. Enjoy the South African wines & sunsets. I tipped the housekeeping staff the 1st day, they treated me like a king for the whole trip. Don't pack many clothes, they usually have laundry service everyday. They even ironed my underwear.

If you can work in a trip to Kruger, do it. I enjoyed the park more than the hunting.

Pack fewer clothes and more money!

Practice shooting from a standing tripod. Go to Home Depot and buy some poles, lash them together, and get used to using them.

Don't go with too high powered a scope--most shots with be close.

A backpack comes in very handy for your binos, camera, extra jacket and such. Enjoy yourself, you never know if you'll get the chance to go back....you will want to go back.

As some have said, practice, practice, practice with your rifle. Shoot off sticks - get comfortable getting on the sticks, getting safety off, setting height, aiming, and smooth trigger pull. I forgot to take the safety off a couple of times on my first trip.

Also, train yourself to reload immediately after shooting and get back in the scope - don't stop, admire the shot, and then your PH says...reload, reload!

If you are in reasonable good condition and can walk, and you can shoot your rifle accurately, you are covering the main thing you are responsible for - your PH will get you on game, you need to be ready, smooth in gun handling (and SAFE) and able to shoot accurately.

Welcome to a great adventure.

On the trip, before you get there. Have your ammunition packed in more than one piece of luggage. That way if the airline loses some of your luggage, you'll still have ammunition.

And welcome to the fire.

Are you just hunting or site-seeing too? What airline are you taking? Will you have to overnight in JNB?

(1) Take lots of $5, 10 & 20 for "tips" really bribes. (2) Buy the shooting sticks that you are going to use on the trip and practice with those. And when you think you have practiced enough, practice more. (3) Make sure your credit and debit cards have chips.

Go to learn. Then don't be an expert on Africa ("know-it-all") Taxidermy is as much as a safari and can ruin the experience. Enjoy the hunt separately. Pictures are all you'll have for a year afterward...

Lots of good advice! I'm going to have to invest/make some sticks. My shoulder is already pretty bruised from shooting haha.

I'm planning on bringing my camera gear for some awesome landscape and fauna photography. I was going to do Kruger, but my wife isn't going- and we have our long overdue honeymoon in NZ at the end of the year. So I decided to save my money for that. We'll be back to Africa though.

One thing I can tell you is to start shooting a lot with your rifle and ammo and NEVER let it touch a rest after you get it zeroed.

Shoot at target about the size of clay-birds at various ranges from 10 yards out to about 150 yards, but learn to get the shot off in 5 seconds and less. NO shots are to be counted except the hits but you should not focus on the hits. Concentrate on the misses. Annalise EVERY miss and teach yourself to overcome any shortcomings.

If you are given cross stick over there, and you want to use them it only makes the shot easier but it does slow you down however.

I do NOT recommend using a rest for practice.

Shoot from field positions and learn to get into and out of them fast and efficiently. Remember, group shooting is a way to fool yourself. One shot/one hit at a 4 inch target in 5 seconds or less, every time, will never let you down.

5 shots touching at 200 yards from a rest in 2 minutes is of little value in the fields of Africa.

Next I would tell you to get a GOOD set of compact binos.

Bring a small well made pack. The best ones are made of material that is not noisy.

Do not forget sun glasses and a hat.

Bring a water bottle.

Bring a flash light with extra batteries.

You will also find that a set of well fitting leather gloves is a welcome thing to have.

And a Swiss Army Knife with all the goodies to carry come in very handy for many things, the least of which is cutting things.
Good hunting GAZ32 and good luck

And don't forget Chap stick. Comes in handy.

Better have lots of money if your hunting all them animals. Are you getting some mounted?

Take some hard candy like Lifesavers and some gum for the drivers/trackers. They love the stuff. The leather glove rec is a great one.

Dang, there are a lot of small things that I didn't think of...



My top end budget is $10k for just the animals. The ones I listed I got in a package for $7500, so theres a bit of wiggle room.

I would like to get the kudu and gemsbok on a pedestal mount, but I move around every 2-3 years, so all of them will be euro mounted for simplicity. I already have a 170 class whitetail that has a bare spot in the hide from the movers. My wife thinks that regular mounts are like dolls for men... Can't say I disagree with her.

Welcome sir. It sounds like you are in the care of experts, and clearly the product of experience.
Be sure to give us the synopsis of trip when you return. I'm sure it will prove interesting reading.

Plan on spending 2x the cost of your hunt, including shipping and taxidermy, if you intend to mount everything you shoot.

There are some nuggets in here for you:

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/10841474/1

Take a good digital camera or teo. Take lots of pictures of everything especially animals. Spend lots of time with your trophy pictures; most PHs are very good with this.

Consider euro mounts and spend more money on hunting and less on taxidermy. Have some of the hides tanned to leather and have products make at home. My first batch of leather went into 3 briefcases and a purse. The second batch is being made into 2 purses a backpack and 3 carry on bags. When the third batch arrives hopefully into boots.

Just my thoughts.

Are you at Cannon? I think I recognize this story from another website.

Wear gaiters and don't forget the deet. The pepper ticks will eat your azz up.

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Besides that like said before practice walking, getting out of breath and shooting quickly off of sticks. Also, if you are bringing guns, don't skimp on the gun case. It will get destroyed. Also be willing to trade animals if your PH will allow you to. Sometimes unusual trophies present themselves.

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Lots of good info there, thanks for taking the time to put that together!


No, but I did post something similar on arfcom.



That sounds awesome. Do you have any pics of the bags?

Sorry I don't they are being right now.

Good job! Know that your PH has donated this safari. If you have a first class time, tip him as generously as you can afford and see fit. In other words, scratch his back a little. These donated hunts keep our sporting organizations going. Your PH is hoping you'll have a good hunt and be a good reference.



Good time of year, but could get warm in the afternoon. Sunscreen and DEET are in order. Your menu there is outstanding, but I don't see springbok. How can you go to RSA and not get the national symbol??



Good choice. It will not let you down.



I was that age at the time of my first trip to RSA. Ruined me for life! A dozen trips to Africa including Zambia, Tanz, and Cameroon. Going back to Zambia next year.

There is not a day that goes by that I haven't thought of Africa since I first went. It will be a great experience.




The guys have told you good stuff. You will do a lot of shooting off of sticks. It works so practice. Take a camera with extra batteries charged. Take a small journal and write down each days experiences. Learn about the country, the people, the history and the land.

James Mitchner's The Covenant is required reading.

If you have NOT read Horn of the Hunter by Robert Ruark, order it today. It will fire you up.

This is one time in your life that it is ok to stretch the budget a bit. Like Ingwe said, take half the clothes and double the cash.

Enjoy!

Great advice about the journal. I refer to the ones from my hunts with some frequency.

Beautiful example you have there. I'm bringing a pelican 1750 that's seen it's fair share of airline abuse. I hear they're a little more rough in RSA...


I may have to throw in a springbok in there as well.

I'll definitely be going back, but I have a few things I want to get to first... Water buffalo in Australia and a Marco Polo/ Mid Asian Ibex combo hunt in Kyrgyzstan to be the most noticeable two.

I have read the Ruark book, but picked up The Covenant off of Amazon today!

Where are you going? It is a cheap hunt but you want to have a good hunt. YMMV on hunting concessions in South Africa.

Use a meet and greet like Air 2000 for importing rifles.

Carry a copy of all airline and TSA regs regarding firearms.

Get a Hep A and tetanus vaccine.

Bring a notepad and right about your experiences each day.

Take more pictures. Bring a spare camera.

Research trophy cost while you are still here and semi rational about such things.

Electrical adapters for South Africa.

Warm coat for cool mornings.

This is a copy of my checklist for my wife and I on our last trip to Botswana. I edited it for personal items but it gives you and idea what to take.

Airline Itinerary
Passports
Copies of both Passports
U.S. Customs 4457 Forms
Safari Contract
Firearms Importation Paperwork
Copy of TSA and Airline Regs regarding Carriage of Firearms
Travel Cancellation Insurance
Folder to Carry Papers
All Paperwork/Files transferred to Laptop
Credit Cards
Credit Card Pin#
Money (Bring plenty for tips and extra animals + another $1000)
Money Travel Pouches
Address, phone number, and e-mail address of Safari Lodge and Afton Guest House
Driver’s License
Cell Phones and Charger
Rifles
Ammo
Ammo boxes
Belted ammo case for 9,3
Rifle Slings
Ballistics in Cellphone
2 Gun Socks
Cleaning Rod, Patches, Jag
Guncase with name in several places Plus Safari info on case (final destination)
Extra Locks and Keys
Shooting Sticks (check they have some at camp)
Torx Wrenches to fit Scope Screws
Swiss Army Knife
Leatherman Multitool
Oily Rag
Ear Plugs
2 pair Binoculars
2 Binocular Straps
Lenspen
2 Fenix Flashlights
Extra Flashlight Batteries
2 Cameras
4 Camera Batteries
2 Camera Chargers
5 SD Cards
Computer and Charger
1 Gal Ziploc Bags
Fanny Pack
220/110 AC International Adapters
Sunglasses and Case
Leather Belt
Jacket
Gloves (yes bring them)
Balaclava (that, too)
Hat
Bandana
Gaiters
Extra Shoelaces
2 Reading Glasses
The Perfect Shot and African Field Guide
Drugs both prescription and OTC
Cough Drops, Dramamine
Cipro, Doxycycline
Saline Solution Spray (dry air)
Band-Aids Neosporin Moleskin
Neck Pillows
Chapstick
Sunscreen (bring extra)
Sunburn Lotion
Needle, Heavy Duty Thread, and Safety Pin
Wet Ones, Clorox Wipes, Flushable Wipes, Tissues
Deet (small)
Duct Tape and Masking Tape
Envelopes, Notebook, and Pen
Expense sheet from Taxidermist so you do not get to excited bringing everything back

This is a quick list of what you should pack BEFORE you leave on your trip (and keep in a safe place while you're traveling):
Color copies of your passport. At minimum, one for your luggage (or the hotel safe), and another to leave with a friend back home.
Extra passport photos
A list of emergency contact phone numbers, since nobody even remembers their parents' number any more
A list of international 800 numbers for your bank and credit cards
A list of the US Embassies/Consulates (with addresses and phone numbers) in the countries you'll be visiting
A cheap second wallet or one of those hidden travel pouches. Split your credit cards, cash, and other IDs between two wallets – one that you carry and one left back at the hotel.
A copy of your travel itinerary

Whoa... That's a lot of stuff. I've packed for a 15+day field op with much less haha. Good, comprehensive list though.

I'll be hunting with Theron African Safaris in Limpopo.

I decided to make a last minute decision and bring my bow. Mathews Z7 xtreme shooting a 460gr FMJ with a magnus buzzcut BH. Should be good enough for plains game. I always feel the hunt is much more rewarding with a bow.

Wear your hunting boots on the plane and pack a pair of hunting clothes in your carry-on in additions to your camera's and bino's. If the airlines loose your luggage then you can still hunt. Ask me how I know this :>)

Take lots of pics and enjoy. Bring twice the money you "think" you need and half the clothes.

Good luck!