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Too true.

My outfitter told me a set of cloths for travel, two for hunting. I could have traveled in one set of hunting cloths and saved space, but then I have never been a cloths rack.

Randy

I would go a liitle later than April unless I was getting a hell of a deal. June/July usually works.

A serious attempt for leopard can cut into your PG time a lot...but so what. If it works out, you've got something. Avoid rats and mice.

X2 on the overpack, don't take more than your outfitter tells you.
A couple of things though.
Do take rain gear. Even if you don't expect to use it, it don't take up much space and is good insurance to keep the rain away, or wear in the early morning if you are going when it is still cool in the mornings.
Take a boonie hat. Rolls up and takes little space.
Forget the 3D cammo, unless you know that there are broadleaf trees in the area. Don't make sense to have leafy cammo in Thorn country.
I wouldn't take shorts unless you like bleeding legs.
Wear one pair of tennis shoes on the plane and for around camp and take two well broken in pair of hunting boots.
Remember to leave plenty of space in your baggage on the way over so you will have room on the way home for all the souvineers you buy over there.
Buy a blow up neck pillow for the flight over. Use your back pack for your carry-on and the pillow can go here, along with a book to read on the flight, camera, etc.
Gum, hard candies, etc. go far with the trackers and other locals that you run into.

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Thank you. That's great.

I have been shifting a bit throughout the day towards Tan and Zim because of the Buff and leopard desires. South africa just seems so frikken cool but I really do need to focus on what I wish for and make it right for Karen and her pic taking. She's convinced she can film kills like a pro.

Good tips tracker. Thank you.

I forgot to mention earlier a stocking hat and gloves would be a good thing to have along.

Also, I started a 3-ring binder with all my documentation and outfitter correspondence and took that with me. Made it extremely handy when looking for info requested by any of the authorities.

Finally, have your son or wife carry a spare key to the gun case.

Oh...another tip Bob..two words..

Gracy Travel..


Ingwe

Bob,

Exciting news! It's almost as much fun to anticipate and plan the trip as it is to do it. You've gotten rock solid advise so far.

April is too hot, too many snakes, but most of all, the grass is green and not burned off. It is harder to spot game. The middle of June through the middle of September are much better months. Toward the end of the season, the game concentrates around water, and makes hunting a bit more predictable.

Sunscreen, chapstick, Deep Woods Off in Tsetse areas, permetherin for ticks. I hunt with a pair of baseball batting gloves to protect the hands from thorns,incest bites (tsetse), and sun.

Medicine chest (figurative)that has all your Rx meds, Cipro for dysentery, a broad spectrum antibiotic and Rx analgesic just in case. Benedryl for allergies and allergic reactions. Lomotil (or Tylenol III) for diarrhea.

A hat and a bandana. A wind breaker and/or fleece because it can be cold in an open vehicle in the morning. I pack some peppermints or Tic Tac's or gum to prevent dry mouth when on the march for buffalo or elephant.

Grab 3 or 4 paperbacks for the airplane ride and the afternoon siestas.

I usually dream up something fun to take to amuse the staff. That has varied from shotgunshells with reports that are used to scare away birds, (big laughs), light sticks, or there is the time on safari with a French outfit that I brought bottles of Ch. Latour and Ch. Mouton Rothschild, and told them we have that is ordinary table wine in the US. (They shat themselves over that one!)

I take an aerosol bug bomb to zap the creepy crawly things in the hut or tent. Airlines are fond of transporting them I know, but I have had an objection yet.

I'll think up some stuff later.

Saw my doc yesterday Jeff and told him about your medicine recommendations and to be on the ready come next April. Jorge had recommended another med beside malatharon(sp) for avoidance of side effects but I only remembered it long enough to tell the doctor.

I bugged Jorge yesterday while he was outside on a lounge chair while his wife was pruning the shrubs. Jorge is the man!!

Doxycyclene was the med Bob. Jeff as to time and weather, I did a lot of asking of Craig B about the best time for leopards. Without hesisation he say April May. Apparently there is still planty of water & foliage around so it makes it hard for the leopards (and lions) to ambush game at waterholes. So when they see "free food" as bait, they come more readily to it, plus they like the additional cover. The down side is just as you say less vis for PG. But if leopard is your "Huckelberry" May, at least according to Craig, is the time to go, at least up in the north. Jorge

Question guys...I'm one susceptible to and a apparent magnet for insects. I understand the permethrin and Ultrathon benefits and will take such but I was wondering what best tips you experts might offer.

What do you do for your sleeping quarters, Tse-Tse's, if bitten??

And, would items such as a Thermacell pocket pack and a room lamp size Thermacell be of any particular benefit superior to all others.

Seems if I could carry a Thermacell, I wouldn't have to worry about being soaked in poison for 14 days.

Because on my susceptibilty,I may have to go the long pants and shirt routes but those which can be reduced to short sleeves or shorts,if I could.

I'm thinking Africa insects could be a trip [bleep]-upper if you don't pay attention.

In my experience, insects in the tent at night were not a problem - just keep the mesh doors zipped up at all times. For tsetses the Skin So Soft Expedition is the only thing that really works. Plan on applying it when you leave in the morning and after lunch. It also works very, very well on mopani bees. I suggest taking 3 to 4 bottles because the PH and camp manager will want one when they see how well it works.

That's the gear to use........and ODay's advice regarding the mesh doors is simple and effective.

I'd give the shorts (pants and shirts)a miss......the thorns can be nasty!

Gents....when you hunted in Africa, did you guys simply use hunting boots you already owned or do the nuances of hunting dangerous game require another purchase,due to things such as sole contruction and style or the terrain. For instance, is a top quality mid-height,partly meshed hiking boot preferable to an all-leather??

I ask for breaking in purposes and using whatever I need to purchase for this Fall's hunting season will accomplish that task.

Thanks in advance.

PS... So that there is no misunderstanding, I'll be bugging the schit out of you experts for so long as you'll entertain my questions. I'm researching my ass off but you never get the truly definitive answer. Asking those whove done it actually helps me sort through the sale's pitches.

There have been some truly great advice on this subject off and on. I took a pair I had. They were unlined mid high camo wolverines. They were ballistic cloth and I took gators because of thorns, seeds and my own paranoia about snakes. Although the advice differred between companies refferenced, one thing remained constant and that was to bring unlined boots that were broken in and comfortable. I used wolverine because they fit mr well, and it is also my choice in a leather duty boot. Russel makes fine product too. If you use a particular boot here for hunting/hiking, get its unlined twin for Africa.

Just my two cents worth, and I am not at all an expert, or even that knowledgeable.

Randy

In a word Bob, Yes..I think so...plus I also did a great deal of my hunting in normal tennis/running shoes. If seeds are an issue, I would duct tape the tops...and tape the laces down if theres a bunch of thorn constantly untying them...
I liked somewhat softer soles, so I didnt crunch too much stuff and make noise..JMHO..
Bob, frankly on clothing, footwear etc. I found I liked to use whatever I use stateside in warmer weather, with one exception...a tight weave shirt,Cabelas " serengeti" IIRC or Filson shelter cloth...keeps the thorns out, and the shirts don't rip. For cold mornings in the truck a lined Carhartt jacket was always ideal, and I always left it with my favorite tracker, to get more room in my suitcase for african junk on the way home!


I also found regular jeans are OK too.. so long as you don't use fabric softener on them ...it makes them soft enough for seeds to cling to, and thorns to get a grip on...


Cabelas Shirt, jeans,mid height pseudo "hiking" boots...



Cabelas shirt, jeans, cant see them, but wearing Asics running shoes...also note leather glove...nice for parting thorn branches out of the way.




Chilly morning, wearing 300 wt. fleece jacket...NOT good in the thorn, but PERFECT in a leopard blind...


Ingwe

Bob: I wear Russell PHs or Courtney Selous. The latter I strongly recommend you get a pair OVER THERE for less than half the price. I'm sure Tim and the guys over there can take you to a place to get them. A good pair of lightweight sneakers like those available at Cabelas' are also great. You simply don't need anything heavy. As for clothing, I like shorts although I did get scratched up a few times but no big deal. As I said before, it does get quite chilly and again lightweight for me is the ticket. Cabelas has some "wind shear" stuff in hush tones (please, NO CAMO, but that's personal ). A wool type watchcap for the early morning truck rides is also useful. I'll dig up some links and send them to you. jorge

Take a look at the New Balance 977 mid height walking boot. I took these and more expensive Howa boots to Zim last year and wore only the 977s. They are light weight, very quiet with soft soles, and very comfortable. Price is reasonable too.

I just saw this. We took the Thermacell and it worked, but you'll have to be really discreet with sneaking the butane in your luggage. Also, I've NEVER seen any bugs in Africa other than those infernal Tse-Tse, but I doubt they'll bother you in the leopard blind. Remember AVon skin-so-soft. it works! jorge