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 You can never be certain what you will run into while hunting, especially in Africa. My approach is it is better to have it and not use it, than to wish for it later. My brother-in-law is the exact opposite and on several trips he would have paid a small fortune for the relatively inexpensive gear I brought along for him. My bias for being more prepared than most is reflected in the information that follows.
Travel/Packing Tips
Airline Luggage Considerations
In addition to understanding your International flight luggage regulations, understand what the space/weight requirements are if you have to take a Regional flight and/or are flying into a bush camp on a small plane.
- Regional flights usually limit weights to just over 30 pounds.
- Talk to your PH or booking agent about what works best…he may suggest you forego an extra large wheeled duffel and take a medium and large sized bag instead as they are easier to store in the bush plane.
Airline Approved Gun Cases
Decide what type of airline approved gun case you are going to use. We offer three types to meet all the various requirements you may have. If you want to pack your rifles in soft cases and then surround them with clothing and other gear we recommend TUFFPAK. They weigh approximately 20 pounds less than an aluminum double rifle case but keep in mind that they do not offer the same protection as the heavier Strongcase ® aluminum case provides. If you want a middle of the road option-lighter than aluminum with custom fitted spaces for two rifles we recommend the BOYT ® Hard Case. This is also the only one we offer that is water-tight. Check your airlines website for their ever changing luggage policies.
As an added benefit, if you plan to order multiple items, we can open your case and load it with your other gear to minimize shipping costs. There is no way to do this online but we can handle it if you submit an Essential Gear Order Form or by calling us at (419) 529-5599.
Weigh bags at home and adjust loads accordingly. If you have three bags and two are heavy and one is light, by spreading that out more evenly you could almost save enough to take another warthog!
Airline Approved Ammo Cases
For flights into South Africa, you now have to check your ammo in a locking metal case. You are permitted to take up to 11 pounds (5 Kilos) of ammo. We now offer the Strongcase® locking ammo box that can hold up to 4 boxes of big bore ammo so you can comply with this new regulation. Check your airlines website for their ever changing ammo policies.
Carry Essentials Separately
Get a hydration backpack and put as many high value/small sized items in there along with all your other essential items such as extra copies of important documents, prescriptions, cameras, binoculars, extra scopes, and reading or viewing material for the trip over and back, etc.
Carry-on Luggage
If you are looking for a leather soft bag, take a look at the beautiful Mulholland® line-up. If you are looking for a new lighter weight bag, check out our Safari Canvas luggage which is made by the same company that manufacturers 90% of the heavy duty canvas seat covers you will find on hunting vehicles in Southern Africa.
Maximize Space Available
- Pack in clear plastic bags with zippers and label all of them so you can find everything easily.
- If you plan to leave clothing behind in Africa pack them using vacuum bags so you can carry more over.
- Remember to roll your clothing and stuff any empty space with socks or underwear
- Travel with as much gear as possible on your person…sunglasses, your hat, boots, etc as that frees us valuable space in your luggage and may be the difference between having versus wishing for the gear you need.
- If forced to prioritize between clothing and gear, go a bit lighter on the clothing, especially if your accommodations include daily laundry service.
Documents
- Passport-check expiration date and make a copy of it.
- Itinerary and plane tickets (make an extra copy of them)
- Medical/Shot Records
- Insurance information for trip
- Emergency Evacuation Information
- Hunt Contract
- Customs form 4457 for firearms (check that serial number match again)
- Customs Broker/Taxidermy Tags
Administrative Tasks
- Procure cash and travelers checks
- Pictures of all luggage/belongings-opened and closed.
- Extra copies of itinerary, PH contact information and all other paperwork left at home and office.
- Call your credit card company and let them know where you will be and for how long so they do not shut off your cards
Safety
More than any other section, the gear and information found in this section can make the difference between a safe and enjoyable experience and a difficult one. This gear also provides you with the biggest bang for your buck as most are relatively low cost and do not take up much space. As an added benefit, leaving some of these items behind will always be appreciated by your PH.
Medical Preparation
- Once you know your destination, make an appointment with a Doctor who specializes in Tropical diseases so you can get all the immunizations, malaria drugs and other medications required. Some of these medicines take time to become effective, so do not wait until the last minute.
- While it may not be as convenient as going to your regular Doctor, if you pick up something up in Africa you will probably need to see a specialist anyway so you might as well establish that relationship in advance. On a related note, depending on where you are hunting, you may want to make an appointment with that same Doctor soon after you return so you can get in quickly if you are ailing. If you feel fine, you can always cancel your appointment in plenty of time for them to fill that time slot.
- Prescription medicines-get your Dr to write you two prescriptions, each one for at least what you will need while over there and keep them in the original containers. Put one in your luggage and one in your carry-on pack
- If you are not accustomed to taking pills or need to take certain ones more than once a day, buy a pill organizer at your local drug store that you can fill upon arrival in camp so you make sure you do not miss a dose.
Hydration
Nothing is more important to your performance and enjoyment than staying hydrated, so bring a hydration pack you can use while on the move. During my first plains game hunt we left the truck quickly without any water for what was supposed to be a short trip and returned 14 hours later after walking almost non-stop. Sucking on a stone did nothing to alleviate my thirst! This is an essential part of your gear. They also work great (with no liquid in them) to carry high value/essential gear over and back.
First Aid
- You will probably not need it, but buy Emergency Medical Evacuation Coverage. If you get into trouble, it could make all the difference in the world. We recommend Med Jet Assist
- While the PH will probably have a first aid kit, do not leave that to chance. We strongly recommend you bring your own.
- Blister Kits-Bring them as we had one customer who missed half his safari and spent several thousand dollars for want of this $21 item.
- Bring a Leatherman Micra as it has a set of tweezers, spring action scissors and a host of other personal care accessories that will come in handy.
Bug Repellant
- A week prior to your departure, we suggest you treat your shoes, pants and shirts using the 24 oz Permithren spray bottle. Permithren loses all effect if used on your skin, but kills bugs on contact if you treat your clothes prior to departure. One application lasts for 45 days or 6 washings-whichever comes first.
- Time Release DEET Lotion is the only one of its kind that reduces DEET absorption by up to 67%. Use it in advance of departure to make sure you do not have an allergic reaction to the DEET. Please note that one kit is enough for one person for ten days.
- Three-part DEET Bug Repellant Kit-Bring them and use it in advance to departure to make sure you do not have an allergic reaction to the DEET. Please note that one kit is enough for one person for ten days.
- We recommend SPF 30 sunscreen with DEET-FREE bug repellent for use on your face.
- We recommend AfterBite for relief from bug bites. Please note there are two types; One for mosquitos and one for flies/bees.
Eye and Sun Protection
- We recommend impact resistant Wiley X sunglasses that have a removable membrane to keep dust out of your eyes-great when you are on the back of a safari vehicle as contacts do not work well in dusty areas.
- Eye drops to flush your eyes out just in case
- Safari hat with a chin strap so it does not blow off while driving
- We recommend SPF 30 sunscreen with DEET-FREE bug repellent for use on your face.
- Chapstick
Snake Protection
We recommend Turtleskin snake gaiters. They are approved for protection against all South African snakes and are very soft, lightweight, waterproof and breathable. They give you added peace of mind when hunting in thick bush or just walking on the path back to your tent after dinner where Puff Adders like to wait for their evening meal and absorb the warmth the ground still holds.
If you want protection from your hands against thorns, we also offer Turtleskin puncture proof gloves.
Flashlights and Headlamps
- We suggest a Streamlight flashlight
that you leave in your tent
- A Streamlight headlamp
that you keep in your pack in case you have to navigate out in the bush after dark. It is important to keep both of your hands free to keep your balance and push obstacles out of your way. Order the Trident Green Night Vision if you do not want to spook animals and want to preserve your night vision.
Communication Tools
- Call your cell phone provider and see if they can add the international access needed to your existing phone. If that is not feasible consider renting a satellite phone so you can stay connected. In either case, make sure you take instructions on how to make a call with you.
- Scan and e-mail all essential documents to both yourself and the PH. This will make sure you are covered two ways in case you lose them.
- Set up another e-mail account you can use from any computer to use during your trip.
- Bring extra batteries for flashlights, cameras, etc.
- Bring a 220 to 110 volt converter for charging video cameras, phones, etc.
Footwear/Gaiters
- We recommend the iconic Selous Safari Boot from the Courteney Boot Company. This is an extremely tough boot that will serve you well for many years. Since this is a heavy-duty boot, we suggest you purchase them at least three months in advance so you can break them in and wear them while you get in shape for your safari.
- Make sure you bring the extra set of laces that is shipped with every pair of Courteney Boots
- Nothing will make your feet more prone to blistering than getting them wet. For that reason we suggest you include an extra pair of socks in your pack so you have a dry pair just in case.
- If your feet do get wet, take your boots off one at a time, take your sock off, wring it out, wad them up and then stuff them into the front of the boot and step on that area with your booted foot to remove some of the excess moisture in the leather. Wring out the sock, put it back on and then do the other one.
- For the above reason we suggest you bring a few pairs of thicker Rohner cushioned socks for comfort while walking long distances and a few pairs of thinner socks to compensate for the leather shrinking a bit (if you get your boots wet) as they dry.
- We also recommend Gaiters; Turtleskin if you want protection from snakes and Texas Hunt Co if you want the best ankle gaiters on the market.
Clothing
- Safari Jacket
- Two Long Sleeve shirts with fasteners to keep rolled up sleeves in place
- Two Safari Pants (with zip off legs if space is an issue)
- Two Safari Shorts if space is not an issue
- Warm jacket (rain/wind proof) and heavy sweater for morning/evening wear
- Gloves and wool cap for cold mornings on the back of the truck
- Extra pair of camp shoes
Shooting Sticks
We suggest you bring the same ones you practice with back home. Invest in a set of Shooting Sticks instead of buying a cheap set every three or four years as it will be less expensive over the long run and more importantly, they will never let you down. The biggest difference between our Premium Grade offerrings and every other set on the market is that on ours the connector is the strongest part and on every other ones it is the weakest part.
Soft Rifle Cases and Culling Belts
- We suggest you bring a soft case to protect your firearms from dust and damage when it is traveling on the back of the safari vehicle. This is one of the reasons why we recommend TUFFPAK hard cases as your guns travel in the soft cases you will need on safari.
- We recommend our leather culling belts for dangerous game hunts. The extra thick, bull hide belts must be relatively stiff to give you enough rigidity to extract big bore cartridges. Wear them during your range practice to break-in both the belt and the bullet loops. If the loops are a bit tight storing some shells in them will loosen them up and if they are too big rubbing a bit of water on them with your hands and then putting them out in the sun or in front of a heat source (never above 100 degrees) will tighten them up.
Optics and Bino Carriers
- We recommend Swarovski scopes and for Dangerous Game suggest a low power variable in the 1-4 power range. For plains game anything you would use for deer or elk would be fine.
- We recommend Swarovski binoculars and prefer 8x30 or 8x42 as higher magnifications tend to fatigue your eyes faster due to the constant adjustments your eye makes to keep them in focus during movement. If you are going to be glassing from one place for a long time sit down and support them with the top section of your shooting sticks.
- We recommend our Safari Bino Sling so you can slide them behind out of the way when you get ready to shoot or when crawling. You can not do this with the harnesses that are fixed to your chest.
Rifle/Optics Care
- Even if you keep your gun cased it will become dirty and dusty. We recommend you bring an OTIS universal rifle kit. This small kit cleans .30 to .45 caliber rifles and you can always order a larger .50 caliber brush from us if you need it. Be sure to leave the small container of solvent at home as you should have access to gun oil at camp.
- Your optics/glasses will get dusty. We recommend the Otis Lens Cleaning Kit for use on glasses, binoculars and scopes. They will not scratch the lenses when used properly.
- Leather Safari Binocular Sling so you can slide them out of the way when walking, crawling or shooting.
Be sure to check out our Trip Planning Timeline (PDF Version)
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