ALERT: Limpopo, Botswana on high alert as both issue Malaria warning

[rookhawk]

Sunburn was never a problem when I ve taken Malarone.Never.
In May -hunting Save River Zimbabwe- I had horrible dreams,I think it was comming from Malarone.
My doctor said, all Malaria pills are going on your psyche.But Lariam- so often- very strong.
And gout,I have not-yet
Later in October ,I was in Tuli.
No Malaria there at this time.
It s a semi-desert.So dry,that buffalos cant live there.
It depends at the rainfalls.
When you have water arround ,take the pills.
In which month do you want to go there ?
Foxi

@Foxi I'm heading to Tuli May 1 to May 14 this year. There was no Malaria issues when I was there previously two years ago but that was in June and they did not have extensive flooding. I didn't see any mosquitos at that point. Is the Shashe completely dry right now or is it still flowing?

 

[Ridge Runner]

Thanks for the info on malarone. I'll ask my doctor to prescribe it.
I'll only be in SA 10 days and I would like to see as much of it as I can.
If time allows after my hunt I would like to go to Cape Town or the falls.

 

[lcq]

pack the doxy ... lads

damned sound advice

 

[Philip Glass]

All I know is the product you take daily made me feel so lethargic, constapated, and overall bad I'd rather stay home. Then on three trips I've taken Lariam, 1 per week, and I've not had any side efffects. I've heard the horror stories though even from my PH.
A travel doc is highly adviseable. Unfortunately mine just retired!
Philip

 

[Philip Glass]

Guys, just an FYI about malarone that is important to know. It has a harmful interaction with Allopurinol for you gout sufferers. The side effect is violent increase in sunburn! Not a little, a crap-lot of sunburn. So keep that in mind and pace your taking of gout meds and malaria meds 12 hours apart to reduce interaction on your hunts.

Sincerely, your typical 40something fat guy that eats read meat and gets gout.

P.S. - Does anyone know if I need malaria meds this year for Tuli Circle Zimbabwe / Tuli Block Botswana? All maps have said no, no malaria here, previously. That being said, its very close to the Limpopo and Shashe rivers.

According to CDC website all of Zim has malaria. until you actually get there it's hard to know the risk based on conditions etc.
Philip

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

See also: Malaria: https://www.africahunting.com/threads/malaria.14710/.

 

[Kento!]

Guys, just an FYI about malarone that is important to know. It has a harmful interaction with Allopurinol for you gout sufferers. The side effect is violent increase in sunburn!

Sincerely, your typical 40something fat guy that eats read meat and gets gout.

Thank you from another 40-something who takes Allopurinol.

 

[enysse]

Just he kind of news I didn't want to hear!

 

[siml]

Doxy is the one that makes you sun sensitive. It's cheap and that is why a lot of people get recommended Doxy.

 

[flatfoot]

Travelling from the UK I always take profalctics in to Zambia and Zims.

 

[GA Hunter]

This may help with deciding which drug is right for you to take as a preventive.

https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/travelers/drugs.html

 

[Ridge Runner]

Thanks everyone for your responses, I need all the help I can get as a newbe going into SA.
I have contacted my doctor and will be getting a prescription for malarone from her all other types of malaria taps are not yet available to me here in east tennessee,usa.
Also I would like to ask, if I am packing the right clothing for June temps in South Africa.
My outfitter told me to pack the same type clothing that would normally wear deer hunting in the late fall here in northeast Tennessee. After doing my research of June temps in Eastern part of SA, comparitive to here in Tennessee, I`m re-thinking I should pack clothing for late spring/early fall, i.e. forgeting the long johns and moderately heavy "fleece" line insulated long sleeve shirts and insul
ated coat.
I have read various packing lists posts on this site, but it seems those lists pretain to other areas than where I will be hunting.
I`m thinking of light fannel long sleeve shirts and turtle neck t- shirts for layering and my army field jacket with removable liner and gore-tex rain jacket and mid/light weight cargo pants in black and "blue jeans" also in black. Of course, as a Tennessean hunter, I`ll be bringing my knee high "snake boot" hunting boots non-insulated, with wool and mid-weight boot socks.
As much as I would love to bring my "buck skin" outfit to include moccasins, to "blend in"; the"bucks" are to close to the color of a lion, and they are rather warm in moderate weather....and yes even wet...for those frontersmen and 1700-1800's re-enactors out there who thinks buck skins aren't practical in wet weather.
Any and all constructive advice will be emensly appreciated as to what type of clothing I should pack.

 

[Wayne t]

Good info told my mate who's going in three weeks lucky sod I was supposed to be going Limpopo in August but just found out that's when they want to replace my left hip so really not sure if going now or not

 

[Ridge Runner]

Wayne t,

Hate to here about you having your hip replaced. Hopefully it will be as successfull as my right hip replacement went last year. That also caused me to postpone my trip till this year.
My doctors only complaint about me was being way to insistant about getting out of "rehab"/physical theropy so I could make my african hunt in 2016. Needless to say those great folks who were part of my recovery won out. And I' m glad to be able, willimg, and heathy to make my hunt tbis year.
Best advise I ever received "....give your body the chance to heal first...."! Then enjoy life, but remember you aren't 20 years old any more...."!!!! I turn 60 in July, just for reference...hehehe.

 

[rookhawk]

Thanks everyone for your responses, I need all the help I can get as a newbe going into SA.
I have contacted my doctor and will be getting a prescription for malarone from her all other types of malaria taps are not yet available to me here in east tennessee,usa.
Also I would like to ask, if I am packing the right clothing for June temps in South Africa.
My outfitter told me to pack the same type clothing that would normally wear deer hunting in the late fall here in northeast Tennessee. After doing my research of June temps in Eastern part of SA, comparitive to here in Tennessee, I`m re-thinking I should pack clothing for late spring/early fall, i.e. forgeting the long johns and moderately heavy "fleece" line insulated long sleeve shirts and insul
ated coat.
I have read various packing lists posts on this site, but it seems those lists pretain to other areas than where I will be hunting.
I`m thinking of light fannel long sleeve shirts and turtle neck t- shirts for layering and my army field jacket with removable liner and gore-tex rain jacket and mid/light weight cargo pants in black and "blue jeans" also in black. Of course, as a Tennessean hunter, I`ll be bringing my knee high "snake boot" hunting boots non-insulated, with wool and mid-weight boot socks.
As much as I would love to bring my "buck skin" outfit to include moccasins, to "blend in"; the"bucks" are to close to the color of a lion, and they are rather warm in moderate weather....and yes even wet...for those frontersmen and 1700-1800's re-enactors out there who thinks buck skins aren't practical in wet weather.
Any and all constructive advice will be emensly appreciated as to what type of clothing I should pack.

You have to take African advice with a grain of salt. While they could surely rip us in half like a phonebook as they are pretty tough guys, Africans are the biggest pus$&&s on the planet when it comes to cold. Sorry buddies...it's true!

What they call cold is what the American kids call shorts and t-shirts weather.

If you're an American and you live in a climate that has at least three seasons, a ballcap, a shemagh scarf and a long sleeve safari shirt are as much as you'll need for your trip. If you want to hedge your bet, a thin micro fleece can be brought but I doubt you'll wear it.

 

[Wayne t]

Cheers matey
Yeah it's looking like cancelling is going to be the best bet for me instead of taking the trip and limping along not fully enjoying the experience besides if I do go next year instead I may just get the Buff and Hippo added as a reward for waiting to myself

 

[GA Hunter]

Thanks everyone for your responses, I need all the help I can get as a newbe going into SA.
I have contacted my doctor and will be getting a prescription for malarone from her all other types of malaria taps are not yet available to me here in east tennessee,usa.
Also I would like to ask, if I am packing the right clothing for June temps in South Africa.
My outfitter told me to pack the same type clothing that would normally wear deer hunting in the late fall here in northeast Tennessee. After doing my research of June temps in Eastern part of SA, comparitive to here in Tennessee, I`m re-thinking I should pack clothing for late spring/early fall, i.e. forgeting the long johns and moderately heavy "fleece" line insulated long sleeve shirts and insul
ated coat.
I have read various packing lists posts on this site, but it seems those lists pretain to other areas than where I will be hunting.
I`m thinking of light fannel long sleeve shirts and turtle neck t- shirts for layering and my army field jacket with removable liner and gore-tex rain jacket and mid/light weight cargo pants in black and "blue jeans" also in black. Of course, as a Tennessean hunter, I`ll be bringing my knee high "snake boot" hunting boots non-insulated, with wool and mid-weight boot socks.
As much as I would love to bring my "buck skin" outfit to include moccasins, to "blend in"; the"bucks" are to close to the color of a lion, and they are rather warm in moderate weather....and yes even wet...for those frontersmen and 1700-1800's re-enactors out there who thinks buck skins aren't practical in wet weather.
Any and all constructive advice will be emensly appreciated as to what type of clothing I should pack.

I typically find the nearest city that Weather.com lists a forecast for and use it to pack accordingly.

Good luck on the hunt. I look forward to hearing about it.

 

[IdaRam]

Hi @Ridge Runner,
You've already received some sound advice and I believe you are on the right track with your packing. However, here a few thoughts you may want to give some consideration to.
While June temps in SA are likely to be around 40 at night and mid sixties during the day, it is not uncommon for them to drop below freezing at night. If you are riding in the baakie early in the morning before it warms up, 25 degrees and 15 mph can be damn uncomfortable if you do it for very long and all you have is a fleece jacket. After you do that once, you will find a way to pull on every last item of clothing you brought.
Also, if you are going to be doing any night hunting I would highly reccommend warm clothing including long johns, a heavy jacket and a windproof top layer. I use the Cabela's brand lightweight packable rain gear. Two softball size items that weight nothing and provide some protection from the wind in addition to their primary function as rain gear.
Some folks never ask about hunting at night with a spot light, but even if you are only after jackal it really is a lot of fun. Especially if your PH is set up properly for calling. Turning off all the lights and sitting for a while just listening to the night sounds is kinda cool. Firing up the FoxPro for a while and then lighting things up is a lot of fun. You may be surprised what is staring you in the eyes
Night hunting is possibly the only way you may get to see some of the critters over there even if they are not on your list.
Just a thought and a way to maximize your bang for the buck. You are already there and you are already paying the day rates. Jackal are cheap or free. And I like to hunt!
I would also suggest a pair of mechanics gloves you can shoot with. If you plan on being out at night I bring a heavier pair of gloves as well.
I hope this helps and I wish you a wonderful trip! Hopefully the first of many.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Thanks for the info GA Hunter and IdaRam.
Only 39 days before I make my trip, I had my bags packed including ammo box with 60 cartridges and TSA locks attached three weeks ago, sitting waiting for June 2 when I head to Atlanta to catch my flight to JNB.
My shooting gear stays at the ready. After range time the rifle gets cleaned and placed back in its cut out in a boyt gun case; locks at the ready.
Anyone think I might be a "Little" excited about this trip.

IdaRam, I guess I could or should have included my total packing list as is for advise if I'm taking the proper clothing and gear asking for a critque of what to add, what to leave at home.

Rifle: Mossberg, Patriot, bolt action 30-06
Ammo: 60 rds, 165 grain Hornady SST
Scope: Osprey tactical 1/8 MOA parallax, 4-16x50, 3 color lighted rectical, set at 200 yd zero.
Camera: Nikon D5300 with AFP18-55 and AFP 70-300 lens, 3 batteries, 6- 128 gb memory cards, charger and carrying case, care accessories.
Bino's: Pursuit 10x42
Laptop: Haven't decided which one yet. Still looking.
Paperwork: Letter of Invitation, Safari/outfitter paperwork, passport w/ copies of identity pages, delta and SAS airline tickets, Global travel insurance, Henry Rifle Permits, VIP service, has already cleared my SAPS 520, CBP 4457's, "Yellow" vaccine card updated; yellow fever, tetnus. Doxycycline changing to Malarone. Copies of all paperwork inclosed in all luggage, other ID/ insurance/ bank cards, cash USD and SA Rand.
Puzzle books for flights.
Clothing: not listed previously:
3 pair long johns
8 pair socks- 3 pr each wool, med weight snake boot non wool, 2 pair dress socks for travel.
Footwear: Rocky snake boots, tennis shoes, woodland center seam moccassins: hand made by me for around camp comfort as aposed to going bare foot.
3 pair cargo pants, 1 pair jeans, travel suit (required).
3 flannel shirts, (1 heavy fleece lined, 2 unlined), 1 suit shirt with tie.
3 turtle neck long sleeve t-shirts,
2 regular long sleeve t-shirts.
Vest, lined
Med kit: asprin, bandaids, bar soap, razors, cough syrup, advil, pepto bismal, gauze pads, med tape, mole skin pads, santitary liquid soap travel size, extra eye glasses and contact lenses with case and care items.
Sewing kit: buttons, thread, needles, sinew, sissors, awl/punch, velcro.
Leatherman tool, pocket knife, sheath knife,
Baggies/plastic bags: Various sizes
Bath towel and wash cloth ( in case there should be a travel problem).
Hankerchieves: 3 large
Bacalav: 1 fleece, 1 nylon
Gloves: 1 pair water resistant fingerless/ mitten, 1 pair driving type.
Hat: baseball type
Other items: ear plugs, cartridge case/wallet, luggage scales ( to control my spending on souveniers....hehehe)

Any and all comments would be appreciated.

 

[jeff]

I would say your packing way too many clothes, most camps have daily laundry service.