Early stages of potential 1st safari

[CO_mtnman]

Been dreaming of hunting africa ever since I could read and always had a plan set up along a timeline when it would happen and the other day my dad contacted me of the potential of going to South Africa for a plains game safari and of course we are all very excited but now I am starting to get lost in the weeds about what we need to do now lol a good plan never survives 1st contact lol. So far we have a taxidermist in the states picked out, plan on using travel express for permits and flights and also trophy shippers for the trophies back. Is there anything else we may be forgetting aside from tips for the ph and staff? I am mainly using this as a bubble check to ensure we are on the right path.

 

[375Fox]

Don’t overthink it too much. The biggest priority should be selecting the right outfitter then everything else will just fall into place. However, You’ll need to go to a customs office in year of your hunt to get a 4457 form signed on your rifle. There will be a taxidermy in South Africa that will dip and pack your trophies prior to shipping. You can get a price list from that taxidermy once you get further along with your planning and decide on an outfitter.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Global Rescue, Ripcord, or any other travel insurance is something to consider.

 

[Stetsonham]

Worry about the outfitter the most and do your homework on them. The rest is easy

 

[CO_mtnman]

As of last night we got booked and got our dates, we will be hunting with kuche hunting safaris from 27 June to 3 July 2026 and we are very excited! I will be taking my wife along with me as well as my dad, brother and my uncle as part of annual hunting trip together we all have our small lists but are anxious to see what the bush provides for us.

 

[Stetsonham]

As of last night we got booked and got our dates, we will be hunting with kuche hunting safaris from 27 June to 3 July 2026 and we are very excited! I will be taking my wife along with me as well as my dad, brother and my uncle as part of annual hunting trip together we all have our small lists but are anxious to see what the bush provides for us.

congrats, enjoy the addiction!! Haha

 

[UpNorthMI]

It's great to make plans and have something to look forward to. If you are not used to shooting off sticks, it's time to get some practice in.

Good luck.

 

[ActionBob]

Global Rescue, Ripcord, or any other travel insurance is something to consider.

Depending upon where you are going.... Most of South Africa, why add the expense?

 

[375Ruger416]

As of last night we got booked and got our dates, we will be hunting with kuche hunting safaris from 27 June to 3 July 2026 and we are very excited! I will be taking my wife along with me as well as my dad, brother and my uncle as part of annual hunting trip together we all have our small lists but are anxious to see what the bush provides for us.

Congratulations! I’m sure you’ll have a great hunt.

There is a handy thread on this site about preparing for your first safari. Your outfitter may send you something as well.

I’m doing my first in September and got a pretty comprehensive document from my outfitter in Namibia - Kowa’s Adventure Safaris - another site sponsor.

For background, I highly recommend Kevin Robertson’s The Perfect Shot 2. There’s some good information on The Backcountry Hunting Podcast and The Big Game Hunting Podcast. The both have a number of podcasts on first safaris, trips they’ve done etc. I just finished listening to two with Kevin Robertson on the latter regarding Elephant Conservation and hunting. Fascinating!

 

[BRICKBURN]

Read
https://www.africahunting.com/community/safari-planning-guide/
Read hunt reports and learn from them.
Taxidermy: waste some time planning where all that taxidermy will fit.
Critters: Decide on your wish list of species. Leave some leeway for that other one that will jump out in front of you.
Firearms: Decide if you are taking your own or not.
Packing: Do not take so much stuff.
Take a lot of pictures of everything. You can delete the garbage later, you can't "take" them after you are home.
Have fun and enjoy the anticipation.

 

[ru4elk]

For sure- practice on sticks. You will be using them.
Try not to overpack...but you will.
It's ok to have a game list, but be prepared to take what Africa gives you. You never know what you will find behind the next bush so be ready to add to your list. On my first trip I planned to take 6 animals and ended up with 15! The addiction is real, and enjoy it!

 

[CO_mtnman]

As far as practicing off of sticks, I plan on getting a set from asc but in the mean time I currently have a set of bog pod death grip tripod that I have used in the past for prs and previous hunts would there be any difference in shooting off the tripod I have (not clamping the rifle down in the grip) and off the traditional shooting sticks?

 

[Rare Breed]

Been dreaming of hunting africa ever since I could read and always had a plan set up along a timeline when it would happen and the other day my dad contacted me of the potential of going to South Africa for a plains game safari and of course we are all very excited but now I am starting to get lost in the weeds about what we need to do now lol a good plan never survives 1st contact lol. So far we have a taxidermist in the states picked out, plan on using travel express for permits and flights and also trophy shippers for the trophies back. Is there anything else we may be forgetting aside from tips for the ph and staff? I am mainly using this as a bubble check to ensure we are on the right path.

Go into the planning a safari portion of the forum...Jerome has done a great job of providing insight.

 

[JimP]

As far as practicing off of sticks, I plan on getting a set from asc but in the mean time I currently have a set of bog pod death grip tripod that I have used in the past for prs and previous hunts would there be any difference in shooting off the tripod I have (not clamping the rifle down in the grip) and off the traditional shooting sticks?

On both of my hunts in South Africa the PH's had standard Bog Pods to shoot off of and nothing else.

 

[cmk]

As far as practicing off of sticks, I plan on getting a set from asc but in the mean time I currently have a set of bog pod death grip tripod that I have used in the past for prs and previous hunts would there be any difference in shooting off the tripod I have (not clamping the rifle down in the grip) and off the traditional shooting sticks?

Probably not much difference, but your bog pod might be a bit sturdier/steadier than most other tripods. I believe that quad-sticks are also getting more common. Takes slightly longer to set up (an extra second), but is super-steady. Does not allow for as much horizontal panning, though.

 

[RR 314]

Depending upon where you are going.... Most of South Africa, why add the expense?

I always do global rescue. Thankfully have never had to use it. We almost rolled a land cruiser last trek in a sketch creek crossing and as I was being thrown from the truck I swear global rescue crossed my mind. . Thankfully just dislocated my shoulder, which is easily done, but could have been money well spent if we needed a chopper ride/flight somewhere.

 

[CO_mtnman]

So I have decided that I want to do the dip and pack route aside from the taxidermist and utilizing trophy shippers is there anybody else I need to employ?

 

[ActionBob]

So I have decided that I want to do the dip and pack route aside from the taxidermist and utilizing trophy shippers is there anybody else I need to employ?

There will be shipping from the dip and pack to the airport. Likely your taxidermist doing the dip and pack, or Trophy Shippers will line that up but you will get a bill. Then your air Frieght, clearing and shipping from US Airport to your taxidermist or tannery.

Ask Trophy Shippers how much of that they handle.

 

[ActionBob]

A little tip on potential cost savings. My Minnesota Taxidermist used a tannery in Houston that he trusts. We ship directly to the tannery in Houston than after Tanning they ship to Minnesota. Rather than to Minnesota, Houston, and back to Minnesota.

So ask all those types of questions

 

[CO_mtnman]

Luckily my taxidermist is in the dfw area so I think that will reduce some of the cross country shipping but after a phone call with them will hopefully answer alot of that, I really do appreciate all the help I've been getting from the forum it's been super helpful