First Trip to South Africa Advice

[Goose Cracker]

Hi folks, newbie here. Have hunted all over the US but will be headed to my first trip to Africa/South Africa (Limpopo and Kalahari) at the end of April (for 10 days, plains game). I've read through everything here I could find. Have outsourced my rifle permits, have a pretty thorough packing list, have Global Rescue lined up.

So my question is this:
If you could do your first trip over again, what would you do differently? What would you do that you didn't do, and what would you skip that you did do?

Thx in advance for the advice.

 

[cpr0312]

Welcome aboard!

Take less clothes than you think you need, maybe 3 changes. Take lots of pics of everything not just the trophies. Try to take in a national or game park...enjoy!!!!!!

 

[WDRacer]

If you have a good outfitter they should be a big help once you arrive. Getting your guns checked out at the airport goes smoothly if they know what they are doing. Dont over pack. Usually they do laundry every day so you dont need 10 days worth of change of clothes. Have done 20 trips to Africa. You will think about your time there every day of your life! I hope you have a great time!

 

[CAustin]

Yep the overpack issue rings true for me. I also would have done video instead of just taking pictures.

 

[rinehart0050]

Welcome to the posting side!

Two things- #1. hire someone to film your hunt. Talk with your outfitter about this. @Limcroma Safaris has an in-house (and very reasonably priced) videographer, Henk. Henk did a great job filming and editing. Our video was ready for us on our last day. Its a great way to relive the safari and to share it with others.

#2. don't stress your trophy list too much, go with what Africa offers up. After 5 days of busted stalks and missed opportunities on my kudu, I was starting to stress. I'd passed on lots of great animals from other species, really focusing on that kudu. I should have just relaxed and enjoyed hunting whatever. The kudu would have fallen into place too, as he eventually did.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

@rinehart0050 is spot on with number 2 in my opinion. You're there to enjoy yourself and not check off a list, let the hunt come to you. If you don't get something you had your heart on, there likely will be a next time and/or something else you hadn't considered until you see it in person.

Stressing out over not getting something on your list is a great way to ruin what should be one of the greatest experiences of your life.

 

[BRICKBURN]

I'd go two days early and have a look around (at just about anything) before starting to hunt. Mostly to get into the proper times zone.
Take more says between destinations and don't rush.

In the end; Stay longer. That plane ride needs to be forgotten before you have to re-board another plane.
Although I do tend to stay longer than most folks anyway.

Take more pictures. Take pictures of every last thing you look at.
Take a small enough camera that you will actually take it into the field with you.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Forgot one, You do not have to mount every damned animal you take.
Decide on the room you have, decide if you want to fill it up on this trip or the next.

I used to dislike Euro mounts. NOT ANY MORE!

 

[wesheltonj]

So my question is this:
If you could do your first trip over again, what would you do differently? What would you do that you didn't do, and what would you skip that you did do?

Thx in advance for the advice.

(1) Would not use a travel agent again, so I have control of the reservation and not the agent, so I can choose seats, check in on phone, etc.
(2) If taking a firearm, I would use a permit service and stay at Intercontinental or City Lodge at the airport and not a guest house. Guest house was nice, but airport hotel is more convenient and easier to get the train to go to Sandton or Rosebank.
(3) Most likely next trip its a rental gun for me, easier and cheaper, if you want to sight see.
(4) Take more small bills for "tips," and that's being politically correct.
(5) Take a good digital camera in the field and not rely on your cell phone for photos.

 

[Velo Dog]

My response to all three questions are numbered in order as follows:

1. Not book through Cabela's.
2. Not book through Cabela's.
3. Not book through Cabela's.

 

[LivingTheDream]

Pack less.

I did DG my first trip and it was a blessing and a curse. The blessing is that I got to take my time, road around slot and had some down days. The curse being I could have taken a lot of plains game. The point being enjoy your time, take less animals and soak it all in. I think sometimes we get so caught up chasing goals that miss the point of chasing them.

 

[Buckdog]

Agree with all pack less crap keep it simple and basic. Also have a debit card to get some rands from an ATM to tip trackers, etc and money for incidentals or gifts you may come across. I think the machines cap you out at like 3000rands. that really didn't go that far but I like to keep staff, trackers, etc happy especially if they are making my life happy

 

[Ryan]

My first went exceptionally well, and I followed just about everything mentioned. The big things that made it work was definitely being flexible when I took my animals. I had a five animal package, and I got them all (and more). More than once we were looking for one species and another I was after presented itself that was of the quality I was after so I took it. I don't think I would have taken all I was after if I didn't do it that way. And realize, some things may evade you that other people seem to have no problems with. That will probably lead to hunt #2, and maybe #3....

Definitely take an extra day or more to relax and do other stuff. Because of flight changes I arrived a full day earlier than originally planned the first time. This ended up being a great move, allowing me and my friend to relax in a guest house in Windhoek Namibia for a day. Relaxing and unwinding from the flight, checking out the city and acclimating to the time zone was a huge bonus. If there is a good park nearby go to it for a day trip minimum and take a good camera with a good telephoto lens. I had a friend come along on my second hunt and ignoring that advise she just brought a so-so zoom snap and shoot camera. She regretted it. She ended up using mine a lot.
Good luck

 

[Nyati]

Welcome to AH !

 

[Shootist43]

Welcome to AH. If you have one special animal that you want to be a minimum of XXXX, make sure your outfitter and PH know it prior to your departure from the U.S. Remind your PH of it especially if you are going to hunt that animal specifically. Make sure your outfitter is willing to swap out or allow you to upgrade depending on what the bush offers you.

 

[JimP]

I picked up my SA rand from my home bank before I even left the US. I got $1000 US worth and ended up bringing $140 US in rand back. Also learn the conversion rates. When I was over in 2015 it was around 10 Rand to $1 US and figured what I was buying on that.

I used a travel agent, Lori at Travel Express a vendor on the site here. She took care of everything and I didn't worry about what is going to happen with the flights. Some people like to be in control of this stuff but for a African adventure I'll let Lori handle it every time. I also used a rifle permit company and hired them for a meet and greet at the airport. They had a sign with my name on when I stepped off of the plane in Joberg and walked me to the front of all the lines and then to the firearm inspection station and left us when we reached security to head out on our second flight to Port Elizabeth. They then met us on our way home in Joberg once we retrieved our rifles and walked us through it all over again and then we said good by at security again. They make it almost too easy. Next trip I'll rent a rifle to avoid all the hassles of taking a firearm over.

On trophies I figured just what I wanted before I went over and prepaid for 2 extra animal. I took one of them but the other one eluded me. I used the money from the one that I didn't get to pay for my tour that my outfitter did for us after our hunts. Also listen to your PH, if he says to shoot a animal just shoot it, you will be happy in the end even if it cost you extra. Also tell your PH what your capabilities are, he will hunt accordingly.

As others have mentioned you don't have to take many hunting clothes and actually 2 sets is enough. Wear one while the other is being washed. But if you are planning on a tour afterwards then you are going to have to bring extra clothes. On my trip I had a full set of clothes and meds with me in my carry-on along with my cameras and binoculars and I wore my hunting boots on the plane. That way the airline could loose everything that I had checked with them and I could still have a enjoyable hunt.

There is a lot more so I suggest that you get out a piece of paper and a pencil and start making a list. Scratch things off and add things as needed.

Then enjoy.

 

[Philip Glass]

Forgot one, You do not have to mount every damned animal you take.
Decide on the room you have, decide if you want to fill it up on this trip or the next.

I used to dislike Euro mounts. NOT ANY MORE!

I totally agree with Brickburn don't mount everything. Don't bring back back skins etc unless you have a purpose for them. Also don't think this is your only safari!
I would also say don't set too many goals for how many animals just take it as it comes, remember it's hunting.,
Regards,
Philip

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

I totally agree with Brickburn don't mount everything. Don't bring back back skins etc unless you have a purpose for them. Also don't think this is your only safari!
I would also say don't set too many goals for how many animals just take it as it comes, remember it's hunting.,
Regards,
Philip

That about says it all.

Welcome to AH sir!

 

[petrusg]

Enjoy the hunt and just take the opportunities presented to you by Africa, don't be to calculated to how you are going to tick off the animals from your list..

 

[prodgers]

Hi folks, newbie here. Have hunted all over the US but will be headed to my first trip to Africa/South Africa (Limpopo and Kalahari) at the end of April (for 10 days, plains game). I've read through everything here I could find. Have outsourced my rifle permits, have a pretty thorough packing list, have Global Rescue lined up.

So my question is this:
If you could do your first trip over again, what would you do differently? What would you do that you didn't do, and what would you skip that you did do?

Thx in advance for the advice.

Good day sir,

All of the above are excellent comments. Perhaps another thing to think about is a professional cameraman to film your safari. It is always an excellent addition to the photos and memories of your first African safari.

Please contact me if may be interested.

Kind regards

Pierre