Gear loadout

[WAB]

Good call on the hat, I use a Tilley wanderer as well. Tremendous hat. Canadian eh?

 

[Red Leg]

I agree completely on the camo. Not only for the "illegal" portion but I want very much to respect the tradition and the i guess "romance" if you will of the safari. I am an avid reader of all the books and true believer that I was born 100 years too late. If the wife wasn't going I would be perfectly happy sleeping in a tent drinking boiled creek water. To me the sum of an adventure like this is in the entire experience and not just killing. I am taking shona lessons even though obviously everyone there speaks English but for me it is way to show a little respect for thier culture and show appreciation for them hosting me, even though at a handsome profit, and letting me come hunt thier game and experience thier country.

Actually a heavy cost to you, but fairly meager margin for them. I try to bear that in mind when it comes to a tip.

 

[meigsbucks]

With regard to sticks, I bought a set from African Sporting Creations. I practiced with them prior to the safari and since they break down, they fit in the gun case. As it turned out, I was glad I took them as the PH had a banged up BogPod that was missing the yoke and had a screw sticking up.
On my second hunt, I inquired as to the type of sticks they used. He used Primos Trigger Sticks. I had a set so I practiced with those. I still packed the ASC sticks (just in case) but used the PH’s Trigger Sticks.

 

[BeeMaa]

Unless I am going into the saber grass of the Zambezi Delta, I hunt in shorts. I am a great believer in cotton. The farther away you get from a lodge in SA, the more likely you are to have the ironing done by something stuffed with coals that looks like it came out of an antique store. They work great, but can be rather hard on the newer exotic materials (that suck anyway).

That said, microfleece is, along with atomic energy, one of the great inventions of the 20th century. I bring a sweater or light jacket that handles anything most early mornings north of SA are likely to throw at you.

I would urge you to be comfortable with whatever sticks your PH has on hand. I never drag mine around with me and have never had an issue with whatever was on the truck.

I don't much care for my dermatologist. So, I always wear a broad brimmed hat. Tilley makes a cotton boonie hat that can be rolled up and still looks Stewart Grangeresque in the field.

Me doing Grangeresque in a cotton Tilley

I wouldn't bring a 50's era style safari jacket. I always enjoy @Kevin Peacocke 's posts, but he does wear a pith helmet. Just saying.

Heavy cotton duck trousers, or worse yet, armored upland pants, will have your PH muttering under his breath - particularly closing with buffalo. Shorts or a soft rip-stop cotton.

Cotton clothing keeps things quiet while stalking. Always a good thing.

 

[VonJager]

Daily Laundry is fine but on my first I took 2 outfits, and then sunday came and they didn’t do my laundry, so I had to rewear a hunting set. Not the end of the world, but now I take 3 sets, just in case.

 

[flatwater bill]

While everyone advocates taking a minimum amount of clothing, that pertains to hunting with one operator. If you hunt several locales and must travel in between, laundry services can be delayed. The phrase "Getting your panties in a wad" can take on a new meaning. 4 sets of undies is best................FWB

 

[WAB]

While everyone advocates taking a minimum amount of clothing, that pertains to hunting with one operator. If you hunt several locales and must travel in between, laundry services can be delayed. The phrase "Getting your panties in a wad" can take on a new meaning. 4 sets of undies is best................FWB

That’s when ya go commando!

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I have a set of African creations shooting sticks, they are well made. Knowing what I do now I would go with Viper Flex Shooting Sticks. They are more money and yes they 100% worth it.

The rest of your gear, you probably have what you need. Honestly I bought stuff I thought I needed, when I could have just used something I had. I used my Lowa hiking boots. Never had a problem with them. Lighter than my mountain boots. We hunted 10ish days hiking on the average of 3.5-5 miles a day, one day was close to 10 miles.

If they offer laundry service, you will over pack. 3 sets at the most for hunting is all you will need IMHO.

Last but not least, thank you for your service!

@Inline6
Those viper sticks are the best I have ever come across. I called them a bush benchrest they are that good.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I do have to say on the comment of "don't bring shooting sticks they will have what they prefer to use." I understand the value of listening to your PH but at the end of the day it is my cash and my hunt. I would rather use what I have practiced with and what I am comfortable with. I'm all about listening to the PH but I do a lot of shooting and a lot of hunting and it is also important that the PH be willing to listen to his client. In my eyes he is there to assist me and offer his insight and also do some teaching along the way but not to bully a client into doing what he wants.

@Backyardsniper.
A PH will NOT bully you into anything. I practice a bit off sticks before I left but the viper sticks my PH provided made shoot a pleasure. I over packed and regretted it as I could have bought a lot more home. Basic kakahi works well. We all have our own way of hunting but in Africa it pays to listen to your PH as shot placement will be different to what you are used to.
Go over there and relax, don't stress, but most of all talk to your PH before you go and let them know of your needs/ concerns and get to know them a bit before you get there. That way everyone has a good trip with no preconceived expectations.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Unless I am going into the saber grass of the Zambezi Delta, I hunt in shorts. I am a great believer in cotton. The farther away you get from a lodge in SA, the more likely you are to have the ironing done by something stuffed with coals that looks like it came out of an antique store. They work great, but can be rather hard on the newer exotic materials (that suck anyway).

That said, microfleece is, along with atomic energy, one of the great inventions of the 20th century. I bring a sweater or light jacket that handles anything most early mornings north of SA are likely to throw at you.

I would urge you to be comfortable with whatever sticks your PH has on hand. I never drag mine around with me and have never had an issue with whatever was on the truck.

I don't much care for my dermatologist. So, I always wear a broad brimmed hat. Tilley makes a cotton boonie hat that can be rolled up and still looks Stewart Grangeresque in the field.

Me doing Grangeresque in a cotton Tilley

I wouldn't bring a 50's era style safari jacket. I always enjoy @Kevin Peacocke 's posts, but he does wear a pith helmet. Just saying.

Heavy cotton duck trousers, or worse yet, armored upland pants, will have your PH muttering under his breath - particularly closing with buffalo. Shorts or a soft rip-stop cotton.

@Red Leg
You look more like Ivan Carter than Stewart Granger dressed like that.
Bob

 

[JimP]

While everyone advocates taking a minimum amount of clothing, that pertains to hunting with one operator. If you hunt several locales and must travel in between, laundry services can be delayed. The phrase "Getting your panties in a wad" can take on a new meaning. 4 sets of undies is best................FWB

You can always wash them yourself in the wash basin the night before you need them

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I agree completely on the camo. Not only for the "illegal" portion but I want very much to respect the tradition and the i guess "romance" if you will of the safari. I am an avid reader of all the books and true believer that I was born 100 years too late. If the wife wasn't going I would be perfectly happy sleeping in a tent drinking boiled creek water. To me the sum of an adventure like this is in the entire experience and not just killing. I am taking shona lessons even though obviously everyone there speaks English but for me it is way to show a little respect for thier culture and show appreciation for them hosting me, even though at a handsome profit, and letting me come hunt thier game and experience thier country.

Ah yes, the romance of the safari, you, sir, will thoroughly enjoy yourself. We are of the same mould, born too late, but there is a way to enjoy both worlds. Get your guides to show you how to make guzi tambo, string using the thin layer of underbark of certain trees, like the msasa, it is very useful. Then take time to notice the smell of the different fires, mopane is my very favourite. And don't forget the local opaque beer, Chibuku is a good brand, it is excellent for the stomach. And NEVER wear your cap backwards or wear anything blue - true horror!
perhaps we will get to meet, I have unfortunately missed all my AH friends so far with coincidental travel, it is a busy year.

 

[YancyW]

This last trip I tried to force myself to bring significantly less than before, and I did a pretty good job. I had a backpack and one small pelican case, in addition to my rifle case. I still had more stuff than I needed, it is easier to say than do, but pack light.

My constant recommendations are American cigarettes, loose pipe tobacco and small bottles of booze. You want the trackers and skinner to like you, bring all three of those things, you will be set.

My priority list:
Passport/documents
Cash
More cash
Boots
Socks
Underwear

If you have an outfitter worth a damn, they can take care of everything if you really were in a pinch. My last trip, I had a lost piece of luggage, my outfitter and PH were offering me clothes before I even had to ask. I could have hunted the entire trip with my carry on, wouldn't have been ideal, but wouldn't have wrecked my hunt either.

 

[freefall]

Unless I am going into the saber grass of the Zambezi Delta, I hunt in shorts. I am a great believer in cotton. The farther away you get from a lodge in SA, the more likely you are to have the ironing done by something stuffed with coals that looks like it came out of an antique store. They work great, but can be rather hard on the newer exotic materials (that suck anyway).

That said, microfleece is, along with atomic energy, one of the great inventions of the 20th century. I bring a sweater or light jacket that handles anything most early mornings north of SA are likely to throw at you.

I would urge you to be comfortable with whatever sticks your PH has on hand. I never drag mine around with me and have never had an issue with whatever was on the truck.

I don't much care for my dermatologist. So, I always wear a broad brimmed hat. Tilley makes a cotton boonie hat that can be rolled up and still looks Stewart Grangeresque in the field.

Me doing Grangeresque in a cotton Tilley

I wouldn't bring a 50's era style safari jacket. I always enjoy @Kevin Peacocke 's posts, but he does wear a pith helmet. Just saying.

Heavy cotton duck trousers, or worse yet, armored upland pants, will have your PH muttering under his breath - particularly closing with buffalo. Shorts or a soft rip-stop cotton.

You need a pith helmet so the monkeys don't pith on your head!

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

@Red Leg
You look more like Ivan Carter than Stewart Granger dressed like that.
Bob

This Sir, is Stuart Grangeresque! I only get into this set up on cold days when the call of the wilds is very strong, what an era that was!

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

That’s when ya go commando!

@WAB
I've gone commando since I was 15 so close on 48 years. Can't stand the useless bloody undies or boxer shorts or as some think a g string. Bob

 

[BeeMaa]

As for shooting sticks, I mentioned earlier that I use the BOG-POD's. I did a review of the older RLD-3 to the new version called the Adrenaline and posted it here...
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/shooting-sticks.59363/post-719358

There is also a lot of good information in that thread on shooting sticks and what you might like.

I took the RLD-3's to Africa last time, but they are now my backup set. The Adrenaline sticks go with us each week to the range and used for dry fire practice. I'm not a fan of the Viper sticks, but my use of them is limited to just a couple of times. If the ASC sticks broke down to be a little shorter I may have gone that direction, but the sticks have to be able to fit in my luggage.

 

[VertigoBE]

Concerning shooting sticks, sure the three legged version look more traditional. And it is still the most used, because they are easier to make in the bush if one finds oneself too far from supplies.

But there are better things out there right now. Just like the micro fleece is better than a heavy woolen coat, a 4 legged stick like the viper flex or the 4StableSticks that I have are vastly superior for plains game.

I mention PG specifically, because for ele and buffalo, I have understood that this hunting is usually at much closer distance, between 10 and 50m. In that case the three legged should be just fine, and even be of an advantage on a moving target.

But the bench rest like stability of a quality 4 legged shooting stick cannot be denied. In fact even AfricanCreations is now offering their version of the same concept, where the rifle is held in the front and in the back, like a bench rest.

Concerning the rest of the gear, I agree with the other more experienced members here. A wide brimmed hat, I like my Tilley. Bino’s with a simple and thin harness, a head light and a camera/good smart phone are the most important pieces of kit. A chap stick was something I also appreciated, which was a surprise as I normally never use one. Clothes you’ll probably have already.

Go check out some of the packing lists I and other members have put on this forum. Or the excellent YT videos of @phillip glass.

Planning and getting the gear is half the fun of a safari!

 

[Backyardsniper]

Ah yes, the romance of the safari, you, sir, will thoroughly enjoy yourself. We are of the same mould, born too late, but there is a way to enjoy both worlds. Get your guides to show you how to make guzi tambo, string using the thin layer of underbark of certain trees, like the msasa, it is very useful. Then take time to notice the smell of the different fires, mopane is my very favourite. And don't forget the local opaque beer, Chibuku is a good brand, it is excellent for the stomach. And NEVER wear your cap backwards or wear anything blue - true horror!
perhaps we will get to meet, I have unfortunately missed all my AH friends so far with coincidental travel, it is a busy year.

Hopefully so. The wife and I are going to the DSC and plan on attending the AH dinner. I look very much forward to getting to talk in person with some guys that have actual boots on the ground experience. Things like the smell of the fire and most certainly the local beer are at the top of my list. I contacted an old army friend of mine today to see if anyone on thier teams was a Shona speaker. All SF guys are trained in a foreign language that coincides with the geographical area that thier team is responsible for. 3rd group in this case for African operations. I want to learn as much of the local stuff as possible. I am particularly excited about getting to see these trackers work thier magic. I hope to learn a lot from them.

 

[Backyardsniper]

Great info guys. I appreciate it. I will certainly check into those 4 legged shooting sticks. I'll take all the extra stability I can get. Those sound very nice.