Hello everyone first Africa trip

[GuggaOn]

Hi Zach. I am going over for my 1st trip in June. Our lists are exactly alike except you have a Springbuck where I have a Honey Badger. And I also have a zebra.
I did my research on boots and went with a pair of Courteney Safaris. Enjoy!

Thanks for the suggestion will be looking into those, enjoy your trip and safe travels.

 

[Andrew62]

Congratulations on your first safari!! Exciting times ahead!! My first safari, back in 1988, my Dad and I went together, all told, we were able to go to Africa 3 times together. You'll make wonderful memories you'll carry the rest of your life!!! What gun are you looking to take?

 

[GuggaOn]

I remember the excitement and anxiety leading up to my first safari. I shot the exact same list on my first trip + a Cape buffalo that was somewhat unexpected. Four animals were in the salt the first day before noon! Will you be taking your rifle or renting one?

We will be taking 3 rifles 338 ultra mag, ruger 375, and 270. The 375 is gonna be used for a cape buffalo my father taking

 

[GuggaOn]

Welcome Zach. All the best with your adventures. be sure to keep us updated on how the hunt went !

Did you manage to find boots? i can highly recommend redbacks or Salomon's. My boyfriend is a PH and he absolutely loves his redback boots. Wears them almost everyday when he is hunting and he says they are by far the most comfortable. My dad is also a PH, outfitter and landowner, he swears by Salomon's, wears them everyday... and i mean everyday ! I have just bought my first pair of redbacks and before that i wore Johnson boots and they were pretty comfortable.

Have not found any yet, just researching all the options. Appreciate the information on the Salomons and Redback boots. I will for sure be looking into those for sure.

 

[Global Rescue]

Welcome to AH! Glad to have you on board.

 

[TRAVEL EXPRESS]

Welcome and look forward to your participation!

 

[Ed Lally]

HI Hunted Africa 6 times, so far. Not an expert but have a learned opinion on boots. I have hunted for years in the Northeast, Canada, out West and found that, with the exception of Canada in December, good boots (at least for me) provide a good footbed with arch support and good ankle support. I like Keene boots but only the leather ones made in the US. Boots with nylon or other fabric allow penetration of thorns and there are a lot of low lying catus in parts of Africa. On advice of my PH, i purchased a pair of Courtney Safari boots. They were a bit pricey, but I was advised that they were the best and perfect for Africa. I found that even the regular Courtney boots were too wide, have absolutely no arch support (the footbed is almost perfectly flat) and, while the leather and workmanship are first rate and the collar is well designed to keep out seeds and gravel, the boots offer no ancle support. The extra width of the sole made walking in the field among rocks and debris more difficult than walking in the same terrain with the slightly narrower boots I am used to. I wore them for a 7-day safari in Zimbabwe for Cape Buffalo, immediately followed by an 8-day plains game hunt in South Africa. When I returned home, i placed them on a display shelf in my trophy room and went back the next year with my Keenes. Take a rifle that you shoot well and wear a boot that you are comfortable walking in for 10 miles a day and you will do well in Africa. Enjoy your Safari. There is nothing better that you will ever do.

 

[migrabill]

HI Hunted Africa 6 times, so far. Not an expert but have a learned opinion on boots. I have hunted for years in the Northeast, Canada, out West and found that, with the exception of Canada in December, good boots (at least for me) provide a good footbed with arch support and good ankle support. I like Keene boots but only the leather ones made in the US. Boots with nylon or other fabric allow penetration of thorns and there are a lot of low lying catus in parts of Africa. On advice of my PH, i purchased a pair of Courtney Safari boots. They were a bit pricey, but I was advised that they were the best and perfect for Africa. I found that even the regular Courtney boots were too wide, have absolutely no arch support (the footbed is almost perfectly flat) and, while the leather and workmanship are first rate and the collar is well designed to keep out seeds and gravel, the boots offer no ancle support. The extra width of the sole made walking in the field among rocks and debris more difficult than walking in the same terrain with the slightly narrower boots I am used to. I wore them for a 7-day safari in Zimbabwe for Cape Buffalo, immediately followed by an 8-day plains game hunt in South Africa. When I returned home, i placed them on a display shelf in my trophy room and went back the next year with my Keenes. Take a rifle that you shoot well and wear a boot that you are comfortable walking in for 10 miles a day and you will do well in Africa. Enjoy your Safari. There is nothing better that you will ever do.

Perhaps my Courteney Safari's are great because I put my orthodics in them. Support galore. Boots that are too restrictive to start with wont allow my orthodic to fit inside.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

HI Hunted Africa 6 times, so far. Not an expert but have a learned opinion on boots. I have hunted for years in the Northeast, Canada, out West and found that, with the exception of Canada in December, good boots (at least for me) provide a good footbed with arch support and good ankle support. I like Keene boots but only the leather ones made in the US. Boots with nylon or other fabric allow penetration of thorns and there are a lot of low lying catus in parts of Africa. On advice of my PH, i purchased a pair of Courtney Safari boots. They were a bit pricey, but I was advised that they were the best and perfect for Africa. I found that even the regular Courtney boots were too wide, have absolutely no arch support (the footbed is almost perfectly flat) and, while the leather and workmanship are first rate and the collar is well designed to keep out seeds and gravel, the boots offer no ancle support. The extra width of the sole made walking in the field among rocks and debris more difficult than walking in the same terrain with the slightly narrower boots I am used to. I wore them for a 7-day safari in Zimbabwe for Cape Buffalo, immediately followed by an 8-day plains game hunt in South Africa. When I returned home, i placed them on a display shelf in my trophy room and went back the next year with my Keenes. Take a rifle that you shoot well and wear a boot that you are comfortable walking in for 10 miles a day and you will do well in Africa. Enjoy your Safari. There is nothing better that you will ever do.

Ed, I will not disagree with you on Courtneys. Unfortunately most people order their Courtneys, rather than trying them on and walking around in them.

I have not had any thing on my feet in the last 30 years except Courtney’s.

Todays Courtney’ use a different last which gives more toe room height. As to arch support I use arch supports in all of my Courtney,s I could not wear them otherwise.

All though I have a closet full of Courtney’s today, including a pair of Croc Selous that my wife for Christmas one year, what do I wear today a pair of canvas and cowhide PH model. They were cheap ( yes Zim PH’s get s better price). I swear they are broken in the day that you first wear them.

Welcome to Africa.

Lon

 

[ru4elk]

Courtney Selous Boot is exceptional! Don't wear a heavy elk/deer hunting style of boot. You will be walking in sand most of the time. The Courtney boot is light and a great sole. I would also recommend their gaiters. You will want to make sure that gaiters are packed in your bag!

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I wear these Eagle Trail by Georgia Boot.

These are without a doubt the most comfortable footwear of any sort I've ever worn in 71 years. Absolutely no breakin needed and they are on their fourth year which for me is almost unheard of. I hunt very hard and walk miles during the off-season almost every day. Rarely can I get a pair of boots to last through two seasons. Typically I wear out a pair of Muck Boots every year! The only drawbacks are the paracord laces and the soles could probably have more traction/durability. Like any paracord, the laces should be tossed in the trash immediately and replaced with waxed nylon braid laces. The soles are definitely sufficient for South Africa terrain although after three years mine are almost devoid of tread. Soles have not come unglued and thread has held up throughout. No splits or blowouts in spite of wearing the tread flat. The waterproof capability held up through almost three years. I find that Goretex crap usually only lasts through one season. I think only the right boot leaks now but just slightly. The height of upper is just right. No need for gaiters if wearing pants. I hunt RSA winters so wearing shorts and gaiters would be uncomfortable.

The last safari I had a new PH. The first day in the field during a break he said, "When I first looked at you I could tell this guy knows what he's doing." Oh yeah? What gave you that impression? He pointed at my nearly worn out boots. But I'm not wearing Courtneys. "Exactly." He was wearing them.

Edit: I should add that an almost new similar design pair of Cabelas boots were brought along in reserve. I always wear the Georgia boots on the plane with an extra pair of boots in checked luggage.

 

[CoElkHunter]

Welcome to AH! Have a great time on your Safari!

 

[MATTANJA HUNTING SAFARIS]

Welcome to AH!!