I always ask what the PH needs

[Cleathorn]

I am headed to Uganda next week, and I have uncharacteristically started packing early. It gave me the idea to share some advice I received about 10 years ago from a real safari veteran – ask what they need, not what you need. Particularly if you are coming from the U.S.

My normal gear now includes couple of new machete, a couple of Shrader-style skinning knives, some hand held sharpeners, some extra headlamp flashlights, AA and AAA batteries, a couple of extra tee shirts in small and medium sizes in green or gray, a couple of baseball hats, big bottles of Ibuprofen, and Acetaminophen, a new Z-pack, and other over-the-counter comfort health and safety products. And I never forget a 5-10lb bag of the individually packaged candies in case you see some school kids along the road (amazing how many kids are in Africa).

I also reach out to the PH (if the outfitter and the PH are different – I make sure I get the WhatsApp # for the actual PH) and see what he or she needs (if anything). Trail cameras, an SD card, a card reader, some binoculars, a sling swivel, we can easily get all these things in the United States. There are 4 Cabela’s/Bass Pro shops, and 2 Sportsmen Warehouses within 1.5 hours of my house in Denver. There are none in Zimbabwe. I don’t know how many gun shops/gunsmiths there are around here, but it’s a lot. A trigger spring, a cross bolt, a firing pin, you name the part, and if I can’t buy it within an hour, Amazon or Ebay will have it to me within a day or 2. A Bog Pod Deathgrip can be an emotional experience for someone who spends a lot of time setting up over bait.

Once you are outside of RSA or Namibia, I have always found that they have everything that you need, but simple items that just make things easier can be in short supply. And it only takes a minute to ask. That's my "for what its worth" free advice - now I headed out to pick up a couple of trail cameras.

 

[skydiver386]

Good hint. A little generosity goes a long way.

 

[Bert the Turtle]

Great idea. Great approach to life, really.

 

[Fatback]

Agreed. I always try and take things that the PH says they could use. This year I took some Havalon blades and few other odds and ends that I think were well received by the PH and his staff.

 

[Sideshow]

Find out what they like to read. You might just have that old paper back there that they might enjoy. Fishing magazines most are keen.

 

[375Fox]

I always ask the PH if he needs anything from the US as well, but I always ask first. There is a lot they don’t want and don’t need that we might think is generous, but it just becomes an inconvenience to them. If they want a new knife or trail cameras, I let them tell me the brand and style they want and bring them over. For the trackers and camp staff I always bring a lot of give away or nice second hand items. They are always happy with anything extra they get.

 

[Hogpatrol]

I do the same. One year the request was from the outfitter's wife, Hershey's chocolate powder. Five containers went with me. Probably the strangest one was crow decoys. I painted them to look like white breasted ones and took a Foxpro electronic caller. I used them one evening to kill eleven of those sheep killing varmints. Mini Leathermans went over big with the tracker/skinners.

 

[Safari Dave]

I've never taken anything to give except American dollars.

I did give my PH my Leupold flashlight, just because he liked it, on my last trip.


I mailed several things back to my PH, "gunbearer" (who was actually a PH in training), and camp staff after finding out what they actually needed, after I got home.

Knowing what they needed prior to the safari would certainly save postage!

 

[Denvir Tire]

I always bring surplus shirts and jackets for the trackers.
The US fleece jackets seem to be the most liked item of anything I bring.

 

[uplander01]

I leave stuff behind, but I don’t pack extra. I pack as light as possible. If the airlines let us put ammo in with the gun I could go to Africa for two weeks with a gun case and backpack

 

[tay50]

Strangest request I have received to bring over, was 8 pistons for a chevy racing car, PH sent me the information along with the price $630.00, put them in my carry-on. The TSA lady was like what the hell are those when my bag went through X-ray, I said pistons for a car motor, she remarked, ok have a nice day.

 

[Nyati]

I leave behind clothes and boots, used but in good shape.