Preparing for 1st Safari

[Ontario Hunter]

Would love to fly direct from Atlanta to Joberg but looking to spend as little as possible. Plus I hate flying, the fewer take offs and landings I do the better.

Layover in Zurich or Frankfurt is usually more affordable and the airports are nicer. Several folks have told me to get on free bus and tour downtown opera house area during my long 10+ hour layover in Frankfurt. But like you I don't sleep much or at all on the plane. I just don't feel like doing tourist crap after the transatlantic flight. It's easy enough to find a place to crash in those airports. One of them actually has a hard to find section with comfortable recliners! Wish I could remember for sure but I think it's Zurich. Your better half might enjoy the downtown tour of Frankfurt. My connections usually have me landing in Joberg around 10:00 a.m. The downside to flying nonstop from Atlanta or Newark is the plane usually lands in Joberg late which means a stay overnight at a hotel. Outfitter almost certainly will not drive after dark! And no one spends the night sleeping in Tambo Airport! I prefer doing my crash time in no cost civilized European airports. Without crashing in an airplane of course.

 

[Jäger_Ivo]

As mentioned earlier, I would consider vaccinations and an expanded first aid kit.

South Africa - Traveler view | Travelers' Health | CDC

Official U.S. government health recommendations for traveling. Provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

wwwnc.cdc.gov

 

[Ridge Runner]

Interesting you were taking doxycycline for pain. It's generally an antibiotic. Presumably you have pelvic inflammatory disease?

Doxycyclone is an anti inflammatory and pain reliever.
Doxycycline is the antibiotic.

2 different meds.

The doxycyclone is for the occasional chronic knees and back pain due to over exertion.

The doxycycline is the antibiotic used for anti malaria, any knicks, cuts, scrapes, other contusions, tick bite fever, and other infections preventive.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Doxycyclone is an anti inflammatory and pain reliever.
Doxycycline is the antibiotic.

2 different meds.

The doxycyclone is for the occasional chronic knees and back pain due to over exertion.

The doxycycline is the antibiotic used for anti malaria, any knicks, cuts, scrapes, other contusions, tick bite fever, and other infections preventive.

Hmmm. Doing an extensive Google search I can find nothing for "doxycyclone" except individuals on forums who clearly misspelled doxycycline (as malaria med, antibiotic, etc). Doxycycline can be prescribed for "pelvic inflammation disease" which, as a "disease," is presumably a bacterial infection requiring antibiotic treatment? If you had a hip replacement, perhaps you were diagnosed with the condition.

Edit: Nope. Pelvic inflammatory disease is a female organ bacterial infection.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

As mentioned earlier, I would consider vaccinations and an expanded first aid kit.

South Africa - Traveler view | Travelers' Health | CDC

Official U.S. government health recommendations for traveling. Provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

wwwnc.cdc.gov

My PHs were always well outfitted with first aid gear.

 

[Rem280]

Some great advice so far. Never heard of Perathrine and already looked it up, sounds like good stuff. Is there any issues with traveling with it?
Thanks also for the advice on the boots. Before I retired I walked more than 8 miles a day just at work. Worked in a shipyard on aircraft carriers. It was 2 miles just to the car and back each day. I learned the lesson of wearing good boots and taking care of the feet. Just dont know anything about the terrain.
What kind of gaiters do we need, ankle whole calf?

Living in Florida also, perathrine works great here for ticks.

 

[Doubleplay]

Don't overthink it.
Hunting in Limpopo out of a lodge is the easiest hunting you'll do and is very comfortable.
They can even set you up in a blind if you don't want to walk.
As far as shoes get yourself non gore tex light weight ankle boots and ankle high gaiters.
If you can shoot decently up to 150 yards max over sticks that's all you need.

 

[JimP]

Bite the bullet and fly from Atlanta, way less problems and headaches.
People get cheap upgrades on flights that have empty seats, for the last few years the planes have been full.

I'm 6'4" and try to get a aisle seat and get up quite often to stretch, if the person needs to go to the restroom I'll stay standing until they get back. That 15 hour flight is a killer no matter how you get there and adding airports and changing planes just adds to it.

 

[dogcat1]

Your outfitter likely has a very good list of what to bring and boots. Suggest doing what they suggest.
Also, on boots, go with what fits best. Brand is not an issue. I hunt is sneakers on some hunts and light weight quail hunting boots on others, however, listen to your outfitter.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Hmmm. Doing an extensive Google search I can find nothing for "doxycyclone" except individuals on forums who clearly misspelled doxycycline (as malaria med, antibiotic, etc). Doxycycline can be prescribed for "pelvic inflammation disease" which, as a "disease," is presumably a bacterial infection requiring antibiotic treatment? If you had a hip replacement, perhaps you were diagnosed with the condition.

Thanks for the concern. But no I didn't have any infection in my hip after my hip replacement surgery.

I asked for a prescription for doxycycline from my Primary Care doctor.

At first she thought I meant doxycyclone for my chronic knees and back pain.

I had to explain to her that doxicycline is the recommended medicine as an anti malaria, antibiotic for tick bite fever in Africa.

In the end she wrote me a prescription for both.

 

[Jetjockey]

Pack one bag with ammo for the stuff you want, and another small carry on with the stuff you need. My carry on always consists of 1-2 books, my boots, 1 change of clothes, binos, paperwork....Wear comfortable slip ons for the flights so you can slip them off to sleep, and slip them in for the bathroom…………. Plan your trip to Passport Health now, don’t wait….. Practice off sticks, because you will be using them……. Any hunting boots work. Hell, I tried my regular pair on two days before my trip and I had somehow magically grown out of them. I showed up with brand new Crispi’s and had zero issues…. Oh ya, start enjoying “Africa” now before you leave. Read Ruark, decide which gin you like for your gin and tonic, start eating cooked sliced tomatoes, and make sure to breath lots of campfire smoke! . BTW, which boat manufacture do you work for!

 

[Andrew62]

Several PH's wear sandals or crocs, so don't over think the boots, but do consider quality wool socks. I personally wear Oboz from Sportsmans Warehouse. Also, take at least 1/2 of your clothes on the plane with you, do NOT trust the airline to get your luggage there.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Several PH's wear sandals or crocs, so don't over think the boots, but do consider quality wool socks. I personally wear Oboz from Sportsmans Warehouse. Also, take at least 1/2 of your clothes on the plane with you, do NOT trust the airline to get your luggage there.

Nor other passengers that are in a hurry at the baggage carousel. My check bag went awol for several hours because another passenger mistakened my bag for his.

As another member mentioned in another post...mark your bag with a piece of bright colored tape, dye mark, etc. so you can easily identify it.

 

[JimP]

Nor other passengers that are in a hurry at the baggage carousel. My check bag went awol for several hours because another passenger mistakened my bag for his.

As another member mentioned in another post...mark your bag with a piece of bright colored tape, dye mark, etc. so you can easily identify it.

Florescent orange, green, pink, or another real bright color luggage tag works for me.

You also don't need to pack half of your clothes in your carry on. I wear my hunting boots on the plane over, in my carry on I have 1 more change of clothing along with what I NEED encase my other bag doesn't make it. Laundry is done daily so you really only need 2 sets of clothing unless you plan to play tourist after you are done hunting.

 

[swashington]

Pack one bag with ammo for the stuff you want, and another small carry on with the stuff you need. My carry on always consists of 1-2 books, my boots, 1 change of clothes, binos, paperwork....Wear comfortable slip ons for the flights so you can slip them off to sleep, and slip them in for the bathroom…………. Plan your trip to Passport Health now, don’t wait….. Practice off sticks, because you will be using them……. Any hunting boots work. Hell, I tried my regular pair on two days before my trip and I had somehow magically grown out of them. I showed up with brand new Crispi’s and had zero issues…. Oh ya, start enjoying “Africa” now before you leave. Read Ruark, decide which gin you like for your gin and tonic, start eating cooked sliced tomatoes, and make sure to breath lots of campfire smoke! . BTW, which boat manufacture do you work for!

Brand new company call Dek Kat. Located in NW Florida at the base of the panhandle. We make catamaran deck and Texas style flats fishing boats. I also am a charter Captain and own one for my personal and business use. Best boats I have ever been on which is how I ended up as their sale manager.

 

[Sika98k]

No worries on the overpacking, I am a minimalists, If it wasn't for the ammo I could go with no checked bag. Just a gun case. Now my finace, thats a different thing. We are going to kill animals on a honeymoon. God I love this woman!

If you are flying into Jo,burg and I assume you are there is a big outdoor sports store near the airport. 300 WinMag is a very popular round. It can save you the grief of another piece of baggage buying it on arrival.
2 boxes should allow you to check zero and hunt. Leave the balance with the PH. It won’t go to waste !

 

[Wiley64]

I would get comfortable walking a couple miles at a time, and even try some incline just for the hell of it. If your knee bugs you, bring a brace.

 

[JimP]

A problem with buying ammo once you land at Joberg is what happens if they don't have what you need?

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

One suggestion I will make about boots is I would wear either boots that are all leather or if they are not leather across the toes and top of your foot area make sure they have very heavy duty cordura. My first trip to Africa was a hunt in Limpopo and I wore a pair of Columbia hiking boots I had that wear very quiet and comfortable. The problem was across the top of the foot they have material like on a lot of running shoes. One location we hunted frequently had a type of grass that was dried golden and had these light fluffy tops which were like a million little needles. Those things went right through the boot into the top of my feet and toes and it felt like tiny microscopic needles sticking you. Was the most painful walking and you couldn’t then get them out of the boot or socks even after washing.

As far as physical shape, be in reasonably good shape and able to walk several miles a day but Limpopo is not physically demanding as it is mostly flat walking.

Gaiters are great to help avoid this. A leatherman is great for pulling out thorns. I’ve had some big ones go completely through the soles of several different pairs of boots.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I wish I could get some sleep on the plane. I flew all over the world with the military and government but always hate it. At 6'6" getting comfortable on a plane is nearly impossible. My lovely lady can fall asleep in a tornado so I am sure she will lend me some energy when we get there. Would love to know the secret to upgrading for $350. All the prices I am seeing so far are much higher than that.
How was the layover in London, I worry about losing luggage and having to deal with the firearms in an airport.

I’ve done the London route with firearms. It’s possible but you need to make sure you’re on BA Metal the entire way from the point of checking your firearms to them being delivered in Jburg or Capetown. Also the pre-approval process can be a bit of a pain and you’ll need to keep calling. I think i called everyday starting 10 days out.