Question about hiking on safari

[kemoarms]

This is our first safari to africa. we are going to south africa. i have been hunting all over north america for different game. Some of the hunting trips i have been on have required substantial walking and stalking of animals. Typically on safari how much walking is normal in a given day? Im trying to decide if i need to do some physical prep work. I have read all kinds of things about what safari looks like. some have said 90% of their time was spent in a vehicle others have discussed some light hiking others have said that the trip was physically demanding. Im pretty fit but can i expect to walk a 1/2 mile a day or am about to face 4-6 miles a day with gear? I would appreciate others experiences to make sure that i enjoy my experience

 

[cagkt3]

What area of S Africa are you heading to? That will have some impact on how demanding the miles are. In my very limited experience, you can really tailor your hunt to how much hiking you want to do. I would suggest you talk to your outfitter and discuss what their "normal" hunt looks like.

As far as gear, you really only need to carry your rifle (and any other misc. gear you like to have on your person). No need to carry a pack - I left mine in the truck everyday.

 

[gillettehunter]

This is a good question for your PH. The answer is that it depends on a lot of factors. First is location. If your in the Kalahari looking for gemsbuck your probably going to be in a truck until you spot something that is shootable or needs a closer look. Then you get off and stalk. If its elephant, buffalo or eland then traditionally you drive looking for fresh tracks and then take off tracking and walking. Then it might be 6-8-10 miles a day.
So environment and type of animal play heavily into that. Next is how does your PH like to hunt? Some want to cover a lot of ground in a truck and then get off and make a stalk. Some drive into a good area that they know typically holds animals that you are seeking and they get off the truck and start walking. The terrain also affects how they hunt. Heavy tall cover may be more effectively searched from the height of a truck. Rocky ridges may not have roads so to hunt them it may all be on foot.
Then their is your choice. You are paying for the hunt. How do you want to hunt? How good of shape are you in physically? How hot is it? All of these things can affect how much walking you do. Your hunt so you get to decide within some limitations of course.
Bruce

 

[cpr0312]

Depends on the area, the game, and you. I would say you can plan on anywhere from 1-8 miles per day, dependent again on area and/or your personal preferences.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Good question. Ask your PH. I did my first hunt this year in South Africa with Bos en Dal safaris. I wore a pedometer to keep track. In 7 days hunting I did a little over 46 miles.

 

[JimP]

Most of the hiking in the area that I was in north of Port Elizabeth wasn't that bad. This area is hilly and some of the stalks were quite long but going slower is usually better when trying to get close to a animal.

As for what gear I always had with me, the big thing was a camera. You never know what you might come upon that you would like a picture of. I had two digital cameras with me on the trip. One that I could wear on my belt and then another better one that I carried in my pack which was usually back at the truck.

But as others have said talk to your outfitter and when you get there and get introduced to your PH talk to him and let him know if you have any problems that might creep up as the days go by. While I saw our outfitter every day I spent all my time hunting with a different PH that was assigned to me.

 

[JPbowhunter]

A kilometer of walking in one place isn't the same as a kilometer in another.

According to our GPS we once did around 35km (20 miles) in a day in mountain country, the next day i felt it.

On flat ground I'm yet to reach a limit for how far I can walk.

 

[Red Leg]

Particularly in South Africa, your PH will adapt the hunt to your preferences or his assessment of your conditioning. Have an honest dialogue with him (phone, email, whatever). That way he doesn't have to guess. He wants you to have an enjoyable experience - not to have participated in a marathon.

Assuming you are hunting plains game, and aren't interested in spending hours at a waterhole blind, you will typically take a hike on an actual stalk. That can be a few feet to a couple of kilometers. Rarely any farther unless you are trying to walk down something like an eland or Hartman zebra. That can add up to several miles in a day and quite a tally over a week. But with the exception of eland or Hartman in native habitat, you are unlikely to string all that together in one day-long push. You'll go to bed tired but not exhausted, and wake up the next morning ready for more. Which is exactly what your PH wants as well.

I see guys on the TV programs carrying packs and what not. I have no idea what is in them. Even walking down buffalo in a wilderness area, I don't "gear up" as they say. Small camera, extra ammo, and a water bottle all fit in pockets.

Bottom line - An average middle age male or female, who is not obese, and who has no meaningful physical limitations, will not be unduly physically challenged on a South African hunt.

 

[AustinL]

On my recent Safari I would say we averaged 5 miles a day on the boot leather. Easy level miles but the sand made for tougher walking.

As has been said I took a pack it had a few snacks my big camera some gum, advocare rehydrate packs to add to a bottle of water, some Advil and it held my layers in the morning as I shed them and in the evening so they were available if needed.

That said it stayed on a hook on the rack on the back of the truck for all hunts. The only thing on my person when we left the truck was my rifle, a belt pouch with extra ammo, a knife on my belt and my cell phone in my pocket(read camera)