OP here.
I unlocked the door here on the farm about an hour ago after returning home. 40 hours of travel time between the time we boarded the plane at Victoria Falls to landing in Sioux Falls, SD. Overnighted at Aerostay in Sioux Falls and drove home late this morning.
We hunted 6 days and added on a side trip for 4 days at Chobe and Victoria Falls. Two additional countries with additional travel hurdles. The hurdles can be handled with help from a guide, patience and some cash. It was fun, but did add some travel hassles.
I haven't even done laundry or cleaned my rifle yet but I wanted to give a quick post while this was on my mind. I had plenty of time on my hands during the travel and would like to share some thoughts with my friends here on going on a hunting trip to Africa. In no particular order here are some pointers.
- The most important thing is picking the right outfitter and tied for first is picking the right partners to go with. Pick someone who can handle adversity and has a positive attitude. I went with a good friend and my wife as an observer. We never had a difficult moment in 14 days of travel and hunting. The hardest part of the hunt is the travel portions.
- Bring lots of US cash in small bills. Keep lots of $1 and $5 bills for the people that help you. I even tipped a police officer who gave us directions. He put it in his pocket fast.
- Avoid the porters at the JoBerg Airport. The guys dressed in orange uniforms that look official.
They are a scam.
- Bring electric converters for each country you visit.
- If traveling to Chobe or Victoria Falls, have a plan to store your ammo and rifle, and pick up back at JoBerg. Our outfitter hired a guy, it worked well.
- Bring your own bottle opener and wine bottle opener (self explanatory)
- Bring a batter powered alarm clock and watch. clocks are scarce in Africa and don't rely on your phone.
- Bring instant coffee like folgers singles for your hotel rooms. Use bottled water.
- See your Dr. for shots/pills before hand if traveling to Chobe or Victoria Falls.
- We brought our own rifles. Hired Henry at Rifle Permits. They met us at the gate and held our hands though customs and at the police station, then took us to the desk at City Lodge. VIP service is well worth it for peace of mind and efficiency.
- Travel Express did a great job for us planning and booking flights and rooms. Highly recommended.
- Hunting knife. I packed my Havilon that I used in the states, not because I need to use it, I need to have it on me to feel normal. I packed it with my ammo in a locked box and never used it once. I'd bring it again. I ended up giving it to our outfitters young son. Havilon knives are great.
- Shooting stix. I bought a set last year, a tripod outfit with telescopic legs. I practiced all year and brought them with. My PH liked them so much I gave them to him, I told him to hold them til I get back and we'll use them again. I also brought my folding sticks for sitting shots, and bi-pod for prone shots. I could have used both but didn't. African PH's are sold on standing stix. Get a set and practice.
- Chobe was fun. We did a game drive one morning (we saw more game every day while hunting) then went Tiger fishing. That was a bust, don't do it. Did a river boat game seeing trip that evening, that was good. Next day went to Victoria Falls. Enjoyed this more. Did a Boma dinner, that was fun. Next day visited the Falls, that was fun, I could do without the shopping part but it was included.
-I'd bring a big checked back with most of your stuff, including ammo box. Carry on is a pain and often gets checked anyway. Bring an extra pair of clothes and medicine in a bag you can put under your seat and check the rest.
-Landing in Newark you'll need to switch to terminal C. United did an excellent job texting us where to go as we landed. Just be prepared and ask. On the return flight to Newark we went thought customs and re entered again with our rifles through customs and TSA. It can be a pain and takes time. Just be prepared and don't think of it as a hassle, these folks are doing their jobs. I'm just glad I can take my own rifle.
- I didn't even consider taking a suppressor knowing I had to return through Newark and change planes in Chicago. The chance of a layover and potential re entry through TSA in Illinois isn't something I'm going to chance.
- Hunting Clothes. We were there during the warm season and I wore long pants and shirts every day. The plants in Africa are more apt to bite you than the bugs and animals. I like Carhart work pants (double canvas) and long sleeve shirts. I wish I had a Wrangler Brush Popper shirt, they'd be great. Shoes should be uninsulated with ankle support. Soles with grip aren't important like they are in the mountain states in snow. Actually, a pair of high topped basketball shoes would work great.
- Put sun screen on even on cloudy days. Wear bug spray too, especially around ankles.
- Pack your hunting shoes in your day pack and wear something lock crocks in the plane and airport.
- If not for visiting Chobe/Victoria Falls I'd be happy wearing one set of hunting clothes, packing another complete set and two sets of socks/underwear. I wore a Carhart vest while traveling and that's all I needed for warmth. (we were there in March). If it rains, we go in the cab or stop hunting.
- Camera. I had one with, never used it. The PH took great photos, about 20 of each animal with his phone and sent them to us each evening. I don't take photos during the trip, I remember it better if I can concentrate on watching it and not be distracted by trying to take a photo. At Victoria Falls, we bought a post card with a better photo that we could have taken ourselves.
- While hunting we saw Cape Buffalo up close, a couple snakes and even a pair of Lions within 50 yards. No danger at all. The most dangerous part of the hunt is the drive from the Jo
berg airport to camp and back.
- While in Limpopo there was word of a group of 8 elephants that were visiting from Botswana. They broke down a fence at our outfitters property the night before we left.
the outfitters son said "It's a lot of work to fix the fences.....but it's kind of cool to have an elephant on your land".
- Enjoy African food & drink. Try everything. You can get pizza and Coors Light at home anytime.
- In Africa, or on any guided hunt, don't shoot til you're ready. If you don't like the opportunity or don't feel good about your shot then don't take it. Its better than chasing a wounded animal. In my opinion the guides in Africa are much more understanding about this than the guides I have hunting with in the US.
- Keep an open mind on what you will hunt in Africa. You may have a package but you will likely be able to exchange or add animals. Hell, I shot a Tsessebee (spelling) on this last hunt. He sure wasn't on my package but I'm glad I got one.
- Consider sleep aids (prescription or non). I took some prescription ones for a couple days and on the plane, they helped. If you have a C-pap machine be sure to bring power adapters and even an extension cord. Outlets aren't everywhere.
- If you get evacuation insurance (eg: global rescue) remember to keep the card with you, not in camp. Make sure your phone is set to make international calls. I had this insurance and thought about it when we were 20 miles from camp...."what if we have an accident and need to get out of here and my guide can't help?" Not much good to have insurance if you can't call for help from where you are.
- On your return home consider getting a room where you land no matter what time it is, or how far from home you are. I couldn't stay awake on the plane on our last leg. I was very glad to have a motel room waiting for us at Aerostay in Sioux Falls, it is attached to the airport. Worth everything.
- Keep a ledger and write down what you did before going to bed each day. Write down names of people and places, what you did and saw.
- Turn your mind off of "work mode" before, during and after the hunt. Its hard, but give yourself extra time in your schedule so that you never get in "get back to work" mode.
- Taxidermy. Figure out what you want to do ahead of time. For me I knew it was only skull caps and one zebra rug. This allowed us to use a different taxidermist with lower rates and faster turn around time. It also influences the animals I hunted. For example, I wasn't going to take a sable knowing I couldn't do a shoulder mount.
- Airlines. We flew United and were satisfied. My buddy and I flew coach, my wife flew business class from Newark to Joberg. There really wasn't much difference, not that I would pay over $1,000 for. Flying coach we did have to pay an extra $100 for a second checked bag (our rifles). I didn't mind, but was a little disappointed with United when we had to pay $100 again for the extra bag for the return flight in JoBerg.
- Rifles and ammunition. I shoot a .300 Win Mag with 180 grain Nosler partitions. My buddy shoots a .30-06 with 180 Berger bullets. Both performed well as expected. I asked the PH what he recommended and he told me his camp guns were mostly .308's and he bought Federal ammunition with 165 grain Fusion bullets. He said they were consistent, deadly and affordable. He buys them by the case.
- Last of all. Did I mention the most important part of your trip is choosing the right PH and the right partners ? It's worth repeating. I believe you can have a good hunt and a not so good time if you don't go with the right people.
I'll follow up with a hunting report in a couple days when photos are available and I have slept in my own bed.
Thanks all for your help on this forum.
