I’ll try to make this more up to date than previous posts. This being my 5th or 6th safari to hunt with Boseveld Jacobs Safari and my old friend Riaan Jocobs I’ve lost count. Several animals on the list: to include, Hippo, Roan, small cats, Lechwe, remaining Tiny Ten, any interesting warthogs, and whatever else presents in the way of old mature animals that I’ve not hunted. The goal is to hunt a Hippo on land and maybe another buffalo, depending on the circumstance. I think I’m in country for 14 days… Nice thing about Riaan is if he hears about something special or interesting, we’ll pack up and take a days drive if necessary to hunt.
Planning: not much different for me. I bought a 450 Dakota, but I’m not bringing it. I didn’t have time to scope it and practice. I figured Instead it will be my SAKO .375 H&H and my trusted custom Tikka in .243. I’ve had a lot of success with both and know they both shoot well. I’ll be back next year and 2026, then I’ll bring my 450 for ele.
I hand loaded 300 and 350 grain Barnes TSX for the .375 H&H and I still had about160 Rounds of custom .243 Barnes TTSX in 80 grain in the safe. Both grouped well at sea level. I didn’t change my scope settings from last time I hunted in the Waterberg 2 years ago, so I expect they will be close. Both Nightforce scopes has Zero stop and I’m familiar with adjusting them. I also brought the manual! I’ll shoot them when I get into camp.
I used Emerirates airline instead of Delta, and they seem to be great so far. Planes are nice, clean, and have a lot of room. Well staffed and first rate in my opinion. I chose specific seats in economy that were at the exit rows with no one in front of me. I’m 6’-2” and had plenty of leg room, toilet was 6’ away, could stand and stretch with plenty of headroom, I even laid on floor and stretched in front of my seat. I think total cost through my travel agent was $2,300 Round trip with a small premium for those seats. Well worth it. San Francisco to Dubai. Dubai to Joberg. I picked a flight with a longer lay over in Dubai to avoid an extra night at a safe house in Joberg. I believe I arrive at 10:00am. I slept great! I’ll admit that I did myself a favor over the last year and lost 30lbs. That also helped.
Pro Tips:
1. AMEX Platinum - Gets you reimbursed for Global Entry and Clear.
2. Clear - Strsight to the front of the line! Shoes on… Worth it.
3. Global Entry. Can be a PITA to get, but saved my bacon a couple times. Plus TSA linked. Pre-Check.
4. Priority Pass. Lounge access!
5. AMEX Platinum reimburses for Priority Pass.
6. AMEX Platinum- lot of benefits, but I especially appreciate lounge access through there centurion club lounges and through other affiliates. I just took a shower in Dubai and now I’m relaxing typing this post.
7. Pack as light as possible. Your laundry is done daily so you don’t need to overpack.
8. AirTags. I have them in all my cases and bags. I even have one in my wallet. I can see that my gear is with me without even asking. It’s not perfect, but it helps. No guarantees!
I packed 2 rifles in a wheeled case (rifles only, 1 Pelican case for ammo and miscellaneous gear, 1 wheeled small carry on, and 1 backpack with my range finding Bino’s.
I checked on 3 bags, including oversized for the rifles, and there was no extra charge. I carried on the back to include a change of clothes, a memory foam pad for my narrow ass - rolled it up and stuffed it in the backpack, inflatable neck pillow, noise cancelling headphones, external battery charger for phones or accessories, second phone because my iPhone is goofing up - so I brought my work android for pictures, a small thin laptop, my shave kit to include medication, and an extra pair of socks, underwear, and light pullover.
I could do without the laptop, noise cancelling headphones, charging brick, and pullover to lighten the load. Nice to have quick access to socks and underwear for a shower and clean up at the airport!
That covers most of it for now…
**Don’t mind my grammar and spelling, I’m sending this from my iPhone and typing with one clumsy thumb!
Planning: not much different for me. I bought a 450 Dakota, but I’m not bringing it. I didn’t have time to scope it and practice. I figured Instead it will be my SAKO .375 H&H and my trusted custom Tikka in .243. I’ve had a lot of success with both and know they both shoot well. I’ll be back next year and 2026, then I’ll bring my 450 for ele.
I hand loaded 300 and 350 grain Barnes TSX for the .375 H&H and I still had about160 Rounds of custom .243 Barnes TTSX in 80 grain in the safe. Both grouped well at sea level. I didn’t change my scope settings from last time I hunted in the Waterberg 2 years ago, so I expect they will be close. Both Nightforce scopes has Zero stop and I’m familiar with adjusting them. I also brought the manual! I’ll shoot them when I get into camp.
I used Emerirates airline instead of Delta, and they seem to be great so far. Planes are nice, clean, and have a lot of room. Well staffed and first rate in my opinion. I chose specific seats in economy that were at the exit rows with no one in front of me. I’m 6’-2” and had plenty of leg room, toilet was 6’ away, could stand and stretch with plenty of headroom, I even laid on floor and stretched in front of my seat. I think total cost through my travel agent was $2,300 Round trip with a small premium for those seats. Well worth it. San Francisco to Dubai. Dubai to Joberg. I picked a flight with a longer lay over in Dubai to avoid an extra night at a safe house in Joberg. I believe I arrive at 10:00am. I slept great! I’ll admit that I did myself a favor over the last year and lost 30lbs. That also helped.
Pro Tips:
1. AMEX Platinum - Gets you reimbursed for Global Entry and Clear.
2. Clear - Strsight to the front of the line! Shoes on… Worth it.
3. Global Entry. Can be a PITA to get, but saved my bacon a couple times. Plus TSA linked. Pre-Check.
4. Priority Pass. Lounge access!
5. AMEX Platinum reimburses for Priority Pass.
6. AMEX Platinum- lot of benefits, but I especially appreciate lounge access through there centurion club lounges and through other affiliates. I just took a shower in Dubai and now I’m relaxing typing this post.
7. Pack as light as possible. Your laundry is done daily so you don’t need to overpack.
8. AirTags. I have them in all my cases and bags. I even have one in my wallet. I can see that my gear is with me without even asking. It’s not perfect, but it helps. No guarantees!
I packed 2 rifles in a wheeled case (rifles only, 1 Pelican case for ammo and miscellaneous gear, 1 wheeled small carry on, and 1 backpack with my range finding Bino’s.
I checked on 3 bags, including oversized for the rifles, and there was no extra charge. I carried on the back to include a change of clothes, a memory foam pad for my narrow ass - rolled it up and stuffed it in the backpack, inflatable neck pillow, noise cancelling headphones, external battery charger for phones or accessories, second phone because my iPhone is goofing up - so I brought my work android for pictures, a small thin laptop, my shave kit to include medication, and an extra pair of socks, underwear, and light pullover.
I could do without the laptop, noise cancelling headphones, charging brick, and pullover to lighten the load. Nice to have quick access to socks and underwear for a shower and clean up at the airport!
That covers most of it for now…
**Don’t mind my grammar and spelling, I’m sending this from my iPhone and typing with one clumsy thumb!
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