Third time a charm?

[Hyde]

After two previous failed attempts to make it to Africa, I am booked for 10 days in Eastern Cape at the end of May 2025. Airfare is booked on Emirates and Airlink. Hopefully life will cooperate this time and I’ll finally make it. A couple of questions for the group. What kind of weather should I expect the last week or so of May?

Regarding gaiters, are they typically only worn with shorts? Is there a preferred style if wearing long pants?

I’m taking a 30-06 and 375HH, probably only really need the 30-06, but eland may tempt me and having an H&H in Africa just seems right. I’ve shot partitions my whole life, and the 06 will be loaded with 180’s. I’m considering what bullets to use in the 375. Lighter, or just stick with 300’s? Would your answer change if I decided to take only the H&H?

Last question for now: what about a camera? I have great DSLR stuff and decent lenses but I’m not sure about hassling with that. Is there a great compact option that you might recommend ($1000 or less).

 

[Mekaniks]

Great!

Just dress with layers, like you would for fall hunting the US. If its warm you can take off a layer, if its cold you add a layer...don't overthink it

Shoot the bullets that your rifle likes the best and you have confidence in.....Shoot good bullets and don't overthink it.....

If you have a good cell phone, they take great pictures these days. Unless you are looking to take some long distance high quality pics....Don't overthink it...

What outfitter will you be hunting with???

Have fun!!

 

[375Fox]

Good to hear. I’d talk to your outfitter on the weather and look at the weather forecast for nearest town before you go. The eastern cape ranges from coastal areas to mountains in the Karoo. The weather can vary a lot. For gaiters with long pants, I’d say the boots you wear decide if they are valuable or not. I wear them with low cut shoes/boots so my pants don’t ride up the boot. However, taller boots laced above ankle I don’t see much value to gaiters with long pants unless you want to protect laces. I’d ask your outfitter about ticks and spray your clothes down with permethrin. I’d only take the 30-06 if you aren’t planning to hunt any DG. Taking two rifles is an inconvenience that just isn’t needed. If you really want to take the 375 too I’d take 300 gr bullets.

 

[Hyde]

Great!

Just dress with layers, like you would for fall hunting the US. If its warm you can take off a layer, if its cold you add a layer...don't overthink it

Shoot the bullets that your rifle likes the best and you have confidence in.....Shoot good bullets and don't overthink it.....

If you have a good cell phone, they take great pictures these days. Unless you are looking to take some long distance high quality pics....Don't overthink it...

What outfitter will you be hunting with???

Have fun!!

KMG Safaris

 

[Hyde]

Good to hear. I’d talk to your outfitter on the weather and look at the weather forecast for nearest town before you go. The eastern cape ranges from coastal areas to mountains in the Karoo. The weather can vary a lot. For gaiters with long pants, I’d say the boots you wear decide if they are valuable or not. I wear them with low cut shoes/boots so my pants don’t ride up the boot. However, taller boots laced above ankle I don’t see much value to gaiters with long pants unless you want to protect laces. I’d ask your outfitter about ticks and spray your clothes down with permethrin. I’d only take the 30-06 if you aren’t planning to hunt any DG. Taking two rifles is an inconvenience that just isn’t needed. If you really want to take the 375 too I’d take 300 gr bullets.

Thanks for the outfitter recommendations. I looked at all of them and feel good about my choice (KMG). I’ll consider your one gun advice. I do like simplicity.

 

[Green Chile]

You could take the '06 with 180's or the 375 with 300's and cover everything. I did a one gun safari last year with the .375 and 300 TSXs that covered big to small with ease. If the 375 is harder for you to shoot well, leave it home and take the '06. Better a small bullet placed well than a larger bullet placed badly.

 

[Mekaniks]

KMG Safaris

Excellent! Marius and his crew are one of the very best. Cant wait for your report

 

[Justbryan]

I take my dslr with big lens. 18mm x 400mm zoom and 150mm x 600mm. Hard to get great shots in Africa without good equipment.

Phones are great for posed trophy shots, camp shots, and quick close shots but inadequate for most wildlife photography. I actually take a backpack bag with two bodies and two lenses.

It is worth it to me.

 

[mark-hunter]

Last question for now: what about a camera? I have great DSLR stuff and decent lenses but I’m not sure about hassling with that. Is there a great compact option that you might recommend ($1000 or less).

Compact or no compact, you need at least two hands to use camera. Rifle and camera dont go together in hands in the same time.

I use for Africa Canon G3x, which has good resolution, zoom and quality and is of considerable size.

But if you are hunting, then you are not running a photoshoot. You can do only one thing at the time, unless you have companion who will do photography while you hunt.
If you dont have hunting companion on the trip, you plan photo shoot during spare time. This means if you spend a day on a tree blind, this is great possibility for taking photos. Or during the day, in the moments when not hunting.

Second point: high resolution - high zoom camera, for best photography needs tripod stick.
Again, tripod is another additional piece of clumsy non hunting equipment, but in certain and convenient moments will give you very rewarding photos.
Best option for camera on tripod is in blind, over waterhole.

Bottom line:
Take "big" high quality camera
Take tripod for that camera
Take pocket size good quality camera.
Use each as per convenience
Plan to have a day or more devoted time just for photo shoot.
Discuss with your PH to give you some spare time for photoshoot, or one day in the tree blind over waterhole.

Generally you need a light backpack during day hunting excursions.
In backpack put small necesities, some water etc, and camera when the chance appears.
Pocket camera, keep in pocket during stalking.

 

[Sabre]

Congrats on your booking. I hope you are able to make it this time.

I wear pants all the time hunting, no shorts, even in very hot weather. I also wear boots that come above the ankle, not shoes or low cut boots. So for me in South Africa, I don't see a benefit to the gaiters. But obviously if you want to wear shorts and or shoes/short hiking boots, then gaiters would be a smart choice.

Personally, I would just take the 30-06 to simplify things. It is capable of killing an eland with good shot placement. If you or the outfitter feel under-gunned with the 30-06, you could always rent the outfitters rifle for just the Eland hunt.

Unless you have an observer come along, or you set aside separate days for photography, I would not bring a large camera.

Your phone will work for most things if not all. If you want a point and shoot camera with more zoom than any other I've seen in a very compact package, look at the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS. It has 40X Optical zoom in a point and shoot size camera. It is very impressive for its size.

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

Good luck and have a good time
All these questions are best answered by your outfitter

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I have used 165 gr Partitions in my 30-06 with great results. Gives a bit more range than 180 grain bullets.

 

[HTK Safaris]

Good day sir! Your outfitter will give you the best advise. In my personal opinion I would make sure of the hunting distances before deciding which rifle or bullet weight will work best. Close Range less than 150 yards the 180gr .30-06 or 300gr H&H will work fine. For longer shots I would go down a notch maybe to 165gr and 260gr. Decide witch one you are most comfortable with off the sticks, a well placed shot with a smaller caliber is better than a bad shot with a big caliber. Good luck with your trip sir. Enjoy every moment!

 

[Philip Glass]

After two previous failed attempts to make it to Africa, I am booked for 10 days in Eastern Cape at the end of May 2025. Airfare is booked on Emirates and Airlink. Hopefully life will cooperate this time and I’ll finally make it. A couple of questions for the group. What kind of weather should I expect the last week or so of May?

Regarding gaiters, are they typically only worn with shorts? Is there a preferred style if wearing long pants?

I’m taking a 30-06 and 375HH, probably only really need the 30-06, but eland may tempt me and having an H&H in Africa just seems right. I’ve shot partitions my whole life, and the 06 will be loaded with 180’s. I’m considering what bullets to use in the 375. Lighter, or just stick with 300’s? Would your answer change if I decided to take only the H&H?

Last question for now: what about a camera? I have great DSLR stuff and decent lenses but I’m not sure about hassling with that. Is there a great compact option that you might recommend ($1000 or less).

Gaiters: yes and yes
Weather should be mild then but cool early
If you take two guns you will always have the wrong one for what's in front of you. But it is no problem to take both. Maybe 270g Barnes for the .375.
Camera is a personal choice. If you want to take time to work on getting good photos he by all means take it. I personally focus on the hunt and just use the iPhone.
Study the safari planning section here and some of my videos and have a great safari!

 

[AZDAVE]

Since all my gun cases are for two guns I always take two, or one for me and one for my wife, and on two occasions we both took 2 guns. If you aren't hunting dangerous game I would look at the 260 gr nosler accubonds or 270gr barnes. Depending on how you shoot the 375 vs the 30/06 if you shoot both equally well you can make the decision for one gun safari based on that. Either rifle will work. Practice shooting off sticks and in different field positions. For the gaiters as others have covered it will depend on your boot height. Always ask about ticks in the area. Having experienced pepper ticks on two trips, you would like to avoid their acquaintance. @KMG Hunting Safaris will take very good care of you. Have hunted with him twice and KMG has always over delivered on our safari's

If you have the room in your luggage and you normally take your DSLR's on trips. Take them with you.

 

[Field28]

Congratulations and enjoy your time in Africa! Take the whole experience in , it's so much more than bang and flop.
I've never hunted with KMG but I've heard nothing but good things.

The Partitions will do the trick. I shot 165gr Partitions out of my 06 last May and they anchored every animal that I shot with it. I personally like the two gun idea. Last May in Eastern Cape, my first shot at the range, my extractor broke on my 7MM mag that has always been on and reliable, TIA! The 30-06 was a great backup. I agree there is something to be said for carrying a 375 H&H in Africa.

I'm a shorts and gaiters guy, Gokey or Boyt will work just fine. I've also seen a few people wear them with long pants.

 

[PARA45]

I would say, take one rifle. I took my 375 H&H and shot Barnes Vortex 300 Grs ammo and hunted PG & DG with this combo. Shot everything from Warthog on the smaller side to a cow Buffalo on the bigger side. I also took a 350+ yds shot at a Nyala with this combo. 375 H&H has similar ballistic as the 30-06.

 

[sgt_zim]

Good to hear. I’d talk to your outfitter on the weather and look at the weather forecast for nearest town before you go. The eastern cape ranges from coastal areas to mountains in the Karoo. The weather can vary a lot. For gaiters with long pants, I’d say the boots you wear decide if they are valuable or not. I wear them with low cut shoes/boots so my pants don’t ride up the boot. However, taller boots laced above ankle I don’t see much value to gaiters with long pants unless you want to protect laces. I’d ask your outfitter about ticks and spray your clothes down with permethrin. I’d only take the 30-06 if you aren’t planning to hunt any DG. Taking two rifles is an inconvenience that just isn’t needed. If you really want to take the 375 too I’d take 300 gr bullets.

100% this for clothing.

The area around Lesotho can be quite high, around 6000 feet in some places. At the higher elevations, night time lows that time of year can easily be in the 30s F, daytime highs in the 60s.

 

[Mort Hill]

All comments above good stuff. As far as pictures go, I am one of those guys that loves good quality pics. While actually hunting, I don’t worry about a camera but keep my phone handy for those “ideal” once in a blue moon events or photos I want to take. However, I have a Leica camera that will zoom out to 10X then digitally can zoom further, that I keep on the baki. That way I can take pics around camp, driving the two-track, or during a coffee break. I have some of my most memorable pics from that camera. While we hunters love our pics of a successful hunt, my wife appreciates more the random photos of people, places and things of Africa.

 

[wesheltonj]

Take one gun, less hassle, make it the 375, that way you are prepared for anything. I use 300g Orxy. Think you might be temped to add a Buffalo take some 350g. I would take some expanding for most game and either solid or FMJ for something small so you don't blow a giant hole on the exit .

And I use gaiters with both shorts and long pants, it keeps help keep the dirt out when walking.