What camo pattern

[Hogpatrol]

Traveling Limpopo the last week of May. What camouflage patterns would be acceptable or should I stick with solid green/khaki? The camo I currently own is pictured with letters and numbers.
TIA
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As noted above, doesn't really make any difference. If I had to pick, I'd go with B, 1 or 5. Laundry detergent with brighteners and the wind are your enemies.

 

[Happy Myles]

When I first began venturing to Africa I do not recall camo clothing being available. Nor were the services of SCI, DSC or this wonderful venue. I read somewhere that many explorers used apparel by Willis & Geiger That was good enough for me. Their clothing served me so well that upon returning stateside i bought enough of their merchandise to last a lifetime. All shirts and pants made from high quality Egyptian cotton. Mostly khaki green and brown. The color i used depended on the environment.
When camo clothing first became available some places did not allow hunters to use it. You only saw it on military or rebel forces. Also it was made from polyester color fast material which did not breathe well and in bright sun reflected light sharply. Many years ago, i had finished a 30 day Tanzania safari and was waiting for my charter plane to take me back to civilization. A group of four hunters arrived in new camo clothing and surprised I was not. After a discussion we sent a couple boys out several hundred yards one wearing a camo shirt and one wearing my old Willis & Geiger shirt. You could barely see the one wearing mine while the camo wearing chap reflected sun like a bright tin roof.
I am sure todays camo manufactures have fixed that overlooked problem.

 

[steve white]

A hat with a wide enough brim can keep your face from shining in the sun, but more importantly, keep you from a bad sunburn. In Tanzania, the sun was so brutal it burned my lips with the short brim hat I was wearing. You don't know what a bad sunburn is until you get a DEEP burn on your lips, I found.
+1 on avoiding laundry detergent with brighteners (which means any regular home use ones--get hunting clothing detergents)
The only place I have seen which would blend with the lighter khakis is parts of Namibia. Their grass can be very light at times.

 

[jpr9954]

I listened to the advice to stick with cotton given the hot irons used in the laundry in many camps. I plan to bring a Dickies Flex Ripstop in "rinsed military green" and a Basspro ripstop shirt in faded brown. Both are 98%+ cotton. Both shirts are lightweight but tough.

I also bought 3 Salty lightweight cotton shirts that are being shipped to my outfitter. The prices averaged $20 each and the shipping was free. They are all OD green except the one that is the green and khaki Boer farmer shirt.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I wear lightweight longsleeved camo shirts from Cabelas because they are the most comfortable shirts I've ever owned. Lightweight and very tough. Wearing one right now. Their "strata" pattern is very attractive. Something between Realtree flowers/leaves and military digital. I have a freebie Kuhle(sp?) vest from SCI but don't care for the look of their camo pattern at all. Looks like something designed by a street artist for the side of a boxcar. It's also sweaty. In Africa I usually wear a green light fleece jacket from Columbia in their generic pattern. Cheap but effective. I bought it mostly for quality and fit. The camo pattern is more fashionable youth than hunting. At Goodwill recycle store I picked up a very nice essentially new forest green fleece vest with tan corduroy lined collar for a couple of bucks. Has some unknown company's small logo embroidered over right chest. Meah! No camo pants or boots for me. That's just too much! For travel I wear a similar lightweight olive drab shirt by Wrangler but not nearly the quality of the Red Head shrirts. I have a brown fleece jacket I can wear on the plane but last time just said screw it and wore the nearly worn out Columbia one (couple of mystery holes in the shoulder). I formerly wore a crappy Levis ball cap on the plane and stowed my outfitter's branded camo ball cap. But his caps are the best fitting I can find for my 7.5" cranium so I now wear mine everywhere. I purposely pick a pair of semi-ragged faded pants to wear on the plain and cheap well worn hiking boots. I prefer to look like some retired blue collar guy off to visit his grandkids. Fit in with the crowd. I wish I could find a decent daypack for carryon that ISN'T camo ... or something designed for school kids. Sigh. For cold August South African mornings I can add my waterfowl shell over the fleece jacket and vest. It's some fancy commercial camo pattern. Again, I wear it for practicality not style or stealth. Those clothes are what I have and I'm not buying new duds just for a week of hunting in Africa. That jacket is getting rather beat up too. I'm lucky if even expensive hunting outerwear will last more than three seasons.

Personally, I see guys in the airport dressed in brand new camo head to toe (literally!) and it just brands them as "dude" = greenhorn. Last year I had a new PH in Africa. Second day out he commented how he pegged me as "experienced" the first time we met. "How's that?" He pointed at my boots.

 

[CoElkHunter]

I wear lightweight longsleeved camo shirts from Cabelas because they are the most comfortable shirts I've ever owned. Lightweight and very tough. Wearing one right now. Their "strata" pattern is very attractive. Something between Realtree flowers/leaves and military digital. I have a freebie Kuhle(sp?) vest from SCI but don't care for the look of their camo pattern at all. Looks like something designed by a street artist for the side of a boxcar. It's also sweaty. In Africa I usually wear a green light fleece jacket from Columbia in their generic pattern. Cheap but effective. I bought it mostly for quality and fit. The camo pattern is more fashionable youth than hunting. At Goodwill recycle store I picked up a very nice essentially new forest green fleece vest with tan corduroy lined collar for a couple of bucks. Has some unknown company's small logo embroidered over right chest. Meah! No camo pants or boots for me. That's just too much! For travel I wear a similar lightweight olive drab shirt by Wrangler but not nearly the quality of the Red Head shrirts. I have a brown fleece jacket I can wear on the plane but last time just said screw it and wore the nearly worn out Columbia one (couple of mystery holes in the shoulder). I formerly wore a crappy Levis ball cap on the plane and stowed my outfitter's branded camo ball cap. But his caps are the best fitting I can find for my 7.5" cranium so I now wear mine everywhere. I purposely pick a pair of semi-ragged faded pants to wear on the plain and cheap well worn hiking boots. I prefer to look like some retired blue collar guy off to visit his grandkids. Fit in with the crowd. I wish I could find a decent daypack for carryon that ISN'T camo ... or something designed for school kids. Sigh. For cold August South African mornings I can add my waterfowl shell over the fleece jacket and vest. It's some fancy commercial camo pattern. Again, I wear it for practicality not style or stealth. Those clothes are what I have and I'm not buying new duds just for a week of hunting in Africa. That jacket is getting rather beat up too. I'm lucky if even expensive hunting outerwear will last more than three seasons.
View attachment 595531
Personally, I see guys in the airport dressed in brand new camo head to toe (literally!) and it just brands them as "dude" = greenhorn. Last year I had a new PH in Africa. Second day out he commented how he pegged me as "experienced" the first time we met. "How's that?" He pointed at my boots.
View attachment 595535

"Looks like something designed by a street artist for the side of a boxcar". Ha! Ha! IMO, arguing over different camo patterns is WAY overblown. Here, for big game rifle and muzzle loader seasons, a hunter must wear a hat, cap or other head covering and vest of a solid fluorescent orange or pink (yes pink). A number of years ago when DIY public land elk hunting, I was walking between two aspens in the OPEN when FIVE bull elk (5pt leading a 6pt and then three 4x5s in line) came walking out of the forest and around a large pine tree and walking directly towards me. I stopped and didn't move. Gun shots all around in the distance. I was wearing an orange hat, vest and orange covering over my backpack. When they got to within about 15 yards, I moved slightly so they would see me and not walk into me. The lead 5pt. stopped and cocked his head and then all five WALKED back into the forest. Why didn't I shoot? Well, once AGAIN I had a cow tag. The orange looks gray to them and they didn't know I was there until I moved. So, argue over and wear whatever camo pattern you want or not, but it makes no difference. It's movement that spooks them.

 

[Scott CWO]

As WAB and Red Leg said... practically, it doesn't matter at all. Not one bit.

That said, living in AK - and out of personal preference - I wear camo when hunting. Some don't; I do. I used to think it mattered. Now? Probably not so much. Available cover, keeping the wind in your favor, and careful movement are all much more important.

However, because I am a camo fan... of the choices you provided, King's Desert is my overall favorite - it's what I use here a lot in Alaska. On my trip to Africa last year I went just a bit retro with the Cabela's Seclusion. No reason other than it appealed to me. I doubt I cracked a hundred dollars total on eBay putting together what I took.

Anything you have pictured will be fine. And you really don't even need any of those. My two cents? Choose what makes you happy and go enjoy your hunt.

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You’ve got the beard camo pattern figured out! lol

 

[Scott CWO]

When I first began venturing to Africa I do not recall camo clothing being available. Nor were the services of SCI, DSC or this wonderful venue. I read somewhere that many explorers used apparel by Willis & Geiger That was good enough for me. Their clothing served me so well that upon returning stateside i bought enough of their merchandise to last a lifetime. All shirts and pants made from high quality Egyptian cotton. Mostly khaki green and brown. The color i used depended on the environment.
When camo clothing first became available some places did not allow hunters to use it. You only saw it on military or rebel forces. Also it was made from polyester color fast material which did not breathe well and in bright sun reflected light sharply. Many years ago, i had finished a 30 day Tanzania safari and was waiting for my charter plane to take me back to civilization. A group of four hunters arrived in new camo clothing and surprised I was not. After a discussion we sent a couple boys out several hundred yards one wearing a camo shirt and one wearing my old Willis & Geiger shirt. You could barely see the one wearing mine while the camo wearing chap reflected sun like a bright tin roof.
I am sure todays camo manufactures have fixed that overlooked problem.

What year was your first safari?

 

[CoElkHunter]

You’ve got the beard camo pattern figured out! lol

He COULD use a little camo fluorescent pink highlights in the beard though? LOL

 

[Happy Myles]

What year was your first safari?

1972 I think

 

[Tundra Tiger]

He COULD use a little camo fluorescent pink highlights in the beard though? LOL

Really? What THEE crap did I ever do to you man.

 

[Daisy]

I say If you have camo wear it. I think some conflate you don’t need to go buy camo with somehow it is a negative. Wear it and enjoy.

 

[McKenzie Sims]

Personally, I would stick to solid colors in darker Khaki or Green color. I’ve moved aways from camo in pretty much all hunting aspects, but the solid colors work just fine and serve as multiple purposes as far as travel clothes and town clothing while on your trip.



If you don’t want to buy new (and there is no need to buy new) for your trip. So take what you thinks the toughest for the thorns and brush you will experience.



Have fun and enjoy it!

 

[CJW]

Browning Vintage Tan Hoodie

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Old duck camo or nothing.

 

[CJW]

He COULD use a little camo fluorescent pink highlights in the beard though? LOL

With little pink bows tied throughout. He would be positively adorable.

 

[Ridge Runner]

I don't take camo because it requires more clothes. Skip the camo and pack light.

You want your clothes, boots, & hats to serve dual purposes, travel & hunting. I carry on all I will need for the week. So, I wear one set of clothes and carry one two others. Muted color cotton clothes in gray, green, tan, brown, etc.

My tracker wore a bright blue jump suit with an orange hat.

Something just speaks out that he may be gun shy.

 

[black tail]

You have a great excuse to buy yourself some new solids for the upcoming hunt.

And that excuse shouldn’t go to waste.

 

[HookMeUpII]

Forget the camo. No need. I wore Carhartt safari/fishing shirts in a green color and brush pants in green or brown color to match. Days I didn't wear them I wore wrangler cargo pants in the same color. Khaki color works too. That time of year, it can be chilly in the mornings and hot mid-day. Bring a fleece. I had a DU one I got free after I made a donation. You can see some of my pics on here. By far, most hunters, including PH's were dressed like me. Only difference was they wore shorts which to me was insane. The hook and thorn bushes there are no joke.

 

[Luvthunt]

Dark green for me also. Usually Carhart.

 

[AZDAVE]

I wear mostly earth tones. I do have most of my jackets are camo fleece for warmth and a being quite in the bush. Wear camo outfit for birds.