What would you do different?

[Jasper99]

For those of you that have gone on safari before and had the chance to go back......do you have any lessons learned? What would you do differently or what gear would you take that you didn't have? Or leave home that you didn't need? Thanks!

 

[bluey]

when l go back to the east cape, I will definitely be taking more powerfull binos than the 8 x 42 that l used last year.

and allow more days for touring , and mabe split it more with the hunting days , instead of 12 days hunting ,maybe do 4 then do some tours , for a couple of days then another 4 or so hunting , before more tours

definitely bring less clothes .

 

[billc]

Less clothing for sure.

The biggest think for me is not have all my animals listed I hope to hunt. I think to many guys go with a plan and it goes out the window when they see some of the animals in person for the first time. I will always have a few I want to hunt but I now keep and open mind on other animals.

I remember thinking I would never want a red hardbeast or any of the tiny ones. I can still see the first red hardbeast I ever saw in the wild on the side of the hill. I passed on him and still regret doing so. Same with the tiny ones. I see the mounts and think who would want to hunt one of those. Then you see one sneaking around in the bushes and think wow they are a fun hunt.

 

[Rob404]

Less Clothes for sure and maybe cut back to one rifle, I'd also look to avoid Foreign Airports if possible.

 

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Take more money!!! Seriously, I wish I would have converted more $$ to Rand, both for tips and small purchases, etc. I had traveler's checks, and my outfitter accepted them, and I gave him a list as to what I wanted to tip whom, but I wish I could have done it "in person", if you know what I mean.

 

[Royal27]

Have a complete plan for the "after the hunt." I kinda did it as I went along and will be combining taxidermy and shipping for two safaris. So far it is working out fine, but I'm also getting my stuff from Zim done in SA and just importing to SA has gone slower than expected, but TIA.

I think that the shipping piece is the least understood piece of the safari.

Oh, and I completely agree with those who say don't have a list set in stone. And if you think you might want the animal SHOOT!!!

 

[Clayton Holland]

Will never hunt again 2x1, and have all my taxidermy and shipping sorted before I go.

 

[BRICKBURN]

................... I'd also look to avoid Foreign Airports if possible.

Joining Star Fleet?

 

[Spooksar]

Less clothes,but a heavier jacket. I'm going with only 1 rifle and 50 rounds of ammo this year. I normally take 2 rifles and 100 between the 2 of them.

 

[Divernhunter]

Take only one pair of hunting boots. Use my camera more during the first part of the hunt. Use my video camera. Bring less clothes and more candy etc for the help. Buy more t-shirts etc while there. Bring back another bottle of Red Heart Rum and even an extra one if I can get it home with duty tax. It is really good.

 

[bluey]

roger ,roger .
on the red heart rum , l give that stuff a nudge in the Limpopo
bought a bottle on the way home ,
and my bloody boys drank it the very first night l got home .
definitely tastes better in the bush ,than in australia

 

[James.Grage]

Things that i currently do different than on my 1st trip.
1. Pack less clothing and take a pull over or light jacket. (depending on when you book your hunt)
2. Have a power adapter for the country you are traveling/hunting in.
3. Take back up batteries for your camera's and torch (2-flashlight). (more than you think you will need for your torch)
4. Target your PH & his staff with items that they can use. (call or e-mail ahead of time to get shoe sizes and/or shirt sizes for the staff)
5. Plan on a nice bottle of spirits for the PH (Brandy or Rum) (flavored vodka)
6. Good alarm clock to wake-up before the wake up call.

 

[spike.t]

I'd also look to avoid Foreign Airports if possible.

how do you get to any african country without landing at a foreign airport there? ........

 

[Rob404]

Joining Star Fleet?
View attachment 39140

If it were only possible

 

[BRICKBURN]

If it were only possible

I think the same thing somewhere over the Atlantic every time!

 

[Rob404]

I think the same thing somewhere over the Atlantic every time!

I think flying first class is a close to getting beamed up as it's ever going to get, neither one is affordable or in my immediate future

 

[Clayton Holland]

The other thing I would certainly do is be more honest and upfront to my wife when she asks how much it will all cost. The short term gain I received was not worth the long term suffering when it was all over.

 

[bluey]

ha ha ha ha ha
YEP ,

 

[Mr. 16 gauge]

One thing I forgot to mention: I would take extra batteries and a second electrical adaptor. With our lives being "gadget filled" anymore (iphones, tablets, lap tops, cameras, recorders, range finders, etc), I would hate to have missed something because a device was down because it couldn't be charged. My camera battery is different from the one in the camcorder, the phone and ipad have to be charged independently of one another, etc.
...Or, at least make sure that your devices take the same type of battery prior to going..........I prefer to "recharge", as batteries are heavy, and the weight savings means an extra box of ammo or two!

 

[spike.t]

With our lives being "gadget filled" anymore (iphones, tablets, lap tops, cameras, recorders, range finders, etc), I would hate to have missed something because a device was down because it couldn't be charged.

you could always leave most of that apart from your camera and phone (actually attached to a lot of people these days i think ) and pretend it was pre 1995 or so......................