Since we are now practically restricted to a 50lb bag plus a guncase, there is some value to ideas to save on weight when traveling to Africa.

I will kick off with:

1. Get a tuffpak and try to get the weight of your guncase up to 50lb by putting ammo, binoculars, and clothing etc in with the gun(s). I don't think you can do this as well with a padded case.

2. Wear your boots and pack sandals for evening/camp wear...Teva makes a super light moulded sandal (sort of like a Croc). That's it for footwear.

3. Leave your knife at home. I have only once seen a client using his knife and he was a taxidermist.

4. Put all your valuable stuff and as much heavy stuff as you can (as legally permitted) in your carry-on as possible.

5. Wear your hunting jacket (well carry it over your arm).

Any others?

Russ

the only thing I would disagree with on your list is that I always have 2 pair of hunting boots. I wear my favorite pair on the plane.
Whether I am going to Africa or Alaska.

For my first trip I know I am overpacked. Good ideas, I am bringing two pairs of boots also, size 14 are hard to find in the states.

I think this has been discussed before, but can you pack ammo in your gun case going to Africa. US airlines allow it but does it cause issues upon arrival.

You need to pack your ammo separately in your checked baggage. Get a small plastic ammo box to put it in with a lock if possible. Make sure it meets the weight requirements for the ammo, etc. I strongly endorse wearing a pair of your boots and having a change of hunting clothes packed in your carry on. On my recent trip to Zimbabwe my checked bags didn't arrive for four days into the hunt and by then I had shot my leopard and some of the other trophies using borrowed ammo and in my "airplane" clothes.

Rules can change, but I have not flown ANYWHERE in the last 32 years that I did not have ammo in the same case as my guns.

This includes various flights Domestic in the USA including to California, Alaska, as well as to South Africa, and on to Zimbabwe and back.

It was OK according to the rules of the various airlnes I flew on.

I did carry a copy of the airline rules that I would print off their website, as well as the TSA rules a day or two before I left.

A person at the counter might not know the rules, but I do, and in short order someone will show up that does.

Hey Guys, quit whining! We get a TOTAL of 44 lbs checked luggage allowance over here - INCLUDING guns and ammo. (Except on the transatlantic routes, where our allowances are what you are used to in North America). In addition, I think our allowance for handluggage is about 11 lbs - also considerably less than what you get.

We have been playing games to reduce checked weight like you suggest for years. Guess why breakdown gun cases are so popular over here...
And guess why I chose to travel with just one rifle this year....

Btw, the last time I went to Namibia, I managed to (almost) stay within the 44 lbs weight limit carrying two R93s. But I did so using an ultralight guncase protected inside the simplest of duffels. Sadly, it is a pain in the posterior to have to take the guncase out of that duffel for (customs) inspections. So this time, I'll squander weight limit on a rolling duffel with a drop-bottom for the guncase.

Welcome to the wonderful world of high fuel prices...

- mike

I have a question for you seasoned travelers. Do you know of any problems in just packing guns in a lockable suitcase with clothes? Since I'll be traveling with a shotgun that can be taken apart and with handguns, it could work for me and would save weight.

the only thing about packing w/clothers is getting it out of the case for TSA inspection. Otherwise it works great. i usually travel with doubles taken down in a smaller take down case that fit into a hockey equipment bag. Works super. usually the guns come through with normal luggage, not in the gun line, which saves a bunch of time

Checking the extra bag is a tiny percentage of the safari budget. just got back from Alaska where the 2nd bag(flat fee) can weigh up to 99.9 lbs. It certainly will get tougher.

For my trip next week I have only ONE bag of 49.7 lbs all in if my fish weighing scale is right.

In addition to that I have one 12.3 lb carry-on bag for camera, binoculars etc.

Note this only works if you are taking one rifle. Two rifles requires two bags.

I packed a light fleece jacket and a gore tex jacket (rain resistant). I also packed some light gloves. Other than that I have 2 changes of clothes (also one pair of shorts) plus clothes I fly in.

AR baseball cap I wear on plane

sunglasses

my hiking shoes (New Balance tennis shoes) I will wear on plane

two cameras with extra batteries and memory cards

spiral notebook and pens

book to read

electric converter

a small tube of gun oil and a bore snake

60 rounds of ammo in Tuff Pak

rifle in a soft case that goes inside Tuff Pak bag

1 bandana

binoculars and strap

Leatherman tool with knife blade in it

earplugs

small rifle repair kit

partial roll of duct tape

gaiters

reading glasses

toiletries, aspirin, malaria pills (malarone), misc. medicine, eyedrops, 3 bandaids, sunblock and vitamins

travel wallet with zerox copies of everything (tickets, itinerary, 4457 forms, travelers checks, credit card, drivers license, passport, emergency phone no.s etc)

money and travelers checks in pouch around my neck. Paid majority of everything before I leave

neck pillow for airplane trip

lens pen for cleaning scope lenses and sunglasses

camera battery charger

deet bug spray

two flashlights - a mini and a normal size Surfire plus extra batteries

cellphone plus charger

hiking stick - shooting stick

a pair of binoculars for my PH

Anything breakable like cameras and binoculars are in my carry on bag. I also have one of my changes of clothes and two pair of underwear in my carry on bag just in case the checked bag comes in late.

I wear a 511 tactical vest with lots of pockets and storage room. I put as much heavy stuff as I can in the vest and wear it. Once on board it goes in the overhead along with my carryon.

After being maxed out on the weight limit, both the bags I took and me), I am sure my next rip could easily be made with a small carry on and one checked bag that weighs in around twenty - twenty-five pounds...But I think it is really a matter of who you are and what you can live without...
I like Labman's tactical vest idea though, I may give that a try.
Brian

Its all about one's priorities on what they want to take for use and personal comfort. I too dislike the extra/overweight fees airlines now charge, but in the grand scheme of things IRT safari costs paying a fee for excess weight/extra bag is pretty cheap compared to everthing else and yes I know its another cost we all don't want to pay ( and by the way I DID pay this on my trip this year to Namibia, got socked by SAA on my connection thru Joberg) so pay the dang fee and drink a few less beers or hard liquor on the same trip ( Most of us don't even think twice about what booze costs we pay on a trip like this anyway).

If you still don't want to pay, then do all the good tricks mentioned so far and save the weight. Remember its your trip and do what makes you feel good.

In the for what it is worth column -- buy a digital postage scale -- one that will go up to at least 150 lbs -- they are available on Sleezbay and quite inexpensive --- we have purchased several and have them located strategically for guests and clients -- including one sent to a friend’s house in AK so that when we return from fishing / hunting we know in advance of going to the airport the exact weight --- vastly easier than standing in line at the airport juggling your unides or giving away fish/meat to the check in people.

The other comment is if that you are going to exceed the weight allowance on a bag – assume 50 lbs – pack your bag to the next level of weight limit – some airlines allows up to a 100 lbs --- the point being --- if you are overweight by 1 pound the cost is the same as being overweight by 30-40 or 49 lbs ---- so just pack it and get out your Visa.

In my carry-on:
Two small paperbacks
Second pair of lightweight boots
Toilet articles in plastic baggie
Sunscreen/bug juice combination
2 pair socks
two t-shirts
1 pair lightweight "zip-off" safari pants/shorts
two pair of undershorts
"Precious items"... camera, binocs, etc.

I find that I can easily get that stuff in any overhead on even the smaller aircraft.

I, too, carry my jacket over my arm and wear my primary boots (which are a pain at security, but what the heck?)

With the stuff in my carry-on, I can go several days of safari if my TuffPak doesn't arrive at the same time I do... assuming the PH has an extra rifle (which I've always so determined).

Passport, money, traveler's checks, tickets go in cargo pocket of trousers I wear. Ear plugs in a pocket for sleeping/sighting-in, etc. Copies of everything both in carry-on and in TuffPak... to include, but not be limited to first page of passport, gun import forms, visas, hunting contract, traveler's check receipts, "invitations to hunt", e-mails back and forth, tickets... copies of every-damn-thing!

I find that the more I go, the less I take. But try taking two college-aged daughters with a touristy stop both before and after safari... "Daddy, do you have room for my hair drier?"

allowance being 44lbs, is it sensible to use a 17lbs Tuffpak?

Pool or "beach" shoes take up less room and weigh comparable to crocs or sandals. The Pool Shoes keep the bugs off your toes too.

Wear your primary boots on the plane, buy spares when you get there. Leave some stuff behind as gifts for room on the way back.

first of all I'd take but one gun.....you can borrow one from the outfitter if necessary but do take a spare scope that has rings and has been on the gun and sighted in on the gun....it's a pound and well worth it......even though you'll PROBABLY not need it!

Pack all your clothes with your gun in the Tuff-Pak.....and wear your heaviest clothes, boots, etc.

If you do this right you can take a suitcase that is about empty but will suffice for the gifts you bring home with you.

When returning home you can burn all your clothes except what you're wearing and have more room for gift items.

AMMO:....this may be wrong but I'd do it.....pack your ammo in individualized containers and wrap them in 10 pound max cargo and cardboard it up and tape it tightly with duct tape and stuff the package in the Tuff-Pak. Don't bring any ammo home.....give it to the PH or someone that wants it!

quote:

Originally posted by Grumulkin:
I have a question for you seasoned travelers. Do you know of any problems in just packing guns in a lockable suitcase with clothes? Since I'll be traveling with a shotgun that can be taken apart and with handguns, it could work for me and would save weight.

I often travel with my Blaser or Double packed in a take down case then packed in my checked in Safari size Bag by www.leathergoods.com.au .
I was once told that I must pack the rifle seperate to the ammo and not together in the main bag even though they were locked in seperate cases inside.

The only way to take less weight is take less stuff...Duh!!!!!!

I have a digital scale and weigh everything. I just switched to nylon duffles versus canvas due to weight. I switched rifle cases from aluminum to plastic due to weight. I carry on everything valuable or heavy.

Also, in many places you can buy all the clothes you need, then leave them behind when you leave. Take less ammo, leave the heavy bino's at home, take the pocket size.

Think about it and you can do it.

It is extremely easy to travel to Africa on 50lbs or less.

quote:

allowance being 44lbs, is it sensible to use a 17lbs Tuffpak?

Pretty sure mine weighs 13 lbs

"Ideas to reduce luggage weight." Are you kidding me?
Carry less shit. You are going on a hunting trip. Life is simple. You don't need all that shit in your bags.......
Jesus.

quote:

Originally posted by TWL:
"Ideas to reduce luggage weight." Are you kidding me?
Carry less shit. You are going on a hunting trip. Life is simple. You don't need all that shit in your bags.......
Jesus.

Agreed. On our trip next year to Zimbabwe to hunt with Mokore Safari's I'll be carrying a small carry on with my toiletries, spare hunting clothes and camera. I'll have a .375 in a single guncase, and a checked bag with ammo and another set of hunting clothes and boots. I'll be wearing the lightest set of clothes and sandals I own since for me the flight is a three day affair and traveling in heavy clothes is hot and aromatic. My gal and her daughter will be traveling with a carry on only.

We'll coordinate with Mokore a head of time and be prepared for lost or missing luggage by using what they will have on hand.

Bringing to much crap is,..............well,...............to much crap.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
Rules can change, but I have not flown ANYWHERE in the last 32 years that I did not have ammo in the same case as my guns.

This includes various flights Domestic in the USA including to California, Alaska, as well as to South Africa, and on to Zimbabwe and back.

It was OK according to the rules of the various airlnes I flew on.

I did carry a copy of the airline rules that I would print off their website, as well as the TSA rules a day or two before I left.

A person at the counter might not know the rules, but I do, and in short order someone will show up that does.

You may think you know the rules, but you don't know the current regulations regarding international flights. The "rules" allowing the ammo in it's box to be packed inside the same case with the firearms are domestic, TSA rules. THEY DO NOT APPLY TO INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS. The international flight rules REQUIRE the ammo to be packed in a DIFFERENT piece of luggage than the firearm(s). Can you get away with packing them in your tuffpak or whatever? Sure, but you might wind up having a real problem if a ticket agent asks to see/weigh your ammo overseas. Why take the chance?

Don't believe me, ask your travel agent.

Lot's of very good stuff here, I appreciate
the info being shared.

quote:

Originally posted by Gatogordo:
You may think you know the rules, but you don't know the current regulations regarding international flights. The "rules" allowing the ammo in it's box to be packed inside the same case with the firearms are domestic, TSA rules. THEY DO NOT APPLY TO INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS. The international flight rules REQUIRE the ammo to be packed in a DIFFERENT piece of luggage than the firearm(s). Can you get away with packing them in your tuffpak or whatever? Sure, but you might wind up having a real problem if a ticket agent asks to see/weigh your ammo overseas. Why take the chance?

Don't believe me, ask your travel agent.

Believe it or not upon leaving capetown heading for Sol Island and then to Atlanta I was told by the people in Capetown to put my ammo in the tuff-pak with the guns!

Not saying it was right or wrong.

This much I know for sure.....if some airline personnel don't know the rules they will make one up and hold you to it!

Gatogotdo
My first sentence was, the rules can change.

Sometimes overnight.

Different airlines have different rules.

i have to be honest. if I want to bring it I do if it cost extra so be it. Everytime i don't bring something its the one thing i wanted. In my numerous trips to africa it has never cost me any more than tipping a couple og camp helpers

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
Gatogotdo
My first sentence was, the rules can change.

Sometimes overnight.

Different airlines have different rules.

I'm going to say this one more time, and you can believe it or not, it is NOT individual airline rules, it is not domestic airline flight rules where guns and ammo may be in the same piece of luggage, it is INTERNATIONAL flight regulations that, as far as I know, all major carriers subscribe to. As anyone who flies much at all knows, any individual ticket agent at the airlines can and may tell you something different which may or may not be correct, but if it gets you on the flight, by all means go with it.

I don't care how your pack or what you personally do with your ammo, I'm posting this to help someone avoid a potential problem by following the rules. If you or anyone else chooses not to do so, then there may or may not be consequences, which could be fairly unpleasant.

To repeat, don't believe me, check with any reliable travel agent(cy) such as Kathi or Gracy.

On QANTAS and SAA the rules are ammo packed separately.

And our all up baggage limit is 20 KGs! Only taking one rifle and 80 rounds of ammo put me $532 overweight.........one way. It was $400 coming back!

I just factor the overweight into the cost of the trip.......and it will get worse for US customers/carriers.

Does Saeed pay overweight, I wonder?

All you have to do is buy a small duffle and tell yourself once it's full that's all I am taking. I have a DR aluminum gun case that is 8x8x32 inches and weighs w/rifles 28lbs and a 12x12x21 inch Boyt duffle bag that my small Pelican case ammo box goes into and anything else that might fit, the rest stays home. My first african safari in 1992 I looked at all of the luggage I was taking it looked like as much stuff as my wife takes when she is traveling. Not today, I believe too much luggage can ruin a holiday.

Dirk

Gatogordo,

Please post a link or copy a quote to that rule please. Much appreciated.

My non-guncase duffel never weighed anywhere 50 lbs. What the heck are y'all carryin'?

As has been said, just don't take to much stuff.

I've only been once, so my opinion in my opinion can be completely written off. Having said that, it seems to me that in a checked bag, two sets of hunting clothes, hunting boots and ammunition is all you need. The carry on would contain all toiletries optics and cameras.

The safari company will supply all food beverage, bedding, linens, etc,.....

I don't see the need for the range finder, spotting scope, GPS, and on. If I want to know how far away the target is I'll ask the PH. If I want to know how big the target is I'll ask the PH. If I want to know where the hell I am, ok, I know, redundant.

If I understand correctly, a good Safari company will be able to supply spare toothbrushes, rifles, boots, ammunition, cameras, or at least a CD of all pictures taken, I dunno what else you would need.

Last year I brought stuff I did not use and I made a note to self. I'll be bringing far less next year.

Gatogordo

Do not take personal offense, as I think you are a fine fellow, but...

It would give you a Heart Attack if you knew how much ammo I have flown with.

All of it in my "rifle case" as well.


The simple fact of the matter is, IF, you can get your ammo in your LOCKED case with your rifle, then IF, your guns make it there, your ammo is there too.

And if you carry around 35 lbs of ammo, then you might not run out. [There is a LOT of "stuff" in Zimbabwe to shoot, the people are hungry. AND they are GOOD people].

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
Gatogordo

Do not take personal offense, as I think you are a fine fellow, but...

It would give you a Heart Attack if you knew how much ammo I have flown with.

All of it in my "rifle case" as well.


The simple fact of the matter is, IF, you can get your ammo in your LOCKED case with your rifle, then IF, your guns make it there, your ammo is there too.

And if you carry around 35 lbs of ammo, then you might not run out. [There is a LOT of "stuff" in Zimbabwe to shoot, the people are hungry. AND they are GOOD people].

Doesn't matter to me what you carry where. Since I've carried millions of dollars of illegal goods through various customs over the years, not to mention thousands of pounds of shotgun shells into Mexico when the limit was 4 boxes, I hardly think how much ammo you carry or where you put it is going to raise my blood pressure at all.

However, there is a member here on AR who was also a wise azz about ammo going into Zimbabwe and after he spent a couple of days in one of their iron bar hotels he doesn't violate their rules anymore or maybe he doesn't go back to Zimbabwe, not sure which. Carry what you want, how you want......to repeat, doesn't make a damn to me.

Doing things illegal.

Not recommended.

Not the American Way.

Shows what you know of the American way........apparently if it was up to you, we'd still be paying taxes on tea to the British.....

quote:

Gatogordo,

Please post a link or copy a quote to that rule please. Much appreciated.

Any success finding a reference?

This is all I could find regarding International Airline rules:
http://www.iatatravelcentre.com/terms.php

Look under firearms and ammunition.