Hello all, long-time lurker here checking in. Let me say what a pleasure it has been eavesdropping here for the last few months. Fantastic forum! A wealth of information from folks with the kind of experience that counts.

I am finally beginning to plan my first and quite possibly only African hunt, in 2009. The initial fourty-plus-year preplanning phase is over. I think that I've chosen a destination (Namibia) and am down to my short list of hunt operators. The menu will consist of a few typical plains game species as well as a buffalo. Now for the first few of what will probably evolve into a long list of foolish and/or naive questions.

I am hoping to bring two rifles along to Africa, a Ruger Magnum in .416 Rigby and a Ruger #1 in .375H&H. There may be, in fact almost certainly are, better choices in a 2-gun battery, but part of the African dream for me has been the calibres and guns of choice. I've hunted all my life, but done very little travelling. The .375 has accounted for a number of deer, a black bear, and assorted varmints. The .416 has taken a grand total of two coyotes and a crow! But I picked up both guns over the years with this hunt in mind. I am definitely interested in hearing anyone's thoughts and suggestions regarding my gun choices, but my main question revolves around getting my rifles there and back again. I have read many contradictory reports regarding how to pack and how to best smooth my transitions into and out of airports. I have been thinking of going with a TuffPack case...any thoughts? Also I find statements that luggage must be locked, must be unlocked, can be locked using a TSA lock, etc. What gives here? As much as I would love to use my own guns, I must admit that the idea of using rental/loaner guns has some appeal. Karl Stumpf's post here regarding his rifles (he's definitely on my short, short list) makes me wonder if I should just forego bringing guns altogether and use the PH's guns, but to me the experience would lack something that way. Also, I've read opinions to the effect that bringing more than one gun introduces a lot of unwanted complications to the hunt. Maybe just take the .375 and then use a loaner for the buff? I dunno. Any suggestions would be welcome. (No, I don't want to shoot a buff with the .375...just one of those fourty-year preconceived ideas.)

I also see a lot written about using consultants/travel planners/travel agents. Pros and cons here? I am leaning towards dealing with the safari operator my self to plan the hunt, and then contacting a travel agent to arrange the flights. Realistic? Foolish?

Finally (at least for now...) the question of trophies. Limited funds and even more limited space force me to the conclusion that most of my trophies will be skull mounts. If I take a zebra it will be done into a rug, and if a buffalo stumbles into my line of fire then that will be a shoulder mount even if I have to build an addition. Everything else would be a skull mount, augmented by enlarged photos. I've done a lot of my own skull mounts of game, antlered and otherwise, but in the case of such important trophies I would have it done by my local taxidermist, with whom I have dealt for years and in whom I have complete confidence. I'm sure others have gone a similar route. If you have, are you happy with the results? I've never cared for shoulder mounts of deer and other North American antlered game, but the African species are so beautiful and colourful that I wonder about my choice. Any thoughts and opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your input.

John

There is nothing wrong with your gun selection. If either one fails the other one will work in its place. I've taken a 470NE and a 375 H&H and not felt limited.
The Tuff Pak is great, I've used one for 4 years and its been on numerous (more than 10) trips. Two rifles and a little gear will weigh right at 50#, one other checked bag and 2 carry on's and you'll be set.
Gun cases must always be locked and anything you check going to Africa must also be locked or you might sustain loss of items.
I've always dealt with established, reputable outfits, so I have always booked my own. I don't recommend that, booking agents can be good investments, I just haven't used them yet.
I use Gracy Travel for my travel arrangements and relie on them plus outfitter to understand the issues with travel and gun handling awhere ever go. Booking agents would work well with regards to this.
Your trophies are yours and only you can decide what to do with them. I will say, know who your dealing with and how the trophies will be handled. I'm still waitng on a lion plus buffalo and other animals from Zim. Paper work issues is what I keep hearing but its been 3 years. I'm going lion hunting again and maybe I can get a skin out it.
Best of luck on your new adventure.

The Rigby will be nice for buff, but something of a handicap if you have to press it into service for plains game. The .375 will do for either, but is still a bit more than ideal for plains game. However, if you can shoot the .375 well and its recoil doesn't bother you, go for it. Your buff gun will only be used for one trophy, but your plains game gun will be used for perhaps a half dozen, so personally, I would take the .375 and a medium bore like a .300 magnum. But, hey, this is your hunt, so you shoot what you want. I can't imagine shooting anyone's guns (or loads!) other than my own -- it would just take too much away from the hunting experience for me.

There are any number of excellent gun trasport cases available. I use an SKB, which comes with TSA locks mounted on it. It did just fine on my trip to Namibia.

African trophies make outstanding skull ("European") mounts. That's essentially the way you'll receive them as they must be dried and bleached in order to ship them. I simply took mine out of the crate, secured the horns to the skull bone stubbs with silicone, and hung them on a long screw head protruding from the wall. If you wish, you can mount them on plaques, but I acutally think they look better mounted directly to the wall sans plaque. My opinion is that buffalo make much more attractive skull mounts than they do shoulder mounts (the horns look larger and more impressive if only on the bleached skull, while the mass of the shoulders tends to dimenish the apparent size of the horns). This is a matter of taste, however, and others may feel differently.

Although taxidermy services will cost you about the same in Africa or the U.S. (at least once you count in the extra shipping for a finished trophy), having your hides tanned in Africa for rugs is a bargain. Not only is tanning less expensive there, the shipping of a finished skin versus a green one is less complicated and expensive.

Some outfits charge extra for the preparation and delivery of trophies to the shipping agent. Our guide did not, and our trophies were in outstanding condition when received. Be sure to have a clear understanding with the shipping agent about how the trophies are to be shipped. Shipping is expensive any way you cut it, but there are ways it can be better or worse.

Dealing directly with the safari operator usually makes for the best understanding. Booking your own flights (with the help of a travel agent who specializes in African hunting) makes sense.

For any number of reasons which have been discussed in other posts, I think the best route to Windhoek currently is to go to Frankfurt, then Air Namibia to Windhoek. Going through London is okay, IF your connecting flights arrive and depart through the same airport. Kathi who posts here on AR can help with this. You might or might not be able to beat her price by a hundred bucks on one of the "do it yourself" websites, but she's a wealth of information on travel and airline minutia, so by all means give her a call or drop her an email. Something as simple as booking with two airlines that do not have a baggage handling agreement can wreck your trip.

John,

Welcome to AR...
416 and a 375 is an excellent African battery...If the 416 has problems your 375 is still a DG rifle... If you shoot TSX bullets you will knock the snot out of a buf.. The X bullet will also penetrate the skull if need be with either rifle..
I took twice on DG safaris a 458 Lott and 375 H&H , and a 450#2 and a 375 H&H light rifle...

If you rent a rifle remember, is it long enough for you???

Mike

John,

Welcome to the Board. Having lurked for some months you will have read posts by "John Crichton" a/k/a Eric. Lots of useful information in those.

On trophies, you might do both skull and rug mounts of all your antelope. I've actually got the wood floor of my library/trophy room covered in rug mounts of kudu, gemsbok (rug includes the face), zebra, hartebeeste, springbok, impala and two species of wildebeeste.

Regards, Tim

quote:

Originally posted by jwm:
I also see a lot written about using consultants/travel planners/travel agents. Pros and cons here? I am leaning towards dealing with the safari operator my self to plan the hunt, and then contacting a travel agent to arrange the flights. Realistic? Foolish?

I'm making my first trip in September. I would recommend the use of a good booking agent as African safaris can be a minefield for the first timer. I thought of booking my own hunt directly as well until I talked to some people and realized just how much I didn't know. With a booking agent your deposits will be held stateside and they will be able to offer a ton of good advice. There are a couple that post here on AR that are highly regarded.

Good luck.

Cheers,
Andy

jwm - First off contratulation on your decision to be off to Africa, you will never regret this choice belive me!! If Namibia is indeed your choice and you choose Karl or some of the other posters here, I really don't see a need for a "booking agent"?? You can get (maybe already have) all the info and references direct and who better to answer any and all questions about your "on the ground portion" than the man you will be spending your hunting and sightseeing time with? I do indeed recommend a travel agent for the transportation end of the trip. For my May 2008 Namibia trip I am using Judy at Tatum Internatonal Travel, have used Gracy Travel in the past and can highly recommend either to do an excellent job for you. Your hometown to Frankfurt then Air Namibia to Windhoek is the only way I would consider. No need to subject yourself and your guns to the folks in JoBerg. Look into trip cancellation, med evac and gun/optic insurance. SCI has all of these and the cost is insignificant for the peace of mind it brings. Enjoy!!

Good luck and best regards,

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

Gun choices are individual in nature, but I see a .375 H & H really too close to the .416. I would choose one or the other of those two and supplement with a good 30 cal. as the second gun. I have used a Tuff Pak for 5 African trips as well as trip to Canada with excellent results. I know there are other choices out there, but I have had no need to experiment since the Tuff Pak has done the job. Don't "overpack"!! It's easy for us here in the USA to do just that, but follow your PH's advice on the what to bring.

Jwm,

I am very happy for you that you have decided to hunt in Africa. Last year I hunted PG in Namibia with Karl Stumpfe and had a wonderful experience. Before choosing my PH I did a lot of research, and Karl ended up on top of my list. If you haven't read it, my hunt report may answer some of your questions:

https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/6321043/m/283106627

There are many knowledgeable folks on AR who can comment more intelligently that I can about your choice of guns, but it seems to me that you propose to take a couple of hard hitters. I took all but my eland with a .30-06, and if you were to blast away at vermin (like jackals, baboons, and leopards -- according to the farmers, anyway) it will be far easier on your shoulder and wallet (in terms of ammo).

If you take your own rifles you have a choice between a dedicated gun case, like a Pelican case, or a Tuffpak. As much as I like the Pelican, I would advocate a Tuffpak for international flights because, not only is it a safe case for the guns, but you can use the full weight allowance for that piece of checked luggage to pack a lot of other gear. Personally I would not use a TSA lock on the gun case since any inspection is supposed to be done as you check in the case, and I would rather not give anyone, even our TSA guardians, any temptations.

If you deal with a reputable PH it should be safe to make arrangements directly through him, provided you take the usual precautions with written agreements, etc., as detailed in guides, such as the one written by T. Carr:

https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/...=869101261#869101261

Using a travel agent with experience in African hunting safaris is essential. I think your plan is a good one.

If you would like to see my consolidated preparation time-line and packing list for my Namibia trip PM me your e-mail address and I will send them to you as Word files.

Good luck!

Peter

first of all you need to realize that the chance of having a buff "stumble" into your line of fire in Namibia is essentially zero while on a plains game hunt. there are plains game available in buff areas but not to the extent you will find in areas where plains game are abundant. that being the case i would SERIOUSLY consider a lighter rifle for PG and either of the other 2 in case you change areas for buff. regarding not shooting a buff with a .375, you might reconsider that pre-conceived notion- more buff have probably been killed in africa with a .375 than any other caliber. i agree with larry sellers- your 2 chosen calibers are pretty close together in terms of capability. at the end of the day though, it is your hunt- have at it with whatever you want! best of luck and i am betting that it won't be your last.

Wow, thanks all for the input. Greatly appreciated.

Stonecreek, your taxidermy info is great. I love Euro mounts and will do most of my animals this way. A zebra rug is essential, and I appreciated the tip regarding African tanning.

Retreever, thanks for reminding me about LOP on loaner guns. I am blessed (?) with orangutan arms and a giraffe neck, and mount my scopes so far forward to avoid scope bites that many people can't use my guns. That could be a huge issue for me with a loaner, especially after looking a second time at some of the pictures folks have posted of their guns.

MVR, your hunt report was a HUGE pleasure to read, and the posting by T Carr a goldmine of information. Many thanks.

JDollar, I was kinda tongue-in-cheek with my stumble-across-a-buffalo comment. I'm planning a two-part safari, a plains-game segment followed by a buffalo hunt. As to the .375, it's not that I doubt its capability for buff. Rather, I have spent several years shooting my .416 at varmints, overripe garden produce and soup cans. I now want to use it for what I originally bought it for! Same for the .375...I just like it and like the "cachet" of using it as an allrounder in Africa.

Again, my thanks to everyone. I'm sure I'll be back soon to further pick your brains.

John

All I can add is this:

Take a lot of pictures (a lot), and do a good, detailed write-up when you get back for those of us (like me) who have not yet been there!

I would disagree with your personal selection of rifle for Namibia. As a single rifle in Namibia the 375 is a bad choice, something flatter shooting with less recoil will help you to shoot better.

Your talking like this going to be your only safari?

Why hamper your only safari with a rifle with that much recoil?

I used a borrowed 308 last time and my friend used a 375 CZ. He had had a lot of missed shots caused by flinchitis.

I am not a puss, but I don't see any reason to take a 416 to Namibia to shoot plainsgame.

At least back it up with a 30-06 or similar in case you end up having a problem with your back, shoulder, or head.

John,

I made my first trip to Namibia in '07, hunted with Vaughan Fulton in his NW plains game area, booked through Wendell Reich, used Gracy travel...I think you could book direct with a proven person like Vaughan, but I am glad I used Wendell's hand-holding service, and hope to again. DEFINITELY, absolutely, use Gracy or an agent you have heard good reports on, and who specialises in hunter travel.
I took only my 375H&H because, like you, that seemed part of going to Africa. The area of Namibia I was in can be very open, with longer shots, and for me range estimation was difficult. If there is a place in African hunting for a range finder, this may be it. That said, a quick look at a ballistics table will confirm that a 375 w/270gr bullets is up to the task, and so long as your rifle is up to the task and you can shoot it....hey, its your dream.

Good hunting,
John

quote:

also see a lot written about using consultants ... Pros and cons here? I am leaning towards dealing with the safari operator my self to plan the hunt... Realistic? Foolish?

First, you must keep in mind that my opinion is slanted .. a little.

Many successful hunts are booked by speaking with the Safari operator directly. Nothing wrong with that. In fact, it is a very good way to insure that both of you are "on the same page" if you have specific requests or expectations. If you know who you want to hunt with, call or e-mail him, make the arrangements and go.

It is when you do not know who you want to hunt with, or where you would like to hunt, or where the best area is for your top priority animals, or when you would like more options, that an agent can give you an advantage.

When you call Joe PH, he is interested in selling you his hunt. An agent has variety, or most do. They can also provide you with some insight into your safari that you may not get from the operator.

Having different options presented to you is always good.

Consider this. You speak to an agent and like a certain option he presents. If you want, you are free to communicate with that safari operator. It is no secret who we are recommending. If you are not comfortable booking a hunt with Joes PH Company without speaking directly to him, no problem.

Another advantage of an agent is that you then have two contacts that you can choose to talk to. If you choose to speak with the ph or safari operator directly to explain your expectations, specific requests and desires, you may. You will also have the stateside agent to call and ask questions as well.

It will not cost you any more to book with the agent, and it is free to call and talk to one about your hunt desires.

I see no reason a first timer would not at least consider the use of a good agent.

I would strongly support buying a GOOD camera (doesn't have to be expensive, but nothing makes up for lens size) and learn to use it. Usually my biggest regrets from my travels have been my shoddy photography skills (maybe, if you have time, take a course in it...)

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
first of all you need to realize that the chance of having a buff "stumble" into your line of fire in Namibia is essentially zero while on a plains game hunt. there are plains game available in buff areas but not to the extent you will find in areas where plains game are abundant. that being the case i would SERIOUSLY consider a lighter rifle for PG and either of the other 2 in case you change areas for buff. regarding not shooting a buff with a .375, you might reconsider that pre-conceived notion- more buff have probably been killed in africa with a .375 than any other caliber. i agree with larry sellers- your 2 chosen calibers are pretty close together in terms of capability. at the end of the day though, it is your hunt- have at it with whatever you want! best of luck and i am betting that it won't be your last.

jwm,

Good advice there from jdollar.

And you'll be back!!

jwm
Good advice from those above, you couldnt have picked a better place to find guys that have been there done that and know what they are talking about. I have a little different angle that might help you. Before I ever went to africa the first time, every time I day dreamed about hunting there I envisioned holding a 375, 416 Rigby, or a fine double, and it seems from what you have said, that you see yourself hunting with two rifles you currently own, namly 375 H$H and 416 Rigby. In my opinion when dangerous game is on the menu that animal is the main goal and the plainsgame is a bonus. You are hunting buffalo and both rifles are great on buffalo, but obviously you have dreamed of taking a buffalo with one of the quintesential african cartridges....the 416 Rigby.....(and might I add the Ruger Magnum rifle is a very traditional styled rifle with its quarter rib and barrel band front sight, wonderful choice).....so dont shortchange your dreams take the 416 and pound a buffalo with it, I dont think there is any question about that.
Now is the 375 a good second choice. If you are recoil sensative, maybe not, if not and you shoot it well I say take it. It is very close to the 416 and would work in a second on your buffalo if someting were to happen to the 416. Is it the best cartridge.....probably not. Will it work and be at least adequate for the distances you may encounter hunting plains game in Namibia, in my opinion yes. The .375 has roughly the same trajectory as a 30-06 180gr load. If recoil does not bother you, the .375 is easily a 250 yard rifle.
Bottom line is if it means someting to you to be hunting in Africa for your first and hopefully not last time, with those two rifles dont shortchange yourself take them both and rest assured they will both do the jobs you ask of them.
A small example I have been there 3 times carrying a .375, 450 Ackley, 470 Nitro Express, 500 Nitro Express and have never wanted for a different caliber. I used the 450 Ackley on my first safari to take 1 buffalo and 7 plainsgame animals, sometimes you just have to get a little closer....remember you are hunting.
Just my 2 cents, hope it helps you with your decision.
Jason

Use Wendell to book Vaughan-I did and he's great!!!

I got f'ed over by a booking agent who retired after my safari.

I would never book through a booking agent I didn't personally know.

I know a couple PH's that I have met at shows or through friends, and wouldn't have a problem booking directly through them.

Another thing to talk to your agent about is trophy shipments, some don't consider it to be their job, some do.

I think the ones that do are the ones I would book with.

It's your Safari ask the PH/Outfitter as many questions as you can.

Do you want to hunt out of a truck, walk, sit at a water hole, or be parachuted from the sky.

When do you want to hunt, and when do you want to eat?

How old are you, how old do you think your PH should be?

Are you a hunting fool or a gun nut, if you lose a rifle in transient, what rifles are available in camp?

What about other travel ops? Can you make it to do some shopping or sight seeing?

What's included?

What's not?

Does your PH entertain you at night or go to bed?

What kind of shape are you in?

Can you tolerate heat or cold?

Can you shoot? If you shoot a bow are you going to practice with it daily until you can shoot a coffee can 20 times out of 21 at 40 yards? If you are a rifle hunter what kind of rifle do you use, and is suitable ammo available in Africa.

Lots of choices.

quote:

Originally posted by Wendell Reich:

quote:

also see a lot written about using consultants ... Pros and cons here? I am leaning towards dealing with the safari operator my self to plan the hunt... Realistic? Foolish?

First, you must keep in mind that my opinion is slanted .. a little.

Many successful hunts are booked by speaking with the Safari operator directly. Nothing wrong with that. In fact, it is a very good way to insure that both of you are "on the same page" if you have specific requests or expectations. If you know who you want to hunt with, call or e-mail him, make the arrangements and go.

It is when you do not know who you want to hunt with, or where you would like to hunt, or where the best area is for your top priority animals, or when you would like more options, that an agent can give you an advantage.

When you call Joe PH, he is interested in selling you his hunt. An agent has variety, or most do. They can also provide you with some insight into your safari that you may not get from the operator.

Having different options presented to you is always good.

Consider this. You speak to an agent and like a certain option he presents. If you want, you are free to communicate with that safari operator. It is no secret who we are recommending. If you are not comfortable booking a hunt with Joes PH Company without speaking directly to him, no problem.

Another advantage of an agent is that you then have two contacts that you can choose to talk to. If you choose to speak with the ph or safari operator directly to explain your expectations, specific requests and desires, you may. You will also have the stateside agent to call and ask questions as well.

It will not cost you any more to book with the agent, and it is free to call and talk to one about your hunt desires.

I see no reason a first timer would not at least consider the use of a good agent.

That was a very honest and forthright agent sales pitch. I really thought it was even enough on both sides.

Good job!

quote:

Do you want to hunt out of a truck, walk, sit at a water hole, or be parachuted from the sky.

D99.......that is a pure classic!

Can't wait to use it when I book my next hunt!