Make sure your Passport has at least 6 blank pages!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is some type of power converter to recharge any batteries (camera, laptop). I have taken two different types.
For most lodge hunts, the simple converter kit that allows you to plug into the wall with various plug configurations works well. These are sheap, small, and generally available even at Walmart.
In more remote camps, which may not be on the grid, I use a 12V power converter plugged into the cigarette lighter or clamped directly onto the land cruiser battery at night. This is a more universal solution, as I have never been on a hunt in Africa without a vehicle present in camp.
Many Americans forget that you cannot just plug things into the wall in most African countries. There are a variety of plug configurations and voltages in use in different countries. Having to ration your pictures due to a low camera battery is defintiely something you want to avoid.

Bill

quote:

Originally posted by Karamojo Bill:
My wife & I leave for RSA in 170 days! I have my guns, 3 boxes of appropriate ammo for each, binos, hat, sunscreen, bug spray, tip miney, good walking boots, meds. I'm exersizing daily, and so is the wife. Shooting a LOT. Getting familiar w/ the camera.

ANY advice would be appreciated. I.E. should I take hard candy to pass out to the trackers and hunt team?

I've heard of a service that expedites getting guns through customs....anyone know about that in J-burg?

The company has their own taxidermy that I plan to use so I am not concerned about that.

What else should I know or do?

I love peoples of other cultures & enjoy getting to know them as well. I DO not want to offend them in any way. Is it kind of unacceptable to socialize with the hunting team other than the PH?

Last thing. My mind set is to ENJOY every minute not just the hunt..but that's what I'm there for not shopping..

Thanks in advance,

Karamojo Bill

The following is my personal list of African travel stuff. Being a disgusting amateur and all, I tweak it from time to time but such is the rundown on what I'll take next time. Forgive me for the dreary length of it all AND for the fact that others here have already listed much of it in their excellent suggestions. I took the liberty of swiping one brilliant man's suggestion here to photo my luggage (in case it needs looking for by whomever in some airport, etc). I previously only used to photo my passport and other important papers, etc.

Address list (For mailing postcards to worthy people). Alarm Clock (smallest/lightest one that takes AA batteries).
Antibiotic (general/shotgun type heavy duty just in case). Airline pass codes. Air-2000 paperwork (my personal choice of firearm expediters at Johannesburg Airport but there are reportedly other good ones).
Aspirin. Babybutt Wipes (SCENT FREE). Dry em out at home to save weight and then reconstitute with bottled water in camp. Carry a couple in zip lock on the trail. Bandanas 3 dull green, cotton. Bandaids-100 count, Moleskin fabric type/assorted sizes. Leave em for others when departing for home. Batteries-spare (most of my stuff takes size AA which are usually available around the world (usually). Binoculars (put em in your carry on) Africa is staggeringly beautiful, therefore, I like full size best quality Binos. Book to read during long flights. Boots, well broken in and wear em on your flights so they will make it to camp for sure. Bright color scarves for female camp staff over and above your cash tips. Bug Repellant. I like Ben's 100% deet 2 oz bottle. Pack carefully in case it bursts from altitude, it will melt a zip lock. Can be mixed with sun screen creme in camp to dilute for direct skin application if need be. Business cards-yours. CALL CREDIT CARD COMPANIES AND ADVISE OF IMPENDING TRIP OVERSEAS. Camera digital, big one, spare lenses and attachments. Camera digital, very small one-mine uses AA batteries. (cameras in carry on/I use a soft day pack). Cartridge belt or pouch. Cash, a couple grand, including a couple hundred in local currency (I deposit plenty extra into PH's USA bank account prior to trip so I don't have to carry a fortune on my person.) CD player, language lesson CDs, music CDs & earphones to override any screeching Satanic brats on the plane. Cell phone to update loved ones upon touching down back in the US. Chapstick, SPF type, 3 of em. Cigarettes for male staff over and above your cash tips. I have the PH secure ciggs for me and I pay him back when I get there. Coat - green canvas warm and water proof both. Compass, very small (nickle size face) but highest quality. Deoderant - "Tom's" brand neutral scent. There are other good brands of scentfree as well. Doggy anti- tick and flea soap "hypoallergenic" AKA no perfume. Duct Tape (does everything), small roll. Eye wash, 3 small bottles so I can always find one. Foam ear plugs, several pairs. I like the ones on a lanyard or on a shoelace (often you'll have time to put them in while stalking a specific critter). Fawn call for jackal hunting, looks like a duck call (not the electronic/loudspeaker type) - ask your PH about that one. Flashlight - AA battery type is plenty unless you gimp a critter at dusk. If your PH does not have a heavy duty flashlight for you, perhaps you might shop around for a super bright one that is not too heavy to pack along just in case (your serious practice regimine will likely cancell the need for same, I salute you for it). Floss-dental. Fly swatter for in your tent or hut. Fly box / small/half dozen trout patterns/wet. Fly rod, 4 piece, 5W/6W. Fly reel/DT floating line plus loop-on 3Ft sink tip in case river is swift. Formal Invitation on your PH's Safari Company stationary inviting you to hunt with said company/PH and signed by same (keep it with your passport etc). Gloves-plain leather for crawling up on game in The Highveld (we'd call it prairie or rolling grassland, etc. here in the US) and for warmth in the early mornings. Hat-cold weather type. Hat-hot sun type I like mine to cover the tops of my ears against sunburn (I don't "get" baseball anyway). Hiking shorts-cotton, 2 pair. International insurance policy on your rare and valuable rifle(s), etc. Itinerary. Itch Ease anti itch/sting/bug bite stick. Knee pads-Highveld crawling again. Knife-small pocket folder is all you'll need, if that. Leaders-9ft, tapered/clear/6Lb. Long pants, green cotton 2 pr, (including the "guaranteed wrinkle free" pair you'll wear on the plane). Long sleeve shirts 2, green cotton. Magnifying glass, very small but very powerful (for thorns/slivers, etc). Map of your hunting area? Neospoorin-small tube. Needle & non-reflective green thread. Passcodes for email account? (If you'll be near a computer sometimes, like London Heathrow Airport club rooms, etc.) PASSPORT and passport holder (mine laces onto my belt and therefore I cannot forget it anywhere). Pens, pencils, felt tip pen. Photos from home (1/2 dozen should do it). Photos of luggage. Photos of passport & all documents for trip. Prescriptions, including malaria tabs, etc. if applicable, carry your meds on the plane.
Q-tips a dozen. Reading glasses, 2 Pr in case I loose or break one. Hard case for both. Rifle/Sling/Ammunition. 60 Rds per rifle should be plenty more than enough. I like to shoot cartridges the PH can use (or can trade to his peers) and leave leftovers there as extra above my cash tip. Rubber bands-assorted sizes. Small but stout bristled nylon scrub brush for after handling fish and animals - (punctured animals or live pets). Shaving kit-small. Shot record-International. Small, fancy type mirrors, jewelery lapel pins, etc., for female camp staff above & beyond cash tips. Small scissors (mustachio trim, etc). Soft rifle scabbard (some PHs have extras to loan to clients, ask before packing). Socks, green, 3 Pr, including pr worn on plane and spare in carry on. I like cotton as synthetics make my feet sweat more. Sunglasses, 2 Pr, hard case for both. (can give one or both pair to PH or staff upon departure.) Sunscreen SPF 45-ish, one 8 oz bottle (can mix with Deet bug dope later if needed). Sport coat, to wear on your flights (seems to lower hate factor of anti hunter type airline employees). Swim suit? Tennis shoes AKA "cross trainers" agressive sole pattern, green or brown color, in case primary boots unravel (not likely but possible). "The Perfect Shot" pocket size booklet. Hell, bring the coffee table, large hard bound edition if you have room, give it as a gift prior to leaving.
Toothpicks. Tripod? (for large camera.) T-shirts/green 3, including one you wear on plane and one in carry on. Tweezers. Underwear 3, same drill as T-shirts but not color specific. US Customs form 4457. Vaseline or Tiger Balm, 1 (smallest container) for minor scrapes and such. Vitamins-multiple, any brand (helps prevent leg cramps, etc.) Waterless hand cleaner-useful to help prevent catching a cold etc during flights(currently allowed three 1 Oz each bottles in zip lock for carry on). Wrist bands 2, (like tennis players wear) or the PH style gaitors (to put tick dope on and wear around ankles while in tick areas, such as near buffalo herds). Wrist watch, dull color, mine is cheap but reliable Timex, Model-"Explorer". Wrist watches-"grocery store type" as gifts to male staff above your cash tips. Writing tablets, large and small. X-tra zip lock small baggies, 1 dozen (among a million other uses, keep your pocket camera in one while driving on dusty roads.

Again, I applaud you (and your wife) for going into "training" prior to flying over. When I make ready for you know where, I make it a point to loose at least ten Lb and for one year I only shoot the rifle I have chosen to take on that trip, from field positions, especially "the sticks" not from a bench. So far, knock on English Walnut, I've not experienced any injury (like twisted ankle, etc) nor have I had to wander about in the dark after any wounded animal.
Either may happen yet but, even though I am getting geezerdly, it won't be from lack of exercise or rifle practice.

Best Regards.
Ard.

Another thing I brought and left that I'm really glad I had: Cheap, clear shooting classes, UV protection that you can wear from the time you leave the lodge until that get back for that first "b'vage". I don't shoot w/out eye protection....disposable ear plugs too. Sunscreen

As for ammo I split mine in half... into cases so if one is delayed or lost you have amm for your rifles.. So 2 boxes of one and a box of the other...

Mike

Maybe something for the flight over. A Wilbur Smith book - Blue Horizon is a pretty good start.

I wouldn't make the trip without Ambien. Helps a ton with the jet lag.

Best wishes on your trip. Are you planning your next one yet?

An LED reading light was nice after the generator was turned off. My doctor also hunts in Africa and prescribed antibiotics for just in case.

One thing I did not bring was soccer balls for the staff, it would have been appreciated. (Bring something to fill them)

I sent you a PM

Extra rolls of film and/or memory cards (digital) for your camera. You'll probably shoot it more than your rifle while there.

Zip ties/cable ties come in handy for your luggage and all sorts of other things. Use them along with your TSA locks to see if things have been opened and to keep side zippers closed.

Taxidermy labels and straps if you're using an American taxidermist. If you're using an African one, your outfitter should provide them.