Ok, I am a little nervous!

I have been to RSA before and am leaving again in 4 weeks! I never saw one snake when I was there in July of 2011.

However, I am more worried about snakes now than I was the first time! My friend just returned (with the same Outfitter) and saw Mambas, Puff Adders....

I realize that it will be colder when I go. But, I know there is still a chance to see them. I am mostly concerned for my 3 sons and wife who will be coming with me.

So, my question is: Do any of you use chaps/snake proof boots?

Better go to Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia or Tanzania as I've been to all those places and never had a snake problem. If you go where you are going sounds like you may get bitten or maybe even eaten. Although, you may get away with your trip as you will be there when it is colder and that is an old snake handlers trick to handle snakes is to cool them down. I even think there was a behind the scenes show of the Croc Hunter on how those Gorgeous reptiles were presented and he didn't get bit as they took them out of a cooler before he handled those beauties.

Good luck, as it maybe to some every snake's dream to get a trophy tourist.

Hope this was enlightening and entertaining.

I've seen snakes on every trip - so they are there. Never had any issues, and I hope this remains true for my next one in July.

Forget about it and have fun. If not, you might as well worry about dropping off radar and disappearing over the Atlantic or taking a buff horn up the poop chute or even wearing a big leopard as a really uncomfortable backpack ....

quote:

Originally posted by tygersman:
I've seen snakes on every trip - so they are there. Never had any issues, and I hope this remains true for my next one in July.

Forget about it and have fun. If not, you might as well worry about dropping off radar and disappearing over the Atlantic or taking a buff horn up the poop chute or even wearing a big leopard as a really uncomfortable backpack ....

Ditto tygersman.....Saw snakes of about every species on each of 10 safaris (even one in my tent)but never had a problem. (And I'm a woman!) If you are going to RSA you'll probably be staying in a permanent camp so you're less likely to see them in camp, but there are many other things to get nervous about...don't worry about the snakes.

Best regards, D. Nelson

I've massacred quite a few Mambas over the years and will go out of my way to kill every one I see. Puff Adders are not as big of an issue, however, have seen plenty of them.

Mambas have a special place in hell and I wish to send every one of them there if I can... along with baboons; don't like them much either...

Jason: In 11 Safaris all over southern Africa, I have only seen two snakes-one in the Zambezi Valley and one in Southern Zimbabwe. You and your family will be fine. Just be sure to take precautions that you normally would take in any snake country, and listen to your PH. Watch your sons and instruct them to do what you, your wife and your PH says. Have a great trip!

Jason,

Overall snakes are not an issue. As you are going early June when it's cool you more than likely will not see any. Snakes pretty much don't want anything to do with humans. I actually don't think I've seen a total of a dozen snakes in 27 areas in 8 countries. All of those were trying to get out of our way.

Mark

When in Africa or South Texas, I make my kids wear turtleskin snake gaiters.

http://www.turtleskin.com/Snake-Gaiters.aspx

They are very light weight, flexible and not hot. I treat them with permethrin to get some added protection against ticks.

They also protect against protect against catus thorns, which has come in handy while quail hunting in south texas.

Cheap and easy peace of mind to protect my kids.

quote:

Originally posted by Opus1:
I've massacred quite a few Mambas over the years and will go out of my way to kill every one I see. Puff Adders are not as big of an issue, however, have seen plenty of them.

Mambas have a special place in hell and I wish to send every one of them there if I can...

Opus1,

B-mambas are typically quite shy and reclusive preferring to avoid contact, and the Puff Adder by large, is responsible for many more snake bite deaths.

I hunt in areas populated by the most venomous land snake in the world, the Taipan.
We try to refrain from killing them. They are[thankfully] also like the Mamba, a typically shy and reclusive snake.

Gents:
For what my experiences are worth, I've been to Africa 14 times and have only seen one poisonous snake. On my second trip in 1997--a cobra and only a couple of pythons in the years that followed.
Nothing to worry about.
Cal;

Trax, when I find them in camp or encounter them in the bush, I really don't don't give a flip what their "supposed" temperament is, I simply choose to end their existence. However, I will be happy to capture the next ones I encounter and send them to you for analysis.

Good luck with all that.

NO need to capture and send them to me,that would be silly,
since It makes much more sense that they stay in their native habitat.

Just remember its the venomous snakes you don't see or notice, that pose the most danger.
Since your likely to stumble right near them ,or step on them!
Hence the higher strike-death rate attributed to the Puff Adder!!!!

Its a strange weird feeling when you go to hang the washing out at night, and feel what at first one thought
was the 'garden hose' then suddenly move about underneath ones bare feet!...

I've been to Africa 10 times and have only seen 3 snakes. Two rock pythons (one while driving) and one puff adder. We were also driving when we encountered the puff adder. I wouldn't be worried.

Jason,
Went on my first Safari the last week of May in 2013 to Namibia. My wife went with me as an observer. I don't like snakes and my wife HATES them.
The mornings were around freezing, but warmed up to the low 60's around noon.
On the last day of the hunt we were stopped in the vehicle looking for Blesbuck. My wife spotted a Cape Cobra coming out from under a bush. We were in no danger, but she was not happy. She said if that had been on the first day, I would have been hunting by myself.
I think when you go it will be to cold for them.

Have a good hunt.
Mauser

Closest I've come to a dangerous snake in Africa has been in South Africax2. I just about stepped on a puff adder while walking around on a friends farm in May of 2008 and in March of 2003 up in the Kwazulu Natal I was sitting on a rock pile watching a herd of blue wildebeest when I noticed the PH and the tracker rapidly back pedaling. It was then that I caught movement just the tail of a green snake headed into a hole at the base of the pile I was sitting on. Apparently it was a mamba I didn't see enough of it to get scared or even realize what it was.

I did however remove my sorry ass form the rock pile in record time.

Also in Tanzania in Sept of 2001 we were traveling via boat and had tied up to shore for a lunch break. The guys got all twitterpated over a very small colorful snake that was climbing up the mooring line. One of the guys claimed it was deadly poisonous. He said it was a grass viper I can not verify that it was or wasn't or even what a grass viper is it seems to be a term used for lots of different snakes.

I've never felt threatened by a snake in Africa and even the puff adder took off into a hole as soon as I noticed it. I've had a heck of a lot more exciting times right here in the good old USA with rattle snakes than I've ever had with snakes in Africa.

In three trips to Africa I've only seen one snake, a cobra in Namibia.

Worst snake I saw in Africa was named Aubrey Kent---

I've seen Plenty of snakes in South Africa. On the second trip we made, didn't see a single snake in the free state but when we got back to Limpopo Province, we killed 3 on the first day and one every day thereafter. I have yet to see a snake in Moz or Zimbabwe.

over 13 safaris i have seen maybe 12-14 poisonous snakes- mambas, puff address, cobras. i usually kill at least 25-30 rattlesnakes/year within 50 feet of my front door( 13 so far this year and the season is young). in the last 5 years i have had 4 dogs and myself bitten. if i figure the odds, i am safer in Africa!! go and enjoy yourself..

9 trips over and only one cobra crossing the road. We see a lot more snakes here in Louisiana and I don't worry about them either.

WE have seen snakes on every safari we went on, in all African countries.

Sometimes several on one hunt, but, none have ever been any threats, despite the fact we got very close to some.

Go and enjoy yourselves.

Of course, be careful, but never let the knowledge of the presence of snakes distract from your hunt.

9 Safaris to RSA and Zim. Saw my first snake this last trip, Dec. 2013 in Zim. Harmless grass snake. None issue!

Dave Fulson and I were hunting turkeys last weekend here in Texas however, Dave leading the way, me following. He stepped within 2 inches of this bad boy and I only noticed him just before I put my weight on him. Had 9 rattles and was about 5 feet long. Never thought turkey hunting would be more dangerous than eles!!

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:
9 Safaris to RSA and Zim. Saw my first snake this last trip, Dec. 2013 in Zim. Harmless grass snake. None issue!

Dave Fulson and I were hunting turkeys last weekend here in Texas however, Dave leading the way, me following. He stepped within 2 inches of this bad boy and I only noticed him just before I put my weight on him. Had 9 rattles and was about 5 feet long. Never thought turkey hunting would be more dangerous than eles!!

Holy Smokes!!!
If it were me that would be one dead dam snake!

Been on safari 9 times. Walked and crawled miles in the bush, slept in tents, walked to the loo in the dark, sprinted through the grass, walked into and out of blinds in the dark, climbed trees, stepped in and around the rocks, and climbed countless kopies. There have been a few snakes along the way, but nothing to get excited about.

Spent almost 35 years moving in and around various county, state and federal court houses throughout Southern California, brushing aside snakes at every turn.

You just have to get used to them.

yea, those western diamondback lawyers can be a really dangerous thing. best avoided at all cost....

4.5' Egyptian cobra on last hunt in RSA in November. Within about 6 feet when I first saw it. Crew killed it as it was on the "patio" when we bumped into each other. Next afternoon they lost a dog to a snake bite in the yard around the chalet. Was warned to keep doors shut as they have crawled into chalets. June and July will be cold. Wouldn't worry.

I appreciate all the comments.

As I said, it's my second trip and I'm not too worried.

"I've seen Plenty of snakes in South Africa. On the second trip we made, didn't see a single snake in the free state but when we got back to Limpopo Province, we killed 3 on the first day and one every day thereafter. I have yet to see a snake in Moz or Zimbabwe"

I will be hunting in the Limpopo region too!

Talking to my a kids a bit, should help.

Jason,
In all fairness, That trip to Limpopo was late October, early November, and it was hot. That was my second trip, on the first trip the year before we went in June and only saw 2 snakes crossing the road during the heat of the day.

Just remember driving to the airport is the most dangerous part of the trip; chances of snake bite are very slim.

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
over 13 safaris i have seen maybe 12-14 poisonous snakes- mambas, puff address, cobras. i usually kill at least 25-30 rattlesnakes/year within 50 feet of my front door( 13 so far this year and the season is young). in the last 5 years i have had 4 dogs and myself bitten. if i figure the odds, i am safer in Africa!! go and enjoy yourself..

Lots of rattlesnakes out in So. CA too (this pic is of one I saw on the trail last year). My experience in Africa is more limited than many members, but on my 2012 trip to the Selous Game Reserve (Tanzania) my PH nearly stepped on a puff adder and I shot a good sized black mamba with my 28 gauge Beretta SPV when we were hunting Guinea Fowl. I think its worth noting the two main differences between having encounters with venomous snakes here in the U.S. and in Africa:
1) Here, we often see them on well worn trails or in developed areas, where as in Africa a game trail with lots of leaf litter makes spotting snakes more difficult.
2) In the U.S. and some parts of Africa, medical assistance can be obtained quickly and the quality of treatment is extremely good. In much of Africa (ie: where we hunt dangerous game) that medical care might take a considerable amount of time to get to and time is an important factor.

Two snakes that are very similar in appearance, toxicity, and nature, but getting bit can have vastly different consequences:

A typical Southern Pacific Rattlesnake (encountered in Los Angeles County):



A Puff Adder that our tracker stepped over and my PH nearly stepped on (in the Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania):

I've only seen one proper snake in RSA which was a boomslang that tried to get into the car window as we were driving along!!

It amused everyone in the other vehicles...

K

A couple of photos of a 9 foot mamba from Zim a few years ago. I have encountered quite few snakes on safaris, including 2 mambas and two pythons on this hunt.

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I have seen more snakes hiking the hills around Son's home in Southern California than in SA or the Selous. However,.......... I did learn that levitation is possible when you are about to step on the business end of a Puff Adder.

Here's our little story...Been only once to Africa thus far...Namibia PG 2008

My then 18 yr old son and I were hunting 1x1.

One PH heads this way and the other PH and me the other way.

About three hours later we heard over our radio that my son's
PH had shot a Black Mamba "6ft above my son's head"!!!

The PH and tracker stop and began getting out of the truck to remove a large branch that was blocking the trail...my son is sitting in the truck and looks at the tree above him....he quietly tries to get the PH's/tracker's attention...and said there's a snake right above me!

They begin to laugh and told him don't mess around Josh

PH, then comes a bit closer to inspect....then sees the 9' long MAMBA and quickly dispatches it with his sidearm!

WOW!!!
Talk about EXCITEMENT!!!

Now my son is 24 years old and of all his 7 PG trophies...He tells everyone about his BLACK MAMBA experience first and foremost!!!

Could've been real bad and lucky we were there in May/June and the morning still cool

They thought he was joking for a second

Well as long as we are allowing cool stories
My son and I were in Namibia, I think 2007, hunting near Etosha National Park. I had just shot a Zebra and the PH was leading the way back to the cruiser. All of a sudden his back was in my chest pushing me backwards. All he could say is "Mamba".
I saw the dark end of a tail disappear down a hole as I looked around the PH. We stood there for a minute or two looking around and then made a left had turn and went around the area. After about 50 yards my 14 year old son snuck up behind me and pinched my lower leg. To say the trackers were rolling on the ground laughing after the results concluded would be an understatement. At the time I did not think it the least bit amusing. Time can make some things funny

quote:

Originally posted by Full Roar:
Well as long as we are allowing cool stories
My son and I were in Namibia, I think 2007, hunting near Etosha National Park. I had just shot a Zebra and the PH was leading the way back to the cruiser. All of a sudden his back was in my chest pushing me backwards. All he could say is "Mamba".
I saw the dark end of a tail disappear down a hole as I looked around the PH. We stood there for a minute or two looking around and then made a left had turn and went around the area. After about 50 yards my 14 year old son snuck up behind me and pinched my lower leg. To say the trackers were rolling on the ground laughing after the results concluded would be an understatement. At the time I did not think it the least bit amusing. Time can make some things funny

In my opinion there is no such thing as a funny snake joke. I hate snakes!!!!

It's not the snakes you see, but the snakes you don't see that could be a problem. I've seen a few, but I certainly wouldn't kill every snake on sight, unless in camp; everybody's got to be somewhere and make a living -- you're in their livingroom.

That said, I wouldn't worry about snakes much. Everybody's got to die sometime.

that isn't necessarily so. the rattler that bit me had entered through the open garage door, climbed up 4 steps and was curled up on the side door welcome mat. i simply walked out the door and stepped on him. he DEFINITELY wasn't in his "house"- but he was in mine. the sad part is that i was so busy getting to the hospital that i didn't take the time to kill the SOB.

Jerry, sorry for your misery. I'd have killed that snake if I could as well. Hope you have recovered.

Yep, definately the ones you don't see are the worst. I stepped right on a non-poisonous one on my leopard hunt in Namibia, 'cause I was focused on the chase.

Here's one that would ruin your whole day!