I have not been coming back to AR as often as I had in the past because I was so busy, so I just read all the stuff that went down while I was away. Wow.

For those planning their first safari, I have a few observations to share. I read all the good advice here, talked to my buddies and went to conventions, but I didn’t heed ALL the advice.

Get in better shape. Since coming back I have lost 105 pounds and am now only 15% body fat. At 44 years old, am probably in the best shape of my life. I was a medicated type II diabetic, and felt like crap much of the time I was there. I was hot, tired and all the food and sugary stuff had me in a funk. I will enjoy my next safari so much more, and I feel great in the mean time.

Practice shooting off the sticks and from various field type positions. I spent way too much time at the bench. I shot fine, killed most everything with a single, well placed shot, but I didn’t have as much confidence shooting from my belly and awkward improvised rests. Something I had not done much of before.

Shoot one rifle well, and consider bringing a shotgun. There were so many birds, and I never really used my back up rifle. I could have had a lot of fun bird hunting. I think it’s often overlooked by first timers.

Plan on spending more money than you thought. You will have opportunities to take animals you might not have considered, or you just might screw up and lose something, but still want to try for another. It’s not something you want to think about, but it can and does happen. Thankfully I wasn’t strapped so I shot whatever I wanted. I hunt locally with a guy who can’t afford to chip in for gas, and sweats every purchase or lunch stop. I wouldn’t even consider going to Africa with him, and I wouldn’t want to bum out my partners with that crap either. Budget some extra cash. You can always bring it back, or leave it as a deposit for your next trip..you WILL be going back. Trust me.

Tip well, and if you feel like bringing gifts, make sure they are practical. A cheap folding knife won’t last a week, but for the same money or less a good sharpening stone will last them all season, and get used every day.

You will most likely develop a strong bond with your PH. I e-mail mine regularly, and have had him come stay with me. I have found the African hunting fraternity to be different from any other people I have met. In fact, CCHunter from Sweden (Christer the Big Viking) from this website is at my house as we speak!

Most of all, try to leave your give-a-shitter at home. Go with the flow and have a good time. Plans change, things can stop on a dime, but many times it’s beyond your control, so just make the most of it as long as it’s still within your contractual boundries. You are still the customer, so if you feel like just driving around with some beers and taking pictures, or going fishing, just say so. You’ll have a richer experience if it’s not ALL about the trophies.

Oh, and did I mention, get in better shape? If you’re carrying around a fist full of weight related health problems, or just an extra spare tire, why not use this as an excuse to do something about it? You’ll have a better time, and your family will appreciate it too.

Congratulations on that fantastic weight loss!

Mark

Congrats on the weight loss. Take determination and I admit needing ot drop 30 myself. I'm working on it.

Good points you made about a first safari. Particularly the go with the flow comment. No matter how well a safari is organized ahead of time there will be slight hiccups.

Mark

Exactly. I have logistic problems sometimes just trying to get myself and my stuff to a trade show or convention here in the US. Things go remarkably well when you consider how many things there are that COULD go wrong in Africa!

I was just planning on losing 20-30 pounds and get off the diabetes medication, but I felt so much better I decided to go for another 10, and another and another..once I had some success I just stuck it out. Best thing I ever did for myself!

Good for you, Mark! In every way.

Great accomplishment Mark!

So many of us talk about getting in shape but few of us every do anything about it.

All I ask is that you don't leave me too far in the dust on our hunt in a few weeks.

All the best,
Kyler

I said I was in the best shape of my life, but that's still not enough for a Kyler Hamann Death March.

By the way, the guy I mentioned in the post above says hi.

Excellent post Mark, and nice job on dropping the lbs.

Now you need to go back to Chewore and get an updated trophy picture for your signature!

Bill

Thanks for the info!

quote:

Originally posted by Bill C:
Excellent post Mark, and nice job on dropping the lbs.

Now you need to go back to Chewore and get an updated trophy picture for your signature!

Bill

Thanks ol buddy. I will be back in July, along with my pal Shumba. I'm counting the days!

Mark,

Many days don't go buy when I think of you and Shumba standing in line in Harare airport..I yell across the isle N'gagi..Mark its retreever...
Great to hear your accomplishments and welcoming back good health...
Now I will be in the airport in Amsterdam July 23, Dar on the 23 & 24...before heading into the bush..
Say hi to that big viking...
Mike

Mark,

I'm very impressed with your weight lose. That must have taken a lot of willpower.

A question: How do you messure the percentage of your body fat?

quote:

Originally posted by ErikD:

A question: How do you messure the percentage of your body fat?

A pretty girl in a gym does it for you.

I hope you aren't corrupting Christer further by taking him to more Playboy video shoots.

Good points in your first post. And congratulations on your weight loss. I should do the same.

Congrats Mark. Well done, sir!

105lbs, wow, thats quite an impressive show of determination. Good job.

I've had to do a 50lb loss before, when I finally forced myself out of the office chair. The difference in how you feel truly is worth it, you face each day with a different and better attitude too.

Way to go!.

JPK

Mark
Congratulations on the weight loss.
Your suggestions are dead on - good advise.
I'd add:
Take the rifle that you shoot well, A heart shot with a 30-06 is much better than a miss with a "dinasour 3000 turbo express"
Take and keep a journal - you will read it again and again.

TerryR