My last trip to Africa was just before Covid started, back in 2019. For most of my trips back then, I rented a satellite phone for the trip. We only used it to call family most evenings.

Are satellite phones still needed to call home during a hunt??

We are going to Western Tanzania later in the summer. I was just wondering if we could get by with cell phones. And if a Satellite phone is needed, is it better to rent one or buy one??


Thanks!!!

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We are going to Western Tanzania later in the summer. I was just wondering if we could get by with cell phones.

If you are going on a hunt I would suggest you ask your outfitter if his area has full or partial coverage or if he has installed WiFi in camp.

Fulvio's right. You can get by with a cell phone in some areas in Masailand, but not in Western Tanzania in my experience. But why would you want to take a Sat phone? I've always resisted it.

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Originally posted by lavaca:
Fulvio's right. You can get by with a cell phone in some areas in Masailand, but not in Western Tanzania in my experience. But why would you want to take a Sat phone? I've always resisted it.

Very handy to keep in touch with family.

I always take one, and only use it to call home once back in camp.

Takes no more than a few minutes.

If I was just checking in with family, I'd in 2017 , but when I hunted in Masailand in 2017 where I had cell phone service, my team and clients bugged me relentlessly. Due to the 8 hour time difference, the calls started as soon as we got back to camp. I cut them off at midnight my time so I could get some sleep.

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
If I was just checking in with family, I'd in 2017 , but when I hunted in Masailand in 2017 where I had cell phone service, my team and clients bugged me relentlessly. Due to the 8 hour time difference, the calls started as soon as we got back to camp. I cut them off at midnight my time so I could get some sleep.

Don't leave your phone on.

I turn my on, make my calls, turn it off!

What are you doing up at this hour?

Texas BD, I sent you a PM

My cell phone works fine in camp. I just finished a hunt on Hammond, put together a commercial real estate financing deal for a client while sitting in camp. He didn’t even know I was out of town until I told him at the end of our conversation.

It’s sometimes a pain in the ass, but mostly has worked well. In 2023, I did have a client who kept calling me one night for a non-urgent matter. I finally answered his call at 1:00 AM just so he’d stop calling. Took care of him, Went back to sleep till 3:00 AM, got up to sit in leopard blind. Shot leopard at 8:00 AM.

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Originally posted by DLS:
My cell phone works fine in camp. I just finished a hunt on Hammond, put together a commercial real estate financing deal for a client while sitting in camp. He didn’t even know I was out of town until I told him at the end of our conversation.

It’s sometimes a pain in the ass, but mostly has worked well. In 2023, I did have a client who kept calling me one night for a non-urgent matter. I finally answered his call at 1:00 AM just so he’d stop calling. Took care of him, Went back to sleep till 3:00 AM, got up to sit in leopard blind. Shot leopard at 8:00 AM.

I think the days of hauling around my Iridium are over. Most camps, including all of the ones I use in South AMerica, now have Starlink. Saves both hassle buying sim cards and the extra couple pounds in my bag. The weight is always an issue on charters landing and taking off on the water. Its normally 44# per person.

44# of just fishing gear is my problem. 4-5 reels 4-6 rods, lures, weights etc.

When the Internet connection goes south, only a sat phone can solve your problems.

I have seen this happen more than once.

I actually have two sat phones.

On different networks.

One is available to anyone in our party to use.

Steve,

A 44# limit would be an issue. I've never had that restriction as we generally charter in with a Cessna Caravan and we don't have 12 passengers. I've flown on smaller planes, but 44# seems a bit restrictive.

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
Steve,

A 44# limit would be an issue. I've never had that restriction as we generally charter in with a Cessna Caravan and we don't have 12 passengers. I've flown on smaller planes, but 44# seems a bit restrictive.

44# is complete horseshit. Its usually a Cessna Caravan, which can handle much more weight than 8 anglers and their 44# each.

SPECIALLY since I'm about 175. Me and my 44# weighs less than does most of the other guys if they were to stand naked on a scale.

Had one charter into the Jatapu with Acute Angling that we struggled to lift off the river. Had two aborted attempts before we got airborne.

There were two guys that were about 350 each. They were retired NFL guys. That Charter takes off a paved strip in Manaus, lands and takes off on water.

This Guyana trip takes off on pavement, lands on a long dirt strip. No water T/O or landings.

The Guyana strip is 1:00 in on this ridiculous video. He needs a new travel agent. Took him like two days to get to Guyana. This is one of two lodges we use.

For me, its Phoenix-Miami 4.50 hours
Miami-Georgetown 4.50 hours with no more than 2 hours layover in Miami

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnvxPNOpygI&t=29s

I think they should have the passenger and his luggage weighed!

Those two legged hippos will need to pay more!

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There were two guys that were about 350 each. They were retired NFL guys.

The steroids they were taking at the time eventually came back and bit them in the ass.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
I think they should have the passenger and his luggage weighed!

Those two legged hippos will need to pay more!

Agree 1000000%. It makes no sense otherwise. I've never seen a plane that understood the difference between cargo and passengers weight.

Found this one. It's the water landing on the Jatapu river with Acute Angling. I fished this river with them for 13-14 years, until they were expelled from Brazil. Go to 3:50 minutes.

One guy on the charter looks to go 300#. That's almost two of me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR-k_Kw52xc

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:
Found this one. It's the water landing on the Jatapu river with Acute Angling. I fished this river with them for 13-14 years, until they were expelled from Brazil. Go to 3:50 minutes.

One guy on the charter looks to go 300#. That's almost two of me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR-k_Kw52xc

When we lived in the bush the carriers would ask you for a stated weight. Some would actually use the cargo scale instead of asking.

When Joyce's hefty Sister came to visit they flew over to Katmai for some bear viewing.

Joyce's Sister walked up to the counter and when asked about her weight initially refused to answer then said 160#.

Joyce then walked up, winked at the counter person and said 230# when asked.

Joyce's sister turned to her and said you are never 230. Joyce replied you are not 160 and I want to get there alive.

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:
Found this one. It's the water landing on the Jatapu river with Acute Angling. I fished this river with them for 13-14 years, until they were expelled from Brazil. Go to 3:50 minutes.

One guy on the charter looks to go 300#. That's almost two of me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR-k_Kw52xc

When we lived in the bush the carriers would ask you for a stated weight. Some would actually use the cargo scale instead of asking.

When Joyce's hefty Sister came to visit they flew over to Katmai for some bear viewing.

Joyce's Sister walked up to the counter and when asked about her weight initially refused to answer then said 160#.

Joyce then walked up, winked at the counter person and said 230# when asked.

Joyce's sister turned to her and said you are never 230. Joyce replied you are not 160 and I want to get there alive.

Funny story.

When you came to the Jatapu,I don't think there were any heavies?

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:
Found this one. It's the water landing on the Jatapu river with Acute Angling. I fished this river with them for 13-14 years, until they were expelled from Brazil. Go to 3:50 minutes.

One guy on the charter looks to go 300#. That's almost two of me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR-k_Kw52xc

When we lived in the bush the carriers would ask you for a stated weight. Some would actually use the cargo scale instead of asking.

When Joyce's hefty Sister came to visit they flew over to Katmai for some bear viewing.

Joyce's Sister walked up to the counter and when asked about her weight initially refused to answer then said 160#.

Joyce then walked up, winked at the counter person and said 230# when asked.

Joyce's sister turned to her and said you are never 230. Joyce replied you are not 160 and I want to get there alive.

Funny story.

When you came to the Jatapu,I don't think there were any heavies?

No massive ones anyway. Great trip. Good memory. Thanks for setting it up.

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:
Found this one. It's the water landing on the Jatapu river with Acute Angling. I fished this river with them for 13-14 years, until they were expelled from Brazil. Go to 3:50 minutes.

One guy on the charter looks to go 300#. That's almost two of me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR-k_Kw52xc

When we lived in the bush the carriers would ask you for a stated weight. Some would actually use the cargo scale instead of asking.

When Joyce's hefty Sister came to visit they flew over to Katmai for some bear viewing.

Joyce's Sister walked up to the counter and when asked about her weight initially refused to answer then said 160#.

Joyce then walked up, winked at the counter person and said 230# when asked.

Joyce's sister turned to her and said you are never 230. Joyce replied you are not 160 and I want to get there alive.

Funny story.

When you came to the Jatapu,I don't think there were any heavies?

No massive ones anyway. Great trip. Good memory. Thanks for setting it up.

That was a great trip!

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:
Found this one. It's the water landing on the Jatapu river with Acute Angling. I fished this river with them for 13-14 years, until they were expelled from Brazil. Go to 3:50 minutes.

One guy on the charter looks to go 300#. That's almost two of me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR-k_Kw52xc

When we lived in the bush the carriers would ask you for a stated weight. Some would actually use the cargo scale instead of asking.

When Joyce's hefty Sister came to visit they flew over to Katmai for some bear viewing.

Joyce's Sister walked up to the counter and when asked about her weight initially refused to answer then said 160#.

Joyce then walked up, winked at the counter person and said 230# when asked.

Joyce's sister turned to her and said you are never 230. Joyce replied you are not 160 and I want to get there alive.

Funny story.

When you came to the Jatapu,I don't think there were any heavies?

No massive ones anyway. Great trip. Good memory. Thanks for setting it up.

Yea, I'm saddened that it's gone. What the final situation looks like is, the Brazilian version of BIA has been funding the Ish-Kariyana people and they don't allow sport fishing there any longer. They are getting paid NOT to fish.

Wellington has a new trip on to a river called the Rio Guariba. Ralph and I may give it a try. Only problem now, is getting to Manaus is a mission.

Miami-Braizilia-Manaus is more than a days travel.

It's 8 hours Miami-Brasilia. then about 3 more to Manaus.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:
Found this one. It's the water landing on the Jatapu river with Acute Angling. I fished this river with them for 13-14 years, until they were expelled from Brazil. Go to 3:50 minutes.

One guy on the charter looks to go 300#. That's almost two of me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR-k_Kw52xc

When we lived in the bush the carriers would ask you for a stated weight. Some would actually use the cargo scale instead of asking.

When Joyce's hefty Sister came to visit they flew over to Katmai for some bear viewing.

Joyce's Sister walked up to the counter and when asked about her weight initially refused to answer then said 160#.

Joyce then walked up, winked at the counter person and said 230# when asked.

Joyce's sister turned to her and said you are never 230. Joyce replied you are not 160 and I want to get there alive.

Funny story.

When you came to the Jatapu,I don't think there were any heavies?

No massive ones anyway. Great trip. Good memory. Thanks for setting it up.

Yea, I'm saddened that it's gone. What the final situation looks like is, the Brazilian version of BIA has been funding the Ish-Kariyana people and they don't allow sport fishing there any longer. They are getting paid NOT to fish.

Wellington has a new trip on to a river called the Rio Guariba. Ralph and I may give it a try. Only problem now, is getting to Manaus is a mission.

Miami-Braizilia-Manaus is more than a days travel.

It's 8 hours Miami-Brasilia. then about 3 more to Manaus.

As we age long travel like that takes its toll. We try and break it up anymore by overnighting along the way. When we did Antarctica and had to get to Ushuaia, Argentina the route was cumbersome including flying into Buenos Aires at one airport, hiring a driver to drive completely across town to fly out of another airport.

My new iPhone (16) has the ability to connect to Star Link satellites. Haven’t tried it yet, but good to know.

quote:

Originally posted by Brec:
My new iPhone (16) has the ability to connect to Star Link satellites. Haven’t tried it yet, but good to know.

Not strictly true.

And I don't want to rely on it.