If you could offer one helpful equipment tip to a safari first timer. What would it be?
Mine would be to bring a nice little digital camera and KEEP IT IN YOUR POCKET AT ALL TIMES! From daylight to dark, always have it with you. I had a nice SLR with telephoto lenses that stayed in the truck and was used for "trophy shots" but having my little Nikon coolpix was the smartest thing that I have ever done. Took about 500pics (and short videos) with it, from tracks and flowers, to herds of buffalo, and camp staff at work. The little pocket camera is always there for those quick snapshots and my experience was all the richer for having those spur of the moment pictures.

I make sure I have a few day's old newspaper in camp & in the truck. It is like gold in wet weather and perfect for drying out boots, clothes etc if I do not have a 5 star lodge handy!

Cash for SAPS.

A $100 in one dollar bills.

Perfect for the odd en route gratuity (airports, cab stands, hotels and such); locally made souvenirs for the folks back home; and, of course, the occasional payment of 'grease' or baksheesh (e.g., 'overweight' bags at the ticket counter, selective traffic stops, etc.).

Amazing how impressive $20 in one dollar bills looks compared to a single twenty.

A good quality multitool can be awfully handy.

quote:

Originally posted by Nakihunter:
I make sure I have a few day's old newspaper in camp & in the truck. It is like gold in wet weather and perfect for drying out boots, clothes etc if I do not have a 5 star lodge handy!

Did you do this when you hunted in Africa?

Pack your bag then take half of it back out.

Wear a pair of shoes/boots that you have been wearing all day every day to work for at least 30 days prior to hunting.

All suggestions so far are great ... except for maybe the newspaper thing

I would suggest some powdered Gator Aid or similar to mix with water if hunting during the hot months.

Moleskin & some antibiotic pwdwer for blisters.
I took boots that I had been wearing for well over a year quite regularly & they had even been to Namibia once, but they were the wrong boots for the heat in Zimbabwe in Sept., by noon the 2nd day I had blisters on both feet.
Luckily I had heard Craig Boddington talk about such situations & what he did for it.
My feet were still tender, but it saved my safari.

Ride with the rifle between your legs and not in a case in the back.

Go buy 100 rounds of the same ammo you are going to take and the gun you are going to take and go to the range and shoot all that ammo in a variety of positions and ranges!!!

Baby wipes

Practice shooting off sticks!!!

Ambien

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
Practice shooting off sticks!!!

A BIG +1

Definitely boots or shoes that you have worn many times all day in similar terrain that you will be hunting. Blisters are the pits. Even if your the best rifleman in your county, you need to practice shooting for months in advance of your safari with sticks, sitting, standing and prone.

Take TWO pair of hunting boots/shoes and a pair of sandals to wear in the evening.

Don't forget to take pictures of everything interesting. I watched them completely skin and dress out my buffalo but forgot to take a picture of the nice big bullet hole through both the completely deflated lungs or how thick the skin was and the camera pouch was hanging on my belt.

Take a roll of duct tape.

Notepads! A little one for my pocket and something larger for the lodge!

I didn't write down a thing...I know what I shot but to be able to do a daily journal would have been great!

Water bottle from the plane -- stick it in a pocket and work it. Otherwise, extra camera cards.

Gifts for the camp staff and the trackers.

Toys for the camp staffs kids, reading glasses, and Bible. Candies for children if you will be seening any.

quote:

Originally posted by Lhook7:

quote:

Originally posted by Nakihunter:
I make sure I have a few day's old newspaper in camp & in the truck. It is like gold in wet weather and perfect for drying out boots, clothes etc if I do not have a 5 star lodge handy!

Did you do this when you hunted in Africa?

I seriously doubt it since he has never been to Africa( per his previous posts) and it is totally useless info. multi tool and pocket camera are good advice, as is a wad of small bils.

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
Baby wipes

+1, and bring them in your pack in the airport and while hunting.


I'd also recommend some Rem-Oil wipes. Very convenient for wiping your rifle down at night and if any rust accumulates. You PH will appreciate any extra ones you have to spare as well.

Not so much safari related, but I know the camp staff always appreciate any clothes, shoes, belts, coats, and such that you no longer have need of.

NEVER leave home without Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
Antibiotic for stomach issues. Works like a charm. Saved me many times

I sure wish I would have had my Stoney Point shooting sticks when I was trying to sneak up on cagey little steenbok in South Africa's short brush - too short for standing sticks, but too tall for a good prone shot.

Aside from that, I ditto the camera and notebook. I took a lot of picture and wrote 100 pages each trip, but wish now I had done more.

Lip balm/Chap stick. Sunscreen. Wide brim hat.

If you encounter those days of unexpected drizzle during your hunt a pack of condoms can be very useful as scope covers, no fitting instructions required - rudimentary but work a treat and cost almost nothing; pocket camera recommended.

quote:

If you encounter those days of unexpected drizzle during your hunt a pack of condoms can be very useful as scope covers,

how do you get the lube off your scope? Why not just get a scope bikini or scope covers?

quote:

Moleskin & some antibiotic pwdwer for blisters.

a terrific piece of advice, along with a small roll of medical tape. Someone having this saved me on one of my hunts, never to be left again.

+1 for Ambien.



Doug

quote:

Originally posted by fujotupu:
If you encounter those days of unexpected drizzle during your hunt a pack of condoms can be very useful as scope covers, no fitting instructions required - rudimentary but work a treat and cost almost nothing; pocket camera recommended.

Try explaining to your wife why you are packing condoms for your safari !

Before you leave home, go to the range (or some other safe place) and cycle EVERY round of ammo you are taking through your rifle.

Small light pocket flashlight (torch) with extra batteries (like a Pelican Mighty-Lite or small Surfire).

If you are going to a particularly dry area of Africa and will be spending time in the back of a truck.

Bring saline nasal spray, artificial tears and eye lubricant ointment.

The saline nasal spray will help a lot to get a days worth of dust out of your nose.

The eye drops really come in handy if you get something in your eye out in the field. I carry them with me.

GOOD bug repellent.

Bug Tamer jacket or at least a head net.

quote:

Originally posted by fujotupu:
If you encounter those days of unexpected drizzle during your hunt a pack of condoms can be very useful as scope covers, no fitting instructions required - rudimentary but work a treat and cost almost nothing; pocket camera recommended.

Fujo, brother! You need to get out a bit more often. Its 2012 now, like 505 says - they make scope covers, etc.

Guess we know what you're thinking about in the bush?