I have read TCarr's list and others lists out there. These were very helpful, but I was hoping to get more specific information for my upcoming trip.

I am headed to the Eastern Cape and Limpopo for PG in 3 weeks, beginning July 20. What can I expect as far as weather? Do I want to take convertible pants, or will it be too cold to even take the legs off? Are those areas bad for ticks? Are there any good cures for jetlag on a trip that long? I am concerned about packing, as the outfitter has requested quite a few items from the US.

If this is in the wrong part of the forum, I apologize.

Take a cervical pillow. They make it more comfortable to sleep on the plain and stay well hydrated. That will help with the jet lag.

Brett

As far as the weather goes in Limpopo it well be cold in the evenings and mornings but usually warms up pretty good in the afternoons. The convertible pants will be a good idea, last year in July I broke a good sweat sometimes in the afternoons. I never saw or got any tick bites while there, but at times the little flying insects became a little annoying.

Lotta thorns in Limpopo. You might want to keep your pants on. Beretta makes thorn pants. I loved mine.

I wore short sleeves a few years back and got some scratches. Take along a first aid kit with Neosporin, wash the cuts thoroughly with soap and warm water, and apply the Neosporin. Things become quickly infected in Africa.

Hmm, hot or infected? I prefer hot. It may just be the lore of Africa, but it looks so cool to see everyone running around in shorts.

Thanks for the Neosporin advice. I will definitely take my Tag and/or Cabela's safari shirts with the roll/button sleves.

I also read on AR in one of the many boot threads that a guy wore his Clark Desert Boots on safari. I have a pair, but never would consider them for safari, they seem way to susceptible to thorn penetration. Any thoughts?

quote:

Originally posted by DCS Member:
Hmm, hot or infected? I prefer hot. It may just be the lore of Africa, but it looks so cool to see everyone running around in shorts.

Thanks for the Neosporin advice. I will definitely take my Tag and/or Cabela's safari shirts with the roll/button sleves.

I also read on AR in one of the many boot threads that a guy wore his Clark Desert Boots on safari. I have a pair, but never would consider them for safari, they seem way to susceptible to thorn penetration. Any thoughts?

I dunno. I wore a pair of Cabelas Silent Stalkers I bought years ago for deer hunting. Leather and Gore Tex. Ripple soles. Almost a high-topped tennis shoe. Have worn them for years on various hunting trips and two safaris.

I have some Clarks, but they have lousy arch support, so I didn't hunt them.

Make sure you get your Dr. to write you a prescription for Ambien or another sleeping pill. This will help you get some sleep on the plane and it's a good idea to use it the first night in Africa. Really helps with the sleep patterns. It's the only way I can get any decent sleep on the plane.

FWIW I always found that the jetlag was much worse on the return trip. Might have something to do with the fact that you're leaving Africa.

DCS are you flying out the 19th or 20th? I'm leaving ATL the 19th to JNB.

DCS,

It could be bloody cold in the Eastern Cape at that time of the year.........take some gloves and a jacket.......if they get snow in the Drakensburg, you'll freeze your arse off

Take a down vest, heavy sweater and a light down jacket..I wear Wranglers, and I like Tennis type walking shoes. Light weight dark tan long sleeve shirts (you can roll them up if you need to)

Jetlag, if you drink plenty of liquids it helps, it never bothers me so I don't have a lot of advise on that.

Some folks like Melatonin to get them to sleep, and the doctors that book hunts with me say it has less problems than any other sleeping addative..

weather can go either way this time of year, but your into June and I'm betting on hot.

Wow, I had no idea it could get that chilly, even though it is their winter. Likelihood of rain this time of year?

Every trip I've been on to the Eastern Cape's mountains has been accompanied by snow. You should contact your outfitter for specific recommendations and talk with clients who were there at the same time last year.

I find the Wrangler bird hunting jeans with heavy nylon fronts to be very good for thorns and cold weather. Take long johns for underneath. You want long john or thermal tops, a heavy cotton shirt, wool sweater and wind proof-water proof jacket. Waxed cotton jackets are great.

Take a day pack to store your camera gear and extra clothing as you strip over the day, if it warms up.

You need a heavy (firm) soled boot. Lots of rocks in those hills. Boots need to be big enough for a pair of good wool socks which you will need.

Gloves are good and woolen mittens/gloves great.

You need a warm hat. I have a wool slouch hat that I wear to all "winter" hunts. Keeps head warm and snow off my glasses.

You can wear the same clothing in Limpopo, only you'll probably shuck it over the day. Take a light weight, cheap gun case to slip your rifle in on the truck. Leave it when you come home. More room for souvenirs. Kudude

Great advice. I will contact the outfitter and get his advice as well. Without AR, I probably woul have frozen my a$% off. Many thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by kudude:
Every trip I've been on to the Eastern Cape's mountains has been accompanied by snow. You should contact your outfitter for specific recommendations and talk with clients who were there at the same time last year.

I find the Wrangler bird hunting jeans with heavy nylon fronts to be very good for thorns and cold weather. Take long johns for underneath. You want long john or thermal tops, a heavy cotton shirt, wool sweater and wind proof-water proof jacket. Waxed cotton jackets are great.

Take a day pack to store your camera gear and extra clothing as you strip over the day, if it warms up.

You need a heavy (firm) soled boot. Lots of rocks in those hills. Boots need to be big enough for a pair of good wool socks which you will need.

Gloves are good and woolen mittens/gloves great.

You need a warm hat. I have a wool slouch hat that I wear to all "winter" hunts. Keeps head warm and snow off my glasses.

You can wear the same clothing in Limpopo, only you'll probably shuck it over the day. Take a light weight, cheap gun case to slip your rifle in on the truck. Leave it when you come home. More room for souvenirs. Kudude

DCS,

kudude and Ray have nailed it........if you get a cold front through you will not believe how cold it gets...........though very unlikely you'll get rain........

DCS,

I have hunted in the Eastern Cape in March, April, June, July and August. The weather can be chilly during any of the hunting months. I've not been snowed on but my outfitter reports hunting in snow several days for the last few years. Some of the mountain hunting can go up to 5000' - 7000'.

I usually take and use the zip off pants, but do not take the bottoms off very often.

I usually layer T-shirt, Long sleeve [roll up]shirt, Fleece vest [less bulky and lighter than down]and over all I wear the Goretex soft/quiet camo rain suit, usually the jacket only but it is nice to have the pants along too for wet or really windy cold days!

[I tried long underwear on the first trip, in July, even in the cold, after walking a while I thought I was going to melt! I could not get them off fast enough when I got hot!]

I have also used the Goretex lined Ecco boots for years. Yes they were a little warm in Zimbabwe at 100 degrees but never in the Eastern Cape, and they have a good tread without being too noisy as most of the heavy "hunting boots" are [and if it gets wet they are worth their weight in gold!]. I always wear a light pair of "smart wool" socks - warm and cold weather. Gloves you can shoot with and a hat are required as well, I've always taken a warm wool knit cap but never used it, almost always use a wide brim hat [good for sun and rain!].

Ticks - reports seem to indicate that they are bad this year. Some areas have them some do not - again, ask your outfitter. If so you should treat the socks, pants and maybe shirts with permethrin spray or wash before you go [Cabelas and maybe others]

Also take a 30+% DEET bug repellant in a pump spray bottle.

I have never had any jet lag on my trips to South Africa. I do sleep some on each leg though so that may help. Ambien works, TylenolPM does sometimes too, though leaves a "groggy hangover".

Get this stuff ready now then relax and enjoy the trip!

Les

Let me second several things mentioned above.

Take a pair of gloves. If it turns chilly and windy, you'll be glad you have them.

Ambien or other sleep aid for the plane ride, and the first night or two you are there. If you have strong Circadian Rhythms, it can save you from dragging around for a week. Coming back is not a problem for me. East is a beast, West is the best for jet lag.

Fleece! Soft, light, and warm.

Cervical pillow is a good call. The inflatable ones take up no room.

Wind shirt for the early morning vehicle rides.

A pair of batting gloves for the thorn areas. They are thin enough to work the action on your rifle, but can keep your hands from getting shredded.

I'm for long pants. It always seems as if I'm leopard crawling somewhere during the hunt. Saves the knees.

Cipro. Get an Rx from your MD for significant GI problems that involve a fever. You'll know the difference between mild Montezuma and "significant". It can save you a trip to the hospital. I know.

A day pack is a good thing to have. I let one of the trackers port it around.

An assortment of snacks like peanut butter crackers or cheese crackers. You may find a need for a quick snack in the bush, or on the plane between feedings, or simply waiting at Customs.

DSC,
I bought last year a wind shear jacket from Cabelas take one...and a fleece vest and gloves to wear on truck early morning and late evening riding back to camp.. Don't be surprised to see frost in early mornings... If this is your first trip to Africa, arrive stay up till bed time even if you hit the rack at 8pm then take an ambien to give you an all night sleep get body on African time... Yes cipro, and I enev take doxycycline for tick fever just in case..
Light walking shoes or low boots whichever you prefer.. As for shorts if All brush has stickers on them and you will get shredded legs but it is also your decision.. Pump spray for bugs is definate...

Mike