This is a question for all of you that live in Africa. When someone visits you from the United States what are some of the things that you hope they bring with them? What are things that you treasure that are difficult to acquire in Africa.

To give an example, my grandfather lives in Virginia and you can't get good pork roll in Virginia, so every time I visit him I make sure to bring some.

These things could range from ammuntion, to specific types of clothing, to something that we take for granted every day like twinkies lol.

Thanks for the advice. You guys have a great forum here, and I always enjoy reading the posts.

Tom,
There are a lot of guys here with several trips to Africa under their and much better informed than I, but if you are going, I'd recommend contacting your PH and discussing this with him. Reason being, I think it probably varies from country to country. I just returned from Zim, and it seems everything is hard to come by there! I started trying to contact my PH a little over a month before leaving the States, but he had back-to-back hunts in the Omay and was out of touch before I left.

He was having a difficult time locating ammunition for his rifle, a Win M70 chambered for the 416 Remington Mag. I don't think you can bring ammo into these countries that don't match the rifle you are carrying, but if my rifle had matched his, I could have easily brought more ammunition for him.

When you find out who your PH is, find a way to contact him and ask him this same question.

Everything from hats to leather gloves to sharpening stones were appreciated a great deal when I went.

If you are a big spender and can afford it, or if the you and the PH make a monetary arrangement, something like a truck winch or game winch is absolutely impossible to come by in Zim right now.

I was in supermarkets in Namibia that had a better variety of stuff than our local Safeway!

quote:

Originally posted by DPhillips:
Tom,
There are a lot of guys here with several trips to Africa under their and much better informed than I, but if you are going, I'd recommend contacting your PH and discussing this with him.

I took about 50 rounds of .375 H&H to RSA with me and didn't have a .375 H&H rifle and this was allowed.....not sure about today however.

I left a lot of 12 Ga ammo there as well as the .375 H&H rounds.

All in all ask first....I'll bet there a lot of stuff wanted more than that you can easily bring along.

good malt whisky and those mega big packs of good quality batteries. - both are very hard to come by here.

Most other things can be obtained via the internet nowadays - although delivery can sometimes be a problem......Cabela's for some reason don't deliver such things as 2 way radios to Africa.........

Things that I have brought to Zim that were extremely well received: Battery free (shake up or wind up) flashlights, .375h&h ammo, .458 ammo, wind up powered radios, buckshot and slug 12ga ammo. I will likely think of others, but these come to mind quickly.

quote:

Originally posted by TomFromTheShade:
What are things that you treasure that are difficult to acquire in Africa.

A good looking woman.

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:

quote:

Originally posted by TomFromTheShade:
What are things that you treasure that are difficult to acquire in Africa.

A good looking woman.

A good looking white woman (I bring my own )

George

Anything resembling common sense.

I forgot:

Decency and honesty.

George

The following stuff are damn expensive here:
Bipods
Riflescopes
Binocs
Rangefinders
Premium Bullets
Pop-up Blinds
Tree-Stands
Fishing Lures
Bowhunting Broadheads
Chronograph

Just to name a few, but those are the "most needed" by most, but mainly unaffordable.

Georges and 500grains
Having said that I married an ugly woman I take it you are not planning to come to Africa any time soon.

Georges
Adding that I am also indecent and dishonest makes me think you are talking on a subject you know nothing about. Have you actually been to africa? I got ripped off by a USA company but that does not give me th right to insult the many good people I have met from the US. You are going to have to work hard at regaining the respect of some of us over here.

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:

quote:

Originally posted by TomFromTheShade:
What are things that you treasure that are difficult to acquire in Africa.

A good looking woman.

You have obviously never been to Windhoek, I left my jaw there.

quote:

Originally posted by Rat Motor:
Georges and 500grains
Having said that I married an ugly woman I take it you are not planning to come to Africa any time soon.

Oooh, I'm scared! Grow up. If you married an ugly vrouw, help the gene pool out by not having any ugly and stupid kids.

The criterion was "difficult to come by", not non-existent.

quote:

Originally posted by Rat Motor:Georges
Adding that I am also indecent and dishonest makes me think you are talking on a subject you know nothing about. Have you actually been to africa? I got ripped off by a USA company but that does not give me th right to insult the many good people I have met from the US. You are going to have to work hard at regaining the respect of some of us over here.

Ah, new guy shows up and takes everything personally.

For your edification (since you're new here), I have hunted the northern Cape (twice), the Orange Free State (twice), the Transvaal, Zim (twice), and Tanzania. How about you?

With corruption endemic in Africa, don't try to tell me that there isn't any. I've seen it first hand.

George

hey George you got a bold ass mouth...how did you ever become a moderator? Better yet how do you remain one.
As far as anyone giving a good shit where or how often you've been hunting, why not try swallowing some of your ego. that alone will more than likely choke you!!!

the last 2 trips to africa I have taken Warn Winches(for loading buffalo in the truck and a front winch to roll over elephants etc), thats alot of work the last one weighed 70 pounds, I took it in pieces in 3 different suitcases, i'm done smuggling winches -i'm going with easier stuff from now on.

With corruption endemic in Africa, don't try to tell me that there isn't any. I've seen it first hand.

^^^^^^Really? I missed that part. Seriously is there anything but corruption in Africa?

I've always found that pens and batteries are a hit. I also bring over those cheap led head lamps. They are very popular as well.

I've been screwed in the RSA royaly once by a taxadermist. He just "lost" a zebra skin and sent a pair of 32" baby kudu horns in place of my 47" broomed off pair that I left him. they just disapeared I guess and or had a serious case of shipment shrinkage!

No big deal besides being out nearly 2 grand in trophy fees and that Zebra and the kudu were among my first bow kills.

I also have some very good friends in South Africa. And I truely enjoy visiting them.

With that in mind it seems that a royal screwing can be had right here close to home if you really want one.

Just go to Reno this January with a fist full of dollars and trusting attitude if you'd like to experience first hand, a home grown royal screwing.

quote:

Originally posted by cats:
hey George you got a bold ass mouth...how did you ever become a moderator? Better yet how do you remain one.
As far as anyone giving a good shit where or how often you've been hunting, why not try swallowing some of your ego. that alone will more than likely choke you!!!

Listen to the blowhard's ranting!
As far as anyone knows, you haven't done anything but talk about your 'experience'. You've never proved anything, though, except what a jackass and poseur you are.

George

The "moleskins" for taking care of blisters have been appreciated as are most meds that I leave with my PH. They can be found in SA and Namibia but are expensive. I´ve also left binos for one of my trackers, active hearing protection for my PH, a diamond sharpening pen etc.

T-shirts with rock motives are appreciated by younger guys.

TomFromTheShade,

You know what I really like a client from the USA to bring along? An open willing to learn how we do things here attitude. Honesty, integrity and good hunting ethics make it easy for me to get on with a client. Then there is a good deal of field conditions simulating shooting practice and confidence in his/her shooting ability.

If you want to know about material things? The idea of a Warn winchj really gets my attention: I'm sick and tired of battling to load large animals without one - and they cost a fortune in South Africa. L V Eric, a smaller lightweight model may work well enough. Are you interested?

Andrew McLaren

quote:

A good looking woman.

Hunting in the backwoods of Anystate, USA, a good looking woman is also hard to find.

Having lived in South Africa for most of my life and the US for the last 8 years, I can assure you that South African women don't need to stand aside for any in the looks dept.Not only is the quality exceptional, the quantity of quality is hard to beat.

We are not afraid to post pictures of our prized rifles, but are we willing to compare and contrast our wifes, girlfriends?

Lets see who'se vrouw is prettier.

George I've done plenty and have little to prove to asswipes/egotists like yourself.Wouldn't shock me much to find you sell used Dbl Guns on the side like a few of the "mighty" that have fallen here too!
I live exactly 42 miles from the Holland Tunnel, travel into the city 2 or 3 times on a normal week. Why not send me a PM with your addy in it so I can grab a cab over to your grand trophy room

quote:

Originally posted by cats:
George I've done plenty and have little to prove to asswipes/egotists like yourself.Wouldn't shock me much to find you sell used Dbl Guns on the side like a few of the "mighty" that have fallen here too!

All the frauds here say that. They never offer proof of their claims. The more resourceful frauds steal other people's photos asnd post them as their own.

quote:

Originally posted by cats: I live exactly 42 miles from the Holland Tunnel, travel into the city 2 or 3 times on a normal week. Why not send me a PM with your addy in it so I can grab a cab over to your grand trophy room

Show up at my door, and you won't like the welcome you receive.

George

George
You bring your own good looking white woman with you to Africa. If she charges by the hour that is a stupid move you can get them over here for much less. Looking over your posts it seems you are not worth taking seriously so go ahead and bluster all you like we will take it whence it comes.

I wouldn't patronize the whores you are obviously so familiar with. The stink would be too much for me.

George

WELL //

There are (too many AR procrastinators) not wanting to tell the TRUTH on this thread ...

The best medicince as ALWAYS are good new crisp colourful [ USA 50 DOLLAR NOTES ]

Ask anyone in Africa, the Currency is MUCH MUCH better than a good Women whatever her colour ! and also they are less likely to land you in trouble than a WOMAN might



Have a wonderful day as always

Peter

VerawaaierI hope that I spelled that correctly)

Since you and I have been discussing my visiting you this July, I could probably get some wench, I mean, er.. ah... winch 'parts' into my baggage. Lets discuss some more! As to other useful things to bring over, I have also had good results giving sunglasses, good hats, scarves and gloves to the trackers who often have to sit outside in the back of a moving vehicle. The sunglasses in particular seem to be very popular. I really hope that George and his detractor(s) can take thier scuffle to personal messageing and or e-mail and not hijack conversations. Personally, I think that if one has been to Africa even just one time your experience gives you something to add here and your opinions and thoughts are welcome. This, if I understand correctly, is about sharing ideas, information and FUN!

quote:

Originally posted by Rat Motor:
George
You bring your own good looking white woman with you to Africa. If she charges by the hour that is a stupid move you can get them over here for much less. Looking over your posts it seems you are not worth taking seriously so go ahead and bluster all you like we will take it whence it comes.

Well said Rat Boy, well said! The guy is a perfect example of pompus fat assed armchair/internet hunters who live in time gone by eras!!! Stick around Rat won't be long before a few others waddle out of the yellow pages of old scrap books to join him.

cats and Rat motor, I am not in a position to help you with your inferiority complexes. I suggest you obtain professional help.

George

I want to change my answer.

quote:

Originally posted by TomFromTheShade:
When someone visits you from the United States what are some of the things that you hope they bring with them?

Cash.

Well, I can see that this post went 87655 miles off the beaten path.

Back to the original question:

For incidental gifts to trackers and skinners, Camel Filters are hard to beat. If they don't want the filter they will tear them off.

Several pair of cheap dimestore reading glasses to hand out to the older trackers and skinners make a very welcome gift. Take some from +1.5 to +2.5. If you are returning to a crew you might know how many are needed.

Another welcome item for the staff is a bundle of inexpensive kitchen knives.

Copper Top batteries are always good, but just leave your excess, don't take an extra case unless asked. Same with ammo, cleaning supplies, etc. In general don't bring back "expendables".

As mentioned, Harris bipods are welcome, especially to PHs that also cull, or harvest springbok, etc. Get the swivelling kind even if they ask for the rigid. (They seem to feel the swivelling option is too dear, when it is absolutely necessary unless you only shoot from a prepared level surface.)

For the PHs and staff's tips, American $50 and $100 bills are better than traveller's checks if you feel safe carrying them. Stay within the currency laws, but in general cash is more portable (for them), and gets them a better exchange rate. I've never seen a PH publish a number, but I'd guess that cash is worth at least 20% more than any sort of traceable paper or credit. I'm not saying this to help them to evade US taxes, but to enable those that live in Africa to build a good portable cash reserve that MIGHT enable them to save their family when the shit hits the fan. If your PH has a dual home/passport, ask him how and where he wants the tip.

Basically, talk to your PH if at all possible. I advise that you do not break any export/import laws of any country - just leave behind all excess "expendables".

Balla Balla has it right


$$$ is in short supply in Africa, esp. Zim...bring plenty!

JW

all sorts of good ideas, just for something else, we always bring a bunch of hard candy everywhere you go there will be kids, & that's something they just don't get. Lots of fun to drive by throw some out and watch the scramble. (if you do this to much they will be waiting, then throw out a handful of rocks and watch the scowls appear)

How's booze priced in Africa? Does it make sense to buy Duty Free on the way in to leave it as a party favor? (It made sense in "Norway when I was there, but this is the "Africa" forum...)

Jaywalker