1st Time Hunt In South Africa

[jamespatterson5]

I'm hoping for some help, I purchased a hunting package and have everything scheduled to head to South Africa in April. I've searched for a while and still have all sorts of questions:

Packing: I was told pack normal items you would need for hunting, however I've also read dont overpack. Does anyone have a checklist of suggested items?

Tipping: Should I bring American Dollars or Rands? How much should I bring to tip, what is appropriate tipping amounts? Who should all be tipped?

Final Payments: I'm going with a set of 5 animals on my list, it may increase while I'm there, what is common practice for payment on this?

I'm sure I'm missing things but look forward to help, I'm excited about the opportunity and if it all goes as planned I'd like to take some of my family in the future.

 

[JimP]

Get ready for information overload.

For clothing figure on just 2 or 3 days. Laundry is done every day so with just a couple days worth you are good.

Tipping is all over the place. There is a good thread on it but it wanders. I take enough South African rand to tip the help, I'll just order it from my bank. If you do this get it in 200 rand notes. For the PH I'll tip in newer US $100 bills. Check with your outfitter, they may take CC's at the end of the hunt for the help.

Extra animals can go a couple different ways. Either settle up at the end of the hunt or do a wire transfer when you get home.

Wear your hunting boots on the plane and have a set of hunting clothes in your carryon, along with your binoculars and camera, medications along with what you need for a few days if your luggage gets lost.

If you have another flight out of Joberg and are taking your rifle use Henry at Riflepermits.com for a pre approved SAPS''she 520 form. If you are being picked up by your outfitter in Joberg see if they are going to take you through SAP's.

Travel arrangements should be done through a travel agent unless you are a experienced international traveler. There are airlines to be avoided if you are taking a rifle. I'll recommend Jennifer at Travel Express

Others are going to chime in here so sit back and enjoy

 

[Hunt anything]

Hopefully your outfitter will give you a suggestion packing list and tipping guide. All of mine have in the past but now I pretty much know wha5 works for me.

Payment for extra animals is usually done in cash, I try to take in the neighborhood of 5K for extras but in many RSA lodges you can pay with a credit card but there is usually a 3 to 5% surcharge on it, that’s why I take cash.

I also tip in US$.

 

[Mekaniks]

Packing- Wear one set of clothes. Bring a change of clothes in your carry on. Pack one more change in your checked luggage. They will do laundry every day…

Tipping- Ask your outfitter for sure….but South Africans like USD….

Final Payment- Ask your outfitter. It’s usually the same as the method that was used to make to make the deposit…. But always easier to ask than to be sorry…..

 

[Flipper Dude]

Dollars work for tips. Take some 100s for PH, trackers and cook. Be sure and bring plenty of 20s and 10s as well. For me, at least 3 or 4 hundred bucks in 20s, 10s and 5s. Your PH will put together a tip sheet for you if you ask. Massage it as you see fit, but it’s a good starting point.

 

[375Fox]

If you use the search function and select titles only and search for list you’ll find some good threads on what to pack. Africa is generally easy because they do your laundry for you every day. Bring at least 3 sets of clothes you can hunt in including what you where on plane. Gun and ammo and you can hunt for 10 days fine. The rest is up to you. I usually pack my bag close to weight limit though because I’d rather have something and not use it than not have it. For April I’d ask your outfitter about normal weather and if a rain jacket is necessary. I’d also make sure you buy an outlet adapter to charge your phone. Converter isn’t needed for most items. Here was a recent discussion that seems to cover most what you’ll need. There are many more.

Thread 'Final packing list'

May 29, 2024

Well less than two weeks out now from our first trip over. I think I have everything packed. Planning for Limpopo in mid June as far as clothing goes. Thanks to everyone on here for item suggestions to take along. Family of 4 flying and we have everything packed on two carryons and each person has a backpack for the plane. No rifles going with. We opted to rent rifles from the outfitter. There was a $4000+ savings flying British Airways vs Delta and with the stories of issues flying guns with BA we opted to go the rental route. Just finished spraying down the clothing with permethrin...

• Elkeater
• Replies: 33
• Forum: Before & after the hunt

• 

Tipping is generally US dollars. On a South African ranch PG hunt you’ll generally have a PH ($50-$100 per day), tracker (10-20 per day), cook (10-20 per day), skinner (10 per day), maids (5 per day). More or less depending what you feel was earned. Tipping is subjective. Also I’m not sure the total value of your package, but if it’s a basic entry level package I’d cap tips at 15% of cost. If it’s a more expensive package I’d look at tips as more of a daily figure than a percentage.

Final payment is per outfitter. Some you pay before leaving camp some you pay on return home.

Do you understand the process and people involved to get your trophies home? There will be payments to taxidermy in South Africa for taxidermy or dip and pack. Payment to South African shipping agent to US port of entry. Payment to US customs broker for final shipping. Warthogs and baboon will cause issues with your shipment that should be planned in advance.

 

[Sheldor]

You are going to know who to tip, It's all about the experience.
Wish you the best.

 

[Trogon]

I'm hoping for some help, I purchased a hunting package and have everything scheduled to head to South Africa in April. I've searched for a while and still have all sorts of questions:

Packing: I was told pack normal items you would need for hunting, however I've also read dont overpack. Does anyone have a checklist of suggested items?

Tipping: Should I bring American Dollars or Rands? How much should I bring to tip, what is appropriate tipping amounts? Who should all be tipped?

Final Payments: I'm going with a set of 5 animals on my list, it may increase while I'm there, what is common practice for payment on this?

I'm sure I'm missing things but look forward to help, I'm excited about the opportunity and if it all goes as planned I'd like to take some of my family in the future.

@jamespatterson5, welcome to the forum! Great to hear you are planning your first trip!
I have hunted the Eastern Cape several times, with the same outfitter (@Nick BOWKER HUNTING SOUTH AFRICA). After the first trip and realizing unnecessary items to cull out, I substantially reduced my baggage. I had a set of hunting clothes in carry-on plus boots and binoculars. I did have a checked bag with 2 sets of pants and shirts but also items for my PH. Three sets of hunting clothes should be plenty with daily laundry. I brought American dollars to tip several staff (tracker/skinner/housekeeper, and my PH.
I paid with a credit card at the conclusion of each hunt, I had a list each time for animals to hunt, but easily added on a couple opportunities after asking my PH.
Brief list for things to bring:

• Two pairs of hiking boots - wear a pair on the flight over
• Decent wool socks, 3 pair
• Three hunting shirts (earth colors (olive, medium brown or even gray, camo)
• Two hunting pants- I wore a pair, carried 2 more, olive and or brown, gray.
• Two pair of light thermal underwear, top and bottom
• One warm jacket (medium weight), camo or dull green
• One pullover fleece
• Light gloves for cool mornings/thorns
• Casual outfit with a couple t-shirts, underwear, light sport socks.
• Loafers
• Sleepwear
• Cap/sun hat, a neck gaiter can be nice. One item that would have been nice but forgotten are light earmuffs. I also brought a beanie hat and would wear it over a ball cap if cooler mornings.
• Binoculars- Used 8x42, I think 10 power would have been better for distance (Eastern Cape)
• Small flashlight and batteries-I like the headlamp type to keep hands free
• Sunglasses
• Small backpack
• Sunscreen
• Chapstick
• Multitool for removing cactus spines
• Small notebook and pen for scribbling field notes, in the field

I'm sure your outfitter and many forum members here will offer plenty of other tips. The list above was borrowed from my outfitter, with some notes. Look forward to hearing more about your trip!

 

[Elkeater]

@jamespatterson5 welcome to AH! I am not an expert. Only been over once. My packing list is in the thread that @375Fox posted the link to.

I didn’t take a rifle. We rented from the outfitter. I’ll take a rifle next time but there was nothing wrong with the rental rifle experience either. Since there was no rifle for me to check I had no checked baggage. Wore a pair of trail runners which I did hunt in as well and packed my Salewa hiking boots in my carry on. If you find yourself needing a checked bag beyond a rifle case you probably packed too much stuff.

One thing that was a small item that was invaluable was I took some general prescription antibiotics with me. Saved me a lot of sick days. I got a sinus infection on the flight over and had I not had those antibiotics I would have lost at least 2-3 hunting days to being sick. I lost 0 thanks to having meds on hand.