First trip to Africa and 1st International Hunt

[Justin D.]

Hey everyone, just wanted to introduce myself.

I'm headed to South Africa in August 2025 with Reinier Linde of Legelela Safaris. I've never been to Africa and it will be my first hunt. The main thing we're targeting is waterfowl as I'm attempting to complete the Ultimate Waterfowlers International Challenge which requires a minimum of 3 different species from the 6 different continents (15 available in Africa and hoping to get one of each). Africa will be our first of many trips. That said, we'll also be hunting for some plains game while we're there should they present themselves. My wife and I are hoping to get a Kudu, Sable, Eland, Gemsbok, and Nyala. If the opportunity presents itself, we'll take a red hartebeest and Black Impala as well. Rifles we'll be taking are a 30-06, .300 Win Mag, and .375 H&H.

I can't wait for our first hunt. That said, any advice anyone can give to the "wish I knew now what I didn't know then" for your first trip?

 

[Hunt anything]

That’s a pretty ambitious trip and goal! I’m an avid waterfowler and never thought of duck hunting in Asia. Might want to hurry and hunt Australia, they have been trying to shut down waterfowl hunting for a while. I’m going to hunt birds in Limpopo next year, not sure what yet I’ll just hunt what is in season in August.

What part of Virginia are you in?

Good luck!

 

[BourbonTrail]

Welcome, only advice is pack less than you think you need and practice shooting off sticks if you haven’t already.

 

[Justin D.]

That’s a pretty ambitious trip and goal! I’m an avid waterfowler and never thought of duck hunting in Asia. Might want to hurry and hunt Australia, they have been trying to shut down waterfowl hunting for a while. I’m going to hunt birds in Limpopo next year, not sure what yet I’ll just hunt what is in season in August.

What part of Virginia are you in?

Good luck!

We're probably going to stay out of Australia proper and go to New Zealand. Eventually we'll hit Peru as well and haven't figured out Europe or Asia yet.

As for Virginia, I'm in the Northern part unfortunately. About 30 minutes outside of DC.

 

[Hunt anything]

Had a good friend that lived in Leesburg and I lived in Front Royal for a summer. Both of my parents are from Virginia, dad from Waynesboro and mom from New Market. I’ve hunted swan in the northern neck and ducks on the rivers around Waynesboro.

 

[Rem280]

Heard lead shot is ok in South Africa for ducks. Much more effective than steel. Saw a ton of birds on the Eastern Cape.

 

[Mekaniks]

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Welcome.

Good luck on your Safari.
Pack as light as possible.
Carry on necessities.
You may want to consider travel and trip insurance/cancellation insurance.
Read through as many Threads/posts as possible: Planning, Tipping, Packing, Before and After the hunt, and recent reports.
Riflepermits.com very helpful.
Make a check list based on everything you learn and all the advice you are given.
Practice shooting.

 

[JimP]

I can't believe that no one has asked this question.

You are taking a 30-06, 300 Win mag, and a 375 HH. But no where do you mention the shotgun.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Birdshot from the 30-06?

 

[JimP]

Birdshot from the 30-06?

I was thinking about shooting them on the wing with the 375.

But you would have more birdshot with the 375 than the 06

 

[Justin D.]

I can't believe that no one has asked this question.

You are taking a 30-06, 300 Win mag, and a 375 HH. But no where do you mention the shotgun.

Those are the given. LOL

 

[K-man]

Rifles we'll be taking are a 30-06, .300 Win Mag, and .375 H&H.

Hello and Welcome! Looking at your list of animals, all of your rifles will work. You really only need one of them along, unless you and your wife need/want different rifles. If you are asking, just take the .300 or the .375 along and save the luggage cost for something else. I would take the .375 in case a great buffalo walks in front of you. I didn't even know about the Waterfowl Challenge. Good for you having a goal and a plan! When you have packed, cut it in about half and you will be just about right. Have fun planning!!

 

[Rider717]

Welcome! Sounds like an ambitious trip. In the right place and right time of year the plains game should be manageable.

I have bird hunted a couple times in the Western Cape (Durbanville area) and have 3 guinea fowl, 2 red-billed teals and a yellow bill downed. I am not an avid wingshooter and not good with a moving target with a shotgun. I knocked down a couple of Egyptian geese only to have them shake it off and fly away. They and the spurwing geese are very tough but lots of fun to hunt. Multiple species of waterfowl plus guineas and francolin make for lots of shooting oppurtinities. Hope you do a lot better than me! I'll try again next year, though.

 

[Velo Dog]

Greetings Justin D.,

Khomas Highland Hunting and Fishing Safaris of Namibia, welcomes you to the greatest forum on earth.

As for “any advice”, I suggest that since your primary thing is waterfowl, bring yours
and your wife’s favorite shotguns.
This will insure that you each have the familiar ones that actually fit you both individually.
(Please Note—> auto-loaders are not importable by foreigners).
Also, 12 bore ammunition is common in South Africa.
Smaller gauge ammunition is sometimes off and on, a bit tricky to find in that country.

Notify your safari company a few months to even a year in advance that you would like them to have appropriate shot shell ammunition on hand for your guns, when you arrive.
For waterfowl, especially African geese, I recommend large pellet lead shot.
With my feeble memory, I think the shot size I’ve had great success with are 3MM (?).
These are a death bomb on both Egyptian geese and the thick feathered guinea fowl as well.

Anyway with that, then just rent rifles from your chosen Safari Company.
But if for any reason, you decide to bring your own rifles anyway plus, yourself and your wife plan to each carry your own individual rifle each day of hunting hoofed game, you should just bring the .30-06 and the .375 rifles.
Leave the .300 Magnum at home.

Best Regards,
Velo Dog.

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

Welcome to AH Justin D.!

 

[russ473]

Welcome aboard Justin D, you at the right place for advice and info...

 

[cpr0312]

Hello and welcome!

 

[Philip Glass]

Hey everyone, just wanted to introduce myself.

I'm headed to South Africa in August 2025 with Reinier Linde of Legelela Safaris. I've never been to Africa and it will be my first hunt. The main thing we're targeting is waterfowl as I'm attempting to complete the Ultimate Waterfowlers International Challenge which requires a minimum of 3 different species from the 6 different continents (15 available in Africa and hoping to get one of each). Africa will be our first of many trips. That said, we'll also be hunting for some plains game while we're there should they present themselves. My wife and I are hoping to get a Kudu, Sable, Eland, Gemsbok, and Nyala. If the opportunity presents itself, we'll take a red hartebeest and Black Impala as well. Rifles we'll be taking are a 30-06, .300 Win Mag, and .375 H&H.

I can't wait for our first hunt. That said, any advice anyone can give to the "wish I knew now what I didn't know then" for your first trip?

I have hunted with Reinier and you are in good hands. Your booking is no surprise to me as Reinier does all kinds of specialty hunts. He and I hunted rhino together then went after the tinies and night critters all over RSA. I had a very successful hunt with him. I would say you need to take one gun only (.300 pref) or two at an absolute max. Study the safari planning section here and check out my instructional YouTube videos on safari planning.