Planning First Safari

[jpr9954]

A 2nd vote for Gracy Travel. Gio has been magnificent so far.

Limpopo isn't close to much of anything except Kruger and Praetoria/Jo'burg. And 2 weeks is quite a long time for a limited budget.

Air travel:
1. UA has a direct from EWR
2. Delta has a direct from ATL
3. Qatar flies from IAH to Doha to JNB. About 4 or 5 hours in the air longer than the other 2, but if you're on a budget and need leg room, their coach+ seats are only slightly more expensive than regular cattle class with UA or Delta. Plus, I've flown Emirates (best I've ever flown with), and everybody tells me that Qatar is even better. The ME airlines seem to treat their customers like actual customers, not inconvenient annoyances. I don't travel as much as some of the folks here, but I do get around. When flying over salt water, I avoid US airlines as much as i can.

Air fare is cheaper with them all starting around the back half of August, after the holiday season is over.

Budget some cash for tips - trackers/guides/PH/camp staff. There's a long thread here on tipping, read it start to finish.

Travel medicine. Make sure you're current on tetanus. Getting Hep A and Hep B isn't a bad idea in general. Hep A is 2 injections, about a month apart. Hep B is 3 injections, the first 2 about a month apart, the 3rd about 4 or 5 months after the 2nd. Limpopo is non-malarial, especially between their winter solstice and spring equinox (june - september).

Travel insurance. Get it.

Get in shape if you aren't. The area around Thabazimbi is around 4000 feet elevation. If you're a lowlander like I am, it'll take a toll on you.

The only thing I'd add is you can get a combined Hep A and B called Twinrix. That is what I did. It was 3 shots over a six month period.

I can second what you said about altitude and being in shape. I won't lie and say I'm in shape but I do live at 2,200 feet above sea level. Nonetheless, I was out of breath when I was in the Karoo at 4,500 feet.

 

[WI-2021]

I suppose now is as good a time as any to resuscitate this thread. The trip will be two weeks, the last week of June and first week of July of this year. Week 1 will be entirely playing tourist in the northern half of South Africa and week 2 will be mostly hunting. I have a tentative itinerary for the trip.

In light of the fact that we'll be traveling all over the place for the first week and won't arrive at the lodge until the second week, I've decided to skip bringing my own rifle and will use a camp gun. Not ideal, but it also gives us more options for flights and will make for less to haul around. If there's a second trip I'll definitely plan to take a rifle.

As far as the hunting, I'm currently thinking Impala, Waterbuck, Blue Wildebeest, and some room in the budget for a target of opportunity. This is somewhat subject to change if there are deals to be had. I've abandoned the idea of a Sable for now, both because the trophy fee continues to climb, and that several have indicated that their Sable hunt wasn't particularly challenging.

In terms of other preparations, I've gotten some of the vaccinations, but need to finish up. I'm not in spectacular shape, but I do a fair amount of walking. I live at about 800 ft, so we'll see how I do with the elevation. It's been a while since I've practiced off sticks, but I have time to get back up to speed on that.

 

[Philip Glass]

I suppose now is as good a time as any to resuscitate this thread. The trip will be two weeks, the last week of June and first week of July of this year. Week 1 will be entirely playing tourist in the northern half of South Africa and week 2 will be mostly hunting. I have a tentative itinerary for the trip.

In light of the fact that we'll be traveling all over the place for the first week and won't arrive at the lodge until the second week, I've decided to skip bringing my own rifle and will use a camp gun. Not ideal, but it also gives us more options for flights and will make for less to haul around. If there's a second trip I'll definitely plan to take a rifle.

As far as the hunting, I'm currently thinking Impala, Waterbuck, Blue Wildebeest, and some room in the budget for a target of opportunity. This is somewhat subject to change if there are deals to be had. I've abandoned the idea of a Sable for now, both because the trophy fee continues to climb, and that several have indicated that their Sable hunt wasn't particularly challenging.

In terms of other preparations, I've gotten some of the vaccinations, but need to finish up. I'm not in spectacular shape, but I do a fair amount of walking. I live at about 800 ft, so we'll see how I do with the elevation. It's been a while since I've practiced off sticks, but I have time to get back up to speed on that.

I still think you should take your own gun. Especially being left handed. Your outfitter or a service can keep your rifle while you are touring if that is a concern. Once you have your rifle permit you can take it anywhere. A good TA can advise you further on this.
Yall have fun!

 

[WI-2021]

I still think you should take your own gun. Especially being left handed. Your outfitter or a service can keep your rifle while you are touring if that is a concern. Once you have your rifle permit you can take it anywhere. A good TA can advise you further on this.
Yall have fun!

Thank you. I was aware that I need to pick up the rifle in person at the airport, but wasn't aware that there were other storage options. We won't be returning to Johannesburg between arrival and departure, so either I haul the rifle with me for the first week, or find out if it can be transported to the lodge and stored there for the week. I'll investigate this further.

 

[sgt_zim]

I suppose now is as good a time as any to resuscitate this thread. The trip will be two weeks, the last week of June and first week of July of this year. Week 1 will be entirely playing tourist in the northern half of South Africa and week 2 will be mostly hunting. I have a tentative itinerary for the trip.

In light of the fact that we'll be traveling all over the place for the first week and won't arrive at the lodge until the second week, I've decided to skip bringing my own rifle and will use a camp gun. Not ideal, but it also gives us more options for flights and will make for less to haul around. If there's a second trip I'll definitely plan to take a rifle.

As far as the hunting, I'm currently thinking Impala, Waterbuck, Blue Wildebeest, and some room in the budget for a target of opportunity. This is somewhat subject to change if there are deals to be had. I've abandoned the idea of a Sable for now, both because the trophy fee continues to climb, and that several have indicated that their Sable hunt wasn't particularly challenging.

In terms of other preparations, I've gotten some of the vaccinations, but need to finish up. I'm not in spectacular shape, but I do a fair amount of walking. I live at about 800 ft, so we'll see how I do with the elevation. It's been a while since I've practiced off sticks, but I have time to get back up to speed on that.

I think the only necessary vax is DTP, especially the "T" part, but Hep A and B aren't a bad idea in general; rabies is also not off the table for ZA. There really isn't anything else you need.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I have never had any vaccinations for South Africa (except all the COVID stuff of course). Was not advised to get any. Try to find a doctor who will prescribe you the correct antibiotic prophylactic for African tick bite fever. It's a synthetic cycline. Can't remember the name offhand. Surprised I could forget. (Edit: doxycycline) This is what my leg looked like two days before my daughter's wedding. So sick I couldn't get off the couch. The right meds and I was fit enough to walk her down the aisle.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Don't forget, Ruark's PH Harry Selby shot a right handed 98 Mauser in 416 Rigby for forty years left handed. It can be done. Maybe spend some time at the range practicing it.

 

[Philip Glass]

Thank you. I was aware that I need to pick up the rifle in person at the airport, but wasn't aware that there were other storage options. We won't be returning to Johannesburg between arrival and departure, so either I haul the rifle with me for the first week, or find out if it can be transported to the lodge and stored there for the week. I'll investigate this further.

Your outfitter should organize all of this for you.

 

[Stormy Kromer]

Your outfitter should organize all of this for you.

I've been to Africa a total of one time, so take that into consideration. I am going again in two months. First trip I took Kudu, Nyala, Blesbok, Springbuck, Gemsbok, Zebra. Next trip is Impala, Zebra (included in package) and Eland, maybe some incidentals if I harvest each of target animals first.

The first trip I did cap mounts on the horns, plus some hides and a zebra rug. The taxidermy and shipping and other charges (storage, customs, shipping in US) came to more than the hunt package...and I didn't even have any shoulder mounts. Somebody had their hand out for payments all the time. I used a taxidermist in SA and a broker to assist with shipping. It took 19 months. Also consider the space you have available in your house (and the next place you live if you downsize)

This next trip is going to be photos of the animals after harvest only. The outfitters do a nice job preparing and taking photos of you with your game. We will take several and I will have some large canvas prints made to hang on the wall when we get home. Should have them back in a week.

If you take your rifle definitely hire a professional, consider their VIP assistance if its available. Nice to have someone hold your hand. The only experience I have is with Rifle Permits and was completely satisfied. If you're bringing a suppressor avoid stops in Illinois (Chicago) and New Jersey (Newark) as suppressors are illegal in those states. Might not be a problem, but it might.

Good luck to you.

 

[Philip Glass]

I've been to Africa a total of one time, so take that into consideration. I am going again in two months. First trip I took Kudu, Nyala, Blesbok, Springbuck, Gemsbok, Zebra. Next trip is Impala, Zebra (included in package) and Eland, maybe some incidentals if I harvest each of target animals first.

The first trip I did cap mounts on the horns, plus some hides and a zebra rug. The taxidermy and shipping and other charges (storage, customs, shipping in US) came to more than the hunt package...and I didn't even have any shoulder mounts. Somebody had their hand out for payments all the time. I used a taxidermist in SA and a broker to assist with shipping. It took 19 months. Also consider the space you have available in your house (and the next place you live if you downsize)

This next trip is going to be photos of the animals after harvest only. The outfitters do a nice job preparing and taking photos of you with your game. We will take several and I will have some large canvas prints made to hang on the wall when we get home. Should have them back in a week.

If you take your rifle definitely hire a professional, consider their VIP assistance if its available. Nice to have someone hold your hand. The only experience I have is with Rifle Permits and was completely satisfied. If you're bringing a suppressor avoid stops in Illinois (Chicago) and New Jersey (Newark) as suppressors are illegal in those states. Might not be a problem, but it might.

Good luck to you.

I do agree that shipping, dip and pack, etc has gotten out of hand. I think you are wise to just take photos. Then you can hunt more!

 

[Philip Glass]

I have never had any vaccinations for South Africa (except all the COVID stuff of course). Was not advised to get any. Try to find a doctor who will prescribe you the correct antibiotic prophylactic for African tick bite fever. It's a synthetic cycline. Can't remember the name offhand. Surprised I could forget. (Edit: doxycycline) This is what my leg looked like two days before my daughter's wedding. So sick I couldn't get off the couch. The right meds and I was fit enough to walk her down the aisle.
View attachment 657668

Sawyer clothing spray is a big help with ticks. Sorry this happened to you. Ticks freak me out!

 

[Ryan]

I still think you should take your own gun. Especially being left handed. Your outfitter or a service can keep your rifle while you are touring if that is a concern. Once you have your rifle permit you can take it anywhere. A good TA can advise you further on this.
Yall have fun!

As a lefty who has rented rifles I have to disagree. I went touring for 9 days after my 2018 hunt in the Eastern Cape and rented a right-handed Ruger suppressed M77 in 300 Win Mag. I had zero issues taking three of my five animals with a right handed bolt gun on my left shoulder (bow hunted the other two). Cycling a round with my right hand isn't that big of a deal, especially with the rifle supported by sticks. I did borrow a friends right handed M77 prior to the hunt and practice with it's safety so I was familiar with it.

I went to a few national parks, which don't allow firearms in a vehicle, and just driving everywhere I didn't want to worry about it being stolen from my car. A stolen firearm in another country was not something I wanted to deal with, anything else in the car is replaceable. Your trip is a bit different with the travel prior, but you still have to coordinate with the outfitter to pick up the firearm in the beginning. Perhaps talk with them and see what they have to offer as a rental, it is a viable option, IMO.