Preparing for 1st Safari

[meigsbucks]

Welcome to AH and congratulations on both your engagement and your first safari. There is nothing like your first safari. I did my first safari, to Zimbabwe, at age 56 and weighed about 275# at the time. For about three months prior, I walked 2-3 miles each day. For boots, I wore Rocky Outbacks and Cabela’s mid weight Marino wool socks. That boot / sock combo is what I also wore on my second hunt and I’ll wear them on my next.
Practice shooting off sticks. Take lots of pictures and not just of your trophies. Interact with the staff. Have fun!

 

[Ridge Runner]

I pack my hunting boots in my check back with my ammo and a change of clothes and some niceties for the camp staff that are part of my stay: PH, teacker, cook, laundress/maid, skinners, and taxidermy crew.

Since I normally wear Rocky Snake boots hunting locally, I wore them hunting in the East Cape, South Africa. For the flights and around the lodge I wore my orthopedic tennis shoes.

First trip:

The good: with wool socks my feet stayed warm when the days were frosty cold. Well broke in so they were comfortable. These high boots also protected my lower legs from thorns and jumping cacti.Never encountered any snakes while in RSA, did encounter a black mamba in Zimbabwe. Didn't get attacked so it was a glad I had them and not have to have them tested.

The bad: lesson learned the soles are hard, good for the terrain here at home, and in Zimbabwe, bad because walking on the shale covered ground in RSA sounded like I was walking on broken glass while eating Rice Krispys.

As for physical fitness; on my first trip I arrived in RSA while still recovering, still doing repeat physical therapy, from hip replacement surgery around a year earlier. My PH was aware of my limitations although he did his part insuring I stayed within comfortable physical limitations I pushed us to hunt harder. Not such a good idea on my part it was aspirin during the day and doxycyclone (anti inflammatory), and plenty of Ben Gay at bedtime.

Second trip:

Boots were over the ankle high, softer sole Rocky boots. And in a bit better shape than the previous year. The doxycyclone came in handy a couple of days. Didn't need to use the Ben Gay that I brought.

Third trip:

I took my snake boots for use in the sandy/loam type soil and my orthopedic tennis shoes. Unfortunately I wasn't able to wear my boots after the third or forth day due to swelling in my knees and ankles. Ended up wearing my tennis shoes for hunting and the rest of time in Zimbabwe and RSA trips.

In essence you want to have 2 pair of comfortable footwear regardless if both pairs are boots, hiking shoes, tennis shoes, sandals, flip flops, etc or a combination. Gel or Air Sole inserts are a plus in keeping your feet comfortable.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Congratulations on your first trip! I envy that excitement. The 300WM will be well suited for any PG you encounter. Pick a good quality bullet. I’ve been really impressed with the Federal Terminal Ascent. I shot a bunch of animals from Tiny 10 up through Kudu and Wildebeest with it out of a 18” .308

I normally bring a pair or two of hiking boots (Salomon or Merrill’s). This past trip to Zim I took a pair of Nike Sneakers as well for around camp and I actually wore the Nikes more than the hiking boots while hunting. I’ve worn Courtney’s and Meindel boots in the past, but gravitated back to the Salomon and Merrill type hiking boots. If I was going somewhere wet like the Delta, I’d take an 2 sets of boots or maybe even go with an old jungle boot that drains.

I’d suggest GOOD socks. I personally think your socks are more important than your boots (outside of true mountain hunts). I like Darn Tough. Throw a thing of foot powder in your bag and bring some flip flops for sitting around the campfire.

Physically you can make the hunt as difficult or easy as you want. There aren’t many super steep areas in Limpopo and if you are in a place like the Waterberg Mountains just let your PH know if you need a break while trekking up one of them.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Welcome to the forum sir! Looking forward to our trip in 2026!

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I pack my hunting boots in my check back with my ammo and a change of clothes and some niceties for the camp staff that are part of my stay: PH, teacker, cook, laundress/maid, skinners, and taxidermy crew.

Since I normally wear Rocky Snake boots hunting locally, I wore them hunting in the East Cape, South Africa. For the flights and around the lodge I wore my orthopedic tennis shoes.

First trip:

The good: with wool socks my feet stayed warm when the days were frosty cold. Well broke in so they were comfortable. These high boots also protected my lower legs from thorns and jumping cacti.Never encountered any snakes while in RSA, did encounter a black mamba in Zimbabwe. Didn't get attacked so it was a glad I had them and not have to have them tested.

The bad: lesson learned the soles are hard, good for the terrain here at home, and in Zimbabwe, bad because walking on the shale covered ground in RSA sounded like I was walking on broken glass while eating Rice Krispys.

As for physical fitness; on my first trip I arrived in RSA while still recovering, still doing repeat physical therapy, from hip replacement surgery around a year earlier. My PH was aware of my limitations although he did his part insuring I stayed within comfortable physical limitations I pushed us to hunt harder. Not such a good idea on my part it was aspirin during the day and doxycyclone (anti inflammatory), and plenty of Ben Gay at bedtime.

Second trip:

Boots were over the ankle high, softer sole Rocky boots. And in a bit better shape than the previous year. The doxycyclone came in handy a couple of days. Didn't need to use the Ben Gay that I brought.

Third trip:

I took my snake boots for use in the sandy/loam type soil and my orthopedic tennis shoes. Unfortunately I wasn't able to wear my boots after the third or forth day due to swelling in my knees and ankles. Ended up wearing my tennis shoes for hunting and the rest of time in Zimbabwe and RSA trips.

In essence you want to have 2 pair of comfortable footwear regardless if both pairs are boots, hiking shoes, tennis shoes, sandals, flip flops, etc or a combination. Gel or Air Sole inserts are a plus in keeping your feet comfortable.

Interesting you were taking doxycycline for pain. It's generally an antibiotic. Presumably you have pelvic inflammatory disease?

 

[HankBuck]

Thanks everyone, so much good lessons learned coming from ya'll that feel I am getting smarter everytime I log in here. Practice and exercise will be my two biggest goals. My fiance has never shot a gun in her life. I used to teach handgun shooting so I think I have this part covered. The ladies always seemed to listen better. She is so excited, it was my bucket list item but she is the one talking about it all day. Did I mention I love this woman!

SWASHINGTON: SOunds like you are appropriately looking forward to a great trip. Also, your are already practicing “complimenting & praising your Future Wife”……Very SMART - especially if you EVER want to go on a “2nd Safari” !!
>> Otherwise all your future $$$ will be spent on refrigerators & jewelry <<

 

[swashington]

The great advice just keeps coming, a little back story on this. I booked a trip for 2026 for my brother and myself with KMG (Can't wait to meet you in Atlanta Marius). We are in our late 50s now and haven't done anything together since our teens. My girl was totally jealous about not going. I am a boat salesman for a manufacturer and we go to boat and sportsman shows all the time. Last one we went to an outfitter was there and she started talking with them. Next thing she is asking me for $100. I give it to her (cause I know not giving it to her would be more painful). She bought raffle tickets for a 5 day hunt. Well, she won. Never has winning something ever been so expensive in the long run (lol). Well since we are going I figured we might as well make it a honeymoon and proposed. If you can't love a woman who gets upset when she is left out of fishing and hunting trips there is nothing left to love.

 

[MontanaPat]

One suggestion I will make about boots is I would wear either boots that are all leather or if they are not leather across the toes and top of your foot area make sure they have very heavy duty cordura. My first trip to Africa was a hunt in Limpopo and I wore a pair of Columbia hiking boots I had that wear very quiet and comfortable. The problem was across the top of the foot they have material like on a lot of running shoes. One location we hunted frequently had a type of grass that was dried golden and had these light fluffy tops which were like a million little needles. Those things went right through the boot into the top of my feet and toes and it felt like tiny microscopic needles sticking you. Was the most painful walking and you couldn’t then get them out of the boot or socks even after washing.

As far as physical shape, be in reasonably good shape and able to walk several miles a day but Limpopo is not physically demanding as it is mostly flat walking.

 

[bowfishoholic]

We are bowhunters and go in September. I noticed that Johannesburg has the same shrubbery as we grew up with in Central Florida. Limpopo is nw of Johannesburg, closer to equater, so should actually be a bit warmer. We are heading out on Aug 31 this year for Rustenburg area. Taking things that you are comfortable with and accuracy is the biggest deal. Most places do your laundry daily or every other day, so layers would be the biggest deal. Winter time clothes for Florida should be perfect.Our first trip, we were in our 50s. Now we are in our mid 60s. Absolutely enjoyed every trip. Our last flight we upgraded to business class for $350 each, sure made it a lot better. This time we got great prices on business class with a layover in London.

A bit of advice, get on the plane and get some sleep so you begin to adjust to their time. Our first trip took several days to adjust, but since we started doing this, we quickly adjust to the new time.

 

[bowfishoholic]

The great advice just keeps coming, a little back story on this. I booked a trip for 2026 for my brother and myself with KMG (Can't wait to meet you in Atlanta Marius). We are in our late 50s now and haven't done anything together since our teens. My girl was totally jealous about not going. I am a boat salesman for a manufacturer and we go to boat and sportsman shows all the time. Last one we went to an outfitter was there and she started talking with them. Next thing she is asking me for $100. I give it to her (cause I know not giving it to her would be more painful). She bought raffle tickets for a 5 day hunt. Well, she won. Never has winning something ever been so expensive in the long run (lol). Well since we are going I figured we might as well make it a honeymoon and proposed. If you can't love a woman who gets upset when she is left out of fishing and hunting trips there is nothing left to love.

Our first hunt was from a raffle ticket too. Started an addiction..We got married a couple of months after we got home and had a Buffalo hunt honeymoon in KS.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

We are bowhunters and go in September. I noticed that Johannesburg has the same shrubbery as we grew up with in Central Florida. Limpopo is nw of Johannesburg, closer to equater, so should actually be a bit warmer. We are heading out on Aug 31 this year for Rustenburg area. Taking things that you are comfortable with and accuracy is the biggest deal. Most places do your laundry daily or every other day, so layers would be the biggest deal. Winter time clothes for Florida should be perfect.

I'm usually hunting the Eastern Cape the same week. It can get frosty at night. Check your geography. South Africa is only a stone's throw from Antarctica. Cape Town roadkill are often penguins. Florida is a helluva long ways from Nunavit!

 

[AimSmall]

Wear your boots onto the plane, wear your comfy shoes/slippers while on the plane. Losing your boots to baggage really sucks.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Wear your boots onto the plane, wear your comfy shoes/slippers while on the plane. Losing your boots to baggage really sucks.

I wear my super comfy Georgia Boot Eagle Trail boots on the plane and pack an extra pair of cheap similar hiking style Cabelas boots in checked baggage. Always have extra boots in case one pair needs to dry out or has a blowout.

 

[cls]

Lots of good info here. I'll second the good boots, permithrin and antibiotics for tick bite fever and journal so you can write up a hunt report on your return.

 

[swashington]

We are bowhunters and go in September. I noticed that Johannesburg has the same shrubbery as we grew up with in Central Florida. Limpopo is nw of Johannesburg, closer to equater, so should actually be a bit warmer. We are heading out on Aug 31 this year for Rustenburg area. Taking things that you are comfortable with and accuracy is the biggest deal. Most places do your laundry daily or every other day, so layers would be the biggest deal. Winter time clothes for Florida should be perfect.Our first trip, we were in our 50s. Now we are in our mid 60s. Absolutely enjoyed every trip. Our last flight we upgraded to business class for $350 each, sure made it a lot better. This time we got great prices on business class with a layover in London.

A bit of advice, get on the plane and get some sleep so you begin to adjust to their time. Our first trip took several days to adjust, but since we started doing this, we quickly adjust to the new time.

I wish I could get some sleep on the plane. I flew all over the world with the military and government but always hate it. At 6'6" getting comfortable on a plane is nearly impossible. My lovely lady can fall asleep in a tornado so I am sure she will lend me some energy when we get there. Would love to know the secret to upgrading for $350. All the prices I am seeing so far are much higher than that.
How was the layover in London, I worry about losing luggage and having to deal with the firearms in an airport.

 

[swashington]

I'm usually hunting the Eastern Cape the same week. It can get frosty at night. Check your geography. South Africa is only a stone's throw from Antarctica. Cape Town roadkill are often penguins. Florida is a helluva long ways from Nunavit!

Would love to see some penguins. Spent time in Alaska and farther North with the military but never that far South.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

No reason to fret. I myself am a few months short of turning 73. And I don't think I'm doing all too bad.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Would love to see some penguins. Spent time in Alaska and farther North with the military but never that far South.

Doubtful you will see any penguins in Limpopo. However there are several documentaries on the Cape Town penguins. I think they migrate there during winter. They wander around town and getting them safely across roadways near the beaches is a problem.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I wish I could get some sleep on the plane. I flew all over the world with the military and government but always hate it. At 6'6" getting comfortable on a plane is nearly impossible. My lovely lady can fall asleep in a tornado so I am sure she will lend me some energy when we get there. Would love to know the secret to upgrading for $350. All the prices I am seeing so far are much higher than that.
How was the layover in London, I worry about losing luggage and having to deal with the firearms in an airport.

You're flying international so guns come and go at the same terminal. That helps. Domestic UK safari passengers face the issue of landing at one terminal and leaving at the international terminal. That requires a bonded courier to move the guns between terminals. Big headache. Why are you flying through Heathrow? Route through Zurich is much better!

 

[swashington]

You're flying international so guns come and go at the same terminal. That helps. Domestic UK safari passengers face the issue of landing at one terminal and leaving at the international terminal. That requires a bonded courier to move the guns between terminals. Big headache. Why are you flying through Heathrow? Route through Zurich is much better!

Would love to fly direct from Atlanta to Joberg but looking to spend as little as possible. Plus I hate flying, the fewer take offs and landings I do the better.