Thought I'd mention a few things that come up as requests I've received for "could you please bring me..." Some of these are tips, some are favors that they may wish to pay you your costs just to receive.
Garmin Astro GPS devices (old ones, not upgraded) and first generation garmin tracking collars. The first gen USA ones inadvertently work illegally all over the world. Garmin found out about the "whoops" and now lock them down through upgraded software so they only work in US or EU. Old ones are the only way to track hounds and pointers in Africa.
Fish finders. Huge expensive there. No selection.
Lures and soft plastics. The junk in your tackle box is literally a $20 lure in Zim and elsewhere IF they can even get it. Hooks. Leaders for tiger fish. Bobbers. Fishing line. Sinkers. (lead sinkers are illegal in many places but not Africa...give them your sinkers!)
Ammo cans. They love ammo storage boxes. Bring them with stuff in it, leave them there when you're done.
Batteries. This is the currency of Africa. Bring crazy quantities of AA and C batteries.
Solar Charger for phones and GPS devices.
Have an old iPhone that would be worth $50 if not for a deeply scratched screen? Get it carrier unlocked and that worthless iphone 4 or whatever is basically a $500 gift to them in Africa. Used iPhones, even near destroyed ones with cracked screens are HUGE dollar commodities in Africa.
Trail cameras: the gift that keeps on giving. (and memory cards, otherwise they are SOL!)
Bore snakes. Have extras? Give them to the boys as their guns haven't been cleaned in a decade.
These items have been requested of me by my PHs and their friends. These are unavailable or crazy expensive things in Africa. This is in contrast to the things that nobody seems to really want but will reluctantly take like booze, cigarettes, candy, knives, clothes, whatevers.
Ask your PH / host if you are on friendly terms if they want any of these items. They may not realize that these items are rather reasonable in the States but may cost outrageous sums in Africa.
Garmin Astro GPS devices (old ones, not upgraded) and first generation garmin tracking collars. The first gen USA ones inadvertently work illegally all over the world. Garmin found out about the "whoops" and now lock them down through upgraded software so they only work in US or EU. Old ones are the only way to track hounds and pointers in Africa.
Fish finders. Huge expensive there. No selection.
Lures and soft plastics. The junk in your tackle box is literally a $20 lure in Zim and elsewhere IF they can even get it. Hooks. Leaders for tiger fish. Bobbers. Fishing line. Sinkers. (lead sinkers are illegal in many places but not Africa...give them your sinkers!)
Ammo cans. They love ammo storage boxes. Bring them with stuff in it, leave them there when you're done.
Batteries. This is the currency of Africa. Bring crazy quantities of AA and C batteries.
Solar Charger for phones and GPS devices.
Have an old iPhone that would be worth $50 if not for a deeply scratched screen? Get it carrier unlocked and that worthless iphone 4 or whatever is basically a $500 gift to them in Africa. Used iPhones, even near destroyed ones with cracked screens are HUGE dollar commodities in Africa.
Trail cameras: the gift that keeps on giving. (and memory cards, otherwise they are SOL!)
Bore snakes. Have extras? Give them to the boys as their guns haven't been cleaned in a decade.
These items have been requested of me by my PHs and their friends. These are unavailable or crazy expensive things in Africa. This is in contrast to the things that nobody seems to really want but will reluctantly take like booze, cigarettes, candy, knives, clothes, whatevers.
Ask your PH / host if you are on friendly terms if they want any of these items. They may not realize that these items are rather reasonable in the States but may cost outrageous sums in Africa.
