First timer Bowhunting in Africa

[tuffcrk14]

I’ll be heading to Grahamstown, South Africa to bowhunt with Mpunzi Safaris for my first ever African hunt. To anyone who has hunted in Africa, what were any gear/clothing items that you wished you had brought after the fact or brought with not realizing how essential said item actually would be? One more thing I’m wondering about is if my Plano Pillar Lock bow case would be sturdy enough to handle airport luggage abuse. If anyone has had positive/negative experiences with a similar style of case, it’d be helpful to know. I plan on adding more foam/padding (hunting clothes) inside to eliminate any open space inside of it. I also plan to wrap my arrows and keep them secure in the case as well- separate from the bow. Broadheads will be stored in a plastic case in my luggage.

Items I have so far are:

Bino harness with rangefinder
X12 arrows
X10 Sevr 1.5” hybrid expandables
X5 judo points
X1 backup release
Extra string leeches
Bow wax
Allen tool
Miscellaneous bow/arrow parts

It will be the start of spring over there, so it could be blazing hot one day and cool the next.
Clothing will be my regular hunting clothes I use for hunting Montana, but will include some shorts and dark colored shirts for sitting in a blind.

On a side note, I’ve got a taxidermist close by where I live and he’s USDA certified to handle the skulls/hides when they enter the US. He also gave me tags with his business name/address/phone number to attach to each skull and hide. Hopefully everything works out good there.
Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated!


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[CHWine]

I've been to Africa a few times, but only rifle. Odds are you will feel quite spoiled there. Try to get some sleeping aid for the long plane ride, it might help you get on the right sleep cycle. You won't need much clothes as your laundry will be done often. You're right to prepare for warm or chilly weather. Either at the airport or your bank get a couple hundred dollars worth of South African Rand for tipping afterwards. Most of the staff don't have the ability to exchange USD. There will be cooks, cleaners, trackers, skinners etc. Ask your PH what the appropriate rate should be. Shipping of trophies will be expensive, even if you have horns and dried capes....its getting out of hand.

 

[Samson7x]

I envy you sir, Africa is a special place. Enjoy your time there.

Sun protection is important so I enjoyed having a nice boonie hat and lightweight longsleeve shirts. Chapstick. Sunglasses. Boots are always a hot topic. I've switched to something more appropriate for Africa, Jim Green leathers. My crispis were much too loud for stalking. Don't overpack, most outfits do daily laundry so I actually just travel with a carry on and backpack.

Regarding trophies, it's very expensive no matter how you do it. Dip and pack there for taxidermy in the states will be less shipping, pricier labor here. Taxi there is a bit cheaper but then freight eats you up. I just do euros but that's personal preference. You can spend as much on taxi and freight as you do the entire safari so I'd rather put those funds toward my next trip.

 

[wyogoat]

I agree with CHWine on something to help you sleep. That is real jet lag. I have had great luck with Ambien but didn’t have anything when I went to Africa and really struggled with sleeping and getting on their time. I think day 2, I slept the entire day in the blind.
Your gear looks normal and leave some space in your luggage to bring souvenirs back. I think your bow case will be fine if the latches hold, seems to be the weakest aspect of that case.
Also maybe take some ciprofloxacin or something in case you catch a little bug. I had a parasite of some type and that helped.

 

[Samson7x]

Yeah the flight sucks unfortunately. I pop a muscle relaxer and sleep as much as possible. If you're flying delta you will arrive late afternoon before connecting to east cape the following day. I recommend staying at Africa Sky hotel for their nice steak dinner and rest before the next day.

 

[WCB]

We road in open top or open vehicles. windbreaker jacket, gloves, and beanie for early morning rides.

As for shipping trophies...If I go back it will be mostly Euros being sent back. Other than that most guys I get horns and capes back and get stuff mounted in stages instead of all at once. I have also not see quality taxidermy come out of Africa (not that it isn't there). I just know good taxis here and don't feel like putting in the extra research and logistics.

 

[billysmals]

I have been to Africa both as a hunter and tourist.... the airports are challenging. The moment you get pegged as a tourist, expect everyone you talk with to want a tip for everything, and I mean everything. Even finding your gate or the ticket counter. It got to the point I didn't ask anyone and just told people no, and I found my own way through the airports. Around baggage claim and the exit..people will mob you. 3-5 person will come and try to load all your stuff, even people who don't lift a finger, but were with the group of people who did all the work are going to want a tip, especially as you try to pay the people who actually lifted a bag.... This is more enhanced in the smaller airports, but I did encounter it in Johannesburg as well.

When hunting we brought two bows each when we went, not sure if you can do that? I went with my dad and we split everything in half, one case had a two bows (one from each of us) along with half arrows from each of us....ect...the idea being to build redundancy. Even if only one case arrived we could still hunt.... I know it's extra, but we didn't want to go all that way and risk some random luggage failure. It doesn't take much to bend some part of the bow, even if the case arrives well appearing....

Buy an Airtag and put it in the bow case!!! I didn't do this my first Africa trip, but we did it going to New Zealand. It was easy to verify where the bows were at anytime, and also make sure it was on the plane. It also protects against the "we don't know where the bag is sir...."

I also remember having to pay the weapons check in persons (separate from usual luggage) money as well to ensure the weapon arrives intact and safe. This is all above the usual hunt staff at your outfitter, which also should be tipped. I was not expecting how many times I was expected to tip at the airport, for even the most menial things like simple directions....

I agree with the "don't overpack." The outfitters are often used to extra visitors with hunters...so they should have laundry services. 2-3 days of clothes is good, and then 2-3 days of hunting clothes.

I packed optics, rangefinder, release, almost everything that was essential or fragile I tried to have in my possession. I took off my bow sight too and packed that with me as well. This way I could ensure if my bow showed up I had everything to hunt almost on me. Stuff goes missing under the plane all the time. In a different trip to Africa (not hunting mind you), one of the people traveling with us had their drone stolen. No reason to risk your 2000 dollar swaro's....

Our outfitter had extra optics, rangefinders, and even broadheads. Not sure yours will, but if there are regular bowhunters they often have a stash of some things.

I'm assuming you already have permission to us an expandable? Our outfitter did not allow them.

 

[omicron1792]

Spray soak clothes in permethrin before you go.

You only need two sets of hunting clothes. They will launder your clothes daily.

Have a pullover for cool mornings with short sleeve underneath. Cool mornings and hot during the day.

Sunglasses and sunscreen.

Have fun. It’s a magical place.

 

[tuffcrk14]

I agree with CHWine on something to help you sleep. That is real jet lag. I have had great luck with Ambien but didn’t have anything when I went to Africa and really struggled with sleeping and getting on their time. I think day 2, I slept the entire day in the blind.
Your gear looks normal and leave some space in your luggage to bring souvenirs back. I think your bow case will be fine if the latches hold, seems to be the weakest aspect of that case.
Also maybe take some ciprofloxacin or something in case you catch a little bug. I had a parasite of some type and that helped.

My wife works nights as a nurse in the ER and she has ALL of the things for helping with sleep thankfully. I don’t think she has any sort of a circadian rhythm to be honest! We planned our arrival three days ahead of our hunt so we should be able to catch up on rest and wait up for any luggage that might have been lost along the way. I plan on having my doctor prescribe me a generic antibiotic just in case too. I try and do that on any extended hunt away from civilization for more than three days. With my bow case, I may drill some extra holes and add some zip ties to it on top of the locks I’ll be putting on it. I am a chronic over-packer, so I’ll try to keep that in check as best I can. Thank you!


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[tuffcrk14]

I have been to Africa both as a hunter and tourist.... the airports are challenging. The moment you get pegged as a tourist, expect everyone you talk with to want a tip for everything, and I mean everything. Even finding your gate or the ticket counter. It got to the point I didn't ask anyone and just told people no, and I found my own way through the airports. Around baggage claim and the exit..people will mob you. 3-5 person will come and try to load all your stuff, even people who don't lift a finger, but were with the group of people who did all the work are going to want a tip, especially as you try to pay the people who actually lifted a bag.... This is more enhanced in the smaller airports, but I did encounter it in Johannesburg as well.

When hunting we brought two bows each when we went, not sure if you can do that? I went with my dad and we split everything in half, one case had a two bows (one from each of us) along with half arrows from each of us....ect...the idea being to build redundancy. Even if only one case arrived we could still hunt.... I know it's extra, but we didn't want to go all that way and risk some random luggage failure. It doesn't take much to bend some part of the bow, even if the case arrives well appearing....

Buy an Airtag and put it in the bow case!!! I didn't do this my first Africa trip, but we did it going to New Zealand. It was easy to verify where the bows were at anytime, and also make sure it was on the plane. It also protects against the "we don't know where the bag is sir...."

I also remember having to pay the weapons check in persons (separate from usual luggage) money as well to ensure the weapon arrives intact and safe. This is all above the usual hunt staff at your outfitter, which also should be tipped. I was not expecting how many times I was expected to tip at the airport, for even the most menial things like simple directions....

I agree with the "don't overpack." The outfitters are often used to extra visitors with hunters...so they should have laundry services. 2-3 days of clothes is good, and then 2-3 days of hunting clothes.

I packed optics, rangefinder, release, almost everything that was essential or fragile I tried to have in my possession. I took off my bow sight too and packed that with me as well. This way I could ensure if my bow showed up I had everything to hunt almost on me. Stuff goes missing under the plane all the time. In a different trip to Africa (not hunting mind you), one of the people traveling with us had their drone stolen. No reason to risk your 2000 dollar swaro's....

Our outfitter had extra optics, rangefinders, and even broadheads. Not sure yours will, but if there are regular bowhunters they often have a stash of some things.

I'm assuming you already have permission to us an expandable? Our outfitter did not allow them.

Wow! I appreciate you sharing this bit of info! This is huge knowledge in my book to know for the traveling portion.


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[tuffcrk14]

We road in open top or open vehicles. windbreaker jacket, gloves, and beanie for early morning rides.

As for shipping trophies...If I go back it will be mostly Euros being sent back. Other than that most guys I get horns and capes back and get stuff mounted in stages instead of all at once. I have also not see quality taxidermy come out of Africa (not that it isn't there). I just know good taxis here and don't feel like putting in the extra research and logistics.

Your post answered a few questions for me about what to bring for layers and things. I wouldn’t have thought about riding in an open cab vehicle. Probably would’ve skipped packing a warm beanie and warm gloves for sure.


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[tuffcrk14]

I envy you sir, Africa is a special place. Enjoy your time there.

Sun protection is important so I enjoyed having a nice boonie hat and lightweight longsleeve shirts. Chapstick. Sunglasses. Boots are always a hot topic. I've switched to something more appropriate for Africa, Jim Green leathers. My crispis were much too loud for stalking. Don't overpack, most outfits do daily laundry so I actually just travel with a carry on and backpack.

Regarding trophies, it's very expensive no matter how you do it. Dip and pack there for taxidermy in the states will be less shipping, pricier labor here. Taxi there is a bit cheaper but then freight eats you up. I just do euros but that's personal preference. You can spend as much on taxi and freight as you do the entire safari so I'd rather put those funds toward my next trip.

My wife wants a shoulder mount of a blesbok and I want a shoulder mount of something I harvest that would look really cool as such. Everything else will be euros or tanned hides done stateside.


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[tuffcrk14]

I'm assuming you already have permission to us an expandable? Our outfitter did not allow them.[/QUOTE]


My guide said I’m good to use expandables on everything except Eland and Cape Buffalo. None of which are of any interest to me right now.


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