My thoughts, never hunted South Africa. But I have hunted Namibia, Spain, Germany, Australia, and all over the USA.
1. If you are not a bow hunter, and going to a bow-hunting-specific lodge forget about bowhunting. There are some lodges that are bow specific and have crossbows for rent. Maybe a consideration if you are interested, but for most not worth it. I am a rifle person; a bow is about as interesting as a shovel. I used to shoot competitive archery. I am over it totally though.
2. Rifle rental will be about $25-50 per day or $100-500 per trip, ammo will be at cost or something like $2-$5 a round. South African Police will be the ones that provide the permit. You need to register your rifle, scopes, cameras, and expensive binoculars with you to US Customs before you leave at your airport. Make an appointment and go and do it several weeks before to register them with Customs and avoid the drama of taxation on things you already own. There is a ton of information out there on this. Your outfitter can help, the South African Embassy can help. Websites like
www.africahunting.com can help.
3. Taxidermy. The worst thing you can do is to get everything "stuffed". The best thing you can do is to get the biggest and best trophies done. If you are going to shoot 5-8 animals say a kudu, gemsbok, impala, warthog, springbok, steenbok, gnu and a zebra. I recommend you only do the ones that are huge. Taxidermy will cost $400-1500 per animal for shoulder mounts in Africa. Quality will be variable. Your local taxidermist will charge 20-50% percent more, quality is a known commodity. I recommend that you have the zebra rug done and get the rest as skull European mounts. Unless you shoot something so outstanding that not mounting it will be criminal. Like a 62-inch kudu. Why? Because once you go, you will want to go again and again. You'll regret mounting a 12 inch springbok after you shoot an 18 inch one in Namibia next time. Same for many other species. Maybe get some back skins to use for decorations.
4. South Africa is as varied as California. There are jungles, mountains with pine trees, big expensive plains, heavily forested temperate areas and true deserts. Where you are going isn't important. You will have a great safari. Don't set up a 13 pound 8-32x56 scoped 300 ultra mag for a jungle hunt, or set up a 45-70 with a aimpoint for the desert or plains. There could be mountains or not. Ask.
5. Clothing should be cotton based comfortable. Color should be solid O.D. Green or safari green. Tan shines like a beacon. Camo may or may not be legal/tolerated. Something like Tru-Spec rip stop cotton solid pants and shirts is ideal. There are tremendous thorns in a lot of areas that will shred your safari clothing. You don't want Gore-Tex boots. A pair of non-insulated, non-gore-tex boots with a good soft sole is idea. Worst case scenario wear trail running shoes and running gaters, and be happy. Desert style military type boots are just about idea. I personally prefer Danner desert boots. Get a big floppy boonie hat. Bring a wool/fleece sweater and a proper jacket, with gloves and a stocking cap. Can get really cold at night or in the morning. Temp switches are like Ridgecrest 80 during the day, and 20-30 at night in the Winter.
6. Medicine as such. Google Craig Boddington and look at his African safari checklist. Bring what meds you have, make sure they have your Doctors presciription to you on the bottles. Bring really good sunscreen, sun glasses, spare eye glasses. You might be on battery power, or on actual power. Make sure you have the correct CPAP plugs for Africa, if you use one. If you are on battery power you will have to bring a battery CPAP.
7. Equipment. Get used to shooting off some type of shooting sticks, Either a 3 legged African Jim Shockey style stick or a European 4 legged shooting stick. That is how they do it. Binoculars a pair of 7x42, 8x42 are best. If you are not near sighted and can managed them 8x32 are great. In the Karoo or desert a pair of 10x42's or 10x50's are great. Do not bring anything above 10 power. You won't want to use them. 8x56 or 10x56 are fine if that is what you like. A included laser range finder binocular is very handy. If not bring one.
Feel free to Ask anything.
. I would probably rent again. It’s just really easy. But I get wanting to take your own. If no one else is taking one I wouldn’t. You will slow things down.
