South Africa

[norcal7.3]

Hello all,

I just got the invite to go on a hunt in South Africa in 2025. I want to prepare myself in whatever ways I can. I was hoping for some recommendations of podcasts, books, maybe even other forums. We are still hashing out the details with the outfitter and whatnot now, but I am excited to say the least.

For those that have been, what are you thoughts on taking your own rifle vs renting one. I really like the idea of bringing my own, but I am not entire sure how the rest of my party feels. In terms of taxidermy is it better to have them do it and ship or tan and ship over?

These are just a few questions I have right now, I'm sure more will pop up.

Thanks in advance

 

[Northpark]

Following. I have not been to Africa but may someday.

 

[dlafreni]

Following, I may be going with a group in 2024

 

[wildwilderness]

Start shooting a bow! It’s a blast and South Africa game ranches are too easy imo for a rifle. That’s said seeing tons of animals and all the variety is what it’s about

 

[dlafreni]

good to hear, was planning on leaving the rifle at home and just taking the bow. Any particular area recommendations? Limpopo? Eastern cape?

 

[jacknifejc]

I have been there five times and took my own rifle each time with no hassles whatsoever.

 

[SemperFiHunter]

Been twice.
Firearms are usually a breeze. Just have your forms in order. Usually your PH will arrange to have someone local assist. Beware grifters in O.R. Tambo. You don’t need an escort.
Limpopo is awesome. Also hunted NW,OFS, and several others. All good. Have not hunted East Cape but hear it is awesome.
If at all possible go to Kruger NP. Your PH should be able to make that happen. It is awesome!
Archery is very prevalent in SA, so take your bow if that’s what you want to do. You can almost always rent a rifle if you decide to.
Take LOTS of pictures. Keep a journal.
Dip, pack, ship taxidermy. Have it done at home.
Hard to influence a taxidermist on the other side of the world.
Enjoy what should be the experience of a lifetime!
Tips are important. There are guidelines out there but I like to tip the staff and PHs directly. Then the outfitter/owner.
Feel free to ask any questions. Anybody.
SFH

 

[MightyWhitey]

I’m planning a hunt to Namibia most likely in 2024. Africahunting.com has been quite a bit of help for that. Go check it out

 

[Mojave]

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.

 

[Sevens]

Been to Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Have shot 2 of the Big 5. I love hunting in Africa. It’s warm, animals are usually plentiful, food is good, people are great, lodging is comfortable. It’s a nice change of pace from a back country hunt.

My recommendations would be:
- Bring your own rifle (or bow) as that is part of the fun (using your own equipment).
- Don’t sit in a blind over a waterhole. Come to Texas if you want to sit in a blind. Drive around, experience the geography, do some spot and stalk, enjoy seeing Africa.
- Take a ton of photos. There are so many things to experience beyond shooting animals. You don’t want to get home and only have “trophy pics”
- Shoot a ton of animals. It’s a long way to fly and the cost per animal is extremely cheap compared to hunts in the US or most of the world. Also, shipping stuff home is expensive, so you might as well ship a bunch of animals home. Many of the dip and pack type costs have minimum charges even if you don’t have enough animals to meet the minimum.
- If there are animals unique to an area, like black wildebeest or red duiker, shoot them while you’re there just in case you don’t make it back to that part of Africa again.
- Fly business or first class if you can. It’s a long freaking flight. I would recommend using Emirates or Qatar with a layover in the Middle East.
- Get a lounge pass for your layovers. It’s nice to get some food and take a hot shower before your flight. Your PH will probably drop you off very early on the way home, you’ll have lots of time to sit.
- Stay as long as you can. Again, it’s a long flight.

Enjoy it, you’ll get home and probably start planning your next trip back. It’s very addictive.

 

[Dgregory]

This is such an exciting thread! Africa is at the top of the bucket list!


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[Ralphie]

Been once, but here’s my advice.

Thoroughly vet the outfitter in regards to what the hunting is like. some very good places with pretty wild animals. And some places where bow hunters spend the whole time over a “water hole” that’s covered at night.

Rifle rental is a good option. Some outfitters have pretty nice rifles and optics. The rifle rental fee bugs me but it is what it is. I’m going to start charging my clients a saddle rental.. 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.

Ive only been to one South African taxidermist shop but I’d NEVER have full taxidermy done there. Maybe euros and skins. It costs a ton to have even those brought home. A good option to to bring nothing home but good photos and have some nice framed prints hung up.

Take 2-3 sets of clothes in a small carry on roller bag and a small personal bag. I saw guys and couples with literally more luggage than they could handle without help. You don’t need much and you’ll be toting it around a lot through airports.

If you can’t do business or first class get the front row of Economy plus or the emerg exit row. Big difference between a regular row. Both ways my brother and I had the window and mid seat but because we were in the front row we could get up and get in the aisle without the aisle seat person moving. Plus stretch our legs out in front while seated. Get up and move around some too. I wish I could take a sleeping pill and chase it with wine and Remain passed out the entire time like I saw some people but that ain’t working for me. Take a tablet and Bluetooth noise canceling headphones for watching movies and sleeping on the plane. Plus ebooks snacks comfy neck pillow.

Give yourself plenty of connection time.



Show up having practiced shooting from standing with sticks. And fer cryin’ out loud reload and be ready to shoot again. That goes for hunting here too.

 

[DoubleJ1929]

Great thread.. We are booked 2024 for first time.

 

[Gunnersdad49]

I've been twice, but hunted with 3 different outfitters. Great advice above. Bring a camera and plenty of memory cards. I went with a super compact camcorder and filmed a ton of stuff from monkeys playing to warthogs tusking at Gemsbok. Even your non-hunting family folks will enjoy the scenery shots.
Everything in Africa has thorns. Everything. Lightweight clothing that has long sleeves and pant legs will help you a bit, but be prepared to watch your PH strutting around in short shorts and a short sleeved shirt.
Vyper Sticks are the most popular shooting sticks with the guys I've hunted with and are really stable. Sight your rifle in well and practice from sticks, and from kneeling. Use quality bonded bullets or something like a TTSX or Partition. I brought a .270 on my last trip and the PH laughed. He said "African animals are tough. Every American brings a .300 Win Mag". We went to the range to sight in and I put three rounds into about a quarter sized group right on the bullseye. He then said that most of his clients can't get 3 rounds into a softball at a hundred yards because they don't practice due to the recoil.
If your PH trusts your marksmanship and you aren't a soft, needy client, you will have more adventures!

Enjoy the trip!

 

[Justin Crossley]

My wife and I booked a 9 day hunt with an additional 3 days at Kruger for July 2025. All the advice above is very helpful.

 

[Nickziegler]

Who are you hunting with?
Africa hunting forum is a good one.
Have your outfitter dip and pack. Get taxidermy work done back home. You can control what is going on.
Pay for VIP meet and greet at the airport. About $100 and we'll worth it. Antonio house is great for an overnight prior to your safari start.
Africa is a blast!

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[prm]

I have been once, and a couple good hunting friends have been a number of times. Between them, probably 20+ trips all with the same outfitter. I’ve not heard of any disappointment or regrets.

With that, go with a good outfitter. They will be able to answer all your questions about travel, weapons, animals, etc., and they will help you through the process. Ask about the areas. They can be small, or very large. I only wanted to hunt very large areas. They will also help you to understand what animals are in various areas, and the relative quality of the animals. Your wish list will likely change once you see the animals. Once there, they will handle everything. We could pack very lightly because they do all laundry each day. I was able to hunt however I wanted. Could ride the truck, or get out and walk. They will also help you identify quality animals. When he said “shoot” I knew it was an animal that met or exceeded what I wanted and I could then choose to shoot, or not. Again, once you see animals, it may suddenly get on your list. I did not plan on a Waterbuck, but I got a brief glance at one that looked really cool and I told the PH where went. Once he reappeared I knew I wanted to shoot and having the PH give me an excited Shoot didn’t hurt!


Practice shooting off sticks and offhand. Load up a few blanks and dry fire practicing cycling the bolt and getting multiple well aimed shots off quickly.


Taxidermy is a mixed bag. I do like that I had all five animals shipped back and mounted. However, when I go back I will probably just do lots of pictures with the plan of a handful of nicely framed pictures combined with Africa themed decorations.


It is hard to compare to hunting in the US. Each day you’ll likely see hundreds and hundreds of animals and you can shoot to whatever your budget allows. If going, stay for about 9 days (or more). Finding animals is easy, finding the right ones is not always easy. And, you’ll get into it more once you decompress from the travel and regular life and the extra day will be enjoyed. I really enjoyed it!

 

[WCB]

-See if they do laundry for you. If they do 100% pack like 3 days worth of clothes/ pack very light. Bring a jacket, gloves, and beanie or warm hat. Mornings cruising in an open jeep can be nippy.
-Clothes wise...rip resistant type in natural colors. obviously avoid really light colors, but bring muted greens, tans, etc... as others have hinted camo can be touchy in Africa...
-Bring your own rifle and bring the rifle you are comfortable shooting...no need to go buy a "safari" caliber rifle to shoot plains game. IMO they are no tougher than anything else BUT you need to shoot them through the shoulders not behind (study shot placement). Also, your PH will be able to provide guidance on the customs process. If you and another guy are just bring one gun a piece...One guy take control of them both have the paper worked filled out under one person and put them both in the same case. No reason everyone in the party should have the guns all in different cases waiting around for the others to clear customs.
-sunglasses and sunscreen
-uninsulated hiking boots...light pair of gators to keep crap out of your boots
-camera (video or still or both)
No way I would go all the way to Africa to sit for 5-10 days in a pit looking at a water hole. I agree with vetting the place and making sure I'm not hunting a 5,000acre enclosure.
DO NOT get mounts done there. Also, no way I'm leaving the horns/skulls and hides and just bringing back a picture.

Honestly, unless you are hunting a free range concession or dangerous game reading books etc will be a big let down when you get there imo.

 

[mxgust]

Does anyone have any book recommendations for African hunting? I know there are some famous ones out there

 

[JAM7]

I have a 2024 South Africa hunt booked. Looking forward to it and following this thread for info.