Africa, any tips?

[chriswjx]

“I have never heard of anyone dying from taking anti-malarial medication, I have heard of plenty dying from malaria”….that made my decision…we used to get the option of two, malarone and doxcycillin (sp) one was definately better than the other…and I can’t remember which was which! Used to also get jungle formula spray…

Doxycycline, is that not the nasty stuff they give you for Lyme?

Reading through some of this for interest as well as the missus would like to go to Africa at some point for a non-hunting safari.

Interested as to why has no one uses the traditional malaria preventative of quinine in the form of liquid ambrosia (G&T)?

 

[Stalker62]

Your opinion on taking trade goods? IE revered Green Rivers or similar knives, (every man LOVES a knife or three) hunt clothing or even Nike shoes (yes) instead of cash?

@John Gryphon

Again this is a 'personal' view.

Instead of cash = No.
As well as cash = Yes.

One PH was 'uncomfortable' with his team being 'gifted' knives.

We always take tobacco and papers. Health issues aside, they are always well received. I have posted on here about a Buffalo hunt and cigar - I will try and find it...

It is not unusual (especially in Mozambique) for us to leave any and all medications for the Camp, and any 'spare' clothing for the lads.

 

[Stalker62]

I have posted on here about a Buffalo hunt and cigar - I will try and find it...

Cigar Smokers

I don’t smoke many, but I do enjoy a Romeo y Jullietta No 3 now and again😀👍

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

 

[Heym SR20]

Doxycycline, is that not the nasty stuff they give you for Lyme?

Reading through some of this for interest as well as the missus would like to go to Africa at some point for a non-hunting safari.

Interested as to why has no one uses the traditional malaria preventative of quinine in the form of liquid ambrosia (G&T)?

When I lived in Zambia you would need to drink a case of the little Shweppes Tonic water to get you daily dose of quinine. That’s about a bottle of gin’s worth.

Malaria is nasty. I was hospitalised with it aged 22, I also had to medivac a colleague down to Harare who developed black water. That was the closest dialysis.

However mosquitoes are really a function of time of year, temperature and amount of standing water. In the dry season on the high veld its not an issue, low veld in the rains it definitely is.

And don’t forget about AIDS - this is widespread throughout Africa. Whilst there are drugs to manage the symptoms and it’s not the death sentence that it was in the 1990’s (we would take on three staff, expecting to loose one or two in the not too distant future) take appropriate precautions.

Going back to Malaria, in the old days they would prescribe one prophylactic for a couple of years, and then switch. This prevented malaria parasites getting resistant. Nowadays everybody uses every different one.

Best prevention are mosquito nets and avoid getting bitten. Turn in early and get up before dawn.

 

[wildfowler.250]

Travel Clinics are a good route to getting inoculations and advice, you will be expected to pay for any vaccinations/inoculations. The Gov.uk travel advice service is also quite helpful as it is updated fairly regularly. Health Insurance is a definite for Southern Africa and some areas still ask for Yellow Fever Certification.
Sounds great though......

Although reading the saga's of @Stalker1962 , it is obviously safe to assume that something will always go.....err...not quite to plan! Or maybe he just attracts chaos and disorganisation wherever he goes!

Have I missed this misfortune on this thread or is it from another post? Funny thing is I tend not to travel a huge amount so a right shock to the system. Amazing what the appeal of a kudu will put you through..

I've hunted three or four times in SA, only once formally with a PH though. Apart from what has been said above I'd add:

- Take the sticks you use at home (unless they have similar in camp) I took my Viperflex Journey sticks to Zim last month as they collapse down to sections that fitted in my bag. Also, if the PH's don't have them take a rangefinder or RF binos. I missed an impala in SA off their rickety tripod sticks, the PH said it was 'about 200 yards, it was over 350 when we paced it out'

- If you borrow a rifle and you are not happy with it/the scope on the range ask for another one. I got given a duff scope once and soldiered on, it meant a miss, when we looked closer it was missing lenses!

- For mozzies I use Jungle Formula but don't get it on your binos, watch etc but that time of year in KZN there shouldn't be many, especially if you are on high ground

- I mainly wear UK ex Military cotton clothing, plain green or dark khaki

- Boots wise I have worn lowish boots but reckoned last time that if you bust an ankle on day one it's an expensive rest up in camp so have just acquired a pair of ex Mil Lowa Desert Boots for ankle support

- For Malarial prophylactic - my recent safari partner @Selous (a vet) took Doxycycline over Malerone (that I have always taken) as it's also the antibiotic they give you for Lyme disease (and possibly TBF?)

It's never to early to start planning, it's half the fun of it

Very helpful! I’d looked into doxycycline but am I not right in thinking it can cause sunburn/photosensitivity? I’ll need to check that.
Was going to bring my viper flex in case that’s not what they use. Think in the uk we’re pretty reasonable off sticks so hopefully not a problem there.
Jungle formula I do have somewhere. Boots are on the purchase list.

Worked in sub sahara Africa for years and we primarily used Malarone, which is a daily tablet. Never noticed any side effects. You need to start taking it a few days before you hit the ground in Africa to load your system and keep it going for a few days after you get back home. It won't stop you getting malaria if you get bitten but it will give you time to get to proper medical aid. Malaria will start to show itself around 8 - 10 days after you have been bitten, which effectively means that you could be home for a week before you notice anything. You will require a prescription for malarone (or at least you did when I was working in Africa) and it's around a quid a pop.
Suggest that you read up on the symptoms of malaria so that you know if you've been bitten. Long sleeves / trousers are a must after sunset and lotions with picaradin as an ingredient. Make sure that you rub it on all exposed skin. Midge head nets over a brimmed hat if it gets really bad. Sleep under a mosquito bed net unless you are in air conditioned accommodation with room temperature set to 18 Degrees C or less.
Malaria can be avoided by following some simple rules and it really is something to be avoided. (don't ask me how I know this ... )

Final thoughts:
You may think that you are a bad ass being out there hunting some of the most dangerous animals on the planet .... but you are not! The female mosquito is the most dangerous creature on the planet and she is hunting YOU. You may wish to keep that in mind

Stay safe.

Jamsie

Is it reasonable to bring a mosquito bed / net over? I appreciate that it may look ridiculous but who cares. I’ve had allergic reactions and cellulitis from the damn things 5x so far,(mostly September duck flights but once in HK as well).
Sadly I think sitting by camp fire at night may also be asking for trouble.





Thanks for the amazing replies folks. So much useful information and even if I haven’t quoted the replies directly. They’ve all been read and appreciated. Will also check up the links.

Appreciate any extra info folk have. It may just be a case of fly in, fly out and everything is fine. But prep in advance is the way to go.


Was planning flying on on the wed overnight. Arrive Thurs AM. Queue through immigration for a couple of hours. Then a 4 hour drive with PH.

Leaving looks like a Friday stalk. Drive to airport Saturday and fly out Saturday evening. Timescale wise that seems okay? Flights aren’t booked yet. I’ll probably want out of the airport asap

 

[chriswjx]

When I lived in Zambia you would need to drink a case of the little Shweppes Tonic water to get you daily dose of quinine. That’s about a bottle of gin’s worth.

Oh, fair enough

I grew up in Malaysia, where malaria is also present, just we never quite seemed as bothered - local immunity I guess. Dengue on the other hand? Now that would get us worried... (Think they're now present in Europe?)

 

[Heym SR20]

Have I missed this misfortune on this thread or is it from another post? Funny thing is I tend not to travel a huge amount so a right shock to the system. Amazing what the appeal of a kudu will put you through..

Very helpful! I’d looked into doxycycline but am I not right in thinking it can cause sunburn/photosensitivity? I’ll need to check that.
Was going to bring my viper flex in case that’s not what they use. Think in the uk we’re pretty reasonable off sticks so hopefully not a problem there.
Jungle formula I do have somewhere. Boots are on the purchase list.


Is it reasonable to bring a mosquito bed / net over? I appreciate that it may look ridiculous but who cares. I’ve had allergic reactions and cellulitis from the damn things 5x so far,(mostly September duck flights but once in HK as well).
Sadly I think sitting by camp fire at night may also be asking for trouble.





Thanks for the amazing replies folks. So much useful information and even if I haven’t quoted the replies directly. They’ve all been read and appreciated. Will also check up the links.

Appreciate any extra info folk have. It may just be a case of fly in, fly out and everything is fine. But prep in advance is the way to go.


Was planning flying on on the wed overnight. Arrive Thurs AM. Queue through immigration for a couple of hours. Then a 4 hour drive with PH.

Leaving looks like a Friday stalk. Drive to airport Saturday and fly out Saturday evening. Timescale wise that seems okay? Flights aren’t booked yet. I’ll probably want out of the airport asap

I suggest you talk closely with your hunting guides to get local information.

Permethrin spray on clothing works well. The Life systems Permethrin you get from Blacks, Tisos etc, works really well on Mosquitoes and Ticks. Possibly taking a lightweight mossy net, but most lodges will have them over the beds already.

In Zim and Zambia Mosquitoes were not an issue for six months of the year. In KZN in the Drackensburg I doubt much of a problem in winter - they get snow, but down by Durban on the coast its hot and tropical all year round.

Sun - best is a wide brimmed bush hat and long sleeved cotton shirts. Worst are caps as back of neck gets burned (Roineck is the term used for English).

A lightweight down jacket is perfect for the cold winter mornings. Note that it might not actually be that cold, but when you 30° plus during the afternoon and it then drops down to 10° at night it feels bloody cold.

 

[Jamsie]

Have I missed this misfortune on this thread or is it from another post? Funny thing is I tend not to travel a huge amount so a right shock to the system. Amazing what the appeal of a kudu will put you through..

Very helpful! I’d looked into doxycycline but am I not right in thinking it can cause sunburn/photosensitivity? I’ll need to check that.
Was going to bring my viper flex in case that’s not what they use. Think in the uk we’re pretty reasonable off sticks so hopefully not a problem there.
Jungle formula I do have somewhere. Boots are on the purchase list.


Is it reasonable to bring a mosquito bed / net over? I appreciate that it may look ridiculous but who cares. I’ve had allergic reactions and cellulitis from the damn things 5x so far,(mostly September duck flights but once in HK as well).
Sadly I think sitting by camp fire at night may also be asking for trouble.





Thanks for the amazing replies folks. So much useful information and even if I haven’t quoted the replies directly. They’ve all been read and appreciated. Will also check up the links.

Appreciate any extra info folk have. It may just be a case of fly in, fly out and everything is fine. But prep in advance is the way to go.


Was planning flying on on the wed overnight. Arrive Thurs AM. Queue through immigration for a couple of hours. Then a 4 hour drive with PH.

Leaving looks like a Friday stalk. Drive to airport Saturday and fly out Saturday evening. Timescale wise that seems okay? Flights aren’t booked yet. I’ll probably want out of the airport asap

By all means purchase a net and take it with you. these are fairly compact and weigh next to nothing. A physical barrier between the little b*ggers and you is more effective than any creams or prophylaxis. The bonus is that you can leave it behind when you depart for someone else to use for its intended purpose or ... as a fishing net / bridal veil (by the locals).

 

[Selous]

Hints: don’t take too many clothes, in camp you will be on daily laundry so you don’t need any more than 3 sets.
If you can stand the airport hassle take your own rifle as you know the quality. You can’t take a rifle from the UK to Zim as it’s illegal.
Plan your trip carefully from arriving at the airport to getting to the camp and back. If you are staying at a guest house then they will probably be able to assist with transfer from airport to guesthouse. If not using a guest house ask your PH if he will be collecting you or if he can arrange someone reliable that he trusts.
Practice with your rifle off sticks, especially if you are shooting a large bore rifle that you don’t use much. A trip to the H@H shooting cinema is excellent practice.
Choose your bullets according to species. Take quality ammunition with deep penetrating bullets if hunting anything bigger than impala. Bullets like the Swift AFrame, Trophy Bonded Bearclaw and the Barnes TSX or TTSX are good.
If you are hunting large pachyderms take top quality flat nosed mono metal solid bullets that will penetrate deep and in a straight line. Round nosed profiles are not as good and full metal jacket lead core bullets are worse.
Make sure your boots are worn in
Read the book “The perfect Shot” by Kevin Robertson…. Indispensable!!
Short canvas or leather gaiters are useful

 

[Selous]

@Selous

That’s a great read and definitely accurate!!

 

[CBH Australia]

There is a lot of info on everything Africa on Africa hunting.com
I have only been once and it was a management hunt to get the cost down.
My wife and I only took a carry on back pack each being January and we had daily laundry.
I used a hire rifle that was a Sako with a Swarovski scope supplied with handloads.
No concerns there.
Got assistance at the airport by someone who looked like they were an employee. He took us to the right direction asked for his fee and took off but no harm done it just cost me $20 .They are tricky.
I think the tipping works on an ascending scale with the PH getting the higher percentage going down the line to camp staff sinners and trackers.
Philip Glass is on AH and YouTube he's an American who posts a lot on African Safaris.
Plenty of help and info over there as there has been on this forum.

 

[NickJ]

By all means purchase a net and take it with you. these are fairly compact and weigh next to nothing. A physical barrier between the little b*ggers and you is more effective than any creams or prophylaxis. The bonus is that you can leave it behind when you depart for someone else to use for its intended purpose or ... as a fishing net / bridal veil (by the locals).

An ex military mosquito net worked well for me on the mopane flies in Zim

 

[NickJ]

Hints: don’t take too many clothes, in camp you will be on daily laundry so you don’t need any more than 3 sets.
If you can stand the airport hassle take your own rifle as you know the quality. You can’t take a rifle from the UK to Zim as it’s illegal.
Plan your trip carefully from arriving at the airport to getting to the camp and back. If you are staying at a guest house then they will probably be able to assist with transfer from airport to guesthouse. If not using a guest house ask your PH if he will be collecting you or if he can arrange someone reliable that he trusts.
Practice with your rifle off sticks, especially if you are shooting a large bore rifle that you don’t use much. A trip to the H@H shooting cinema is excellent practice.
Choose your bullets according to species. Take quality ammunition with deep penetrating bullets if hunting anything bigger than impala. Bullets like the Swift AFrame, Trophy Bonded Bearclaw and the Barnes TSX or TTSX are good.
If you are hunting large pachyderms take top quality flat nosed mono metal solid bullets that will penetrate deep and in a straight line. Round nosed profiles are not as good and full metal jacket lead core bullets are worse.
Make sure your boots are worn in
Read the book “The perfect Shot” by Kevin Robertson…. Indispensable!!
Short canvas or leather gaiters are useful

spot on, I'd add wear one set of hunting clothes & boots on the plane and carry essentials like binos and meds in your hand luggage in case the airline lose your baggage, and next time I will do as @Selous did and if you have an iPhone put AirTag s in your luggage including rifle case if you take a weapon

 

[Stalker62]

Got assistance at the airport by someone who looked like they were an employee. He took us to the right direction asked for his fee and took off but no harm done it just cost me $20 .They are tricky.

There is a very fine line between 'got assistance' and 'got robbed'.

These people do not work for the airport, they work the airport.

If you are not familiar with (for instance) Jo'berg airport, then having someone who is, can be a game changer. This is especially true is you have a connecting flight and you are travelling with firearms.

There are companies who (whilst not cheap) can 'lawfully' facilitate this spiteful process. Herewith is just one that you can use in South Africa.



Just things like knowing where the Police office is, (it's almost the last building on the way out of Jo'Berg airport) can be daunting. If you pay in advance for a 'professional', they will meet, greet and facilitate; and when you are going through the trauma of international travel with firearms, you will think it worth every single penny.

 

[Jon P]

In regards payment cards- Revolut card works well in South Africa, for daily stuff if passing shops etc. one off our group paid his final bill with his Revolut card too.

Don’t do what I did- open the Revolut account and try and sent £7k to South Africa the following day. Banks don’t like that and shut all my accounts down .

 

[Jon P]

There is a very fine line between 'got assistance' and 'got robbed'.

These people do not work for the airport, they work the airport.

If you are not familiar with (for instance) Jo'berg airport, then having someone who is, can be a game changer. This is especially true is you have a connecting flight and you are travelling with firearms.

There are companies who (whilst not cheap) can 'lawfully' facilitate this spiteful process. Herewith is just one that you can use in South Africa.

View attachment 375032

Just things like knowing where the Police office is, (it's almost the last building on the way out of Jo'Berg airport) can be daunting. If you pay in advance for a 'professional', they will meet, greet and facilitate; and when you are going through the trauma of international travel with firearms, you will think it worth every single penny.

I would recommend Mr X. He does make life a lot smother , especially when you have a connecting flight to catch. Cost was £70 I think.

 

[Selous]

I used Hunters Support for a previous trip and it was excellent. Met as we got off the train and escorted through the VIP passport control which circumvented a 90 minute queue. Collected baggage then straight to the SAPS office to collect the rifles. Money well spent!! And they did the paperwork for firearms import in advance.

 

[old 30-06]

wildfowler.250, You are a very lucky man, and will love the entire experience. I have hunted at the top end of the Country by the Sand river, and there were no mosquitoes. There is a whole world of advice that could be given, but I will keep it simple. Tie two sticks together with a bit of string, and practice shooting off them up to 150 yards. Try it with all the different rifles that your friends have.

If you become proficient at this, then use the camp rifle. If not, then take your own. If you are confident off sticks then the rest of the adventure will fall into line. In order to fully enjoy the experience you must have the confidence to take your shot when presented. You have plenty of time to practice, so do not panic if you find it difficult at first.

Arrive confident in your shooting and your trip will just be pure pleasure (I could not spell "hedonistic", so I left it out). Good luck, and enjoy !

 

[Cranborne]

I bought a set of viperflex quad sticks before I went to Namibia, which proved a good investment. I ended up having to use the camp rifle as Qatar Airways had not renewed their authorisation to carry firearms in time. Yes, a lot less aggravation in transit but I ended up with an unmoderated .300winmag with a very heavy trigger pull (apparantly to reduce the risk of a negligent discharge by less experienced clients), not ideal but I managed.

 

[MJ75]

you say that and it’s fair but my impression is that in general they’re not the best on the old emails / IT side of things. Certainly not like contacting an outfitter in the uk or USA. Wait weeks for half a reply

Ain't that the truth!

I do wonder how much business some outfitters have lost as a result!