Africa, any tips?

[wildfowler.250]

So going to RSA next may and it’s actually too far off. Allows some time to budget but actually is drawing everything out!

I think I’ll use the camp rifle to save hassle,(although I’ve mixed feelings on this). That been said, my own rifle and groups really open up beyond 250 yards so I’m possibly not loosing much beyond familiarity. I’m torn on this.

What do folk recommend for mosquitos? I get really bad reactions too so avoidance as much as possible will be important.

I take it it will be cold? Uk winter stalking gear?


Cheers!

 

[Tim.243]

So going to RSA next may and it’s actually too far off. Allows some time to budget but actually is drawing everything out!

I think I’ll use the camp rifle to save hassle,(although I’ve mixed feelings on this). That been said, my own rifle and groups really open up beyond 250 yards so I’m possibly not loosing much beyond familiarity. I’m torn on this.

What do folk recommend for mosquitos? I get really bad reactions too so avoidance as much as possible will be important.

I take it it will be cold? Uk winter stalking gear?


Cheers!

Ask the out fitters as they live there...

 

[ColinJ]

Where in South Africa? The country is huge and has many different climates. Mosquitos are an issue in some areas, but not others. Temperatures vary too. Winter in some regions can be very cold, but dry.
Again, depending on where you are, you could be shooting at 100 yards, or 300 yards.

 

[Jamouk]

Have a look at the Africa Hunting Forum lots of tips gear lists etc

 

[Stalker62]

Africa, any tips?​

Yes, you will be 'required' to tip.

Speak to the Outfitter, and bully them into giving you the 'going rate' for the plethora of staff with whom you will need to 'thank'.
It is (for me) the most important part of the trip to get right...



It does not matter where you are in Africa - the US dollar is the currency of choice - take plenty.

 

[Stalker62]

Uk winter stalking gear?

Only if you want to be the second-most overdressed man in Africa - here is the current, most overdressed man in Africa...

 

[wildfowler.250]

Ask the out fitters as they live there...

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

Where in South Africa? The country is huge and has many different climates. Mosquitos are an issue in some areas, but not others. Temperatures vary too. Winter in some regions can be very cold, but dry.
Again, depending on where you are, you could be shooting at 100 yards, or 300 yards.

KZN . To be fair, their ranges do seem to be fairly close. Uk stalking distances anyway. They’ve got a sako,(maybe an A1?) so that should be alright.

Have a look at the Africa Hunting Forum lots of tips gear lists etc

Yeah I’m on there. Lots of good info. Just for any kit etc I thought it was worth asking on here as stuff they might pick up easily in America might be harder to get here.
One chap was suggesting bring antibiotics - probably very sensible but a harder push over here etc.

Africa, any tips?​

Yes, you will be 'required' to tip.

Speak to the Outfitter, and bully them into giving you the 'going rate' for the plethora of staff with whom you will need to 'thank'.
It is (for me) the most important part of the trip to get right...

View attachment 374712

It does not matter where you are in Africa - the US dollar is the currency of choice - take plenty.

Yeah was going to take USD. Is there any point in taking rand?
I was tempted to ask them about tipping amounts. I’ve basically factored this as an expense along with flights etc. I take it most outfitters will give you a reasonable rate for guides , cooks , skinners?

Only if you want to be the second-most overdressed man in Africa - here is the current, most overdressed man in Africa...


View attachment 374713

Well that’s handy to know. Certainly on a lot of the John X videos , they’re pretty wrapped up in kuiu gear

 

[Stalker62]

Yeah was going to take USD. Is there any point in taking rand?
I was tempted to ask them about tipping amounts. I’ve basically factored this as an expense along with flights etc. I take it most outfitters will give you a reasonable rate for guides , cooks , skinners?

Any decent outfitter will give you a guide to appropriate tipping. I have always tipped in USD.

In relation to taking rand. I never have. However, on the last trip (May) we stopped off at a 'cafe' and the currency was rand - one of the lads had a Revolut (other brands are available) bank card. You load it with sterling and you can spend it in the local currency. Useful if you are a frequent flyer.

BTW

In you have never been on Safari before (and the Outfitter's are decent), you will lose nothing from the experience, by using their Camp rifle.
It is (for me) always the worst part of travelling abroad and I am at a loss to understand why I still continue to do it...

Most shots are taken off sticks. Time spent on that practice is never wasted.

 

[Stalker62]

The country is huge and has many different climates.

I'll say it is...

 

[Stalker62]

KZN .

 

[Tim.243]

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

KZN . To be fair, their ranges do seem to be fairly close. Uk stalking distances anyway. They’ve got a sako,(maybe an A1?) so that should be alright.

Yeah I’m on there. Lots of good info. Just for any kit etc I thought it was worth asking on here as stuff they might pick up easily in America might be harder to get here.
One chap was suggesting bring antibiotics - probably very sensible but a harder push over here etc.

Yeah was going to take USD. Is there any point in taking rand?
I was tempted to ask them about tipping amounts. I’ve basically factored this as an expense along with flights etc. I take it most outfitters will give you a reasonable rate for guides , cooks , skinners?


Well that’s handy to know. Certainly on a lot of the John X videos , they’re pretty wrapped up in kuiu gear

Couple of tips, Ask you GP what jabs you need as a few of us older lads might Quote "Dave Boy Green" or Hennery Cooper
Personally been SA/Moz twice, just packed the dive kit and got on with out any fuss.

 

[Jamouk]

 

[ColinJ]

KZN has mosquitos, and mosquitos carry malaria. Take the usual precautions. Bug spray. Long sleeves and trousers as soon as the sun goes down. You can take prophylactic medication, but do some research because some can make you quite ill and mildly psychotic.

 

[wildfowler.250]

Any decent outfitter will give you a guide to appropriate tipping. I have always tipped in USD.

In relation to taking rand. I never have. However, on the last trip (May) we stopped off at a 'cafe' and the currency was rand - one of the lads had a Revolut (other brands are available) bank card. You load it with sterling and you can spend it in the local currency. Useful if you are a frequent flyer.

BTW

In you have never been on Safari before (and the Outfitter's are decent), you will lose nothing from the experience, by using their Camp rifle.
It is (for me) always the worst part of travelling abroad and I am at a loss to understand why I still continue to do it...

Most shots are taken off sticks. Time spent on that practice is never wasted.


View attachment 374717

I like the revolut. Nice idea!

Couple of tips, Ask you GP what jabs you need as a few of us older lads might Quote "Dave Boy Green" or Hennery Cooper
Personally been SA/Moz twice, just packed the dive kit and got on with out any fuss.

Cheers yes I do need to get on the vaccine side of things. And probably a truck full of antihistamines

KZN has mosquitos, and mosquitos carry malaria. Take the usual precautions. Bug spray. Long sleeves and trousers as soon as the sun goes down. You can take prophylactic medication, but do some research because some can make you quite ill and mildly psychotic.

Yes and the strange thing is parts of KZN do have malaria but I don’t believe the bit I’m going into. May also be going to free state. I’m not entirely sure if it’s safer to have anti malarials on board rather than chance it. But appreciate they have side effects. I’m sure the guides will say “it’ll be fine”

 

[Jon P]

Tips -
1. it is addictive - have been 3 times now.
2 - I will use PH rifle next time, check what they have first.
3 - been to eastern cape in May 2019 & 2022 never had issues with mosquitoes- have had tick bite fever twice -
4- recently did eastern cape and KZN in June 2024, no issues with ticks or mosquitoes, was very cold though.
5- be prepared to add animals to list .
6- check how big the concession are that you are going too.

 

[Dunwaters]

Watch yourself with the clothes, it can get damn parky as well as hot, especially early morning or late evening, so bring a decent fleece.

 

[gixer1]

I like the revolut. Nice idea!

Cheers yes I do need to get on the vaccine side of things. And probably a truck full of antihistamines


Yes and the strange thing is parts of KZN do have malaria but I don’t believe the bit I’m going into. May also be going to free state. I’m not entirely sure if it’s safer to have anti malarials on board rather than chance it. But appreciate they have side effects. I’m sure the guides will say “it’ll be fine”

I have been to Africa a number of times, my father lives in Marloth park and I have been to many of the African countries, SA, Congo, Gabon, IVC, Nigeria, Moz, Kenya, EG, Cameroon…I have travelled with various people who would recommend anti-malarial and some who would recommend not to take them…

I once spoke to a British nurse there about this and how there are differing opinions…her answer was pretty clear -

“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…

Check on the cost of this spray, if it’s expensive (which it can be from travel clinics) I have some from a planned trip that I didn’t go on - happy to post it to you for nothing.

Regards,
Gixer

 

[Stalker62]

...it can get damn parky as well as hot, especially early morning or late evening, so bring a decent fleece.

One of the things I love about Africa.

It can be 'fresh' in the mornings - especially if you are already on the truck and heading out. However, the sun does get up quickly over there and I enjoy the chill of it all.

In the evenings, it was never an issue. Always a hot fire and a cold drink to settle your temperature...

 

[opticron1]

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!

 

[Stalker62]

…we used to get the option of two, malarone and doxcycillin (sp) one was definately better than the other…

Our party used prophylaxis Malarone - beware of cheap imitations.