Africa, any tips?

[NickJ]

Ain't that the truth!

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

I guess they are often in the bush without cell signal or wifi for 7, 10 or 21 day hunts and, even if they have someone in the/a office those people are 'Admin' and are waiting on answers to client's questions from the PHs...in the bush!

@Sybarite Sporting Ollie could tell you exactly how varying the efficiency of different African outfitters offices are!

 

[Stalker62]

I guess they are often in the bush without cell signal or wifi for 7, 10 or 21 day hunts...

It does make me smile when folk complain about lack of comms. in Africa.

Sat in your centrally heated house, sipping a cold beer, and banging away at your keyboard, asking loads of hypothetical "what ifs"...




Meanwhile your PH is living under canvas (if he is lucky), sipping water out of an Elephant's footprint, and trying to fight off the latest bout of malaria - yes Derek I am talking about you!




Stick with it. All of the PHs I have ever known, have been 'challenging' when dealing with emails.

The latest (last week) came back with "Just on a plane to Niassa..." when he was responding to our latest demands for detail/confirmation/nonsense.







All juggling needy clients - takes a special person to be a good PH.

I have been very lucky, they have all been a joy, to spend time with.

And if when you get there, there is no internet/comms./email then so much the better. Enjoy the peace it will bring you.

 

[zambezi]

I’d looked into doxycycline but am I not right in thinking it can cause sunburn/photosensitivity?

Doxycycline is my malarial prophylaxis of choice. For me it is utterly benign: no side-effects at all.

But photo-senstivity is a definite byproduct. My solution is to wear 50upf long-sleeve shirts and Rogue hat. No issues in even 40℃ Limpopo conditions.

Men’s PFG Bahama™ II Long Sleeve Shirt

www.columbia.com

https://res.cloudinary.com/outdoor-warehouse/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,q_auto:good,w_750/v1575961299/uploads/assets/CCAC086-new-ewO.jpg

 

[kenbro]

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!

recommendation for mozzies …….Creedmoor of any calibre.
Kb.

 

[HonestJohn]

Don’t use the N word

 

[Ratwhiskers]

Went right through two weeks in Eastern Cape, end of May into early June of this year. The only thing l took was a bottle of Smidge which worked wonderfully, but then we weren't in malarial areas.
Then sitting on the plane in Jo'burg awaiting take off back to Dubai, l felt a red hot jab above my right ankle, and so gave it a slap in reply (along with few choice dark oaths). By the time l was back at Newcastle l was feeling slightly unwell to say the least. The next day was stressful, so l booked an appointment with the sorebones. The wound site was enflamed and there was a track mark up the back of my leg right up into my groin. I received two huge doses of antibiotics and spend several days feverish in bed. It's been more than a month now and I'm only just getting over it.
Did l carry it in on my day sack which l dragged into the cabin with me, or did the African lass sitting next to me bring the little blighter on board, who knows.
A good friend looked at the photos and asked some of his medical chums what they thought, and the suggestion was a Spider bite of some sort.
All l can say was it hurt like fury!! and has left me to slowly recover, but I'm still here.
As has been said multiple times here, it's not always the big stuff that gets you!!
And don't think that you're once out of the bush you're home free, take ever precaution till you're home safe and well.

 

[Stalker62]

Don’t use the N word

 

[Koenig]

RSA is great hunting. I’ve been twice and will go again.

Most points have been well covered but for my 2p’s worth;

Take your own sticks
Know what rifle you will use as an estate rifle
Make sure you’re happy with said rifle
Deet melts plastic so either be careful with it or use something else
Permethrin is effective
Get a Revolut card
Use US $ for anything else
Always take a fleece and goretex surplus is good.
Try not to look like you are arriving to stage a coup at the airport however
Lowa Desert boots are good but not waterproof (obvs).

Enjoy!

It’s a great experience.

 

[NickJ]

It does make me smile when folk complain about lack of comms. in Africa.

Sat in your centrally heated house, sipping a cold beer, and banging away at your keyboard, asking loads of hypothetical "what ifs"...

View attachment 375201


Meanwhile your PH is living under canvas (if he is lucky), sipping water out of an Elephant's footprint, and trying to fight off the latest bout of malaria - yes Derek I am talking about you!


View attachment 375202View attachment 375203

Stick with it. All of the PHs I have ever known, have been 'challenging' when dealing with emails.

The latest (last week) came back with "Just on a plane to Niassa..." when he was responding to our latest demands for detail/confirmation/nonsense.


View attachment 375204




All juggling needy clients - takes a special person to be a good PH.

I have been very lucky, they have all been a joy, to spend time with.

And if when you get there, there is no internet/comms./email then so much the better. Enjoy the peace it will bring you.

100% agree, I was just trying to explain why they sometimes don't respond quickly.

However, I have ran businesses and have lots of clients in the travel sector - an efficient, knowledgeable person back at base in the office can set you aside from the competition in this modern world where, sadly people expect an instant reply.

Nobody has more respect for PHs than me, three weeks ago @Selous and I were hunting in Zim, the week after we left @Selous 's PH got 'tagged by a leopard that a client had wounded' he got the stiches out last Saturday and was back hunting Tuesday this week, made of iron those men.

As an aside I tried to train as a PH or Game Ranger when I finished my UK Game & Wildlife studies but sadly apartheid (funding removed) put paid to my course (to top up an HND to a degree then an Masters) - life would have turned out much different if I had succeeded but it wouldn't have been dull, I hope I would have had the balls you need

 

[Stalker62]

100% agree, I was just trying to explain why they sometimes don't respond quickly.

My response was in no way a criticism of you, or your posts - just an observation in general.

Your tale of the leopard, just reminded me of a comment made by one of our PHs (Antonie Kloppers) on the last trip.

It sounds so much better if you hear it said, with an Afrikaan's accent.

One of our party always wear shorts - more often than not, short sleeved shirts - but always shorts.




Consequently, by the end of the Safari, he always looks a little 'weathered'.




The PH came into the camp having seen my 'short-wearing mate' in the skinning shed.

"What happened to Mr.X? He looks like a leopard got him!"

Still makes me grin.







BTW this PH has written a really useful book, and his partner Chantel did the illustrations. Worth a read.

 

[Rhodesianjess]

My response was in no way a criticism of you, or your posts - just an observation in general.

Your tale of the leopard, just reminded me of a comment made by one of our PHs (Antonie Kloppers) on the last trip.

It sounds so much better if you hear it said, with an Afrikaan's accent.

One of our party always wear shorts - more often than not, short sleeved shirts - but always shorts.


View attachment 375325

Consequently, by the end of the Safari, he always looks a little 'weathered'.

View attachment 375326


The PH came into the camp having seen my 'short-wearing mate' in the skinning shed.

"What happened to Mr.X? He looks like a leopard got him!"

Still makes me grin.







BTW this PH has written a really useful book, and his partner Chantel did the illustrations. Worth a read.


View attachment 375327

Love the "shorts"
Commonly known as Shorts KD or more usually Bombay Bloomers.

 

[NickJ]

My response was in no way a criticism of you, or your posts - just an observation in general.

Your tale of the leopard, just reminded me of a comment made by one of our PHs (Antonie Kloppers) on the last trip.

It sounds so much better if you hear it said, with an Afrikaan's accent.

One of our party always wear shorts - more often than not, short sleeved shirts - but always shorts.


View attachment 375325

Consequently, by the end of the Safari, he always looks a little 'weathered'.

View attachment 375326


The PH came into the camp having seen my 'short-wearing mate' in the skinning shed.

"What happened to Mr.X? He looks like a leopard got him!"

Still makes me grin.







BTW this PH has written a really useful book, and his partner Chantel did the illustrations. Worth a read.


View attachment 375327

I nearly always wear shorts, the 'wait a bit' thorns in the jess had my legs in tatters but SA was worse than Zim with the added other hooked thorns and acacia scrub, especially chasing through the bush after a blue wildebeest bull we thought I had wounded (limped off but we found it stone dead within 100 yards, shot just a little low)

Looks like a good book, will take a look

 

[NickJ]

Love the "shorts"
Commonly known as Shorts KD or more usually Bombay Bloomers.

Aye, seemingly long shorts are for clients whereas PHs wear the shortest ones they can get!

Reminds me of my father's cousin who fought in the Rhodesian SAS in bush wars, he said they ejected their fatigues and always wore their PT shorts in the bush, their appearance disgusted an RLI Major!

 

[NickJ]

Aye, seemingly long shorts are for clients whereas PHs wear the shortest ones they can get!

Reminds me of my father's cousin who fought in the Rhodesian SAS in bush wars, he said they ejected their fatigues and always wore their PT shorts in the bush, their appearance disgusted an RLI Major!

'Rejected' their rather....although as an ex SADF Para he probably did eject them!

 

[CBH Australia]

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.

Yes there is a rifle import agent on another forum that is highly regarded.
I think I would use pre-booked assistance if I went again.

As for those people who "Work at the Airport" they probably get a shakedown from the police and everyone gets a cut.

It is an eye opener.

 

[WalkedUp]

Ok. This is too much. I’ve decided to go back to Africa in 2026 for my 40th. Just me and my three boys for two weeks. They want to shoot an impala and a vervet monkey each…. (That was talking the eldest down from kudu). I have 24 months to save up. I will book in with Evert Birkenstock to go up to Limpopo for seven days. Two days travelling. Five in a ranch in a national park, a safari before the safari effectively. No trophies, use the estate rifle, fly economy.

 

[ColinJ]

Ok. This is too much. I’ve decided to go back to Africa in 2026 for my 40th. Just me and my three boys for two weeks. They want to shoot an impala and a vervet monkey each…. (That was talking the eldest down from kudu). I have 24 months to save up. I will book in with Evert Birkenstock to go up to Limpopo for seven days. Two days travelling. Five in a ranch in a national park, a safari before the safari effectively. No trophies, use the estate rifle, fly economy.

I’ve booked with Evert for September this year (and next year too!).

 

[WalkedUp]

I’ve booked with Evert for September this year (and next year too!).

So jealous have a great time.

 

[Stalker62]

They want to shoot an impala and a vervet monkey each….

I really don't want to rain on your parade.

Just a thought.


Monkeys.

They are very 'human' like; in both their appearance and their reaction to shot.

Not for me that.

 

[WalkedUp]

I really don't want to rain on your parade.

Just a thought.


Monkeys.

They are very 'human' like; in both their appearance and their reaction to shot.

Not for me that.

Ok, fair point. Perhaps something equally abundant and reasonable without racking up a huge bill.