Just booked 1st African hunt. Any pointers?

[pomoxis]

There are a number of things that can make your trip more memorable. I would highly suggest that you spend time being a tourist since a major cost is the flight to Africa. Spend a couple of days in a Game reserve so you can have all the photographs that people expect from a trip. When I am hunting, I do not take that many photographs.

Since laundry is done every day, you can get by with packing a couple sets of hunting cloths and that way you can pack more trinkets home.

I would suggest that your travel gun case is a golf club suitcase. The advantage is that it has wheels to get your through the airport quickly, it appears to airport baggage handlers that you are not traveling with a gun and it can hold all your gear. I saw one fellow in SA that had a piano hinged golf bag lay it on its side opened the lid and took out fully packed small duffle bag, unfolded egg foam and produced the soft side gun case for inspection by the customs inspectors. He had a second locked box for the ammo. After the inspection he just reversed the process and was out of their very quickly. With the small duffle bags you can use on as a second checked bag.

The extra bags can be packed with gifts or supplies not readily available. Ask you PH or booking agent what would be appreciated. My PH's wife in Zimbabwe really like Ziploc storage bags. In some locations, children’s cloths are really appreciated and you can go to Goodwill or hit the garage sales and tell them you are going to Africa and if they are willing to donate or sell cheap the things not moving off the shelves.


I was told to pack all the things you need for your hunt except rifle and ammo for your carry on. This includes your cameras medication, 2 pair of hunting cloths, and a set of street cloths. That way if things go sideways with your baggage you still can go on your hunt. You may have to borrow a rifle but you can still have a good time.