Must haves for Africa?

[Elksong]

So I'm headed to the Limpopo province of South Africa in June. This will be my first trip outside of the country. I've been bugging everyone I know that travels or that has actually been to Africa what I need to know or have to travel half way around the world! So for you guys that have been, are there any items or bits of knowledge that I need to have before I go?

[Greg Szalewski]

There are a few things that I took and was glad I did. Foam seat cushion. They had those plastic stack chairs in the blinds which are comfortable but days can be long on them.

I have no idea how the blinds that you will use are constructed but the black plastic garbage bags that I took I believe helped. I would clothes pin or tack them over un wanted windows and to cover the areas that the door (usually a piece of carpet) did not. I feel this is important so that your movement is not as easily detected.

Of course when hunting in a blind think black or dark clothing.

Next time I would treat my hunting socks and pants with Permetherin. Both my wife and I got ill when we got home from tick bites.

Good luck on your hunt and please get back here to share it.

[Elksong]

Thanks Greg! I really appreciate the info. What time of the year were you there? I figured with it being winter in June we wouldn't have to deal with many bugs/ticks.

[mj seratt]

Keep a daily journal. I have enjoyed mine immensely. Take lots of pictures and videos.

Murray

[Elksong]

Thanks MJ! I actually started keeping one two weeks ago, I figured I'd keep note of all the details leading up to the trip as well as the trip! Also, I go very few places without my camera. I cant even imagine how many SD cards I'm going to fill up! lol!

[Greg Szalewski]

we were there in the middle of July. I have not heard of anyone else having trouble with ticks and we did not have many. One for my wife and two for me. They all pulled of real easy but the prevention is so easy and harmless I defiantly would do it.

I would also recommend a side trip as long as you are there. We went to Victoria Falls and toured a game park. It actually gave us a better appreciation of the animals that we hunted. Of course we got to see some that were not on the property that we hunted. Africa is so big and has so much to offer take the extra time as long as you are there to take some more of it in.

[DXH]

One accessory I've come to love hunting with are lighted nicks. My personal favorite is the nockturnals brand. Makes it easy to find arrows (expensive broadheads) after missed shots.

Fyi I had problems with lumenock brand switching / vibrsting off as the animal runs from thr hit

[Jerrynocam]

I’ve been twice and here’s what I learned. They wash your clothes every day so you don’t need a lot extra. If you’re hunting from blinds you don’t necessarily need camo. I wore black t-shirts and shorts, it gets hot in those blinds.
  There’s not a lot of archery equipment over there so make sure to take plenty of arrows, extra strings, and maybe an extra bow.
  Lastly and most important take LOTS of pictures and have a good time.

[Elksong]

Thanks for the input guy's! Greg - I spoke with a guy this weekend that also got very sick after he returned home, from an insect bite. I'm going to treat me clothes for sure!

[Jerry Russell]

Even if you forget your bow, remember a closed cell foam pad.  If you are going to hunt blinds you will be miserable without one.  

As mentioned earlier, go on at least 1-2 side trips even if they are just to local schools or towns.  You will not capture the true nature of Africa from inside the blind.  Do it early in the hunt or the hunt pressure will get to where you won't do it.  

Take some judo points for birds.

[Cory Mattson]

Do your side trips first so you are acclimated to the time zone.

I used ambien and sonata decreased dose each day a few times which helped but I would give myself a few days at least next time doing other stuff instead of pills.

COFFEE: I carried real coffee and an espresso pot - Helped me a lot - helped a lot of friends a lot - and some folks became my friends as soon as they smelled the aroma of me cooking coffee. It's a country of tea drinkers so heads up!

Book seats on air travel immediately and get the front seat upstairs.
 
If you know your outfitter and/or guides think about taking a few things you have double and triple of - hunting tools and stuff. Things are not easily purchased over there. I have given away some pretty cool stuff that was not very expensive but very appreciated. Small treestands, good knives, decent binoculars - stuff like that.

Two of the worst things I have seen are guys trying to manage jet lag with red wine and hunters trying to shoot at the trophy animall of a lifetime at first burst of a hunt 6 or 7 hours ahead of their home time zone

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[acolobowhunter]

We are headed to Namibia in Aug and we purchased some of the air seats for in the blind.  They pack small, then just blow them up when ready to use.  They were cheap and can be used when attending any ball game back home.  I am also working on my packing list and have talked to several people that have been there.  One good tip - make copy of passport, license, etc and pack in carry on as a back up.  Also have the name, address, phone number, etc of the outfitter in your carry on luggage as you will be asked for it at customs.  
Have fun and I also plan on taking lots of photos and video.  
Everyone says that 2-4 64gb SD cards should hold all the photos and video.  I am also taking a flash drive, in case the SD cards are full as the outfitter will download the cards to the flashdrive, thus opening the SD cards for use again.  I purchased the electrical adaptor for Africa and also the converter.  I hope I did right, as just the adaptor is not enough without the converter.  They are on 220 W and we are on 110 W here.

Correct???

[snowbeast]

You will love our Country, lots of archery stuff available here, but we battle to get good quality Trad stuff here. taken me a year to get set up.
If shooting Impala or Warthog they are prone to string jump.
Try Biltong, my wife has gone to the States before and says it beats Jerky hands down.
Take biltong and Droe wors (afrikaans for dry saussage pronounced drooh vors) into the blind. keeps you full for long. Just take lots of water with as its preserved with salt.
Winter is usually chilly nights (at least for us) and by 11am its getting hot so think of wearing a T shirt under a big jacket.
Boots are a must, you dont have to get anything fancy, but realistically they will get wet in the morning with dew.
Cap, suncream, hat and sunglasses are a must.

Come with an open mind, some of our roads are slow and systems are frustrating but remain calm and you will feel the African vibe that flows through us.

So happy you coming out this way, I love my Country.

[snowbeast]

You will love our Country, lots of archery stuff available here, but we battle to get good quality Trad stuff here. taken me a year to get set up.
If shooting Impala or Warthog they are prone to string jump.
Try Biltong, my wife has gone to the States before and says it beats Jerky hands down.
Take biltong and Droe wors (afrikaans for dry saussage pronounced drooh vors) into the blind. keeps you full for long. Just take lots of water with as its preserved with salt.
Winter is usually chilly nights (at least for us) and by 11am its getting hot so think of wearing a T shirt under a big jacket.
Boots are a must, you dont have to get anything fancy, but realistically they will get wet in the morning with dew.
Cap, suncream, hat and sunglasses are a must.

Come with an open mind, some of our roads are slow and systems are frustrating but remain calm and you will feel the African vibe that flows through us.

So happy you coming out this way, I love my Country.

[Saltydog]

Make sure you take some gaiters and wear them!

I was warned before I left, even though the grasses didn't look like anything to worry about, the tops have barbs that are as grabby as burdock burs.

One morning I remember thinking that I would just wait until I got to the blind to put them on. I forgot. About 1/4 mile into what turned out to be a 1/2 mile recovery of an Eland both feet, from the tops of my boots to below my ankles, were screaming at me "I TOLD YOU SO"

I ended up throwing the socks out because the little stickers don't wash away, and it took over 2 hours and a pair of tweezers restore the insides of my boots to wearable condition.

[Elksong]

Thanks guys! These are exactly the little bits of info I was hoping for. I'll be getting a seat pad for sure.
I see the PH on most of the African hunting films wearing some type of gators and I have a pair I can take.
Snowbeast- I am truly excited as a "kid in a candy store" to visit your country. I've wanted to go to Africa since I was a small bow and read about Fred Bear's adventures there. I've read Swineheart, Rouark, Hemmingway, Corbit, Capstick and many others and while I realized that today's Africa is not the Africa they wrote about I know that it will be the trip of a lifetime.

[BrianK]

While you are here get a can of Zambuk, the South African cure all ointment for bites, scratches, sore feet and just about anything else.

[Elksong]

Thanks Brian! I've got less than a month now! do they carry Zambuk in most stores there or are there specific places I should look for it?

[BrianK]

You should be able to get it from almost anywhere - supermarkets, trading stores, convenience stores. I always have some with me - love the stuff. The green is the ointment, red is lip balm and there's also a chap stick.

There are also some South African phrases you need to know - "Just now" can mean immediately or in a while or at any time form now on. 

A Bakkie (pronounced bukkie) is a pick up truck.

Babbelas is a hangover & ice cold cream soda is a popular morning after drink.

Eish - exclamation or emphasis - "Eish that was good"

Enjoy your time in our great country and make the most of the experience.

[acolobowhunter]

Interesting information about the Zambuk and also words used there.  As I will be going in Aug of this year I am also following this thread.
When I went to British Columbia, they also had some crazy words for several items - M&M's were called "Smarties".  Lots of other crazy words.  Was fun listening to them talk.