Win Free Air Passes to Africa for 2011

We found it successful to keep all our travel documents -- passports, immigration visas, shot records, tickets, 4457 firearm forms, import permits etc etc, in a large Manila envelope, ( & vigilantly safeguarded)!

As soon as possible after committing to / confirming your hunting destination, check with CDC website and your local medical offices on immunizations REQUIRED for your destination. Many are just RECOMMENDED! With a ton of mercury in my body from years of military shots, PLEASE take a hard look at the risk vs the area etc and make an educated decision on undue immunizations.

Start early if necessary, in obtaining your required shots for your foreign destination. Some, like Zimbabwe or C.A.R., for example my require the HEP A and HEP B in a SERIES, which may require quite some time in between.

TAKE YOUR TIME!!!!
Long gone are the days when flying was an event, when going to the airport was a big deal and friends and family came along to say farewell, when there was a dress code in people minds to board a plane, what changed?, why did we stop doing that?,
Search for those answers in your counscious mind and I assure you that when you leave home for the airport for your next fligth you will enjoy the experience,,, that is the best advice I can give.

Worried about falling ill on long haul flights?

* I always carry one course of antibiotic tablets like Amoxicylin
* I always carry some Listerine original strength and gargle when my throat gets dry or sore - particularly in a long haul flight of 9 to 14 hours
* I always carry a tube of antibiotic ointment such as Chloramphenicol - which is very effective against anaerobic bacterial infections on cuts & bruises or insect bites that we tend to scratch sore
* I always carry a course of Flagyl tablets in case of stomach upsets caused by protozoan parasites or bacteria

Bring your own pillow,
buy a cheap big pillow that you can throw away when you arrive at your destination, use it to rest your head, elbow or waist, and then dispose.

Thanks for all of the advice/tips - keep 'em coming!

Make sure you arrive a day or two earlier than your hunt is booked. This will allow time for any lost luggage to be located and returned to you in time for your hunt. Also allows time to see some of the sights and do some touring prior to your hunt. There is so much to see and do and the extra time takes away any concerns about lost baggage. Thanks for the contest and always consult Lori prior to booking your hunt

Travel light and fast.

Carry ALL cameras and binoculars in hand luggage.

Wear comfortable shoes and clothes on the flight as you may travel from the airport to the consession just after arrival. Winter months: Have a warm jacket with you all the time while traveling.

Ok so this may seem wierd but where an old pair of underwear ( old as in youv worn it a few times not tattared) its the worst thing in the world to sit on a 20houre flight with uncomforable underwear on

Thanks for your quote the other day Lori. I looked at the insurance and it is feesible.

IF you are hunting in South Africa and want to stay in touch with family back home, buy a "pay as you go" phone at the airport. They work in a majority of the places and are much cheaper than a satellite phone. Believe me, i made the mistake of a satellite phone and the bill was ridiculous. From then on out i bought a cheap pay as you go phone at the airport and have been very pleased. Just make sure you understand how to dial home by doing some research before you go.

Just sit back and enjoy the ride

Windhoek Namibia
When you arrive in Windhoek, especially for the first time, the tendency is to take a bunch of pictures and look around as you depart the plane and stroll across the tarmac to the terminal. Don't do this. As fast as you can, get into the terminal and into the passport line. The purpose is to get to the front, or as close as possible to the front of the gun registration line. The process, run by one rude, slow, police officer, is outdated, manual and terminally slow, sometimes lasting several hours if you have to wait in line. If you provide a filled out copy of the permit, they will handwrite a new copy in triplicate. It is government job preservation at its finest.

For scratched to be: Obtained during the hunt by walking through thorn bush and such; take a antiseptic gel to rub all over the injured "body parts". Bandaid or plaster as its locally called, get sticky and dirty and you don't look to good with 27 odd plasters all over your legs, arms and hands... ocasionally your face. Aloevera Gel from GNLD or similar product works well. No grease on you that accumalte dust and easy to apply. You can carry it in your backpack while hunting and apply whenever you stop for a rest or obtain "fresh" sratches!

Has one of the most straight forward run airports in Africa....I disagrees that is slow and not well run...I wish every airport ran as smoothly as Windhoek, Namibia.

I work in lab at times during the day. I think "Parafilm"-it's like a stretchy wax compound for covering jars on lab samples make a great cover for a blister on a foot or a cut on a finger. Just cover it with tape. Parafilm is very cheap! Parafilm is very soft.

Put fishing stickers on your gun case. Most people will think it's a rod and reel and not firearms.