Last minute advices... 50 days left

Hi any last minute wisdom you can think of please post I leave May 3rd for my first Safari and any thing you can think of that might help would be great

and ya a got shoot straight and bring lots of cash allready

Don't sweat the small stuff, take lots and lots of photos and then take some more, and pretend you're a sponge and just suck up the whole experience because it will be like nothing you've done before..

Just remember its your safari. Dont let yourself be pressured into making shots you're not comfortable with or doing something that doesn't feel right to you. For example on my first safari when it was my turn to shoot my first animal everyone, PH, other hunter, trackers one and all tried to get me to shoot from the back of the Land Cruiser and I about flipped out and said nothing doing! They couldnt believe it! That may not matter to many but for me it dont work. So I shot everything from the ground as I felt it should be. Too much Hemingway and Ruark I guess. In Botswana in 1990 my PH there had a camp boy (about twice as old as I was) bring me a beer on bended knee, actually in a bow like he was a slave! To say I was taken aback a bit is an understatement! I think my PH was just trying me on for size so I said nothing and it didnt happen again. You will encounter things that you may find a little uncomfortable and the old saying "When in Rome, do like the Romans" works for some things but not everything. Go with the flow but only up to a point. Be polite and friendly and not too demanding. Ask most PH's what makes them the most upset, and it is lousy shooting so the best thing you can do is get lots of practice especially off sticks at home before you go. Hope I didnt bloviate too much!

Milford, I am in the same boat as you. I leave the 28th of April, so everyone please the more info the better!

Hey Milford,
I leave April 28th for my 9th hunt, so I'm right there with you. This trip it's back to the Limpopo for 7 days. I couple of things come to mind as follows;
- get a few more range sessions in and get of the bench. If you can, shot of the typical three legged sticks. You'll be happy you did.

- don't guide the PH, be a good listener and communicator. If you have concern or question just have a chat and work as a team.

- take it slow and enjoy it. I've seen to many people go to Africa with the full combat mode in high gear.

- party in moderation! The beer and wine is free, it doesnt mean we should soak it up in buckets. Why be in a fuzz the morning after on your dream hunt.

- don't over pack (I still seem to), a few changes of clothing is all you need, camp sweats and shoes and some layering clothing for the cool mornings.

- bring plenty of magazines, books or other things to entertain you on the long flight and try to adjust your sleep cycle starting with the flight over, but definitely sleep and get up and walk every hour or so while your wake - don't drink on the flight. Dehidration

Take a note book and make time each day to write down how the day panned out, who you met, what you saw (animals, birds, trees, locals, dramas), how you feel and what you eat. You'll review this with your photos when you get home and the safari will stay that much sharper in your mind.

Make sure you understand all of the functions on your camera so that nobody buggers up the settings and ruins a bunch of photos for you.

Review your trophy photos quickly before collecting animals to make sure you got that photo that you really wanted. Easy for this to happen in the excitement of it all - too easy to take a few more while you;'re there!!

Your laundry will be done every day, so pack light so you don't spend too much time fumbling around in your bags looking for things.

Be open minded and listen to the team that is guiding you. If they think that this is the best kudu you're going to get, then trust them. If you have specific standards, then raise this at the very beginning of your hunt so that you're not feeling any pressure to shoot something you're not interested in. I tend to have some idea of why I'm there, but then just go for the ride, take it as it comes and enjoy the adventure. One of my best memories was stalking waterbuck - my main quarry on my first hunt - we lost that bull but bumped into a very nice kudu bull in the thorns and changed our focus to him. We spotted him while stalking (one step - look around, one step - look around....), we spent an hour getting into position and we nailed him with an offhand shot at 75 yards. A beautiful memory and I wasn't even chasing a kudu on that trip!!

If you're happy to sit on the truck and hunt from the vehicle all day, you're not suddenly a great white hunter because you step off that vehicle to shoot the animal with your feet on the dirt (2 feet from the vehicle!!). Make the decision to hunt on foot and use the vehicle for the long stretch to get you into the right country, or if you're going to hunt from the vehicle and you're happy with that, then just do it.

Its probably illegal to shoot from the vehicle in most countries even if it is accepted in many camps. There is a difference between hunting from the vehicle which we all do, and shooting the game from the vehicle which some do. As stated above do whatever feels OK with you. Since this is an opinion forum, its my opinion that we ought not shoot game from the back of trucks but I recognize that many will not agree with that and thats OK too.

Well Milford, I can see you have received all kinds of good advice to which I have nothing else to add.

I will just wish you the best of luck with your hunt, and above all, hope that you enjoy Africa.

Take lots of pictures... Have a great trip milford!

Take extra memory cards for your digital camera ...review the camera shots ...look to see if your photo staging is set up for you as you would like ...

Meals let them know early if some foods do not sit well with you...

Best advise is be open and let it come to you...

do not forget to take some to give the tracker and skinners they will work their but off for you if you treat them well.

Lots and lots of pictures, Journal to write down days events, relax don't stress about making it perfect as you will see on your return flight home trying to fiqure out how to get back as soon as you can because it was perfect. Do some sight seeing and shopping. My biggest memory is the smell of Africa and when I get a wiff of something similar it all come flying make into my memory. Drink Amarula but not too much as it's got some kick to it.
Have Fun

Great stuff guys keep it coming . I have a 12 day hunt for plains game then 12 days sight seeing kruger and vic falls, My wife and I want to see as much as possible without rushing . we do have a day of fishing planed by vic falls but other that its sort of open . My big wish list is Kudu Gemsbuck impala and a zebra and 2 more if get the chance .

Originally Posted by Blue Skies Hunting Adventures

Lots and lots of pictures, Journal to write down days events, relax don't stress about making it perfect as you will see on your return flight home trying to fiqure out how to get back as soon as you can because it was perfect. Do some sight seeing and shopping. My biggest memory is the smell of Africa and when I get a wiff of something similar it all come flying make into my memory. Drink Amarula but not too much as it's got some kick to it.
Have Fun

I loved drinking Amarula in Namibia...good times for sure!

My brother loved that stuff in Namibia as well. Me, I stick to the brewski's. Windhoek Lager in Namibia and Amstel Lager in RSA. Cannot get Amstel here in the US except for light and it aint the same at all.

Hi Milford

Just go and enjoy it, there will be new sights and sounds take it all in and have fun!

You will be back……. LOL.

All the best of luck.

Best Regards
Louis van Bergen

Louis I plan on having that beer with you when I get there and from what I hear you never go to africa once

Take lots of pictures. You will be amazed with Victoria Falls. There are lots of vendors in the parking lot with some neat stuff. Let your tour guide do the negotiating if you want to get a keepsake at a reasonable price. Talk to your personal doctor and take some meds (in the original prescription bottle) for travel bugs like travelers diarrhea (just good insurance). Join Medjet or Global Rescue and purchase travel insurance. If you are going through Joberg with your own guns I hope you made arrangements with an expediter to get through SA police in a reasonable time. Most important - HAVE FUN.

Hi Milford

It will be great to meet you in person!

See ya soon for that beer.

Best Regards
Louis van Bergen

You have already received tons of great advice. There are a couple that I can add. When in Vic Falls, bring along as much extra clothing (in smaller sizes) as you can. You can use these to negotiate for souvineers or better yet, just give them to the local women.
The other tip I might add is to not get too excited about bringing home all your back skins and shooting animals that are not on your list. I can assure you that you won't find anywhere to put 8 or 10 back-skins and I can also assure you that you will be going back. You can add to your animals on your next safari.
I know others have said it already but Journal everyday and pictures pictures pictures. Also let your PH take lots of pics with your camera as they have much experience and know how to take great and tastful pictures.
Wow, I said I had a couple of things to add and now I can't shut up.
Have a great first safari. It's the only first safari you will ever have.
Good Luck, Mike

Dont forget to take premium bullets and also remember the shot placement gides,, it keeps the stress out if you know where the hart is laying in an animal from every angle.