Most Dangerous part of HUnting in Africa

ECHIV

ECHIV

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Alaska, Texas, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Kansas
I am preparing for my first trip in Africa. No fancy safari type just a weekend trip with a friend from here in Dar es Salaam. My question is which hazard is the one I most need to be aware of. In Alaska it was always hypothermia even on Summer time fishing trips. I assume that is not a problem in the tropics. I know being eaten is a possibility but remote. What about Malaria Mosguitoes, Tsetse Flies, thorns, poachers, thieves, snakes, getting lost? Any personal stories would be helpful for a newbie and also for my wife who will stay at home this trip and worry about me.
Thanks,
ECHIV
 
Driving on African roads, in particularly at night can be risky.
Malaria is bad around Dar es Salaam and real bad during the wet season but Malarone is a good perventative.
 
In the case you describe, probably terminal exhaustion. What could you possibly hunt on a "weekend trip" to Dar es Salaam?
 
Classicsafari thanks for the reminder about driving. You are right, driving in Dar es Salaam is quite possibly the most dangerous part of my life. THere was absolutely nothing in my Oklahoma High School drivers ed class that could prepare me for driving over here. Red Leg, I will be hunting down around the selous which is only about an 8 hour drive from Dar es Salaam, where I live. I want to try for either a Zebra or a warthog for this first trip. The friend who is taking me likes Eland and Impala but I know he also has hunted Nyati in the area where we are going.
 
Sorry Echiv, I am being ethno-centric and surmized you were flying from the States. And so I strongly second the notion that driving is the biggest danger. I also would be a little aware of old "no shoulders" as well if you are making a late season hunt. The various snakes will have begun to be active again.

And what a facinating place to call home. I spent much of my professional career banging around much of the Arab world and bits of NE Africa. Never made it that far down the coast. Would love to see it some day.
 
Most Dangerous part of HUnting in Africa
Click to expand...
The gin and tonic's at the end of the day?
 
For me, the most uncomfortable time was getting through customs (which went very smoothly since our gun paperwork was prepped with a local group ahead of time), then getting out of JoBurg. Everything had barbed/razor wire on it plus the slum towns along the main highway out of the city. At least in the field, I was armed and had a chance if something happened.
 
RickP,
We were in Joburg in July right at the end of FIFA World Cup. I think the Barbed Wire and Compund walls are ubiquitous around most of Africa. At least in Dar they are everywhere. I know our short camp will include a guard to protect our belongins while we are away from the camp.
Red Leg,
Hamana Shida no offense taken. I recently moved to Dar for work. You are right there is never a boring moment and always something to be on your guard about or watching for. Routinely around Dar there will be four lanes of cars on a 3 lane road with a car on each shoulder as well. Just yesterday I had a Dala Dala (city bus) driver honk at me and glare because I made him slow down. Never mind I was over a meter away from the road on the shoulder. He needed to drive there. Thanks for the advice about snakes.
ECHIV
 
Hello ECHIV,
I am Mubarak, a hunter as well, and i live in Moshi. Its great to learn that you leave in Dar, Tanzania. Are you going out to hunt with a resident's licence? I was at the Selous game reserve a week ago and we hunted block MK1 for three weeks. It was during a college field safari with the college of African wildlife management, MWEKA. Which part that borders the Selous will you hunt? cheers.
 
The most dangerous thing while hunting in Africa is getting stuck by a thorn that has just stuck a tracker walking ahead of you! Exactley the same thing as addicts shareing needles! Wear long pants, and sleeves!

AIDS is forever!........................not a trophy!
 
The biggest danger ? Dehydration from diarrhea. IIRC it kills more people than Malaria.

Make sure you have the appropriate prophylactic and prescription meds with you. Have the prescription with you so you don't get done for trafficking (as with all prescription meds when traveling).
 
I'll take thorns, snakes, charging hippos and bad drivers any day if they could just make dealing with the various customs and airport security organizations less aggravating and the rules a little more homogenous across the board. It has gotten to the point that even at home on domestic flights I have to think hard about whether I want to be annoyed and feel like a convicted felon for the day or face a long drive in the SUV.
 
Skyline said:
I'll take thorns, snakes, charging hippos and bad drivers any day if they could just make dealing with the various customs and airport security organizations less aggravating and the rules a little more homogenous across the board. It has gotten to the point that even at home on domestic flights I have to think hard about whether I want to be annoyed and feel like a convicted felon for the day or face a long drive in the SUV.
Click to expand...

I know what you mean Kelly! I retired from American Airlines after 31 years, and I have full flight priveledges yet if a hunt is less than 1000 miles I drive! The problem is, as you say, every Tom Dick, and Harry goes by different rules. The one misconcepthion that the officials in a lot of African countries have made was, actually a benefit for the hunter. They got the Idea that the Customs form 4457 is a permit for the rifle listed on it, and makes things go smoother in almost every airport I've used outside the USA. This form is simply a proof of usa ownership to show you didn't buy it overseas.

The risk of firearms lost in transit, and never found, is real, and when you are traveling with two double rifles this can be quite costly!
 
Code4, Thanks for the input. I drink about 3 liters of filtered water a day just to stay hydrated over here and take a regular prophylactic anti malarial daily as well. Meds in TZ are different than in the USA. I can buy the equivalent of Tylenol with Codeine over the counter. Thanks for the reminders.
 
DUGABOY1 said:
The most dangerous thing while hunting in Africa is getting stuck by a thorn that has just stuck a tracker walking ahead of you! Exactley the same thing as addicts shareing needles! Wear long pants, and sleeves!

AIDS is forever!........................not a trophy!
Click to expand...

Uh Yeah, that scares me too. Thanks.
 
M'bogo hunter said:
Hello ECHIV,
I am Mubarak, a hunter as well, and i live in Moshi. Its great to learn that you leave in Dar, Tanzania. Are you going out to hunt with a resident's licence? I was at the Selous game reserve a week ago and we hunted block MK1 for three weeks. It was during a college field safari with the college of African wildlife management, MWEKA. Which part that borders the Selous will you hunt? cheers.
Click to expand...

Mubarak,
Karibu, Habari ya safari? Good to meet you. I will be hunting on a resident permit. I am here on a resident visa. I am not sure which area we will hunt as I am going as a guest of a friend here in Dar. There are church members at my church who are chagga from Moshi. I just attended the last respects for Dr. Njau here in Dar but was not able to accompany the family to Moshi for the services there.
 
I think you have missed the most deadly and scary thing out there . my wife finding out how much it cost me lol
 
milford said:
I think you have missed the most deadly and scary thing out there . my wife finding out how much it cost me lol
Click to expand...

LOL. I have to put my wife and Son up in a hotel here in town while I am in the field.
 
I always thought it was seeing the price tag and the very end of the safari!!...:vomit:
 
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