Planning Your First trip To Africa - What Is Needed To Hunt Comfortably

[Mauser78]

Good day members.

I have been a member for a few years and enjoy the forum tremendously.
I envy the guys coming over for their first time, and the guys doing yearly Safaris a little bit more.
There is so much knowledge from fellow hunters and outfitters on here, and I can see how much prep goes into coming on your dream hunt.

I want to help some of the first timers to calm their nerves when they start planning, I want to state that I am not a PH, nor a seasoned client, but a South African hunter for 30 years, grew up on a farm that catered for local hunters, and I do still work with and on farms a lot.
this is my perspective on what equipment you will need to enjoy your hunt. i feel that most of the time you will already have what you need. I am not going to recomend brands but styles and material that works in Africa.

For me the most important gear will be your shoes, but only because it can ruin your hunt and not that you need something special. you will walk a lot, depending on the area you hunt it can be from sandy to rocky, but a healthy mix should be factored in for any area. a Full leather hiking boot is more than enough, full leather so no thorns or grass seeds gets through and get stuck to irritate and scratch you the whole time, bring a extra pair of laces also. the chances that you find your Ph in a pair of Aussie slip-ons is verry good, I currently use both, and the slip-ons is also my daily wear for work. i you are going to be brave and wear shorts get some gaiters to keep the sand and frass seed out of your socks and boots.
also bring some comfortable shoes for camp, sneakers or running shoes is fine.

Clothing wise, go for a thick cotton, it is breathable, and it doesn't tear as easy as synthetics. There will be thorn scrubs and trees, and you will get trapped in them at one time, with cotton most of the time you can jerk free. khaki, green of any other neutral color will work. I usually just wear a t-shirt under my jacket and continue with the t-shirt after I take the jacket off when it warms up.

It gets cool at night, so bring something to wear at night next to the fire, jeans and jacket is 100%. Early mornings on the hunting vehicle is cold, bring a hunting jacket, light cloves and warm head wear, leave everything in a small backpack on the truck.

Like i said. you are going to walk, so make sure you have a comfortable rifle sling, test it with your jacket and without.

Rifle
If you are hanging around on this forum, you most likely have more than one caliber suitable already, no need to buy a new gun yet.
a .308, 3006, 300wsm, 300wm al will work for all plains game with the right bullet but do discuss with your outfitter.
Use a high quality bonded or mono bullet and you will be fine. you will seldom shoot past 200 yards, but most shots will be around 100 yards.

If you hunt in your home country and spend time outdoors the chances that you have all the gear to have an enjoyable first safari is very good. after the first one you can upgrade and streamline your African gear since your list of Animals should be more refined for trip no 2.

For your first one, bring what you have, and take what Africa gives you. and enjoy the experience. take plenty of pictures, not only trophy pictures, and bring a hat.

 

[Mauser78]

Any feedback or addons from the seasoned travelers is welcome.

there is some smalll things
hat/cap
sunscreen,
lip balm

 

[Ontario Hunter]

No boots with fabric lace keepers. Thorns and brush eat them up. Metal keepers all the way. I prefer boots with a bit more ankle support than slip-on provides. Personally, I don't care for cargo pants. Just don't like stuff flopping around on my legs.

 

[deewayne2003]

Good socks - Merino wool

Electrolyte supplements

Toboggan/Beanie hat - if cold nights/mornings

Moleskin - For blisters

 

[BeeMaa]

Keep it simple. Dress in layers with natural (cotton & wool) clothing if possible. I say natural fibers because they tend to iron clothes and anything non-natural could burn/melt and ruin it.

Boots should be comfortable for as much hiking as you want to do. I wear a military style combat boot (Rocky S2V, uninsulated, no steel toe and non-waterproof) with a soft sole.

Temps ranged from 30F to 80F where I was hunting for that time of year.

Rifle will depend on what you want to hunt and I'm not kicking the hornets nest of PF vs CRF. Pick what works well for you.

Here is what I was hunting with in 2019. Not shown is a fleece watch cap for the cooler mornings. Much of it will be the same for 2025, except the rifle will be a Blaser R8.

 

[Andrew62]

I wear Oboz hikers from Sportsman Warehouse. Having said that, I’ve hunted with PH’s who wore sandals, so don’t overthink what boots to take. More important to me is using good wool socks. I also feel a good quality headlamp and flashlight come in handy.

 

[Muskox]

I think a consideration that a lot of hunters who book don't think about is that is very possible to be semi or fully off grid even in Namibia, Botswana and some places in South Africa. And for sure in the rest of Africa.

Meaning CPAP users need to book with someone who is either on the grid, or have a solution so they can get a nights sleep.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I like merino socks ... but they don't like me. I have found Gold Bond lotion will knock down the rash ... somewhat. I would advise trying wool socks before heading over. They are not for everyone.

Good socks - Merino wool

Electrolyte supplements

Toboggan/Beanie hat - if cold nights/mornings

Moleskin - For blisters

 

[Mauser78]

No boots with fabric lace keepers. Thorns and brush eat them up. Metal keepers all the way. I prefer boots with a bit more ankle support than slip-on provides. Personally, I don't care for cargo pants. Just don't like stuff flopping around on my legs.

These Merrels are going for there 4th season, so still hapy with them. I wear Redbacks daily, and prefer them in flat areas more than the hiking boots. But good points.

 

[lkydvl]

good attitude and patience

 

[Hooked Now]

Good friends - at least one but preferably more.
Good bottle of liquor - at least one but preferably more.

 

[Russ16]

I like merino socks ... but they don't like me. I have found Gold Bond lotion will knock down the rash ... somewhat. I would advise trying wool socks before heading over. They are not for everyone.

I love merino socks but I only wear them with synthetic liners. The old Cabela’s liners with original design smartwool has served me well in all temps and all terrains for miles and miles.

 

[Philip Glass]

I like merino socks ... but they don't like me. I have found Gold Bond lotion will knock down the rash ... somewhat. I would advise trying wool socks before heading over. They are not for everyone.

You need to buy true fine wool not the ancient wool of our grandfathers. Try some of the newer brands and see if there is one that works for you. I only wear wool and hot, dry, wet, cold doesn't matter and I've never had a blister or irritation. Icebreaker Merino, Smartwool, Kuiu, and Darn Tough are all good. For you I'd try Icebreaker first as they are likely the softest.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Dress comfortably but minimally. Avoid synthetic shirts.
Avoid things handing around your neck, for this reason I use small pocket binos, perfectly adequate. I carry the binos in my righthand pouch of my cargo pants, my light folding Opinel in the left one. Bullets in loops above my breast pockets. That't it.
Your boots must be exceedingly comfortable, woolen socks. I fit padded 'plantar fasciatis' type insoles in Courteneys and then they really become comfortable.
When wearing shorts use one-piece waxed cotton gaiters. With longs wear puttees. Protects against ticks and snakes to a degree. They are very comfortable.
A waxed jacket for the chilly mornings, generously sized. If it stays cold you can stalk in it too. And if it rains it affords a bit of protection.
A hat with a stiff brim so it doesn't flop down in wind or rain.
Mosquito spray to spray your room or tent before you retire, especially under your bed and net, it could save you from a bad time.
Anti histamine cream.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

You need to buy true fine wool not the ancient wool of our grandfathers. Try some of the newer brands and see if there is one that works for you. I only wear wool and hot, dry, wet, cold doesn't matter and I've never had a blister or irritation. Icebreaker Merino, Smartwool, Kuiu, and Darn Tough are all good. For you I'd try Icebreaker first as they are likely the softest.

Don't remember which brand but the first socks were purchased at a fancy outdoors store (hiking, rock climbing, etc.) and very expensive. I was disappointed they didn't last two years! Also bought two pairs of merino blend at our local work clothing store last year. Very fine weave but same issues: calves get itchy. No blisters. Coarse winter wool socks are worse. I typically wear street socks underneath them against my skin. Rarely need wool socks when hunting these days as my style requires moving all the time. Feet may be dripping wet inside Muck Boots in subzero weather and feet rarely get cold. My dogs don't like to stand still!

Curiously, wool clothing doesn't seem to bother me at all. Just my calves above the socks.

 

[Bandera]

In addition to the things listed above, I advised our group to use Permethrin on their clothing.
Also to bring a bug spray.
Follow the recommended packing guide. Two or three pairs of clothing.
Don’t be like one of the guys on our last trip. He brought 3 pairs of boots, one pair was snake boots. He also brought 7 shirts, pants, underwear and no telling what else. It was packed in a large duffel bag. What a mess.
He ended up leaving all most all of his clothing there.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I have a Frogg Toggs rain jacket that folds up into nothing and also breathable (sorta). Mine is camo. Not sure what other colors are available. Great for safaris because it fits in luggage easily and not too sweaty. I can layer it over my fleece jacket layered over fleece vest and that's usually enough to take the chill off on frosty mornings. Frogg Toggs is not terribly durable but fairly affordable. A helluva lot better than conventional rain gear for hunting. Also a lot quieter than most rain gear.

 

[Hooked Now]

You need to buy true fine wool not the ancient wool of our grandfathers. Try some of the newer brands and see if there is one that works for you. I only wear wool and hot, dry, wet, cold doesn't matter and I've never had a blister or irritation. Icebreaker Merino, Smartwool, Kuiu, and Darn Tough are all good. For you I'd try Icebreaker first as they are likely the softest.

+1 for Darn Tough. Icebreaker also has wool t-shirts. I know what you are thinking but they are dynamite for wicking and great in the heat.

 

[Russ16]

+1 for Darn Tough. Icebreaker also has wool t-shirts. I know what you are thinking but they are dynamite for wicking and great in the heat.

I wear a Kuiu merino t-shirt or long sleeve t-shirt anytime I’m doing something outside until it is cold enough for insulating layers. Even when it’s hot it’s wicks and is comfortable.

 

[Datchew]

I'm thankful to the OP for taking the time to lay out a good guide.

I'm even more thankful he didn't include pictures of men's underwear.