Top 10 First Safari Mistakes

[BryceM]

Great stuff. Thanks. Practicing on sticks is optional……. if you don’t mind wasting half of your trip looking for wounded critters.

I would add, relax. Don’t get uptight about “getting it all done” in one trip.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

I like it and video was well constructed. Can't tell you how much we as Professional Hunters enjoy seeing someone coming that has prepared and put the time in on the range.

 

[Sideshow]

I like it and video was well constructed. Can't tell you how much we as Professional Hunters enjoy seeing someone coming that has prepared and put the time in on the range.

Yeah bet it suxs when you and your team have finally worked your ass off to get the client into position only for them to not know how to shoot of sticks or duff the shot cause they haven’t practiced enough. Bet you have a load of Facial expression that go back-and-forth between your team when that happens.

 

[Betterinthebush]

I made mistake #1. Wish this video was done a year ago. It just never occurred to me. Won’t make that mistake again.

Sound advice. Thanks for the work in doing this.

 

[Bandera]

Great video! I have a group going with me in 2027, I am going to forward this video to them. On our last trip one of the guys who was going to go was very opposed to shooting off the sticks, called them training wheels. I was very happy when he decided not to go.

I would add not practicing shooting from different positions to the practicing off sticks. Crawling up on game and then shooting from your knees is not something most people practice.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Yeah bet it suxs when you and your team have finally worked your ass off to get the client into position only for them to not know how to shoot of sticks or duff the shot cause they haven’t practiced enough. Bet you have a load of Facial expression that go back-and-forth between your team when that happens.

Did not really mean it in that manner. As we say, there are not many things that surprise us. Some things just surprises us more than others.
I meant it more in the sense of when someone pulls out an extraordinary shot where we can see the time on the range paying off, possibly at a once in a lifetime animal.

 

[Badjer]

I have been on five Safaris, and I always overpack. I'd prefer to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

By posting on this thread I'm in direct violation of Rule #5, however-- My trip - day 1 sleep and hunt one location, morning of day 2 up at 4 am to drive two hours away and go straight to the field. Different lodging night 2. Day 3 hunt in area, come back to lodging. No laundry had been done. 3 days no laundry done. Day 4 I wore an extra shirt I had brought and the pants I wore on the plane. Skimping on packing is nice in theory, but doesn't always work.

 

[Moody808]

I think the biggest mistake of hunter going to Africa for first time is not being informed.
Some are surprised to see fences, when they get there for example.
From that fact, other mistakes happen.
Today we have internet and this forum, good supply of books available on order, and today much easier to get information.

I still see here from time to time, unhappy hunters, but analyzing complaints many times it seams they had wrong expectations.

I wonder how did hunters prepare for their first trip in old days?

Apparently, Roosevelt corresponded to all prominent and relevant African hands of the time, a year in advance, before his famous safari.

But did all first time safari hunters do the same? Very hard to imagine.

Well in the old days safaris might be measured in months not days so imagine that gives you a much larger margin of error to figure things out.

 

[SCHUNTER73]

Well done, sir. I was guilty of a few of those things on my first trip. It is an interesting dynamic, though. For many people, the first safari has been romanticized for quite a long period of time with tons and tons of research and watching different videos. At least for me, I felt the need to have so many of those things that I saw on YouTube, etc. in order to have the “full” Africa experience. Definitely not the case, but often the romantic idea of something overpowers the practical need of those same things for the experience. Not sure if that makes sense or not.

 

[Philip Glass]

1. Not listening to your white hunter
2. Not using enough gun
3. Using too much gun
4. Initiating a Cape buffalo hunt with a solid bullet
5. Thinking way too much about how to stop charges rather than training to make the initial shot correct
6. Purchasing a brand new weapon right before the Safari and not practicing enough with it
7. Not getting into the habit of walking long distances while carrying your own rifle
8. Carrying a huge sheath knife rather than a practical folding knife or (even better) a multi tool
9. Using vintage ammunition (yes, I mean a few of you who actually think that it’s a good idea to bring 1960s era .458 Winchester Magnum ammunition on a Cape buffalo hunt in 2026)
10. Wearing polyester clothing in the heat of Africa

All great additions!

 

[buck wild]

If you ignore #8 and use local guns, you can avoid about 3 of 4 of your other on the list also

Nothing on D&P and taxidermy- that would be on my Top 10

 

[Philip Glass]

By the way @Philip Glass nice video thanks lol didn’t expect your no1 to be that
Mind chucking in a link for your video on choosing the right outfitter. Thanks

Well it is one that annoys me tremendously, can land you in jail or just miss the plane, and is totally avoidable. That is why it's number one. Can mix and match as you like!

Here is the other video:

 

[Philip Glass]

11. Using footwear that you haven’t broken in! Recon that would be 7.2 in @Hunter-Habib above list.

Yessss!

 

[Philip Glass]

Great video Philip, very informative and well done. Not going to lie though, that beautiful double was very distracting!

Ha I knew it would get some attention. I was joking with the family watching it about the beautiful wood on that gun. I'm still amazed that I own and hunt with a double. Blessed for sure!

 

[Philip Glass]

@Philip Glass You did a nice, no BS job on that video.

Just call it like I see it!

 

[Philip Glass]

I have been on five Safaris, and I always overpack. I'd prefer to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

That is why it is the least consequential. Just personal preference.

 

[Philip Glass]

Great information. I really wish I would have received this kind of advice a year before my first safari. This reinforces some of what I learned and gives me new considerations. Greatly appreciated.

It's why I do what I do!

 

[Philip Glass]

As with all @

As with all @Philip Glass videos this one is excellent and so very true! Philip my friend you always are giving back to all of us and it is always so greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks Craig!

 

[Philip Glass]

#11 Thinking, "I'm in plenty good enough shape. Africa is all flat and easy walking anyway."
It's not, and your PH probably has calves that look like baobab trees...

Yea and parts of the Eastern Cape look like New Zealand! Be in as good of shape as you can.

 

[Philip Glass]

I think the biggest mistake of hunter going to Africa for first time is not being informed.
Some are surprised to see fences, when they get there for example.
From that fact, other mistakes happen.
Today we have internet and this forum, good supply of books available on order, and today much easier to get information.

I still see here from time to time, unhappy hunters, but analyzing complaints many times it seams they had wrong expectations.

I wonder how did hunters prepare for their first trip in old days?

Apparently, Roosevelt corresponded to all prominent and relevant African hands of the time, a year in advance, before his famous safari.

But did all first time safari hunters do the same? Very hard to imagine.

I agree with you on this. Hence the reason for the video series. I want to help answer questions and get hunters comfortable to go on Safari!