We had to change the dates for the first Safari to October What will the weather be like? Super hot?

[friendswoodmatt]

Unfortunately, because of some family situations We had to change our dates for the fist Safari to October- -some itinerary and Lori with @TRAVEL EXPRESS was awesome in getting it done. I think she must work 24/7. How hot is the area around Port Elizabeth as well Limpopo and Victoria Falls during October? Is it going to be like hunting on the Sun or no?

 

[IvW]

Limpopo and Vic falls is gonna be hot and dry....

 

[baxterb]

It ain’t called Topping Month for nothing.

not been there specifically, but general hot weather prep is to lose weight if you need to and indurate yourself as best you can by hiking in the heat often as you can while staying properly hydrated.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Hi Friendswoodmatt, yes it is likely to be hot, lower 40's arent unusual. How you fare depends upon your age and condition, You need to take heat seriously, hydrate well as mentioned and take it easy - rest up under a shady tree to revive yourself as often as you need it. Splash yourself down when you feel the heat getting too much, keep the core temp down. We fish out in 40 degrees for a whole week each year, I am usually fine, but this year my flabby 66 year old frame didn't like it at all.

 

[Ryan]

Well, I did a hunt in late August into September in 2018 not far from Port Elizabeth and it was pretty nice. A little chilly in the morning and evenings and in to the 60s and maybe 70s Farenheit mid to late day. I drove all over the Cape after the hunt, including into the Karoo and never thought it was horribly hot. A month later will be working into spring/summer more and warmer but shouldn't be horrible. I also just did a hunt in the Limpopo in January, which is smack in the middle of summer down there. Most days were in the low 80 F range, I don't think it broke 90 more than one day. I'm from Alaska and I did just fine, so I'd think you would be OK. Talk with your outfitter to get more info too.

 

[meigsbucks]

It’s going to be warm!

Average Weather in October in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe - Weather Spark

In Victoria Falls during October average daily high temperatures are level around 93°F and the fraction of time spent overcast or mostly cloudy increases from 15% to 38%.

weatherspark.com

 

[Nyati]

Hunted late October in the Kalahari, yes, it is warm, just be in the field before daybreak, go back to camp at midday for lunch and siesta, then hunt again in late afternoon.

Protect yourself from the sun, wide brimmed hat, long sleeves, long pants, look for shadow, hydrate ...

 

[Red Leg]

The farther into the interior, the warmer it will be (i.e. the Limpopo). It also matters whether you are talking about early or late October - the last two-weeks of the month will see mid-day heat above 100 F. However, you likely will be bush napping during the middle of the day and not really out in the hottest hours. The real question for your outfitter is sleeping conditions. I have hunted coastal Mozambique in late October and lying atop your bedding under a bug net in a pool of sweat is not entirely restful. However, humidity is a major culprit there, which shouldn't be an issue in the Limpopo - I can't speak for Port Elizabeth then.

You also said "we." Does that include a spouse? Make sure she is on board with the conditions that you will have - particularly should she be a stay in camp read a book person rather than all about banging thru the bush. It can be hard to concentrate on a novel if temperatures are high and one is accustomed to AC. My own spouse, who is not a hunter but is very supportive of my hunting, would shoot me, justifiably, if I brought her along anywhere not too far south of the equator in October.

 

[friendswoodmatt]

So basically what i am getting is limpopo will be like Junction Tx in August and Port Elizabeth area will be like Houston in late July— hot and muggy. she is on board with it— I guess I am fortunate to be able to walk on my place and it gets super hot here — this is disappointing but it is what it is. It was either this or not going till 2022 and I am done waiting for this to happen—
Thanks everyone

 

[C.W. Richter]

But the bugs and snakes are very fond of that time of year. Cheers!

 

[YancyW]

So basically what i am getting is limpopo will be like Junction Tx in August and Port Elizabeth area will be like Houston in late July— hot and muggy. she is on board with it— I guess I am fortunate to be able to walk on my place and it gets super hot here — this is disappointing but it is what it is. It was either this or not going till 2022 and I am done waiting for this to happen—
Thanks everyone

That's the attitude needed, any trip is going to be better than sitting at home watching hunting videos on youtube. Enjoy every minute of it.

 

[MMAL]

I hunted in the caprivi during the first two weeks of October 2020. This is effectively Vic falls. 100f during the day but the worst part was the 75-80f nights. I don’t mind being hot except when I sleep. Mid day naps sucked. But with that said. If I had to sleep in hell I would to go hunt Africa. Absolutely no reason what’s so ever not to go. Just bring a bathing suit. !!!!

 

[AZDAVE]

Will be in Mozambique in early October, so we are expecting it to be warm. This will be my wife's first buffalo and since she is the bash through the bush and hunt hard kinda gal. She would just say "drink some more water and suck it up buttercup" @friendswoodmatt have a great trip and enjoy your hunt. We have decided that Africa is always a great adventure no matter the temps.

 

[Chago]

Damnit I moved my hunt from June to October as well due to some work issues that came up. I am in the same boat. Heading to Limpopo early October. I am not sure if I am excited or not at this point.... my Canadian blood doesn't do well in extreme heat...... and I have zero patience for bugs.... I quit spring bear hunting for that reason lol

 

[JimP]

Damnit I moved my hunt from June to October as well due to some work issues that came up. I am in the same boat. Heading to Limpopo early October. I am not sure if I am excited or not at this point.... my Canadian blood doesn't do well in extreme heat...... and I have zero patience for bugs.... I quit spring bear hunting for that reason lol

I'd be more cautious on the long skinny squirmy things that hang out on the ground.

For the bugs douse your clothing in Permithin. It will at least detour them from crawling on your clothing.

 

[friendswoodmatt]

So far it has not been hot— in fact its been in the 50’s in the morning and blowing and in the afternoon 60’s and blowing— I have been chilly if you want to know the truth— All I brought was a vest— and a very light rain jacket— not the best move.
We are currently outside of Graaff-Reinet — but will be heading back to one of the locations on the coast in a day or 2, when the rain abates.

 

[Vintageguy]

Got back a week ago from Limpopo and had a mix of temps, of 9 days we had about 3 in the high 70's, 3 in the 80's, and 3 in the 90's. Those 90's days were rough because the sun bore down like we were under a magnifying glass. I was dark tan but my arms still got pink those days and so did the PH who's out in it all the time. Mid-day breaks were fine on those really hot days as the animals vanished from about 10am until 3pm anyway.

 

[Tanks]

I had a few days in early August that hit 40C-43C and a lot of days at 38C. I was hydrating a lot, a bottle of water every 30 minutes or so during the day.

One thing that really helped during the long walks was the Mission neck gaiter that I wetted with water. It kept me cool for about 2 hours and then I repeated the process.

 

[Don Hinton]

Just got back today from Limpopo region. Was there for 2 weeks. Temp ranged from 96 to 99. Last 3 days the storm clouds moved in and dropped the temp to low 70’s. We saw 3 black mamba. so expect snakes
don