first Safari

[David jr]

Hello all,

I am 63 years old with Congestive Heart Failure and will have both knees replaced in 2026. So I will be taking all of 2026 to get ready for this dream hunt. The hunt will be a full 21 day hunt. I would like to hunt elephant, cape buffalo, hippo, crock, and as many of the plains game as possible. I have chosen 458 win mag heavy cal and 30/06 to take on this hunt. Both are control feed model 70’s and yes the clip on the 458 will hold 5 + 1 in chamber. I have two extra clips for the 458 for very quick reloads if needed. The 30/06 will hold 5 in mag +1 in chamber so I have the rifles covered. I do have bigger calibers than 30/06. I have been shooting 30/06 for 57 years and know the 30/06 very well without thinking out to 1000 yards. I would prefer to take my own ammo which I have 100% confidence in, or will I be stuck with factory ammo? I have no trouble with barnes for expanding bullets and SOLID or some other brand for bullets. Your comments will be greatly appreciated. I founded Hunters Supply cast bullets and would love to use cast bullets. if this is allowed in Africa? This will be the biggest hunt I have ever taken and I do not wish to hunt behind high fence. I would prefer strictly fair chase.

Here are the two rifles I have chosen: the sig 1 to 6 on the 458 shepherd 3 to 10 on the 30/06 for glass. I have 100% confident in both scopes. The sig scope has well over 300 rounds full power 458 with out any movement in zero, and the shepherd I have used on every thing from 375 h&h to 22 hornet the only scope that is both FFP and SFP, so you know just by looking through the scope if it has shifted from zero.
Looking forward to hearing all your suggestions for time of year to go and looking forward to hearing from the PH on here. I have hunted in Alaska and the lower 48 by hunting many elk, mule deer and whitetail, moose, caribou, andAmerican bison antelope. This however will be my first trip across the pond and look forward to preparing for this dream hunt.

 

[375Fox]

You can definitely take your handloads. You aren’t limited to factory ammo, but you are limited to 11 lbs maximum. Cast bullets would be a discussion with your PH before the hunt.
You’ll likely get a lot of offers sent privately but there are only a few sponsors I’d even consider for this kind of hunt. You are looking at $70k+ in any quality area, potentially a lot more depending on the type of elephant you’d like to hunt. I’d only consider offers from PHs based in the country you’d hunt with a few exceptions. If this is your first trip and potentially only trip and you want a safari of this magnitude, I’d reach out to the more established US booking agents like the hunting consortium, jack Atcheson and sons, hunters networks. They can present a lot of options and countries and discuss pros and cons of each for your situation. There are a lot of ways to go wrong if you don’t know exactly what you are looking for. If it’s before your surgery going to DSC or SCI show would provide you a huge amount of options to compare, but maybe too many.

 

[375Fox]

You might also consider two 10 day safaris over 2 years. The first will help you better identify what you want from your second hunt. Also, if you have health issues 21 days can be hard on anyone. Buffalo and elephant require a lot of hours and miles tracking everyday in the sun.

 

[MarkB]

Welcome to the site for all Africa. As stated you will be inundated with many outfitters offering you a hunt.

You most certainly have the guns figured out, both light and heavy sound perfect. Not sure about the cast bullets, talk to the outfitter and PH. Barnes bullets have many great reviews, but there are others, Swift, Hornady and Nosler all make well reviewed great working bullets. Plus many I never mentioned, nearly all 2025 controlled expanding and solids work well.

The next and more important and factoring item is budget, this will dictate country, and details of the hunt. Your health will also play a huge factor, as @375Fox stated "normal" buff and ele are walk hunts, normally long. Most good outfitters that know their areas will/may be able to mitigate those stalks to the shortest and least physical but they are still walking hunts. Flatter areas over climbing ones is an outfitter item for mitigation.

I certainly will be following this thread to see what is presented and your offered choices.

Good luck.

MB

 

[uplander01]

Your guns are good to go.

If I were in the same situation, after the same animals, knowing the people I know and have hunted with in Africa, I would call Makore Safaris, ask for Gary, and ask about the new concession and camp they have in the Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe area. And I would have extra day or two to spend in Vic Falls. If you want to speak directly or email, PM me, glad to help in any way I can.

Sorry to hear about your health condition.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

Good luck with the plan. Enjoy the prep and the ride. Three years ago, I wanted to go on Safari. Covid19 had nearly killed me. I was over weight, had bad knees, and suffered breathing issues from Covid. My medical issues might not have been as bad as yours but they made walking to the mail box each day an issue.

I found a doctor that believed in curing his patients instead of masking their symptoms with drugs. I learned how to eat and lost 40lbs over 3 months and have since lost 10 more. Bobby K is right on tgt.

I worked with an ortho doc to patch up my knees, and began going to the gym for cardio three days each week. I hiked in the woods weekly and by 5 months I could hike 5 miles per day over hilly terrain.

I got a pair of shooting sticks and learned to use them. I practiced with a suppressed 22lr at short range in my yard every day off sticks. After 8months of prep, I decided to go on a practice Safari. Loved it. This year, I did my Cape Buffalo hunt and it was daunting and lots of walking even after all of my prep. To each his own, but I would suggest also that you go for a shorter practice hunt of 7-10days and then go all in for the Ele and Buff, Hippo and Croc. Or do the Hippo and Croc for practice?

You can walk for miles every day tracking Elephant and that one animal can be grueling for anyone, let alone and old fart like me (I am 69yr old). In my case, I have decided that Ele is too physically demanding for my old carcass. My next hunt is aiming for Namibia and Eland, Golden WB, Zebra and either croc or one of the cats. Safari saved my life. The need to plan and prepare motivated me to improve my health. I will keep going for as long as I am able.

 

[Mekaniks]

To AH. You have come to the right place

 

[David jr]

I thank all of you for the quick replies and suggestions.
My CHF is under control and all my doctors say I am stable for the last two years.
I have never had a heart attack and I live at 7,400 feet in elevation, so I an in pretty good shape as far as getting around. Being at this high altitude has probably help me a lot over some one that lives at sea level and not active. For my CHF I only need to keep water out of the sack around the heart. Water pills have taken care of this problem very well and my BP is always in the 118/ 76 range.
However, my knees have been over worked for many years and they are bone on bone, so I will have to have them replaced. I have several friends that have had knee replacements. The ones that did not do the exercises never did well, and the ones that did as instructed by their doctor are running around like spring chickens. I under stand the elephant will be a lot of walking and I will be able to walk at least ten miles a day long before I go on this trip. I do not want to be a hinderance on the PH, which is why I am preparing in advance. If it turns out I can't go at least 10 miles a day I will have to forget the elephant. Will the buffalo need 10 miles a day walking as well?
Will I need SOLID for the 30/06 as well as expanding .I have found 180 gr solid from Cutting edge bullets in US

 

[375Fox]

I thank all of you for the quick replies and suggestions.
My CHF is under control and all my doctors say I am stable for the last two years.
I have never had a heart attack and I live at 7,400 feet in elevation, so I an in pretty good shape as far as getting around. Being at this high altitude has probably help me a lot over some one that lives at sea level and not active. For my CHF I only need to keep water out of the sack around the heart. Water pills have taken care of this problem very well and my BP is always in the 118/ 76 range.
However, my knees have been over worked for many years and they are bone on bone, so I will have to have them replaced. I have several friends that have had knee replacements. The ones that did not do the exercises never did well, and the ones that did as instructed by their doctor are running around like spring chickens. I under stand the elephant will be a lot of walking and I will be able to walk at least ten miles a day long before I go on this trip. I do not want to be a hinderance on the PH, which is why I am preparing in advance. If it turns out I can't go at least 10 miles a day I will have to forget the elephant. Will the buffalo need 10 miles a day walking as well?
Will I need SOLID for the 30/06 as well as expanding .I have found 180 gr solid from Cutting edge bullets in US

The amount of walking for both elephant and buffalo really depends on the concession you hunt and type of bull you are looking for. Some you’ll walk a lot more than others.

 

[Rare Breed]

You can definitely take your handloads. You aren’t limited to factory ammo, but you are limited to 11 lbs maximum. Cast bullets would be a discussion with your PH before the hunt.
You’ll likely get a lot of offers sent privately but there are only a few sponsors I’d even consider for this kind of hunt. You are looking at $70k+ in any quality area, potentially a lot more depending on the type of elephant you’d like to hunt. I’d only consider offers from PHs based in the country you’d hunt with a few exceptions. If this is your first trip and potentially only trip and you want a safari of this magnitude, I’d reach out to the more established US booking agents like the hunting consortium, jack Atcheson and sons, hunters networks. They can present a lot of options and countries and discuss pros and cons of each for your situation. There are a lot of ways to go wrong if you don’t know exactly what you are looking for. If it’s before your surgery going to DSC or SCI show would provide you a huge amount of options to compare, but maybe too many.

I agree with @375 fox. My only concern is you truly hunt elephant with your feet much more than elk hunting which I have done. Please just be prepared to walk 10-20 miles per day with afternoon temperatures 90 degrees plus for your elephant. That’s what it took me and so many others on AH. Very excited for you and looking forward to an exciting report!!!

 

[David jr]

Thank you JG26irish 2 ,@375 and Rare Breed, I now have the goal of at least 10 and up to 20 miles per day walking with 458 fully loaded .
I will start on this task just as soon as I get my new knees early 2026. In the mean time i will need to get a shooting stick, which one do you suggest the standard three leg wood with leather, or the new one that supports forend and butt stock ? I have never needed a shooting support when the shot is 100 yards or less .

 

[375Fox]

Thank you JG26irish 2 ,@375 and Rare Breed, I now have the goal of at least 10 and up to 20 miles per day walking with 458 fully loaded .
I will start on this task just as soon as I get my new knees early 2026. In the mean time i will need to get a shooting stick, which one do you suggest the standard three leg wood with leather, or the new one that supports forend and butt stock ? I have never needed a shooting support when the shot is 100 yards or less .

If it’s your first time using sticks, you will be more comfortable with a tripod to start. Any Bog pod tripod will work for practice. Whether you think it’s necessary or not, your PH is going to put you on sticks in Africa exception being possibly elephant up close. It increases the chances of a good shot and lets you rest the gun while he evaluates the animals or waiting on a shot opportunity.

 

[Franco]

@David jr, I was 65 when I went on my first safari in 2018. In April of that year I suffered a spiral fracture of my right femur, there are now 5 screws in my knee and a piece of titanium with 6 more screws from the knee to my hip - I went on safari in November of that year. I commend you for setting your sights on a goal and establishing a plan to achieve it.

21 days may seem like a long time, but days can disappear quickly if the animals you seek are just not there. You will need to be very selective about where and with whom you are hunting.

Your choice of trophies will dictate your choice of areas, and if you can find them all in close proximity you will reduce the number of days spent traveling. In 2022, I shot croc, hippo, cape buffalo, and elephant in one safari, and in one area - the Caprivi Strip in Namibia. I actually shot 1 elephant in Botswana - right on the border, then drove to the Caprivi and shot croc, hippo, cape buffalo, zebra, and another elephant.

I am familiar with the area discribed by @uplander01, I would think that area would offer the opportunity for the animals you've selected. @375Fox's advice on cost and PH's is sound. Do not overlook his comment - "There are a lot of ways to go wrong." Making promises is easy, fulfilling them is sometimes not.

What @Rare Breed and others discribed about elephant hunting is true, but you can mitigate that to a degree with the use of trackers. You can put as many eyes and feet out scouting for any animals as you're willing to pay for. In the Caprivi, we had locals watching for buffalo and elephant crossing over from Botswana while we were hunting croc and hippo.

Shot placement is important on all animals, critical on the ones you're targeting. Read the posts on this forum and watch the videos - you do not want to have to deal with a wounded elephant or buffalo. Hippo and croc require precise shooting. A friend and PH I hunted with was killed by the wounded buffalo he was tracking.

If you are able to attend any of the upcoming conventions - DSC or SCI, you should. You've already made the right move by asking on this forum. If you want more of an "Old Guy's" perspective, DM me. Age is what you make of it; I did a cull hunt in Australia last year, and a safari in Mozambique earlier this year. I am 72 and just picked up a 500NE for my next elephant hunt.

Best of luck on your surgeries and your hunt.

 

[Spear Safaris]

Ernest Dyason here, i have sent a direct message.

 

[skydiver386]

David, welcome to AH.

If you can make it, attending the SCI show in Nashville would be worth your while. We also have a dinner get together of Africa Hunting forum members where you can meet many of the folks you chat with here. Hang around because there are some really good guys here that will steer you right.

 

[Bandera]

I thank all of you for the quick replies and suggestions.
My CHF is under control and all my doctors say I am stable for the last two years.
I have never had a heart attack and I live at 7,400 feet in elevation, so I an in pretty good shape as far as getting around. Being at this high altitude has probably help me a lot over some one that lives at sea level and not active. For my CHF I only need to keep water out of the sack around the heart. Water pills have taken care of this problem very well and my BP is always in the 118/ 76 range.
However, my knees have been over worked for many years and they are bone on bone, so I will have to have them replaced. I have several friends that have had knee replacements. The ones that did not do the exercises never did well, and the ones that did as instructed by their doctor are running around like spring chickens. I under stand the elephant will be a lot of walking and I will be able to walk at least ten miles a day long before I go on this trip. I do not want to be a hinderance on the PH, which is why I am preparing in advance. If it turns out I can't go at least 10 miles a day I will have to forget the elephant. Will the buffalo need 10 miles a day walking as well?
Will I need SOLID for the 30/06 as well as expanding .I have found 180 gr solid from Cutting edge bullets in US

My dad had his first knee replacement years ago. At that time he was still running 6 miles a day 6 days a week. Knee replaced in May we where Elk hunting in New Mexico September. His physical condition going into the surgery helped with the recovery. His commitment to the PT afterwards allowed for a successful hunt.
He is on his third replacement knee. The first one broke, when he was taking off his boots after a Turkey hunt, the next one wore out from exercise.

You will not need solids for 06. A good premium bullet like a Barnes will work great.
Others have their favorite brand and type that will also work great.

Your PH should taylor the hunt to you. This last June one of the guys in our group was 80, he has COPD and he had a stroke 6 months before went to Africa. He lost the vision in his right eye was lasting effect of the stroke. He did a bit of shooting from the truck and some stalking. He ended up with a successful hunt and fulfilling a life long dream of hunting Africa.

Communicate with your PH. If he is not willing to hunt at your pace then consider a different PH. It is your hunt. The PH should taylor the hunt to you as much as possible.

 

[Dinsdale]

David, welcome to AH.

If you can make it, attending the SCI show in Nashville would be worth your while. We also have a dinner get together of Africa Hunting forum members where you can meet many of the folks you chat with here. Hang around because there are some really good guys here that will steer you right.

Depending on expectations for elephant, and wanting a 21 day hunt can easily be north of a $100k.

Would be money well spent talking to outfitters.

Ernest Dyason here, i have sent a direct message.

^And this guy would be right there on top of a list to visit for the many options available.

 

[wesheltonj]

I thank all of you for the quick replies and suggestions.
My CHF is under control and all my doctors say I am stable for the last two years.
I have never had a heart attack and I live at 7,400 feet in elevation, so I an in pretty good shape as far as getting around. Being at this high altitude has probably help me a lot over some one that lives at sea level and not active. For my CHF I only need to keep water out of the sack around the heart. Water pills have taken care of this problem very well and my BP is always in the 118/ 76 range. . . .

I am not a physician. But it’s stable till it’s not. I would be concerned about where in Africa you want to do that 21 days and how far away is good medical help. I would also be concerned about the flight distance and swelling.

Personally, I would not take two guns, just get a 375 H&H and shoot everything with it.