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

[Red Leg]

That is true, I lived in Montana and Minnesota for two years, and was wearing the snow coveralls already with Temps above freezing. I almost died when the real cold came.
In SA I wear long johns in winter all day if it is under 65 degrees.

I am a native South Louisianian and understand. I also do not handle Montana sort of cold well at all. In Namibia and the Limpopo, we would head out at dawn and the back of the truck looked like an artic exploration team. I usually try to leave my micro-fleece with the tracker. For me, long johns would have been fine for an hour, but after that, not so much.

 

[Philip Glass]

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.

Ha. I wear out Kuiu wool Tshirts because I wear them all the time!

 

[Philip Glass]

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.

It's the blends or the coarse/medium wool used in those products that is causing the trouble. I know. My true favorite for serious hiking is the Kuiu wool socks.
Side note: Darn Tough has a warranty. If you wear one out just send it back for a new one!

 

[Bandera]

I am a believer in Darn Tough socks.
I wear Darn Tough socks year round.
Out last trip my buddy wore Cabela’s wool socks, his feet where hot and tired the whole trip.
Good socks are a must for comfort.
I used to wear Smart Wool, they changed the blend on the socks and they started pushing politics, so I quit wearing them.

I like the Under Armor T-Shirts for a base layer. Nike made a great shirt at one time but they discontinued it. Other brands just do not fit right. I buy an XL I expect it to fit like a XL! Not some modern slim cut for wanna be look at me clowns.
Heck at my age I still have a 6 pack, it just covered with a bit of insulation.

The Exofficio under are great, they dry quick and are super comfortable.

I am also a believer in and extra set cloths in the back pack.

Also a believer in wearing your hunting boots on the plane. If they are not comfortable enough for a flight, you do not need to hunt in them.

This flight I am considering wearing Joggers and a 1/4 zip hoodie. With it being an overnight flight comfort is important. Although my wife told me that the joggers and my Courtney boots looked ridiculous.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

In the past I was always a 100% cotton guy, but six years ago when I was at Minneapolis vet clinic vainly trying to keep my previous Lab alive I stopped in Cabelas for a distraction. Wound up buying a shirt on sale for my upcoming first safari. It was mostly synthetic including 2% spandex. Their "Strata" camo pattern was an interesting change from military digital or sticks & leaves Realtree. I now have six of the shirts. Hard to tell I'm wearing anything. Super comfortable and highly breathable. I wear them almost every day ... and they wear like iron.
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These shirts have a "hidden" zippered pocket alongside the left side chest cargo parket. I keep earplugs in it and they go through laundry with the shirt.

I should add that these shirts also have sleeves that are more than long enough. Very hard to find shirts these days that aren't cheap on sleeves. I guess Chinamen have dinky arms. These shirts also have straps and buttons for rolling the sleeves up if needed. Collar is button down. I sewed the back of collars in place to keep them from crawling up my neck.

I don't wear camo on the plane. Have a long sleeved cotton khaki colored shirt for that purpose.

 

[Russ16]

I should add that these shirts also have sleeves that are more than long enough. Very hard to find shirts these days that aren't cheap on sleeves. I guess Chinamen have dinky arms. These shirts also have straps and buttons for rolling the sleeves up if needed. Collar is button down. I sewed the back of collars in place to keep them from crawling up my neck.

I don't wear camo on the plane. Have a long sleeved cotton khaki colored shirt for that purpose.

I second the sleeve length. I’m a 38 inch sleeve love the few companies that make a tall.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

The saying goes'if your head is cold, you are cold'. I like to wear a beanie in the crisp early mornings on the trucks, and a pair of gloves, especially driving the Landy.

 

[Duke1966]

I second the sleeve length. I’m a 38 inch sleeve love the few companies that make a tall.

The 38 inch sleeve is easy enough to find IF you’re 4XL. It’s hard to find in 42-44 inch chest sizes.

 

[Russ16]

The 38 inch sleeve is easy enough to find IF you’re 4XL. It’s hard to find in 42-44 inch chest sizes.

Exactly. Was excited to find the Avedon & Colby the large tall fits perfect in those.

 

[Tim Blackwell]

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.

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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.

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

I always chuckle at PHs wearing Aussie elastic side boots like those Redbacks. I wear them daily to work in, but nobody here wears them hunting!

 

[TAG SAFARI]

Great List OP, Most definitely the right fit makes a huge difference in your hunt.

 

[grand veneur]

Great List OP, Most definitely the right fit makes a huge difference in your hunt.

I think so too !

 

[fourfive8]

Bottom line for OP. Chances are pretty good it will be mostly hot and dry during the day for most African hunts. During south-of-equator “winter season” in most African destinations, it can be quite cold mornings, evenings. If you walk and hunt, wear boots you can put miles on in the heat. If you mostly ride the cruiser, doesn’t matter much. But above all, make sure your gear is tailor fit and looks like the cover if a bespoke safari supply catalog.

 

[Wiley64]

Bottom line for OP. Chances are pretty good it will be mostly hot and dry during the day for most African hunts. During south-of-equator “winter season” in most African destinations, it can be quite cold mornings, evenings. If you walk and hunt, wear boots you can put miles on in the heat. If you mostly ride the cruiser, doesn’t matter much. But above all, make sure your gear is tailor fit and looks like the cover if a bespoke safari supply catalog.

This all the way

 

[Finprof]

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.

I have been wearing wool socks with synthetic liners for 50 years. The wool socks can be worn multiple days and the synthetic liners can be rinsed out at night and will be dry by morning. Clothes will be washed on safari but my wife and I do a lot of hiking and there is no washing service.