What are your Tips & Must Haves - 2nd Safari - Namibia

[3chunter]

Extra cash. Binos. I have Courtney boots. Wipes. Lens cleaner or scope cloth cause it will be dusty. Chapstick. Moleskin for emergency. Small bag for day ride in truck, I use regular bookbag. Ammo Pouch on belt and keep extra bullets in it. Kuiu face cover/gaiter. Boot gaiters or long pants.

 

[BeeMaa]

Appreciate the brand recos on both the sticks and boots! Will research both.
Are you saying not to invest in Kuiu?
I’m mainly a waterfowl hunter so a lot of my hunting clothes have patterns and I had looked into Kuiu for snagging a few items. It will be August so I do believe the weather will be cooler/colder in the mornings so figured possibly my wax jacket (solid) and then layers and pants.

I tend to be an over-packer so always a good reminder..pack and cut in half

I have invested in a lot of KUIU clothing, but I wouldn't let them wash it. That's all I'm saying. I have one of their Peloton 240 full zip (no hood) that will absolutely be coming with me to SA this year. But the lightweight pants will be staying at home. Too cold in August for that, besides my legs will be better protected from the thorns with some cotton Carhartt trousers.

Keep it light and have a good trip.

 

[Betterinthebush]

I guess I’ll find out how wrong I am on this subject on my first Namibian safari in a couple days. I’m not a subscriber to the “less is more” camp. I’m in the “two is one, one is none” side of the house.

I don’t know what time of year you are going, but I’d just say this: talk frankly and honestly with your PH whenever time of year your next safari is. He has every interest in your success and wouldn’t want to see you suffer.

These are the boots I’m going with, Danner uplanders. Don’t care if they’re insulated. They wick sweat and I use nylon sock liners in hot weather anyway. I’ve worn them every day for three months on the farm.

 

[ftrovato]

I guess I’ll find out how wrong I am on this subject on my first Namibian safari in a couple days. I’m not a subscriber to the “less is more” camp. I’m in the “two is one, one is none” side of the house.

I don’t know what time of year you are going, but I’d just say this: talk frankly and honestly with your PH whenever time of year your next safari is. He has every interest in your success and wouldn’t want to see you suffer. View attachment 694752View attachment 694753

These are the boots I’m going with, Danner uplanders. Don’t care if they’re insulated. They wick sweat and I use nylon sock liners in hot weather anyway. I’ve worn them every day for three months on the farm.

Respectfully, I'm not so sure I could agree with your pick in boots....but to each their own.

Heavy, hot and most importantly it will be hard to walk as quietly as your PH & Trackers in those boots for mile after mile after mile.

Have a great safari and tell us all bout it when you return.

 

[Betterinthebush]

Respectfully, I'm not so sure I could agree with your pick in boots....but to each their own.

Heavy, hot and most importantly it will be hard to walk as quietly as your PH & Trackers in those boots for mile after mile after mile.

Have a great safari and tell us all bout it when you return.

Meh.. I’m used to them. It’ll be fine. I’m pretty confident I can out hump anyone. Which, is why I work and train in them everyday.

 

[9Point3]

what do most use to travel with their ammo? what type of box/bag cause it must lock.

I took a Nanuk 904 for ammo. The lid lock is well thought out. The injection molding on the bottom could be thought out better to leave it flat versus raised scallops on the inside.

 

[9Point3]

I have invested in a lot of KUIU clothing, but I wouldn't let them wash it. That's all I'm saying. I have one of their Peloton 240 full zip (no hood) that will absolutely be coming with me to SA this year. But the lightweight pants will be staying at home. Too cold in August for that, besides my legs will be better protected from the thorns with some cotton Carhartt trousers.

Agree on the Carhartt pants. The phone pocket on the right leg is great to keep the phone handy for pics (as others have said). They took an extra day of washing to get some red sand stains out.

 

[Bill_D]

Last year on my first plains game hunt in Namibia I did not bring a warm enough jacket for the cold mornings riding around in the back of the Land Cruiser and wished I also brought gloves and a neck gator.

Also my non-insulated Zamberland boots were way to hot/no air flow and I ditched them for my Ariat work cowboy boots which actually worked well for 5-8 miles per day in the flat rolling country, but I am very used to wearing those on a daily basis at home on the ranch.

I over packed as far as hunting gear as well, all I really needed/used was 30-06 with good scope, 8x field glasses, tan/green shit/pants and a hat/sunglasses.

 

[Javaman]

will be heading to Kaokoland, Namibia for my 2nd safari.

What are your biggest tips and MUST HAVE safari gear items that you wouldn't think to leave home without?
- prefer sticks over a tripod for your rifle?
- best hunting boots you prefer for safari hunts?
- what are you packing in your gear bag when you're out on a hunt? what to leave behind at camp?
- best shooting bags you prefer for African hunts?

After reading through the other helpful posts so far:

1. Viper Flex sticks work great for me.
2. Breaking in a new pair of Jim Green Rangers now (normal mid-sole, not leather) since that’s what my SA PH’s wore last month when I was on safari. Definitely a different feel than my La Sporiva light weight hikers but are quieter! Will take them in 2027.
3. No Kuiu - stays at home since they get shredded in the bush and just don’t hold up for me in Africa. Take three (3) changes of cotton hunting clothes including Tag Safari shirts and Costco canvas long pants. Other options abound. Couple sets of casual clothes/sweats for after hunting and that’s about it. Dop kit, meds, electronics stay at camp. Day pack has booni hat (broad brimmed), ammo, sunscreen, possibles bag (including dude wipes and/or tp), usb batter to charge phone as needed, flashlight (really best on gun belt), other sundries I might need during the day.
4. Yes take Imodium AND pepto Bismal tablets. I got hit with norovirus last month on day 2 and needed both to minimize digging cat holes.
4. Not sure what you mean by shooting bags. A Boyt canvas soft rifle bag is needed for the truck while hard case stays at camp.

Hope this helps.

 

[Mountaineer]

Check with your PH the laundry schedule, then don’t duplicate clothing. Shirt pockets are super handy while your on the safari truck. Last year in Namibia one morning was 24 degrees Fahrenheit in the morning and 80 in the afternoon. Dress in layers.

 

[375Fox]

I guess I’ll find out how wrong I am on this subject on my first Namibian safari in a couple days. I’m not a subscriber to the “less is more” camp. I’m in the “two is one, one is none” side of the house.

I don’t know what time of year you are going, but I’d just say this: talk frankly and honestly with your PH whenever time of year your next safari is. He has every interest in your success and wouldn’t want to see you suffer. View attachment 694752View attachment 694753

These are the boots I’m going with, Danner uplanders. Don’t care if they’re insulated. They wick sweat and I use nylon sock liners in hot weather anyway. I’ve worn them every day for three months on the farm.

I’ve never understood the pack light crowd either. The airlines give you two free bags on international flights up to 44 lbs or 50 lbs depending on airline. I use it all. I don’t see a reason not to. I’d rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I’ve also changed camps and had water well run dry so laundry wasn’t available every day. Your boots will be fine for June or July. It’s cold there and you won’t walk miles on a PG hunt. It’s short stalks from vehicle. A dangerous game hunt in September or October when it’s hot you’d think differently on boots though.

 

[TnKen]

I like the lowa gtx boots, carhartt pants, light synthetic long underwear, Kuiu peloton pullover, cotton button up shirt, puffy vest, and a light fleece jacket. I can strip layers as the day goes on. I don’t like to be cold, so I would rather overdress than underdress. I also carry a small mostly empty backpack to stuff layers in as needed.
I also carry an IFAK that has a tourniquet, clotting gauze, and a chest seal.

 

[slam8031]

I returned three days ago from a tiny ten hunt across RSA from the Eastern Cape to the Limpopo Valley--
Loved my Jim Green Rangers--2nd Safari with them
Dude Wipes--always --
layer clothes
I over pack for underwear and socks. I under pack for clothes--two Paris of shorts, two Paris of long pants and layers for upper body. KUIU merino has served me well and I took an Axis jacket that was perfect for top layer cold weather on EC.

And unless you are on Premium Comfort or Delta One, they are now allowing one bag at 50 lbs and you pay 100 USD for each additional bag for Comfort + and cattle class.

Hope you have a great hunt!

 

[Betterinthebush]

I like the lowa gtx boots, carhartt pants, light synthetic long underwear, Kuiu peloton pullover, cotton button up shirt, puffy vest, and a light fleece jacket. I can strip layers as the day goes on. I don’t like to be cold, so I would rather overdress than underdress. I also carry a small mostly empty backpack to stuff layers in as needed.
I also carry an IFAK that has a tourniquet, clotting gauze, and a chest seal.

Same here.

 

[Flipper Dude]

1 Sticks. Whatever the PH uses. I prefer tripods or offhand for DG. Quad sticks for plains game

2. Whatever you’d wear for an early season dove hunt here at home

3. Absolutely nothing

4. None

 

[dchum]

On meds, I often take an Imodium when getting into an area with different food/water. It can really help with adjusting quickly and settling your stomach. I certainly would have some around.

Yep I used up all my outfitters Imodium first time I went to Namibia.
I came and reloaded him this second trip haha.

I never needed it my second time over

 

[Trogon]

Good Ziploc baggies (like freezer type), quart and a few gallon bags. Always grab a half roll of toilet paper first day from the lodge, I have been sincerely thanked for that previously. Add a pack of butt wipes in there as well.
A big handful of lense wipes (Zeiss are reasonable at Walmart/Sam's Club) for glasses and binos.
Immodium as has been mentioned, and I take on flight out day one because of airline food.
An extra log of wintergreen long cut dip because your PH may really appreciate it. Non-existent in South Africa.

 

[Sideshow]

Sticks>tripod

I go with light. Wore barefoot style Merrill trail running shoes on my Buffalo hunt

Gear bag has very little. Power bank and phone cable, water bottle, range finder, and binos.

Spotting scope seems wildly unnecessary.

I don’t do long range shooting on animals so I have no opinion on shooting bags

Hey @joker2400 would you have a link to the Merrill trail runners thanks

 

[Sabre]

I’ve never understood the pack light crowd either. The airlines give you two free bags on international flights up to 44 lbs or 50 lbs depending on airline. I use it all. I don’t see a reason not to. I’d rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I’ve also changed camps and had water well run dry so laundry wasn’t available every day. Your boots will be fine for June or July. It’s cold there and you won’t walk miles on a PG hunt. It’s short stalks from vehicle. A dangerous game hunt in September or October when it’s hot you’d think differently on boots though.

I am glad I am not the only one. I agree with you guys. I know I am a classic "over packer", and I try to bring anything I think might be needed given a variety of scenarios. I also tend to use my max packing limit on most hunts I go on.

What is funny is, a good majority of hunts, I end up using everything I took. So when I go on the next hunt and I start looking at things to cut from the list, I see many items that saved me in the past and I don't want to leave them home because there is a decent chance I will need them again.

 

[Sabre]

will be heading to Kaokoland, Namibia for my 2nd safari.

What are your biggest tips and MUST HAVE safari gear items that you wouldn't think to leave home without?
- prefer sticks over a tripod for your rifle?
- best hunting boots you prefer for safari hunts?
- what are you packing in your gear bag when you're out on a hunt? what to leave behind at camp?
- best shooting bags you prefer for African hunts?

Best tip I can offer is that I soak my clothes in permethrin before every traveling hunt. I also use a spray bottle of it to spray my boots and hat in advance.

Quad sticks are the way to go. I like GunStix.

My favorite hunting boots have been Salomon

For gear bag I mostly focus on clothing I might need, water, and ammo

Unsure what you mean by shooting bags. Like a rear stabilizing bag? or a hunting pack?