What have you actually had stolen getting to, coming from or on safari?

[Hornedfrogbbq]

Newbie here...so just how many of you all have had things stolen (money, goods, weapons, ammo) on your trip to Africa, while in Africa or coming home. Muggings, weapons going missing, etc.

I realize proper precautions are needed there as well as plac3s here in the states so I am not talking about walking around joberg at night or not being wise of your surroundings. I mean a proper cautious lad and regardless, you had things lifted.

 

[gillettehunter]

Coming home from Zambia my ammo box with laser range finder in it never made it . Didn't make it on the plane in Lusaka. Had a rifle that took 3 weeks to get home to me .......
Bruce

 

[BRICKBURN]

Never, Not one thing pilfered from luggage, etc..

Had an absolute monster set of Gemsbok horns disappear between the drying shed and the plane in Botswana.

 

[Nevada Wapati]

Nothing lost or stolen in eight trips

 

[Scott4030]

My buddy had all of his optics and camera gear disappear at a Paris connection years ago before there were any direct flights. We used to go through Amsterdam mostly, but Paris or Heathrow once in awhile. Now we just take direct flights.

 

[Twraska]

When I was working in Ghana we frequently (like half the time) had stuff stolen out or check-in baggage. Normally they’d get pocket knives, leatherman, flashlights and electronics. We started wrapping our bags with duct tape so they couldn’t unzip quickly and writing on them “TSA please re-tape after inspection” which they did. It helped a little but sometimes they would just take a razor and cut the side open to ransack the bag.

 

[Beretta391]

Nothing lost or stolen in ten trips!

 

[Tbitty]

2 trips to South Africa, zero issues for myself or any travel companions. I have not traveled with rifle (I rent camp rifles for convenience), my binos/rangefinder go in my carry on with me, and cash/wallet/passports get zipped in pants pockets or zipped in inner pockets of bags where they are not easily accessed.

I usually have a locked hard "pistol" case for any fragile items or knives inside my checked luggage. Also doubles as a makeshift safe for my passport and wallet when in camp.

 

[375Fox]

I had a significant amount of cash stolen somewhere between my hotel in Qatar and hotel in Zimbabwe from my carry on. I’ve replayed it 1000x but still have no idea how they got it. All I know is I had an empty plastic bag when I finally opened it up. I hope they were angry when they found out the majority was smaller bills at least and not 100s. I’ve never had anything stolen from my luggage even when delayed several days.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Ten RSA hunting trips and three side fishing trips, RSA, Moz and Angola. Had a few items that didn't make it through security but nothing ever stolen. Only sketchy occurrence was at a guest house in Richards Bay. Perps scaled the wall and broke in to two vehicles.

 

[dogcat1]

Leopard skull never made it even though I personally tagged it.

 

[Red Leg]

Nothing - Europe, South America, or Africa.

 

[Doubleplay]

Newbie here...so just how many of you all have had things stolen (money, goods, weapons, ammo) on your trip to Africa, while in Africa or coming home. Muggings, weapons going missing, etc.

I realize proper precautions are needed there as well as plac3s here in the states so I am not talking about walking around joberg at night or not being wise of your surroundings. I mean a proper cautious lad and regardless, you had things lifted.

Nothing in my numerous trips.

 

[TOBY458]

On five trips to Africa and one to Australia, I’ve never had anything stolen. I’ve always been a little hesitant about leaving cash in my room while out hunting, but I just lock it up in my gun case so they’d at least have to break the locks off to get inside. That way the operator would have some idea of who stole it. However, as stated, nothing has ever come up missing.

 

[mark-hunter]

In thirty years on board the ships, and offshore, with international crew, I never locked anything, never lost anything.

In 4 safaris so far, in Africa nothing has been stolen from me.

This reminds me of the usual anecdote onboard, when having passangers from. America on a cargo ship. And usually on their first international trip.

They were looking for a, safe, which usually is not provided in the cargo ship cabins.
So, they would give valuables to master for a safe keeping. Only master has a safe.
They were always so worried or concerned they will be robbed by crew or something, and I always thought it was funny.

Dangerous enviroment are bad neighbourhoods in urban centers and street sharks, globally.
The only thing i can remember, after being in more then 60 countries in the world is when I did not have small cash with me, and local taxi driver typed 200 usd instead of 20 usd, to pay on credit card in local currency.

So, bring small cash, for small expenses, 1, 5 and 10 dollar bills, dont pay taxi with credit card, dont bring jewelry and rolex watch on international trip and dont worry.

Piracy on deep sea is another matter, then safe in master iffice is useless, everything gets robbed.

The trick for international travel is to minimize valuables.

 

[Adam Stevens]

Nothing luckily. I was prepared for the odd small "shakedown" lol or bribe.

Kept a few hundreds in my Tilley hat and/or boots incase. But had the bulk on me or in carry on.

Funny thing, I had a wierd sixth sense or just random feeling walking through Johannesburg airport. Only time I removed my nice watch off my wrist while going through security. Just didn't feel right being flashy

 

[JimP]

I never have had any idea of why a person would wear a very nice watch while hunting. I have a cheap $30 Timex that I wear on hunting trips. I loose it, so what? It gets stolen some way, too bad for the thief. If somehow I break it, I'll just purchase a new one.

Cash stays on my person or my backpack that I use for a carry on. Once at the lodge the cash and my passport go into my gun case that is locked, if I didn't bring a rifle then it would go into the safe that is provided in my room.

People take way too many chances on international trips that are totally unnecessary.

 

[Nyati]

Nothing in 8 trips, either to me or friends on the safari.

One day I forgot my wallet (with a substantial amount of cash) in my lodging in camp, and it was untouched.

 

[miket1]

One trip so far and had my Pelican Air cut/ripped open and my locked ammo case stolen, along with a cheap camera. We stayed the night in Joberg, so we assume it happened then. Was pretty stressfull at Namibia customs when I had put 60 rounds on my permit and showed up with nothing, then leaving having to tell them I was returning with none. They looked at me suspiciously and asked "you shot all your ammo?"

Thankfully the PH had a box on hand, then the next day they went and got me more