Africa advice

[hunting4sanity]

After several years of thinking about going to Africa I decided it was time to just go.  My brother and I are going to South Africa next March.  We're looking for plains game animals, I'm very interested in kudu, gemsbok, impala, warthog, etc.  I've heard that African plains game animals are very tough animals to bring down, I'm planning on using my 300RUM and probably a 200gr Nosler Partition.  I'm just looking for advice and tips from guys that have been there on all aspects of the trip.  I know asking about bullet choice is the old Chevy vs Ford vs Dodge debate, but I'm interested in your opinions.  Also, things like using a service to facilitate getting guns into and out of the country.  When to start getting any needed shots?  What did you use for mosquitoes, ThermaCELL, sprays, etc.?  How much do you tip the PH, trackers and others?  Would you have taxidermy done there or back here?  Obstacles on getting animals back home from Africa?  Any & all advice or tips on what you wish you would have done differently will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Randy

[h20hunter]

Sanity....If I was planning a trip I would go back and read the entire thread from Rob....start to finish....about his recent trip. I don't think I've ever seen (written up) as much prep and info as he put into his trip.

[Rob]

300 RUM is more than enough.  The most common caliber is 375 HHH.  My buddy used a 7mm RM on all his animals (all the ones you listed and more).  My dad used a 7mm SAUM.  I used a 338 WM on plains game, and a 375 HH on Buffalo and other animals.  If you shoot the 300 RUM well, then that is your gun!  If you are recoil shy, you can drop to many other cartridges and still do fine.  Bullet placement and bullet design are more important than cartridge in my opinion. 

Bullets:  give a lot of consideration to the Cutting Edge Raptor bullets.  These were designed by African hunters and are just amazing.  Noslers will work well too.  Swift A-frames and north forks are popular with the African hunters.  As are Barnes TSX, TTSX, etc.  Consider bringing a few solids.  Not for big game, but for small game.  A solid just pokes a hole through a little steenbok, Springbok or Duiker, whereas an expander will blow a hole through your trophy.  By all means, go get this book.  Don’t think about it, just buy it.
http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Shot-Placement-African-Game/dp/1571571639/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372265760&sr=1-2&keywords=perfect+shot+africa

And the DVD:
http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Africa-Robertson-Adventure-Hunting/dp/B008KRCBSO/ref=sr_sp-btf_title_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372265760&sr=1-4&keywords=perfect+shot+africa

These ARE FANTASTIC.  They explain in a non Chevy vs ford way what you need in bullets for the game you chase.  You will not regret buying this book…  I have picked up two copies of the DVD and have left both of them in Africa on my trips as the PH’s just love to watch them.  It is that good of a video on African hunting techniques.

Shots are needed usually 6-9 months in advance of your trip depending on what you need.  My thread has info on that.

Riflepermits.com is the place I’d goto for rifle expedites.  South Africa is a pain to process guns through.

Mosquitos:  treat clothing in permethrin.  Great stuff.  Then use some deet and your malaria meds.  You will be fine.  Transporting the thermacell butane cartridges can be problematic. 

50 to 100 per day is a typical tip.  Ask the PH what you should give the trackers.  Usually 20 bucks a day is a lot.  They like gifts like knives, soccer balls, candy, etc as well.

Taxidermy is a good question.  I always do it here.  You don’t know what you will get if you do it in Africa.  It is much cheaper there though.  More expensive to ship back completed mounts though.  Make sure that you use a taxi who has done African game before as it is different than NA game.  I use Jerry Huffaker.  He is GREAT. http://huffakertaxidermy.com/

As for getting the stuff back from Africa, just sit back and wait.  I got back in October and my hides and horns are still in Zimbabwe.  My buddies (same trip) stuff just cleared US customs this month.  Plan on 1.5 to 2.5 years from your trip to get mounts in the house.  Just accept it.

If you find your way to this side on the Mountains, feel free to contact me and we can get lunch.

I can mail you a DVD of my Namibia trip journal if you would like.  Just PM me an address to mail it to.  It is a couple hundred pages long and has tons of photos.  I am working on my 2012 journal now.  It will be 200 pages in text before I am done, and then double in sized once I add photos.

Oh yeah, another outstanding source for info is http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve?s=518103&ORIGINAL_REFERRER_URL=http%3A%2F%2Fforums.accuratereloading.com%2Feve 

They are in my opinion the authority on African hunts.

Have a great hunt and feel free to reach out with any questions, I’ll share all the info I have.

[Rob]

Sanity....If I was planning a trip I would go back and read the entire thread from Rob....start to finish....about his recent trip. I don't think I've ever seen (written up) as much prep and info as he put into his trip.

One would think after all that planning I would have been at least able to shoot the ammo I spent so much time developing loads for!!  Oh well, had a great trip anyway.

Here are the photos from the 2012 trip
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,107516.0.html

[hunting4sanity]

Thank you very much for the quick response, I'll definitely be doing some reading tonight. 

[lhrbull]

I used a great outfitter in RSA in 2012 seven great trophies for me and 11 for my partner. I used a 300 weatherby with 180gr E=tip from nozzler really did the job. send me a PM if you would like the PH's name and contact info. 

[Ingwe]

I have been to South Africa and Zimbabwe several times. I always went with a small outfitter so that I was only one in camp so I got all their attention. I had great hunts and got great animals. When it comes to guns I have shot everything except Cape Buffalo with my .338 Win Mag and that includes leopard, kudu, sable and about 20 others. I always use nosler partition bullets. I just like my .338 but could have been just as happy with a 30-06 even on eland.  The animals are no harder to kill than deer or elk. Just hit them in the right place. Most of the outfitters said that a lot of hunters make bad shots probably because they are not used to someone standing by them when they shoot. So the hunter then thinks those animals are really tough. Just do a lot of research before booking a hunt. One other thing, make sure the outfitter knows what you want as far as walking or just riding around in a truck. I know the outfitters I went with really liked the fact that I wanted the really hunt and not just ride or sit near a waterhole.

[Upton O. Good]

I've made two trips to South Africa and taken a dozen different antelope. I'm preparing for a trip to Zimbabwa now. 

 A 300RUM is way more than you'll need for antelope and not enough for dangerous game (has to be .375 or bigger for DG) but if you shoot it well, take it.  Two things I would suggestion about shooting: get a pair of shooting sticks (Bog Pog or some other type) and start practicing shooting from them out to 200 yards. The second thing, get some photographic targets of Africa game and shoot at them, hold no more than one third up the front leg, on the shoulder.  Just be sure to GET OFF the bench, you won't be shooting from the truck rail or hood if you're hunting with the right outfitter.  I see guys shooting at the range and they're all excited about a 1" group at 100 yards shooting from the bench.  Good, the rifle is accurate, can't tell if the shooter is, though. And start walking if you aren't in good shape, the animals you will be hunting don't commit suicide by standing there while you stroll up.  The light shooting gloves I wore were very helpful for the crawling stalks I made, too.

You may not need mosquito stuff, it depends on where you're hunting.  Shots and malaria preventative also varies on where your hunt occurs.  Get a GOOD outfitter and he can advise you on bugs and equipment.

When you're hunting, if your professional hunter says "That is a really good mountain reedbuck, you need to take it." don't do what I did and say "No, that isn't on my list."  If your PH knows his job, he'll tell you what is a good trophy and what isn't.  You never know what species of animals will present around the next bend.

Please don't take just gifts as tips for your PH or staff, that doesn't pay the bills.  I gave personal gifts (knives, pocket tools) along with a good cash tip.  My second trip over my PH emailed me before I left for the hunt and asked if I could buy a certain type camera he wanted, which I did. In that case the tip was adjusted to include the camera.

DO use a firearms assistance service if you take your own rifle, it cuts a lot of time and red tape when you arrive. Down load and print the firearms requirements for the airlines you plan to use and also for TSA.  Then do exactly what it says.  DO NOT use TSA locks on your firearms case, use good quality padlocks for which you are the only person who has the key, PM me and I'll give you more information on this.   You can put your knives and other incidentals in the locked rifle case.

You will probably be a bit overwhelmed on your first trip, the number and variety of animals is unbelievable.  I was planning to just bird hunt (pigeons and geese) on my first trip and ended up taking six antelope species.  By the way, if you get a chance to hunt rock pigeons in a sunflower field, take it.  They are the hardest bird I ever tried to shoot and there were hundreds of the darn things.

Cameras: I took two, I wasn't going that far and not have a backup. 

Culture: I had a great time getting to know the PH, some SA families, the tracker and the country of SA.  It is an incredible country with a really fascinating history and several cultures.  If Mr. Mandela passes, it will be interesting to see how they evolve without his presence. 

PM me, I'll give you my phone and we can chat if you want more info.

And Africa WILL ruin you and change your life.

[Snipe]

You will have an awesome trip and as the other posts have indicated, you will have an awesome time. I grew up in Zimbabwe, hunted there and in South Africa as well as Namibia. All 3 are an absolute adventure. Anything that you do forget is readily available there. I noticed most folk brought way too much gear.
Pack light, get anything else you need there.
Go heavy on camera,s.
The locals are friendly.

[mountainman]

Hunting4sanity, If you are ever in the area, stop by High Mountain Hunting Supply in Wenatchee. Wenat on my first safari 1 1/2 years ago. We are now booking agants for Hunt the Sun Safaris. We have deals that are better then their advertised packages..very affordable! We are running 4 trips per year currently. East Cape and Kimberly area. Come by, have a cup of coffee with us, and we can help answer any questions you may have, also show you some cool pics of the last trip that 4 of our guys just returned from 2 weeks ago!  Dewey

[KelseyH]

I just got back fom South Africa an had an awesome experience.  Used a tikka t3 in 270 with noble acubonds and worked beautifully.  Shot placement is key.  If our interested in South Africa, I have a good group with free chase hunts and I hav all the information to get your guns into Africa.  Heck, if you go through our group, I'll get all the paperwork lined up for you.


Kelsey

[KelseyH]

My kudu taken with the tikka t3 in 270

[KelseyH]

Waterbuck

[KelseyH]

Gemsbuck

[KelseyH]

Zebra