Safari preparation - The basics for your first safari.
The allure and romantic draw of Africa is immense. Most of us have read the stories and seen the
photos of gentleman hunters during the days of Colonial Africa and dreamed of making the trip
ourselves. Perhaps the thought of safari also came with a dread of planning such a far away and
potentially complicated expedition. Although there are many experts in the area, I have tried to
summarize the most important things that you can do in preparation for your safari.
Where to begin?
If you want to fulfill the dream then I recommend you first get involved with an organization like Safari
Club International (“SCI”), the Dallas Safari Club, or other such groups. In particular, the publications
that SCI produces are outstanding and will provide you with great insight into hunting African game.
Attending their conventions is an amazing opportunity to meet outfitters and guides from around the
world. These are fantastic venues to learn about the game in different parts of Africa and also to
meet many Professional Hunters (“PH”) in person. You don’t need to do this but there really is no
substitute for meeting people face to face and also having the credibility and support of these
organizations behind you as you plan your safari.
Physical training.
At the risk of sounding like your doctor, the first thing that you really need to do is to get into the
best physical shape that you can. You don’t need to go at this like preparing for a marathon but it is
an outdoor adventure and you will find the activity much more enjoyable if you take the time to
exercise and get into the best physical shape that you can. Everyone has different strengths and
limitations so it doesn’t seem to make sense for me to build a baseline measurement for everyone to
compare themselves to. But if you don’t have a lot of time to devote to physical fitness, or simply don’
t enjoy it, then my only recommendation is to focus what little time you do set aside specifically on
aerobic exercise. On your safari the odds are high that you will be walking a fair distance every day.
So if you can begin by doing something as simple as taking the stairs rather than the elevator, or
talking a short walk to do errands rather than getting in your car, it will be better than doing nothing.
My personal preference is running or walking on a treadmill and also the stair-step trainer. Both can
set for light exercise when you begin but are adjustable to more strenuous speeds and elevations as
your training progresses. Regardless of which course you set for yourself you really do owe it to both
yourself and your PH to get into the best shape that you can.
Also see your doctor, or better yet a travel clinic, to discuss which immunizations might be required
before your trip. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) can also offer helpful guidelines. But really
the discussion with your doctor will serve you best.
Firearm selection and training.
There is an abundance of material on the subject of safari rifles and all of the expert opinions
matter. The reality is that firearms selection need not be complicated if you simply think through the
basics.
Plains game rifle: Most Americans hunt African plains game. And most African plains game can be
hunted with the same rifle and scope set-up that a person would use in North America. There are
many volumes written on safari rifles and I will leave the finer points of discussion to them. But suffice
it to say that any bolt-action .30 caliber rifle, topped with a good quality scope, firing premium
ammunition will work fine. Everyone will have a difference of opinion on this topic but few will have a
good argument against this set-up.
Dangerous game rifle: Dangerous game rifles have somewhat different requirements. You should
first have a conversation with your Booking Agent or PH to learn the legal minimum caliber for the
areas you will be hunting. These individuals are great resources for you and it would be foolish not to
take their personal preferences into consideration. But don’t feel compelled to try and match, or beat,
the firepower of your PH. They will likely shoot a big-bore cartridge with harsh recoil. They do this
because they are professionals and their rifle has the very specific purpose of neutralizing dangerous
situations. But for a hunter the age old standards like the .375 H&H still stand out. The recoil of the .
375 H&H is very reasonable on a properly configured rifle. The romance of a double rifle cannot be
denied but the popularity and use of the bolt-action still prevails. My personal preference is a
controlled action feed but will admit to never having had a push action fail. This last point may be too
far down in the weeds for most but the topic invariably comes up when discussing dangerous game
rifles.
Optics: Today we hear a lot about long-range shooting systems and killing shots at what seem to be
impossible distances. I must admit to having once made a 420 yard shot in order to bring down a
fleeing Wyoming pronghorn wounded earlier in the day. But most African shooting is done at fairly
close range. I have heard it said that few shots go beyond 150 yards. On my last safari the longest
shot was only 75 yards at a very spooky impala. American hunters love the variable 3x9 power scope
and it will work fine on safari too. My personal preference is a low power variable in a range starting
around 1.5 or 2 power with a maximum no greater than about 6 power. The primary benefit of the low
power is a wonderfully wide field of view for rapid target acquisition on quick shots. Generally the
lower power scopes also offer generous eye relief. This is truly something that must be considered if
shooting any of the heavy recoiling calibers. Scope tube diameter mostly won’t matter. We would
have an entirely different conversation for specialized hunting like leopard but let’s leave that for
another day.
Lastly, good quality optics are an absolute must. This became very apparent to me once while
hunting Cape Buffalo in Zimbabwe. We had been following a nice bull for the better part of a day. As
shooting light began to fade the inexpensive binoculars that I had purchased with the intention of
leaving behind as a tip for my PH became worthless due to their inability to collect the remaining
usable daylight. But the good quality scope on my rifle continued to bring bright and crisp images
right up to nightfall. The moral of the story is to buy the best optics that you can afford because you
can’t shoot what you can’t see.
Ammunition: One major difference that every American hunter should consider is ammunition
selection. The lightweight rapidly expanding bullets used on deer won’t cut it here. African game is
tougher to put down then most North American game and your bullet will need to be too. There is an
abundance of quality partition type, bonded core, and solid expanding metal bullets readily available
to American hunters. Find one that your shoots well out of your rifle and everything should be fine.
Heavy for caliber bullets tend to have more killing power and you should stick to the heavier end of
the range of available option. If you are hunting dangerous game then you will likely need to bring
along some solids too. Testing different rounds at the rifle range will help you figure out which
expanding bullet and solid bullet pairing will shoot best through your rifle. Given that the shooting
distances are not that far this isn’t too difficult but you will want to practice enough to understand
where the point of impact is for of each bullet type and make certain that the point of impact for both is
nearly the same.
Firearms training: Training with you rifle is about as important as your physical training. Generally
American hunters tend to shoot once then stop to admire the shot. This will drive your PH absolutely
crazy and possibly cause you some heartache by losing wounded game. African animals of all types
tend to be more keyed up and tougher to put down than North American game. If a follow-up shot
presents itself you will definitely want to take it. I was surprised how hard this was for me to get over.
It took significant time at the rifle range and also practice at home cycling the bolt using dummy
rounds. The only way to overcome this is by practice, practice, and more practice. It must become a
habit.
And by all means get your rifle off the bench and practice shooting in field positions. Shooting
opportunities frequently present themselves at awkward moments and if you have not practiced off-
hand shooting, and other field positions, then you are certain to have great difficulty hitting your
target. I shoot a lot at the rifle range but as the time for a big hunt nears will move away from the
bench to an open area where it is safe to shoot under real world conditions. One PH even advised
me to practice running 50 or 100 yards and them trying to shoot while my heart was still racing. This
was some of the best advice anyone has ever given me and I took his advice seriously. If you have a
place where you can do this type of practice you really should consider it. And do your practice with
all the same equipment and clothing that you plan on taking with you. It is surprising how quickly you
find out that you can reload faster with your extra cartridges on one side of your belt or the other, or
that rifle sling swivels squeak. There is simply no replacement for getting out there and figuring it all
out before arriving in camp for your hunt.
Clothing selection.
This is really simple. First talk with your Booking Agent or PH. It seems like most Americans have
an image in their heads of a yellow dry grass safari with the hero wearing a wide brimmed hat. But
generally you will be better off with solid greens and olives. If you plan on wearing camouflage be
sure to ask about the accepted use in your hunting area. Political or military tensions may preclude
its use. And really, any hat will do. Stick with the good old cotton standards and you will be fine.
Most safari camps offer more luxury than any American hunting camp and laundry is one of those
luxuries. But the staff may be unfamiliar with the care of modern technical fabrics and cotton will serve
you best. Comfortable soft soled walking shoes or boots are your best choice. Most safari walking is
quite easy and a quiet comfortable boot will serve you well. I try to avoid ankle high athletic hikers
and such because vegetation and dirt tends to get into them unless wearing short gators. It just
seems easier to go with a short boot. Lastly, be prepared to leave as much of your gear behind as
possible. Much of Africa is quite impoverished and it is quite stunning how little people sometimes
have. Leaving behind your extra clothing and medical staples like aspirin can truly make a difference
in someone’s life.
Packing.
Although it is amazing that we can fly halfway around the world there is no denying that air travel
today is simply miserable. Every airline has different rules and limits regarding travel with firearms,
ammunition, and baggage size and weight restrictions. You must contact the airlines directly to learn
what their guidelines are. It is best if you can get the details in writing and be prepared to educate the
airline staff regarding their own rules and regulations. On a recent return trip from a spring turkey
hunt I had to calm a panicked gate attendant in Indianapolis after announcing that I was checking a
bag with live ammunition in it. A loaner shotgun had been provided on the hunt but the expensive
turkey loads were purchased locally and it seemed foolish to leave them behind. Luckily I was able to
grab the person’s supervisor before they could call security and we got everything worked out fine by
reading materials I had printed off the airlines website. And also be prepared for the guidelines to
differ between the US and Africa. Once, while catching a connecting flight in Johannesburg, I was
informed by a gate agent that my ammunition was not packed properly for transit. After producing
printouts from the airlines website the agent politely informed me that the rules had recently changes
in South Africa and that, although these rules were still okay for travel originating out of the US, they
were not acceptable for air travel originating from South Africa. A little quick thinking and repacking
got me on my way fine but it could have been a significant complication if no solution became clear. If
you have any doubt in your mind then keep calling and asking questions until the answers become
clear. You will save yourself many stressful moments this way. And try to have a sense of humor
about everything.
I hope that you have found this common sense approach helpful. An African safari need not be
terribly expensive or complicated. The most important thing is that you are safe and that you enjoy
the experience. It is a most amazing place.
photos of gentleman hunters during the days of Colonial Africa and dreamed of making the trip
ourselves. Perhaps the thought of safari also came with a dread of planning such a far away and
potentially complicated expedition. Although there are many experts in the area, I have tried to
summarize the most important things that you can do in preparation for your safari.
Where to begin?
If you want to fulfill the dream then I recommend you first get involved with an organization like Safari
Club International (“SCI”), the Dallas Safari Club, or other such groups. In particular, the publications
that SCI produces are outstanding and will provide you with great insight into hunting African game.
Attending their conventions is an amazing opportunity to meet outfitters and guides from around the
world. These are fantastic venues to learn about the game in different parts of Africa and also to
meet many Professional Hunters (“PH”) in person. You don’t need to do this but there really is no
substitute for meeting people face to face and also having the credibility and support of these
organizations behind you as you plan your safari.
Physical training.
At the risk of sounding like your doctor, the first thing that you really need to do is to get into the
best physical shape that you can. You don’t need to go at this like preparing for a marathon but it is
an outdoor adventure and you will find the activity much more enjoyable if you take the time to
exercise and get into the best physical shape that you can. Everyone has different strengths and
limitations so it doesn’t seem to make sense for me to build a baseline measurement for everyone to
compare themselves to. But if you don’t have a lot of time to devote to physical fitness, or simply don’
t enjoy it, then my only recommendation is to focus what little time you do set aside specifically on
aerobic exercise. On your safari the odds are high that you will be walking a fair distance every day.
So if you can begin by doing something as simple as taking the stairs rather than the elevator, or
talking a short walk to do errands rather than getting in your car, it will be better than doing nothing.
My personal preference is running or walking on a treadmill and also the stair-step trainer. Both can
set for light exercise when you begin but are adjustable to more strenuous speeds and elevations as
your training progresses. Regardless of which course you set for yourself you really do owe it to both
yourself and your PH to get into the best shape that you can.
Also see your doctor, or better yet a travel clinic, to discuss which immunizations might be required
before your trip. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) can also offer helpful guidelines. But really
the discussion with your doctor will serve you best.
Firearm selection and training.
There is an abundance of material on the subject of safari rifles and all of the expert opinions
matter. The reality is that firearms selection need not be complicated if you simply think through the
basics.
Plains game rifle: Most Americans hunt African plains game. And most African plains game can be
hunted with the same rifle and scope set-up that a person would use in North America. There are
many volumes written on safari rifles and I will leave the finer points of discussion to them. But suffice
it to say that any bolt-action .30 caliber rifle, topped with a good quality scope, firing premium
ammunition will work fine. Everyone will have a difference of opinion on this topic but few will have a
good argument against this set-up.
Dangerous game rifle: Dangerous game rifles have somewhat different requirements. You should
first have a conversation with your Booking Agent or PH to learn the legal minimum caliber for the
areas you will be hunting. These individuals are great resources for you and it would be foolish not to
take their personal preferences into consideration. But don’t feel compelled to try and match, or beat,
the firepower of your PH. They will likely shoot a big-bore cartridge with harsh recoil. They do this
because they are professionals and their rifle has the very specific purpose of neutralizing dangerous
situations. But for a hunter the age old standards like the .375 H&H still stand out. The recoil of the .
375 H&H is very reasonable on a properly configured rifle. The romance of a double rifle cannot be
denied but the popularity and use of the bolt-action still prevails. My personal preference is a
controlled action feed but will admit to never having had a push action fail. This last point may be too
far down in the weeds for most but the topic invariably comes up when discussing dangerous game
rifles.
Optics: Today we hear a lot about long-range shooting systems and killing shots at what seem to be
impossible distances. I must admit to having once made a 420 yard shot in order to bring down a
fleeing Wyoming pronghorn wounded earlier in the day. But most African shooting is done at fairly
close range. I have heard it said that few shots go beyond 150 yards. On my last safari the longest
shot was only 75 yards at a very spooky impala. American hunters love the variable 3x9 power scope
and it will work fine on safari too. My personal preference is a low power variable in a range starting
around 1.5 or 2 power with a maximum no greater than about 6 power. The primary benefit of the low
power is a wonderfully wide field of view for rapid target acquisition on quick shots. Generally the
lower power scopes also offer generous eye relief. This is truly something that must be considered if
shooting any of the heavy recoiling calibers. Scope tube diameter mostly won’t matter. We would
have an entirely different conversation for specialized hunting like leopard but let’s leave that for
another day.
Lastly, good quality optics are an absolute must. This became very apparent to me once while
hunting Cape Buffalo in Zimbabwe. We had been following a nice bull for the better part of a day. As
shooting light began to fade the inexpensive binoculars that I had purchased with the intention of
leaving behind as a tip for my PH became worthless due to their inability to collect the remaining
usable daylight. But the good quality scope on my rifle continued to bring bright and crisp images
right up to nightfall. The moral of the story is to buy the best optics that you can afford because you
can’t shoot what you can’t see.
Ammunition: One major difference that every American hunter should consider is ammunition
selection. The lightweight rapidly expanding bullets used on deer won’t cut it here. African game is
tougher to put down then most North American game and your bullet will need to be too. There is an
abundance of quality partition type, bonded core, and solid expanding metal bullets readily available
to American hunters. Find one that your shoots well out of your rifle and everything should be fine.
Heavy for caliber bullets tend to have more killing power and you should stick to the heavier end of
the range of available option. If you are hunting dangerous game then you will likely need to bring
along some solids too. Testing different rounds at the rifle range will help you figure out which
expanding bullet and solid bullet pairing will shoot best through your rifle. Given that the shooting
distances are not that far this isn’t too difficult but you will want to practice enough to understand
where the point of impact is for of each bullet type and make certain that the point of impact for both is
nearly the same.
Firearms training: Training with you rifle is about as important as your physical training. Generally
American hunters tend to shoot once then stop to admire the shot. This will drive your PH absolutely
crazy and possibly cause you some heartache by losing wounded game. African animals of all types
tend to be more keyed up and tougher to put down than North American game. If a follow-up shot
presents itself you will definitely want to take it. I was surprised how hard this was for me to get over.
It took significant time at the rifle range and also practice at home cycling the bolt using dummy
rounds. The only way to overcome this is by practice, practice, and more practice. It must become a
habit.
And by all means get your rifle off the bench and practice shooting in field positions. Shooting
opportunities frequently present themselves at awkward moments and if you have not practiced off-
hand shooting, and other field positions, then you are certain to have great difficulty hitting your
target. I shoot a lot at the rifle range but as the time for a big hunt nears will move away from the
bench to an open area where it is safe to shoot under real world conditions. One PH even advised
me to practice running 50 or 100 yards and them trying to shoot while my heart was still racing. This
was some of the best advice anyone has ever given me and I took his advice seriously. If you have a
place where you can do this type of practice you really should consider it. And do your practice with
all the same equipment and clothing that you plan on taking with you. It is surprising how quickly you
find out that you can reload faster with your extra cartridges on one side of your belt or the other, or
that rifle sling swivels squeak. There is simply no replacement for getting out there and figuring it all
out before arriving in camp for your hunt.
Clothing selection.
This is really simple. First talk with your Booking Agent or PH. It seems like most Americans have
an image in their heads of a yellow dry grass safari with the hero wearing a wide brimmed hat. But
generally you will be better off with solid greens and olives. If you plan on wearing camouflage be
sure to ask about the accepted use in your hunting area. Political or military tensions may preclude
its use. And really, any hat will do. Stick with the good old cotton standards and you will be fine.
Most safari camps offer more luxury than any American hunting camp and laundry is one of those
luxuries. But the staff may be unfamiliar with the care of modern technical fabrics and cotton will serve
you best. Comfortable soft soled walking shoes or boots are your best choice. Most safari walking is
quite easy and a quiet comfortable boot will serve you well. I try to avoid ankle high athletic hikers
and such because vegetation and dirt tends to get into them unless wearing short gators. It just
seems easier to go with a short boot. Lastly, be prepared to leave as much of your gear behind as
possible. Much of Africa is quite impoverished and it is quite stunning how little people sometimes
have. Leaving behind your extra clothing and medical staples like aspirin can truly make a difference
in someone’s life.
Packing.
Although it is amazing that we can fly halfway around the world there is no denying that air travel
today is simply miserable. Every airline has different rules and limits regarding travel with firearms,
ammunition, and baggage size and weight restrictions. You must contact the airlines directly to learn
what their guidelines are. It is best if you can get the details in writing and be prepared to educate the
airline staff regarding their own rules and regulations. On a recent return trip from a spring turkey
hunt I had to calm a panicked gate attendant in Indianapolis after announcing that I was checking a
bag with live ammunition in it. A loaner shotgun had been provided on the hunt but the expensive
turkey loads were purchased locally and it seemed foolish to leave them behind. Luckily I was able to
grab the person’s supervisor before they could call security and we got everything worked out fine by
reading materials I had printed off the airlines website. And also be prepared for the guidelines to
differ between the US and Africa. Once, while catching a connecting flight in Johannesburg, I was
informed by a gate agent that my ammunition was not packed properly for transit. After producing
printouts from the airlines website the agent politely informed me that the rules had recently changes
in South Africa and that, although these rules were still okay for travel originating out of the US, they
were not acceptable for air travel originating from South Africa. A little quick thinking and repacking
got me on my way fine but it could have been a significant complication if no solution became clear. If
you have any doubt in your mind then keep calling and asking questions until the answers become
clear. You will save yourself many stressful moments this way. And try to have a sense of humor
about everything.
I hope that you have found this common sense approach helpful. An African safari need not be
terribly expensive or complicated. The most important thing is that you are safe and that you enjoy
the experience. It is a most amazing place.
| WESTERN EXPEDITION ADVENTURE | GEAR | WEAPONRY |
| Contact Eric Call 480-522-6150 |