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How to Pick the Right Guns and Gear for an African Safari

After 20 safaris, our shooting editor has dialed in his shortlist of the best gear to bring on a hunting trip to Africa

By Richard Mann | Published Mar 27, 2023 12:12 PM EDT

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One hundred years ago, hunters on safari in Africa needed to take lots of gear with them, including everything from guns to tents. In some cases, a lot of the outfitting was conducted after arrival in Africa. Times have of course changed, and today your outfitter and their staff will take care of almost everything should you decide to take a trip to Africa. I’ve done 30-day safaris and only brought a rifle case, a standard suitcase, and a backpack. The truth is, you’ll actually need a lot less gear than you think, but amongst that gear are some items you must have. After 20 safaris, I have a reasonably good idea of what that list should include.

The Best Clothes to Pack for an African Safari

You’ll need one set of travel clothes to wear to and from Africa. A good addition would be a travel or photographer’s vest so you can keep personal items such as your wallet, passport, travel paperwork, specific medicines, and such close at hand.

Because your outfitter will do your laundry every day, two to three sets of hunting clothes are plenty; the type and style will mostly depend on the time of year and the location you will be hunting. Remember, Africa is upside down from America, the further south you go, the colder it will be. 

In most locations—between May and September—cargo-style pants or shorts and a light button-up shirt—long or short sleeve—will suffice. I really like the trim-fit, pocket-laden Bushcraft pants from Kryptek for hunting (camouflage is not necessary). Add a good medium-weight jacket for cool mornings and evenings, and a pair of leather or tight-fitting tactical gloves because you may end up crawling on a stalk and will need to move the prickly stuff out of the way.

Bring the Right Shoes

A common pair of low or ankle boots for travel and to wear around camp are a must. Having an extra set of shoes will allow your hunting boots to breathe each evening. For hunting boots, I’ve found nothing can compare to those from Courteney for the African bush. They are made from buffalo hide, rugged, amazingly comfortable, and will keep thorns out of your feet. They’re available from several retailers in the States. Whatever you do, go with a full leather boot and avoid boots with mesh sides that allow the sticky things to find the tender skin of your feet. 

Gaiters are nice to have, too. You’ll be walking in high grass, sand, and gravely ground. Grass seeds, sand, and pebbles can find their way inside your boots and make walking uncomfortable. Alternatively, a high-top boot like the Courteney Jameson can help with this, but I’d still wear gaiters unless I was wearing long pants.

The Best Guns & Cartridges for an African Safari

There is this misconception that African animals are harder to kill than whitetail deer or elk. It is a complete case of misinformation, founded in part by myth and in part because many first-time safari hunters tend to shoot poorly when under the gaze of a professional hunter and tracker. You do not need a magnum for Africa unless you’re after dangerous game.

As evidence, on my wife’s first safari, she took gemsbok, wildebeest, and impala—all with one shot—using a 243 Winchester and 85-grain Nosler Partitions . I’ve taken most of the plains game in Africa very efficiently with a 308 Winchester. Any cartridge in this class will work wonderfully. This is partly because your PH will work to get you inside 300 yards, and partly because proper shot placement combined with a good bullet has more to do with killing than what’s written on the headstamp of a cartridge. Of course, for buffalo and the like, you’ll find that there are minimum caliber or energy requirements. These usually start with cartridges like the 9.3x62mm Mauser or the 375 Holland & Holland .

Also, you can legally hunt with a suppressor in Africa, and it is not complicated to get it in and out of the country. Your PH will thank you for it, and many people shoot better with them.

The Best Optics for Hunting in Africa 

The importance of quality binoculars cannot be overstated. However, I think the mistake most African hunters make is to select binoculars that are too large. I prefer compact binos like the Swarovski CLs . They won’t tug on your neck, they’re light enough to use with one hand, and 8X is plenty of magnification. If you want to bring range-finding binos, that’s fine, but understand ranging is your PH’s job and you should be focused on shooting. While hunting several species like kudu, a spotting scope can help, but go with a high-quality, small, and lightweight option.

For your riflescope, again quality is important. If your riflescope goes belly up halfway through your safari you’re in a bad situation. I’d strongly suggest avoiding cheaply-made optics. A moderate power range is best; the old 3-9X riflescope is hard to beat. However, with today’s riflescopes that have an 8X zoom factor, like the Swarovski Z8i , something with a 2-16X magnification range is fantastic.

Extra Hunting Gear to Bring to Africa

While you may not need much in the way of clothing, there’s some gear you should consider bringing. If you have any prescribed medications, bring them and put them in your carry-on; there’s no guarantee your checked luggage will arrive the same day you do. Sunscreen and bug spray are a good idea, especially in the African summer. Sunglasses and a hat are wise choices too, and I prefer a wide-brimmed hat to a ball cap. 

A knife is a good idea for sure, but you don’t need a big knife. A pocket knife or a small fixed blade like the Montana Knife Company’s lightweight Speedgoat will suffice. What you might need more than a knife is a Leatherman or multitool and a kit for rifle cleaning and maintenance. 

A flashlight and headlamp should be considered mandatory, and with the current electrical load sharing in Africa, a camp light too. Speaking of electricity, you’ll also want an American plug adapter to charge any electrical devices you might have, along with a compact battery pack just in case. 

Rifle accessories include a good carry strap or shooting sling, and either shooting sticks or a tripod. I’ve become addicted to the Spartan tripod system because it’s so light, and I can use it for shooting, mounting my spotting scope when hunting kudu, and as a mount for my camera or smartphone.

Throw in a small personal first aid kit, and if you use tobacco—especially chewing tobacco or snuff—take all you’ll need with you. With today’s smartphones, a camera is not an absolute necessity. However, you may want to take photos at distance. If that’s the case, a good DSLR or mirrorless camera with a 400mm lens will yield great images.

The Best Way to Book Your Travel for an African Safari

Booking a flight to Africa is as easy as booking a flight anywhere else. However, if you’re traveling with firearms, there are some additional considerations due to the strict gun laws in South Africa. I suggest hiring some assistance. 

Since 2006, I have used African Odyssey (866-486-9351/[email protected]) for all of my travel to South Africa. Not only are they only a phone call or e-mail away if I have issues or need to change my flights. They can arrange a meet and greet at the airport, assistance with firearms permitting, and lodging when necessary. I wouldn’t consider going on an African safari without the assistance of a travel agent that has experience with hunters.

Read Next: F&S Classics: Ghosts of Africa

Bring the Right Attitude

The most important thing you can bring to Africa is a good attitude and a willingness to learn and take direction from your professional hunter. The lifestyle in Africa is a bit different from in America; there’s no hustle and bustle. While you are there, you’re on African time, and by that, I’m not talking about the time difference. It’s best to chill out.

With a proper outfitter, you’ll also be well tended to, so be prepared to let them wait on you a bit. Let the trackers handle the loading, dressing, and skinning of your game. Sure, you can participate if you want. Because I’m continually testing different bullets that’s something I tend to get involved in. But you’re paying for preferential treatment, and you might as well enjoy it.

Also, be prepared to start planning your next safari before you return from your first. There’s something about the combination of the morning coo of a dove, brilliant African sunsets, the red dirt, and the magic of it all that will bite you hard and embed itself deep within your soul. 

Richard Mann was born and raised in West Virginia and has hunted from the Montana mountains to the green hills of Africa. In 2015, Mann began contributing to Field & Stream to cover guns, ammunition, ballistics, and hunting. In 2022, he was named as the brand’s Shooting Editor.

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African hunting safari gear list.

Preparing for your first African Safari  can be intimidating, but there’s no need to worry. The truth of the matter is that packing for a hunt in Africa isn’t all that difficult. We have worked together with our P.H.’s on a safari gear list for your upcoming hunt.

Africa Hunting Safari Gear List

Pre-hunt checklist.

• Valid Passport  (South Africa requires your passport to be valid for an additional 30 days after your return date to the USA. No exceptions.)
• Airline ticket.
• Proper weapon documentation .
• Email the date and time of arrival to your P.H. for pickup at the airport.
• Inoculation (if needed in the area you are hunting).
• Deposit paid and confirmed.
• Traveler’s checks and enough cash for gifts, tip, etc.
• Travel Insurance .

Safari Clothing

Keep it simple. Bring a few changes of light hunting clothing (most places will have a daily laundry service). Odds are you will be riding in the back of a truck on a high rack to and from hunting areas, and that can get chilly. So bring a good jacket along. During the day, temperatures should be pleasant.

* When hunting in Mozambique it is important to note that you are allowed to bring realtree type camo but it is against Mozambican law for an ordinary citizen to wear military style camouflage.

• 2 pairs of  light hunting pants
• 2-3  hunting shirts
• 2-3 pairs of socks and underwear
• 1 pair of  insulated underwear  (tops and bottoms)  *we recommend Merino wool
• Light jacket  for stopping wind
• Wide brim hat or cap
• Good ankle boots/shoes that are very comfortable (you don’t need heavy mountain boots)
• Comfortable shoes for lounging at the lodge
• Light stocking hat and gloves
• Light rain gear

If you are hunting from May to August, be sure to bring some heavier clothing as well as temperatures can occasionally drop below freezing. If you are hunting during this time add the following items:

• 1 pair of  insulated hunting pants
• 2 pairs mid-weight socks
• Insulated coat

Get the best optics you can afford. Don’t skimp here.

• Binoculars  (Quality 8’s or 10’s)
• Spotting Scope
• Rangefinder
• Bino Harness
• Phone Skope  – Mount your phone to your optics
• Lens Cloth and Cleaning Equipment

Firearms and Ammunition

Clients always ask us what type of rifle and caliber they should bring to Africa. Our advice is always, bring the rifle that you are most comfortable shooting with, shot placement and premium quality bullets are more important than caliber choice. For plains game , we recommend any caliber between 270 and 375. However  calibers for dangerous game , the minimum requirement by law is no caliber smaller than 375H&H. We recommend using premium quality soft point ammunition like Swift A-frame, Woodleigh, Norma or Barnes. For elephant and hippo it is advisable to use heavy caliber solid ammunition.

When hunting dangerous game , use a good quality low powered variable scope of 1.5 – 6 x 25 power. We recommend a higher powered scope of between 3 – 9 x 40  magnification for plains game. When transporting your rifle it should be transported on the airline and on any major road in a solid, lockable, hard case. Whilst travelling between hunting areas or on the back of the hunting vehicle we recommend that you bring a soft padded rifle bag.

• Ammo (40-60 shells should be adequate for a typical hunt)
• Gun case with locks
• Soft gun case
• Bow (talk to your Agent or PH about poundage requirements)
• Arrows and good broadheads (2-3 dozen arrows should be adequate for a typical hunt)
• Bow case with locks
• Soft bow case

Post-Hunt Checklist

• Valid Passport
• Airline ticket
• Proper weapon documentation
• Certified copy of your Passport for the taxidermist.
• Tip your P.H. – The  standard tip for a guide  is 10% to 20% of the cost of your trip. Remember to tip the cooks and other help in the camp as well. The amount you give reflects your appreciation for your guide’s hard work and effort.
• Pay trophy fees and final payments for the animals you take on your Safari.
• Make arrangements for your trophies.

Discover why thousands of people have trusted Outdoors International to help plan their hunt.

Outdoors International has a team of hand-selected hunting experts to help you book your next hunt. Our job it is to help you in researching, booking and planning a great hunting trip with one of our amazing outfitter partners around the world.

My hunt was absolutely top notch.

The outfitter is a fantastic man and incredibly hard working and knowledgeable, there is no doubt he will do everything within his power to make peoples hunts successful and enjoyable. I plan to do it again with him next year for sure.

Our hunt was excellent.

We saw bucks every day along with all other sorts of wildlife. Mountain goats, bears, and foxes were common sights. Fishing and crabbing was special bonus. The food was excellent, the crew was amazing. Outdoors International did a great job of finding exactly what we were looking for.

Jesse Neveau

What an amazing experience!

The hunting lodge was out of this world!, Rooms, food and the scenery were all A+. Our guide was exceptional and had us on Shiras moose all five days. We saw over 30 total with at least 10 bulls. They had a plan for everything including taxidermy and game processing.

Kayla Redmon

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Kaiwhai Safaris

Africa’s Trusted Hunting Outfitter “Since 1999"

Kaiwhai Safaris is a leading African Outfitter that specialises in tailor-made luxury African Hunting Safaris. We’ve been in operation since 1999 and have hunted with hundreds of clients over a 25 year span.

Each Safari is custom designed to your personal preferences to ensure that each client get the best African hunting experience, with a bit of luxury… Just because we are in Africa doesn’t mean we have to rough it. Our lodges are world-class and come standard with wi-fi, air-conditioning and all the extras you need, to enjoy your stay in style and comfort.

We hunt only the best quality trophy animals and our guides have many years of experience, hunting with guests from many parts of the world. 

We own the land in South Africa and Namibia that we hunt on, totaling over 300,000 acres. Over and above that, we have 2 further concessions in Botswana and the Caprivi that covers over 890,000 and 500,000 acres respectively. Combined our private land and concessions offer over 45 species of African animals to hunt. 

Whether you prefer rifle hunting or bow hunting, we have the perfect safari for you.

As a testament to our great service, the largest number of our clients each year are returning clients, who hunted with us before. We do not have any clients….. we only have friends!!

GETAWAY TO AFRICA

Our “ Getaway to Africa ” Hunting Show on the Sportsman Channel is a huge success and we regularly film new episodes in Namibia and South Africa. If you interested in being on the show feel free to contact us for more information.

Here is a short introduction to the show.

“In a civilized and cultivated country wild animals only continue to exist at all when preserved by sportsmen.  The excellent people who protest against all hunting, and consider sportsmen as enemies of wildlife, are ignorant of the fact that in reality the genuine sportsman is by all odds the most important factor in keeping the larger and more valuable wild creatures from total extermination.” – Theodore Roosevelt

Our Hunting Areas

Kaiwhai Safaris have exclusive hunting concessions for rifle and bow hunting in South Africa and Namibia. Click on the below links for more information on each area.

SOUTH AFRICA – HUNTING CONCESSIONS

NAMIBIA – PLAINS GAME CONCESSIONS

NAMIBIA – DANGEROUS GAME CONCESSIONS

Kaiwhai Safaris is owned and operated by Francois Els and Erik Potgieter, and between us we have more than 40 years of hunting experience. We have a team of professional guides that we have hand selected, with many years of experience hunting the wilds of Africa.

Hunting in Africa is our absolute passion and we have a great wealth of knowledge to pass on to our clients and ensure that each hunt is a lifetime experience. We have some of the most prolific concessions in Southern Africa with more than 45 species available to hunt. 

We tailor-make each and every safari to the specific needs of our guests and ensure that the best possible animals are harvested.

We assist with the planning and booking phase of your hunt, make all the necessary arrangements, get all permits and licenses in place, and the then personally guide each and every hunt. 

We also have many years of experience in the tourism industry and can plan and assist with luxury photographic safaris all over Africa.

Give us a call so we could escort you on your next hunting trip to Africa.

Latest Information

2024 usa roadshow.

Hi guys. We are exhibiting at quite a few hunting conventions in January and February 2024. DSC (Dallas)    –   January 11-14 HSCF (Houston)   –    January 19-21 GHC (San Antonio)    –    January 26-28 SCI (Nashville)    –    January 31 – February 3 Texas Gun Ranch    –    February 9-10 WHE …

Continue reading “2024 USA Roadshow”

If you want to send us a general message, please complete the form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Or click here to send an email directly

__________________________________________________

Alternatively you can reach us on:

Francois Els Tel (US):    (469)698-3030 Tel (SA): +27 82 894 7246 Email:    [email protected]

Erik Potgieter Tel:          +27 79 989 9992 Email:    [email protected]

Kaiwhai Safaris Office – Carmyn Schoeman Tel:          +27 79 695 6749 Email:    [email protected]

Or contact any of our representatives nearest to you…. __________________________________________________

*** Montana

Claudia Schmidt Tel:  406-580-7521 __________________________________________________

Bart Gardner Tel:  214-675-4435

___________________________________________________

Get Ready for Turkey Season! $20.00 off when you spend $199.97 or more! Promo Code : Turkey24

Safari Hunting Clothes — Shirt and Pants Sold Separately

$  149.99 – $  179.99 $  39.99 – $  59.99

• Small:  WAIST: 28-30″ | INSEAM 26″ | CHEST: 30–34″
• Medium:  WAIST: 30-32″ | INSEAM 27″| CHEST: 34–38″

The HECS® Safari wildlife shirt and pants is designed for individuals who love to observe, photograph, or interact closely and safely with wildlife. This classic safari design is lightweight and extremely comfortable. With the use of the patented HECS® technology, our wildlife safari shirt and pants will allow you to be more immersed in the natural environment.

Special Offer! With your purchase you will be part of the product development process and getting a huge discount as well!- This is a limited first edition run of our new Safari gear. You will see the proven benefits of HECS technology, but we have also included many other features that we believe the outdoor enthusiast will enjoy. With that said, we also know that the best way to improve our product is to get it out in real world conditions and get direct feedback from our customers. So we are asking for your help! We have a very limited supply and are offering the Safari gear at a price over $100 under MSRP. This will help us attain true real world testing and get your valuable feedback of fit feel and style of the gear all while you get great gear at a huge savings. We will be requesting feedback from all customers who purchase the new Safari gear so we can make generation 2 even better! This is a great way to get a great product at a very low price while being an actual part of HECS future product development.

IMPORTANT NOTICE! In order for you to experience the full benefit of HECS® Technology it is important that both the HECS® shirt and pants be used together.

What’s unique about HECS® clothing? HECS® has developed clothing that blocks wavelengths that are naturally produced from our bodies when our hearts beat or our muscles move. This type of technology is found in your average microwave lining the door. We took this concept and we added it into our fabric. This combination has proven to prevent the electrical energy we put out from escaping.

The HECS® safari style wildlife shirt and pants allow for flexibility outdoors and they’re tailored to be functional for both men and women. With this excellent safari shirt and pants, you can get closer to wildlife and see the animals act naturally because they won’t sense your wavelengths. Our safari wildlife shirt and pants features:

• Sleeves you can roll up and fasten with a button for better mobility
• Double chest pockets
• Secure zipper pocket
• Multi-panel construction for increased flexibility and comfort

Related products

HECS® Gift Card

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Accessories.

HECStyle™ Camo Hunting Hat

HECS® Camo Hunting Gloves

HECS® High Performance Hunting Socks

HECS® Arrow Wraps

HECS® Vinyl Sticker

Our customer reviews.

TAG ® Safari

Clothing, gear & style. since 1990, authentic safari travel & adventure gear, game skin ankle gaiters, $89.00 save $-89.

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SKU: GH-011-BRN-S

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Description

• Safari Leather Gaiters, made from genuine buffalo skin, are great sock protectors to stop sand and stones from entering your hiking boots and making you uncomfortable.
• Gaiters with elastic tops keep grass burs from sticking to your shoe laces and making your skin itch.
• Brass snaps and Hook & Loop Fastener in the back make them easy to put on and take off.
• The size you select is dependent upon your ankle thickness, and whether you choose to wear the gaiters over socks with shorts or over pant legs.
• Measure your ankle circumference with socks only, approximately 8" off the floor.
• Measure your ankle circumference with socks and trousers, approximately 8" off the floor.
• Best fit is not too tight and not too loose.
• Small: Ankle diameter of 8" with socks, stretching up to 12" over pants leg.
• Medium: Ankle diameter of 9" with socks, stretching up to 13" over pants leg.
• Large: Ankle diameter of 10" with socks, stretching up to 14" over pants leg.
• These gaiters have elastic tops. The idea is to have them fit comfortably without being too tight. If in doubt, go with a slightly loose fit.

CAPE BUFFALO GAMESKIN GAITERS REQUIRE AN ADDITIONAL $95.00 FISH AND WILDLIFE INSPECTION FEE FOR EXPORT OUTSIDE OF THE CONTINENTAL U.S.

Customer Reviews

Recommended for the game skin ankle gaiters.

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Mismatch gaiters

They look great and the size of both is large but the strip of elastic sewn into the top of one is shorter than the other. So the leather panels are identical in size but one gaiter is comfortable and one is too tight. I will have to have a seamstress sew a strap to go between the top snaps where the elastic is, to make the length of that gaiter identical to the one that fits comfortably.