You might have already read James Reed’s list of things you need to take on a North American mountain hunt. In this post, Peter Ruddle will share his insigts on a kit list for an African safari – what you need to have on your person in a ticket wallet, in your fanny pack, in a backpack, in your duffel bag, and in the gun case.
There are many options of what to pack. This kit list will serve to remind you of what you may require during a safari. I have split this into two sections; the first being the travelling part of the journey and the second part is the hunt itself.
1. Travelling
Wear some practical comfortable clothing for the long journey that you can also use while in Africa. Make sure that the clothing is not tight especially around the waist. I find that slip-on-shoes are very handy at the security checks where they want to screen your shoes.
I would dress in the following: Olive chinos or black jeans, tan or dark shirt, comfortable shoes (trail running shoes in a neutral colour), comfortable underwear, socks, handkerchief, cheap watch, pocket wallet and ball cap.
Attach your fanny pack to your hand luggage while travelling. Make sure your windproof jacket has good pockets, preferable with buttons (these are the quietest when opening a pocket while hunting), studs or zippers. This jacket could be handy for storing documents from your ticket wallet if necessary.
Ticket Wallet
- Passport
- Plane ticket
- Travellers’ checks
- Credit cards
- Customs Forms
- Health insur. card
- Medjet card
- Driver license
- Phone cards
- Calling cards
- Outfitters details
- Copy of contract
- Copy of pricelist
- Other travel docs.
- $100 in $20s
- $25 in $5s
- $25 in $1s
- Gum
- Pen
- Notepad
Day Pack
- Windproof jacket
- Tan / green T-shirt
- Underwear (1 pair)
- Socks (1 pair)
- Camera
- Video
- Binoculars
- Small flashlight
- Lens pen
- Journal / Diary
- Pens
- Paperback (2)
- Blindfold
- Golf gloves
- Limited toiletry kit
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Comb / brush
- Glasses
- Sun glasses
- Contact lenses
- Spare contacts
- Cotton bandanas
- Cell phone
- Snacks
- Gum (5 packs)
- Luggage locks
- Chewing tobacco
- Spare neck strap for glasses
- Contact lens solution
Fanny Pack
- Ibuprofen
- Aspirin
- Night time aspirin
- Malaria pills
- Band-Aids
- Rolaids
- Neosporin
- Mild laxative
- Anti diarrhoea
- Vitamins
- Antihistamines
- Antibiotic pills
- Sleeping pills
- Eyedrops
- Halls lozenges
- No Jet-Lag pill
- Sun block
- Chapstick
- Bug repellent
- Earplugs
- Moleskin
- Cable ties
- GPS
- Spare glasses
- Alarm clock
- Toothache medicine
- Handy wipes (antiseptic)
Duffel Bag
- Hunting boots
- Hunting pants (3)
- Hunting shirts (3)
- Underwear (4)
- Socks (4)
- Shower thongs
- Raingear
- Sweat suite
- T shirts for gifts
- Hat
- Hiking shorts
- Neutral sweater
- Handkerchiefs
- Gaiters
- Beanie
- Ziploc bags
- Ammo
- Ammo pouch
- Ammo belt
- Soft gun case
- Nail clippers
- Soap
- Razor
- Spare blades
- Hand lotion
- Shampoo
- Shaving cream
- Tweezers
- Extra batteries
- Electric converter
- Field guides
- Duct tape
- Battery charger
- Spare camera battery
- Video tapes / discs
Gun Case
- Firearm(s)
- Cleaning kit
- Spare scope
- Scope covers
- Slings
- Ammo
- Cartridge carrier
- Gun Oil
- Copy of Form 4457 or your gun registration
- Multipurpose tool
- Hunting knife
- Pocket knife
- Large flashlight
- Allen wrench tool
- Star talk wrench
- Sewing kit
- Taxidermy tags
- Targets
Pack anything that might leak in a Zip-Lock bag. Check and double-check with your airline of choice for hand luggage requirements and especially for firearms and ammunition regulations.
RELATED POST: Travelling to Africa with firearms
2. Hunting
When you start hunting you will need to rearrange your kit, as the bulk of your stuff will remain in camp:
Ticket Wallet: The bulk of your ticket wallet contents should remain locked up in the safe at camp. You may want to carry some form of identity, the temporary firearms importation permit of the country you are visiting and a small amount of local cash.
Duffel Bag: Unpack this kit at camp.
Gun Case:Remember you can lock anything of value in your gun case.
Soft Case: Take out your rifle and put it in the soft gun case. You need your ammunition, sling, ammo belt and pouch or cartridge carrier.
Day Pack: To travel in the vehicle.
Fanny Pack: To travel inside your day pack in the vehicle but can be carried separately when required.
Day Pack for Hunting Days
- Windproof jacket
- Underwear (1)
- Socks (1)
- Raingear
- Hat
- Gaiters
- Beanie
- Ziploc bags (2)
- Ammo
- Camera
- Video
- Binoculars
- Small flashlight
- Lens pen
- Blindfold
- Golf gloves
- Glasses
- Sun glasses
- Contact lenses
- Spare contacts
- Cotton bandanas
- Snacks
- Gum
- Pen
- Notepad
- Paperback
- Duct tape
- Taxidermy tags
- Multipurpose tool
- Hunting knife
- Pocket knife
- Chewing tobacco
- Spare neck strap for glasses
- Contact lens solution
Fanny Pack for Hunting Days
- Ibuprofen
- Aspirin
- Night time aspirin
- Malaria pills
- Band-Aids
- Rolaids
- Neosporin
- Mild laxative
- Anti diarrhoea
- Vitamins
- Antihistamines
- Antibiotic pills
- Sleeping pills
- Eyedrops
- Halls lozenges
- No Jet-Lag pill
- Sun block
- Chapstick
- Bug repellent
- Earplugs
- Toilet paper
- Mole skin
- Cable ties
- GPS
- Toothache medicine
- Handy wipes (antiseptic)
RELATED POST: Packing up for your first African hunt