African Hunting and Travel Information

There are countless web sites, books and other resources filled with tips for travelers .  This site is not an authority and does not claim to be.  When we prepare for a trip we seek out authorities on the subject just as anyone should who is planning an overseas adventure.  One useful web site is Travel.State.Gov.

REGISTRATION WITH EMBASSIES (Tell 'em where you're going.)

The U.S. Department of State 's web site offers a link that you can use to register your trip.  Being registered makes it easier for American authorities to find you in the event of a problem in the destination country, such as a weather disaster or other event.

U. S. CUSTOMS FORM 4457 (Declare your stuff!)

This form is required when you apply for a import permit through an agency such as the South African Police.  It serves as proof of ownership of your firearm.  When Jim gets a new gun or camera, we make an appointment with the U. S. Customs Office at the nearest airport and declare these items on the form.  Proof of ownership is particularly important when re-entering the US as you don't want to pay duty on an item you already owned prior to departing the US.

IMPORTANT PAPERS (Keep photocopies.)

Susan likes to make photocopies of all travel related paperwork.  Jim and Susan each carry a set of copies of the following documents: passport photo page, trip itinerary, and the US Customs form 4457 with valuables declared. Copies are also left with a relative here in the US.  Jim and Susan also carry copies of the letter of invitation to hunt, and an extra unsigned SAP 520 filled out and ready in the event something happens to the originals.

SUNSCREEN (You'll be glad you brought it.)

We know that the African sun is intense so we slather on the sunscreen.  Jim and I think of each of our African safaris as "the" trip of a lifetime.  Neither of us would want to let the consequences of too much sun shorten our trip or our lifetime.  We don't want to risk developing skin cancer later.  And we certainly don't want to spend the last nine days of an expensive ten day hunt suffering from a serious sunburns.  So sunscreen is the first item in the suitcase.

MEDICINES (Don't run out.)

We always make certain that any medications Jim and I are taking are in sufficient supply to get us well through the trip and beyond.  We also research the area we are going to see if there are specific health concerns.  Our family physician and the Atlanta, GA CDC Office both provide us with the information we need regarding recommended immunizations and whether or not a malaria prevention drug is advised.

AIRLINES (Comfort in the Cheap Seats)

South African Airways offers flights to Johannesburg from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta and from Dulles International Airport in Washington, DC.  This is subject to change, of course. The average length of these flights is 18 hours and may include a stop over in Dakar, Senegal or the Cape Verde Islands for refueling.  This is an excruciatingly long time to be inside a metal tube with hundreds of other people.  We suggest:

• Check out Seat Guru to view airplane seating diagrams.  Some seats have a lot of leg room.

• Purchase your tickets early and ask your booking or travel agent for specific seating.

• Check in early at the airport. (Really early if you have firearms.)

• As your departure date nears, call the airline and confirm your flight reservations.

South African Airlines also offers a 15 hour nonstop flight.  In 2007 when we took this flight, it departed in the early evening and we slept most of the night.  It was a very easy experience, not counting one inconsolable baby and the toxic feet in the row behind us.

OTHER VALUABLES (Take what you need!)

We never take any unnecessary valuables on our safaris.  Diamond rings and other jewelry have no place on a hunting trip.  Susan feels that if her rocks are big enough they might reflect a glint of light that can catch the attention of the game being hunted.  Now, in the case of plains game this could cause them to bolt.  But on a big five hunt, the really dangerous animals, attracting attention is NOT something she wants to do.  These animals are just as likely to hunt you as you are to hunt them.

CHECKING BAGGAGE (All the way?  Or not?)

We are not fans of the idea of checking baggage through to a final destination if the trip requires plane changes en route.  We check our baggage to each airport, retrieve the bags and recheck for the next flight.  If at some point along the way the bags turn up missing, we deal with it then.  This may not be feasible if your connecting flights are booked too closely together.

STUFF ON A PLANE

It seems that the items permitted to be carried onto a plane are subject to change at any given time.  An updated listed of prohibited items and recommendations can be obtained by calling the airlines by visiting the TSA's web site for Permitted and Prohibited Items. 

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