Like many hunters I spend 11 ½ months waiting for two weeks of November to roll around. This started as long ago as I can remember. The Friday before Thanksgiving my father would come by my grade school around noon, come into my classroom, and have a short talk with my teacher. I was already prepared – I had weeks worth of assignments and all my schoolbooks in my bag. I’d leave class with all the other kids watching like it was some ceremonial release from prison. We’d load up in Dad’s station wagon, and begin the six-hour drive through the Allegheny Mountains to our little cinderblock hunting camp hidden in the watershed of the South Branch of the Potomac River. Halfway there, we’d stop at a little roadside park, eat a bologna sandwich and some chips, and then continue an adventure that I’ve replicated for more than a half a century since.
There is no other time of year I look forward to as much as buck season in the Appalachians…except safari time in Africa. But Africa is different. Africa is a tradition I started two decades ago without my father. But, just as my mom and dad did with my sister and I, I introduced my family to Africa and the excitement for them I’m sure mirrors my childhood elation of heading to our deer camp. The problem of course is that an African safari costs a bit more than a six-hour drive across West Virginia. A tank full of gas and a roadside picnic is a cost most hillbillies can stomach. An 18-hour flight can dig a deep ass hole in a wallet or a savings account.
However, since 2014 I have managed to get my wife to Africa twice, my oldest daughter once, and my son has been with me for every safari since then. This year his job got in the way and my wife will be my only family companion. Admittedly, with his absence I’m sure I’ll feel a bit out of sorts – a decade of tradition is hard to let go of and I will not have a professional photographer with me. On the other hand, two weeks with my wife on safari from Belmont in the Northern Cape, up through the Free State and into Vaalwater in Limpopo will be the longest, childless vacation we have ever experienced in 31 years. It will also give us the opportunity to plan next year’s safari that will include everyone.
PACK LIST
For those who may be wondering what gear I’m taking with me to Africa, here is a breakdown of the stuff you will probably be most interested in. Most of this gear has been vetted and is trusted, I'll let you know how it all works out, and will hopefully have some good stories to go with it.
Guns & Riflescopes
Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT in 6.5 PRC with a 20 inch barrel, topped off with a Swarovski Z5i 2-10X42 B LT riflescope.
Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT in 7mm Backcountry with a 20-inch barrel and a Swarovski Z8i 2-16x50 P riflescope.
Wilson Combat NULA Model 20S Empty Cases Edition in 300 HAMR with a 16-inch barrel and a Swarovski Z3 2-10X42 riflescope.
All three rifles will be fitted with Spartan adapters, Talley lightweight rings and Galco RifleMann slings.
Ammo
For the 6.5 PRC and 7mm Backcountry we’ll be using Federal Fusion Tipped ammunition. The 140-grain load for the 6.5 PRC (2883 fps) is a solid SUB MOA performer and the 175-grain load (2980 fps) averages right at an MOA. The bulk of the plains game we shoot, we will take with these two rifles.
For the 300 HAMR I’m taking two loads. Originally, I’d loaded 60 rounds of the Lehigh Defense 115-grain TXC bullets at 2530 fps, which shot exceptionally well. But talking with Bill Wilson, he wanted me to try the new 130-grain TXC bullets, so he loaded up 60 rounds for me. They’re running about 2450 fps and shoot great out of the little rifle too. So, I’m taking some of both loads. I’ll primarily use this rifle for warthog eradication, but in Africa…you never know.
Suppressors
I’ll be using three different suppressors on this safari. On the 6.5 PRC I’ll be running a Banish Backcountry, the 7mm PRC will have the Meateater suppressor, and the ultralight NULA will have the brand new Banish 30 V2 in its short 6.4-inch, 9.5 ounce configuration.
Optics
A good binocular is paramount to safari success and for years my go to glass has been the Swarovski ultra compact CL Companion 8x30 binocular, which is my favorite binocular. In fact, they have been with me on every safari since 2014 because I typically leave the range finding to my professional hunter. My wife will be using the CLs this year, and the way we will be hunting – sometimes – I’ll need to do some range finding to better support the capabilities of the 6.5 PRC and 7mm BC rifles we’ll be using. So I’ll be carrying a EL Range 10x42. I’ll also have the compact Swarovski ATC 17-40X56 spotting scope which has proven very beneficial when kudu hunting.
Hunting Clothes
After two decades in Africa I’ve found that cotton or cotton-blend fabrics work the best. Most of the modern, pure synthetic materials just do not fare well with the thorns in Africa. My primary hunting pant will be the Kryptek Bushcraft pant, which sadly it appears Kryptek has discontinued. So, I’ll also be trying a pair of cotton-blend 511 Apex pants. My son wore these in Africa last year and loved them. Another pair of lighter pants I’ll be trying for the warmer days – mid June in the Northern Cape can be cool – are the Kings XKG Ridge Pant, which is a synthetic pant that is wonderfully comfortable. As a side note, the Kings XKG Sonora Air Shirt is one of the most comfortable shirts I’ve worn and I’ll have two of those with me as well as their Hunter Sherpa Vest. For the cold days and nights, I’ll have my well-worn Kitanica Softshell jacket that’s been going to Africa with me since 2018.
I don’t often wear shorts in Africa unless it’s hot or if I know I won’t be deep in the bad thorn. But when I do, I don’t wear those goofy American made shorts that come down to your knees and look like some version of capri pants for men. Fortunately, in Africa you can find shorts made like shorts should be made, with a 4- to 7-inch inseam.
It’s a good idea to spend your first day in Africa at the Safari Outdoor store in Johannesburg, where you can pick up some gear you cannot find here in the states. If you work with African Odyssey (they have been arranging my African travel for 20 years) to arrange your travel, they can also arrange an excursions to the Safari Outdoor Store for you, before you drive or fly out of Johannesburg. This is also a good place to pick up a pair of Courtney Boots, which are the best boots for Africa I’ve found, and they require zero breaking in.
I like this pre-safari shopping stop because it harkens back to the day when hunters would arrive in Africa and get near fully outfitted before heading out. It also seems to add some anticipation to the adventure.
Miscellaneous Gear
There of course is a smattering of other gear I’ll take. For instance, I always take my Spartan Javelin bipod but have yet to shoot from it in Africa. However, since it only weighs a few ounces, why not have it just in case. On the other hand, I routinely use my Spartan Ascent Tripod in Africa, to shoot from or to use as a spotting scope or camera tripod. For the first time in 20 years, I will be taking a chronograph with me to double check velocities and calculate trajectories while there. This is now super easy with the little Garmin XERO and the nice compact case from Skinner Sights.
I’ve got to the point I will not go anywhere without a flashlight and my Leatherman, which I’ve written about before. And of course a man needs a pocket knife, and for the second year I’ll be taking my Ace Giant Mouse Biblio XL. I always also take a fixed blade knife, but I’ve only used – needed – one a couple times in two decades I’ve been going to Africa. The fixed blade I’m taking this year is the 3.47-inch blade Giant Mouse GMF2 Scout.
Because I need to carry a good bit of gear in the field for writing, note taking, and photos and video, I finally decided to get a new day pack I could outfit with the accessories I need to efficiently carry all this crap. I picked up a 511 RUSH 2.0 24 L pack with several pouch accessories to carry first aid gear, camera gear, and my spartan tripod and bipod. I also found a very cool Monsoon Hand Desk from Rite in the Rain that will protect my passport, permit paper work, and other note taking and writing supplies.
Luggage
Finally, you gotta get all this shit to Africa. Typically folks worry about the 50-pound weight limit. That’s a thing, and if you can come in at less than 50 pounds per bag you can save money. But, when you get to Africa and get on an in-country flight, the weight limit drops. So, I finally decided to hell with worrying about weight and now just use luggage that can handle what I need to take.
For rifles I use a single hard-sided, two-rifle case, but I remove all the foam and then I can carry three scoped rifles in soft cases. It’s also handy to have the soft cases once you get to Africa and hit the field. For years I’ve used a big Cabela’s duffle, but it is just about worn out. So, this year I picked a mega-duffle bag with rollers from 511. This Multi-Compartment CAMS 3.0 186L is large enough for me to put one of my kids in, and yes, it’s a little heavy, but it will hold everything I need for Africa and a bit more. You just gotta give in and pay the overweight fees. If you cannot afford a couple extra hundred bucks, you probably cannot afford to go to Africa anyway.
Looking forward to it all!
Safe travels for you & Luke. Looking forward to this Safari very much! I really dig having Johannesburg as a rally point. I know Carrie is thrilled to have some other women in camp. We will have words about a Wilson Combat NULA “EmptyCases” rifle too.