A First-Timers Guide to Hunting The Dark Continent

Like many of you, I dreamt of the day I'd roam the Dark Continent. Over the years, I digested every piece of African hunt literature I could get my hands on—Ruark's Horn of the Hunter, Capstick's Death in the Long Grass, and Hemingway's Green Hills of Africa—to name a few.

With every word I read and documentary I watched, my obsession grew. Though it seemed a pipe dream, I pinched, saved, and planned. I researched outfitters and penned and revised my "must-hunt list" many times.

Then, in late June 2024, my dream became reality. Along with a handful of other outdoor writers, I took the 15-hour-plus plane ride across the big pond to Johannesburg. It was another two hours from Johannesburg to Africa's Eastern Cape, where an adventure of a lifetime awaited.

My single trip didn't make me an African hunt expert, and I don't pretend to be. I went into the hunt looking at it through the lens of a first-timer. I immersed myself in the planning and logistics and wanted to learn everything possible to help the next African newbie have a smooth and successful trip. Here's how.

Go With Gracy

It will cost you a few extra dollars, but if you're nervous about your travel documents, firearm forms, airport navigation, pre-hunt medication, online Customs Declaration, etc., hiring an experienced international hunt travel agency like Gracy Travel is an excellent idea. Gracy will help you book your flights, which is a process in itself, but more importantly, they provide and track all of your necessary paperwork.

If you're planning to take a firearm and ammunition, the process is a bit extensive and can be confusing. However, if you use an experienced travel agency, you can complete forms like your SAP 520 Form and others online. Your SAP 520 Form is your temporary firearms import permit. When filling out this form, you must know your firearm's action, caliber, model, make, and serial number. You must also provide the type of ammunition and the amount you're bringing. Eleven pounds is the maximum amount of ammo you can carry.

You must also call and make an appointment at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection office. You will need to bring your firearm in a TSA-approved travel case, and for future transport, you will need a TSA-approved lock on every locking hole the case offers. Make sure the rifle is unloaded. I discovered that the officer I worked with liked that my magazine and bolt were out of my rifle.

Once in the office, the officer will have you complete a CBP Form 4457. After filling out the form, the officer will inspect your rifle, double-check your serial number, and stamp the form with an official CBP Seal. When making your appointment, ask if the office has a CBP Seal available. I learned the hard way that not all offices do.

You will also need a letter of invitation from your outfitter, a copy of your passport, etc. Gracy will email you often to tell you what forms they've received and still need. They keep the process moving perfectly.

Regarding medication, Gracy gave me the option to get travel immunizations and prescriptions but also informed me that it was neither required nor recommended where we were going. Be sure to work with your travel agency on immunizations and meds or do the necessary research online.

Arrive Early & Be Organized

Days before my trip, I made copies of every form I needed. I also made copies of my driver's license and passport and put everything in a labeled folder. I discovered that while you can't control flights, security hang-ups, etc., the more organized you are, the more airport security and police personnel appreciate it.

I recommend arriving three hours early for both your international flights. I wasn't able to pre-check because of my firearm and ammo, which added check-in time. You will also be going with airport personnel to check your firearm. It's essential to have your ammunition in a separate locked case and declare that ammunition. It's also imperative to have the keys to your locks handy. I also recommend making a spare and putting it in your carry-on. If you have combination locks, set all the locks with the same combination, and no matter how good you think your memory is, write the combination down and put it in your folder and on your phone.

Packing

Take a carry-on and one personal item on the plane. Have boots and hunting clothes in your carry-on for at least one day. My buddy, Scott Haugen, was with me on this trip. This was Haugen's sixteenth safari, and he told me that if you have your boots and a set of hunt clothes, you won't be staying in the lodge waiting for your luggage while everyone else is out hunting should you have a luggage hiccup. You can always use the outfitter's rifle and ammo and settle up on the cost (if any) later.

It's essential to have your laptop, optics, and camera equipment in your carry-on. Gracy informed us that "sticky fingers" have been an issue before.

If your Africa hunt is during June, July, or August, you're hunting the continent in the winter months. We did experience a few morning hunts with temps in the 30s. Most days, temperatures topped out in the low 70s, so prepare accordingly.

I also recommend talking with your outfitter. If you can wash clothes while you're there, I recommend going light on hunt clothing. This way, you can bring souvenirs back home and not exceed the weight limit.

The Plane Ride

There isn't much to know here except that wearing shorts and a T-shirt was wrong. At night, above 35,000 feet, the cabin got cold. I recommend a hoodie or a puffy jacket in your carry-on. Yes, you will receive a blanket and a pillow; the blanket is see-through and not warm.

The flight is long. We had an excellent tailwind from Atlanta to Joburg, and it was still over 15 hours. The flight is more extended coming back. I recommend sleeping as much as possible and drinking a lot of water. Sleep and water will help you combat jetlag.

Where Gracy Shines

Someone was waiting for me when I stepped off the plane in Joburg. The person was holding a sign with my name and the name of our group. This person helped us through customs, and then we were met by another Gracy individual who took us to the police station, which is in the airport, to retrieve our rifles.

While at the police station, you will receive a South African Police Service Temporary Import Permit. Keep this permit. You will need it often. Place it in your travel folder with all of your documents.

Gracy made the process at the airport a breeze. Bruce was the name of our guy from Gracy. He had the airport on lockdown. He knew everyone, and anywhere we went, the process was easy.

You will also need to pay an import/handling fee for your firearm, which you will do at the airport. Your travel representative will guide you through the entire process. If you don't have a travel representative, follow the signs.

Whoops!

As much as I planned, prepared, and followed Gracy's instructions, I made an error. I put my prescription medicine in my carry-on suitcase and not my backpack. TSA informed me that any prescription medicine should be in my backpack or pocket. I found nothing about this in my research, but this did happen to me in Africa, so you should check with your travel agency or further your medication research. I did learn that you can bring a month's supply of prescription meds.

Take Your Time On The Range

Our PHs wanted to see us shoot, and my nerves were high. Slowing down, taking your time, and showing them you can shoot are essential pieces of the puzzle. I also recommend shooting multiple rounds at various ranges. Doing this helped calm my nerves and mentally prepare me for the hunt.

Listen To Your PH!

I penned that I'm not an African hunting expert. That's why this section is short and to the point. This article is to help you prepare and get to your hunt destination without a problem.

You must listen to your PH carefully. I was wound tighter than an eight-day clock. My PH helped calm me down and explained that though he had "my list," it would be best to listen to his recommendations.

For example, on day one of the hunt, we glassed up an eland. Though impressive, the eland was missing from my list. However, my PH informed me that this was one of the biggest eland he'd ever seen in 16 years of owning Rosedale Safaris. I harvested that 2,000-plus-pound animal and was so glad I did.

My hunting experience was so much better because I remained flexible. If you go with the right outfitter, you'll see more animals than you can fathom. The outfitter will also keep you updated on the prices of different animals. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and don't get yourself in a financial bind.

Inventory

I also recommend keeping a price list of animals on your phone and keeping a running total of what you've spent. It's easy to get carried away. One day, I saw 17 different species of animals and could have harvested 14 of them. A good outfitter will help keep you grounded and help you have what you've always wanted: the African safari of a lifetime.

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