African Hunt Packing List

Page Updated: Aug 2020

Here is the definitive African hunt packing list - all the clothing, toiletries, hunting gear, medical items, documentation and the actual luggage itself, that you may possibly need on an African. It looks alarmingly long but should all pack down neatly.

If you click on the links in the hunt packing list you will get more information and recommendations on what to look for if you buy the item.

Hunting Clothes

• Safari Hat x 1
• Warm Fleece Hat x 1 - for cold mornings & evenings in hunting truck.
• Safari Jacket x 1.
• Safari Shirt x 3
• Safari Trousers/Pants x 3
• Belt x 1
• Shorts x 2 - optional to hunt in/wear in camp.
• Underwear x 5 sets
• Socks x 5 pairs
• Gloves x 1 pair for cold mornings & evenings in hunting truck.
• Gaiters x 1 pair - optional.
• Scarf/Bandana x 2
• Pyjamas x 2
• Swimwear x 1 - if camp or hotel has a pool.
• Safari Boots/Shoes x 2 pairs, plus spare laces.
• Sandals/Flip Flops x 1 pair - for camp/tent use.

Travel Clothes

If you prefer to travel in non-hunting clothes...

• Travelling Shirt x 1
• Travelling Trousers x 1
• Travelling Jacket x 1

Toiletries

• A Hanging Toiletry Bag with plenty of compartments.
• Insect Repellent
• Microfiber Travel Towel - for use while hunting.
• Sanitizing Hand Wipes - for use while hunting.
• Toothbrush x 1
• Tooth paste x 1
• Dental Floss/Tape x 1
• Anti-Mosquito Soap x 1 - optional as regular soap is usually provided.
• Shower Gel x 1
• Moisturizing Skin Cream - for dry skin & sunburn.
• Sun Block SPF 100 x 1 bottle - important if you burn easily.
• Sunscreen x 1 bottle/tube - lower sun protection factor once your skin is used to the sun.
• Shampoo/Conditioner x 1 bottle each or x 1 if using 2-in-1 type.
• Lip Balm, SPF 15 x 2 - put in pocket and a spare.
• Cotton Buds x 1 small pack - getting dust out of ears, etc.
• Cotton Wool x 1 pack - face cleansing for women & medical swabbing of small wounds.
• Razor x 1 - wet razor easier if you opt to shave face or legs (women) during or after hunt. If use an electric razor, bring spare batteries/charger.
• Shaving cream/gel x 1
• Talcum Powder x 1 small - for preventing skin chafing.
• Foot Blister Prevention Tape - such as RockTape H2O or StrengthTape
• Skin Anti-Friction Cream to apply to chafed body areas.
• Sanitary Products (women).
• Beauty/cosmetic Products (Women).

Firearm / Shooting Equipment

• Firearm(s)
• Telescopic Sight
• Ammunition.
• Small Rifle Cleaning Kit x 1 or Bore Snake - excluding any flammable liquids.
• Ammunition Carrier/Pouch and/or Cartridge Belt.
• Small Ammo Box - for spare ammo to keep in hunting truck.
• Hearing Protectors x 1 pair
• Shooting Gloves - optional, if you normally wear them.
• Shooting Glasses - optional, if you normally wear them.

Hunting Safari Luggage

• Soft-Sided Main Baggage - like a rolling duffel for squashing into possible limited space such as a charter aircraft.
• Day Bag - for use out hunting.
• Camelbak Hydration Backpack - optional, though great for long all-day hunts on foot.
• Gun Case - hard-sided, lockable, airline compliant.
• Soft Rifle Case - if hunting truck rifle rack metal is unprotected. Also to cover rifle if travelling on a public road.
• Ammunition Travel Box - as per airline regulations. Read more... Travel With Firearms.
• Extra Padlocks & Keys - if gun case and/or ammo box locks get lost or boken. Also for securing hand luggage if needs to go in the hold.
• Cable Zip Ties - take a few in various sizes/colours for securing baggage zipper tags, as an indicator of luggage tampering, keeping packed charger cables organised, replacing a broken zipper tag, as an 'emergency' shoe lace, amongst many other uses.

Other Items To Take...

• Eye Glasses x 2 if normally worn for general use/reading. Spare pair in case of breakage.
• Contact Lenses - spares, cleaning kit.
• Sunglasses or Sunglass Readers x 2 pairs.
• Knife x 1
• Multi-Tool x 1 - such as a Gerber Multi-Tool or a Leatherman Multi-Tool
• Scissors x 1 pair - if not included in multi-tool or Swiss Army Knife
• Nail File x 1 - if not included in multi-tool or Swiss Army knife.
• Tweezers x 1 pair - tick & thorn removal.
• Writing Equipment - pens, notebook etc.
• Travellers Mosquito Net - check if this is provided or tent is insect proof.Check bed size & which hanging method in your accommodation.
• Small Hand Mirror x 1 - useful if the light is not right for you in tent/accommodation.
• Large Plastic Bin Bags - useful for many things like dirty laundry, muddy boots, wading across water, etc.
• Compass/GPS x 1 - optional depending on hunt area.
• Books / Kindle Paperwhite - for pleasure and/or wildlife reference.
• Binoculars x 1 pair
• Camera x 1 - with spare batteries, data card, lens cleaner, charger, etc.
• Flashlight x 1 - reading and moving around at night. Plus spare batteries/charger.
• Headlamp x 1 - reading and moving at night. Plus spare batteries.
• Inflatable Travel Pillow x 1 - optional.
• Calculator x 1 - currency conversion, checking trophy bill, etc.
• Travel Money Belt x 1 - safe option for carrying money & passport, etc.
• Converter/Adapter Plug Kit x 1 - for plug type for the country.
• Travel Laundry Soap Sheets x 1 - if you want to wash the odd item.
• Lighter/matches - always useful, for smokers and non-smokers.
• Travel Alarm Clock x 1 or use phone alarm feature. Plus spare batteries/charger.
• Travel Sewing Kit x 1 - emergency repairs and blister treatment (needles).
• Personal Water Bottle x 1
• Spare Batteries / Chargers - for any other electrical items.
• Cellphone/Smart Phone - buy a pay-as-you-go card on arrival.
• Satellite Phone - optional depending on location.

Medical And First Aid Items

Regarding medicines to take on safari...Try to take medications that you have used before without any side-effects, rather than ones that are brand new to you.

• Prescription Medicines - in enough quantity for trip duration, plus some.
• Contraceptives - if necessary, enough for trip duration.
• Band Aids/Plasters - variety of sizes, fabric ones stick better if wet.
• Bandages/Safety Pins - small selection of sizes/types.
• Wound Gauze/Dressings - small selection of sizes/types.
• Dressing Tape
• Blister Dressings - particularly if you are prone to blisters.
• MultiVitamins
• Analgesics - like ibuprofen, paracetamol for minor headaches & pains.
• Antiseptic Cream/Spray - for small injuries to prevent/treat infection.
• Motion Sickness Tablets - if prone to nausea...particular in charter aircraft.
• Antacids - indigestion due to diet change.
• Anti-Diarrhoea Tablets
• Rehydration Sachets/Tablets - for heat exhaustion or diarrhoea rehydration.
• Energy Drink Tablets - - optional, to dissolve in drinking water.
• Antihistamine Tablets - for insect bite reactions. Get ones that do not make you drowsy.
• Antihistamine Cream - for topical application to insect bites/stings.
• Insect Bite Cream/Lotion - specifically for insect bites to reduce the itch/sting.
• Epinephrine Autoinjector 'Epi-Pen' - only if you have a known allergy to bee-stings.
• Cold/Flu tablets - in case of a cold after a long-haul flight.
• Cough Lozenges - to prevent coughs while hunting and sitting in a leopard blind.
• Eye Wash/Drops - for sore, dry eyes due to dust.
• Antibiotics - such as ciprofloxacin is useful for diarrhoea or other infection. See your doctor about this.
• Anti-Malaria Tablets - vital when going to a malarial area. Always follow your travel physician's advice.
• Malaria Treatment Tablets - such as Coartem, if you are going to a very remote area. Always follow your travel physician's advice.
• Small Sterile Medical kit - needles, syringes, IV set, etc. If you are going to a very remote area where the local medical equipment may not be adequate or sterile.
• Dental Pain Relief or Dental Repair Kit for broken fillings, loose caps with pain relief.

Hunt Documentation

• Passport - with correct visa and number of empty pages.
• Emergency Phone Numbers - on paper, as well as in your phone (if phone gets lost).
• Phone Numbers - for safari outfitter, PH, agent, etc.
• Travel Insurance Card /Details - with contact details & membership number, etc.
• Medevac Insurance Card - with contact details & membership number, etc. Ensure other members of group or PH know where to find it in case you are incapacitated.
• Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate - if necessary for your destination and which may shown at airport.
• Phone Card & International Phone Codes.
• Extra Recent Passport Photographs - just in case your passport is stolen and needs replacing, possibly for visas on arrival in some countries.
• Firearm Permit - from home country which may be checked by anyone as proof of firearm ownership.
• US Customs Form 4457 (US hunters only) - may be checked by anyone as proof of firearm ownership.
• Copies of Passport & All Other Documents - in case the originals are lost.
• Copies of Medical Prescriptions / Doctor's Letter - as proof of 'ownership' of legitimate prescription drugs. Occasionally required as an airline security measure. Useful too if you run out and need more while overseas.
• CITES Import Permit(s) & Copies - if you are aiming to collect a CITES Appendix I trophy, like leopard.
• Cash - most transactions and settlement of trophy bill will be done in US$ cash or credit card. You may need Rand in South Africa or Euros in west Africa.
• Credit/ATM/Debit Cards - for local currency exchange for shopping, restaurant bills, tips, etc where only the local currency is accepted.

If you are going to be hunting in a African rainforest there are different types of clothing and additional items to take with you.

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