African Hunting Flashlights

Page Updated: Feb 2024

A reliable flashlight or torch is essential to take on an African hunting safari particularly if you are hunting a wilderness area and living in a camp that runs on a generator. A permanent hunting camp such as in South Africa is usually well-lit at night using mains electricity or solar power, however a flashlight is useful if the power fails for any reason.

In a wilderness hunting camp you will need a flashlight for finding your way around your tent or going to the bathroom at night when the generator is shut down. Should you go outside your tent at night (not to be recommended), there are usually oil lamps strategically placed around the camp but a flashlight with a strong beam will be useful to find the magazine you left in the dining area.

Out hunting a flashlight will be important if darkness overtakes you when you are looking for a wounded or dead animal or when you have a long walk back to the truck. In this instance a headlamp will be more convenient as long as you don't 'blind' the others in your group when you look at them. If you are doing a night follow-up on a possibly wounded leopard, a strong light output headlamp or a flashlight securely bound to your firearm barrel will be necessary.

Functions Of A Good African Hunting Flashlight

• LED (light-emitting diode) technology have rendered most other flashlight bulbs virtually obsolete. They cannot be beaten for energy efficiency, battery life, impact resistance and brightness. Overall flashlight reliability goes without saying on an Africa hunt.
• Good long battery life.
• Uses common battery sizes (AA,C,D) whether rechargeable or disposable. Regular battery sizes are cheap and easy to buy in most towns in Africa. Most brands of rechargeable batteries work best when they are used right after charging rather than charged and left aside until ready for use.
• Built-in lithium-ion batteries can be recharged through a computer USB connection, AC or DC outlet or solar panel. If your camp runs on a generator you will usually only be able to recharge in the evenings while the generator is on.
• Tough and rugged enough to still function if the flashlight is dropped, covered in dust or run over by a hunting truck.
• A degree of water resistance or fully waterproof. Check seals are unbreakable especially around the glass so it can't be affected by humidity.
• A high level of light output with more than one brightness mode. (Light output is measured in lumens and is the highest light intensity on a new battery).
• Adjustable beam intensity which varies with selected brightness setting. (Beam intensity is measured in metres). Beams commonly can be adjusted through any level between a spot light to flood light.
• You might prefer 'regulated' brightness where the flashlight maintains a constant light level until the battery is dead rather than fading gradually.
• Size and weight of a flashlight is an issue for travelling and ease of handling. Lightweight flashlights are often made of thinner aluminium and can be more easily damaged. Heavier flashlights are usually made of thicker aluminium and are more impact resistant.
• An straight on/off power button may be inadvisable because it may get switched on in your bag unnoticed and be dead when you need it. A flashlight with a button safety lock or a rotating switch mechanism might be preferable.

African Hunting Flashlights

These flashlights have all been used by hunters in Africa and come recommended for generally good battery life, excellent light output and toughness.

Buy Now: Fenix PD35R Tactical Flashlight - 1700 Lumen

• USB C Rechargeable for fast, reliable charging
• Battery level indicator displays current charge level
• Dual switch operation
• High-capacity battery for long runtimes
• Charge in 10 minutes for up to 5 hours of illumination
• Durable anodized aluminum body construction
• Two-way pocket clip for flexible gear mounting options

Buy Now: Fenix Flashlight HT18 - 1500 Lumens

• High-powered long throw beam LED flashlight
• Green & Red Colour Filters Included
• Tactical Tail Switch
• Buit-in battery level indicator
• USB rechargeable 5000mAh battery
• EdisonBright BBX5 battery carry case

Buy Now: Fenix TK11R Flashlight - 1600 Lumens

• Battery level indicator
• 1378 feet beam throw
• Uses two CR123A batteries or one 18650 Li-ion battery
• Three brightness levels and strobe mode
• IP68 waterproof rating
• Durable A6061-T6 aluminum

Buy Now: Surefire Aviator Flashlight - 250 Lumens

• Dual Output Multi-Spectrum LED
• 250 lumen high/5 lumen low White light and 39 lumen high/1 lumen low Red light LEDs
• Regulated to maximize light output and runtime
• White-light and red-light output from one all-LED head, no filter needed
• Two output levels: high for maximum light, low for extended runtime
• Mil-Spec hard-anodized aerospace aluminum, optically coated tempered window, O-ring and gasket seals
• Dual-output tail cap click switch

Buy Now: SureFire 6PX Pro Flashlight - 600 Lumens

• Virtually indestructible LED emitter regulated to maximize light output and runtime
• Two output levels - high of 600 lumens for maximum light, and low of 15 lumens for extended runtime
• Dual-output tail cap click switch
• Precision micro-textured reflector creates smooth, optimized beam
• High-strength aerospace aluminum body, Mil-Spec hard-anodized for durability

Buy Now: SureFire G2X Pro Flashlight - 600 Lumens

• Virtually indestructible LED emitter regulated to maximize light output and runtime
• Two output levels - high for maximum light, low for extended runtime
• Precision micro-textured reflector creates smooth, optimized beam
• Tough polycarbonate window resists impact
• Tough Nitrolon body
• Dual-output tailcap click switch
• Weatherproof O-ring and gasket sealed
• Uses high-energy 123A batteries

Buy Now: Pelican SabreLite 2010 Flashlight - 109 Lumens

• Heavy-duty body clip
• Split ring and security lanyard
• Twist on/off activation
• 22-hour runtime
• Waterproof IPX7
• C batteries x 3

Buy Now: Pelican 7620 Tactical Flashlight - 387 Lumens

• Four programmable modes (High / Strobe / Medium / Low)
• Compatible with 2 AA, 2 CR123, 3 CR123 or the Pelican 18650 lithium ion rechargeable battery
• Battery level indication
• Five selectable programs
• Type III hard anodized finish

Buy Now: Ledlenser P7R Core Rechargeable Flashlight - 1400 Lumens

• Battery Duration - max 90 hours - min 2 hours
• 3 light levels plus boost & strobe
• Front switch
• Battery 1 x Li-ion 3.7V

Buy Now: Browning Alpha Elite Flashlight - 500 Lumens

• Modes: High, low, white or green
• Pocket-sized flashlight with an aluminum body and bezel.
• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery with a micro-USB charging port.
• Use either rechargeable or AA battery x 1.

Buy Now: MagLite ST3D016 Flashlight - 168 Lumens

• Runs on 3 D-type batteries
• 'Intelligent Energy Source Management' balances high brightness against extended battery life
• Beam adjusts from spot to flood by rotating the head
• Case is made from a high-strength anodized aluminum alloy
• Water and shock-resistant
• High-quality O-rings at both openings keep water away from the batteries

Buy Now: Olight Warrior X Pro - 2100 Lumens

• 600 metres throw and a 3-metre drop
• 8 hours runtime based on a customized 5000mAh 21700 lithium battery
• Super-efficient MCC3 fast charging
• Strong impact resistance
• Strong magnetic tail switch and more knurling

Buy Now: Nitecore EDC35 High Power Flashlight - 5000 Lumens

• UHi40 MAX LED
• Max throw of 550 meters
• 5 brightness levels and strobe mode
• Built-in 6,000mAh 21700 Li-ion battery
• USB-C charging

More African Hunting Gear

• Headlamps
• Ammo Holders
• Other Lighting Gadgets
• Gaiters
• Hearing Protectors
• Personal Water Bottles
• Hydration Backpacks

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