Planning a Hunting Trip to Africa

Choosing a Hunting Location in Africa

Africa has some of the most beautiful hunting locations in the world. Choosing the perfect hunting location can be tricky since Africa is a very large continent.

Here are some of the most popular hunting locations in Africa:

• South Africa
• Namibia
• Mozambique
• Tanzania
• Uganda
• Zambia

Top 20 Animals to Hunt in Africa

1. Impala
2. Blue Wildebeest
3. Greater Kudu
4. Zebra
5. Gemsbok
6. Cape Buffalo
7. Springbok
8. Warthog
9. Eland
10. Leopard
11. Black Wildebeest
12. Blesbok
13. Bontebok
14. Bushbuck
15. Bush Pig
16. Caracal
17. Duiker
18. Nyala
19. Sable
20. Red Hartebeest

Do U.S. citizens need a Visa to go to Africa?

South Africa – If you are visiting South Africa you do not need a visa if you are visiting for 90 days or less.

Namibia – U.S. citizens do not require a Visa to travel to Namibia, you will only need a valid passport.

Mozambique – U.S. citizens require a Visa, passport must be valid for six months after arrival, three clean pages to enter Mozambique.

Tanzania – U.S. citizens require a Visa, passport must be valid for six month after arrival, one blank page to enter Tanzania. Visas are also available at ports of entry.

Uganda – U.S. citizens require a Visa to enter Uganda. The passport must be valid for at least six months after arrival.

Zambia – A 90 day Visa needs to be obtained for entry into Zambia. Two blank pages are required.

Booking your Trip

Reputable hunting farms will give you advice on travel arrangements, firearm registration and what animals are available in their region. They almost always assist with the planning of a hunting trip.

Booking your trip months in advance will allow you plenty of time to make the necessary arrangements and prepare for the trip.

Our friends at Jannie Otto Safaris offers hunting safaris in the following locations:

• South Africa
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Zambia

Hunting Registrations

Hunting and import permits can be registered with the following hunting associations:

South Africa – Professional Hunters’ Association of South Africa (PHASA). You can visit their website at phasa.co.za

Namibia – Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA). You can visit their website at napha-namibia.com

Mozambique – Operators and Professional Hunting Associations of Africa (OPHAA). You can visit their website at ophaa.org

Tanzania – Operators and Professional Hunting Associations of Africa (OPHAA). You can visit their website at ophaa.org

Uganda – Operators and Professional Hunting Associations of Africa (OPHAA). You can visit their website at ophaa.org

Zambia – Operators and Professional Hunting Associations of Africa (OPHAA). You can visit their website at ophaa.org

Packing Checklist

Africa has some of the most beautiful scenery and hunting experiences that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. If you are planning a hunting trip somewhere in Africa you will need to pack all the right clothes and accessories.

Shirts. Depending on where in Africa you are hunting you might need a tough long sleeved shirt. The African bushveld has dense dry forests to navigate. Wearing a long-sleeved shirt also protects from the harsh African sun. Packing both long and short sleeved shirts is the best option.

After a long days hunting you might want to slip into something more comfortable for the evenings “braai” and discussing the day’s adventures around the campfire.

Pants. As with the shirts mentioned above, you would need protection from the harsh elements that Africa has to offer. When walking through the bushveld, tough long pants will protect you from bushes, thorns and ticks (bosluis in Afrikaans). Ticks bites can be very severe.

Casual pants are for the same reason as the casual shirts mentioned above, relaxing after the days hunt. 

Warm Clothes. Since the hunting season is in the winter month, some areas in Africa can get quite cold during the night. Be sure to check the weather of the country that you are visiting before packing. During the day even in winter it can get quite warm, so don’t pack only warm clothes.

Hats. In the heat of the African sun, wearing a hat will protect you from sunburn and keep the blinding sun out of your eyes when you make your shot.

Shoes. When you are taking on the African landscape, ankle high hiking boots is your best bet. Whether you are shooting from a bakkie (Truck) or hunting by foot wearing good quality shoes is a must.

a Pair of casual shoes will come in handy around the campfire after the day’s hunt.

Socks. The type of socks you wear is really up to you, but wearing hiking sock might be a better option.

Sweater. a Light sweater for the chilly evening around the braai (campfire).

Jackets. Like I mentioned earlier, some areas can get quite cold when the sun sets, so once again make sure to check the temperature before packing.

Underwear. This one is entirely up to you, having comfortable underwear when walking long distances is a must.

Sunscreen. If you tend to get sunburn easily, then this is a must for you. The stronger the better, I tend to burn easily so I use an SPF 50 or higher if I am going to spend the entire day in the sun.

Insect Repellant. The infamous mosquito, they are a pest everywhere around the world. There are areas in Africa where malaria mosquitos are more common. When you go anywhere in Africa you need to check if the area has malaria. Also, speak to your doctor, he will most likely prescribe precautionary malaria medicine.

Tick bites can be very dangerous if left untreated. Speak to your pharmacist they suggest for tick bites and prevention.

Sunglasses. This one is pretty straightforward.

Medication. Make sure to pack enough of any medication that you need, most hunting locations are a long way from medical help and it can be very hard to locate specific medication in a lot of areas in Africa.

Personal Items. This one you will have to decide which personal items you will not be able to live without for example your mobile phone.

Hunting Accessories

Hunting Knife

Water Container

Binoculars

Camera. Don’t’ forget your camera to capture all your African Adventures.

Ammunition. 11 pound of ammunition is permitted. Place your ammunition in your suitcase and not in your gun case or with your firearms.

Firearms. This can be a tricky decision, obviously, you want your trusty rifle on your African hunting trip. There are however a few factors to involved.

Use your Own Firearm. You are permitted up to 3 calibres. No automatic or semi-automatic firearms are allowed. Your firearms must be registered before you leave your country.

If you are travelling with your own rifle, you will need a rugged rifle case to protect your firearm. I found this tough double rifle case on Amazon.

Rent a Firearm. Most hunting farms or safari agencies will have hunting rifles that are available to rent.