Mistakes to avoid on your 1st African Plains Game Safari!

Posted March 2, 2026

Congratulations on booking your 1st African Plains Game Safari! I’m envious, not because you are going but because you are going for the 1st time. There is only one 1st time and it will change your life.

I’m by no means an expert but offer the following information from my personal experiences and others I’ve witnessed.

#1. Unrealistic or Wrong Expectations

Do your research and determine what your #1 priority animal then pick an area that is known for that species and an outfitter that has a successful track record for putting hunters on quality animals. For example, if you want a good gemsbuck the Northern Cape has some dandies in addition to other desert dwelling plains game. A big waterbuck? Limpopo has them. Do not approach the hunt with a long “shopping list.” After you have determined #1 pick out a couple more choices that are native to the area you will be hunting and communicate your desires when booking your hunt and also with the PH upon arrival. A seven day hunt is minimal and a ten day hunt is better. Enjoy the experience, get to know the people, and don’t be a pain in the neck.

#2. Not Bringing Your Own Rifle

It is not that difficult to do. Your outfitter will walk you through the paperwork. You are going to shoot better and be more comfortable and confident using a familiar rifle / scope combination.

#3. Not Bringing the Right Rifle

South African plains game can range from members of the tiny ten that might weight 20# or less up to bull elk sized animals with eland being larger yet. If you have a .270 Winchester, .308 Winchester, 30-06 Springfield, 7 MM Remington magnum, .300 Winchester or Weatherby magnum you are adequately armed and can source ammo nearly anywhere if necessary. If you have a .338 Winchester or .340 Weatherby you like and don’t mind the extra weight and recoil take it. Just remember you will shoot it much more often than on a bear, moose or elk hunt.

#4. Not Bringing the Right Ammo

Please do your PH and tracker a big favor and do not bring ammo with cup and core soft point bullets. Placed through the ribs these are deadly BUT if the bullet hits the shoulder bone or a follow up “Texas heart shot” is required you may be in for some stressful tracking or worse case a lost animal. John Nosler was a genius and changed rifle hunting forever with his partition bullet design. In addition to the partition other choices include designs that chemical bond the lead core to copper shank, and all copper bullets. All three of these designs provide good expansion and deep penetration even if dense bones are encountered. Any of these are the way to go and are available from the major ammo manufactures.

Federal had just started offering Nosler Partitions in their Premium line when I started hunting in Africa in 1982. My .270 Winchester liked the 150 grain offering and on my first African hunt resulted in five one shot drop dead in their tracks on a wide variety of game sizes; duiker, steenbok, zebra and a couple of impalas. A big kudu needed a finisher due to less than perfect shot placement. Nosler Partitions continued as my go to for many years until my rifle got a major rebuild and accuracy with the new barrel was not good enough with that load and I changed to and used Trophy Bonded Bear Claws until the load was discontinued. Now-a-days Federal Terminal Ascent is my ammo of choice.

I had a bad experience with a cup and core soft point many years ago by not following this advice in the beautiful Northern Cape. Accompanying another hunter, I would only be shooting if we spotted a jackal or baboon. The .270 was loaded up with 130 grain soft points which would be more than enough for such light boned animals. A herd of hartebeest were spotted and my partner shot a nice bull just as it was taking a step and the shot placement was way behind the vitals. The herd scattered and the direction the bull ran was in question. It was decided we would spread out and look for sign, at that time I should have changed out my ammo while I was close to the truck but I didn’t think to do so. After about a quarter of a mile I came across the bull bedded in thick brush with only its horns visible. As I approached it flushed from cover and ran straight away and I attempted a Texas heart shot. Dust flew off his rump from the bullet impact and its only immediate effect was to increase its gallop. It had rained earlier and the fresh tracks were easy to follow. I was able to follow at a slow jog and after at least a mile the bull was spotted and I finished him off. Had the going away shot been made with a better bullet I’m confident it would have broken the hip bone and penetrated to the vitals eliminating or at least shorting the tracking job. The cup and core made a mess of the ham and broke up against the hip bone. Lesson learned, always be prepared with ammo that will be effective on the largest game in the area!

#5. Using the Wrong Scope and Sight-in Method

Unless you are very familiar and experienced with the concept ditch the dials. Sight in using the MPBR (maximum point- blank range). My .270 is sighted in for 3” high at 100 yards and about 3” low at 300 yards. With this setup I just aim for the middle of the body, tight behind the shoulder for any shots 300 yards or less and shoot it. Opportunities can happen fast in Africa and seconds lost in making a range reading and dialing could result in not getting a shot. Also forgetting to dial or resetting the dial in the excitement could result in a miss or poor shot placement.

#6. Not Being Used to Shooting Off Sticks

In most areas you will hunt do not have big rocks, trees, fence posts, and other handy places to rest against. Most likely you will be shooting off sticks/tripods. Get used to them.

#7. Taking Frontal (facing) Shots at Non-wounded Game

I have had the displeasure of assisting in the search for three different gemsbok that were crippled and never found. Two were shot with .300 Winchester magnums, and one with a 7 MM Remington magnum. All three were frontal facing shots. In addition, a waterbuck with a 7 MM Remington magnum with the same outcome, an unrecovered and expensive animal. Wait for a broadside or quartering shot. If you don’t have a good shot don’t shoot!

#8. Over packing

Safari operators provide daily laundry. Three changes of hunting clothes will be all you will need.

#9. Ammo in Luggage

TSA requires ammo be in its original package or an after- market container that holds the rounds separate. TSA requires ammo be in checked luggage either suitcase or the hard case with the firearm. Most if not all domestic airlines go one step further beyond the TSA rules and do not allow the ammo in the firearms case. Many International airlines go yet another step further and require the ammo be packed in a metal or hard plastic box that is then placed in your suitcase or in some instances they want the ammo box checked separately. My solution to keeping everyone happy is a small metal tool box , it can hold up to four boxes of rifle ammo and a couple pairs of socks for packing material. It is secured with a TSA lock. Sometimes the airline agent will want to take a look-see and or weight the ammo. (universal limit is 5kg / 11 lbs.). Pack your ammo for easy access during the check in.

If your travel involves “code share” flights check the firearms and ammo regulations for both airlines. You must meet both airlines baggage rules. An example I purchased a ticket from Delta and three of the four flights were on Air France aircraft. Delta requires original packaging. Air France required a locked box. Carefully read the rules before you go and print out a copy. The copy is handy to have in the event the agent checking you in thinks he/she knows what they are doing but do not.

Very important. If you used your carry- on bag during the hunt make absolutely sure all ammo has been removed including any spent brass or recovered bullets.

#9. Not Bringing Sun Protection

The African sun is brutal during most of the dry season when hunts are conducted. Skin cancer is serious and stitches hurt. Pack SPF rated hats/caps, a face buff, light pair of gloves, and long sleeve SPF rated T-shirts for your base layer. All of these items are available in camo or neutral colors and the fabric is light and comfortable. Last but not least pack a tube of SPF 50 or higher sun block. You can thank me latter.

In Closing

I would like to close with the elegant words of Kermit Roosevelt who accompanied his father Theodore our 26th President on his famous 1909 Safari.

“We get three sorts and periods of enjoyment out of a hunting trip The first is when the plans are being discussed and the outfit assembled; this is the pleasure of anticipation. The second is the enjoyment of the actual trip itself; and the third is the pleasure of retrospection when we sit around a blazing wood fire and talk over the incidents and pleasures of the trip. There is no general rule to know what of the three gives us the keenest joy.”

Ed Edwards