Travel Tips

Here are some general travel tips for your next adventure.

Ask your doctor for a strong antibiotic (Cephalexin), something strong for intestinal worms (Metronidazol) and the latest ‘stuff’ for Malaria. NEVER GIVE YOUR MALARIA MEDICINE AWAY! TAKE IT ALL. Listen up and heed the water and malaria warnings! Sunday is pill day! Start taking it before you go. If you get home and get ill with flu like symptoms make sure your doctor tests you for malaria.

Take the best ammo (usually the heaviest grain weight in your caliber) and the best optics possible. I think 8 by 30 or 40, full size (not pocket size) binoculars are the best. You will spend long periods looking through these optics. Good optics locate trophy animals and do not cause eyestrain. German / Austrian optics are the best no matter who says what.

Take a zillion photos (of everything) in case your trophies do not make it back. The photos are some of you best memories in later years and may be all you have. I kept a diary, which I wrote up each night. Animals seen and shot, birds, camp life, names and addresses of people met, etc. The diary and photos of my trip are as important years later as the trophies that now hang on my wall.

Some vaccinations take several weeks to complete and are good for only certain periods of time. Do not forget the little yellow immunization record book nor forget to have the Dr. sign off that he gave you the required shots for the country you are going into. I put mine inside my passport. If you show up at the airport and can not show their customs that you had those shots you most likely will be on the next plane out of the country. You will never get out of the airport.

Make photocopies of your passport; shot record book and prescriptions in case you lose them. Keep them separate from the rest of your luggage. Life will be much easier when you show up at our embassy to get new passport etc. Some countries require a visa too. You will need a CITES permit to get your cats and elephant home. Take care of that before you go.

Go to U. S. Customs before leaving. Take your firearms and they will give you a form 4457 to fill out showing serial numbers etc. Your return into the U. S. at Customs will be a breeze because it shows these were the firearms you left the country with. No duty owed. You must take the firearms (not just the serial numbers) when you go to Customs. Do this or you could be charged with "trafficking in implements of war" which is a felony crime.

I suggest you travel in a rolling Tuffpak hard case made by Nalpak. You put your firearms inside soft padded cases and then into this super case. It looks like a hard, black golf case instead of an obvious gun case. You will be amazed at what you can put in this great case besides your firearms. Saves you from carrying allot of other luggage. You can only take 3 long guns, no pistols, no camo anything, no semi auto anything. Ammo limited to 5 kilograms or 11 pounds and must be packed separate from firearms.(see current regulations)

I go to Africa in a Tuffpak, duffel and my day pack. The day pack has my passport, candy, paperback book, tissues and other needed items I might want on the plane or with me at all times.

Keep taking things out condensing and re-packing. Items packed in clear Zip Lock bags are easy to see and they pack flatter as they slide into place. I take my ketchup, hot chocolate mix, candy and plenty of Crown Royal whiskey. One bag, my day pack and my rolling gun case are all I take even for 21 days. I only have two hands! I carry any keys needed on a chain around my neck.

Now, check out the web site: www.equipped.com to learn about other items you may find useful or need.

Leave any items you do not wish to bring home like old clothing, extra medicines etc. What you might think is worn out or no good may be a treasure to camp staff. Less to pack and bring home.

Have a great adventure! I wish I were going with you! Send me a photo so I can share in your adventure.

PS: Try to get in better physical condition before you go. It will make for a much better trip. Now that you are in the habit of doing the exercises or walking, keep it up when you get home.

All information courtesy: