Here is the definitive packing list for an African hunt - all the clothing, toiletries, hunting gear, medical items, documentation and the actual luggage itself, that you will need. Please let us know if we've forgotten anything.
Another set of clothes, if you prefer to travel in non-hunting clothes:
Travelling Shirt x 1
Travelling Trousers x 1
Travelling Jacket x 1
There are a few hunting companies that have a dress code for dinner – so you may need a dinner jacket and tie.
Toiletry Packing List
Insect Repellent cream - Avon Skin-So-Soft cream is recommended by some hunters for repelling tsetse flies
Travel Towel - useful for drying hands in hunting truck
Wet Wipes/Hand sanitizer - useful in hunting truck
Toothbrush x 1
Tooth paste x 1
Dental Floss/Tape x 1 - good to remove buffalo meat from teeth!
Soap x 1 - (provided usually) but if you want to use special citronella types
Shower Gel x 1
Moisturizing Skin Cream - good for dry skin & sunburn
Sun Block x 1 tube - Very important if you burn easily
Sun cream x 1 bottle/tube - lower sun protection factor once your skin is used to the sun
Shampoo/Conditioner x 1 bottle each or x1 if using 2-in-1 type
Lip Balm 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 - beauty applications for ladies & medical swabbing of small wounds
Razor x 1 - Wet razor easier if you opt to shave face or legs (ladies) during or after hunt. If use an electric razor, don't forget spare batteries or charger.
Shaving cream/gel x 1
Talcum Powder x 1 small container - good for preventing skin chafing
Athletic skin lubricant or diaper rash cream - to apply to chafed areas in order to keep going
Sanitary equipment (ladies)
Other beauty products (ladies)
Hunting Equipment (plus other odds & ends) Packing List
Scissors x 1 pair - (if not using Swiss Army knife type)
Nail file x 1
Ear plugs x 1 pair - airline sponge type are useful. Specialised shooting ear-defenders are good if their application is not going to affect the speed of getting a shot off.
Writing equipment – pens, notebook etc.
Mosquito netting – check if this is provided or tent is insect proof. Also check which hanging method will be usable in your accommodation.
Tweezers x 1 pair - tick & thorn removal tool, as well as eyebrow plucking (ladies)
Small hand mirror x 1 - always useful if the light is not right for you in tent/accommodation
Plastic bin bags – useful for many things like dirty laundry, muddy boots etc
Compass/GPS x 1 – optional, your PH will have one
Books – for pleasure and/or wildlife reference
Binoculars x 1 pair
Camera x 1 – spare batteries, data card, lens cleaner, charger etc
Torch x 1 - reading and moving around tent at night. Don't forget spare batteries.
Headlight x 1 - reading and moving around tent at night. Don't forget spare batteries.
Travel Pillow x 1 - inflatable
Calculator x 1 - currency conversion, adding trophy bill etc
Money belt x 1 - safe option for carrying money & passport etc
Plug adaptor x 1 - check the plug type for the country to which you are going.
Travel laundry soap x 1 - if you want to wash the odd item
Lighter/matches - always useful, for smokers and non-smokers
Alarm clock x 1 - for getting up early
Sewing Kit x 1 - emergency repairs and blister treatment (needles)
Spare Padlocks/keys - if you lose some, for instance on your gun case etc
Insurance card - with contact details & membership numbers etc. Ensure other members of group or PH know where to find it in case you are incapacitated
Medevac Insurance - with contact details & membership numbers etc. Ensure other members of group or PH know where to find it in case you are incapacitated
Vaccination certificates - especially yellow fever certificate which may needed at airport
Phone card & international phone codes - useful for phoning home
Extra passport photographs - just in case
Firearm Permit from home country - just in case this needs to be checked by anyone as proof of your ownership
US Customs Form 4457 (if applicable) - just in case this needs to be checked by anyone as proof of your ownership
Copies of passport & other documents - in case they are lost
Copies of medical prescriptions - as proof of your ownership of prescription drugs often demanded as an airline security measure. Also useful if you lose some pills and need some more.
CITES import permits & copies (if applicable) - if you are aiming to collect a CITES Appendix A trophy, like leopard
Cash and/or Travellers Cheques - most transactions and settlement of trophy bill will be done in US$ cash or travellers cheques
