Hunting may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but those that do enjoy this thrilling sport understand that there is more to it than just shooting an animal. There is a bond between hunter and prey, and a certain primal feeling, where the desire to prevail against nature overcomes our inborn fearfulness. However, although it is essentially a way for us to get closer to nature, it doesn’t mean that we can’t hunt in style. Africa has a lot to offer – diverse flora and fauna, beautiful scenery and a long history of catering to hunters from around the world. If a luxury safari hunt sounds like something that you’d enjoy, then you definitely want to invest in these five things to make your experience an unforgettable one.
Book a luxury game lodge
In the old days you might have needed to sleep in a hut or pitch a tent out in the wild savannah, and spend the night under the stars, but today things are much different. As romantic as this sounds, it is highly inconvenient. Modern game lodges offer great deal of comfort. You can choose between lots of different places, from the more relaxed atmosphere in classical colonial buildings, great for families, up to very luxurious settings benefiting royalty. It’s best to reserve a lodge well in advance, as these places tend to be very popular.
A premium rifle with all the bells and whistles
There are two basic types of rifle you can use: bolt action and double rifle. The rifles can get quite ornate, particularly the double rifles, with beautiful engraving and plating. Your choice of rifle and caliber will depend on what you intend to hunt. Once you get into details like rifle scopes, you can easily spend thousands of dollars getting your rifle set up just the way you want it. It’s a great combination of luxury and utility that you’ll come to appreciate while stalking your prey.
Several pairs of comfortable, yet fashionable safari clothes
It can get incredibly hot in Africa, as you might imagine, but the temperatures drop at night quite rapidly, which means that you’ll have to think about layering your clothes. You’ll also need several pairs of extra clothing as they will get completely soaked as you sweat in the immense heat, and will need to be washed on a daily basis. That being said there are tons of excellent shoes and some lovely safari-style garments made for the discerning hunter.
Invest in a top quality hat, it’s more than just a fashion statement
You don’t want to spend any amount of time out under the hot African sun without a good hat. It’s not just about looking good on those Instagram photos – the difference between a quality hat and a cheap one can be the difference between having a fun time and spending a couple of days laying on your bed at the lodge with a bad case of sunstroke. You have the old timey English colonial hat, the kind you usually see in cartoon depictions, but there are plenty of nice wide brim options. Somewhat reminiscent of a classic cowboy hat or something that you might find in the Australian Outback.
A high end camera is must
You’ll want to film your little adventure, so that you can brag to friends and family back home, so a good camera is an essential item on any safari. However, the camera needs to be tough, resilient and waterproof, as it will be exposed to the elements and will probably get roughed up a little during transport and the hunt itself – it’s not unusual for hunters to jettison their gear and run like hell if they find an angry wildebeest staring them down. With a good camera, you won’t have to worry too much about it falling apart as soon as you go off road.
Hunting is a controversial topic still, so don’t expect to get many sympathetic comments when you talk about your trip, but it can be a very luxurious and fulfilling experience nonetheless. With the right equipment and the right accommodations you can have the time of your life and bring a little adventure into your life.
