What to Bring when wing shooting in South Africa?
When considering what to bring on a Wing Shooting Safari is South Africa, it is important that you consider the type of bird you want to hunt and in which province in South Africa you will be enjoying your wing shooting safari in. The below "What to Bring" recommendations are therefore based on the type of wing shooting safari and the South Afican province that you will be bird hunting in.
Upland Hunting:
The season is from the 1st May until the 31st August. This is our winter time! Good, sturdy, well worn, waterproof ankle boots are essential. The mornings and late afternoons will be cold; therefore dress in layers. A beanie, scarf and gloves and wool or mohair hiking socks are recommended. Sunscreen, sun/shooting glasses is advisable. Neither camouflage nor blaze orange is a requirement. Light coloured clothing should be avoided.
Waterfowl Hunting:
The season is from the 1st February until the 30th September. This ranges from our mid-summer through mid-winter to spring, so please inquire about recommended clothing for your shoot when booking! RealTree, Sitka and Sniper camo is highly recommended. Light coloured clothing is to be avoided at all costs. Waders are not necessary
Pigeon & Dove Hunting:
Pigeons may be shot throughout the year, but the best time is from Mid-March to August. This range from our mid-summer through mid-winter to spring, so please inquire about recommended clothing for your shoot when booking! RealTree, Sitka and Sniper camo is highly recommended. Light coloured clothing is to be avoided at all cost.
Sandgrouse Shooting:
The season is from the 1st April until the 15th July. This range from our Autumn (Fall) through to mid-winter. The mornings and late afternoons can be cold; therefore dress in layers. A beanie, scarf and gloves and merino wool or mohair hiking socks are recommended. Sunscreen, sun/shooting glasses is advisable. Neither camouflage nor blaze orange is a requirement. Light coloured clothing should be avoided.
General Travel list:
Passport - your passport needs two clean pages
Airline ticket/reservations, travel & trip insurance
Cash/credit card to use in stores when buying curious – notify your credit card company that you are coming to Africa!
Clothing:
Mornings and late evenings can be cool 20-40 ˚F. It warms up fast to 60-70 ˚F and in even 80-90 ˚F in summer months, you have to dress in layers. A laundry service is available on all non-travelling days. 3 to 4 sets of clothing will be ample.
- Hunting shirts – long/short sleeves depending on the season.
- Dark khaki, olive, camouflage
- Loose fitting pants or jeans
- Shorts – zip off pants work very good
- Underwear
- 4 pairs of socks
- T-shirts
- Sweater
- 1 warm jacket or fleece
- Lightweight shooting vest that can hold ample shells.
- Waterproof windbreaker with hood
- Ball cap / hunting hat
- Gloves
- Shoes- lightweight comfortable shoes to hunt in – non-insulated hunting boots are recommended.
- Comfortable shoes or sandals to wear around camp
Gear:
Shotgun (and ammunition if we cannot supply the shells you want to use.) Please check the section on rifle importation!
Airline approved rifle case to transport gun in.
Soft gun case and gun cleaning kit
Binoculars is optional
Knife is optional
Camera with extra batteries or chargers and extra memory cards
Electric travel adapter – South Africa uses 220volt electricity
Small flashlight
Personal Gear:
Small medical kit containing: prescription medication, headache medication, band aids, allergy medication, diarrhoea medication, anti-itch cream, lip balm, Insect repellent, Sunblock, Shampoo, toothpaste and brush, soap, shaving kit, etc. Washcloth, Kleenex/tissue
Other suggested items:
A journal to jot down your experiences
Address book with phone numbers and e-mail addresses of people at home that you might want to call or send pictures of what you have shot while you are wing shooting in South Africa.
