Knife for a safari in Africa?

gamma_nyc

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I'm considering a safari with the family in Africa. It would be a higher end setup with guides, etc.

What knife is practical/useful for a safari? I was thinking to take my bark river gunny elmax and a victorinox spirt multi-tool.
 
Assuming you mean photo-safari a 91 mm Victorinox, with blades, scissors, saw or a medium multitool should be enough. You could also add a locking folder or fixed blade, in case you need to cut anything large/tough. Camera equipment and backup is vital :)

For hunting safari, as mentioned earlier, it depends on what you will be expected to do.
 
If you're going high end I doubt you'll need anything, the skinners will do it all for you.
Yup. I carried a GEC #73 and an ESEE 4, but the trackers/skinners do it all with cheap boning and/or filet knives. I got to partially skin my zebra, but the skinners usually dont want you to pitch in too much: it's their job to fetch a clean hide and they don't want you to screw it up. Carry whatever makes you feel happy while you're out there (ie, whatever cuts biltong and tobacco the best).

I'd definitely recommend bringing some extra knives to give as gifts to the trackers, although I think they view cash as the best gift of all.
 
Yup. I carried a GEC #73 and an ESEE 4, but the trackers/skinners do it all with cheap boning and/or filet knives. I got to partially skin my zebra, but the skinners usually dont want you to pitch in too much: it's their job to fetch a clean hide and they don't want you to screw it up. Carry whatever makes you feel happy while you're out there (ie, whatever cuts biltong and tobacco the best).

I'd definitely recommend bringing some extra knives to give as gifts to the trackers, although I think they view cash as the best gift of all.

I’d love to see some of your photos from the trip, maybe in another thread.
 
Having been on one safari I’ll say you won’t do any skinning unless you really want to. The skinners will do everything. I was content to let them do everything. They’re paid for it by the operator (that amount varies I’m sure and they may REALLY be looking for tips) and they are looking for tips from you for their (excellent) work. There may be as many as 4-5 guys working in the skinning shed counting trackers that are helping/hanging out. They’re pros and will do an amazing job. Helping the skinners on a safari is probably similar to going to a restaurant and helping the chef. That said, they would let you get involved if you wanted to. Like Willy said, it’s their job and the hide is headed for taxidermy. I figured I’d just be in the way and didn’t want want mess up their process or the hide.

I’d still bring a knife though. Just don’t expect to be required to use it. Same advice for a photographic safari. I’d carry one or two for the sake of carrying a knife but I doubt you’d ever “need” to use it.
 
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Yup. I carried a GEC #73 and an ESEE 4, but the trackers/skinners do it all with cheap boning and/or filet knives. I got to partially skin my zebra, but the skinners usually dont want you to pitch in too much: it's their job to fetch a clean hide and they don't want you to screw it up. Carry whatever makes you feel happy while you're out there (ie, whatever cuts biltong and tobacco the best).

I'd definitely recommend bringing some extra knives to give as gifts to the trackers, although I think they view cash as the best gift of all.

"although I think they view cash as the best gift of all."

Actually, it's blondes.....They want Blondes.


*I wouldn't bring any knives you value.
 
thanks all!

This would just be a photo safari. i would not be skinning. Just carrying a knife for fun.

Been 4 times on photo safari in Tanzania. Beautiful place, nice people, great food.

Leave everything but your SAK or slip joint at home - due to the flights that you’ll have to take. Both going there (via Amsterdam?) and for regional small flights. Very easy to “loose” a knife. And there will always be a guide with a gun.

Plus, you’ll have enough camera equipment to schlepp around.

Take your meds. Malaria, Tse-Tse, Hepatitis, etc., are real.
 
Having been to a photo-safari, the only thing I used was the bottle opener on a Victorionx, as the tour guides did not have any, preferring to open bottles on edges of tables.

I also used the blade and scissors for general cutting tasks.

There is no reason not to carry a knife with you :)
 
Dug out some (film) photos from 2013 when we went last, also to show what equipment you need :) BTW, my longest lens was 180mm, for birds it’s better to have something longer. And the dogs (my favorites) we could only see on a Walking Safari, no car.

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no specific plans bud. Just starting to look into it.

Do you have suggestions?
What is it you want to see? The big 5?

If so you could do Kenya, Tanzania, or South Africa/Botswana. It's a good time now because we are going into winter. The grass is less so you see more and the mosquitos are less.

I can only speak about South Africa, you could probably find a really good deal to visit during winter. Either in the Lowveldt near the Kruger or the Okavango delta in Botswana.

As far as knives are concerned I would be happy in SA just carrying a 4" fixed blade like an ESEE or something similar (preferably concealed) or something like a Buck 110, a good SAK or Leatherman. I suggest orange lanyards so if you drop them in the bush they are easier to find.

In SA your CC will work everywhere including ATM's for cash. Avoid carrying too much US currency.
 
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