So I'm moving to Africa...

T

Tylertron

Joined
Mar 10, 2012
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I'm moving to Namibia from Alaska and was wondering if anybody has any advice for me with respect to gear? I've got my bk-4 & -16, and carry a hest 2.0 lefty; so I think I have blades pretty well covered. Anyone spend time out there and have any tips? :confused:
 
Are you going to be out in the "bush"? If so, I recommend a Searcy double in 470 NE.
 
I'll be working at a lodge near Etosha National Park. Sort of in the bush, I suppose. I'm filling in for a guy who's in the hospital after a rhino attack.
 
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djjonny said:
The BK should serve you well.
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Jip, just get a good multitool like a Swiss Tool. Then a fire starter, a hat, sunscreen and bug repellent. Apply the bug repellent during the day as well after the sunscreen has been absorbed. Keeps the flies and ticks at bay.

Welcome to our continent!
 
one of those cooling towels that go on your neck. you are going from one extreme to another. I feel for ya.
 
Its very hot and dry there. Drink lots of water. And beer. ;)

I'd like to hear more about the rhino attack if you know any more details. Black or white?

Tylertron said:
I'll be working at a lodge near Etosha National Park. Sort of in the bush, I suppose. I'm filling in for a guy who's in the hospital after a rhino attack.
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Thanks for the tips guys! Yeah, it will be interesting to go from winters here (-60F) to the "winter" they are having right now (+70F). Luckily it's summer in AK now, so I've been able to acclimate to sunshine once more (a little bit at least) before I go.

I've been told it was a black rhino bull. He was walking with a client near the lodge and they came around a corner - it was only 3 meters away and he barely had time to shove the client out of the way before it got him. Hip fractured in 4 places, bunch of broken ribs & internal injuries. He's lucky to be alive!

I will admit, I'm somewhat nervous about all the poisonous snakes over there. We don't have ANY snakes here in Alaska, and from what I've read they've got mambas, cobras, boomslangs and puff adders all over the place.

Water filter, bug spray, sun screen and a fire starter. I've got an SOG multi-tool and will make sure it goes into my bag too.
Great tips guys, thanks! And I do look forward to trying the local beer :)
 
Tylertron said:
I'll be working at a lodge near Etosha National Park. Sort of in the bush, I suppose. I'm filling in for a guy who's in the hospital after a rhino attack.
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I don't know the answer to your question, but congratulations on having the most bad-ass sounding job ever!
 
Some informal advise:

Get a bug lotion rather then spray. Locally, Tabart.
Get Zum-Buck at a local shop. Great as a lip balm, minor scratches, scuffs and can be used as a fire starter ointment.
Don't stress about the snakes: be careful of the scorpions, they klimb into your boots at night so make a habbit of shaking them out well before putting your feet in them. However do make sure where the lodge has its first aid and anti venom, know the difference in applying the antivenom with regards to the different snakes! If you do it wrong it can cause death. A mamba and puffadder have different types of venom.
Get some foot powder. Works great to keep ticks out of your privates as well. Johnsons and Johnsons anticeptic powder works well.

Keep the multitool with you at all times, it will be used the most. All game rangers carry a multitool usually as their only tool.

Don't forget a sharpener and personal medication.

If you need any other help send me an email through my control pannel. I can reply faster that way then through the forum.
 
I wouldn't worry too much about it. After travelling most of the continent and living in Tanzania for 2 years, I have observed that most American/European folks are a lot more worried about Africa than it warrants. What Marthinus said is pretty much spot on, but would also be true if you we're moving to West Texas or Western Australia (both of which are worth a visit). Namibia is pretty well developed by sub-Saharan Africa standards, so you should have pretty good access to supplies and places to acquire them. I'm way jealous.
 
Almost forgot.

Take a flashlight!

A good idea is to walk with a stick about shoulder hight. It can be used as a distraction and to poke stuff you don't want to lift with your hands when walking with clients.

A simple tip; don't step over any logs or rocks. Snakes tend to hide in the crevice. Step onto the object and then about a meter from the object if possible.
 
Travis Fry said:
I wouldn't worry too much about it. After travelling most of the continent and living in Tanzania for 2 years, I have observed that most American/European folks are a lot more worried about Africa than it warrants. What Marthinus said is pretty much spot on, but would also be true if you we're moving to West Texas or Western Australia (both of which are worth a visit). Namibia is pretty well developed by sub-Saharan Africa standards, so you should have pretty good access to supplies and places to acquire them. I'm way jealous.
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So much truth in this post!
 
Oh man, I'm glad I decided to ask you guys. There's so much good advice here! The walking stick's a great idea that I hadn't thought of at all. My sharpener is definitely going with.

A flashlight is something I hadn't thought of. Alaska is pretty much always light when it's warm, and always cold when it's dark, so when I think of packing for warm climates a flashlight is never something I think about.

Travis Fry, I kind of see where you're coming from. We have tourists up here who worry about bears a lot more than they really need to. I imagine after I'm over there a while and start to replace some of that fear-of-the-unknown with knowledge, it won't be as big a deal.

And Marthinus, I will be emailing if specific questions come up! Thank you!!
 
You are going to have a great time!
Namibia is wonderful.

If you need any help with anything Firearm related when you are there shoot me a PM. The best Gunshop in Namibia is run by a great friend of mine.

Our annual Knifemakers Guild show is coming up in late August in Johannesburg (just thought I would tell you)
If you make it down to Cape Town be sure and give me a shout. remember you can find a whole bunch of Southern African knife nuts at our local forum (in my sig line.)

Have fun and post pics............:)

Steven
 
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