For many American hunters, an African safari is a lifelong dream — and also one of the most confusing hunts to book. With different countries, provinces, hunting styles, pricing structures, and promises, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed before you even ask the right questions.

In this solo episode of PH Journals, professional hunter Anri Steyn breaks down a practical first-time safari checklist specifically for US hunters looking to book Africa. This episode covers what most outfitters don’t explain upfront: how daily rates and trophy fees really work, why choosing the right professional hunter matters more than choosing species, how to spot red flags in marketing, and what questions you should ask before sending a deposit.

This is not a sales pitch — it’s an honest guide to help first-time African safari clients slow down, understand the process, and book a hunt that matches their expectations, ethics, and experience level.

Whether Africa is your first international hunt or the start of many more, this episode will help you book it right the first time.

Booking your first African safari can feel overwhelming — especially for American hunters navigating different countries, pricing structures, and hunting styles. In this solo episode of PH Journals, professional hunter Anri Steyn shares a practical first-timer checklist covering what to ask, what to avoid, and how to book Africa the right way.

Boots episode:

https://youtu.be/bgTqBqyliCg?si=-gIYHMejDoYvC7GV

What should you pack for a South African hunting safari?

In this episode of the PH Journals Podcast, we break down a complete African safari gear bag from the perspective of a professional hunter who spends hundreds of days in the veld.

This is not a catalogue gear list or sponsored episode. It’s a real-world, practical safari packing guide covering everything from binoculars, boots, and optics to the small but critical items most hunters forget — including medical kits, hygiene essentials, and camp-life gear.

Whether you’re planning your first African plains game safari, returning for your second or third hunt, or simply want to refine your kit, this episode will help you avoid common mistakes that cost hunters comfort, confidence, and opportunities in the field.

🎯 In this episode, we cover:

Choosing the right safari gear bag (and why soft bags matter in Africa)

Binoculars, rangefinders, and optics that actually work in African conditions

The ideal safari clothing system for heat, cold mornings, and long walks

Hunting boots and foot care — avoiding blisters on safari

What medical items and personal gear every hunter should bring to Africa

Electronics, batteries, and power solutions for African lodges and camps

Important documents and permits hunters often overlook

What not to pack for a hunting safari in South Africa

Why your gear should disappear while hunting — not distract you

🦌 Who this episode is for:

First-time African safari hunters

Returning plains game and dangerous game hunters

International hunters traveling to South Africa

Bowhunters and rifle hunters alike

Anyone searching for a realistic African safari packing list

🌍 Why African safaris are different:

South African hunting conditions are dusty, dry, unpredictable, and physically demanding. Packing correctly isn’t about bringing more — it’s about bringing the right gear, tested in real hunting scenarios.

This episode is built on experience, not theory, and is designed to help you hunt more comfortably, more confidently, and more effectively in Africa.

🔔 Subscribe & Follow

If you enjoy honest conversations about hunting, conservation, and life in the African bush, make sure to subscribe to the PH Journals Podcast and follow along for more exciting content.

In this episode of the PH Journals Podcast, we break down a complete African safari gear bag from the perspective of a professional hunter who spends hundreds of days in the veld.

This is not a catalogue gear list or sponsored episode. It’s a real-world, practical safari packing guide covering everything from binoculars, boots, and optics to the small but critical items most hunters forget — including medical kits, hygiene essentials, and camp-life gear.

Whether you’re planning your first African plains game safari, returning for your second or third hunt, or simply want to refine your kit, this episode will help you avoid common mistakes that cost hunters comfort, confidence, and opportunities in the field.

Choosing the right safari gear bag (and why soft bags matter in Africa)

Binoculars, rangefinders, and optics that actually work in African conditions

The ideal safari clothing system for heat, cold mornings, and long walks

Hunting boots and foot care — avoiding blisters on safari

What medical items and personal gear every hunter should bring to Africa

Electronics, batteries, and power solutions for African lodges and camps

Important documents and permits hunters often overlook

What not to pack for a hunting safari in South Africa

Why your gear should disappear while hunting — not distract you

First-time African safari hunters

Returning plains game and dangerous game hunters

International hunters traveling to South Africa

Bowhunters and rifle hunters alike

Anyone searching for a realistic African safari packing list

South African hunting conditions are dusty, dry, unpredictable, and physically demanding. Packing correctly isn’t about bringing more — it’s about bringing the right gear, tested in real hunting scenarios.

This episode is built on experience, not theory, and is designed to help you hunt more comfortably, more confidently, and more effectively in Africa.

How do you separate legit African safari outfitters from salesmen at hunting conventions like SCI and Dallas Safari Club?

In this episode, we break down the three most important questions every hunter must ask before booking an African hunting safari:

1️⃣ How big is the property you hunt?

These questions reveal hunting pressure, ethics, experience quality, and honesty — without relying on marketing brochures or trophy photos.

We explain:

Why property size matters more than trophy lists

How hunter-to-PH ratios affect your actual hunting experience

What a good first African safari package really looks like

Common mistakes first-time Africa hunters make

Red flags to watch for when speaking to safari exhibitors

What ethical, sustainable African hunting looks like on the ground

Whether you’re planning your first plains game safari, comparing African outfitters, or attending SCI or DSC to book a hunt, this episode gives you practical, real-world advice from inside the African hunting industry.

How do you separate legit African safari outfitters from salesmen at hunting conventions like SCI and Dallas Safari Club?

In this episode, we break down the three most important questions every hunter must ask before booking an African hunting safari:

1️⃣ How big is the property you hunt?

2️⃣ How many hunters do you take at one time?

3️⃣ What’s a realistic starter package for a first-time Africa hunter?

These questions reveal hunting pressure, ethics, experience quality, and honesty — without relying on marketing brochures or trophy photos.

In last night’s PH Journals podcast, I unpacked one of the biggest recent shifts in African game regulations: the Bontebok has officially been removed from CITES Appendix II.

In this episode, I break down:

This is a crucial moment for landowners, outfitters, PHs, and international hunters — and the implications go far beyond one species. If you want to understand where the industry is heading, this episode is a must-watch.

In last night’s PH Journals podcast, I unpacked one of the biggest recent shifts in African game regulations: the Bontebok has officially been removed from CITES Appendix II.

In this episode, I break down:

• What the CITES delisting actually means

• How this affects the South African hunting industry

• Why export becomes easier — but not completely unrestricted

• Whether Bontebok trophies can now be imported into the United States

• The difference between CITES rules and U.S. ESA regulations

• Why hunters should still be cautious about assuming “permit-free” imports

• What this could mean for conservation, game farms, and future management

This is a crucial moment for landowners, outfitters, PHs, and international hunters — and the implications go far beyond one species. If you want to understand where the industry is heading, this episode is a must-watch.

🎧 Tune in and stay informed.

💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments — do you think the delisting helps or harms long-term conservation?

In this first episode of Beyond the Camo, I open up about why I created this new branch of PH Journals — a space to explore the connection between mental health, nature, and the healing power of the bush.

For years, the African wilderness has been my place of peace — a place that reminds me to slow down, breathe, and find clarity in the stillness. This episode dives into how time in the wild can help us reset, reflect, and rebuild both mentally and emotionally.

Take 30 minutes this week to step outside — no phone, no distractions — and just be still. You might be surprised by what you find waiting in the silence.

🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts: PH Journals

#BeyondTheCamo #PHJournals #MentalHealth #AfricanBush #MindsetMatters #OutdoorHealing #HuntingPodcast #NatureTherapy #MensMentalHealth

n this episode of PH Journals, we dive into one of the biggest conservation headlines of the year — the High Court ruling in Kimberley that could change the future of rhino conservation in South Africa.

The court has opened the door for the legal and regulated export of rhino horn from conservation-bred animals — a potential game changer for funding wildlife protection, supporting rural communities, and taking the fight to poaching.

But beyond the headlines, I also explore a deeper question in the hunting world…

Why do we as hunters feel the need to constantly justify ourselves with phrases like “public land”, “free range”, or “ethical shot”?

When did storytelling turn into defence?

Join me as I unpack both topics — the new era of rhino conservation, and the way we as hunters can reclaim our narrative with pride, honesty, and respect.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or right here on YouTube.

#PHJournals #RhinoConservation #EthicalHunting #FairChase #AfricanSafari #HuntingPodcast #WildlifeConservation #ConservationThroughHunting