Skeeterbd, very happy to see that you are heading for Africa. My personal preference was always a low ankle rough out type of light weight leather shoe. Here they are often referred to as chukkas but in southern Africa we just called them vellies. They were my everyday wear in the sandy soils and I wore out about one pair a year. For rocky or mountainous areas I preferred a slightly higher and a bit thicker ankle with a little more tread to the soles. The ankle support and grip were worth the higher cost. I wore the lightweight ones without socks because socks collected every seed and “pokey” (as my grandkids call them.). You get used to the sand, as Stan said.
Shorts were/are always a good choice especially now that they are heading into summer there. If I were to go back I would probably dress the same although that was long ago when I could see and hear. With trifocals and hearing aids I would now definitely add gaiters, preferably ones that could ward off a snake strike. They are hard enough to see (especially the puff adders) without aging eyes.
Most people hunting there walk more miles in a day than they do here in a week. I’d encourage you to mind your feet and stop the moment you recognize a hot spot developing and tend to it (liquid skin, pads, whatever you like). Your trip will be the better for it.
Two other suggestions: carry a prescription of doxycycline or some similar antibiotic for those nasty internal bugs. If you’re hunting in a malarial area, it will also work as a prophylactic.
And I’d take a bottle of Naproxen or your favorite NSAID. You’re going to have a lot of soft tissue aches and pains and one of those each morning and evening will maximize your enjoyment of each day.
Hope it’s a trip of a lifetime for you.
Last edited by FallCreekFan; 10/23/23 09:37 AM.
