Everyone sees the hero shots.

The handshakes.

The trophy photos.

Very few see the quiet mornings, the pressure, the responsibility, and the loneliness that can come with being a Professional Hunter.

In this solo episode, I share personal reflections from my years in the industry — from managing expectations and carrying responsibility, to balancing family life and identity beyond hunting.

Being a PH is an honour. But it’s also a weight.

Everyone sees the hero shots. The handshakes. The trophy photos.

Very few see the quiet mornings, the pressure, the responsibility, and the loneliness that can come with being a Professional Hunter.

In this solo episode, I share personal reflections from my years in the industry — from managing expectations and carrying responsibility, to balancing family life and identity beyond hunting.

Being a PH is an honour. But it’s also a weight.

Tipping after a hunting safari in Africa is one of the most misunderstood parts of the experience — especially for international hunters visiting South Africa for the first time.

In this solo episode, I break down safari tipping and gratuities in a clear, practical way. We cover who should be tipped, how much is considered fair, when tips are usually given, and why tipping plays such an important role in the African hunting and game industry.

This episode includes real-world guidance on:

• Tipping a Professional Hunter (PH)

• Gratuities for trackers, skinners, and camp staff

• Common tipping mistakes hunters make

• Why gratuities directly impact conservation, livelihoods, and service quality

• How to plan and budget for tips before your safari

Whether you’re planning your first African hunt or returning for another safari, this episode will help you feel confident, prepared, and respectful when it comes to tipping in South Africa and across Africa.

This is an honest, experience-based conversation aimed at improving understanding within the hunting industry and helping hunters navigate safari culture with clarity.

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. If you’re planning your first safari, listen in — and share this episode with someone dreaming of Africa.

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? 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.

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.