A couple of things I didn't notice in your first post that I should have addressed. I am no expert but I can help out a little.
First, get your passport application in as soon as possible, in case something comes up and you have to reapply or take care of some glitch in paperwork.
Second, before you go take everything that has a serial number- guns, video cameras, other things of value and go to the Customs office near you and get the proper form filled out and stamped to bring these things BACK into the country without having to pay an import tax or get it confiscated. You have to take the ACTUAL items to the Customs office, not just the serial numbers, and they have to check each one of them out in person. It will be well worth the time once you have that little form in hand when you go through customs, trust me. I just flew through customs in Africa and on the way back and the guys who didn't have it might still be dealing with them for all I know. I know they weren't happy campers!
Don't overpack for clothing. Every safari outfit I have heard of has laundry service available every day, so you won't have to have 10 of everything. A couple good shirts and pants of the right type and 2 pairs of boots are sufficient, plus good socks and a good hat to keep the sun off your face and neck.
Take good bug repellent with plenty of deet in it (at least 33%). I took Cutters' last year and sprayed every morning before getting dressed and didn't have a single problem. (I still get razzed about the bug repellant baths I "shared" with my roommates)Ticks are the biggest problem and you want to keep them from crawling all over you and infecting you with "tick disease" if possible. Nobody in our group had any real problem, mostly because JJ had prewarned all of us and we came prepared. Some of the PH's had a problem, but then those crazy guys run around in sandals and shorts all the time.
When making flight arrangements, try to fly Delta through Atlanta, they have a connection with South African Airways and make this flight regularly. They also cater to hunters regularly on this run, so they are great about taking care of your guns and equipment. This will help you avoid the areas where anti-gun and anti-hunting is rampant- Heathrow airport in England and any of the New York airports. I have heard stories about problems with luggage, rifle cases, and other hunting supplies damaged or missing when going through these airports.
Also, get a good locking guncase. Not the kind with the cheesy little keylocks, but the type with the rod that goes through the latches and locks on both ends. This will cost a bit, probably in the $150-200 range, but is well worth it. You don't want to have to worry about damage or theft of your rifles or scopes during the trip.
Also, get yourself a set of QR bases and rings for your rifle/scope and set up 2 scopes for each rifle you bring. Last year, while bouncing around in the back of the bakkie, I damaged one of my scopes. I shot 2 animals too far back (gutshot) before I realized what had happened. Made for a couple of interesting tracking jobs on a blesbok and wildebeest, but we finally got both animals. Went back to camp, changed scopes, and I was back in business. Don't know what I would have done if I didn't have another scope along, sighted in and ready to go. Along these lines, a couple of guys brought 2 rifles along, but I found that it was unnecessary. If you have one reliable rifle appropriate for the game you are hunting, you will be fine. Keeping track of 2 rifles the whole time you are there can be a pain. I used my .338 WM for everything from tiny Steenbok to Kudu and Wildebeest and it worked fine- though I wondered there a couple of times if it was enough gun for those darned African Porcupines, man those things are big and tough!
If you have any more questions, let me know. I'll be glad to help you out just like everybody helped me when my first trip was coming up. Are you guys going this year (2001) or next year? -Sheister
