AFRICAN SAFARI
I have a question about what you would pick for two rifles to take on an African safari. The hunts will be of the more traditional style, and may involve a lot of miles on foot. There will be Cape buffalo as the main goal, and several types of plains game including kudu and zebra. Eland may or may not be in the area.
From my own rifles, I'd quickly grab the Remington 700 Safari KS in 458 Win Mag. It has a 22-inch barrel, is light in the hand or over the shoulder, well balanced, and shoots very well. Plenty of recoil, but that's not an issue for the relatively few shots required on the entire safari. A little extra protection from the bench makes sense. I generally load with 450-grain Swift A-Frames at 2250 with IMR-4895, but there are other good powder choices. For followup shots, 450-grain Barnes Banded Solids. Carefully consult the Reloading Manuals offered by each company! Rifle is scoped with a Leupold VX-III in 1.5-5x20mm with German No. 4 reticle.
For plains game, I'd take my Weatherby Mark V in 338 Win Mag. With its synthetic stock and 24-inch barrel, it weighs noticeably less than a typical 26-inch Mark V with a wood stock. Having the rifle not weigh you down will be a significant factor on a traditional fair-chase hunt. This rifle delivers three-quarter-inch groups with several proven loads. It's a dandy. Scope ia a Leupold VX-III in 2.5-8x36mm.
If I was involved in suggesting rifles and cartridges for someone else, I would be asking plenty of questions first. You need to be able to carry the rifles, loaded, for many miles. The Cape buffalo rifle must be of at least 375 caliber in almost every region of Africa. Another lightweight choice could be either the 375 or 416 Ruger in their Hawkeye African. I simply prefer a bigger bullet for buffalo. There are many good choices for plains game, including 300 magnums of different designs. Here again, a 338 magnum hits with more authority. Just before the taking the shot, you don't want to be thinking, "I hope this is enough gun." If eland becomes a reality, a 300 magnum is not enough.
JDC