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FAQ's
What
type of clothing must I bring?
What
is Cites?
What
about insurance?
Medical
needs?
Rifle
imports?
What
rifles must I hunt with?
What type of clothing
must I bring?
Make sure that you bring something warm. It becomes cool at
night and the early morning drives on the vehicle can also be cool.
Enough clothes for two to three days are enough as we do have
laundry services.
You may wear your camouflage clothing in South Africa
What is Cites ?
Cites is the world organization ruling the import and export
of animal products.
Cites 1
If an animal is listed under Cites 1, you need to apply for
an import permit into your country, and an export permit from the country
where the animal is hunted. Your hunting outfitter will arrange the export
permit.
Cites 2
If the animal is listed under cites 2, you only need an
export permit in the country where the animal is hunted.
Your hunting outfitter will arrange it for you.
What
about insurance
We do not provide for insurance in our rates. You are
responsible for all your insurance needs
Travel insurance
Medical insurance
Please check if you are covered in South Africa and what the
procedures to request medical assistance and emergency evacuations are.
You will not receive any treatment unless you can guarantee payment or
proof of benefits (it will be checked by private hospitals end emergency
evacuation operators.)
Life and accident insurance
Insurance, covering your personal effects.
Trip cancellation insurance
Any other insurance you may need.
Medical
needs
South Africa has got a well-established hospital network and
private doctors in all the towns. You will seldom be more than an hour
away from medical care. Helicopter paramedics are also available if your
medical insurance provides for it.
Malaria is a threat in South Africa; the western part of the
country bordering Botswana is malaria free while the eastern side
bordering Zimbabwe and Mozambique is not malaria free. We suggest that you
start taking malaria prophylactic medicine before you come to South Africa
and for a period after you returned home. More information can be obtained
from the tropical disease institutes. You can also consult with your own
medical practitioner.
No specific inoculations are required when you visit South
Africa, although we do recommend a tetanus shot before you leave your home
country.
If you take any chronic medication or you use prescribed
medicine at the time of you visit, please make sure that you bring the
prescription along, an adequate supply as well as a list of possible
replacement medicine if you lose your medication and we cannot get the
same brand in South Africa.
Rifle
imports
The South African Police Service (SAPS) took over the
processing of temporary gun import permits for visiting hunters from
Customs. We would like to provide the following information and make the
following suggestions:
For the Johannesburg International Airport, we would
recommend the following in order to assist you to streamline the
procedure:
Fill in the temporary firearm import permit application
(SAP520) in advance if possible and bring it with you. The SAP520 can be
filled out on arrival at the SAPS Firearm Office. We do supply our clients
with a copy of the form when booking with us.
Important points when you fill out the form:
The form must be completed in black ink.
Please only print.
Please do not sign the form; it must be signed in front of the police
officer that will assist you.
Only the following sections must be completed:
·
Section D.
·
Section E. From 1 to 25.4
·
Section E.
·
Section G.
·
Section I.
All details must be supplied. Do not complete no. 4 until you are with the
police official assisting you.
·
Section J. Only sign this section in front of the
police official assisting you.
Documents
to have with you:
·
Your passport
·
Your return airline ticket.
·
Firearms license and/or export permit from your country of
origin. The officially stamped Customs form 4457 is acceptable for USA
citizens.
·
Letter of invitation.
·
Proof of export
·
A letter by yourself explaining that you will be hunting with
the rifle (refer to all the rifles you are importing) including a list of
the animals you will be hunting with the specific rifle. I will give you
assistance on the animals once I know what calibres you will be using.
·
Other supporting documentation that you can provide. The
better your motivation the quicker it goes.
Firearm
regulations.
·
You may only import one rifle per calibre.
·
You may only import 200 rounds per calibre.
·
You may not import ammo for a calibre you do not import.
·
Handguns will only be allowed in the country for hunting
purposes. You will need a letter from an association in your country that
confirms that the handgun will be used for hunting.
·
All firearms must have the manufacturers serial number or any
mark with which the firearm can be identified stamped, in the prescribed
manner, on the barrel or the frame or on the action. Please make sure that
the number corresponds with the number on your license and the export
permit issued to you. The number must be visible to the police inspector,
or you will have to strip your rifle for them to check the number or mark.
Prohibited
firearms.
The
following firearms may not be imported into South Africa.
·
Fully automatic rifles.
·
Semi automatic rifles
·
Handguns for self defence
·
Weapons that falls under military categories.
·
Not prohibited, but you may not hunt with a .22lr. (Nature
Conservation bylaw.)
Please note
The
SAPS do not provide safekeeping for rifles. If you bring in prohibited
firearms, bring in more than what is allowed or are not in possession of
the correct paperwork and the temporary import permit is not issued you
must immediately export the firearm or voluntary surrender the firearm to
the state, no compensation will be paid and the firearm will be destroyed.
General
conditions with regard to temporary import permits
·
Although I will provide a safe for keeping the rifles in, you
will be by law responsible for the safe carrying, storage, custody and
transport of firearms and ammunition.
·
You may only use the firearm for the purpose as set out in
the permit.
·
You may not transfer the firearm to anybody in RSA without
the first obtaining the written consent from the Firearm Central Registry.
·
When you leave RSA the rifle for which you have the permit
must accompany you.
·
The maximum period for which the permit will be issued is six
months.
·
You must be over 21 to qualify for a permit.
·
You may not be in possession of more cartridges than
determined by the Registrar or the amount that is on the permit.
·
If you did not get a permit to import your rifle upon
entering RSA you will face serious consequences upon leaving RSA,
including being arrested.
Exceptions
·
You may be
granted a permit for more than one shotgun of the same calibre, subject to
a written motivation by yourself on why you need more than one shotgun for
bird hunting.
·
A
semi automatic shotgun may be allowed for hunting purposes if you apply at
least 21 days before arrival to the Central Firearms Registry with a
motivation letter on why this type of weapon is required for hunting
purposes.
General
·
The temporary import permit is issued free of charge. Do not
pay any official for the issuing of the permit or the handling of your
firearm. Check with your airline if they charge a handling fee for
firearms.
·
Please check on your departure if your firearm(s) will be
arriving on the same flight as yourself. Only you are allowed to sign for
your rifle(s). It is a costly and time-consuming operation to get your
firearms if the do arrive a day or two after you arrived.
·
No permit is necessary for a bow.
Back
to Top
Recommended
Rifles to bring.
I
strongly believe that there is no such thing as the best calibre, each
calibre has got a place in hunting and it is all about your preferences
and ability to handle your rifle. The best calibre is still the one you
are comfortable with. However I have a few suggestions to share.
Bushveld hunting
You
will be shooting at relative short distances, between 50 and 100 meters.
Very seldom you will shoot further than this. I will recommend a calibre
with standard velocity preferably below 3000 ft/s, not smaller than a 7x57
and not bigger than a 375 H&H.
Grassland
hunting.
The
distances you will be shooting can vary between 150 to 300meters. A
calibre with a flat trajectory is more advisable. Depending on what you
hunt, I’ll recommend something like a 22-250, 243, 6mm, 270 or 300
Winmag, or something similar.
Dangerous
game
Any
calibre bigger than a 375 will do the job. It is important to be
absolutely familiar with your rifle and you must not fear it. It is better
to hunt dangerous game with 375 that you now than with a 500NE that you
fear. Bigger is not always better. Use the biggest calibre that you are
familiar with. There are no limitations on calibre in RSA, though
limitations do apply in other Southern African countries. If you visit
other Southern African countries as well I can advise you on rules and
limitations.
Bullets
Always
make use of high quality premium bullets. It is not worth it to lose a
trophy due the poor performance of a low-grade bullet.
For
dangerous game you will need premium bullets that will expand properly as
well as monolithic solids for follow up shots.
Bring
enough bullets to allow for shooting in your rifle. There is nothing worse
than not to have enough bullets and convert to other bullets while hunting
and to waste valuable hunting time to re-sight your rifle. I will suggest
that you bring at least 50 rounds per calibre.
Author Jaco Human.
Copyright © 2004 [SA Hunting Experience]. All rights reserved.
Revised: April 26, 2007
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