IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TRIP TO AFRICA, PLEASE CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING SUGGESTIONS CAREFULLY

 

 

Prior to your departure from the United States:

 

  • Make sure your passport is in order. You must have at least eleven (11) months left on your passport after your scheduled return date.
  • Arrange for your airline tickets. Ask for quotes before you make any final decisions. Delta and South African Airways share an alliance. There are direct SAA flights to Johannesburg as well as Cape Town. Some leave from JFK but stop in Sal Island, which makes it quite lengthy. It is approximate 14-15 hours flight time.
  • Obtain travelers checks and some cash.
  • Contact your credit card company and advise them you will be traveling to Africa. This notification may save you time since some transactions might otherwise prompt questions and cause delays. Plan to change some of your cash at a Bureau de Changes.
  • Check with your local health department for the immunizations you need. Make sure your tetanus booster is current. You may also need a hepatitis injection (not compulsory). Yellow fever shots are no longer required.
  • Start taking malaria medication two weeks before you depart. The best advise IF you are taking Larium - take in quarters (with food) in the morning at 15 minute intervals. This minimizes the side effects.
  • Luggage
    - Confirm luggage terms and conditions with your airline in advance of your departure. Typically, you are allowed 70 lbs of checked luggage per person. Pack ammunition separate from guns in a strong plastic container or else in your suitcase. You are allowed approximately eleven (11) pounds (5 kg's) of ammunition if it is separately packed. Make sure guns are unloaded. Do not remove the bolt and put in your carry on - certainly not after Sept. 11.
  • After checking weather forecasts with your outfitter at your destination, pack your most comfortable clothes. Two sets of dinner clothes should do the job. Laundry is done daily at hunting camps. Photographic Safaris may need a few extra items because those are typically away from camp and its nightly laundry service. Overnight stays, which are usual on Photographic Safaris, don't allow time for laundry.
  • Go to your closest U.S. Customs office with your guns and cameras (i.e., everything with a serial number that will accompany you back to the USA) and complete Form 4457* a week or two before your departure. This is not a necessity but it's cheap 'insurance'. It can make your travel so much easier as you go forward. (*Form 4457 is "CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION OF PERSONAL EFFECTS TAKEN ABROAD")
  • Confirm it with your airline, but most require that international travelers check 2-3 hours before departure. Make sure the tags issued for your luggage are on YOUR luggage.

 

On arrival in South Africa:

 

  • Go to Immigration first.
  • Continue on to the baggage claim area and obtain a baggage cart.

  • Guns will be at the Security desk in the corner. Any items labeled "fragile" will be at a different place, which you will need to inquire about.

  • Proceed along the "Red" route. Declare guns and complete the temporary import permit form at Police desk. Again, present them with your completed Form 4457 and you should have no difficulty.

  • Change some US$ into Rands at Bureau de Changes.

  • Your outfitter should wait on you as you enter the next hall. If you need to proceed to a Hotel at the Airport, stay with the porter who assists with your luggage. Be certain that you keep your outfitter's telephone number with you in case you need to make contact. There is a Telkom office to your right, where you can do all sorts of communications. Our contact numbers will be one of following: All numbers as dialed from the Johannesburg Airport -
    Tokkie cellphone 082 887 4556
    Bubi Ranch in Zimbabwe 00 + 263 + 14 359


If you are proceeding to Harare or Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe:

 

  • On your arrival in Johannesburg everything should be the same as above. Note: Some travelers choose to check their luggage through to Harare. However, it might be better not to do so because if a problem arises, you will have an immediate opportunity to address it. Especially if you change airlines. Lately they require every passenger to clear customs on International flights before proceding to another International destination. Your travel agent will have the latest information on that.
  • Have thirty dollars ($30) US or the equivalent of it, ready to pay for the visa at the Immigration desk in Zimbabwe. Submit your form (Immigration Declaration) and Passport. After paying for the visa, make sure that they stamp your Passport and that they issue a receipt to you.
  • At the Customs desk, hand in your quadruplicate Temporary Import permit for the rifles. You keep one copy. Make sure the stamp, and date of stamp, is correct. Sometimes old or incorrect stamps are used because funding wasn't available to replace all of the old stamps. If you should get an incorrect or old stamp, have the agent endorse your permit. The small Customs Declaration form is meant for goods that will remain in Zimbabwe, not your personal goods. Your Form 4457 is once again your 'insurance'.
  • There are shuttles to Hotels in Victoria Falls but if you arrive at Harare Airport, we will be waiting for you.
  • Tipping guideline: In RSA, a tip of R10-R20 is adequate; in Zimbabwe a tip of about US$ 1-2.

 

You are in Africa !!
We whish you have a successful hunt and pleasant journey.
Enjoy it !!