JW African Outfitters

Once you have paid your deposit and are ready to book your trip the following information and important contacts will make it so much easier.

Personal Information

Please complete the Client Information Sheet and Safari Contract and sent back.  These are very important to make your trip run smooth.  Also download the Equipment List.

Flight and Travel Arrangements

Please use a travel agent who not only specializes in Africa travel, but also has the knowledge and experience to handle the special arrangements required for hunters.  Although you are free to choose whom you please, we recommend, Debbie from Custom Travel in the USA.  You can reach her at the following contact numbers:

Her email address is and her telephone number is

VIP Meet & Greet, Importation of Fire-arms in Johannesburg

To import your rifles into South Africa you need to apply to rules and regulations.  Adele from Hunters Permits will help you with the importation of your firearms into South Africa.  Just mention that you will be hunting with JW African Outfitters to allow them to get all the correct paperwork together.  Her telephone nr is + 27 76 611 9991.  Her email address:

You will be asked to fill in a Form SAP520

Click to download the SAPS520 – Complete in Black Ink

Addition requirements along with the SAP520 are the following:

1. Passport
2. Airline ticket
3. Proof of Ownership Firearm licenses, documentary proof (for USA Citizens, Custom Declaration Form 4457 (officially stamped) is acceptable
4. Letter of Invitation from JW African Outfitters – click here to download

Currency

The South African currency is the Rand.  Cash and Travelers checks are widely accepted.  Most major bank exchange traveler’s checks or cash, Automatic Teller Machines are virtually everywhere for credit card use, and there are Bureau de Change at all airports and major centers.

It is important to note that the South African Rand is a fairly volatile currency and the exchange rate tends to change on a daily basis.

A valid passport is needed, South Africa requires a Visa (approximately $30) that can be purchased at the airport upon arrival.

Transport to the Hunting Areas

Most clients fly into Johannesburg (Oliver Tambo Int) where  you will be met by JW African Outfitter representative.

Should your safari be planned in a different area we will advise on where to book your flight to

Zimbabwe – Victoria Falls International or Harare International Airport

Botswana – It is possible to drive to the hunting areas or could fly into Maun Botswana.  Cost for driving is $1000 return, alternatively flights need to be arranged.

Mozambique – Arrival point is Johannesburg from where another flight will be taken to

Insurance and Medical

Some hospitalization plans do not cover patients in a foreign country.  Travelers Emergence Company Network. (800)275-4836, will transport the injured by plane to a hospital for the necessary care.  America Republic Insurance Company (AMERICARE) offers hospital and emergence coverage.  Their number is 800-925-7767.  They insure guns, bows, cases and related items such as scopes, rings, quivers, sights etc.

Generally speaking, no special vaccinations or inoculations are required coming to South Africa.  Medical doctors are within reach in the town near the hunt areas.  Although Malaria has been controlled in recent years, it is recommended that anti-malaria precautions be commended prior to departure.  Please consult your personal physician.  Bring all your personal prescription medication with, along with your doctor’s contact details in case of an emergence.  Tap water is safe to drink throughout most of the country, but if you prefer bottled water, this is readily available.  The African sun can be dangerous, so wear a hat and bring good sun block.

Trophy Handling

All your trophies are field prepared (salted and dried) and are included in your trophy fee.  The raw trophy skins and skulls will be delivered to your choice of taxidermist or shipping agent to be shipped to the address of your choice. Please note that after delivery to the taxidermist, dipping, shipping, packaging, export documentation, as well as any other charges are the client’s responsibility.  The dipping and shipping agent or Taxidermist handles export documentation.  Because of veterinary restrictions no raw trophy may be exported without being dried and treated.  The client will obtain Cites Permits, where required, before leaving his country of origin.  Your trophies will be marked with your name, part of trophy and address of destination.

JW African Outfitters will prepare all taxidermy documentation and arrangements.  In South Africa. Highveld Taxidermy will take care of the shipping of trophies.  Should you decide to have your trophies done in South Africa, Highveld Taxidermy is highly recommended.

 You can contact them at:

Highveld Taxidermy

Tel: 27 12 650 0400

Email:  info@highveld.biz

www.highveldtaxidermists.com

Gun Fees and Permits

The import of hunting weapons to South Africa and Zimbabwe is free (declaration at customs upon arrival suffices).  Botswana have a $150 cost per rifle imported and an Ammo tax per round.  Mozambique also have a $200 per rifle costing.  The legislation governing international flights demands that rifles and ammunition be transported in lockable cases with ammunition packed separately.

CITES PERMITS

When booking, specify the animals you wish to hunt.  All hunters from countries which are signatory CITES Convention must bring photocopy or their original CITES permit for Leopard, Elephant, Crocodile, Lion and Hippopotamus.  CITES permits can be obtained from the Federal Wildlife Permit Office. CITES Permits is valid for 12 months and could be extended by application.

Bow hunting & Cross Bow

Bow hunting is also welcome.  Certain species require special permits which need to be applies for well in advance.

Value Added Tax as it relates to Hunting Safaris

15% Value Added Tax (VAT) is charged on the daily rate of a hunting safari.  This is not refundable.  There is no VAT charged on the trophy fee if the trophy are to be exported under the specific regulations set out by the South African Receiver of Revenue.  Animals sold as a package that is not hunted or animals that are wounded and lost are subject to VAT.  Current Vat rate is 15%

Please note that while the trophy fees are not subject to VAT, VAT is levied at 15% on the dipping and shipping services and/or for the tanning of skins done.  Should the trophies be processed in South Africa, VAT is levied at 15% on the 30% of the taxidermy value as agreed between the taxidermy industry and the Receiver of Revenue.

Video cameras/ Electrical appliances

When bringing a video camera or any other electrical appliance, please pack converters for the country you are visiting.  You can also buy this adapters at the Airport at arrival.  In South Africa we use 3 pronged round  plugs and some 2 pronged round hole plugs. Electric current is 220V and is available in most camps.

Packing List

Lightweight camouflage or khaki clothing, hats or caps, and light comfortable rubber soled ankle high walking boots are essential.  Bring a warm jacket as well as clothing that can be worn layered on our cold months.  It can be very cold in the morning, warming up to 80F by midday and chilly again in the afternoon.  When packing for your trip, please keep in mind that laundry is done on a daily basis.  Client transferring to hunting areas by chartered aircraft should pack minimally.

We suggest you pack the following:

• 1 x warm Jacket
• 1 x sleeveless hunting jacket
• 1 x pair light leather or canvas shoes
• 1 x pair hiking boots
• 1 x gators
• 1 x sweater or sweatshirt
• 2 x long sleeve shirts
• 2x hunting trousers and/or shorts
• 3 x pair wool socks
• 3 x pair of thin cotton socks
• 3 sets of underwear
• 1 x pair of gloves
• 1 x cartridge belt
• 1 x wide belt
• 1 x cap or hat with wide brim
• 1 x pair sunglasses
• 1 x small rucksack
• 1 x personal medicine kit
• 1 x small pack of hand wipes
• 1 x razor with blades or batteries
• 1 x flashlight with spare batteries
• 1 x soft cases for rifles

Tips and Gratuities

Over many years of hunting we have found the following to be the general averages.You how ever decide if and what you want to give.  The following is a guideline to use on tipping the staff:

Professional Hunter  - +/-$100 per day

Tracker -  +/-$20 per day (one tracker per client)

Skinners - $15 per day (this take care of the complete skinning shed personal)

Camp staff - $50 per day (chef, waiters, cleaners and camp staff)

Average temperatures

February to April – range between 50F and 85F

May to August – range between 40F to 65F

September to October – range between 50F to 85F

Terms and Conditions

A 50%,non-refundable, deposit of total daily rate is payable upon confirmation of booking.  Balance is payable on commencement of safari.  All payments to be made in US currency or wire transfer.  As an extra service we also accept credit cards (with a 5% surcharge).  No checks or personal checks are accepted for final payment 

Disclaimer

Any safari activity is potentially hazardous and it is essential that all lawful direction and advice of the Safari operator be followed  JW African Outfitters accepts no responsibility for death, injury or illness sustained or suffered by any persons loss, theft, or damage to property occurring during a visit (or visits) to areas or resorts under our control, whether allegedly due to the negligence of any of our servants or agents, or arising from the use of any facility supplied or made available by us.