SA
hunting facts

want
quick facts about a
hunt in South Africa
call
Pete
1-720-277
1920
Safaribwana
LLC, registered office: 5250 Cherry Creek South Drv, #16J, Denver,
CO 80246 - tel 720-277 1920 email:info@safaribwana.com
|
guns
& bows
Each outfitter and PH has
a different opinion regarding the rifle you should bring. We say, there
usually is no need to go out and buy a new rifle if your current calibre
does not match that of the advice you have received. Most important
is to be comfortable with your rifle.
All African
game animals are tough, not just the Cape Buffalo, and no comparison
should be made between the antelope here and the American and European
species.
Always keep
this in mind: You are not hunting to save the meat, you are trophy hunting
and the prime goal is to put the animal down as quickly as possible.
As South Africa
is primarily a plains game destination, your choice of rifle is simplified
and means you probably do not have to go out and buy or borrow a rifle.
Most medium calibre magnums will serve the hunter well with the most
popular ranging between 30.06, 300 and 7mm magnums up to 375 magnum.
If you are hunting buffalo, elephant, rhino or hippo your minimum starting
calibre is the 375 Magnum.
The 375 Magnum
is a very popular choice and is a good all round African rifle if you
intend venturing further north. In fact many PHs will prefer their clients
to use this calibre when hunting in areas where the bush is thick and
heavy. It does count against you in the more open areas of South Africa
like the Northern Cape, Free State, Eastern Cape and the Karoo while
hunting alert species like gemsbok, springbok, mountain reedbuck, vaal
rhebok and klipspringer.
Your ammunition
should consist of medium to heavy grained soft nosed or ballistic tipped
cartridges. Bring 20 to 50 rounds (depending on how you shoot!) in total,
you can always take the surplus home with you. Ammunition for the popular
standard calibres are available throughout the country for purchase
but you may not always find the brand you prefer. MORE
ABOUT BULLET PERFORMANCE & BULLET WEIGHT...
Most hunters
make use of telescopic sights sighted in at between 100 - 200 yards.
Sometimes your outfitter or PH may advise more depending on the hunting
conditions and species. A quality set of optics is always recommended
as your rifle is likely to take some knocks. For plainsgame calibres,
2 x 7 or 2.5 x 8 or 3 x 9 is a good choice. If you are hunting big game,
a 1.5 x 5 scope with clip-off detachable mounts is a good idea.
Bring the
rifle you shoot most comfortably with at home.
bows
Category 1:
Small game including blesbok and nyala
ewe but excluding a Nyala bull. 40lb bow with minimum arrow weight of
400gr.
Category 2:
Medium game including eland, giraffe, carnivores,
bushpig, warthog, crocodile and baboon. 70lb bow with minimum arrow
weight of 550gr
Category 3:
Large game including buffalo, elephant,
rhinoceros and hippopotamus. 80lb bow with minimum arrow weight of 700gr.
Crossbows may only be used
to hunt Category 1 game.
Only broadheads may be used.
| importing
your guns
2006
has seen a change in the gun import regulations. Previously,
the process was incredibly easy. It is still a simple process
but there is quite a bit of documentation you need to have in-hand
before you leave home.
Download
our simple guidelines in MS Word format - click
here |
| Step-by-step
importing guide
(requirements from 1 July 2004) |
| Before
you leave home
1.
Fill out the Temporary Import Application form
Form
number: SAP 520. You can download it from here
with additional
guidelines OR directly from the South African Police website
| Instructions
for Filling in SAP 520 Form
-
Black ink
must be used to fill in the form (non-erasable).
-
The form
must be left unsigned until the document is finalised
in front of the police official issuing the actual
permit.
-
Please note
that not all sections of the form apply. Visitors
bringing their own firearms in for hunting purposes
should concentrate on filling in the following:
Section D - (temporary import or export permit)
Section E - 1 - 25.4
Section G
Section I - (must fill in all details requested)
Section J - (remember do not sign until in front of
police officer at firearm office)
|
2. Ensure you have
the following with you:
-
Passport
(certified copy is preferable)
-
Return
airline ticket
-
Proof
of ownership (certified
copy is preferable)
Firearm licenses, documentary proof, etc. For USA Citizens,
Customs Declaration Form 4457 (officially stamped) is acceptable.
-
Proof
of export
Documentary proof of export from the country of origin.
-
Motivation
letter from you
This is a letter from the client stating that he is temporarily
importing the referred to firearm/s for the purpose of hunting,
to include that the firearm/s are required as he will be hunting
(list the species to be hunted), etc.
-
Invitation
letter from your hunting outfitter
This is supporting documentation from the hunting outfitter/company
with whom the client will be hunting, to include full name
of company, full contact details and address, dates and location
where the client will be hunting and confirming that the applicant
will be using the specific firearms as applied for.
-
any
other supporting documents
when you arrive in South Africa
Firearms will be physically inspected to ensure the serial number(s)
match those of the licences (proof of ownership) and the application
form. Ammunition will also be inspected.
-
Clear
passport control in the terminal where your flight arrives
-
Proceed
to baggage claim at the respective carousel. Pick up general
baggage, then proceed to the respective Airline Help Desk
to pick up firearm/s from the airline company and sign a receipt
for the firearm/s.
-
Ask
the Airline Help Desk to direct you to the South African Police
Firearm Office.
-
Proceed
to the South African Police Firearm Office (Do not at this
point proceed to customs)
-
On
receipt of the temporary import permit at the SAPS Firearm
Office, proceed to Customs (the Red Zone) where you declare
the firearm/s and finish other custom clearance procedures.
-
If
you are clearing customs at any other airport
apart from Johannesburg, the process will be slightly different
as the airports are smaller.
-
Please
ensure sufficient time is allowed to go through the temporary
importation process and to clear Customs. During the busy
periods of the hunting season up to 70 clients may be needing
permits at the same time. We recommend at least five (5) hours
be set aside for this procedure and between connecting flights.
firearm
/ ammunition allowances and specifications
-
No more than one
firearm per caliber and 200 rounds per firearm will be permitted.
No ammunition for other rifle calibers will be permitted.
-
An exception to
this may apply for shotguns where more than one of the same
caliber may be allowed for bird hunting purposes if the client
produces on arrival at the SAPS Gun Office an acceptable written
motivation as to why more than one is required.
-
Firearms must bear
the manufacturer's serial number or any other mark by which
the firearm can be identified. The identification number must
be stamped and the mark affixed in the prescribed manner on
the barrel or the frame or the receiver of the firearm.
-
Handguns will be
allowed into the country, but only for hunting purposes. Any
visitor wanting to bring in a handgun in this regard needs
to have a letter from an association in the country of origin,
stating the handgun will be used for hunting purposes.
-
Prohibited firearms
which may NOT be imported into South Africa include: any fully
automatic weapon, any semi-automatic weapon, handgun/s for
self-defense, weapons which fall under military categories.
A semi-automatic shotgun for hunting purposes may be allowed
if an application is made at least 21 days before arrival
through the Central Firearms Register with a motivation letter
as to why this type of firearm is required.
-
Bows
& crossbows and black powder guns are permitted for import.
general
provisions
1. Temporary Import Permits:
a) May only be issued to a foreign visitor for the purpose of
hunting
b) Will be issued subject to the requirements of the Act with
regard to the carrying, storage, safe custody and transport of
a firearm and ammunition
c) Subject to the use of the firearm only for the purpose set
out in the permit
d) Subject to the fact that no person who holds a temporary import
permit is allowed to transfer the firearm to another person in
South Africa without prior written permission having been obtained
from the Central Firearm Register.
e) Whenever the holder of a temporary import permit leaves the
Republic of South Africa, the firearm in respect of which the
permit is issued must accompany the holder of the permit
f) Possession of no more than the quantity of cartridges determined
by the Registrar and specified on the permit for each firearm
in respect of which the temporary import permit applies
g) A Temporary Import Permit shall not be issued for a period
exceeding six months at a time
h) Applicant must be 21 or over
i) Should a firearm not be declared on arrival and a temporary
import permit not issued, you will face severe penalties and possible
arrest on departure from South Africa.
2. Applications for Temporary Import Permits can be made in
advance to the Central Firearm Register. Ask your Hunting
Outfitter to assist you in this regard.
3. Please ensure that your firearm/s arrive on the same flight
as you do. This must be done with the airline company on departure.
Your firearm/s may only be signed for by you and will not be released
to your outfitter or professional hunter should it/they arrive
on a separate flight. If the firearm/s do not arrive with the
passenger, the passenger must proceed to his final destination
in South Africa and apply at the closest Police Station for a
Temporary Import Permit. When the Temporary Import Permit has
been issued, the original permit with the keys to the rifle case
must be couriered to the Border Post of entry. A Transport Agent
with transport permit must be appointed by the passenger. This
Transport Agent must have a letter from the passenger instructing
him/her to transport the firearm/s to the passenger in person.
The firearm/s will be inspected by the Police at the Port of entry
and the firearm/s and permit will be handed to the transporter
to be transported to the passenger.
4. Please do not pay for any service regarding the handling
of firearms at Johannesburg International Airport, or any
port of entry. The issuing of the SAP 520 is a free service and
the South African Police Service asks clients not to pay anybody
involved in handling firearms from the time of arrival in South
Africa right through until you receive your firearm/s and the
permit from the SAPS. Clients that are paying the various airline
staff, security staff, or porters involved are actually creating
a problem. Please note however there is a handling fee charged
by airlines and/or security companies for the handling of handguns,
and some airlines have started charging a handling fee for all
firearms. We suggest checking with your airline with regard to
any "official" fees that may be required.
5. There is no permit required, nor any charge by the South
African Police Service for a bow. Handling fees are charged
by airline and/or security companies for bows and handguns.
6. Please note that NO firearms will be held for safekeeping
by the SAPS. If a client brings in a prohibited firearm, brings
in more than what is allowed, or lacks the necessary documentation
and his request for a temporary import permit is denied, the involved
firearms must be exported immediately by the client or voluntarily
surrendered to the State.
in-transit
passengers (transiting South Africa)
It is critical that you check with and confirm with the airline/s
involved before departure to make sure what their procedure is
for the transfer of baggage and/or firearms. If the airline does
transfer your baggage/firearms, and you have booked them through
to the final destination, and you stay in the in-transit area
and do not clear South African customs, then you need not go through
the temporary import process.
If your airline company will not transfer your baggage/guns to
your connecting airline/flight, then you must collect your baggage/firearm/s
and go through the entire entry process. If this is the case,
the South African limitations, requirements, etc. will apply.
This also applies if you are over-nighting in South Africa before
flying on to your country of destination.
Further information is available from the Central Firearm Registry,
South African Police Services. Website: www.saps.gov.za
Tel: +27-12-3536057 Fax: +27-12-3536041.
*
this information was provided by the South African Police Services
and the Professional Hunters' Association of South Africa as of
12 August 2004. |
| All
firearms brought into the country MUST be taken out with the visitor
when they depart. It is HIGHLY ILLEGAL to leave any firearm behind.
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