PLAN YOUR
TRIP
WITH YOU ALL THE WAY
Planning your safari is almost as exciting as the adventure itself.
We’ve provided some of the important information you will need when organizing your trip to Africa, to ensure a trouble-free experience.
As any good hunter knows, when opportunity arises, its best to be prepared.
INFO ABOUT
TRAVELING
WE’LL HELP YOU GET HERE
Clients are collected and dropped off at O.R Tambo International airport at no extra cost. Flights are to be booked from the client’s country of departure. Consider taking out insurance for trip cancellations and loss of personal affects.
Our camp is located only 2 and half hours drive north- west from O.R Tambo International airport, Johannesburg. Pick up and drop off from the airport is not included as a hunting day. No visa is required for US citizens traveling to South Africa, however, no visa is required for travel.
Arrival and meeting at OR Tambo airport. One of Africa Maximum’s PH’s (professional hunters) will meet you at the airport on arrival. He will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a sign with your name on.
When you have landed you will first clear customs, then collect your luggage and from the luggage carousel proceed to the arrivals hall. When exiting through the door into the arrivals hall you will turn to your right.
You will see an electronic overhanging flight display board. Walk towards it and look for the sign with your name on. This will be the Africa Maximum Safaris PH meeting you.
TRAVELING
ARRIVAL & TRANSFER
HUNTING
EQUIPMENT
WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING
We recommend you bring a medium caliber rifle (e.g. 30-06 Caliber) for plains game and cats minimum 180 grains for bullets. For thick-skinned game like buffalo and elephant, the minimum caliber allowed in Zimbabwe and South Africa is .375. Many hunters find that .375 magnum is a very good all-round rifle, both for small and big game. The rifle should be carried in a solid hard case.
Ammunition must be carried in a separate ammunition box, which should be in your check luggage or separate from your luggage, Check with the airline where they want the ammunition. The airlines are not transparent on this issue and seem to have different applications all the time. For daily use while in the field and for transportation on the charter plane, we would suggest that you bring a soft rifle case to protect the rifle.
SIGHTING OF
RIFLES
BEFORE WE BEGIN
On arrival in camp we will sight your rifle before we start with the hunt. We ask of each client to shoot 3 shots at a target at 100 yards. We need to ensure that the rifle is shooting on and is shooting a good grouping of less than 2 inches at a hundred yards.
Arms & ammunition
All firearms must be declared with US Customs before leaving The USA. Get this done well before you leave. The location of the nearest Customs Office can usually be found in the blue pages of your telephone guide. Many Customs offices are not well staffed and there are not always agents on hand. Call ahead for an appointment. This does not register your firearms in anyway, as you will receive the only record of listing; it’s called a “4457 custom deceleration form”.
Do not lose this record! Without it, you will not be able to bring back your rifles into the US. Keeping it with your passport should prevent it from being misplaced. On entering South Africa you should also fill out an import firearm permit, with the serial numbers, model and calibers of your firearms. Having this information handy, will prevent you having to open your rifle cases at this time. Your firearms must be presented to a Customs official and the serial numbers you registered will be checked. Your firearm permit must be stamped and retained by you until your departure. Your firearm permit will be dated as valid only until your departure date.
GET COVERED
CORRECTLY
RIFLE PERMITS
We recommend using RiflePermits.com to assist with the rifle-import process.
They are a company that works hand in hand with the South African Police Service to assist international travellers with all the import permits they will need to temporarily import their rifles into South Africa.
If you are using RiflePermits.com to handle your firearm import permits, the agent from Rifle Permits will also be there and will assist you at the police station to clear your firearms.
Documents you need for firearm import:
- 4457 US customs declaration.
- SAP520 import application.
- Letter of invitation from Outfitter.
- Copies of: passport, flight itinerary and US 4457 customs declaration.
WHAT TO
PACK
PACKING LIST
- Lightweight cottons and linens in natural colored or dark green clothing (laundry service daily).
- 2 pairs of long trousers,
- 2 pairs of shorts,
- 2 pairs of long-sleeved shirts,
- 2 pairs of short-sleeved shirts,
- 1 wind breaker type jacket (for the cool mornings),
- 1 fleece jacket or sweat shirt,
- 2 pairs of light hunting shoes made of canvas or leather (well-worn).
- 2 x Pairs of light, comfortable hunting shoes that are well worn. Do not bring waterproof boots.
- Natural fiber socks and underwear.
- Light pajamas, a tracksuit or sweater.
- Personal toiletries,
- Sun-screen,
- Insect repellent,
- Talcum powder,
- Eye drops
- Wide brimmed hat,
- Sunglasses
- Binoculars,
- Camera,
- Batteries for electronic equipment
- Step-down converter (220-110 volt)
- Anti-malaria medication (if applicable), prescription drugs.
- The camp is well equipped with a good first aid kit, which includes headache tablets, diarrhea medication, but we would still suggest that you bring any medication you think you may need.
- Ammo belt
FAQs
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Dates will be reserved but only confirmed when we have received a copy of flight itinerary. If we do not have client information returned to us 120 days before scheduled arrival date, the booking will be cancelled.
You do not need any shots for South Africa however recommended is Tetanus and Hepatitis A and B. Do check with your local Doctor or travel clinic on what they recommend. For Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique Yellow fever shots are also required. Africa Maximum Safari Camp is not located in a Malaria area, only when hunting in Botswana, Mozambique or the Lowveld area in South Africa do you need Malaria precaution?
When hunting in South Africa clients should not be concerned by Malaria, except if we will advise you that we will be close to or in a Malaria area. Africa Maximum Safaris camp is situated in a Malaria free area. We do understand that most doctors will advise Malaria precaution when coming to South Africa. It is not necessary. Traveling to Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zimbabwe clients will need to take the necessary Malaria precaution.
Customs clearance is operative at your port of entry into South Africa. The Republic of South Africa requires a passport valid at least 6 months beyond your departure date and depending on your country of origin, a visa. Insurance for personal effects, luggage and trip cancellation as well as medical cassava is strongly recommended. We advise you to take out a trip insurance plan for your Safaris. You can use Access America and call them on 800-282-8300 for further information.
You will also have to supply an in-country address to Immigration officials when arriving. Have this information handy. You will use your Safaris Company’s home address i.e.
Farm Woodstock, PO Box 94, Swartruggens, 2835, North West Province, South Africa.
Tel: 082 802 3919.
South Africa’s seasons are reversed from yours – with April through October being the cool, dry fall and winter months. For most part, daytime temperatures are pleasant and range from 60 to 80 degrees F. In South Africa snowstorms are a rare exception, but temperatures can vary from 40 degrees at night to 80 degrees during the day – so prepare for all conditions.
We have Internet facilities in most of our camps and clients are welcome to use the facility at an extra cost. Telephones are also available. If we are out of reach, family and friends can make contact with Africa Maximum’s office and messages will be conveyed to clients.
Wi-Fi is available at Africa Maximum’s main camp at Woodstock farm. The cost for Wi-Fi is $25 for 5 days. Do remember that our Wi-Fi can be off at certain times as we are in a remote area and our service provider have difficulty in supplying to our location.
220/240 Volts AC – three pin round plugs are used. Some remote camps make use of generated or 12 volt battery power.
We cater the following meals to clients: breakfast is a light breakfast that includes toast/pancakes, cereal, fruit, yogurt, juice, coffee or tea. Lunch is usually in the bush and we pack a full lunch box of sandwiches, cookies, cheese, jerky (biltong) and fruit with us for the day. Our evening dinners are a full course meal. We always prepare game meat, either from the animals, the client has hunted or pre-prepared meat from other safaris. Our chef prepares a gourmet meal for each night. Clients are welcome to copy some of our traditional African recipes.
Note: If clients desire a full breakfast in the morning there will be a $15.00 charge extra for a full African breakfast.
Clients should also inform us about any special dietary requests.
Fully equipped medical kits and telephone or radio communication are available in case of an emergency. Always carry your travel documents, travelers’ cheques and cash on your person or ask us to keep it in safe custody. Proper healthcare is never far away but care should be taking in having the necessary vaccinations.
I recommend Collins Field guide “Larger Mammals of Africa” by Jean Dorst and Pierre Dandelot for clients to read to familiarize your self with wildlife in Africa. You can also look at “The Perfect Shot.”
- Cash US Dollars
- Credit Cards: Visa and Master Card, American Express.
- Please note NO Personal or Cashiers cheques are accepted.
- Accounts must be settled before leaving camp.
The local currency is the South African Rand.
Traveler’s cheques, visa or master and debit cards and cash are preferred. It is customary to tip staff in recognition of good service. It is usually 10% of your Safaris – this is at your own discretion. Do not feel compelled to tip. Any currency is acceptable but please note that local banks do not change foreign coins. We do accept Master and Visa credit cards for gratuities. Generally the guides and trackers are tipped separately and the rest of the staff participates in a pool. The camp manager will accept the tips on behalf of the staff and will distribute the tips among the staff if required. If you feel a particular staff member was extra deserving then feel free to give specific instructions.
Note: Prices are subject to change with out notification.
Value Added Tax 15%(VAT) is charged on the daily rate of a hunting safaris.
This is not refundable. There is no VAT charged on the trophy fee if the trophies are to be exported under specific regulations set out by the Receiver of Revenue. Animals in a package that are not hunted or animals that are wounded and lost are subject to VAT. Currently VAT is 15%. Please note that while the trophy fees are not subject to VAT if the trophies are to be exported, no VAT is levied 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 30% of the taxidermy value, as agreed between the taxidermy industry and the Receiver of Revenue.
The trophies will be prepared in the camp, ready for transportation to the taxidermist, who will make them ready for export. Africa Maximum Safaris will deliver the raw trophies to the taxidermist of choice or export agent. From here the liability of the trophies is with the other party. We will check on the progress and notify the client. All services rendered for taxidermy work or export preparation is between the client and the chosen company. Africa Maximum Safaris does not accept responsibility. Please keep in mind that in Africa, the paperwork for the export of trophies takes some time to get finalized, as the authorities are not very consistent. Rules change on a regular basis, which can result in delays.
We charge each hunting client a trophy delivery fee, for the transport of the trophies to the taxidermist/shipping agent. Transfer to Africa Maximum Safaris Taxidermist of choice is at no cost(taxidermist/shipping agent we recommend. Taxidermist/shipping agent of client’s choice we will quote a price depending on distance; the minimum charge will be $ 250 per client.
We recommend Splitting Image Taxidermy as our for taxidermy work. We have had a very good relationship with Splitting Image Taxidermy over the past 14 years. Over 400 of our clients have had their trophy taxidermy done with Splitting Image. We will supply a reference list from past clients on request.You can contact Splitting Image Taxidermy at info@splittingimagetaxidermy.co.za
Website: www.splittingimagetaxidermy.co.za for prices or quotations on dip and ship and taxidermy work.
Please note: US customs require each hunter to ship his or her trophies separately. In case where hunters ship their trophies under one persons name the responsibility will fall on the clients/ hunters if the trophies are confiscated in the US.
Should you wish to get your Safaris on camera, professional Safaris filming on a HDV camera, and editing is also available on request for $350.00 per day – minimum of 5 days. We also have a in house videographer that can film your hunt and hand you the raw footage. The cost is $250 per day.
Africa Maximum Safaris do not over-hunt concessions. We have access to over a 100 concessions in 7 of South Africa’s 9 Provinces and hunt 60 different concessions in the North West Province alone. We continually assess the game populations and make sure we do not over harvest and leave trophies to get big.
Our staff of professional hunters are dedicated and well experienced in African hunting, and has combined experience of professional guiding of 40 years. We do not over-book ourselves, to make sure we give personal attention to each client in camp. We always meet our clients personally on arrival at Johannesburg Airport (OR Tambo International). We offer a lodge accommodation, which is very comfortable, daily cleaning and laundry service, is provided.
We prepare gourmet meals for clients in the evenings, serve light early morning breakfast and take lunch boxes out with us on the hunt. We have trained skinning staff which will skin and salt trophies and make sure no harm comes to any of the skins. We also properly tag clients’ trophies for identification. We guarantee good representative trophies. We guarantee our dedication to your hunt. We strive to put our hunters in the best possible position to take the shot.
In short – we will make your safaris experience comfortable, enjoyable and unforgettable.