FAQ’s Eastcape & Karoo Safaris

Travel Arrangements

Q – Do I need a visa to visit South Africa?
A – Only a passport is required.

Q – Do I need a permit for guns and ammo?
A – On arrival in South Africa security services at customs will issue you with a temporary import permit for your weapons valid for the duration of your stay. Check our section on firearm permits.

Q – Do I need to take any special medical precautions?
A – No we are a malaria and bilharzia free area and have access to professional medical facilities within half an hour. You need only bring your personal medical needs.

Q – Do I need any special license to hire a motor vehicle?
A – A passport and current drivers license is all that is required.

Q – Should I change foreign currency on entering the country?
A – Yes, you will need some money for tips and personal purchases. Otherwise credit cards are widely accepted.

Q – How do I get to you?
A – We have two international airports – Johannesburg and Cape Town, where you will clear customs and then fly domestically by Boeing to Port Elizabeth were you will be met. The duration of these flights is around 1hr.

Hunting

Q – When is the hunting season?
A – Our best months are from April through to the end of September; these are our cooler winter months. Not much rain is experienced during this time.

Q – Do I need a permit for guns and ammo?
A – On arrival in South Africa security services at customs will issue you with a temporary import permit for your weapons valid for the duration of your stay. Click here for details on the temporary importing of Firearms into South Africa.

Q – What weapon should I bring?
A –  (a) For plains game the 270 is minimum, 338 Mag, 30-06, 7 Mag or 300 Mag are all ideal.
      (b) 243 and 25-06 are fine for Springbuck and other small game, but too small for Kudu or Gemsbuck.
      (c) The 375 H+H or the 340 WBY are way over gunned for plains game and fit in with Buffalo and other big   game.

Q – What ammo. and bullets are suitable?
A – Hornady, Speer, Sierra, Core Lokts and Power Point soft points are fine. Trophy Bonded, Barnes X, or Nosler Partitions are preferred.

Q – How much ammo. do I need?
A – 40 to 60 rounds is more than adequate. Ammo can also be purchased locally if necessary. For driven hunts, at leaset 40 rounds per day.

Q – What scope?
A – 4x on up to 3-9 or 4-10 is plenty.

Q – Bipods?
A – If you have one, by all means bring it along.

Q – May I use camouflage clothing to hunt?
A – Camouflage clothing is legal and accepted in South Africa. By all means use it.

Q – How long will the hunting shots be?
A – Between 50 and 300 yards, the average being just over a 100 yards.

Q – Do I need a knife?
A – Yes.

Q – How do we travel while on the hunt?
A – A suitable 4 x 4 vehicle is used to get us around and to spot game, thereafter we walk and stalk.

Q – Do we eat the game we shoot?
A – Yes indeed! Much of the game is prepared in different outstanding ways. This adds to the experience of the hunt.

Q – Is a 7 day hunt 7 full days of hunting, or does that include the day of arrival and departure?
A – A 7 day hunt means 7 hunting days excludes arrival and departure.

Q – What if I finish my package in 5 days?
A – You can either hunt extra trophies, relax around the lodge or you can do any one of the other many activites we have to offer.

Q- What do the PH’s / guides normally get tipped?
A- This is always a tricky question. A tip is payment for personal service and revolves around how hard your PH / guide worked for you to make your hunt successful. Our guideline will be to work on 10% of the total hunt cost or $50 to $100 per day for your guide, $10 to $15 per day for your tracker / skinners and a $100 for the other kitchen and camp staff to share per hunter.

Q – What can my wife do if she comes along?
A – Your wife can join us in the field or be taken on a personal tour of historic sights and and other places of interest in the two adjacent towns . There is always much to see and do. Please check out photographic / sightseeing / golf and other.

Health and Safety

Q – Is it safe in South Africa?
A – Yes! All our lodges are situated on private land – we are secluded and totally safe. We are well aware of the dangers that we have in this country and we take every precaution necessary to ensure your and our safety.

Q – Do I need to take any special medical precautions?
A – No, we are a malaria and bilharzia free area and have access to professional medical facilities within half an hour. You need only bring your personal medical needs.

Q – Is the water safe for drinking?
A – Yes the water is safe and conforms to government standards. We also supply bottled water on all occasions.

Q – What about poisonous snakes?
A -Yes we do have some poisonous snakes. Fortunately however, they are hibernating during the time of the year that hunting takes place and it is extremely rare to even see one.

Accommodation and Entertainment

Q – How will we be accommodated?
A – We have several types of lodging, from 4 star luxury camp to tented lodging. Depending on your budget or requirement, we can tailor a safari to your needs. Our lodges have all modern conveniences such as electricity, hot water and flush toilets.

A – Are alcoholic drinks included?
Q – Yes, beer and wine are provided.

Q – What kinds of Pop / soda / cooldrink is available to drink?
A – Most pops (coke, sprite, 7 up , etc.) are available in both diet and regular variety.