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IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TRIP TO AFRICA, PLEASE CONSIDER
THE FOLLOWING SUGGESTIONS CAREFULLY
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Prior to your departure from the United States:
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Make sure your passport is in order. You
must have at least eleven (11) months left on your passport
after your scheduled return date.
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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.
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Obtain travelers checks.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
action and put in your carry on - certainly not after
Sept. 11.
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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.
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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")
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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.
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On arrival in South Africa:
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Go to Immigration first.
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Continue on to the baggage claim area and obtain a
baggage cart.
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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.
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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.
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Change some US$ into Rands at Bureau de Changes.
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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
Rinie cellphone 082 747 2405
Bubi Ranch in Zimbabwe 09 + 263 + 14 359
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If you take an Airlink to Pietersburg (lately called
Polokwane) or any other RSA city, it is pretty simple
from here. No more Immigration or Customs checks. It
is domestic flight.
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If you are proceeding to Harare or Victoria Falls
in Zimbabwe:
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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.
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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.
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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'.
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Change some of your US dollars at the Victoria Falls
Airport Bureau de Change or Bank. Only change enough
for the immediate use, because there are better rates
in town at other Bureau de Changes.
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There are shuttles to Hotels in Victoria Falls but
if you arrive at Harare Airport, we will be waiting
for you.
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Tipping guideline: In RSA, a tip of R10-R20
is adequate; in Zimbabwe, a tip of Zim $ 5000 -10000
(equals about US$ 1-2) is.
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You are in Africa !!
We whish you have a successful hunt and pleasant journey.
Enjoy it !!
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