Hunt in Zimbabwe and Taxidermy in South Africa?

Royal27 · May 18, 2014

So I'm putting a slight twist on the standard question of taxidermy in the states or SA?

Has anyone ever hunted in Zim, or other countries for that matter, and then shipped to SA for taxidermy before shipping to the U.S.? Obviously the extra shipping cost will cut into the savings, but I don't have any idea how much....

My current hunt will be a buff/hippo with perhaps some PG, so I'm doubting there would be much savings, if at all. Taxidermy and shipping though, remains the hardest part of international hunting for me to understand and get my arms around!

BRICKBURN · May 18, 2014

You have double the joy of actually importing (not transiting) the items into/through RSA. Vet Permits, export, import etc.
With the attendant expense.

It is not a typical request, so you encounter difficulties and resistance.

I am in the midst of doing this Export/Import process from Botswana in to RSA.

South Africa has a huge range of options to choose from for shipping/transport, taxidermy, exporter and D&P.
That is NOT the case in the surrounding countries and comes with the attendant issues.

For your situation of a Hippo and Buffalo do not bother. Currently, it is not worth it.

Royal27 · May 18, 2014

^^^^ was pretty sure that would be the answer for this hunt at least. Never hurts to ask though.

BRICKBURN · May 18, 2014

Always good to ask.
I will see if it works out. If not, it will be another warning for other hunters.

buckcurtin · May 18, 2014

Have done it twice. Two Cape Buffalo. Worked out fine. Used Taxidermy Africa with great success. Two different hunting outfits in Zimbabwe. They do first class work in South Africa. Might take a bit longer but worth the peace of mind.

BRICKBURN · May 18, 2014

buckcurtin said:
Have done it twice. Two Cape Buffalo. Worked out fine. Used Taxidermy Africa with great success. Two different hunting outfits in Zimbabwe. They do first class work in South Africa. Might take a bit longer but worth the peace of mind.

If you trust the taxidermist it can be worth it. Good to hear it worked for you.

drew416 · May 19, 2014

I have used Matabeleland Taxidermy in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe to do all my work from last years 10 day trip.
What I saved getting the work done in country balanced out by paying the extra in freight. However they were still done in Africa, by people who know what these animals really look like in the wild.I believe the transit of the finished work was through OR Tambo but nothing was required as it was all done by Zim Customs and Parks and Wildlife in Bulawayo. My crates were merely in transit on the tarmac in J'Berg.

Bruce Bertram from Bertram Bullet Co. has a full mount of a Kudu that was done here in Australia, it looks more like a Shetland pony with spiral horns.

I paid the extra and had a freight handler here who specialises in Trophy animal importing. I am sure someone has a company like this in USA, but then again it is sooo much easier and cheaper for you guys to import your trophies.
Don't get me started on the tree-hugger's and their CITIES import bans!
All my trophies arrived in Brisbane this afternoon. Not even 12 months to the day the safari started. Not bad I thought as I have heard of trophies taking years or not showing up at all.

Royal27 · Sep 20, 2014

Drew,

Never saw your pics. Like the work! I especially like the buff looking all dirty and ugly, just like a buff should.

So after much hand wringing and many sleepless nights I've decided to do my Zim taxidermy in SA. I based this on several factors:

I just couldn't find a taxidermist that I really liked here in the states that wasn't what I considered expensive.
I ended up choosing Relive Taxidermy in SA as I think his work is far superior to the value options here and pretty dang close to the superior expensive options - I'm not a taxi expert and don't pretend to be. I just know what I like
I'm going to combine my Zim shipment with next May's SA shipment so will only have one crate (and set of import fees) coming into the states - this make import fee/hassle a wash to me
Paul (owner at Relive) has been great and helped to hook me up with an importer to use in SA
The buff on Relive's FB page reminded me very much of the look the second dugga boy gave me after I shot his mate

From talking to Paul he will work with me and give me the exact detail that I want. Even with the extra shipping costs I think it is going to cost me almost exactly the same as getting value work here, which is my point of comparison. For the safari next year I will definitely save money.

Will update further after the import to SA happens in a few months.

enysse · Sep 20, 2014

Royal you will definitely be cutting down on costs by combining the two.

Royal27 · Sep 20, 2014

enysse said:
Royal you will definitely be cutting down on costs by combining the two.

Always good to hear that!

I still swear that the taxi/importing is the hardest and most confusing part of a safari!

enysse · Sep 20, 2014

Well whoever clears your trophies at the airport or ship port takes a hefty fee for hardly doing nothing, then there is over inflated shipping costs (because every one has to make $$$), and the extra to get permits ready and what not...can't forget the insurance that is practical worthless unless you you have a lot of damage. It's definitely part of the trip that sets my temper off. Maybe it's just because I'm a "average joe".

Royal27 · Sep 20, 2014

^^^ Must be my problem too!

billc · Sep 20, 2014

Stop worrying about it paul will get you hooked up and all will end up just fine.
With the two trips together you will be saving more then a few dollars on the mounting and shipping even with the extra to get them from zim to SA.
I would not have even said anything to you if I thought it would end up costing more.I can tell you I get the most I can for my dollars and this is how I would do it myself.Trust me on this one.Now go back to looking at all those big bore rifles you like.LOL

Royal27 · Sep 20, 2014

billc said:
Stop worrying about it paul will get you hooked up and all will end up just fine.
With the two trips together you will be saving more then a few dollars on the mounting and shipping even with the extra to get them from zim to SA.
I would not have even said anything to you if I thought it would end up costing more.I can tell you I get the most I can for my dollars and this is how I would do it myself.Trust me on this one.Now go back to looking at all those big bore rifles you like.LOL

LOL!!!

I'm actually NOT worrying about it now Bill! This was just an update. I'm more comfortable right now than I have been in the entire process. I've got great confidence in Paul for sure.

I was just stating that I still think this part is the biggest pain!

billc · Sep 20, 2014

good to hear.You had me worried.LOL it is really not that hard though most people make it much harder then it really is.

enysse · Sep 20, 2014

If this makes you feel any better, the experienced people that do this for a living, are very good at what they do. They know all the ins and outs and the secret handshake to get things done.

buckcurtin · Sep 20, 2014

Royal27 said:
So I'm putting a slight twist on the standard question of taxidermy in the states or SA?

Has anyone ever hunted in Zim, or other countries for that matter, and then shipped to SA for taxidermy before shipping to the U.S.? Obviously the extra shipping cost will cut into the savings, but I don't have any idea how much....

My current hunt will be a buff/hippo with perhaps some PG, so I'm doubting there would be much savings, if at all. Taxidermy and shipping though, remains the hardest part of international hunting for me to understand and get my arms around!

In have twice with no problem.

buchnerl · Sep 22, 2014

Royal27 said:
Drew,

Never saw your pics. Like the work! I especially like the buff looking all dirty and ugly, just like a buff should.

So after much hand wringing and many sleepless nights I've decided to do my Zim taxidermy in SA. I based this on several factors:

I just couldn't find a taxidermist that I really liked here in the states that wasn't what I considered expensive.

I ended up choosing Relive Taxidermy in SA as I think his work is far superior to the value options here and pretty dang close to the superior expensive options - I'm not a taxi expert and don't pretend to be. I just know what I like

I'm going to combine my Zim shipment with next May's SA shipment so will only have one crate (and set of import fees) coming into the states - this make import fee/hassle a wash to me

Paul (owner at Relive) has been great and helped to hook me up with an importer to use in SA

The buff on Relive's FB page reminded me very much of the look the second dugga boy gave me after I shot his mate

From talking to Paul he will work with me and give me the exact detail that I want. Even with the extra shipping costs I think it is going to cost me almost exactly the same as getting value work here, which is my point of comparison. For the safari next year I will definitely save money.

Will update further after the import to SA happens in a few months.

View attachment 31281

Royal, I personally think this is a great idea to combine the Taxidermy of your Buff/Hippo with next years animals. Yes, you would wait longer for your trophies - however it will be worth it, money wise and quality wise. Paul has a great Taxi running and can't see why spend more money on shipping if you're already coming to SA within a couple of months.

My 2 cents...

Royal27 · Sep 22, 2014

Tootabi Hunting Safaris said:
Royal, I personally think this is a great idea to combine the Taxidermy of your Buff/Hippo with next years animals. Yes, you would wait longer for your trophies - however it will be worth it, money wise and quality wise. Paul has a great Taxi running and can't see why spend more money on shipping if you're already coming to SA within a couple of months.

My 2 cents...

Completely agree Loodt. And since I'm still waiting on shipping from Zim I won't really be waiting much longer anway, may four months? What's four months when I've already waited a lifetime?

johnnyblues · Sep 22, 2014

enysse said:
Well whoever clears your trophies at the airport or ship port takes a hefty fee for hardly doing nothing, then there is over inflated shipping costs (because every one has to make $$$), and the extra to get permits ready and what not...can't forget the insurance that is practical worthless unless you you have a lot of damage. It's definitely part of the trip that sets my temper off. Maybe it's just because I'm a "average joe".

Since I will be on my first safari next year I have been trying to absorb everything here like a new sponge. You said the insurance is almost worthless unless there is major damage. Should I forgo the insurance cost on my trophies next year?

Hunt in Zimbabwe and Taxidermy in South Africa?

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