HUNTING IN ZIMBABWE
Here is a document that I just received from the Safaris Operators Association of Zimbabwe (SOAZ) that I wanted to share with you...
If you are contemplating a hunt in Zimbabwe we encourage you to consult our website www.soaz.net and to deal with one of our members so as to avoid some of the pitfalls that have happened in the past to hunters who hunted with an unknown?
If we at the Zimbabwe Safari Operators Association can assist you with information please do not hesitate to contact us. e-mail: soaz@mweb.co.zw
HUNTING IN ZIMBABWE
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in Southern Africa comprising 39 075 700 hectares (1 hec. = 2.471 acres). It is bordered by South Africa to the South Mocambique to the East, Zambia to the North and Botswana and Namibia to the West. Altitude ranges from around 500 metres in the northern Zambezi Valley up to 1 500 metres in the Highveld, and slopes down again to around 300 metres in the south-east Lowveld.
CLIMATE
Zimbabwe's climate is divided mainly into Summer (Oct Apr. with temperatures around 32C) and Winter (May Sept. with temperatures around 20C but can drop much lower at night).
The main rainfall is between December and March when access to some hunting areas can be restricted because of impassable conditions and high temperatures combined with humidity. The ideal hunting time is between April and October. Highveld areas may offer hunting year round at the discretion of the Operator. Other areas may also open year round depending on conditions prevailing.
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SAFARI INDUSTRY
Safari Operators in Zimbabwe are required to be registered and licenced by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority. Their Tour Operator's licence number should commence with HOP Ask for your Operator's number when booking your hunt and if he does not have one check his bona fides through SOAZ. (e-mail:
soaz@mweb.co.zw).
Operators must hold a lease or agreement on a suitable concession with accompanying quota of animals. They are responsible for the official paperwork and permits connected to the hunt.
Bow, and Handgun are permitted on an experimental basis and require special permits. Blackpowder is legal provided the weapon complies with the requirements of the Third Schedule of the Firearms Act. This also applies to handguns.
Hunting Operators are required by law to provide the services of a Zimbabwe licenced Professional Hunter to accompany foreign hunters in Zimbabwe. Licencing is undertaken by the National Parks & Wildlife Authority. Professional Hunters write a Learner Examination, then are apprenticed for two years during which time they must pass a shooting test set by the Zimbabwe Shooting Federation and obtain an Advanced First Aid Certificate. They then attend a Proficiency Test in the field. Full Licence holders carry a plastic disk issued by National Parks which shows their photograph, ID number and Licence number. Learner Licence holders carry a paper licence with their details and a licence number.
Only PHs licenced in Zimbabwe may conduct hunts in Zimbabwe.
CATEGORIES OF HUNTING LAND
Hunting takes place on various categories of land:
State Safari Land. His is land in marginal areas, owned by the State and generally unsuitable for agriculture, but ideal for game: Chewore, Chete, Chirisa, Dande, Matetsi, Deka, Forestry Land. Big game occurs in these areas.
Communal Land. This is traditionally held by indigenous people. The State grants authority to the District Councils to assume responsibility for the management and utilisation of the wildlife in their areas. With assistance from National Parks a quota is set and offered by Tender to the hunting operators. The successful operator markets the hunts abroad and the funds earned from trophy animals are paid to the District Council who distribute them to the families in the appropriate area. A portion is retained for community development such as grinding mills, schools and bridges. By placing a value on wildlife the indigenous people benefit and have an incentive to reject poaching. This system is known as CAMPFIRE and has been adopted by several surrounding states.
Private Land. There are some ranches where domestic livestock may, or may not, be run together with game. Many ranches turned to game farming as game withstands drought conditions far better than cattle and are not subject to the same diseases. There are not many private game ranches left since the land take-over exercise, but some Conservancies are still operating. Care should be taken when hunting private land that the title deeds legitimately belong to the person offering the hunting. Clients from USA and EU could be prosecuted by their own governments for hunting on re-allocated land which has not been formally sold to the occupier. Care should also be taken that the occupier/owner is not listed on the USA list of persons it is forbidden to do business with. The US Embassy e-mail is
consularharare@state.gov for those who wish to enquire.
ANIMALS AVAILABLE FOR HUNTING IN ZIMBABWE
The following animals may be legally hunted in Zimbabwe on permits issued by the National Parks Authority:-
Buffalo, Cheetah, Crocodile, Elephant, Hippo, Leopard, Lion
Giraffe, Zebra
Bushbuck, Duiker, Eland, Grysbok, Impala, Klipspringer, Kudu, Nyala, Reedbuck, Sable, Steenbok, Tsessebe, Waterbuck, Wildebeest.
Civet, Genet, Hyaena (spotted), Jackal, Wildcat.
Bushpig, Porcupine, Warthog
Baboon, Spring Hare, Vervet Monkey.
Doves, Duck, Francolin, Guineafowl.
Elephant carrying ivory in the range of 40-50 lbs average can be found in Zimbabwe with some 60 lb and over being shot each year.
Most cats are shot on bait, usually in the early morning or evening. Night time hunting is not permitted on State Safari Land.
CITES QUOTAS IN ZIMBABWE FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES
National Parks applies to CITES each year for quotas of Elephant, Leopard, Cheetah and Crocodile. Animals that are present in Zimbabwe but not hunted because of low populations are: Rhino, Roan Antelope, Lichtenstein's Hartebeest and the Painted Dog (also known as Wild Dog).
BOOKING YOUR HUNT
Prospective clients should enter into a written agreement with the Hunting Operator in regard to: Daily Rate, Number of Days, Species to be shot if available, Price for each specie, Charge for non-hunting visitors, Cost of transfers from port of entry to point of departure, Arrangements for treatment and dispatch of trophies. Enquire whether any other charges are applicable.
The Hunting Operator is responsible for obtaining the licences, paperwork and permits and supplying the necessary services to conduct a hunt: camp accommodation, catering, trackers, skinners, vehicles and a Zimbabwe licenced Professional Hunter.
WEAPONS
Your Operator will advise what rifles are appropriate for the hunt booked. A .375 or bigger and a medium calibre 7mm-300 HxH range are suggested as generally suitable for most hunts. Hunting weapons may be temporarily imported into Zimbabwe by declaring them, together with your ammunition, at Customs upon arrival and obtaining a Temporary Firearms Import Permit. This permit is checked upon your departure again. No payment is required for this permit.
THE THIRD SCHEDULE OF THE FIREARMS ACT
This states a calibre of no less than 9.22mm in diameter with muzzle energy of 5.3 kilojoules is required for
Elephant, Buffalo and Hippo.
A calibre of no less than 7mm in diameter with a muzzle energy of no less than 4.3 kilojoules is required for
Lion, Giraffe and Eland.
A calibre of no less than 7mm in diameter with muzzle energy of no less than 3 kilojoules is required for
Crocodile, Hyaena, Kudu, Leopard, Nyala, Sable, Waterbuck, Wildebeest, Zebra etc.
A calibre of no less than 5.l6mm with muzzle energy of 850 joules is required for
Bushbuck, Bushpig, Impala, Reedbuck, Warthog.
BIRD SHOOTING
Some bird shooting is available but in smaller numbers than USA. Guineafowl, Partridge, Duck and Geese are available in appropriate areas in season. Doves and Pigeons are available year round in fairly large numbers. Bird Shooting and Fishing can be combined and arranged by your Operator. A good time would be February to April or August to November.
FISHING
Sport fishing in Zimbabwe offers the fighting Tiger Fish found in Lake Kariba and along the Lower Zambezi River. The annual Tiger Fishing Competition is held in September/October. Other species include Bream, Vundu (the ultimate in catfish), Chesa and Bottlenose.
Bass fishing is available in privately stocked dams.
Trout fishing is available in the Eastern Highlands in stocked National Parks dams in season.
Catch-and-release is practiced by many Zimbabwe sport fishermen, but visitors are welcome to retain their prize catch for taxidermy work, which can be undertaken in Zimbabwe. Serious fishermen should bring their own tackle with them.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Your Safari Operator will advise on suitable clothing and equipment to bring with you. Khaki and Jungle Green clothing is preferable. Military camouflage clothing is not permitted in Zimbabwe. Taxidermists of good quality are available in Zimbabwe or your Operator will arrange for dip and pack of your trophies for despatch to your own taxidermist.
Electricity supply is 220-240Va.c. accessible via 14 amp square pinned fused plugs.
A Tourism Levy is charged at 2% by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority. Enquire from your Operator how this will affect the cost of your hunt.
National Parks charge a levy of 2% of the trophy fee for preparing the export documents for the trophies. A further 2% on trophies is charged by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.
HEALTH
Malaria preventative medication is necessary. Please consult your own physician prior to coming to Zimbabwe. Use of insect repellants and concealing clothing in the evenings is recommended.
Bilharzia is present in many dams and rivers. It is advisable to make minimal contact with this water, however Bilharzia is easily cured by a single dose of Biltricide or similar medication.. Please consult your own physician.
AIDS is prevalent in Africa but can be avoided by refraining from irresponsible sexual behaviour. Medical Blood Bank serum and blood is tested prior to use.
Medical Air Rescue and Ambulance Service is available in most areas of Zimbabwe and insurance cover for this is available. Your Operator can assist you to obtain this cover.
Private as well as Government clinics, hospitals and doctors are available in the main centers, and your Professional Hunter has First Aid training.
ACTIVITIES FOR THE NON-HUNTER
Zimbabwe offers a wide range of other interests for non-hunters accompanying the hunter, or for the hunter once he has completed his hunt. These range from Canoeing the Zambezi River, Whitewater Rafting below the famous Victoria Falls, Houseboats on Lake Kariba, Fishing, Bird Watching, Photographic, Walking or Horseback safaris, and Game Lodges.
OFFICIAL BODIES
Our Operators make every effort to ensure your hunt runs smoothly and that you enjoy your stay in Zimbabwe. However, should you feel that you have been subjected to unethical practices or unreasonable treatment, you are welcome to make a full written report to the Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe, or the Zimbabwe Professional Hunters & Guides Association, 18 Walter Hill Ave., Eastlea, Harare. Tel: 4-702402 Fax: 4- 705046 E-mail:
soaz@mweb.co.zw, website:
www.soaz.net.
These Associations will only investigate complaints received against their members. Complaints against other Operators should be made to the Director-General, National Parks & Wildlife Authority Box CY 140, Causeway, Harare.
E-mail
vchadenga@zimparks.co.zw.
SOAZ is able to help you contact Hunting, Fishing or Photographic Tour Operators.