Need info on Zambia, anyone ever been?

Gentlemen, I started a thread in the Zambia sub-form asking if anyone has hunted there. That was 4 days ago with no posts. So, I have decided to post here to reach a larger group.
I've reviewed what I have on hand and the normal web searches, I know the specific location, seasons, topography, etc...only general stuff. Now I am looking for personal accounts.

Any insight is appreciated.

If Mark Young does not chime in on this thread, I'd contact him directly. He has hunted there and books hunts through Adam Clements Safaris.

PHOENIX PHIL said:

If Mark Young does not chime in on this thread, I'd contact him directly. He has hunted there and books hunts through Adam Clements Safaris.

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Thanks PHOENIX PHIL.

i would send a pm to "tap"

Contact "shavesgreen"....This outfitter has location all over and some great location in Zambia...
Shavesgreen - SAFARI SERVICES
info@shavesgreen.com.za
www.shavesgreensafaris.com

Contact Louis, at Spiral Horn Safari...he had connections in Zambia and trained to be a PH there for a while. Really nice guy, he's busy hunting, but can probably answer your ???'s really fast.

Thank you James.Grage, I will try sending a PM to tap, thank you enysse I will check with Spiral Horn too.

Coincidentally, Shavesgreen is offering a "cull hunt" in Zambia, that is priced low. I am considering booking with them.
I had stated in several posts that "the thought of a hunt in Africa would be something in the distant future". Positive circumstances have made a prospect of the near future. The dates are during peak time for hog hunting, but I have a fill-in to cover me, something I haven't had in the past.

My rational here is that this has the potential to afford taking multiple shots.

Again I appreciate everyone's help.

I figured you were looking at that hunt. I think it's a great way to hunt Africa! And think you will have a excellent time. It's very well priced hunt! Airfare will hurt the most on this hunt.

Enysse has good advise...

if you elect to go get the price of your charter in writing...

last year my flight went from 1,000 what i was told over the phone to 5,000 after the flight....

enysse said:

I figured you were looking at that hunt. I think it's a great way to hunt Africa! And think you will have a excellent time. It's very well priced hunt!

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Thanks for the vote enysse, when I researched hunting Africa in the past it was hard getting a complete package priced right or scheduling just wouldn't work. Not the case with this one.

enysse said:

Airfare will hurt the most on this hunt.

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Man are you ever speaking the truth. It is more than the hunt. I was working on it through my usual contacts then decided to try Lori at TRAVEL EXPRESS. The reports are true she beat everything I had. In the future I will be recommending.

James.Grage said:

if you elect to go get the price of your charter in writing...

last year my flight went from 1,000 what i was told over the phone to 5,000 after the flight....

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That is disheartening. When buying a round trip ticket is it possible to have the price changed after paying for it? This is a new one. I've never had that happen here in the states, I've been overseas several times although the last time was in 2003. Is this something that is unique to travel in Africa?

Hi Guys,

I have been conversing with Xpreator about this trip. Just to make it clear the price of the hunt is inclusive of road transfer from Lusaka airport so no massive charter fees to worry about.

All the best,
Charly

Xpraetor said:

That is disheartening. When buying a round trip ticket is it possible to have the price changed after paying for it? This is a new one. I've never had that happen here in the states, I've been overseas several times although the last time was in 2003. Is this something that is unique to travel in Africa?

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James.Grage, sorry please excuse my ignorance, I didn't read your post carefully, your warning was regarding charter flights. Thank you for the heads-up.

Charly, thank you for your post.

As Charly stated he and I have been conversing regarding aspects of the hunt. He sent paperwork and it does list that travel to camp is covered in the price. I will also add that he has been very helpful & prompt in replying to my messages.

I inquired about trying for a Lechwe, and he was upfront that there would be charter tarvel, etc... He is working on getting pricing for me.

Are you bringing a 243 Win? The impala, puku and eland culling will be pretty exciting! Can you bring any of the animals home?

enysse said:

Are you bringing a 243 Win?

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I considered it, but since this would be my first trip, and for simplicity I'm leaning toward using one they have in camp. The question is if cartridges are available and what they will cost in Lusaka. I have found that leaving the US with ammunition in my checked baggage is possible, without bringing/declaring a weapon. The unknown is, will Zambian customs let me in with rounds and no rifle. Charly- with Shavesgreen is researching both for me.

enysse said:

The impala, puku and eland culling will be pretty exciting!

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That is my expectation. The opportunity this hunt would provide with multiple shots, and more than one species at that low price made it very appealing.

enysse said:

Can you bring any of the animals home?

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No, unfortunately. Although a trophy hunt is available for $350pp/day + trophy fee + dip/pack/export. I am awaiting 2012 pricing and have thought of maybe trying for a Lechwe or Puku it will depend on the pricing.

Thanks you for your interest.

xpraetor

A few questions need to be answered before an answer to your question can be provided.

The questions that needs to be answered on ammunition is:

Ammunition what caliber's are you at taking?

1. Where will you land?...What airports and country's are involved?..
2. Do you have to claim your luggage at any of the airports?...
3. Or are you able to check your luggage straight through to Zambia?

contact Andrew Baldry, munyamadzi safaris, he is above board and will be honest on anything in Zambia

Thank you for the information marty.

I would contact Andrew Baldry and Richard Bell-Cross, Pro-Hunt Zambia. I have been there 3 times with the wife and friends, the guys are great and the hunting unforgettable!!!

be extremely careful when dealing with khal amazi. I'm not sure on whos end the fault lies but I lost nearly $7,000 to them. What happened is this. I had planned on myself and 6 other guests coming along to hunt with me. They of course were all going to be observers. I had to pay for them 100% in advance and it totaled almost $7000 I believe. Well, safari time rolls around and about 4 days before we are to leave for zambia Phil Minnaar contacts me that a yellow fever outbreak has forced the airlines to require yellow fever vacinations in order to travel outside of zambia. Well I was the only one in the family with yellow fever shots and my wife and I were worried about our kids getting sick. I figured we would just leave my wife with the 3 kids and our ph and his wife in south africa that way the kids were safe and they could still hunt. Well I talked it over with phil and he said since it was out of my hands he was sure I would only be charged something like a 10% fee for the food they had to buy and call it goood. He said I could shoot trophies with the rest of my money and call it good. Well at the conclusion of the safari I was charged for the extra animals I had shot and supposedly the owner of the property said that none of my money would be returned. I was given no credit whatsoever for the 7 grand I lost and all I shot extra was an ostrich for $400 and I had to pay out of pocket for that. My ph supposedly paid that since he felt bad and what I learned is that I will never again pay for 100% of my safari in advance and will only pay 50%. The other 50% will be paid upon arrival to camp. As far as the hunt goes phil will take care of you 100% and you will never have problems with phil. He's a great guy and you will get your animals and the hunt will be awesome. Just be careful with the money you are dealing with strictly business people here and they mean business. Its all dollars and sense to them so cross your "t's" and dot your I's or they will take you to the cleaners.

tap,
Thank you for the reply. Shavesgreen is the safari consultant and they will have a rep. in camp, since this will be a "cull hunt" the cost is locked in & no horns or hides can be exported. Trophy hunting is available at the normal rate. The only fees required in advance are the base $1250 for the "cull hunt".

I understand that you get what you pay for, the low price is due to the number of hunters that will be in camp. I've not been able to find negative reports on Shavesgreen, if there are any out there please chime in.

I have compiled all my information and I will be posting everything in the Hunting- Zambia sub-forum upon completion.

Some interesting points that I have found out which pertain to posts in this thread are--

There is a $2/round tax on ammunition brought into Zambia [I have decided not to bring in my own rifle, for simplicity]; The one caveat is can I transfer through South Africa with ammunition without declaring a rifle...? In theory my checked bags should clear via transfer, but still a ?

VAT is 17.5%, which is not normally inclusive, so you must budget for that and there is no option for refund that I have found.

Zambia is a Malarial country, so you will need to start a non-quinine prophylactic (there are resistant strains) prior to travel, as well as Yellow Fever & Cholera. Typhoid, Hep. A & B, TB and Tetanus, although not required, are highly recommended.

A Visa is usually issued at the point of entry as a visiting sportsman, however if you are traveling via South Africa it recommended that you get it in advance. Start early it takes sometime to process.

Presently I have not booked with Shavesgreen yet, because I am having to get my Passport renewed. I pulled it out and noticed that it would expire before I would leave. The closest USPS office that handles Passports is 1 hr. away and they cannot issue an express renewal, they would send it out or I could drive 5 hrs. away to the nearest office that could. I opted to have it sent out, the verdict on that being a wise decision remains to be seen.

The two most informative sites are the "Ultimate Trip Planning Guide" found on this web-site and www.safaribwana.com

Thank you again to all that have posted.