Zambia, this doesn’t sit well with me about renting guns or Zambia

[Safari Dave]

I us to be so bad about what rifle to use.
I Tryed to get the best rifle and round for each game animal and each way I was going to hunt that animal.
After the house burned I got more into the generallise hunting rifle.

Considering your circumstances, I could very well do the same thing.

I'm truly sorry about your situation. (The same thing could happen to me).


Using a "rented" rifle beats not hunting 100% of the time.




I just need 3 shots...

 

[Flbt]

Considering your circumstances, I could very well do the same thing.

I'm truly sorry about your situation. (The same thing could happen to me).


Using a "rented" rifle beats not hunting 100% of the time.




I just need 3 shots...

Thanks
Yea it sucked
But it was not my guns I hated to lose
It was granddads , dads, and a few from grate uncles that hurt so bad.
A ah fox a early colt new service in 45 colt
A American firearms dubble 12 and singing 12
A polish vs 35 radam with German markings and a Walther 32 with war markings brought back by grandmas brother

Those hurt alot

 

[roverandbrew]

I have hunted Zambia with my own rifles three times in the last two years. I flew into Lusaka each time and had ZERO issues. To be completely honest it is way less hassle than flying into Johannesburg. @spike.t makes things pretty easy.

 

[PeteG]

I we just listening to two hunters getting back from Zambia, their PH advised them to not bring any guns or ammunition ( because of the extreme high cost/ tax of import there)
They took his advice and then ph didn’t let them test shoot them ( once again saying the cost per round was cost prohibiting) luckily the hunt was filmed as one guy nicked a Roan through the neck hair , it was off 8 inches high and right, next was a buffalo with a 416 rigby which he insisted on shooting gun before he would hunt, the PH about flipped out saying “” every single round cost +/- $40 US $ “ gun was on and only one practice was needed, both guys shot every renter but never really felt comfortable shooting them.
1. Is Zambia that expensive to import ammunition and equipment
2.anyone have such a experience with a PH and renting guns?
3.is Zambia really that much of a fence farm country?
Luckly they got their target animals, but said for them never Zambia again or a completely different area and or PH. ( + I didn’t know air charter was a problem there length and costs)
I appreciate hearing the bad hunts as much as the good,

I believe there may be more to this story than meets the eye.

It is not very expensive to import a firearm and there is no ammo tax on import of ammunition.
It would be good to know who the clients hunted with and where.

no ph/operator should/would refuse to allow a client to test fire the rifles. I certainly would not and i have even changed rifles for a client after he battled to shoot 3 rounds consistently at a target. rifle just wasnt a good fit for him. i switched out his rifle for another that was provided by the outfitter and he was good to go.

there are only a few fenced areas in zambia. all the government concessions are unfenced. most of the larger private areas are unfenced.

air charter is expensive here. no where near as expensive as many other african countries but it is still expensive. the options is either fly or drive. in some cases a drive may only be 6-7 hours, but in other cases it could exceed 14hours. choice is always yours as the client.

disappointing to hear they will not consider zambia again as a destination based off that experience considering it is absolutely not the norm.

If anyone has any questions or needs info on zambia, there are a bunch of us on here that can help or alternatively you can get hold of the Guides and Outfitters association and ask directly on there for any clarifications.

PGOAZ

The Professional Guides & Outfitters Association of Zambia (PGOAZ) strives to represent it’s members and the wider safari hunting industry as a whole to promote ethical and sustainable safari hunting in Zambia, support and promote conservation and community development efforts of it’s members an

www.pgoaz.com

 

[spike.t]

#3 now

What do you mean by this?.....as explained at ndola they don't deal with firearms very often....I had to go through to the customs area to sort it out....I showed the government document showing no duty was payable...and one of the customs officers confirmed with the customs in lusaka as well...they apologised and said they didn't know it had been changed, as previously there was duty to pay on ammo brought in...the police chief....well that can happen in any country here in a lot if different departments where money will be asked for doing something that is simply their job....to me you seem to have an axe to grind about zambia...you haven't said who or where you hunted with.....

 

[mark-hunter]

Over there if you draw blood and the animal is not found you have to pay right?
You are hunting where the animal you are hunting can kill you and you could run into a animal that can kill you?
Now add in I never want to wound a animal.

There no way I am hunting with a un tried gun.
I want to know it’s sighted where I can hit with it.
But I dammed well want to know the gun works at all.

Exactly!

This is exactly my point!
For high value hunt, premium plaims game or DG, I want to test the rifle. And i dont care of ammunition costs.

 

[spike.t]

OK here are some ammo prices ...have done at exchange rate at moment...so per round
375 h&h usd 7.50
7x57..30-06 and similar...usd 3.00
500 Jeffery..usd 13.00

As I said what the guy said to whoever was bullshit regarding them being usd 30 to 40 a round.....

 

[PARA45]

As I said what the guy said to whoever was bullshit regarding them being usd 30 to 40 a round.....

Maybe that is what the outfitter was charging the hunters.

It seems like we need more information about this hunt. This is why this forum is so helpful, many here have hunted all over Africa, and if not, an outfitter will step in and clear the air of all the BS.

Thanks @spike.t

 

[Doug3006]

I hunted in Zambia back in 2014. I took 2 of my rifles and arrived in Lusaka. No problems clearing customs at all. I forget what I paid for the import permit, but it must have been minimal….because I don’t even remember. The first order of business once we unpacked was checking the rifles at the range.

Based on my experience, and most everyone I’ve heard from who’ve hunted there, the fault lies with your outfitter. It’s not difficult to import your own rifles, and if you use theirs, then testing them at the range in non-negotiable.

 

[pilar]

Maybe that is what the outfitter was charging the hunters.

It seems like we need more information about this hunt. This is why this forum is so helpful, many here have hunted all over Africa, and if not, an outfitter will step in and clear the air of all the BS.

Thanks @spike.t

I agree , that’s why I asked the questions , talking to two random guys during a fishing trip, doesn’t constitute the gospel!
Good to clear the air though our friends on AH

 

[Ontario Hunter]

OK here are some ammo prices ...have done at exchange rate at moment...so per round
375 h&h usd 7.50
7x57..30-06 and similar...usd 3.00
500 Jeffery..usd 13.00

As I said what the guy said to whoever was bullshit regarding them being usd 30 to 40 a round.....

Sounds comparable to here. Expect to pay $50-$75 per box of 20 for premium ammo 30-06 at Canadian Tire store.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Taken my .375 Holland & Holland Magnum Remington Model 700 and my 12 gauge 3” Magnum Beretta Model 626E to Zambia twice now. Never had any problems.

If your outfitter is restrictive about practice shots, then you need a new outfitter.

 

[dchum]

...to me you seem to have an axe to grind about zambia...you haven't said who or where you hunted with.....

Exactly, he didn’t.

just random hearsay story’s from “two guys” as op said.
A story with zero important details. Useless!

Cheers @spike.t

 

[mdwest]

OK here are some ammo prices ...have done at exchange rate at moment...so per round
375 h&h usd 7.50
7x57..30-06 and similar...usd 3.00
500 Jeffery..usd 13.00

As I said what the guy said to whoever was bullshit regarding them being usd 30 to 40 a round.....

375 H&H Barnes Vor-tx is going to cost you $99 a box (20) plus tax, plus shipping (roughly $120 a box to get it to your door).. so $6 per round here..

a box of 7x57 Nosler "trophy grade" ammo is going to run you $78 a box, plus shipping and tax.. so call it $90.. so.. $4.50 per round.. you can go cheap and get something like Norma White Tail for about $35 delivered, or Federal PowerShok for about $60 delivered.. and get below the $3.00 Zambia price... but youre definitely not getting premium ammo any cheaper...

500 Jeff in Nosler Safari is $160 a box plus shipping and tax.. youre going to be looking at $200 for a box of 20.. or $20 per round...

So.. in many cases US ammo is actually more expensive it would appear..

 

[Tanks]

My last African hunt was in Zambia with my own rifle (Rigby .275) and I flew Qatar. No issues coming or going. Admittedly, I was hunting with a competent Zambian outfitter, @spike.t, who is also a sponsor on this site.

Same here with @spike.t . The airport departure was a sh*t show, but that was due to their logistics. Had to go through security leading to gates in order to get to the customs room with the guns and luggage. Then, go back out and check-in. After that the army guy shook me down for "beer money" at the lounge. Luckily, I had some left-over Zambian currency equivalent of $20 or so.

 

[spike.t]

Exactly, he didn’t.

just random hearsay story’s from “two guys” as op said.
A story with zero important details. Useless!

Cheers @spike.t

Yeah saw that.....strange way to go....bringing up hearsay.....

 

[spike.t]

375 H&H Barnes Vor-tx is going to cost you $99 a box (20) plus tax, plus shipping (roughly $120 a box to get it to your door).. so $6 per round here..

a box of 7x57 Nosler "trophy grade" ammo is going to run you $78 a box, plus shipping and tax.. so call it $90.. so.. $4.50 per round.. you can go cheap and get something like Norma White Tail for about $35 delivered, or Federal PowerShok for about $60 delivered.. and get below the $3.00 Zambia price... but youre definitely not getting premium ammo any cheaper...

500 Jeff in Nosler Safari is $160 a box plus shipping and tax.. youre going to be looking at $200 for a box of 20.. or $20 per round...

So.. in many cases US ammo is actually more expensive it would appear..

Depends on exchange rate....when kwacha suddenly got 30 % plus stronger a while ago...things didn't look so favourable....and no prices on anything went down as usual.....but yeah can't complain too much....especially as if I needed can go buy 600NE down....

 

[spike.t]

Same here with @spike.t . The airport departure was a sh*t show, but that was due to their logistics. Had to go through security leading to gates in order to get to the customs room with the guns and luggage. Then, go back out and check-in. After that the army guy shook me down for "beer money" at the lounge. Luckily, I had some left-over Zambian currency equivalent of $20 or so.

Waa actually wondering if you would bring that up.... ....I must say for checking guns out of the country the old terminal..which is now domestic only....was lot easier as so small everything was ..just there...now we have the new fancy Chinese built one...( @Red Leg was one of first to use it...arrived in old one and departed out of new one....) which as much as it pains me to say isn't too bad.....well can see problems when it gets busier..but OK at moment....Yeah they have changed process a bit now.....don't go through security like you did...still bit long winded ....but more straightforward ....the most issues seem to come from airlines and their different routines.....airlink to me is most straight forward...at least through lusaka....still involves trip to office to pay for the gun case...but nowhere near the fun and games had last time with Ethiopian...who on the morning decided you had to be at airport 4 hours before....but with their messing around was needed....but these issues are airline not the "other" ones......from what I have read you have the same issues flying out of usa with airline staff....so can't say it's all shit over here.............

 

[spike.t]

Must confess am still waiting for op to give the info on ph...area etc....starting to think after being asked a few times he doesn't know......if doesn't know am not impressed at him starting this thread on hearsay......if am wrong will admit...but need some backup from his side.....

 

[dchum]

Must confess am still waiting for op to give the info on ph...area etc....starting to think after being asked a few times he doesn't know......if doesn't know am not impressed at him starting this thread on hearsay......if am wrong will admit...but need some backup from his side.....

Me thinks op likes to stir the pot

Take a look at most of the threads they have started. A few similar to this.

One day he said he’s “going” to Zambia then not 3 days later he says he’s booked for Zimbabwe. Still never been. Odd to me.