ZIMBABWE Hunting Information

[rookhawk]

Are you going to connect through Dubai UAE? I STRONGLY suggest you fly emirates and avoid SA on your trip.

You can stay with one carrier on one aircraft and greatly reduce your chances of lost guns. If you go through SA there is a great chance that SAPS will hold your guns and you'll be in Zim gunless....happened to me.

 

[BRICKBURN]

................

And can anyone give me some insight if I should look into doing the Global Rescue Membership?
.........

If you are going into a remote place I would suggest getting the Global Rescue Membership.

Some outfits have mandatory MARS fees.
http://mars.co.zw/index/index.php

 

[BRICKBURN]

.............
If you go through SA there is a great chance that SAPS will hold your guns and you'll be in Zim gunless....happened to me.

On what basis did the SAPS hold your firearms?

 

[rookhawk]

Be advised that Mars and global rescue are worthless in Zim in most areas unless you also have a Sat Phone at the ready and generator power to keep the SAT phone juiced up.

Where I hunted it was about an 1 to 1.5 hour drive to the nearest cell signal via safari truck on dirt roads going perhaps 80kph. If you got global rescue so you could be evac'd when minutes matter, you better have a plan to make that call.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Got it, thought that's where it was, but amazing how hidden they are

Wait until you see a Zebra disappear.

 

[WestCo]

Flying on Delta from Atlanta to Johannesburg, staying the night at Africa Sky, next morning flying on SAA to Bulawayo

 

[rookhawk]

On what basis did the SAPS hold your firearms?

On the basis of stupidity. Baggage handlers in Jo'Burg forwarded my guns to SAPS even though they were to check though to Zim. So they sat at SAPS for two days until someone found them through an extensive search.

Fly from US to Harare directly on a premium carrier with only a connection in Dubai and you'll be fine. Dubai doesn't make many mistakes with weapon transport. Oh, and business class on Emirates costs very little more than coach on most carriers and it happens to be arguably the most prestigious airline in the world.

 

[rookhawk]

Flying on Delta from Atlanta to Johannesburg, staying the night at Africa Sky, next morning flying on SAA to Bulawayo

I bet you could at least fly emirates to dubai and then jo'burg and then SAA to bulawayo as I did last year. Only flight that didn't require a SA stay over. That savings of hassle, transport and lodging in SA would easily pay most of the difference to a biz class seat on emirates too. (or you could coach fly and save a bundle)

 

[BRICKBURN]

.........., you better have a plan to make that call.

No matter where you are you best be prepared.

On the basis of stupidity. Baggage handlers in Jo'Burg forwarded my guns to SAPS even though they were to check though to Zim. ............

Habit for the baggage handlers. Poor luck for you
Glad the SAPS stored them for you.

 

[CAustin]

Not having my rifle would drive me to drink!

 

[Philip Glass]

I'm going to Zim for the first time. I have Global Rescue and a sat phone and recommend both when traveling to a remote place such as this. Provided all flights stay on time I'll transit RSA without an overnight. Then to Harare, overnight and then on the charter plane.
Regards,
Philip

 

[rookhawk]

Headed to Kariba or Zambezi River, Phil?

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

So, I'm just doing a check off list of the forms/papers need to make the trip to Zim go smoother. I've been doing quite a bit of research, so hopefully I've got them all covered.

Prior to leaving US:
* SAPS 520. * CBP Form 4457. *Form F.R. 20
*Letter of Motivation. *Letter of Invitation

After the Hunt:
* Return Form TR2. * NP 11 Form
* PH Valid License copy

And can anyone give me some insight if I should look into doing the Global Rescue Membership?

Please feel free to let me know if I've forgot any necessary documents or have something the isn't necessary.

Thanks

Westco: I flew into Bulawayo, Zim back in May, 2015, from Joburg. The SAA Airlink flight leaves late morning and gets to Bulawayo around noon or 1pm. It's a regional jet, so not a huge number of people on the plane, so getting in and out of the Bulawayo airport is relatively quick and easy. It's actually a pretty nice, efficient airport. I got thru immigration, got my luggage and was out the door in 15 minutes. If you can get a pdf of the immigration form and print it on the correct size paper (A5), that is helpful to speeding things along. If you are getting a tourist visa, I don't think you need the letter of inviation or motivation. Just the IF1 form, $30 US.

As far as the Global Rescue membership, probaly a good idea. I live and work overseas (in Nigeria) and my company covers us with SOS International. The point made about having a sat phone is a good one. My PH had a sat phone, plus there was also some cell phone coverage in the Bubye Valley Conservancy (southern Zim).

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

One other item: After overnighting in Joburg, when you get the the airport for your flight to Zim, there are vendors in the airport check in terminal that will wrap you luggage in plastic wrap. Cost is about $10 per bag. I was traveling with one large duffle bag and the airline recommended getting the bag wrapped. Keeps (or slows down) the baggage handlers from helping their self to your stuff.

 

[Global Rescue]

Hi WestCo,

Global Rescue here. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding Global Rescue or assist in determining which membership would be best for your travels to Zim. Please feel free to send me a PM or call me at +1-617-459-4204.

Member benefits include:
-24hr medical advisory services from critical care paramedics and in-house physicians
- Specialists at Johns Hopkins Medicine available in real-time
-Field Rescue from the point of illness or injury
- Evacuation back to the member's home hospital of choice
- Global network of medical Centers Of Excellence
-Deployable medical and security teams
- Evacuation services provided up to $500,000

Safe travels and look forward to speaking with you soon,
Kevin

 

[Philip Glass]

I am headed to hunt with Martin Pieters in the Zambezi Valley by lake Kariba. I have about a month till I leave and I can't get much work done because all I can think about is Safari! Im already planning my packing etc. Of course I've been shooting my gun and have it where I want it. Now I just need to go at night and practice on some varmints so I am used to shooting in the dark. I think the .375 Ruger will not leave much left of a fox or coon! I live on a ranch so I get to do these things on a daily basis. I have a sat phone, global rescue, and my PH is getting me a sim card for my iPhone as well. Lots of traveling to get there so I am already praying that all goes well!
Regards,
Philip

 

[rookhawk]

You'll have a great time, Phil.

Most important thing is to practice being a mediocre shot instantly.bif you can't shoot off sticks in under 2 or 2.5 seconds, you're useless.

Anal shooters that take their time go hungry. I can't emphasize how important it is to be able to hit a pie plate off sticks with one second of prep at 100yds and to do the same in under 3 at 200 yards.

Shoot fast and have a great time!

 

[Philip Glass]

That is my kind of shooting! I'm not a bench and target guy at all. Just a hunter. Yes I've got my gun where I want it and now time to just shoot gongs off sticks.
Regards
Philip

 

[rookhawk]

Hi Phil,

I actually was thinking about this thread in my sleep last night as I recalled my horrible experience in June doing what you're attempting to do next month...connect in SA. This morning I began the process of booking my flights for this year from USA to Zim and I'm going to Harare specifically to avoid the SA overnight, connections, change of airliners, change of individual planes, etc.

I strongly recommend you take a look at what it would take to fly from USA to Harare on one carrier, then fly from Harare to your destination on a puddle jumper OR via truck. In either case you'll know if you have your guns when you land in Zim or not.

Not having my rifles cost me 10% of my hunting trip...wasted. A magnificent animal of superb quality I had to pass on. It also cost me bribes to the Zim gov't to retrieve the guns. It also cost me transport to get my guns retrieved. Losing your guns will cost you at least $1000 if it goes south in country A and you are now in country B. This after I used Steve at Travel with Guns for an additional cost of $200 as well.

Bottom line, minimize connections, minimize air line companies, minimize layovers. Get your guns back in your possession as fast as humanly possible.

-Rookhawk

 

[David H]

If anyone coming in to Zimbabwe has questions or needs help related to guns, feel free to PM and I will do my best to assist where possible. I'm very happy to do some preliminary enquiries with the local authority if I don't know the answer myself. The process once in Zimbabwe is usually very straight forward and not something to be too concerned with.