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For Information on
Importation of Firearms into South Africa,
CLICK HERE
CHECK LIST...
This is a list that we think
you should have when you come to hunt with us. It
contains most of the stuff you should know. I hope this
will help each and everyone that hunts with us and that
it will make things a lot easier.
Rifle: A 270 or bigger calibre, 300 Winchester Magnum
are very popular on a good all round calibre. The type
of game you will be hunting can be taken with most deer
rifles however if Eland is on your list you definitely
want something with some punch. Use heavy bullets (180
grain) of premium construction for your animals.
PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE WITH YOU A PROOF OF
OWNERSHIP FOR THE RIFLES THAT YOU ARE BRINGING FOR
CUSTOM CLEARANCE.
Scope needs to provide adequate magnification for 200
yard shots. A 2.5-8X scope is recommended. Quick
detachable mounts are good for ease of replacement of
scope if problem arise.
Carrying sling – wide, for long hikes.
Lens Pen for cleaning optics (scope, camera,
binoculars).
Ammunition – 60 rounds minimum per calibre.
You won’t shoot that much but if your scope is knocked
out of alignment and you have to re-sight-in, you cannot
have too many rounds. The cost of ammo in South Africa
is very high and not always available. You can and
should always leave excess ammo with your PH.
Airline have an 11 pound maximum per person for ammo.
Solids are good for small antelope like steenbok and
duiker as well as for jackals. In a pinch they work okay
on most animals.
Gun case: Steel Hard Case to deter airline damages.
Our gun laws has changed so you will have to do
necessary documentation for firearms and ammo. All
necessary documentation will be provided by us. Keep the
forms with you at all times. You will not be harassed.
You can also contact Henry Durrheim from Riflepermits (
e-mail: henry@riflepermits.com ). For a fee of $90 he
will apply for your rifle permit, meet you at
Johannesburg airport, take you thru customs and get you
onto the connecting flight to Kimberley. Just contact
him about a month before your hunt starts.
South Africa welcomes hunters.
Shoes: Two pairs of well broken-in boots/shoes. Ankle
height is fine. Non-insulated. Desert boots without
socks are fine, if you are used to them
Clothes: Our morning temperature in winter ( June –
August) is about 17 C. 3 pair long pants; 3 pair short
pants; 4 T-shirts; 3 short sleeve cotton shirts; 2
sweater; 1 light windbreaker jacket; 4 pairs if socks;
cap or hat; 4 changes of underwear; belt; light rain
poncho (just in case); gloves (for early mornings)
toilet kit (toothbrush, razor, shampoo and any personal
medication. Carry a good suntan lotion or sunscreen, shapstick for your lips, eye drops and a pair of
tweezers to remove thorns). Clothes are washed
regularly, so no need to bring a lot.
For our Bow hunters: Cammo clothing are legal in our
country. It is also recommended for bow hunting. Bring
dark cammo clothing, facemask and gloves.
Cameras and gear: Zippered camera bag. Ziplock bag –
keep film and lenses in bags to protect from dust.
Other:
Rangefinder – fun – but only marginally useful
Pocket knife
BINOCULARS – quality pair, you will use it a lot. Please
make sure that they are of good quality and strong.
Money: Use credit cards for souvenirs because of the
card companies ability to get great conversion rates.
Payments for your safari and packing and dipping or
taxidermy can be done with travellers checks, cash or
credit cards. PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ONLY HAVE FACILITIES
FOR VISA AND MASTER CARDS. ALSO BEAR IN MIND THAT A 5%
COMMISSION WILL BE CHARCH WITH EVERY AMOUNT PAID BY
CREDIT CARD. ALWAYS REMEMBER TO INFORM YOUR BANK IF YOU
ARE GOING ABROAD TO AVOID ANY PROBLEMS WHEN YOU USE YOUR
CREDIT CARD IN SOUTH AFRICA!!!!!!
Taxidermy:
You must please keep in mind packing and dipping and
shipping costs are not included in your hunt. After the
hunt there are a few options you can keep in mind
regarding your trophies.
Option 1
You can have the raw trophies packed, dipped and shipped
to yourself or your own taxidermist in the USA/Europe.
Option 2
You can have the trophies mounted by the taxidermist
Wiets Safaris use, and thereafter be shipped to you in
the USA/Europe.
Shipping cost are however not included.
Option 3
You can also have your trophies mounted by any
taxidermist in South Africa or be shipped by any
Shipping Company in South Africa. But please make sure
that the relevant company signs the undertaking that
they will comply with the local law and regulations
regarding shipping.
If you are using your own taxidermist you can have your
taxidermist’s card laminated, with your address and
phone number written on the back, these can be attached
to the unmounted skins and horns. So this means to
prepare 3 per animal that you shoot..
Food and Beverages
We only provide Coke and Diet Coke free of charge. Any
thing else you would like can be ordered for you and
your account will be charged accordingly. We provide
traditional South African meals and prepare a number of
venison dishes. Any other alcoholic drinks will be for
your own account.
Tips / Gratuities
If you have been satisfied with the service of your
outfitter, you may wish to express this satisfaction
with a gratuity, as is customary on Safaris through out
Africa. Many hunters ask us for guidance in this area.
We would advise that an average gratuity would be
between 5% and 10% of your account. All tips must please
be paid to either Mrs Marita du Plessis or Mr Wiets
Botes. We distribute the tips evenly at the end of the
year towards all employees involved with your hunt.
Please do not tip a person as this tends to create
unhappiness amongst the others.
Observation on the Wiets Safaris ranch
Large, 25 square miles
Fenced perimeter, but not a hindrance to animal
movement, keeps white rhinos inside.
Relatively level with some broken country. Easy walking
on sand, a couple of Kopies (old volcanic vents which
have crumbled to big piles of rock)
Vegetation - edge of Kalahari Desert, enough vegetation
to have fun stalking.
Waterholes – several bore holes are the entirety of the
available water.
Temperature in June – August – lows in the upper 30’s,
highs around 60 in early afternoon. Very nice.
Animals
All the species have been reintroduced, like your
western plains, the region was shot out by meat hunters
during period of exploration and colonization.
We now have 27 animal species on the ranch of which the
white rhino, the rare white lion and giraffe are part
of.
Expect approximately to take one animal/specie per day –
opportunities for 8-14 good animals on a 10 day hunt
depending on what you are after.
Other things to do
There is not much to do in Kimberley. But you can visit
the Big Hole museum and if you like war history, you can
visit the Magersfontein Battlefield museum, but that
will take up a whole morning or day, depending on how
fast you go through stuff. You can also go down a
working Diamond Mine, that will definitely take up your
morning – it is much more fun staying on the ranch.
For a large packet of information on South Africa, call
1 800 822-5368 and tell the South African Tourism Bureau
the kinds of places and activities that interest you.
You will need a passport. Get well ahead of time.
You may also visit the Wiets website at: www.wiets.com
for further information on us.
And the last thing to do is : ENJOY YOUR HUNT !!!
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