HUNT

ZAMBIA

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Zambia is the land of the legendary African walking safari, home of the Victoria Falls, the wild Zambezi River, breathtaking lakes and wetlands, a profusion of birds, abundant wildlife, and raw, pulsating wilderness, all in one friendly country. Zambia is the land of the legendary African walking safari, home of the Victoria Falls, the wild Zambezi River, breathtaking lakes and wetlands, a profusion of birds, abundant wildlife, and raw, pulsating wilderness, all in one friendly country. The wildlife is superb, and some of the finest safaris on the planet are available in Zambia’s game parks, like the South Luangwa, Kafue, and Lower Zambezi National Parks. The parks offer the chance to get up close and personal with Africa’s big game, with some of the highest concentrations of leopards, lions, and elephants on the continent. 

HUNTING CAMPS

ZAMBIA HUNTING AREAS

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Zambia is a large country, a bit larger than the state of Texas, and was previously known as Northern Rhodesia. Its diverse terrain, including lush river valleys, Kalahari bushveld, plateau woodland, and huge swamps, contains a great variety of species. Zambia is one of the best places in Africa to hunt dangerous game such as lion, leopard, buffalo, and elephant, as well as a great variety of plains game. The finest sable in Africa are found in Zambia, as well as several unique species found nowhere else.These include the Kafue lechwe, black lechwe, and Cookson’s wildebeest.

Zambia was one of the last countries to be discovered by foreign sportsmen, but for more than 30 years now, it has been one of the most popular safari destinations in Africa.

In recent years the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) has done much to improve wildlife management, which is the cornerstone of the country’s tourism industry. Zambia boasts 19 national parks and 27 game management areas (GMAs). Modest harvest quotas and tight control of the safari industry have resulted in a high level of service and high success rates on big game safaris. Three types of safari licenses are permitted in Zambia: the Classic Safari, with a minimum duration of 14 days, which allows the hunter to hunt leopard, lion, buffalo, and other premier species, as well as all species of plains game, and the Mini Safari, which allows the purchaser to hunt for a maximum of 5 animals, excluding high-value species such as lion, leopard, sable, and roan, which are the most popular. There are also special safari licenses that authorize the purchaser to hunt specific species such as Kafue lechwe and sitatunga.

Approximately half of Zambia is still sparsely populated.Therefore, there is ample excellent habitat for wild game.The Luangwa Valley has long been one of the most famous areas in Africa for lions, leopards, and huge buffalo. This long river valley with its attendant floodplains and surrounding Mopane woodland has two national parks, which provide a steady reservoir of game for the several GMA blocks that surround them. Equally famous for full-maned lions is the Kafue National Park and the hunting GMAs that surround it. On the Kafue Flats, the largest of all subspecies of lechwe is found—the Kafue lechwe. The Kafue is also famous for huge sable and a great variety of other antelope. In the north of the country, the vast Bangweulu swamp is home to black lechwe, tsessebe, oribi, and Zambezi sitatunga.

Blessed with 17 magnificent waterfalls apart from the spectacular Victoria Falls, Zambia offers tours for ‘cascade followers’ into the remote undeveloped rural areas where you can get a glimpse of village life. Zambia has the largest water resources in the whole of southern Africa, with 5 massive lakes and plentiful rivers offering excellent fishing. A wide range of high-action activities, from the legendary walking safari deep in the wilderness to world-class river rafting, bungee jumping into the deep gorge below the Victoria Falls, abseiling, canoeing safaris down the Zambezi, river surfing, excellent tiger fishing, and breathtaking African sunsets.

GENERAL INFO

Zambia, landlocked country in south-central Africa. It is situated on a high plateau and takes its name from the Zambezi River, which drains all but a small northern part of the country.

The territory of Northern Rhodesia was administered by the [British] South Africa Company from 1891 until it was taken over by the UK in 1923. During the 1920s and 1930s, advances in mining spurred development and immigration. The name was changed to Zambia upon independence in 1964. In the 1980s and 1990s, declining copper prices and a prolonged drought hurt the economy.

The Zambian hunting season runs from the beginning of May to the end of November. This is mostly the dry season in Zambia. Temperatures vary during the dry season in the Luangwa from mild in June and July to very hot from mid – September onward.

We do however consider May through to end of October to be our prime Luangwa Valley hunting months. Although October has good hunting, the temperatures can be very high and in November the punctual rains halt the chance of hunting.

HEALTH & VISAS

Please visit travel.gov.state for updated information

An anti-malarial course should be taken three weeks prior to arrival in Zambia and terminated six weeks after your return. We suggest that you consult your doctor regarding the prophylactics required. Please ensure that we are informed before your arrival about any health or dietary needs. It is highly recommended that all clients should have an international travel and health insurance which would include evacuation out of the safari area and Zambia should an emergency situation arise.

Passport control has become very strict. Passports MUST be valid for at least six months from your return home date. We recommend a validity of nine months to prevent any problems in this regard. There must be at least two blank VISA pages in the passport (not endorsement pages). Visitors have been denied entry due to not having sufficient Visa pages in their passports. 

GETTING THERE

Your gateway to enter Southern African countries is Johannesburg South Africa. There are two different airlines we recommend namely South African Airways that departs from Washington, DC and New York and Delta Airways that departs from Atlanta.

LANGUAGE

Numerous languages or dialects have been identified in Zambia. There are seven official vernacular languages: Bemba, Nyanja, Lozi, Tonga, Luvale, Lunda, and Kaonde, the latter three being languages of North-Western Province. English is the official language of government and is used for education, commerce, and law.

ELECTRICITY

Zambia operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50H

Click for Electrical adaptor info

CURRENCY

The Zambian Kwacha is a decimal type of currency with K1 being made up 100 ngwee.

The Zambian currency  fluctuates quite regularly. In  2011 – 1 US$ bought you 4800 Kwacha. Most used denominations are K500 and K1000, K5000, K10 000  and K50 000 notes.

 

  • We recommend that all clients bring a minimum caliber of .375 or more for larger dangerous game (buffalo and Lion) and a 300 Win Mag. or similar caliber rifle for Leopard and plains game species. A good quality variable scope preferably with red dot illumination is recommended for rifles – especially where cats will be hunted in low light conditions. 
  • Importation of ammunition into Zambia is regulated to 100 rounds per rifle and 200 rounds per shotgun. Please note that a non – refundable Excise Duty is payable on all ammunition being brought into Zambia at a rate of US $4 per round. 
  • Firearm import permits must be obtained before your arrival. Our company offices handle these applications and it is imperative to ensure we are supplied well in advance of the correct make and serial numbers of the rifles you will be using. Errors on the firearm permit will lead to refusal of temporary import of firearms by the Zambian Authorities. The amount of ammunition stipulated on the permit may not be varied once the license is issued.

There is a limit of three (3) firearms per hunter.

  • There is no limit on the amount of ammunition. (Remember that airlines will restrict you to no more than 11 pounds or 5 kilos of ammunition. Check additional restrictions for your airlines and any country you may transit.)
  • Handguns, automatics, semi-automatics and military-style firearms are prohibited. • The minimum requirement for dangerous game, such as leopard and lion, is .300 caliber. The minimum requirement for dangerous game or big game such as elephant, buffalo and hippo is .375.
  • Bows and crossbows are allowed but require a letter of authorization from the Director of National Parks and Wildlife.
  • Only ammunition for the specific caliber(s) you are bringing may be imported.

Fees:

  • The fee for a Zambian Temporary Firearm Permit is 50 Zambian Kwachas (ZMW). However, safari operators charge additional to handle the application process. Charges vary according to the operator and will cover the costs and time of courier services and/or personally traveling to government offices, plus follow-up to get the permit issued in time for your arrival. Expect to pay about $200 US for your permit.
  • There is an import fee of about $2 USD per cartridge of ammunition. Time Frame: Your application should be submitted four (4) months before your arrival in Zambia. Requirements: Your safari operator will handle your application submission (Zambia Temporary Firearm Permit Application Form), payment and follow-up for your temporary firearm import permit.

You must provide the following:

  • Personal information including your complete name; date and place of birth; residential and mailing address.
  • Passport number, place of issue and issue date. A scanned copy of your passport is best. • Firearm details: type, make, caliber and serial number. • Ammunition: quantity, description, caliber. • Ports of entry and exit from Zambia.
  • Dates of entry and departure from Zambia.
  • Proof of ownership of firearm(s) you wish to import. A US Customs Form 4457 for US hunters or firearm license/permit for hunters of other nationalities. Both documents must include the firearms you intend to take to Zambia. Authorization for bows If you are applying for a letter of authority for a bow/crossbow, your safari operator will need you to provide evidence of your proficiency in bowhunting. Photographs showing your experience successfully hunting a variety of game will be necessary. Clearing your firearms: Your operator will meet you at the airport to assist with clearing your firearms. Warning About Transiting South Africa If you fly through South Africa and your arrival airline does not have an interline baggage agreement with your connecting airline or you overnight there, you will need to claim your bags and go through the South African firearm import process. This means you will need to comply with South African restrictions on the number of guns (a maximum of two firearms) and amount of ammunition you may travel with. See our section on South Africa (LINK TO SOUTH AFRICA SECTION) for details on getting a transit permit. Also, some European countries have stricter limitations than Zambia on the number of firearms you can transit through the country.

Check on restrictions before you book your flights.

Pack dark green clothes, not light. Also shoes to protect ankle and strong soles are recommended. Your feet are the key to your safari
There is laundry in camp. Your clothes are returned clean in 24 hours, you do not need many sets

*Military type camouflage is not permitted in most African countries, but Real-tree types are normally accepted. Laundry is done each day except for the days when you change camp and the day of departure.

CLIMATE

Although Zambia lies in the tropics, the height of the plateau ensures that the climate is seldom unpleasantly hot, except in the valleys. There are three seasons: the cool, dry winter season from May to September; the hot, dry season in October and November; and the rainy season, which is even hotter, from December to April.

Please refer to our pricelist

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