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Between the COVID fiasco and the civil unrest recently in RSA....what is everyone's thoughts about planning a trip for mid-year 2022? Obviously none of us know what will happen between now and then, but I'm curious what you guys' instincts tell you (mostly regarding safety and potential travel complications). _______________________________________________________ Hunt Report - South Africa 2022 Wade Abadie - Wild Shot Photography Website | Facebook | Instagram | ||
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I think most likely that economic reality will make this a trip that will be possible. Whether there are more steps in getting there (vax passports, Covid testing requirements, etc) is up in the air, but it should be a known quantity by then. I flew through RSA in the beginning of August. It was moving, just slow and lots of confusion regarding the rules. I would plan a hunt- but then I already have done it post Covid. The only thing I would add is that likely trip insurance will be wasted money. Covid is their precedent to declare health issues a noncovered item. | |||
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Wade, RSA will be fine in 2022 and it's fine now. Covid is causing some issues for travel but my clients have all been able to deal with it and have had excellent safaris. If you are really thinking of booking something just do it. All the Southern African countries offer great PG hunting if you book with the right outfit. Remember RSA is not necessarily less expensive. Mark MARK H. YOUNG MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES 7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110 Office 702-848-1693 Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED E-mail markttc@msn.com Website: myexclusiveadventures.com Skype: markhyhunter Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 | |||
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We have a family safari boked for June 2022 and are planning to go come hell or high water. | |||
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And who's crystal ball are you looking at? to state "RSA will be fine in 2022" is pretty bold. I've sat and watched the Covid hoops we are being asked to jump through and will remain on the sidelines until such time it isn't a crap shoot on just getting on a plane and coming home. After all, Its Africa...remember? I remember many of the booking guys saying things like "Its Africa, things will go wrong, just relax and enjoy the flow". Screw that. In all honesty, just the gun importation hoops have given me pause. I remember the gun importation steps hunting with the duPlooys' for several years running. Laura was genius, she understood what a PIA it was and made it extremely painless to get guns into Zambia. On my last Safari in TZ, the sheer volume of bullshit and paper documents I had to have to fly Emirates and enter and exit TZ was flat astonishing. Add Covid in and I've completely lost interest. These African countries need to understand that the process is burdensome. I wonder if there's EVER been a firearms problem with a visiting Safari hunters gun? Formerly "Nganga" | |||
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I hope for the Outfitters and staff in RSA that things improve in 2022. However, I do not believe anyone knows for sure. | |||
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Just got back Sunday last from a week in Limpopo and then a week in the Cape Town area. No issues at all. | |||
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Me and a couple of buddies are going to the Eastern Cape in August 2022. If I had the time and money I would be in Africa this month- great deals.  | |||
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Absolutely Nec Timor Nec Temeritas | |||
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I don't think anyone needs a crystal ball to look into. All we have to do is look at what happened in the past. In spite of everything that COVID brought upon us and in spite of what the pessimists said, many Outfitters were able to host clients from abroad this year. Yes, none of us had as full a year as what we would have liked - especially after what COVID did to business in 2020, but we were able to work thanks to clients who had an optimistic outlook on life and who decided to come over in spite of the few extra hurdles such as fewer flight options and regs pertaining to COVID testing prior to boarding aircraft. ALL of the clients who visited me arrived without incident, none of them caught COVID while they were here and all of them got back home safely without incident. Many of my clients brought their own guns - again without any inconvenience or incident. On the topic of gun importation - how difficult is it really to fill out a SAPS520 form and get 4457 forms from US authorities? Seriously? Yes, sometimes the lines can get a little long at the SAPS office upon entry into South Africa, but if you follow the correct procedures it's really quite a simple process. And as little as what you would want a terrorist with a box cutter getting onto an airplane - as little do we want folks with ill intentions to enter South Africa with firearms... The civil unrests (if one could call it that as it in reality rather a bunch of thugs jumping on the opportunity to steal and loot) were quelled quickly and efficiently and whilst we can be critical of our government's handling of the COVID situation, COVID it's not really any worse over here than anywhere else in the world. Life is pretty much back to normal over here. I know this because I live here... In the meanwhile, United introduced a direct flight, Delta resumed its direct flight and as more flight options becomes available it becomes less and less of an issue to travel to RSA. So my "crystal ball" says that it will become easier and easier to travel - not only to South Africa but to the rest of the world too. There should be no reason whatsoever to sit on the sidelines but to each his own. Regards, Chris Troskie Tel. +27 82 859-0771 email. chris@ct-safaris.com Sabrisa Ranch Ellisras RSA www.ct-safaris.com https://youtu.be/4usXceRdkH4 | |||
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International departure terminals aren’t busy, flights are departing with less than 50% capacity, only guest at yesterday’s game drive, only guest at the B&B located in Borrowdale, ‘meet & greet’ fella just delivered my negative PCR test results for tomorrow’s departure from Harare, currently drinking coffee while listening to Zydeco music via Spotify, preparing to do lunch with a few Zimbabwe friends, etc. Don’t worry, be happy!  DSC Life Member HSC Life Member NRA Life Member SCI RMEF | |||
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No guarantees in life but I'm leaving tomorrow morning for my hunt. Everything is a go. You can sit on the sidelines and over think the situation or jump through the little hoops and go hunt. | |||
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My sentiments exactly Steve. But…I am going to likely pay the deposit on a 2022 hunt shortly and hire Kathi to get me there and back. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ J. Lane Easter, DVM A born Texan has instilled in his system a mind-set of no retreat or no surrender. I wish everyone the world over had the dominating spirit that motivates Texans.– Billy Clayton, Speaker of the Texas House No state commands such fierce pride and loyalty. Lesser mortals are pitied for their misfortune in not being born in Texas.— Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Texas in May, 1991. | |||
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Unless something utterly stupid happens, things are beginning to look better. Hopefully by the end of the year many countries should be back to normal! I wouldn’t hold my breath at those Down Under on Kiwiland though! | |||
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Chris - You say the word pessimist, but it doesn't apply to me. International Sport Hunting is but one of my many hobbies. Just last week I returned from a 2450 mile bicycle race. I rode the Continental Divide Mountain Bike Race from Canada to Mexico. (didn't make it all the way) I don't have the singular hobby of International Sport Hunting. I very much enjoy it, but have plenty of stuff to fill that void. I am using a different outfitter in Brazil, HE HAS cancelled two trips in a row. He understands and sees things trough the same prism as do I. As far as being "afraid" of Covid, I had it AND got vaccinated. I'm not in fear of the virus. I don't want to ; Jump through PCR test hoops OR risk being stuck in Zimbabwe with 4 PH's and 3 other clients. BTW...Can you give me next weeks powerball numbers?  Formerly "Nganga" | |||
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Precisely ^^^ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ J. Lane Easter, DVM A born Texan has instilled in his system a mind-set of no retreat or no surrender. I wish everyone the world over had the dominating spirit that motivates Texans.– Billy Clayton, Speaker of the Texas House No state commands such fierce pride and loyalty. Lesser mortals are pitied for their misfortune in not being born in Texas.— Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Texas in May, 1991. | |||
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Yes. They are not the ones you have!  | |||
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Steve, Did you make it across Flat Mountain in CO…just above Chama Falls? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ J. Lane Easter, DVM A born Texan has instilled in his system a mind-set of no retreat or no surrender. I wish everyone the world over had the dominating spirit that motivates Texans.– Billy Clayton, Speaker of the Texas House No state commands such fierce pride and loyalty. Lesser mortals are pitied for their misfortune in not being born in Texas.— Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Texas in May, 1991. | |||
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Chris - To add, Gun importation papers ; I will submit RSA is likely the easiest. Here's a summary of TZ requirements if you choose Emirates. I LOVE flying Emirates and will continue to fly them, in spite of the hoops. Passport Photos for your TZ permit, A letter of invitation from the TZ outfitter, The letter of permission from UAE (or the Royal Family?) The actual firearms permit, The incredibly inefficient ammo counting drill in the Dar airport police office to include the "finding of serial numbers on the rifle exercise. I had my fishing pal, Ralph with me last time. I told him "watch this, as we board the plane, they will call me aside and make me wait for the phone call". as we approach the gate agent to scan boarding passes, :"Mr Ahrenberg, can you wait here please"? sure...I wait till he receives a call which I assume verifies my gun box has been loaded and I board. I'll ask again, I wonder has there ever been a visiting sport hunter or sport hunters imported rifle, ever used in a crime (In TZ). I understand they need to be sure the guns that arrive, depart. THEN...depending upon the arrival airport, you're in for more fun getting home. I've had both, easy CBP agents whom want to know about the Safari and grumpy CBP agents whom relish the opportunity to inflict one last pain in the ass before the process is over. Some will choose to use camp guns, which is a viable option. Not for me, using my guns is a large part of the experience. CAR was likely the easiest. Erik Mararv's sister, Charlotte was waiting on the Tarmac at the end of the steps as we deplaned. Three hunters and three PH's hand her our Passports as requested. She instructed us to go to baggage claim and wait for our bags and her man would be there. Everything was there, we exited the airport and drove away. She had everything handled inside and we never once as much waited in line with a customs officer. So, not a pessimist, just a realist. Formerly "Nganga" | |||
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Lane, No, I bailed at High Country Lodge in Polaris Montana. Funny, Russ Kipp used to own it and he was a racer friendly stop. I rolled up expecting breakfast. One of the guides walks over to me and asked me what I wanted. He told me Russ sold last year and the new outfitter isn't "bike friendly". Well, I speak hunting fluently and we began a dialogue. He asked me in for coffee. I told him my body was finished and at race mile 795, I pulled the plug....His Grandmother shuttled me back to Butte. Formerly "Nganga" | |||
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 So Y’all started in the north and headed south? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ J. Lane Easter, DVM A born Texan has instilled in his system a mind-set of no retreat or no surrender. I wish everyone the world over had the dominating spirit that motivates Texans.– Billy Clayton, Speaker of the Texas House No state commands such fierce pride and loyalty. Lesser mortals are pitied for their misfortune in not being born in Texas.— Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Texas in May, 1991. | |||
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Yes. We started at the US/Canada border in Roosville, MT. When I did this race in 2014, we started in Banff. With the Covid/border issues, It was border to border. Formerly "Nganga" | |||
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My $0.02: For someone who is vaccinated, travel during COVID is no riskier, and only slightly more inconvenient, than it used to be. You may be quarantined if you get a breakthrough case, but those are exceedingly rare and overwhelmingly minor. As for the issues surrounding traveling with rifles, complaining about that is like complaining about the weather. I am vaccinated and have traveled through multiple foreign countries (including RSA) multiple times during COVID and suffered no ill effects. Despite the somewhat annoying need for COVID tests that various governments have imposed on travelers, I actually had a great time on every trip! Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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Michael - If I only had this hobby, I would agree with you. However, I am choosing doing Poker Runs in my new Skater over jumping through hoops to go hunting in Africa. Both activities I enjoy. It's really that simply, choosing the path of least resistance at the end of both paths are activities I love. Formerly "Nganga" | |||
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Unfortunately, bureaucrats have to find ways to make messes. Transiting through ZA is kind of a hassle with them wanting to redo gun recheck, etc. but in my line of work, you get used to the chronic mother-may-I stuff. The one thing that really upset me there was spending 6 hours of an 8 hour layover (both ways) in the transit ticketing area because they did not staff the desk more than 2 hours before the flight. The only real gripe I have is that a fair number of folks have their hand out all the time, and South Africa is home to some of the worst offenders in that (especially regarding trophy shipments). I’m not too concerned about the Covid aspect, and as more countries start having economic issues due to Covid, I suspect things will calm down some, as they need the business. However, I suspect that vaccine requirements and proof will be demanded, and it may be that Covid testing will become the norm. I do think that by next year they will have the requirements and procedures worked out so you don’t spend as much time with agents on the phone trying to find out what they need to do. As to Steve’s comment- anything internationally is going to be a hassle, and I suspect some bike riders get stopped at the Mexican border and given the full “anal probe” experience just because some civil servant gets a hair up his rear… been there and done that. It’s just if it’s your country, you know how far you can push it. I’ve called DC over customs folks bad behavior… it made me feel better, even if it accomplished f-all. In Africa, you just say yes sir and ask to speak with the supervisor. Same old. It would be nice to make things be like they were in the distant past, but it ain’t happening for us untermenschen. Folks like Saeed or a really rich guy with a gulfstream might get less of it, but I’m not in their planetary orbit, let alone league. It’s going to remain a risk/benefit choice. For me, the risk of hassle is way less than the benefit, but it varies for others. I will admit I like being pulled and present for the inspections more than I’d like them to just open and inspect without my presence like the US does with TSA. | |||
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Laughing my ass off! Although it's true that crystal balls do NOT exist, guys in the business have to make predictions all the time. What we do with them is our choice. Zeke | |||
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Tell your operator you will pay cash on arrival. ROYAL KAFUE LTD Email - kafueroyal@gmail.com Tel/Whatsapp (00260) 975315144 Instagram - kafueroyal | |||
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just got done fishing in earlier hot spot of covid - Manaus, Brazil. very little covid, everyone wore a mask at hotel, all staff on fishing boat/mothership were vaccinated and all anglers were vaccinated. $30 for pcr test at hotel and took 2 min. looks like a covid test will be required for fishing some indian reservations. so anglers will require 3 tests - one in us and 2 in brazil. fishing india in November - will required 4 tests. tests are not the end of the world. cheaper everywhere but the us. i would go hunt and fish - covid is something we have to live with. get vaccinated, get tested, choose outfitters who vaccinate staff and get used to wearing a mask to travel. Mike | |||
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Nobody mentions the dreaded M word .. you are not going to catch me wearing a mask for 24 hours straight. Not even if my PH were a naked lady with a reputation for record book trophies. And then there's the financial risk associated with the deposit (having to cancel due to some exigency; or the outfitter going broke in the interim or getting covid); with possible "quarantine hotel" stays; or worse with mandated exile for months on end, resulting from some arbitrary new "rule" dreamed up by a bureaucrat on either side of the equation. Not to mention the prospect of ending up in a hospital in Africa... Between the long flights, queues, bureaucrats, paperwork, palm greasing and firearms headaches, it was borderline prior to Covid. Covid is just the last straw. Russ Gould - Whitworth Arms LLC BigfiveHQ.com, Large Calibers and African Safaris Doublegunhq.com, Fine English, American and German Double Rifles and Shotguns VH2Q.com, Varmint Rifles and Gear | |||
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I just got back from Namibia and was in South africa in Mar/apr. Both safaris were very good and was able to harvest some nice animals. To me it is an easy decision. Depending on where you are going and what flight route you take the firearms paperwork is what it is. You get a knowledgeable safari travel company that can work all the heavy lifting, provide them the documentation they need and jsut deal with the little bit of extra time it takes to check in. COVID is the again what it is no country in the world has the answers and there is no way you can predict what governments will do, so plan the time needed for the tests. violence and unrest have been part of mankind from the dawn of time. You can find trouble anywhere in the world. So keep you head about you and avoid places that are the most likely to have those kind of problems. The bottom line is that if you want to go to Africa on a safari. Suck it up and deal with the paperwork and go, have a great time. If you don't have the patience or you brain isn't wired to deal with sudden changes in paperwork/travel/health requirements, stay home. For me I will be in south Africa next year and Namibia the following year. | |||
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Don’t want to wear a mask you won’t be able to fly. The choice is clear live a domestic life (road travel only) or wear a mask, get vaccinated, take covid tests ect to travel. Covid is not going away anytime soon so if one wants to travel internationally get used to wearing a mask during the flight. Mike | |||
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The good news is that in spite of: I'm not aware of: Oh did I mention I'm in the market for a naked lady PH with a reputation for record book trophies? Any references would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Chris Troskie Tel. +27 82 859-0771 email. chris@ct-safaris.com Sabrisa Ranch Ellisras RSA www.ct-safaris.com https://youtu.be/4usXceRdkH4 | |||
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I recently returned from Zimbabwe. Aside from the hassle at Addis Ababa the gun and COVID requirements weren’t bad. As for “naked lady PHs” I will avoid them figuring all you guys have been there and done that before me! USMC Retired DSC Life Member SCI Life Member NRA Life Member | |||
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I’ll take couple of them nkd ladies PH’s next time I’m in Africa " Until the day breaks and the nights shadows flee away " Big ivory for my pillow and 2.5% of Neanderthal DNA flowing thru my veins. When I'm ready to go, pack a bag of gunpowder up my ass and strike a fire to my pecker, until I squeal like a boar. Yours truly , Milan The Boarkiller - World according to Milan PS I have big boar on my floor...but it ain't dead, just scared to move... Man should be happy and in good humor until the day he dies... Only fools hope to live forever “ Hávamál” | |||
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Every offer I get for 2022 is almost as cheap as the last time I went in 2005. It is worth considering. If you are still trying to make it into a couples trip, I don't know what to tell you. For us this would not work, she's not anti hunting but she doesn't want to go hunting. So she'd spend a week in a hunting camp stewing. You might ease her into it with a really short 3-4 day safari and 2-4 days of game parks and tourist shit. This still wouldn't work for us, but everyone has to have their own system. I'd recommend you not take her and go by yourself, and then take her someplace that is 100% not hunting trip. Whatever she wants. If she hunts it is a no brainer, if she doesn't enjoy any aspect of it and she isn't mature enough to be ok with it. I wouldn't do it. We are in our late 40's, Cheri knows that she doesn't want to be in a hunting camp. I know that I don't actually want her there shitting the pot. Food for thought. | |||
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A buddy from here is about your age, and his wife is mature enough to go on hunting trips and be fine with it (maybe mature isn't the word, let's go with cool). But a $5000 deer cost him $5000 in Chanel, Prada and whatever the hell she wants. He can afford that kind of wife tax. Personally for us, we'd rather I go alone and then pay taxes by going on a non-hunting family trip. | |||
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Odds of getting the big fat penis from a Southern African government in the form of a lock down is 0% compared to Canada, Australia or New Zealand. Covid-19 would have to get to a 5% fatality rate for 40 year olds for that to happen, and even then Africa needs money. | |||
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Very true. I would have no problems going to Africa right now. But would not even dream of going to Australia or New Zealand. What a right old cockup there. Those idiots running those countries couldn't run a piss up in a brewery! I have Australian friends here who are totally aghast at how we are and how they are at home! | |||
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I am currently single and I prefer my girlfriends don’t want to hunt, play golf, or other things I enjoy. Exceptions include teacher her to shoot defensively, and to experience the wild just for a bit. I suppose if she really liked photographing the safari. Otherwise, it would not be fun for either of us. The option of a wine tour or museum, depending where after a few days makes sense. BWW, it makes sense (not really because I can’t understand a $5k purse, but know the pain), but a hunting trip is a hunting trip. Of course we have many hunting couples and even women hunting on their own, which is awesome. We definitely diverted from the topic. Sorry… I meant to be DSC Member...bad typing skills. Marcus Cady DRSS | |||
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My son just returned Monday from 3 months in SA working for an outfitter friend. They had 0 problems the entire time and no clients had issues. Just a test to come over and a test to go home. I have been to Uganda,SA and Botswana this year. No problems. Everyone has their own comfort zone and no rights or wrongs, but I am not letting this thing stop me enjoying my passion of international hunting. I have 6 international trips planned in the next 12 months, and I will go unless I am legally not allowed. Good Hunting, Tim Herald Worldwide Trophy Adventures tim@trophyadventures.com | |||
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