I am considering going to Namibia next year. The people at Hunter International Brokerage Services, inc. 1633 Bayshore hwy, suite 337 in Burlingame, CA say it is BA fault. They say the shipping fees from Namibia are also rediculous. If I am going there next year with about 8-10 hunting buddies, has anybody got leads on how to get trophies back to the USA without paying through the nose? I have friends who want kudu and Gemsbok for the wall. "D"

Yes Russ I went back and edited. However mountain folk have been known to carry a grudge for a long time. Friends recently overheard a conversation that someone refused to do business with a local store. On being asked why they indicated that in 1865 an ancestor killed a friend of the family. Everyone involved has been dead for 70 -100 years. They are still mad.

Thanks GOTO I look foreward to your report. "D"

Have the trophies shipped to Safari Taxidermy in SA by road for mounting, and then from there to US using Megafreight by air (or get three quotes when they are ready to fly).

Or from Namibia, you should also be able to ship by ocean freight especially with a group that big...get a half container and load it up. Namibia has a port, Walvis Baai.

This time, get a quote in writing ahead of time and put it on your credit card. If they try to charge you more, just dispute the delta.

(I am ignoring your attitude toward your quarry, I am assuming that your comment about shooting them and letting them lay in the veld is a momentary lapse).

It is hard to give advice to someone who lives in a different part of the country. Here in Texas (close to Houston), we always use ABX Logistics to clear trophies into the country and they could not be better about keeping you informed, etc. We came across them from the taxidermist we use locally, Conroe Taxidermy, which is owned by the Mike Simpson clan. The only time we had a problem was when a baboon skull was included with a shipment and they wanted to hold it up, but that was resolved very quickly at no cost to the client. I can't recall right now who we used out of Tanzania, but I will check and let you know so you can compare.

Good luck!

gotogirl3

Airlines charge cargo at a rate per weight! Different airlines charge different rates depending on distances and routing.

So if you want to reduce your freighting costs, reduce your total weight! You can do this by minimising the packing material used in protecting your trophies or by using more fragile crating material e.g. cardboard boxes instead of crates. However, none of these will ensure that your trophies arrive in one piece after going through the notoriously destructive handling of airport handling crews. So not recommended after you spent a "fortune" for an adventure of a lifetime and you want your trophies to serve as a good memory to this experience.

From Tanzania, there is alternative airlines to BA such as Ethiopian airlines which are, by the way a lot cheaper. But then would you feel comfortable with your trophies flying via Khartoum and God knows where else before landing in the US or EU?

British AIrways are the most reputable airline that transports trophies out of tanzania. They have done it for years, they know what it is about and generally shipments take not more than a week to get to US and less for EU.

Bottom line is, you can find cheaper short-cuts to ship your trophies from TZ but the chances that something could go wrong are higher. What would you rather choose?

Bwanamich,

Sage advise from you once again. Let the people who undrstand what should be done with your trophies do it. I would advise strongly to leave the shipping details to your safari operator. He will arrange to use the people he trusts and you'll get your trophies probably in good shape. If you start screwing around with the process at the very least you will give yourself a rectal bleed. Relax and just pay the bill when your taxidermist tells you the shipment has arrived. Safari is supposed to be fun and if you try to manage your trophy shipment from the hunting camp to your home it will stop being fun.

Regards,

Mark

I think the key is knowing it isnt going to be cheap! If someone says it is you most likely will get surprised. I was budgeting arond $1300 once I came in under by a bit and this time over by a bit. I slipped up this time by thinking I didnt have to worry about what I wanted until I got home. Well couldnt get any info until I got a fax it was in NY city. I wanted to try and have it arrive in Boston and clear myself. Well next time. I posted a copy of my bill for first time people to budget for.
shipping bill

My first time it was about $1300 for 7 plainsgame animals. Not sure haw true it is but Ive been told the crates were about the same size.
Dean

Bill C,

I'm in contact with Pam. Thanks for the lead.