Sporting Guns, adds to tourism in Livingstone

From The Zambia Daily Mail March 3, 2008

Yes, it is the first of its kind in Zambia and Livingstone in particular.

This to some extent adds more to the flavour of Livingstone's dominance as Zambia’s tourism capital.

This time around, Tourism Destination delved into this rare sport as NDUBI MVULA reports.

IT is called the Sporting Guns.

It is part of the African Horizons group of companies that started business in Zambia in 1996.

Their main focus over the years has been the budget tourism market.

Africa Horizons own and operate two lodges and two bush camps within Zambia and run multi day safaris to Zambia's main national parks. In 2005, some 14,000 visitors used their services.

Sporting Guns opened in April 2007 on a site only 3 kilometres from the Victoria Falls.

Managing Director of the Sporting Guns Richard Sheppard walks us through this exciting sport, which should be listed on the national sporting calendar if not yet done so.

"We are the first professional clay shoot in Zambia situated on a 22 hectare site leased from the Mukuni Development Trust, a legal vehicle that aims to raise funds from local resources and use these funds for the betterment of the local people," he said.

Sheppard says this is the fourth agreement African Horizons has entered into with Zambian communities and maintains their long-term commitment to uplifting local people through tourism development.

Sporting Guns sits on a small hill and has sweeping views across a valley toward the Batoka Gorge.

With the strong passion and desire to see the local community benefit, Sheppard says the building work started in 2005 and lasted some 16 months with the use of local labour and endeavoured to build a five star venue using only locally supplied products.

The end result is a stunning thatch Boma (place of eating) with a large veranda and stepped terrace.

The site has been designed and built to cater for international clients and International shooting events and there are high hopes of bringing the Southern African open and the World championships to Livingstone within the next few years.

The locals are not left out at all so long they have the interest in the sport.

"We have been working closely with the Zambian Olympic Committee and the Sports Council of Zambia and hope to take a Zambian clay shooting team to the Commonwealth Games and possibly the Olympics in the future," he said.

He said African Horizons employ 140 staff in seven locations.

Sheppard explained that the Sporting Guns offer clay pigeon shooting.

"Group sizes are small and we aim to please the novice and experienced shot with a wide range of fun and challenging targets.

“We have six disciplines from 'have a go' for those wanting a new experience through to ABT, DTL, English Sporting and Olympic Skeet.

“We use Promatic automatic traps and Beretta over and under shotguns," he said, adding that "Everyone is welcome.

Our instructors will take the novice or experienced shot and ensure they have a challenging and fun experience".

The Sporting Guns Boma has panoramic views over the rolling African bush and is available for private functions, weddings and group hire.

As for the activities, Sheppard explains that they pick up clients from most lodges within the falls area (Livingstone) including those in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (subject to numbers).

Upon arrival at the site, you will be greeted by your instructor.

Tea, Coffee and soft drinks are provided while you are given a brief introduction and safety talk.

Your instructor will ask you to sign an indemnity form and about your level of experience.

"We have six different clay disciplines so there is something for everyone. Groups may be split into those who have shot before and beginners.

Group sizes are small so each client receives personal instruction" he said.

Let us take a look at the respective groupings as Sheppard explains;

The Novice:
Your session will start with an intro to safe gun handling, eye dominance, gun fit and stance.

You will start on the 'have-a-go' stand, which has been specifically designed for those new to this sport.

There are two clay traps, one sending clays directly away and one incoming.

These targets allow for easy targeting while you get used to the gun and get your eye in.

Once your instructor is happy with your progress you can move on to one of the more challenging disciplines.

Intermediate and experienced:
You will shoot on one of the five main layouts each one designed to international standards.

Choose between English Skeet, Olympic Skeet, Down The Line (DTL), Automatic Ball Trap (ABT), and Compak Sporting/Sportrap.

Each discipline has its own challenges and your instructor will advise on the correct one for your level of experience.

Those wishing to have another round are welcome to do so and large discounts are offered.

For those intending to have mini competitions, the firm is more than happy to organise.

Corporate and Incentive
The Sporting Guns Boma makes an excellent corporate or group venue.

Able to cater for up to 500 people (150 under cover) the site is the closest venue to the falls that is truly private.

It also makes an excellent venue for small groups wishing to have a private event or meeting.

The venue is available at all times of day or night and clients can combine clay shooting with an early breakfast, lunch or evening meal.

The Boma has a bar and a library.

"We are only 6 minutes away from the Victoria Falls and the Sun International Hotel via a well-graded road. We can organise transfers for any size of group and also cater for those wishing to arrive by helicopter.

We run mini tournaments upon request," he said.
These are great fun and a good way for people to learn something new and get to know other people.

"There is no minimum group size and we endeavour to cater for all requests," Sheppard said with open arms extending an invitation to all for their best moment in a lifetime.

That's very interesting and something I would certainly consider myself. I found the link to their website.

http://www.shootvicfalls.com/index.htm

Have to pay them a visit next time I am paddling there!

However $45 for extra 25rnds seems HEAVY to me, surely SA made 12ga ammo can't be that expensive in Zambia, off course elite place do charge elite prices!

Hello all,
have just got back from Livingstone yesterday, and was fortunate enough to have a go at their facility. In my opinion fantastic, they have a chap Darryl who was brilliant I had three people in my group who had never handled a firearm in their life "Not their fault being British and all that". He had them shooting well in a couple of hours. I must admit for me this was a first as most my experience is with rifles I learnt a lot from the outing too. They also are in the process of opening up a pistol and a rifle range. Please bear in mind this is a first for Zambia and I have not been to any facility elsewhere in the world so cannot comment on any comparision. But from me a definate thumbs up
Kayaker I admit compared to SA the price for the extra rounds is high but for us its a song also bear in mind that we have a 200 rounds per year limit as citizens So for us its brilliant as the rounds supplied by them do not count against our limits.
Also the costs of running something like this is huge "you can imagine the hand outs just to get permits for this????"

It's an interesting looking place. If I were a shotgun instructor, I would consider working at a a place like this abroad.