Heard they had been awarded. Anyone seen who got what?

Additionally the status of cat hunting would be helpful. Hope dies last.

quote:

Originally posted by Dev Moring:
Heard they had been awarded. Anyone seen who got what?

A few of the Luangwa concessions have been given out from what I hear.

From what I hear of the prime areas, the following have been recommended for award of contracts.

Baobab Safaris- Nyampala (Rashid Randera)
Muchinga Adventures- Chifunda (John Du Plooy)
Upper Lupande- Westgate Mall ( Younas Mitha)
Mwanya- Mvu Safaris ( Zaid Patel)
Luawata- Sitaunga Ranching and Safaris.
Lower Lupande- Marks Industries

These are the people who so far have been recommended by ZAWA for the award of contracts and the word on the ground is that the above people have more or less won the areas they have been sent official notification in writing.

The remaining areas are going to be re-tendered as the bids received were not satisfactory. The upcoming days should tell us more and I will keep you updated.

Rasheed Randera and Baobab Safaris are not someone you should hunt with. I had a really bad fleecing by him and his thugs. Avoid this guy and his operation.

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
Rasheed Randera and Baobab Safaris are not someone you should hunt with. I had a really bad fleecing by him and his thugs. Avoid this guy and his operation.

Randera has also won Mukungule Concession in Northern Zambia operating under Busanga Trails.

How do you win?
Lottery with base price or hard bid with written bids in or open bidding?
Just interested how it works in some of the African countries

Njati,

Thanks for keeping us informed. I had heard a few had been awarded and was waiting for someone to post something here.

Look forward to your updates.

11 of 57 GMAs awarded is what I was told.

quote:

Originally posted by safari-lawyer:
11 of 57 GMAs awarded is what I was told.

Will, let's go hunt a leopard somewhere in Zambia when it opens for cats.....with a Zambian Licenced PH of course. I bet you there some big ones there!!!

quote:

Originally posted by boarkiller:
How do you win?
Lottery with base price or hard bid with written bids in or open bidding?
Just interested how it works in some of the African countries

The tender was for 23 or 24 GMAs if I remember correctly. They were split up in to prime and super prime areas. The minimum (concession rights) bid for any prime area was $60,000 and the super prime was $80,000 per annum. This excludes the communities pledges offered by the potential operator. One bidder put in a bid of more than $200,000 per annum for Luawata particular area that he won in the end! On average the winning bids were around $120,000 per year for the concessions rights in the super prime blocks.

The bids had to be submitted in writing together with community pledges and anti poaching strategies both in financial terms. The super prime areas are to be leased for a seven year period whereas the prime blocks are to be leased for ten years.

The bidders were shortlisted in to 3 final operators upon which the final 3 criteria were considered (total concession bid including community pledges, past performance and experience, and recommendations from the local community resource board)

After this is when the suitable outfitter is chosen based on total points from all the three criteria mentioned above. Well at least this is how the successful bidder was to be chosen in theory, but as all of you know that in the safari industry and especially in Zambia, it's 'who you know' which is the most important factor!

There is still no mention of cats and there were no cats listed as part of the annual quota in the tender document. However there is elephant which should make a bit of a difference to the operators in recovering their money and actually making the operation financially viable to them. There is serious pressure on ZAWA and the ministry of tourism to open up the cat hunting, but from a personal point if view I think it will happen in time for the 2016 season.

For now we are just happy that sport hunting has been opened up in Zambia.

Surprise, surprise, the same names as before, some of whom have operated under a cloud of controversy in the past.....

quote:

Originally posted by Manyathelo:
Surprise, surprise, the same names as before, some of whom have operated under a cloud of controversy in the past.....

seen that movie played over and over again....

Unfortunately these high concession fees will be extended to the client.

I don't see how they can make the concessions fees, community "pledges" , support law enforcement AND pay 60% licenses fees. This is excluding company expenses, equipment or transport..

This with the exclusion of cats. There's obviously more below the surface..

WoWo,
It ain't much different in Tz. Your annual rent does not include ANY benefits whatsoever. You have to do everything; roads, airstrips, boundaries, anti-poaching, comm dev, pay game socuts to do their job, fire management, etc, etc. With many blocks over 1000 sq km in size, the costs add up quickly. If you don't, the block will deteriorate at a rapid pace!

Then come your standard operating expenses.

quote:

Originally posted by Bwanamich:
WoWo,
It ain't much different in Tz. Your annual rent does not include ANY benefits whatsoever. You have to do everything; roads, airstrips, boundaries, anti-poaching, comm dev, pay game socuts to do their job, fire management, etc, etc. With many blocks over 1000 sq km in size, the costs add up quickly. If you don't, the block will deteriorate at a rapid pace!

Then come your standard operating expenses.

Bwanamich,

The expenses are the same and as fairgame has pointed out, the costs of hunting a buff in Zambia will be passed on to the clients and Zambia will end up with similar pricing to TZ. Do you think anyone will give Zambia a chance when they know that for similar pricing they can hunt in Tanzania with a well known operator rather than then some of the new guys who have just entered the game over here coupled with some of the 'old timers' who people are already warning others to stay away from? I for one would choose to hunt a buffalo in TZ over Zambia all day everyday.

Guys,

When I get the go ahead I'll post some pricing for buffalo hunts along the Luangwa. I have the '15 pricing and it really is not much different than it was before the closure. It has always been more expensive to hunt Zambia than Zimbabwe but you can take a buff/croc/hippo plus PG on even a short 7-10 day hunt and expect to take all three. Also the trophy fees are notably less than in Zimbabwe. These two things plus the possibility of adding some unique species makes Zambia a pretty good deal.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Guys,

When I get the go ahead I'll post some pricing for buffalo hunts along the Luangwa. I have the '15 pricing and it really is not much different than it was before the closure. It has always been more expensive to hunt Zambia than Zimbabwe but you can take a buff/croc/hippo plus PG on even a short 7-10 day hunt and expect to take all three. Also the trophy fees are notably less than in Zimbabwe. These two things plus the possibility of adding some unique species makes Zambia a pretty good deal.

Mark

That is good news Mark and look forward to seeing your pricing and packages.

There is a lot of buff to move in the Luangwa which may make for competitive pricing.

http://www.huntingreport.com/w...te.cfm?articleid=704



ZAWA Announces Winning Bidders for 11 Zambia Hunting Blocks

(posted February 20, 2015)

We have just learned that the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) has published a notice to bidders on those 22 hunting blocks in Zambia. The notice appeared in the newspaper Times of Zambia on February 18, 2015. It listed only 11 operators and areas and stated that the notice does not constitute an award of contract but merely a recommendation for the award. Here are the areas and bidders recommended for contracts so far:

1. Mulobezi: Mulobezi Outfitters
2. Chikwa: Ivory Safaris
3. Chifunda: Muchinga Adventures
4. Nyaminga: Paya Kakuli Safaris
5. Mwanya: MVU Safaris Zambia
6. Lower Lupande: Marks Industries
7. Upper Lupande: West Gate Properties
8. Luembe: Mopane Safaris
9. Luwawata: Sitatunga Ranching and Safaris
10. Nyampala: Baobab Safaris
11. Mukungule: Busanga Trails Safaris

Roland Norton, chairman of the Professional Hunters Association of Zambia (www.phazambia.com), sent us this information, as well as a note that the remaining 11 hunting blocks were included in this allocation process, and that the winning bidders for those areas should be released very soon. All the bidders for the listed areas have a 10-day period to appeal before the final contracts will be signed, so there may still be some changes.

As soon as we hear about the winners for the remaining 11 blocks, we will send out another bulletin with a list of those operators.

Get important news bulletins like this sent directly to your email 24 hours before anyone else sees them, plus unlimited access to our database of hunt reports and past articles, a special expanded electronic version of our newsletter and more! Upgrade your Hunting Report subscription to Email Extra today. Click here for more information.

Guys,

I put up the pricing for Muchinga Adventures in the Chifunda GMA up on the Outfitters Offered and Discounted Hunts forum. The prices are not bad at all.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by Thierry Labat:

quote:

Originally posted by safari-lawyer:
11 of 57 GMAs awarded is what I was told.

Will, let's go hunt a leopard somewhere in Zambia when it opens for cats.....with a Zambian Licenced PH of course. I bet you there some big ones there!!!

No objection. I have one more leopard hunt in my future. A big Kafue leopard in the daylight would fit the bill just fine.

So these companies have been recommended for contracts but have not actually signed anything yet?
Outfitters are now able to start selling before actual signing?

To anyone in the know.. Will Mumbwa West still be as good as it always has especially for lion?

Couple of more questions:

1) does Chikwa consist of all of Musalangu? Basically Mike Heath's former area?

2) where are Nyaminga, mukungule and luembe? Can't find them on either the 1985 or 2005 maps.


Thanks.. Great to hear Zambia back on the hunting scene!!

Safari2,

I hunted Musalangu/Chikwa in 2000 and all I can tell you is the area is massive. We drove from one camp to another and it took most of a full day.

Nyaminga was formed when Chanjusi was divided into two concessions. Both excellent areas on the luangwa.

Mark

Wowo,

Muchinga should have their Letter of Offer in about a week. We don't plan on taking any money until that date. Nothing improper going on here.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by Safari2:
Couple of more questions:

1) does Chikwa consist of all of Musalangu? Basically Mike Heath's former area?

2) where are Nyaminga, mukungule and luembe? Can't find them on either the 1985 or 2005 maps.

Thanks.. Great to hear Zambia back on the hunting scene!!

Luembe is effectively West Petauke GMA.

quote:

Originally posted by safari-lawyer:

quote:

Originally posted by Thierry Labat:

quote:

Originally posted by safari-lawyer:
11 of 57 GMAs awarded is what I was told.

Will, let's go hunt a leopard somewhere in Zambia when it opens for cats.....with a Zambian Licenced PH of course. I bet you there some big ones there!!!

No objection. I have one more leopard hunt in my future. A big Kafue leopard in the daylight would fit the bill just fine.

Not sure I could recommend anyone in the Kafue any more?

From what I have herd a letter of offer has been sent to Madubula Safaris Zambia, for the Kasonso Busanga GMA.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:

quote:

Originally posted by safari-lawyer:

quote:

Originally posted by Thierry Labat:

quote:

Originally posted by safari-lawyer:
11 of 57 GMAs awarded is what I was told.

Will, let's go hunt a leopard somewhere in Zambia when it opens for cats.....with a Zambian Licenced PH of course. I bet you there some big ones there!!!

No objection. I have one more leopard hunt in my future. A big Kafue leopard in the daylight would fit the bill just fine.

Not sure I could recommend anyone in the Kafue any more?

No country do I love more, or have I hunted more than Zambia. At this very moment I'm afraid to say that I might have to agree with Andrew. An area is only as good as the outfitter running it, and the PH's hunting it.

A lot of BS has obviously gone into the re-allocation process, but who's surprised at that?? TIA.

Be careful!!

quote:

Originally posted by Aaron Neilson:

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:

quote:

Originally posted by safari-lawyer:

quote:

Originally posted by Thierry Labat:

quote:

Originally posted by safari-lawyer:
11 of 57 GMAs awarded is what I was told.

Will, let's go hunt a leopard somewhere in Zambia when it opens for cats.....with a Zambian Licenced PH of course. I bet you there some big ones there!!!

No objection. I have one more leopard hunt in my future. A big Kafue leopard in the daylight would fit the bill just fine.

Not sure I could recommend anyone in the Kafue any more?

No country do I love more, or have I hunted more than Zambia. At this very moment I'm afraid to say that I might have to agree with Andrew. An area is only as good as the outfitter running it, and the PH's hunting it.

A lot of BS has obviously gone into the re-allocation process, but who's surprised at that?? TIA.

Be careful!!

This I what I meant when I mentioned earlier regarding the 'new guys' who have become part of the hunting fraternity in Zambia. Outfitters like Muchinga have a clean record but I am not too sure about the rest. A mate of mine from ZAWA with whom I was having a drink yesterday was telling me how there is still a lot of in-fighting going on amongst the tender winners. He is expecting a couple more changes to the allocated areas before the final announcements are made.

A concern of mine is how outfitters like Richard Bellcross and Adrian Carr have not managed to win any concessions. These are men with good experience and knowledge of their areas. Carr has done an exemplary job of looking after Luawata running it as a conservancy with limited quota utilisation. Interesting to see how the new operator goes about his business.

The "new" operators just want the blocks and will then sit at their desk waiting for the likes of Richard and Adrian to come knock out a sub-leasing deal! It drives the cost of hunts up and does little for the conservation of the area as the new lease holders will NOT invest any money back in the concession and the sub-lessor neither!

After 3 years, when the block is shot out and no one wants to sub-lease from them anymore, they will be returned to ZAWA, depleted of resources and the same "new" entrants will go after new blocks. It's a cycle we have witnessed here in Tz before.

Bwanamich
You've nailed, as sublease operator they have you over the barrel. Camp double ups, unexpected change, unexpected charges, allocated quota not being honoured etc etc...

PH's bringing clients through with less than ideal scruples.
Very sad situation.

http://www.zambianwatchdog.com...be-zawa-chairperson/



Now Younus Mitta demands to be ZAWA Chairperson

February 24, 2015


Younus Mitta, one of the three people financing efforts to close the Zambian Watchdog has now asked Tourism and Arts minister Jean Kapata to appoint him as Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) board chairperson, a move he claims will be a token of appreciation for successfully closing the Zambian Watchdog, intelligence sources have said.
Mitta who runs Kavulamungu Transport and Bargaining Centre has told Kapata that the operations of closing this publication were moving smooth and was certain that they would succeed soon and so he should be appointed ZAWA board chairperson.
“He went to Kapata and said “madam we are on course to close that silly publication and so once we succeed I want to be board chairperson for ZAWA”. Kapata was however non committal. The reason Mitta wants to be board chairperson is he is trying to acquire a game ranch in Eastern province under chief Jumbe area. He feels that if he is ZAWA chairman he can push that the ranch be his. You know Mitta wants all hunting blocks from ZAWA and that is why he is promising them that he will manage to close the Watchdog,” said the intelligence source.
The source said that Kapata should be careful with Mitta as he together with Yusuf Zumla of Eastern Safari were the people that misled former Tourism and Arts minister Silvia Masebo into cancelling the tenders as were as firing top ZAWA officials, a move that cost her the ministerial job.
So far, the source said Mitta has been bragging to Kapata that he is close to Finance minister Alexander Chikwanda and president Lungu, the two he said would support the minister if she appointed him ZAWA board chairperson.
“What Mitta and others do not know is that the closure of the Watchdog will be a serious infringement on press freedom on a country whose international image is badly dented,” the intelligence sources said.
Mitta, Ishmael Khankala, the Flash Bus operators and Zumla, the man who cried like a baby when Masebo was fired by president Sata have even gone to an extent of assuring information minister Chishimba Kambwili that they would manage to close the Watchdog. Kambwili is said to be happy with the assurance from the three mercenaries.
“In fact Mitta wants the home affairs minister through the police to arrest some Journalists as a way of his plot to close it,” said the source