The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting African Big Game Hunting Thinking of retiring to Africa - Anyone know someone whose done it?Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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I have been thinking of retiring in a year or two (maybe less depending on the Nov elections) and very seriously considering Namibia. No intention of giving up my US citizenship and maybe only for six of the year or so - think long distance "snowbird". Anyone else (American) that does this or knows someone who has done this? The countries I am considering would be Namibia, Tanzania and South Africa. Anyone have any thoughts - good or bad. Obviously, there are contributors here who live/residents in various African countries and interested in some of their thoughts too. | ||
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In Zambia you simply have to invest $250,000 and you get an investment permit which gives you residential privileges. I am developing two models here in Zambia, one in the Luangwa and one in the Kafue that offers investors part ownership of a private unfenced wilderness reserve. If you are interested at all send me a PM and I will forward you a draft copy of our business plan. ROYAL KAFUE LTD Email - kafueroyal@gmail.com Tel/Whatsapp (00260) 975315144 Instagram - kafueroyal | |||
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I'm talking generalities here. Mostly because different countries will either have different rules or might choose to apply them differently depending on what passport you hold etc. The three countries are very different from each other (as you probably know) and you'll find that immigration requirements are each different..... but not vastly different. If you apply for residency, they'll all expect you to invest a fair amount of money and provide proof of income. Some might also require you to employ some locals. If you plan on something like 6 months in Africa and 6 months at home, it's easier because you can probably apply for an extended holiday visa. In SA for example, you can get something like a 2 or 3 month visa on entry and then apply to the Home Affairs dept for an extension..... again, they'll ask you for proof of income or financial security. My advice would be to try a few different countries and/or locations and rent instead of buying a home until you decide what you prefer. You also need to bear in mind that it might not be as easy as you hope to bring firearms with you etc. | |||
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I knew someone who moved to South Africa, married a South African woman and bought a home there. As an author, he continued to write and receive royalties from the States until he died more than a dozen years ago. I don't know what the South African laws were then (or now) concerning residency, but I remember him saying there was an IRS rule that limited the number of days he was allowed to visit the USA and remain exempt from being taxed on his first $80,000 (I think it was) of income. Bill Quimby | |||
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FWIW, getting permanent residency in SA is very difficult, expensive and slow. The home affairs website promises to give you a decision in something like 3 months but in reality, you can expect to wait a year or more. I've been here for 10 years and still don't have it and what's more I have serious doubts I'll get it. Also FWIW, marrying a SA citizen no longer guarantees you residency. | |||
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Could one buy a say 3 month time share say down around Kempton on the sea. Using the time share as a base. Go in our summer and have good hunting in the Cape. | |||
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i have a retired dentist friend from the USA ,he has been living in east london(eastern cape) for a few years ,i can hook you up with him ??????? Send me a mail at rentons@mweb.co.za and i will put you in contact with him Andrew | |||
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East London would be a great place to spend a few months a year.. It's like San Diego at an 1/8th of the cost for the same views and weather.. not to mention the hunting opportunities at your doorstep. If it was me considering the move to a populated area of South Africa, EL or Durban would be high on my list.. If Zim was in a diff state of affairs, Bulawayo would for sure be WAY up there in the running. | |||
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I would highly suggest you be in excellent health, and have your appendix out first. The very well off financially prerequisite goes without saying. Rich DRSS | |||
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Rich, Not at all the medical care in southern Africa is excellent and as a resident it is inexpensive. Most of us here are covered by medical insurance and can take advantage of the medical facilities at home or in south Africa if need be. All our clients are covered for he worst and this includes emergency evacuation. ROYAL KAFUE LTD Email - kafueroyal@gmail.com Tel/Whatsapp (00260) 975315144 Instagram - kafueroyal | |||
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If you want to buy land in Namibia I think you have to have a majority local partner. Brett DRSS Life Member SCI Life Member NRA Life Member WSF Rhyme of the Sheep Hunter May fordings never be too deep, And alders not too thick; May rock slides never be too steep And ridges not too slick. And may your bullets shoot as swell As Fred Bear's arrow's flew; And may your nose work just as well As Jack O'Connor's too. May winds be never at your tail When stalking down the steep; May bears be never on your trail When packing out your sheep. May the hundred pounds upon you Not make you break or trip; And may the plane in which you flew Await you at the strip. -Seth Peterson | |||
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In Namibia you have a few options, you can buy a ranch or a plot (200 to 1500 Acres) and come and stay here or you can buy a partnership into a ranch or bussiness, this will give you permanant residence that you must renew every two years but you can come and go as you want. I know of an American who bought a ranch here and I also know of Americans that have partnerships in Namibia. I can also help you with a address of a lady that does all the paperwork and she will be able to tell you exactly what can be done and what not. Roy | |||
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Thanks for the replies and PMs - I have been doing some Internet research for a few months. I REALLY like Namibia but have not spent any time in ZA or Tanzania. I have a few days of free time at the beginning of this year's trip and we're going to spend a couple of days in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund as well as Windhoek. Last year I spent an evening with the US Defense Attache' and Admin NCO over dinner at Joe's. He said that he had spent the last 10 years in several African countries and he said Namibia was the best kept secret going on and that he would have no qualms about living there full time. Positives: One of the most stable (for Africa) governments. Windhoek and the larger towns have access to all modern conveniences. Very low population density - 2M people in a country the size of Texas. Very hunter friendly - just look at the simplicity of the Namibian gun import form (single sheet) versus the eight pages for ZA (just to overnight there) Negatives: Land ownership is restricted to "Citizens". Foreigners are limited to 49% ownership of businesses/corporations (have discovered there are a few exceptions to this) The government is predominately controlled by a socialistic party (seems to be where the US has been heading). It is difficult, slow and expensive to obtain certain goods/products, but that the general cost of living there compared to the US is considerably less expensive overall. Obviously cultural/social/customs differences, but I have spent the better part of the last 28 years overseas in some $hitholes. I speak a bit of German and can follow a some of the Afrikaner conversations. Medical - we carry Medjet Assist all the time and so far at 50 I am still in very good shape and can still max out the AF physical fitness test. Part of the reason to come back to the US for half of the year would be to have annual and routine medical/dental care. I have already made up my mind that I would rather die on top of a Kopie or chasing game than in my bed not knowing who or where I am, drooling all over myself with tubes up my wazoo - I will NOT go out like that. I am hoping to get connected to someone who has actually moved to Namibia or has spent extended periods of time there other than just hunting. The DATT and his NCO are great but they have the full support of the USG and full US Embassy resources. Looking for those who have done it either associated with a company or privately. | |||
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One of our clients moved to Namibia from the states last year. I will send you a PM about it, as far as I know he loves it. Greg Brownlee Neal and Brownlee, LLC Quality Worldwide Big Game Hunts Since 1975 918/299-3580 greg@NealAndBrownlee.com www.NealAndBrownlee.com Instagram: @NealAndBrownleeLLC Hunt reports: Botswana 2010 Alaska 2011 Bezoar Ibex, Turkey 2012 Mid Asian Ibex, Kyrgyzstan 2014 | |||
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Have you tried to talk to Aaron Rust? He spent a lot of time there and is headed back I believe. ------------------------------- Some Pictures from Namibia Some Pictures from Zimbabwe An Elephant Story | |||
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Peter Hathaway Capstick no doubt! When I retired back in 1996, I thought about moving to Zimbabwe but because of the red tape I decided not to! Man am I glad today that I changed my mind back then! ....Mac >>>===(x)===> MacD37, ...and DUGABOY1 DRSS Charter member "If I die today, I've had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"~ME 1982 Hands of Old Elmer Keith  | |||
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south america would be a better choice and less paperwork and problems. east africa is a night mare for americans to retire to miles of red tape | |||
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The appendix is serious, RIGHT NOW!!! life-threatening experience if you get appendicitis. If you are more than an hour out of a major hospital you could be D-E-A-D. It happened to a friend a couple years ago. He decided, at the last minute, not to go ahead by himself to Elk camp and wait for his wife two hours to get off work. He had stomach pains while they were pulling out of their driveway, and she convinced him to go see their doctor. He escorted him down a hall to the ER where they removed his appendix. Had he left on schedule, he would have been ten or eleven miles up a goat path and dead. I am curious how it works in Africa if you have American health insurance and something happens. Rich DRSS | |||
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Back on topic - where there is a will there is a way to live there. You will need competent legal help and real tax advice - not internet advice. I have hired a number of people that were New Zealanders, Aussies, South Africans and Euro's that live in Africa or in a country not of their citizenship. All of them were required to invest, buy or show a level of committment to live there. Get details from a reputable law firm like Steptoe & Johnson. As to ISS's efforts to get you to a doctor for an appendicitis, he is right - it is dangerous as is any infection that can get to your bloodstream. I have had two close friends come down with serious illness in Africa - one just got back after suffering a heart attack in RSA. He had quintuple bypass surgery in J-berg under excellent care. He was from Houston and said J-berg was as good as MD Anderson. The second had a pinched intestine from an unknown hernia, got infected/inflammed - had surgery in RSA and is fine. He said his care there was excellent. As to how to pay for it - again, speak to your insurance outfit or Medicare/Medicaid if you are on that. Get real answers. | |||
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Steve: You done broke the code. Bill Quimby | |||
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Dear USCentcom guest ... It is possible to follow your retirement dream Is it easy, proberbly not, is it possible, YES ... I have some good ideas BUT A lot will depend UPON your GOAL .. 1) Are you wanting to work INVEST and prosper OR are you wanting to have mainly R&R 2) Will you be financially secure UPON arrival or are you aiming to start from grass roots and make money over in Africa, in other word work for a living 3) Would you want to emigrate or go for a long term stay OR spend say 6 months per year over there 4) Are you independant and will travel alone, OR take a family with you Cheers, Peter Balla-Balla Safaris | |||
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The above would be the easiest way I think. I would also mix it up a bit. The trick would be applying for extensions, going home to the states now and again, and even leaving for a couple weeks for Nam, Zim or Moz when your RSA visa is about to run out and then return applying for a new one as necessary. Lots of ways to skin a cat I think that won't necessitate you investing BIG money in getting citizenship, landed immigrant, or permanent resident status....as long as you don't really care about things like voting, local hunting privileges, or gun rights on the ground. Another trick would be to do the above for a couple years, make some good (rich and connected) friends in country, then have them apply for a work visa on your behalf to help them out as a "consultant". Pay them annually for this hassle of course, but it would probably work well long term. JMHO | |||
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Tendrams, That wouldn't work in RSA I'm afraid. If your visa is about to expire you need to either apply for an extension before it expires or go back to your country of origin...... they'll let you get away with border hopping once or twice but then they'll toughen up on you. If you do border hop, it's not at all uncommon for them to give you a short stay visa instead of a longer one when you return. - I've been there, done that and believe me, it doesn't work.... at least, not in the long term. As for the work visa/consultant thing, you can also more or less forget that because their requirements are extremely stringent and what's more they not only check up but keep on checking up. To give you an example of that, my better half has immense experience in cardio thoracic surgery, has worked with the very best heart surgeons etc in the world and even has surgical procedures named after her. SA is obviously immensely lacking in skills such as hers and you'd expect them to be crying out for someone like her...... but despite that, they make it impossible for her to work here.  What it really boils down to is that whilst they're happy for you to be here on extended vacation they don't want you here permanently because your 'eyes are the wrong colour' I'll add that some people have suggested buying land or a farm..... I'd recommend you stay away from that one like the plague. Land claim in various forms is rife in most parts of Africa now and even though you might be assured today that it's safe, that doesn't apply to tomorrow or the day after and having a 'local partner' only increases those risks for the obvious reason. If you do want to buy property, I'd strongly suggest a house on a secure, residential estate is a much more sensible investment than land or a farm etc. | |||
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I wonder if one could work out a three or four way migratory cycle. If one were liquidating their "comfortable" life in the US, one could probably outright purchase a smaller apartment in Capetown and Swakupmund and then a few months of timeshare in both Zim and Moz I think. Would the RSA or Namibia border folks consider it "border hopping" if it had been 8 or 9 months since your last visit? | |||
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They'd probably only consider it border hopping if you were away a matter of days or weeks and if you were away months then you'd probably get away with it..... but then of course, it gets expensive because your home sits empty for long periods. (Another good reason to live on a secure estate) | |||
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I actually reckon it's easier to get residency in the US than in most African countries. I'd have thought that if someone came to the USA on their equivalent of an own business visa and ran a successful company for a decade, (plus considerably longer elsewhere in the world berforehand) they'd pretty much get residency without too many questions........ not here though! | |||
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It would get expensive on paper to keep some properties empty...but if a country like Zambia is going to require a $250,000 investment (plus your housing costs?) to get residency and in doing so force you to put all your eggs in one basket, I would much rather put what would probably end up being a minimum of $400K total into three or four different countries even if it meant each property being idle 2/3 or 3/4 of the time. Your travel costs could be low if one chose wisely (or higher if one wanted a major change of scenery) and you get the added benefit of diversifying in case of political instability/land seizure etc. Honestly, I would even throw $50-60K of mad money at a small Harare or Bulawayo property under those circumstances because you never know how that place might improve post-Bob. Get another small place on a Namibian beach, one up on the Red Sea coast, and a rural hobby farm in RSA and one could be sitting pretty everywhere without the hassle of residency or worrying about the border guys hassling you. Yes, you are trading that hassle for one of another sort, but the diversification is a side-benefit that might make it worth enduring. | |||
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No doubt this is true....and for much stranger reasons that you might think. I know more than a few academics who took sabbaticals from African universities to go work in the US while their wives were pregnant. The child is an American citizen when born there thus making it much easier for mom and dad to get their passports. Not at all sure how I feel about that! | |||
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Had a very good conversation with Mr. Aaron Rust as recommend above. Based on his experience from a number of years ago, Namibia for 3-6 months a year seems very do-able. Will definitely be spending a few days on the ground in WDH this year while we are there getting current details. | |||
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As much as I like Namibia, if things were different in Zim, it would be Zim for me. With the proper economy, Bulawayo would be absolutely wonderful. And a small farm in West Nicholson for 6 months would be just the ticket. 114-R10David | |||
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The world has truly gone to hell. Just nowhere to run anymore...nowhere to hide... | |||
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I am posting this on behalf of Fairgame, he will be commenting on it tomorrow. Cheers, Steve  Formerly "Nganga" | |||
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Thanks Steve, This scheme is gaining popularity throughout southern Africa and offers individuals the chance to own a part of wild Africa. We are currently looking at how to insure the client's investment and therefore creating a water tight model for those how would like to entertain a second home in Zambia. Residency here is very simple and investors are protected by an Investment License that extends them certain privileges. Millions of dollars are now being invested in land and wildlife by internationals and this is just one example. Note Royal Luembe is still in it's infancy and we may vary the model to suit a small number of hunters and are currently exploring this market. Zambia is the real Africa ROYAL KAFUE LTD Email - kafueroyal@gmail.com Tel/Whatsapp (00260) 975315144 Instagram - kafueroyal | |||
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Fairgame, Right now my dare to think big dream is moving to Africa (currently retired). As you have said "Millions of dollars are now being invested in land and wildlife by internationals and this is just one example". Are these lands currently available for hunting by the international community for customary safari fees? If the answer to the above is yes, will these lands continue to be availble to the international community for customary safari fees? | |||
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No these lands remain private and the hunting quotas will be then dedicated to the new owners or shareholders. The land is simply registered as a game ranch (unfenced). The game still belongs to the state and trophy fees are paid directly to the wildlife department. If the game is to owned then the requirement is to fence the property. ROYAL KAFUE LTD Email - kafueroyal@gmail.com Tel/Whatsapp (00260) 975315144 Instagram - kafueroyal | |||
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Guests What Fairgame has on the drawing board (looks very interesting) and there are a number of similar projects taking off in Southern Africa. WE "Balla-Balla Safaris" in a (joint venture project) with a luxury lodge development company were also working on a grand plan. At this point in time the proposed development is ON HOLD or in LIMBO due to the cureent world economic climate ... BUT to get an idea of the scale of the project which was proposed please have a "LOOKSEE" at the video presentation. Born Free Destinations Cheers, Peter Balla-Balla Safaris | |||
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I can't speak for other countries... but Namibia has great health care. The best and cheapest dentist I have went to was in Windhoek. The best (1 out of 4) c-sections my wife had was in Namibia at Medicity. The state hospital is another story... But the private medicity was great. I busted 5 ribs, punctured my lung, brused my spleen and spent 4 days in the hospital. My son had Pnumonia and was in the hopital. Three of the four (at that time, we are six now) members of my family were in medicity and we all had healing and great experiences. Where I lived most of my life in the states was inferior to care in Windhoek. I wouldn't hesitate to retire there if i was to retire in Africa. Issues with Grandparents, grandchildren, ageing parents, siblings... children leaving for college... plus some security issues are the real factors. While living in Windhoek we never left our house empty but always had a trusted person staying at our house when we were gone. Guard dogs, alarms, and lights go a long way. Coming from small rural Kansas it was an adjustment but we adjusted. I love Africa and she is my great mistress. Aaron PS my 4 day stay in Medicity was something like $1200 and the birth of my daughter was something like $1500. Peanuts compaired to the US. | |||
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A fellow in Mozambique visited with me (a few years back) about moving there and helping with a game capture and breeding program to restock one of the national parks. I never looked at it seriously. Maybe I should have?! Good hunting, Andy ----------------------------- Thomas Jefferson: “To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.” | |||
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ACRecurve, Mozambique would be a different story especially a few years ago!  Aaron | |||
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Ultimately the best is not to fully retire in Africa but to have a second home here and to come and go as you wish. Avoid the rains and soak up some sun and maybe poke around the bush with a big stick. ROYAL KAFUE LTD Email - kafueroyal@gmail.com Tel/Whatsapp (00260) 975315144 Instagram - kafueroyal | |||
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting African Big Game Hunting Thinking of retiring to Africa - Anyone know someone whose done it?
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