You guys were probably thinking that I had asked all of my dumb questions already but you're wrong. I have more!

Do the hunting vehicles, Land Rovers, etc. usually have the standard 12V cigar lighter outlets in them that I can use to recharge electronics that I have a car adapter for?

Also, has anyone ever used D&L CHB, LLC out of Chicago to handle customs for trophies?



I have the Namibia gun import/export permit page filled out except for my signature and the place. Am I correct in thinking that I have to sign it in front of the police at the airport?

Frank:

Did my first trip to Namibia this past May. SAA lost ALL checked luggage including guns for 3-days. Luckily I was a little over-board and had made four complete sets of copies of the US Customs 4457's, my passport my girlfriends passport, airline tickets and the filled out and unsigned Namibian Customs form, my "motivation letter" with my PH's address, my name, gun serial numbers, and number of rounds for each (100 per). Put a set of everything in each gun case and my girlfriend carried a copy in her carry-on and so did I.

When nothing showed up in Windhoek, went to the lost baggage office (got in line) filled out the SAA form and gave them a completed set of documents and a spare set of gun case keys. Three days later, everything arrived 500k nw at the PH's place - everything except a few hundred $$ of stuff we were going to give as gifts.

Even with a complete set of keys to the gun cases and the two separate locked ammo boxes, someone still broke into the ammo box. Didn't take any ammo but the box was useless for the return trip. Just shot up what wouldn't go in the one good one.

STILL was a great trip!!!

quote:

Originally posted by m3taco:
Frank:

Did my first trip to Namibia this past May. SAA lost ALL checked luggage including guns for 3-days. Luckily I was a little over-board and had made four complete sets of copies of the US Customs 4457's, my passport my girlfriends passport, airline tickets and the filled out and unsigned Namibian Customs form, my "motivation letter" with my PH's address, my name, gun serial numbers, and number of rounds for each (100 per). Put a set of everything in each gun case and my girlfriend carried a copy in her carry-on and so did I.

When nothing showed up in Windhoek, went to the lost baggage office (got in line) filled out the SAA form and gave them a completed set of documents and a spare set of gun case keys. Three days later, everything arrived 500k nw at the PH's place - everything except a few hundred $$ of stuff we were going to give as gifts.

Even with a complete set of keys to the gun cases and the two separate locked ammo boxes, someone still broke into the ammo box. Didn't take any ammo but the box was useless for the return trip. Just shot up what wouldn't go in the one good one.

STILL was a great trip!!!

I'm glad you had a great time. I've made three copies of every piece of paper.

What is the "Motivation letter"!

I also take photos of my luggage and gun case. That way if language becomes a problem, you can show pictures to the lost luggage folks.

The motivation letter is a letter from your PH or outfitter to you. Usually it includes the dates of your hunt, the calibers required and most importantly, your PH's street address rather than PO Box, phone. Oh, should also include the ranch or concession where you will be hunting.

I bet you are getting very excited. Have a great trip.

Regards, D. Nelson

quote:

Originally posted by D. Nelson:
I also take photos of my luggage and gun case. That way if language becomes a problem, you can show pictures to the lost luggage folks.

The motivation letter is a letter from your PH or outfitter to you. Usually it includes the dates of your hunt, the calibers required and most importantly, your PH's street address rather than PO Box, phone. Oh, should also include the ranch or concession where you will be hunting.

I bet you are getting very excited. Have a great trip.

Regards, D. Nelson

OK, I have the contract that has where we will be hunting and my PH's actual street address on it.


Excited? I haven't been this excited since I was 17 years old and "Jody the slasher" said that she would go out with me.

Frank; You have a PM

Regards, D. Nelson

Frank:

The “Motivation Letter†is actually the letter you right in response to your PH’s “invitation letterâ€. My PH was 4th generation Namibian PH and he said he had never had to do an “invitation letter†but would have been happy to do one. I passed, but I did do a motivation letter. I contacted the NPHA [URL=http://www.natron.net/napha/english/index.html[/URL].

I also included in the “motivation letterâ€, my full name, DOB, place of residence, passport number (even though I also had copies of my passport with the packet), my g/f’s full name address, passport number (copy of passport), the name of the PH, his address and his license number, and phone numbers and email address.

Namibia also has a restriction on bringing two rifles of the same caliber per hunter. I took to 45-70s (one Marlin 1885gs and one Ruger #1) in one double-gun case. Both 4457s were in my name and I explained in my letter that I was the legal owner of both rifles but one was for my use and the other was for my girlfriend to use and listed each one for each person by serial number, and the number of rounds for each.

I don’t know if my “motivation letter†actually helped get my stuff to me or not but….it contained everything in that letter because on the chance I wouldn’t be there to explain anything in person I put it all in writing.