Africa is on many hunters “bucket list”, and whether you’re hearts desire is plains game or something more dangerous, travelling overseas with firearms can be daunting.
Namibia offers very affordable hunting compared to many parts of Africa, and the availability of “un-canned” hunting makes it attractive for those wishing to avoid the “farmed” or “canned” hunt feeling.
Here’s our 2024 guide to booking a hunting trip to Namibia from the U.K. and taking your rifles.
STEP 1: FINDING A VENUE
The first step is to find a reputable venue to hunt -recommendation is a good way to go; there are plenty of forums where you can ask people to give you their experience of venues and make recommendations.
There are also plenty of outfitters both in the U.K. and elsewhere who will arrange your trip from start to finish - if you prefer this option then you don’t need to read any further.
High Fence - This refers to “game farms” where the whole hunting area has an 8-12 foot fence around it to prevent game from leaving the farm. These areas are usually huge (many thousands of acres), however this type of hunting is not to everyone’s taste so it is worth clarifying the situation before you make a booking.
Low Fence - This type of hunting is less and less common in Africa, but still available in Namibia with careful research. This is usually offered on cattle farms where only a 4-5 ft cattle fence exists which most game easily jump over.
To avoid disappointment make absolutely sure you know what you’re booking, and that anyone coming with you is also aware - once you’re out there it’s difficult to make changes.
You may be asked by the venue to pay a deposit of up to 50%.
Some venues will ask you to detail the animals you would like to hunt in advance - you will agree a package price and they will work to get you the animals you desire. This is more common with high-fence venues.
Low fence venues more commonly supply a rate card, then you give them a wish list and it’s a case of going out to see what you can find.
It is common to shoot from vehicles for a lot of venues - if you wish to stalk and shoot from foot then ensure that your chosen venue can accommodate this.
Food, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks are usually included in your accommodation rate. So is laundry. However it is best to check when booking if there are any additional charges for certain items - some venues will charge extra for certain items such as alcoholic drinks and this sometimes catches people out.
STEP 2: PAPERWORK / DOCUMENTS
If you’re intending on renting rifles when you get there (commonly offered by most venues) then you only need your passport and wallet, however if you’d like to take your own rifle(s) then you’ll need to do some prep…
Once you have booked your venue you need to ask them for a letter of invitation to hunt, which you’ll need to be able to take your guns into Africa. The letter must include your name, address, passport number, contact details. It must then detail the make, calibre, serial of rifle(s). It must have the venues name and address on there also.
Paperwork/Documentation Check List:
- PASSPORT
- PASSPORT copies x 5
- FAC
- FAC copies x 5 (all pages)
- CUSTOMS FORM (below)
- LETTER OF INVITE TO HUNT x 2 copies
- HEATHROW DECLARATION (they’ll supply at HTR)
STEP 3: VACCINES
The least you are recommended to have are the below:
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Hepatitis A
- Malaria (if you are going to a risk area)
STEP 4: EQUIPMENT
Rifle(s):- We recommend you bring your favourite stalking rifle if 7mm or bigger (the minimum calibre for most plains game), and either a .243 for small game or a big game calibre if you’re hunting larger quarry. You only really need one rifle, unless you’re hunting particularly big game and taking a .375 or bigger - in which case you may also need a smaller game rifle.
For most .270-30 cal with 150-175gn is a perfect choice.
Sticks:- If you’re foot stalking and you have room for your sticks we recommend you take them - there aren’t always quad sticks at Namibian venues.
Knife:- Gutting, skinning etc is usually done by your hunting guide so you’ll probably not need your knife, however most U.K. Hunters prefer to have one whilst hunting (just in case)
Ammo:- 80rnds max per calibre, 140gn or above - ideally bonded or monolithic as African game are very tough animals.
Packing list 7-14 days:- June is Namibian Winter, so comparable to U.K. early Spring but no rain. Always check the weather forecast & temperatures for the timing of your trip. Pay attention to the exact region as the highlands can be very cold (-4 at night):
- Passport
- FAC & Docs
- Wallet
- Cash
- Phone
- Charger
- Plug adapter
- Speaker (if you want music)
- Rifle/s & bolts
- Gun case & padlocks
- Moderator
- Ammo
- Bipod
- Soft rifle case (for transport whilst hunting)
- Rifle Cleaning kit
- Binoculars
- Hat (wide brimmed to protect neck & ears)
- Knife
- Sharpener
- Trousers x 2 (heavy wt if highlands)
- Shirts x 3 (UV proof ideally)
- T shirt x 2
- Fleece
- Jacket (heavy wt if highlands as it gets cold)
- Underwear x 5
- Socks x 5
- Boots (wear these onto plane)
- Trainers or Flip Flops (if room in luggage)
- Belt
- Deodorant
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Razor
- Shower Gel
- Insect repellent
- Sun cream
- Ear plugs
- Tools / Allen keys (for rifle & mounts)
- Carabiners x 2
- Bungee cords x 2
- Pipe Lagging 12” (if room)
- Cable Ties
- Head Torch / Pen torch
- Sunglasses
STEP 5: FLIGHTS & INSURANCE
The only airline currently offering travel to Namibia with firearms is Ethiopian Airlines (1 connection), flying from Heathrow to Addis Ababa to Windhoek.
Flight prices vary wildly depending on time of year, but generally speaking they seem cheapest just after Christmas.
Other flights may become available, but always check the airlines policy on flying with firearms, as well as the airport/counter policies for any connections.
Arrive 4-5 hours before your departure time to ensure you get your firearms and luggage processed in time.
Countryside Cover Club offer insurance for hunting safari’s in Africa, but ensure you select the correct policy with cover for hunting in Africa - “CCC3” is the policy code.
Before flying (Ethiopian Airlines), 72 Hours prior to Flight call the Airline to inform them you are travelling with Firearms: 01753 967980
Luggage is approx £100 per item once you exceed the allowance - the first 2 hold items are free; suitcase, gun box, and ammo will be £100ish extra (3 items in the hold) . There will be an £80ish firearms handling fee that covers both outward and inward journeys for each travellers firearms and ammunition.
As most venues offer daily laundry free of charge it is easy to travel light - if you are comfortable with minimal clothing you can put your ammo box and gun box as your two hold-items and just take hand luggage for which you have a 7kg weight limit.
Guns must have bolts removed and be stored for transport in a flight approved case (rifle, bolt, sticks, Knife and moderator can be in same case) - clothes are fine to put in your gun case, but NO LIQUIDS. Knives must be declared when you check your guns (if you put knives in the gun case). Be mindful of the weight limits of your cases which are detailed later in this blog.
Moderators must not be on guns, but can be in the same case. They are classed as a part of your firearm so are not usually checked or listed/declared.
Ammo must be stored in a peli-case or similar and travel as a separate piece of luggage. Again, NO LIQUIDS. Knives must be declared when you check in if you put knives in your ammo box.
Both Gun and Ammo boxes must be lockable - airline approved padlocks are the simplest method.
As well as the originals you must have copies available of your passport and the rifle import permit for the customs police officers in Namibia and Addis Ababa. Before your departure you can email copies of all documents to firearmairport@nampol.na however this email is not essential.
When you reach Addis Ababa you will need to immediately ask to speak to the police customs officer (do not go through to the connections area until you have met with the customs officer) - they will usually meet you as you leave the plane, but if not then wait by the entrance to the first building you are sent to when you leave the plane and ask people in uniform until one of them understands what you’re asking (the people of the rank/qualification you need to speak to will have excellent English).
Checked Baggage Allowance:
Economy: up to 2 pieces, each with a maximum weight of 23 kg (50 lbs.) and maximum sum of dimension equal to 158 cm (62 in.)
Carry-On Allowance:
Business: up to 2 pieces, each with a maximum weight of 7 kg
Economy: 1 piece with a maximum weight of 7 kg and maximum sum of dimensions equal to 118 cm (46 in.)
If you take liquids in your hand luggage ensure they are travel-sized.
In addition, passengers may also carry free of charge items of personal effects for use in flight, as listed below:
A handbag (laptop bag), pocket book or purse
A small camera and/or a pair of binoculars
A reasonable amount of reading material for the flight.
STEP 6: ARRIVAL
Upon arrival in Namibia (Windhoek) you will collect your regular luggage, then you will need to go to a counter just outside the main entrance on your left as you leave. The police officer there will ask you to open your cases and you will check your guns etc with him/her - they will fill in forms and give you a copy of your import permit which you’ll need to keep safe.
Most venues offer pick up and drop off from the airport at an extra charge and we highly recommend this. Namibia is one of the safest places in Africa but there are still dangers to unwary travellers.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Tips/Gifts ideas for guides, trackers etc:
- Ear Defenders
- Old & New clothes for the staff / kids
- Toys / kids stuff (most of the workers will have young kids)
- Baseball caps
- Knives
Payment currency: Usually Euros or USD (cash). You can often pay by transfer if you shoot something unplanned.
Namibia Customs form (obtain this from your venue and complete several copies to take with you):
Payment currency: Euros or USD (cash). You can pay by transfer if you shoot something unplanned.
DISCLAIMER - The above information was correct to the best of our knowledge at the time it was published, however we accept no responsibility for any actions taken or issues caused as a result of reading this article.
Article credit to Richard Ryan, ESR Distribution U.K.