Planning
Safari Planning
Safari
Travel Arrangements
Safari Planning
South Africa is one of the most stable and sophisticated countries in Africa, with a first world infrastructure of roads and scheduled flights. This ensures that road or air travel throughout South Africa is comfortable and pleasant.
Passports are required for travel to South Africa. Please note that generally no Visas are required, and American and European Union passports are adequate for entry into South Africa.
Flight booking to Limpopo or North West
For all Safaris please travel to Johannesburg International Airport (O.R Tambo) both the North West and the Limpopo areas are a comfortable 4.5 hour drive, we will have refreshments and snacks for the trip.
Flight booking to Zimbabwe or Botswana
Currency
Payment Options
Lex Strauss Safaris will coordinate with your bank before your safari to ensure smooth final payments. Please note that prices are subject to change without prior notice.
Weather
Our hunting season runs from February to November (unless otherwise requested), with weather conditions as follows:
- Late Summer (February and March): Hot
- Autumn (April and May): Warm to Mild
- Winter (June to August): Cold
- Spring (September): Warm to Mild
- Early Summer (October and November): Hot
Packing Essentials for Your Safari
Here’s what to pack for your safari:
- 1 x Pair of well-worn hunting boots
- 1 x Pair of comfortable camp shoes
- 4 x Pairs of good socks
- 4 x Sets of underwear
- 1 x Cap
- 3 x Pairs of long hunting pants
- 3 x Pairs of short hunting pants
- 4 x Bush/hunting shirts
- 1 x Down jacket
- 1 x Warm sweater/jersey
- 1 x Windbreaker/waterproof jacket
Packing Essential Extras for Your Safari
For extras, consider bringing the following:
- International Plug Set
- Pocket or Hunting Knife
- Camera
- Binoculars
- USB Flash Drive
- Small Backpack
- Insect Repellent
- Toiletries
- Chap Stick
- Sunglasses
Power and Connectivity at Our Camps
Our camps offer all the modern amenities to ensure your comfort and safety, including wireless internet connectivity and 220V electricity at most locations. Please note that South Africa uses a pin plug system.
South Africa is one of the most stable and sophisticated countries in Africa, with a first world infrastructure of roads and scheduled flights. This ensures that road or air travel throughout South Africa is comfortable and pleasant.
Passports are required for travel to South Africa. Please note that generally no Visas are required, and American and European Union passports are adequate for entry into South Africa.
Planning Guide
Your Safari Planning Guide
Our comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to make your trip to South Africa unforgettable.
Travel Arrangements
Important Information
For a smooth experience, please review this important information to help you plan your trip effectively and enjoy your adventure with ease.
Important Information for Hunter
1. Accommodation
Tented accommodation with complete bedding and bathroom linen which will be refreshed on a daily basis. General toiletries will be provided as well as insect repellent, hand sanitizer and chap sticks.
2. What to bring
- Personal toiletries (including sunscreen)
- Universal multi-plug
- Small backpack to carry personal items
- Sunglasses, hat and gloves
Clothing suggestions include:
- Already well-worn hiking boots
- Shirt and trousers for hunting – camouflaged or dull colours – no whites or bright colours.
- Thick jacket
- Raincoat
- Warm clothing, especially for any ladies joining
- Casual comfortable clothing for around the camp.
In the winter months temperatures can range between 0°C/32°F and 20°C so warm clothing is suggested.
Permit Requirements
Before you leave the US
US 4457 is the only USA document you need to leave the USA with your firearms, but check with your airline on booking if they require any other documents, as airlines sometimes change policy and other countries have a different form than the USA.
Advise airlines at least 30 days before you fly that you will have rifles. Some airlines require an additional 72 hours notice before you fly to confirm you’re flying with rifles.
Airlines require you present a pre-approved gun permit when you check-in for your flight.
Pre-approved Gun permit
Pre-approved Gun permit – getting your SAPS 520 permit done by a rep before you leave home for your safari
Email Lex Strauss Safaris direct at info@lssafaris.com. We can get your pre-approved permit for you well in advance. Please ensure that you have received your pre-approved permit from us a reasonable time before your flight. Please ensure you give us at least 21 days notice prior to travel.
Doing your SAPS 520 on your own does not cost anything but we recommend getting this permit done as soon as possible. Please bear in mind the inefficiencies of government departments.
The SAPS official website has a page dedicated to information on the importation of firearms to the Republic of South Africa :
http://www.saps.gov.za/services/flash/firearms/importation.php
SAPS 520 Form
Below is a summary of what is required to bring firearms into South Africa.
- Checklist for when arriving at the ORT Airport gun permit office – You will need your completed SAPS 520 with the following :
- Blank SAPS 520 form – in case you made a mistake filling it out
- COPY of Passport – preferably certified/notarized; the first 2 pages of your passport, those with your photo and particulars will be sufficient.
- COPY of round trip air tickets. (One-way tickets can create problems with Immigration).
Boarding Pass
- COPY of Letter of Invitation – this we will email to you when we have your full names, addresses and passport numbers.
- COPY of Letter of Intent – eg. “To whom it may concern” I , John Doe, intend to hunt in South Africa and use the listed firearms. Some of the species I intend to hunt are….. and signed & dated for the arrival date in Johannesburg.
- COPY of Customs declaration form 4457 / an Official Signed Customs form from your Government proving that the gun/s you are bringing are your property and are fully detailed on such form – preferably certified / notarized – get this at your local US Customs office/ Your country’s Customs office and ensure the form is one dated for the year of travel, not an old form dated for previous years and unexpired form not older than 6 months. This document also protects you when you return home from your own countries customs, proving the rifle/s or any valuables you listed on it are your property and you did not buy such outside on your safari.
Have the originals of all these documents handy when you are getting the gun permits in Johannesburg.
Only South African Airways, SA Airlink and FlySafair will fly your guns and ammo inside South Africa – This is very important when booking your flights. These airlines may charge a nominal fee for this service. Please note that only 5KG of ammunition will be allowed on these flights.
Airport Transport
A representative of Lex Strauss Safaris will meet you at the airport and assist with the clearance of your firearms.
If your flight is due to arrive after 5PM SAST then we recommend booking accommodation at one of the airport hotels
https://ortambo-airport.com/airport/airport-hotels.html
Transport to the safari lodge by road is included.
Alternatively transport by plane or helicopter can be arranged at an additional fee.
