SOUTH AFRICA SAFARI FIREARMS INFORMATION

FIREARMS & AMMUNITION

There should be no reason to purchase a new rifle for your South African Safari. The most important factor is your knowledge and comfort in your ability to shoot your own rifle accurately. The rifle you use for deer hunting is probably adequate for any type of plains game you may hunt. Being familiar with your rifle and practicing in several positions, including utilizing shooting sticks, will go a long way toward a successful safari. Accurate shot placement is much more important than a large caliber rifle.

Be sure to have a quality scope fitted to your rifle. A 3x9 variable scope is common, but the choice is left to you. All shots should be in the 50 - 250 yard range with 100 yards the average in the Northern Province. Any .30 caliber rifle is adequate for most plains game, however for buffalo the law dictates a minimum of .375. You should bring 60 rounds of ammunition for each rifle (maximum allowed by the airlines is 5kg or 11 pounds). Average weights for factory boxes of ammunition range from 1 lb 5 ounces for .308 - 1 lb 11 ounces for .300 Mag. Utilizing a premium bullet is an important consideration. We have found that the Nosler partition is an excellent choice, however Swift A-Frames, Barnes X and Bear Claws are also widely accepted. If you are using the same rifle for smaller animals, such as duiker, then you might want to include some solid rounds for these.

Semi automatic or fully automatic firearms, including shotguns, are not permitted to be temporarily imported into any African country. DO NOT bring these firearms into South Africa as they are likely to be confiscated. We have heard of cases where semi automatic shotguns have been allowed through customs but we wouldn't recommend this as you may lose your prized gun.

The procedures required for firearms and customs is covered in CUSTOMS & IMMIGRATION.

We recommend that you take care in selecting an appropriate gun case for transporting your firearms as they can be exposed to extremely harsh treatment by airline baggage handlers. To insure they arrive at your safari destination without suffering any damage make sure the case you choose includes the following: robust locks, sufficient internal padding, straps to secure the firearm, strong exterior construction, light enough to carry or one that is equipped with wheels. I have recently found a very nice case manufactured by Strong Case. Click here to visit their web site and then click on their Strong Safari cases link for information on this durable case.

This is the reason that I recommend a very durable gun case.

A clients rifle upon arrival in South Africa.