Below is a step-by-step explanation on how to plan and book your safari with us. Should you need any other information please feel free to contact us, or one of our agents in the US.
You can find their contact details at the bottom of this page.
Where and what to hunt
First you will have to decide on one/or more of our hunting areas namely:
South Africa: Plains-game, Cape Buffalo, Hippo, Crocodile, Lion
Central Namibia: Plains-game, Leopard, Rhino
Caprivi – Northern Namibia: Elephant, Hippo, Crocodile, Cape Buffalo, Lion
After you have made the decision on where and what you want to hunt, we will draw up a proposal for your selected hunting area. This proposal will consist of one of two ways for your safari:
Option 1 (Most common option to use):
There is a Daily rate that you multiply with the amount of hunting days. You add the animals you shoot as the opportunity arises while hunting, all animals on the pricelist will be available. The day rates include Luxury Accommodation, all Meals & Soft Drinks, Airport Transfers to and from the Int Airport, A Professional Hunter to accompany all hunting parties, Recovery of harvested animals, Skinning, and field dressing of Trophies.
Option 2 (Mostly for Dangerous 7/ Big game hunts):
Should you be interested in Hunting the Dangerous 7, Big 5 or more than one specie in a certain area, as mentioned above, we will tailor-make a specific trip for you. This type of package will include traveling from South Africa to Namibia, chartered flights will be needed, and this is usually 14 days + safari.
In any of the above cases:
Additional trophies can be added from the price list while hunting.
Guests are met upon arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg or at Hosea Kutako International airport in Windhoek and are returned there upon completion of the Safari.
Add-on tours and photo safari day trips are also available.
General Safari Information
Kaiwhai Safaris understands that booking an African Safari can lead to a lot of questions and decisions prior to booking your hunt. Our team is available 24/7 to assist you in planning this dream Safari. We are only an email or phone call away. If you have Whatsapp on your phone – we can have constant contact and share any info in real time.
Booking Confirmation for your Safari
When you have selected the type of safari you would like to book, we will send you a detailed proposal and contract. After you have signed the contract, you will be required to pay the deposit of US$2000, depending on the nature of the safari.
Flights to Africa
You can book direct flights to OR Tambo International Airport in South Africa or to Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek. We have a recommended traveling agent, should you not have your own.
Please follow the link to our page for flights and bookings:
If you are a US citizen, you only need a valid passport with two clean pages to travel to South Africa. If you are NOT a US citizen, you might require a visa.
Importation of hunting rifles
A temporary import permit from the South African Police Service is required to bring your rifle into South Africa. Follow this link to our web page to assist you in bringing your own rifle:
We will also put you in contact with Mr X (our contact at the airport), who will assist you with this process and meet you at customs at the airport to clear your rifle upon arrival.
Arrival at the airport
We will personally meet you at the airport and help you to collect your rifle. From there we will drive out to the Lodge. From OR Tambo Airport (Johannesburg – South Africa) it is a 2-hour drive to our lodge and from Hosea Kutako Airport (Windhoek – Namibia) it is 2 ½ hours’ drive.
Health Precautions
No shots are needed for South Africa. Our hunting area is Malaria and yellow fever free. Malaria medication is required if you are traveling to the Caprivi. Please contact us if you need more info.
Hunting Areas
Please follow the link to our page for hunting areas:
Weather and Temperatures
Namibia and South Africa’s seasons are reversed from the seasons in the Northern Hemisphere. So summer here is when its winter up north. For the most part, early mornings are crisp and cool but warm up around 9am. Mid-days are sunny and warm but it can start cooling down from late afternoons and can range a great deal, so you must pack to dress in layers each day.
What to wear
Laundry is done daily at all of our lodges so you dont need tons of clothes: khaki or camo works, so whatever you prefer. A range of temperatures may be experienced in one day so dressing in layers is advisable. Please see the recommended “What to bring on an African Safari” for more detailed guidelines:
Payment after your Safari
We require a small deposit to secure your booking for your trip. After the safari, the balance can be paid in USD cash or via wire transfer before departure. We do have an American Bank Account with First Citizens Bank. Please make necessary arrangements ahead of time with your bank or a friend to make this payment on your behalf. We have found that the easiest is to make an electronic payment from your banking app or website.
Payment of other items
For puchases of gifts and souvenirs you can always use your credit card so local currency is not really needed. Most stores outside of the airport WILL NOT accept dollars. Most stores WILL accept ONLY MASTERCARD AND VISA credit cards, and not AMEX or DISCOVER. We will assist you to exchange Dollars into Rands at the airport should you require to do so.
South Africa’s currency is called “RAND” – the symbol is R.
Namibia’s currency is called “Namibian Dollar” – the symbol is N$.
Your trophies after the hunt
The field preparation is done on the hunting property. After that your trophies will be taken to our taxidermy. Our local taxidermy, Mr Raymond Hoffman will personally meet you at the lodge to discuss what you would like to do with your trophies. There are 3 options:
- Do the taxidermy work in South Africa and ship the completed trophies to your country of residence.
- Dip & pack your trophies and send it to your country of residence.
- Tan & pack your trophies and send it to your country of residence.
Please click here for more info on the options for Taxidermy of your trophies.
Tipping
“How much should I tip my PH? How much should I tip the skinner/tracker & Lodge staff?”
It is always a difficult question to answer. Tips are by no means obligatory and are at your own discretion.
Here are some suggestions – merely a point of reference:
Tips can be given in US Dollars or included in your final check when you pay for your safari.
On a typical basic 7-10 Day safari to the value of US$8,000 – US$10,000, the average tip for the Professional Hunter is around 10% of the total value of the hunt.
On a big game hunt, the tip is generally more than on a plains game hunt.
We recommend US$30 per Skinner (3 skinners usually), for the entire trip.
The lodge hostess and supporting staff may be tipped at your discretion. For a 7 day stay at a lodge we recommend about US$ 50 for each: Hostess, cook, laundress, servants, and other supporting staff on duty. It will, more or less, amount to 3 staff members at most of our hunting lodges. Please ask us for an envelope and then present it to the Hunting Outfitter.
Tips are greatly appreciated by our lodge staff as a sing of appreciation.