How it works
Travelling With Rifles and Bows
General Information
By law a minimum caliber of .375 is to be used to hunt any of the Big 5 (Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Rhino and Elephant). A .375 is also a very versatile caliber and can be used on every plains game species as well ~ very good soft nose ammunition is always recommended, but especially on Big Five Species. (See underneath)
As a recommendation for all plains game species, calibers such as .300 Win mag, 338, 7mm, 30-06 and the like are best suited for African antelope.
Ammunition: Choice of bullet make should be Swift-A Frame, Woodleigh, Barnes X, Nosler partition or Hornady soft nose.
Scope: Choose a good quality variable scope to use on your rifle, as a suggestion 3×9 power is sufficient in Leupold/ Zeiss make.
Bring the rifle that you shoot best. We as Professional Hunters prefer good shot placement over and above any high powered firearm.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL OUR PH’S HAS FIREARMS AVAILABLE TO OUR CLIENTS TO RENT SHOULD YOU DECIDE NOT TO HASSLE WITH THE EXPORTATION AND IMPORTATION OF YOUR OWN FIREARM/S IN AND OUT OF YOUR OWN COUNTRY!! COST IS $30/DAY PLUS COST OF AMMO USED.
Bow Hunters
Bow hunters do not need a temporary import permit for their bows when entering South Africa; however, they must possess a USA Customs Declaration Form 4457 for their equipment.
Hiring a Rifle?
If you plan to rent a rifle from Wintershoek Safaris, you can disregard the following information, but please ensure you inform us before your safari begins.
Hunters arriving in South Africa without their own rifles can rent one from Wintershoek Safaris on a first-come, first-served basis. We offer a wide variety of rifles, all equipped with reputable and reliable scopes. Most calibers have multiple rifles available for hire, with an array of options.
Ammunition will be charged at cost, with the price based on opened boxes being considered used.
Hunters Traveling with Rifles to South Africa
When bringing firearms and ammunition into South Africa, you will need a temporary import/export permit. These permits can be obtained at both Johannesburg and Cape Town International Airports or applied for prior to your arrival in the country.
Rules & Regulations for Importing / Exporting / Transiting Firearms to/from South Africa
You are permitted to temporarily import a maximum of four firearms per hunter, with no more than one firearm of the same caliber. Only FlySafair and SA Airlink allow domestic transportation of firearms within South Africa. Ensure your domestic flights are specifically FlySafair or SA Airlink, as shared carriers do not permit firearms. There will be an additional baggage fee for both the rifle case and the ammunition case, with the ammunition case limited to 5 kg (11 lbs).
Rifles and shotguns cannot be checked as baggage unless approved at least three working days before departure through Airlink Reservations or your travel agent. Firearms must be unloaded, have the safety catch engaged, and be properly packed with all required documentation from the countries of departure, destination, and any stopovers. Only bring ammunition that corresponds to the firearms you are carrying.
Individuals under 21 are not allowed to bring firearms into South Africa or apply for a temporary import permit. The barrel, frame, or action of each firearm must bear the same serial number. Semi-automatic shotguns and custom handguns can be imported for hunting purposes only; self-defense firearms are prohibited.
If you are in transit and will spend the night in South Africa, you must obtain permits similar to those required for standard temporary importation.
Regulations for Traveling with Ammunition to/from South Africa
All ammunition traveling internationally to or from South Africa and regionally within Southern Africa on SA Airlink or FlySafair must be stored in a locked hard case (metal or plastic); cardboard boxes are not permitted. Ammunition cannot be checked in luggage upon arrival in South Africa and must not be carried in the cabin or flight deck of the aircraft.
A maximum of 200 rounds of ammunition is allowed per firearm and caliber. Most airlines impose a weight limit of 5 kg (11 lbs) for ammunition, roughly equivalent to 140 rounds of .243, 120 rounds of .300 Win Mag, or 100 rounds of .375. Based on previous
If you choose to manage the customs clearance for your firearms independently, you will need to prepare the following documents:
- Wintershoek Safaris Letter of Invitation – Complete two copies: one to present to customs officials in Johannesburg and a second for your records.
- SAPS 520.
- Notarized copy of your passport.
- Notarized copy of the US Customs Form 4457 or your Rifle License, whichever serves as proof of ownership.
- Printed copy of your flight itinerary.
If you prefer not to handle the customs process on your own and would like assistance, we have trusted professionals who can help ensure everything is done correctly. We would be happy to connect you with them. They also possess the invitation letter from Wintershoek Safaris, which will significantly simplify and streamline the process.
