General

Travel Information

Our clients arrive at Johannesburg International Airport (O.R. Tambo). Clients will be met by a Tsoma representative. Transportation by road to the hunting concession takes 3 hours.

Documentation Needed:

1.Passport

A valid passport is needed. South Africa requires no visa. (Only where applicable)

2.Rifle Documentation

No more than one firearm per calibre and 200 rounds per firearm will be permitted. No automatic or semi-automatic rifles are allowed, unless one has a medical condition and it can be motivated by a doctor’s letter. Hunters bringing firearm(s) into South Africa for hunting purposes will be issued an import/export permit on arrival at Johannesburg airport. All hunters must be in possession of the necessary documentation. Tsoma Safaris offers their clients the service of getting the rifle(s) permit(s) prior to the safari. All documentation should be emailed to the Tsoma Safaris office 30 days prior to their arrival.

2.1 Export Rifles Form

An notarised copy of proof of ownership of the firearms, from an official government institution from the country of origin, written in English. This can be in the form of:

For US citizens only, US Customs form 4457 is ESSENTIAL (one copy is sufficient)

For GERMAN citizens only, an original notarised copy of the documentary proof of export of the firearms in the form of INF3 customs certificate. To obtain this certificate please go to your nearest Customs office (Zoll Amt) with your firearms and any other documentation the customs house might request. A firearms pass (Waffenbesitzkarte) or European Firearms Pass (Eoropaeischer Feuerwaffenpass)

For UK citizens only, an original notarised copy of the Proof of Ownership and passport must be signed and stamped as true copies of the original document by a Public Notary. Copy of your firearm license or certificate

Other – A letter from your local sheriff in the form of an avidavit confirming ownership or Invoice from gun shop where you purchased the firearm(s).

2.2 Import Rifles Form

SAPS 520 Gun Import / Export Permit Application Form. We suggest filling in the import form SAP520 before hand to save you time

Instructions for filling in SAPS 520 ( Black ink only)

-Complete page 2 – E 2.1 to E 25.4 – Natural person’s details

-Complete page 4 – G 1 to G 5 & G 8 to G 9.2 – Import/Export details

-Complete page 5 – I 1.1 to I 5 – Details of firearms & ammo

-Complete page 6 – J – Signature of applicant

-Please note: The date format is: year/month/day

-Page 6: Date – when signing the form. Place - where signing

3. Notarised copy of passport

An original notarised copy of your passport, which must have a minimum of four months validity after the termination of the hunt as well as a minimum of two free pages.

4. Copy of itinerary of airline ticket

5. Letter of invitation from Tsoma Safaris

A letter of invitation from your hunting outfitter on their official letterhead. It must include:

-The Professional Hunter and Outfitters full names

-License numbers

-Province they are registered in

-The type of hunt

-The dates of your safari

-Where you are hunting

-What species you are hunting

-What firearms are you bring that is applicable to your hunt

-This letter must be signed and dated.

Travel Documentation & Legal Requirements

It is the sole responsibility of each client to ensure that they have all necessary and valid legal documentation required to enter and travel within the Republic of South Africa. This may include, but is not limited to, a valid passport, visa, permits, vaccination certificates, travel insurance, and any other documentation required by South African authorities.

Clients are responsible for confirming the specific entry requirements applicable to their nationality and circumstances before travelling. Tsoma Safaris cannot be held responsible for denied entry, delays, cancellations, or any costs incurred as a result of missing, invalid, or incorrect documentation.

Important Points to Remember

-Ensure that your firearms arrive on the same flight as you do. This must be done with the airline company on departure

-Contact your airline company for their regulations on the number of firearms allowed and packing of ammunition. Certain airlines require the ammo to be packed in a separate locked container

-Your firearm/s may only be signed for by you and will not be released to your outfitter or professional hunter should it arrive on a separate flight. In this case, the firearm/s will be held by the SAPS until such time as you claim ownership in person

-The temporary import permit serves as your firearm license in South Africa and enables you to buy ammunition in South Africa for the calibres noted on the permit

-At all times while you are in possession of your firearms, you must have the temporary import permit on your person

-When you are not using your firearm, it must be locked in a safe

-In-Transit Permits are required for any person spending the night in South Africa while in-transit to a third country. The same pre-requisites apply as to obtain the normal Temporary Import permit

-Check with your airline company on departure that your luggage and firearm(s) will be checked through to your final destination, when you are connecting to a third country on the same day

-Should a firearm not be declared on arrival and a temporary import permit not issued, you will face severe penalties and possible arrest if detected.