Boet Nel Hunting Safaris
Namibia, Africa

Rifle Import Requirements & Our Suggestions For Selecting your Rifle.

Hunters entering Namibia with a rifle(s), must complete a temporary import permit application form for all rifle(s) and/or ammunition in their possession. That form is available at customs upon arrival and is quick and easy to complete. It takes no advance preparation on your part. You will need to know the make/model of your firearms, and the serial numbers. Also the number of rounds that you have in your luggage for each firearm. Though the law does not limit the number of firearms, customs has been known to tell travelers that only one rifle and one shotgun are allowed per person, though in our experience they have not enforced it (probably because its not true), and have gone ahead and cleared clients that have chosen to bring more than one rifle.

We recommend a minimum rifle caliber in the range of 7x64 or 30-06. Preferred would a rifle in the power range of the 300 Winchester or 7mm Remington and up to the .375 H&H does well on most game for those that enjoy shooting it.

Shooting distances will generally range between 100 and 300 meters. (110 to 325 yds) Visibilities during the months of Feb - May tend to be more restricted then June - November due to the foliage. If you are coming late in the season and you enjoy bird hunting, consider bringing a shotgun of 20 gauge or larger. We do not hunt birds during nesting periods for the individual species. (March-May)

Most shooting will be done from shooting sticks as the grass can be tall and brush restricts your view when sitting or laying prone. We have shooting sticks that we carry at all times. You do not need to bring the commercial sticks often seen in sporting good stores. They are inadequate. The sticks we use are quickly adjustable for all heights.

Please note...Handguns, semi-automatic rifles and crossbows may not be imported into Namibia.

The following is a summary of the Namibian
Firearms Import Regulations.

Import regulations:

Minimum muzzle energy is prescribed by law as follows:
           a)    3983 foot pounds - buffalo
           b)    1992 foot pounds - for animals such as eland, kudu, gemsbok, wildebeest, hartebeest, etc.
           c)     996 foot pounds - for springbok and smaller.
           for categories b) and c) no solids may be used.

A maximum of one-hundred (100) rounds of ammunition may be imported per hunting rifle. Only ammunition for the specific caliber may be imported.

It is legal to hunt with black powder rifles in Namibia. (Refer to this website for the black-powder hunting regulations.)

It is illegal to transport black powder and percussion caps. These can be purchased in Namibia. Inquire with your trophy-hunting operator.

It is legal to import bows for bow-hunting purposes. No import permit is required however certain regulations do apply..

Prohibited firearms are

All handguns
All automatic firearms
All crossbows

Traveling with firearms to Namibia

Take out full insurance for all firearms before traveling anywhere in Africa.

Boet Nel Safaris recommends flying directly to Namibia from Europe into Hosea Kutako International Airport near Windhoek. This will minimize delays associated with firearm transport. Air Namibia offers a direct service.

Recent regulations have made traveling with firearms a time-consuming process when entering South Africa. Make sure that you stay in transit with your luggage.

It is suggested that you adhere to the following procedure to minimize problems when traveling with firearms:

All bags need to be adequately marked with nametags for identification;
Pack an unloaded rifle in a sturdy carry case;
Have a separate lockable container in which to store your ammunition separate from your rifle in your checked luggage;
At the check-in counter at the point of departure, insist that the agent check your firearm through to Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH), Windhoek. Your bag tag should read, for example: New York - Frankfurt - Windhoek OR Atlanta - Johannesburg - Windhoek. (This is sometimes not possible if the airlines that you are using does not have baggage agreement with South African Airlines. Inquire about this before purchasing your ticket.); If your bags must clear customs in Johannesburg, South Africa will be forced to deal with their firearms regulations, and you will be restricted to transporting a single firearm through South Africa. It is also likely to require an additional 3 to 4 hours between flights to clear and recheck your luggage, assuming there are no problems. Please, check your bags through to Windhoek.
Windhoek Airport's International baggage code is WDH;
When you check in... physically check baggage tag to ensure that it has been correctly printed and attached to your luggage. Ask your agent if a colorful 'in transit tag' is necessary when traveling through another country.

Contact us at:
	In Namibia	Our US Representative
	Boet & Karen Nell	Larry & Robin Rivers
e-mail	boet@namibiansafari.com	larry@namibiansafari.com
Telephone	011-062-682-078	1 (907) 733-2471
Fax	011-062-682-079
Cell	011-264-81-127-0134	1 (907) 355-5432

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