Watts Bow Hunting Safaris will provide you with unlimited communication, assistance and detailed information regarding every aspect of your safari prior to your departure. The following is a general overview of frequent topics regarding safari in South Africa. If there is not an answer to a particular question you have, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us. We will be happy to answer all questions and concerns you may have.
Bow Hunting Questions
For plains game hunting, you should bring your normal big game set up you would use for whitetail, elk or any other type deer. We have archers who use compound, re-curve, and long bow as well as crossbows. The most important aspect of your hunt will be that you are familiar with your bow and equipment you bring.
We recommend a fixed three blade cut on impact. No mechanical broad heads.
Most of our blinds are elevated or pit blinds. They are very roomy inside. You shoot trough vertical slots in the front of the blind. The blinds are very dark inside so you are very concealed. We also use pop up blinds, tree stands and natural brush blinds, pending on what species you hunt and the hunting area.
Shooting on level ground, from tree stands and from inside pop up blinds would all be very good practice. You need to be very proficient from 50 yards and closer.
Most of the shots will be 25 yards or less. It does not always work that way and longer shots are taken especially when following wounded game.
We prefer our bow hunting clients to come from June to October. This is winter and early spring for us and the weather is quite nice for bow hunting. By this time normally all the scattered waterholes have dried up and animals come to water daily. Also most of the cover is gone from the trees and you can see the game coming in and gives you the chance to study the animals for trophy quality.
Yes you can….the requirements is a minimum of 80 foot pounds (kinetic energy) is needed for buffalo, giraffe and lion. A 105 foot pounds (kinetic energy) is needed for elephant, rhino and hippo. You would need a heavy fixed two blade broad head that is sharp to the tip to get maximum penetration. Arrow weight should been between 700 to 900 grain. Some Dangerous game do need the required permit for such a hunt.
Not at all. Unlike fire arms, bows are currently not regulated coming in to South Africa. You simply pick up your bow and proceed through the customs area.
Blue colour:
These hunts are usually farm/ranch/estate hunts and most hunting is done from blinds or tree stands.
Green colour:
Moderate physical hunts such as walk & stalk plains game in hilly country, semi – mountainous, sandy and river gullies terrain.
Red colour:
Wilderness hunts for certain species such as Buffalo, Elephant, Vaal reedbuck, Klipspringer and others in mountainous, hilly and sandy country. Bad weather conditions may also play a role in the physicality.
General Questions
From the USA we recommend flying either South African Airways or Delta Airlines. Your point of arrival in South Africa is O.R. Tambo International Airport (airport code JNB) in Johannesburg, South Africa. South African Airways operates direct flights from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and New York (JFK) to Johannesburg. Delta Airlines operates direct flights from Atlanta (ATL) to Johannesburg. Scheduling your flight online is relatively simple through South African Airways or Delta Airlines websites.If you choose to utilize a travel agent, we recommend choosing a travel agent with experience in scheduling flights to South Africa.South African Airways • www.flysaa.com
Delta Airlines • www.delta.com
NEW IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS
1. Where parents are travelling with a child.
Requirements:
(i) Such parents must produce an unabridged birth certificate of the child reflecting the particulars of the parents of the child.
(ii) Adopted children to provide proof of adoption by means of an adoption
certificate.
2. Where one parent is travelling with a child.
Requirements:
(i) Such parent must produce an unabridged birth certificate of the child reflecting the particulars of the parents of the child
(ii) Consent in the form of an affidavit from the other parent registered as a parent on the birth certificate of the child authorising him or her
to enter into or depart from the Republic with the child he or she is travelling with
(iii) A court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights or legal guardianship in respect of the child, if he or she is the parent or legal
guardian of the child; or(iv) Where applicable, a death certificate of the other parent registered as a parent of the child on the birth certificate;
(v) Legally separated parents should also provide a court order when the other parent does not give consent.
Provided that the Director-General may, where the parents of the child are both deceased and the child is travelling with a relative or another person related to him or her or his or her parents, approve such a person to enter into or depart from the Republic with such a child.
3. Where a person is travelling with a child who is not his or her biological child, he or she must produce.
Requirements:
(i) A copy of the unabridged birth certificate of the child;
(ii) An affidavit from the parents or legal guardian of the child confirming that he or she has permission to travel with the child;
(iii) Copies of the identity documents or passports of the parents or legal guardian of the child; and
(iv) The contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the childProvided that the Director-General may, where the parents of the child are both deceased and the child is travelling with a relative or another person related to him or her or his or her parents, approve such a person to enter into or depart from the Republic with such a child.
4. Any unaccompanied minor shall produce
to the immigration officer
Requirements:
(i) Proof of consent from one of or both his or her parents or legal guardian, as the case may be, in the form of a letter or affidavit for the child to travel into or depart from the Republic: Provided that in the case where one parent provides proof of consent, that parent must also provide a copy of a court order issued to him or her in terms of which he or she has been granted full parental responsibilities and rights in respect of the child;
(ii) A letter from the person who is to receive the child in the Republic, containing his or her residential address and contact details in the Republic where the child will be residing;
(iii) A copy of the identity document or valid passport and visa or permanent residence permit of the person who is to receive the child in the Republic; and
(iv) The contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the child.
5 Any child who is in alternative
care as defined in the
Children’s Act, 2005
(Act No. 38 of 2005)
Requirements:
shall, before departing from the Republic, produce a certified copy of an authorisation letter from the Provincial Head of the Department of Social Development where the child resides as contemplated in section 169 of the Children’s Act.
United States passport holders must hold passports valid for 6 months beyond your departure date and the passport must contain at least 2 blank pages for necessary stamps from South African Customs authorities. It is not necessary for United States citizens to obtain a Visa upon entry to South Africa for stays of less than 90 days.
There are numerous choices for accommodation in Johannesburg ranging from economy overnight stays to luxurious guest houses, bed and breakfasts, as well as world-class casino and hotel establishments.If your flight arrives in Johannesburg before 3:00 p.m., we will generally schedule shuttle service to your hunting camp on the same day of your arrival. However, if you flight arrives after 3:00 p.m., we recommend an overnight stay in Johannesburg and shuttle service to your hunting camp will be scheduled for the next day.If your return flight departs Johannesburg before 5:00 p.m., we recommend an overnight stay in Johannesburg in order to provide sufficient time for check in for your international flight. There is much to do prior to your flight as the international terminal is home to several bars, lounges, and restaurants. The international terminal also includes duty free shopping in the large mall area where you will find high-end fashion boutiques, jewelry, books, music, electronics, pharmacy, wines, liquor, cosmetics, fragrances, massage treatments and curio shops containing numerous gifts, souvenirs, and home decor hand crafted in South Africa.Upon confirmation of your scheduled safari dates, we will assist you in arranging any necessary accommodation before and after your safari.
The South African Rand (ZAR) is the legal tender and official currency of South Africa. It is not necessary to exchange all of your U.S. Dollars to South African Rand upon your arrival in South Africa. You may, however, wish to exchange a small sum ($200 or less) for purchases of a personal nature while in South Africa upon your arrival at the airport or at various banks upon your transfer to camp. Most bars, restaurants, and hotels in South Africa accept Visa, Mastercard, and American Express as a form of payment.Watts Bow Hunting Safaris provides each client with the option of remitting deposits and pre-payment of your safari through our USA Division Office in the form of check, cashier’s check, money order, bank wire or electronic transfer prior to your departure. Upon receipt of your deposit or pre-payment, Watts Bow Hunting Safaris will promptly provide you with a receipt reflecting the amount of deposit or pre-payment. If additional sums are owed upon conclusion of your safari, the balance of payment can be paid cash or travellers checks or with a credit card prior to your departure from South Africa.
Upon arrival you will be met by a Watts Bow Hunting Safaris representative who will assist you with your luggage and accompany you to your pre-arranged shuttle and transfer to your hunting camp. Our main lodges/camps is located in the Northwest Province a 3 hour drive, Limpopo Province a 4 hour drive and the Northern Cape province a 5 to 6 hour drive.You may also choose to schedule a short commuter flight from Johannesburg to the city of Kimberly. After arriving at the Kimberly Airport, there will be an hour commute from Kimberly to the Watts Bow Hunting Safaris Main Lodge. Rest assured that from the moment you touch South African soil you will be under our personal supervision to ensure a safe and comfortable transfer to your hunting camp.
Rest assured that our experienced skinners will take the utmost care in handling your trophy from the field to their final destination. Whether you choose to have your taxidermy completed in South Africa or in the United States, Watts Bow Hunting Safaris is available to recommend reputable taxidermy studios with vast and intimate knowledge of all facets of African wildlife.
The majority of later model cellular phones that operate on a 2G, 3G or 4G network will generally connect with network service in the airports and major cities in South Africa allowing you to make calls, receive calls, and text message. Rental mobile phones are widely available and may be rented from kiosks at major airports, such as upon your arrival in Johannesburg. We do provide internet services where signal allow us to check emails or send an email to friends and family back home while you are on safari.We suggest contacting your cellular provider to discuss options for international roaming and data plans well in advance of your departure.
The South African electricity supply is 220/230 volts AC 50 HZ. All of our camps are fully equipped with electricity; however it will be necessary to bring along a voltage converter for your electrical items and an “H pattern adapter” for the converter. A voltage converter can easily be purchased at major electronics stores in the USA.Visit www.magellans.com for information on voltage converters and adapters suitable for South Africa electricity.
Laundry service is provided on a daily basis so it is not necessary to pack a change of clothing for each day of your safari. Upon confirmation of your scheduled safari dates, we will provide you with a suggested packing list to enable you to efficiently pack essential clothing and items of personal nature.
Due to its location in the Southern Hemisphere, South Africa’s seasons are the reverse of the seasons in the United States and other Northern Hemisphere countries – summer in the U.S. is winter in South Africa.
SOUTH AFRICA WEATHER
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South Africa is a safe country in terms of health risks as medical facilities are world class, with many capable hospitals, clinics and private practices throughout the country.Before visiting South Africa, we recommend consulting with your physician or health care provider at least 4-6 weeks prior to your departure to determine if you will require any immunizations, vaccines, or medications prior to your arrival in South Africa.While the chances of contracting malaria are extremely rare, we do recommend consulting your health care provider regarding a malaria preventative at a minimum. Additional information can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website: www.cdc.gov
In addition to exclusive plains game and dangerous game safaris, Watts Bow Hunting Safaris has extensive knowledge and experience arranging day excursions, sightseeing, golfing, shopping, and exclusive tours for non-hunting guests and companions.Exclusive private tours can be arranged to Kruger National Park, Pilanesberg Game Reserve, Sun City Resort, Winelands tours, Garden Route tours. Additioanlly, excursions to cultural villages and townships such as: Cape Town, Victoria Falls and countless other extraordinary destinations, can be arranged during your stay or as an additional excursion(s) after your hunting safari had concluded.
Relax, you are on safari! Each day’s itinerary should not be a rigid schedule. Every safari is exclusive and custom tailored to meet your specific desires with your unsurpassed satisfaction being our foremost priority. Great emphasis is placed upon first-class service, superior trophy quality, and attention to every detail to provide an unforgettable experience while on safari.
