Essential information on hunting in Namibia

 

    # The Namibian Trophy Hunting season opens on February 1 and closes on November 30 of each year.

    # Clients should ensure that they are booked and will be hunting with a registered Namibian operator, as well as a registered Namibian         hunting professional.

    # The three classifications of hunting professionals are:

 

         * Hunting guides

         * Master hunting guides

         * Professional hunters

 

    Two specialist qualifications are:

 

         * Big Game Professional Hunters - registered Namibian professional hunter who has passed the Big Game examination; and

         * Bow Hunting Professional Hunters - registered Namibian hunting professional with an additional bow- hunting qualification.

 

     # Hunting professionals should comply with all the Ministry of Environment & Tourism's (MET's) trophy-hunting regulations.

    # Trophy hunting may be practised from half an hour before sunrise, until half an hour after sunset.

    # Trophy hunting may take place only on properties where permission has been granted by the landowner.

    # Properties where bow hunting is practised must be registered additionally with MET for bow hunting.

    # The following is required regarding permits for trophy hunting:

 

         * Permits must be issued prior to the hunt commencing;

         * A separate permit must be issued for each individual hunting client;

         * An extra, special permit is required for the large cats (leopard, cheetah, lion). It contains an additional list of conditions;

         * A permit must be completed in full by the hunting client and the hunting professional (wounded or lost animals must also be indicated              on the permit);

         * Permits are issued by the MET only; and

         * A maximum of two trophies per species may be harvested, per hunting client, per permit.

 

    # All trophy-hunting operators must be registered with the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB).

    # Dogs are not permitted whilst hunting for cheetah. .

 

         Requirements for importing firearms

    # Refer to the rules and regulations page for required minimum muzzle velocities for firearms for various game species.

    # 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 page 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. (Refer to this page for the Bow Hunting         requirements.) .

    # Payment

 

         * A detailed Tax Invoice must be issued for every hunt;

         * Value-added tax (VAT) is currently 15% and must be paid on services and trophies that are not exported by the hunting operator on              behalf of the client. (The VAT on trophies to be exported by the operator if accompanied with a copy of the passport of the client,              the completed hunting permit and a copy of the invoice for the hunt is zero %.);

         * Please enquire what means of payment is required by your operator;

         * VAT is applicable on wounded game not recovered.

 

 

 

         Prohibited Practices

    # It is illegal to hunt for trophies:

 

         * at night and/or with an artificial light;

         * that do not qualify in terms of the minimum measurement requirements as specified by the MET, Namibian Quality Control. If trophies              do not meet this requirement, they do not have to be paid for. Exceptions are trophies with abnormalities and age deformities, which              are taken home by the client, (Refer to the NAPHA Medal Brochure for minimum measurements.); and

         * in contravention of the Fair Chase principals as stated in the NAPHA Code of Conduct.

 

    The immediate export of trophies from Namibia is possible only with a veterinary certificate, an export permit from the MET and the import      permit as required by the country of final destination.

    # Prohibited firearms are

 

         * All handguns

         * All automatic firearms

         * All crossbows

 

 

         Recommended NAPHA Guidelines

    # Book and hunt only with a NAPHA member and an operator who can prove that he is registered with the Namibian Tourism Board. Consult         the annual Huntinamibia magazine or refer to this web site for a complete membership list.

    # It is highly recommended that you enter into a written and signed pre-hunt agreement/ contract mutually agreed upon with your trophy-         hunting operator or agent.

    # It is recommended that you request to see your trophy-hunting permit prior to commencing your hunt. If no permit has been issued, your         trophy export will be jeopardised. All trophies taken must be checked and signed by the hunting client and the hunting professional on the         trophy-hunting permit on completion of the hunt.

    # There is no limit to the number of firearms that may be imported into Namibia for trophy-hunting purposes -

 

         * NAPHA, however, recommends a maximum of two firearms per hunting client;

         * If travelling through South Africa, keep in mind that immigration control there clears a maximum of two firearms for import;

         * Any unconventional firearm to be imported for trophy-hunting purposes is to be applied for to the Inspector General before arrival;

         * It is suggested that you bring between sixty and eighty rounds of ammunition per hunting rifle.

 

 

 

         Traveling with firearms to Namibia

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

    # NAPHA 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, 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 do not have baggage agreements. Inquire about this before              purchasing your ticket.);

        * Windhoek Airport's International baggage code is WDH; and

        * Physically check baggage tag to ensure that it has been correctly printed and attached. Inquire if a colorful 'in transit tag' is             necessary when traveling through another country.

Source: http://www.natron.net/napha/english/grundsatzinfo.html

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    Requirements for Importing Firearms into Namibia          Prohibited Practices          Recommended NAPHA Guidelines          Traveling with firearms to Namibia

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