Q: What is the process importing my firearms-bringing my own gun with me?
A: South Africa is the easiest African nation to bring your guns into with a few rules. No semi autos are allowed. Handguns and muzzle loaders are difficult to get in. No more than 2 firearms each. No more than 200 rounds or 11 lbs of ammo. Ammo boxes must now be packed in a lockable (TSA lock) container.  No loose ammunition. It must also be in a factory box or hard reloading box and kept separate from your firearms.  Firearms must be in a lockable hard case. This is basic information. You can arrange to have your firearms import permit (SAPS 520) approved ahead of your arrival and waiting on you there. The charge is $100 each.

Upon arrival at the airport...you'll have to follow some instructions that we will give you specifics depending on which Firearms Importer you use, before you depart - in writing if possible on arrival at JR Tambo, Johannesburg, ZA This is where Ken & Roseann will help to make your trip a little easier - they will go over this with you and are available by cell phone or in person when you arrive.

Q: Can I rent or borrow a rifle from the outfitter?
A: Yes you can. Around 70% of hunters choose to use one of Lieb's rifles. Eliminate the hassle of a firearms permit and gives you more options when making your airlines reservations. You can go through London if you leave your rifle at home and sometimes you can save on airfare. The rifles are nice, scoped rifles in a 308 win, 270 win, 30 06 and 8×57 mm. There is NO COST TO USE A RIFLE THAT LIEB PROVIDES! Ammo is still expensive, so the actual cost of ammo used will be calculated and you will pay this fee at the end of your hunt.

Ingwe also has shotguns for wing-shooting. Again, there is no charge for us of the gun, however, there will be a fee for the ammo you actually use. You can expect somewhere around $25 a box for the rifle ammo and $12 a box for the shotgun shells.

Q: What firearms are allowed - any terms? What firearm is best for the game?
A: You are allowed a maximum of two firearms. Handguns and automatic weapons are not allowed. If you plan to hunt dangerous game, the caliber limitation is not less than a .375 H&H Magnum, and for plains game the limitation is .240 caliber. We also recommend that you bring 60 rounds per rifle. A 270 Win up to a 300 Mag are fine caliber choices. Consider a strong bullet, like the Barnes XXX or Nosler Bonded.
I have some very nice scoped rifles to loan for free if you want to leave your at home. 

Q: How do I get my Trophy’s home?
A: Ingwe-Safari's will cape , tag , salt your hides and horns for the taxidermist free of charge. Lieb's staff is very careful and methodical doing this. They will contact Nylstroom Taxidermy to receive your capes and horns. You pay nothing at this time. After your trophies arrive at Nylstroom you will receive an email notice from Nylstroom for payment along with instructions. When you leave your hides with Nylstroom,  you can just have the minimum work done to get your trophies to you (dip, salt , paperwork & boil the sculls) or he can tan your hides and of coarse he can mount them for you as well. This is your choice.

Some hunters choose to take only photographs of their trophies - no mounted animals whatsoever. Not everyone can accommodate such large mounts in their home or office. It’s not that uncommon to do this. Nothing goes to waste in Africa and your capes and horns are no exception-Nylstroom will find a home for them.

Once crated they will be shipped by Safari Air Cargo to an international customs broker firm named Coppersmith to the city closest to you. They will ask you if you want to pick up your trophy’s or have them shipped to your front door. The cost depends on how many animals you have shipped to you but the five package animals usually runs around $1730 to the entry port. Shipping to your house is around $300 or so more by ground freight. This is for salted hides and boiled skulls only. Please ask for specific details - we are happy to give them if we have them or have experience with your request.

Q: Should I get my trophy’s mounted in Africa or the USA?
A: The fastest and most economical way to get your trophy’s hanging on your wall may be to let Nylstroom mount them in Africa. Below is a bit of an explanation:

1.You will be waiting approximately 4 - 6 months on the SA government to get your paperwork all in order. In a few more months  Nylstroom can have your trophy’s mounted. Then when you receive them you wont have to wait another year for your local guy mount them.

2. Nylstroom charges somewhat less to mount your animals in Africa than the guys over here do. Their charge for our standard 5  animal package shoulder mounted is $3365 USD at today’s exchange rates (6.5 - 1) Then you will have to pay for a bigger crate and higher shipping of course. This charge is $1100 from Africa to the USA port and cleared by Coppersmith.. Then shipping to your front door by freight truck. For a total of $4465 hanging on your wall in 12 months or less.

3. If you want to have the trophy’s mounted in the USA, you will still have to pay Nylstroom $840 USD for dipping , documentation and crating along with $890 to the shipping and clearing companies. That’s $1730 total to them. This only leaves you $2735 to get all 5 animals mounted in the USA.  So, you may or may not be spending more money and time than to just have Nylstroom mount them in Africa. I don’t think you will find a taxidermist in the USA that will mount all your game for $500 each head. You might get a springbuck mounted for that, but I doubt it. Most local taxidermist charge extra fees to mount African game over here.

Ingwe has Nylstroom mounts in the lodge, ask Lieb to point them out and you can decide if they meet your standards before committing to either option.

Which method did Ken & Roseann choose? We personally have had ours shipped to Alpine Taxidermy near Fort Worth, Texas - by doing that, we can select which animals to have mounted and more or less, when. For us, it was nice to be able to spread paying for the mounts out over a little bit longer period of time. We are also in that area several times a year so we were able to pick them up from Alpine rather than having to have them crated/shipped to us in the Texas Panhandle. If you have life-sized mounts or have so many mounts that a super sized crate is necessary then you should consider getting them mounted in the USA. The price jumps substantially when your shipping a crate gets that large, expect  $6000 - $10,000 for just the shipping.

NOTICE: All the above information is based on the USD verses the ZAR (Rand) . Things change - but the information above can be considered an honest estimate based on hunts in 2009 and 2011. We will update you individually if you'd like as new information becomes available.

Q: What is the Currency in South Africa?
A: It’s the Rand. It’s code is ZAR. Follow the link below to get the latest conversions. It usually runs between 7  & 8 to 1 USD. Currency Converter

Q: Can I use my credit card and cell phone in Africa.
A: GLOBAL CELL PHONES activated before you leave the US will work 90% of the time you're in South Africa. Be sure to bring your cell phone charger with you.

 We do not take credit cards for your hunt but you can use one at Afrika Lodge and for shopping and souvenirs. Be sure and call your credit card issuer and let them know that your going to be using your card in South Africa. They will temporarily activate it for the duration of your trip.

Q: What is the weather like in Douglas? Home of Ingwe Safaris? 

A: 

Q: Is South Africa a safe place and do I need shots?
A: South Africa is a stable country. Johannesburg is as safe as any other big city would be. Kimberly is a smaller city and Douglas, where we live is very small. Like a small town in the USA. We have a couple cafe’s and stores like in the USA. To date I have never had any problems with security. The only shot’s you might think about getting is your Tetanus.

Q: This price seems to good to be true - can I have references?
A:  “What’s the catch? Where are the hidden charges? You won't get any surprises on this safari, that's why we continue to go with Ingwe! It's a good idea to research both the outfitter and get references - Google is a good tool to check out Ingwe-Safaris and Lieb du Raan. It's hard to hide a bad outfit with the accessibility of the internet today.

Talk to references - make sure you ask lots of questions - they are usually very honest with other guests. We are careful about each of our client's privacy that's why we don't post names, email info or phone numbers on the web but we'll be happy to provide it if you will ask.

Q: What should I pack?
A: Here is a suggested packing guideline:

• Good Hat
• Sunglasses
• 2-3 pairs of hunting clothes-they are laundered daily (Camo is optional)
• 1 warm jacket/sweater
• Pair of warm gloves
• 2 pairs comfortable walking boots (shoes)
• Binoculars
• Personal items & medicine 
• Daypack
• Camera equipment
• Extra batteries
• Ammunition/60 rounds
• Tweezers
• Pocket knife
• Flashlight
• Current converter (220V) & 3 prong plugs - ask!
• Sunscreen
• Cell phone charger

Q: What is the cost of flying to South Africa?
A: The cost fluctuates with the seasons. Most airlines take a rate hike on May 1st. We paid about $1600 per person in early June 2009 and about $1900 in late May 2011 - both trips booked via Orbitz.com as they had the best price at the time we booked (usually February for June/July trips). You can get a ticket anywhere from $1200 USD in the off season to $2000 USD during peak summer time travel. We will work hard to find good airfares and send you emails or call with these details - most of our guests enjoy traveling together when they can.

We advise signing up at South African Airlines or Delta for their 'specials' to be sent to you directly. Currently these two airlines fly directly to Johannesburg, JNB from the US. Each has daily departures from JFK , DCA , & Delta leaves from ATL. If possible, fly directly to South Africa from JFK, DCA or ATL. We have flown American through London (you can't take guns through Heathrow) and it was brutal! By the time you get to Johannesburg you've been in the air nearly 22 hours - some guests spend the night in London and then go to Johannesburg, it's an 11 hour flight, then you have to connect to get to Kimberley - you end up arriving for the hunt jet-lagged and exhausted from travel. DIRECT TO AFRICA! Most of Europe has firearms restrictions, especially London!

Most of our guests fly directly to JNB and spend the night before heading to the hunting lodge near Douglas, South Africa. We recommend Afrika Lodge for a luxurious, delicious and delightful overnight stay with Glenn Taylor and his staff. In 2011, Glenn picked our group of 10 up at the airport and returned us to the airport, took us on an impromptu shopping trip to the mall in Johannesburg, fed us 3 meals - evening, breakfast and a light lunch, put us up in his lovely lodge overnight for about $160US per couple!

The next leg of your trip will be from Johannesburg to Kimberley. With Orbitz we were able to book our entire trip - from DFW to JNB to KIM and return. We did not see a break down of the Kimberley leg, but SAA Express services that area and we understand that the round trip from JNB to KIM is about $220 in 2011.For more information you can check out their fare schedule by clicking here: South African Express Airways.  Some guests have suggested buying the Kimberley tickets separately from your other tickets. We have been told that it can be less expensive than combining them with your JNB flights.

It is best to try and arrive and depart Kimberley by Noon. Currently, the first flight leaving JNB #1101 to KIM is too early to process your firearms. #1103 is the second departing at 8:45am. When returning to the US, you MUST allow at least 3 hours layover between your arrival city in the USA (ATL, DCA or JFK in most instances) before boarding your next flight or the next leg of your trip. It takes a bit of time to clear US Customs and recheck your luggage at one of the above named airports.

We look forward to helping you with this part - every part of your journey with us!

Q: Will you meet me at the airport?
A: If you book your overnight accommodations with the Afrika Lodge in (Kempton Park) Johannesburg, they will be there to meet and greet you just outside of passport control and usually Ken & Roseann. Afrika Lodge staff will also wait on you to get your firearms permit and then drive you back to the lodge. They will return you to the airport for your departing flight to Kimberley the next day. This is included in their rates. Lieb or his staff will meet you at the Kimberly airport.

Lieb will take you back to the Kimberly airport when it’s time for you to leave.  Lieb will not leave until he's sure your plane has departed. Neither of these days count as hunting days-they are travel related days.

Q: What are my chances of getting all the trophy’s in the package?
A: Most folks have 100% opportunity for all the animals OR an alternative if one animal is particularly scarce during a hunt. Lieb takes great pride in his success rate of 98%+ and works extremely hard to keep it that way. Lieb owns most of the land and guides himself. That way he can keep his prices in reach of the working man’s budget. Lieb’s a working man himself and considers his guests as friends -- and your referral is the lifeblood of his business.

Q: How far are the shots?
A: The ranges can vary from 30 yards up to 500 yards if you feel confident shooting at that distance. One needs to practice shooting from sticks and standing up as well as the bench. The average shot is 200 yards.

Q: What happens if I wound an animal?
A: If you hit the animal, you have to pay for it. Lieb and his staff are experts at determining if its a hit or miss. Lieb and the trackers will spend a reasonable amount of time looking for your game, they don’t give up easily. The object is not to do this. Not only does this cost money, it takes time away from your African safari. Everyone on the truck loses -- no one is hunting!

Q: Can I exchange game in my package for other species? 
A: Yes you can. Some of our clients have hunted Africa before. The may already have a Cape Kudu or a gemsbok.  Maybe you personally aren't interested in a blesbok or a steinbok or other game in the package. Lieb and Ingwe-Safaris will work with you.

What we have worked out in the past is this - before you leave, a value, per animal is determined for your package -- note that the package price is always lower than the individual listed price of each game animal. Take a gemsbok for example: In 2009 the trophy fee on a gemsbok would be $800 - Ingwe will apply $700 towards something else. A springbuck is $250--Ingwe will apply $150 towards something else. If you have more questions about this, call Ken.

Q: Can I shoot additional game outside of the ones included in the package?
A: Sure you can. The only game that we need advance notice on is Cape Buffalo, lion, and Roan antelope. If you know you want something for sure just tell Ken and he will make arrangements with Lieb. However its not necessary. If you see something you want you can shoot it. Then at the end of your safari we settle up on the extra game you shot. No personal checks accepted. Be sure to bring extra cash or travelers checks if you plan on shooting extra game. The trophy prices are published on the web page and are current.

Q: Are your hunts fair chase?
A: Yes our hunts are fair chase! That being said, most of South African hunting concessions are high fenced. Some of Ingwe-Safari's are as well. We hunt large tracks of land, starting at 6,000 acres and as large as 50,000 acres. The land has some pretty thick places for the game to brush up and never be seen. So, yes its fair chase.

What most people don’t realize is that Ingwe-Safaris offers 34 different species of game to hunt. There are only about 5 or so animals that are still native to this hunting area - most all of the others have been brought in over many decades to the area - fences were necessary so that they could breed and produce a hunt-able population. Perimeter fences serve to keep our game from leaving our concessions.

Not all hunting areas are under high fence. One area ranch is so large that they have numerous free roaming areas on it. Most of the Cape Kudu are taken from this area or a nearby abandoned diamond mine and are what you would call free ranging. None of our areas have kill pens and to date no one has complained about the size of our concessions!

Q: When is the best time to hunt?
A: We like to take guests in late May, early June or in the case of 2013, July. It's winter in South Africa - similar to South Texas winters.

Q: Is South Africa a better value than hunting in the USA?
A: Yes! Even though this article is somewhat dated, the gist of it is still applicable -- South African hunting is a bargain! Please click on the thumbnail below to read an article from the October 2007 issue of Guns & Ammo Magazine.

Q: How many hunters at one time?
A: We will never have over 6-8 hunters at one time unless they are from the same group. Lieb can handle a group of ten if you have that many in your hunting party.

Q: What are your terms of business?
A: The Following are our Terms of Business:

1. All prices are quoted in U.S. Dollars.
2. A deposit of $1000 each is required to confirm your booking. Checks preferred.
3. Deposits are not refundable. In the event of a cancellation, the client will forfeit the deposit to cover the loss of a safari booking and the time making all the arrangements. Sometimes the safari might be rescheduled under the right conditions if there are available openings. If you are allowed to reschedule you will pay the current rate for the safari, not the price of your original booking.
4. The balance of the trip (non-hunters, package rate, extra services) is due 30 days prior to departure - no exceptions
5. Animals shot, wounded and lost, are paid for at the end of the hunt.
6. All payments are payable in USD Cash (preferred method) , American Express travelers checks or certified bank drafts. No credit cards, personal checks or business checks will be accepted in Africa.
7. The company reserves the right to change prices if such changes are necessitated by cause beyond its control.