Frequently Asked Questions

How do I actually book a hunt?

Just let me know your preferred dates and the species you would like to hunt and we can then mutually select an arrival-and departure date that will work for both parties. Once this is done, we will require a deposit to reserve these dates for you.

You can then book your air-travel. Below a few companies:

Tatum Travel @ 1-800 628 5722

Gracy Travel @ 1-800 299 8558

Premier Travel @ 1-800 545 1910

How much deposit do I need to pay up-front?

50% deposit on the Daily Rates. Please take note that this deposit is not refundable in the event of a cancellation, whatever the reason. This is based upon the fact that both parties have entered into a mutual and sound agreement and your deposit will reserve certain dates for you as well as a professional hunter. Furthermore, a certain number of game animals will be allocated to you, taken from our quota.

Should you then cancel, due to whatever reason, your deposit will go towards covering losses/costs. Please keep in mind that a 50% deposit on a 7-day hunt is, at the 08 price-list, only US$ 1400. This is in reality a very modest amount and it will, in the case of a cancellation, serve to cover some losses on the Outfitters part without ruining you financially.

When is the best time to hunt?

The best period for hunting in the Kalahari (where our Camp Mata Mata is located) is from April to September.

What is the weather like from April to September?

It is generally pleasant weather with cool mornings and evenings and, during June, July and August it may go down to freezing ( zero Celcius) at night. So, early mornings can be as low as 32F and during mid-day it can/will warm up to around 75F. Normally it is cloudless, sunny days with very little, if any, bugs. Typically it does not rain during these months.

What about malaria precaution and other required inoculations?

The Kalahari is malaria-free. Consult with your own GP regarding your own personal requirements. Generally precaution against malaria (depending on the area), Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid can be considered.

What about snakes and other harmful insects?

Generally speaking most snakes will be non-active during these colder, winter months and is therefore very rarely seen. The same goes for other insects, spiders and scorpions.

Our Camp Mata Mata is located within 45minutes from a qualified medical doctor.

How long should I come to hunt?

For a normal plains game hunt I will suggest a minimum of not less than six or seven days with a maximum of ten days, excluding travelling time to-and from the hunting area/camp.

How many species can I take on a typical plains-game hunt?

Typically an animal a day. This will allow you to be selective and will enable you to get good, trophy quality animals.

What are the shooting distances?

Anything from 50-300 yards with 125 yards being the average.

Can I bring my own rifle and what calibre and ammunition must I bring?

You are most welcome to bring your own rifle. You will need to fill in a form (SAP 520) prior to your arrival that will act as a temporary Import/Export Permit and is valid for the duration of your stay/hunt (I can/will supply this document on application).

I can also provide you with a rifle and ammunition, if you so choose. This is often a sensible arrangement, especially if you plan on doing additional sight-seeing/travelling, either before or after your hunting-trip. It is often very troublesome and risky to travel with a rifle and if you do decide to do this, then I will strongly suggest you make use of one of my own rifles.

Sixty rounds of expanding ammunition is sufficient for a plains-game hunt and I recommend Nosler Accu-Bonds, Nosler Partitions, Barnes-X, Swift A-Frame and Trophy Bonded bullets.

The following calibres are suitable for plains game: .270 Winchester, 7mm Remington Magnum, .308 Winchester, 30-06, all of the 300 Magnums and .338 Winchester Magnum. Be sure to have it scope-sighted.

You will not be allowed to leave the country without your rifle.

Am I allowed to hunt with anything else, except a rifle?

Yes, we cater for bow-hunters too as well as handgun hunters.

Do I need a Visa?

Check with your authorities as this may change. Typically US-citizens do not require a visa.

What about my physical condition and fitness?

Often you will need to track down an animal and this may require you to walk a few miles. Therefore, be in a fair-to-good shape and make sure your hunting-boots/shoes are comfortable and well worn-in!

What is the terrain like?

The Kalahari is flat, savannah bushveldt with sandy soil. Visibility is generally very good so one can spot game well.

Who will meet me at the Airport upon arrival?

You will be met by a representative and, after you have cleared Customs, you will proceed to camp by road or, if you so wish, you can also make use of an air-charter.

By road it takes roughly 7 hours and by plane roughly 1 hour and 50 minutes.

For information on Air-Charters as well as a Meet & Greet Service upon arrival at the Airport, please contact Keith or Machtild Boehme at info@generalairways.co.za.

What about the accommodation?

Our Camp Mata Mata is very comfortable and can host/sleep 10 people.

Each chalet/room sleeps 2 people and it has electricity, hot/cold water and a flushing toilet.

Our electric-system in South Africa is 220V so you will require a step-down transformer if you want to re-charge your own appliances to 110V.

What about laundry?

This will be done daily. Therefore, dont bring too much clothing.

What kind of food will I eat?

Generally most hunters like to eat what they kill/hunt. Therefore, whenever requested, you will have venison that is excellently prepared.

The food is of a very high standard and if there is anything you may be allergic to, or something that you prefer or dislike, just let us know prior to your hunt.

What about drinks?

Again, if there is anything specific you may request, just let us know. Apart from that we have most of the more popular soft-drinks, a wide selection of alcoholic beverages, different kinds of beer, fruit-juice and excellent South African wines.

At what time do we get up in the morning?

During our winter months we get up at 5:30am and you will be woken by one of the staff-members.

What happens then?

You will/can have cereal, coffee, tea, juice etc and after that we set out to hunt. We take a cool-box with drinks and a lunch-box if we plan to stay out all day without returning to camp at mid-day. During mid-day, whether you are in camp or still in the bush, you will take a break to have lunch and after that you will continue hunting, only returning to camp at nightfall.

Who is going to take care of my trophies?

After you have successfully hunted/killed an animal, and once the photo-taking has been completed, then the animal will be loaded and it will be skinned as soon as possible by the skinners.

It will then be tagged, salted, dried and stored until it is taken/delivered to the Taxidermist.

I make use of Life-Form Taxidermy (art@lifeform.co.za and www.lifeform.co.za) but you are welcome to use any other Taxidermist if so requested.

It may then take between 3-12 months delivery time, depending on what you want to be done with your trophies.

Can I bring my wife and kids?

Yes, absolutely. Our camp is very comfortable and the whole set-up is very family friendly. They can either join you while hunting or lounge around the swimming-pool or watch TV/DVDs.

What happens if I wound an animal?

Firstly, it is important to know that any animal that is confirmed wounded will be considered as a kill and you will be charged the relevant trophy fee, even if this animal is lost/not found. However, a wounded animal is very seldom lost due to the extraordinary tracking-skills of the trackers.

It is important to remember that valuable hunting-time is spent following/tracking an animal since it often takes a day or two to actually find it.

Therefore, try and simulate actual hunting-conditions and practise shooting under these conditions as much as you can, preferably from shooting-sticks since this is the preferred method (these sticks are either a bi-pod or tri-pod, depending on personal preference).

The bottom-line is to be as prepared as you can be.

It is also important to know that it is the responsibility of your professional hunter/guide to ensure that any wounded animal is killed as quickly and humanely as possible. Therefore, if you are unable to do so yourself, for whatever reason/s, then he will be required to shoot/kill your animal whenever he deems it necessary.

What about shopping for curios?

There is a small shop in camp. However, you can also be taken for additional shopping on your return trip to the Airport.

How do I settle my bill at the end of my hunt?

Either cash or travellers cheques. You are also welcome to make an electronic transfer prior to your hunt, based upon an estimate of your own cost. However, you will be required to settle in full before leaving.

What about tips?

Firstly, it is important to know that you are not required to give or leave a tip. However, it is part of the safari-tradition and it is a much-appreciated gesture. It makes the staff-members go that extra mile to make your hunt more memorable and it adds to their over-all income for the year.

How much? Well, this is entirely up to you. However, as a rough guide-line, the equivalent of one daily rate per hunter is generally recommended/sufficient as a total amount for all general staff, example trackers, skinners and camp-staff.

What paperwork do I need in order to complete my hunt?

You will be required to complete and sign the Professional Hunter Register. This document will act as the legal Trophy Export Application document in order to export your trophies. All animals killed and wounded will be noted and it will also reflect what part of that particular animal/trophy you want exported.

You will also complete a Taxidermist Instruction Register, indicating exactly what you want to be done with your trophies, what part/s you want, whether you want them done in South Africa or sent back home as well as their final destination-address.

How do I get back to the Airport?

You will be taken back by road to the Airport and, if you prefer, further Airport-assistance can be arranged to take you through the various stages until you arrive/enter the departure hall.