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Answers to some of the most common questions
regarding African hunting and travel
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What is the
weather like in Africa |
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The
summer months are from October to April with day
time temperatures ranging from 85 - 105F throughout
most of our areas. The winter months are from May
to September with day time temperatures ranging from
65 - 85F. Nights can be cold during this period with
temperatures dropping to 35F. The rainy season
normally starts in the middle of November and end in
March. Our prime safari season is from May to
September in the southern countries and October and
November in
Tanzania.
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What is the
recommended clothing while on safari |
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We
recommend four sets of brown, green or dark khaki
lightweight safari outfits, a soft comfortable hat,
good walking boots that are quiet and worn in. It is
also advisable to bring fleece pullovers and/or
windproof jackets for the cool early mornings and
evenings. Clients should bring a pair of long
trousers (not blue jeans) as it is a requirement in
a lot of hotels in
Zimbabwe.
Excessive sets of clothing is not normally necessary
as laundry service is provided daily in most of our
camps.
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What are the
accommodations like on Safari |
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| The
accommodations at most of our areas are very
nice. Most have private chalets with en suite
bathrooms, hot and cold running water and showers.
Some of the more remote camps are tented. These
tents are built on platforms and also have en suite
bathes with hot and cold running water. Most of our
clients have returned extremely surprised at the
quality of our accommodations.
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Is it difficult to get
firearms into Africa |
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No. We assist you in
preparing all paperwork regarding traveling with
your firearms. There is a
link on our website to the forms needed to take
firearms into South Africa. We recommend using a gun
importation service located in South Africa and will
put you in touch with the appropriate company. All
countries in Africa require a letter of invite from
the safari company you will be hunting with. This
letter is needed in order to import your firearms.
We ensure this letter is sent to you in sufficient
time to secure your permits.
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What calibers are
required for hunting in Africa |
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This is
largely a matter of personal choice. The most
important factor is to bring a firearm you are
comfortable with.
For hunting buffalo, elephant, lion, hippo, or
giraffe you have to use a .375 or better. Bring
premium soft-point bullets with good weight
retention qualities and solid bullets. 20 rounds of
each type should be sufficient. For plains game, and
leopard, bring your favorite .300 caliber weapon and
around 50 rounds. If you are hunting lion or leopard
then the rifle you are planning to use should have a
scope with good light-gathering capabilities. Often
times cats are taken at dusk or dawn.
Bird hunting is also available in most of the safari
areas. If you plan on bringing a shotgun let us
know. Semi- automatic shotguns are allowed in some
countries but may require additional paperwork.
There is a link to the rules and regulations
regarding
traveling with firearms on our website.
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What are the
medical requirements to travel to Africa |
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| Most of
the areas we conduct safaris in do not require
any inoculations. Regardless of this, we recommend
all of our clients consult with their primary
physician for advice regarding their healthcare
while traveling abroad. Many of our safari areas are
in malaria prone zones and therefore require malaria
prophylactics. For health information regarding
travel in Africa we provide the following
Center for Disease control link. You do not have
to be concerned with the water quality in any of our
safari camps. All water is from wells dedicated to
the camp in which you are staying. If you are
uncomfortable with drinking the tap water in any of
our camps bottled water is available. We recommend
medical evacuation insurance for all of our
clients as well as trip cancellation insurance.
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What
types of food is served on safari |
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| All of
our camps offer a full three meal a day menu. You
will be provided with fantastic full course meals
prepared by full time chefs. Wine and local beers
are served with all meals. All meals include fresh
vegetables and meats. A cooler box is usually on
each vehicle which allows you to stop for a cold
drink while watching a famous South African sunset.
If you have any special dietary needs we ask you to
make us aware of this and a special menu will be
prepared to accommodate your needs.
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Will my
electrical equipment work in Africa |
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Most of
southern Africa's electricity supply is 220 volts AC
50 Hz. Appliances of a lesser voltage require
transformers and adaptors. Adaptor kits can be
purchase at several locations in the states prior to
your departure.
Kits are recommended as the requirements and
plugs differ from country to country in Africa. We
have personally used digital cameras, video cameras,
hair dryers and other electrical equipment with no
problems in all of our camps with the aid of proper
adapters.
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Can I
communicate with home while on safari |
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camps are equipped with satellite phones. In
addition to satellite phones cell phones work in
many of the remote locations throughout southern
Africa. If it is determined that the location that
you are traveling to does not have a satellite phone
or cell phone coverage we can refer you to several
companies that rent satellite phones.
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What kind of
camera gear do I need to take |
| A good
quality compact digital camera is a must. On
average, we see clients taking between three to six
hundred pictures while on a typical safari. We
recommend taking sufficient memory sticks to
accommodate these numbers. We also recommend an
extra battery as well. There is electricity via a
generator in every camp but we recommend being
cautious in regards to recharging electronic
equipment. It is important to have a good quality
camera case as the dust in Africa is very fine and
has tendency to find it's way into every nook and
cranny. If you would like to take a camcorder the
same rules apply. Compact and good quality are the
name of the game. We also recommend taking a large
enough zip lock bag to accommodate your camera.
This will help keep any dust and debris out of your
equipment. Remember to take a camera with a high
pixel count. This will allow you to enlarge some of
your photos to 8X10 or larger and maintain their
quality.
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How do my
trophies get sent to me |
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| Your
hides and horns will be prepared by the outfitter.
They will then be forwarded to a shipping company
generally located in Johannesburg, South Africa.
This company will in turn ship your trophies to the
address you have given to your outfitter when
arriving in camp for your safari. Most taxidermist
will provide you with shipping tags for this
purpose. Your trophies will arrive at a port of
entry that is closest to your home address. On the
east coast this is usually New York or Miami. Upon
arrival a
customs broker will contact you to inform your
trophies have arrived and will take care of all
needed paperwork to clear them with
U.S.
Fish & Wildlife. Once your trophies have been
cleared with Fish & Wildlife they will be forwarded
to your taxidermist or whatever address you have
provided the outfitter. The fee for this process
varies depending on the number and size of trophies
you are having shipped. Contact our office for
current estimates.
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What is your
cancellation policy |
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| In case
of cancellation the cancellation policy of the
particular outfitter you are scheduled to go on
safari with will apply. Farren Global Adventures
charges a 15% service fee with a maximum $500.00 on
all cancellations. This fee is waived if the safari
is simply rescheduled with the same outfitter and
not cancelled entirely. Most outfitters have a
fairly liberal cancellation policy. This information
is available by simply contacting our office. We
recommend that all clients purchase
medical evacuation insurance and trip
cancellation insurance. |
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