Gratuities
What weapons should I bring, should I rent?
Trophy preparation
Accommodation and cuisine
What to wear
What equipment to bring?
Health and safety
Entering and exiting Zimbabwe
Pre- and post-safari trips
Liability and indemnity
Fees and payment

This can be an awkward subject but we do understandably get allot of requests for guidance and the below is strictly an average! The below are figures we have seen over the last five years, some people leave more and some less. We must emphasise as with all gratuities none of our staff expect a tip and obviously they need to be performance based.

The camps generally have six or seven staff and then of course you will have two trackers, a driver and a game scout on your hunting vehicle. We hope that you find this of some use!

Don't have the added stress of bringing your own weapons and hire one of ours! As travelling with weapons is stressfull and time consuming, CM Safaris offers a number of excellent weapons for hire, to cover whatever trophies you are hunting - from elephant to grysbok.

This is largely a matter of personal choice, although the Department of National Parks and Wildlife has strict regulations about the minimum calibre required to hunt and shoot certain species.

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 favourite .300 calibre weapon and around 50 rounds. The Swift A-frame and the Trophy Bonded Bearclaw are professional hunters’ favourites.

If you are hunting lion or leopard then the rifle you are planning to use should have a scope with good light-gathering capabilities.

Prime bird hunting is also available. If you are unable to bring your own shotgun and ammunition (6" shot for francolin and guinea fowl, and 8" shot for doves and sandgrouse) we can supply you with both. Simply let me know beforehand!

A general note on importing weapons
Upon arrival in Zimbabwe, customs officials will check your weapons (at the port of entry) and issue you with a ‘Temporary Import Permit’, which licenses them for carriage and use. This is a very simple and hassle-free procedure. You must check with your travel agent about airline restrictions on the carriage of firearms and ammunition.

Each camp has its own highly-experienced skinner who will field-prepare your trophies for you. We will personally arrange their packing, crating, and export with a professional shipping agent. We will also track the progress of each shipment to ensure that it reaches you and your taxidermist in the shortest possible time.

Please note that the dipping and packing of trophies is an additional cost, i.e. it is not included in the basic price of the safari.

All camps are beautifully positioned and make the most of their very individual views. Depending upon which camp you visit, you will either be accommodated in a safari-style tent, under luxury thatched structures, or in a chalet, all of which are extremely comfortable and well-lit, with ensuite facilities, hot and cold running water, and flush toilets. Power to the camps is supplied by generators.

The cuisine on offer is highly acclaimed and plentiful – you will not go hungry! Or thirsty – imported wines and good local beers are served at lunchtime and with the evening meal. If you have any special dietary requirements or drinks preferences then please let me know before you arrive – the chefs are very obliging.

We advise that you bring 3 lightweight safari outfits. The best colours are green or brown – avoid any bright or light colours! Although daytime temperatures are generally warm year-round, once the sun has set it can get quite cold, and so we recommend that you pack a sweater or fleece, and a jacket. Most important of all is a good pair of well worn-in walking boots or shoes. And the quieter these are to walk in the better! You should also bring a hat or a cap and plenty of sunscreen.

A word of warning: the light aircraft we use for charters have inflexible luggage restrictions, so pack light and in a soft duffel-style bag! All camps offer a daily laundry service.

N.B. All garments with camouflage patterns are ILLEGAL.

Bring a cleaning kit and slings for your rifles, and appropriate belt-slung ammo’ pouches. You should also pack a sharp knife, good binoculars, sunglasses, a small flashlight (torch) and a camera. Be sure to include plenty of spare batteries and film.

Please note: Zimbabwe uses a 220v electrical system. If you are coming from the US, or another country on a 110v system, you must bring an adapter.

The Center for Disease Control recommends that travelers to Zimbabwe should have
(i) all routine immunizations (measles, mumps, rubella, polio, diphtheria, perussis, tetanus, etc.),
(ii) Hepatitis A,
(iii) Hepatitis B, and
(iv) typhoid. 
In addition, travelers should use an anti-malarial medication in camp such as melarone or doxycycline.
More information is available on the CDC website.

Unlike some other African countries, Zimbabwe does not require you to have any pre-trip inoculations. However, you must take out adequate health insurance. You must also take malaria prophylactics, as all of the hunting camps we operate in are located in malarial areas. Your local GP or doctor will be able to advise you on what type of prophylactic to take and for how long. If you take any kind of regular medication, be sure to bring a sufficient supply with you.

Each camp is equipped with a first-aid box and every professional hunter is a trained first-aider, so minor injuries/illnesses can be dealt with on site. In the event of a more serious situation, you will be air-evacuated to hospital by MARS (Medical Air Rescue Service), who are easily contactable by radio or satellite phone.

If you are traveling to Harare via Johannesburg, South Africa and not over nighting in Jo'burg, you do not need South African gun permits.  Check your bags all the way through to Harare and you will not need to claim your luggage in Jo'burg.

If you are travelling to Harare via Jo'burg and plan to overnight in Jo'burg, you will need to complete the South African gun permit process.  There are several commercial services available to assist you in this process.  Air Service 2000 [link to come] will assist you in completing the paperwork and walk you through the process at the airport.  If you book your travel through Gracy Travel they have a service to assist you with the completion of the necessary paperwork and have a full time person in South Africa that will meet you at the airplane and walk you through the permitting process.  For individuals staying in Jo'burg, we recommend that you stay at Afton House, a local bed and breakfast that caters to hunters travelling through Jo'burg.

While a visa is required in Zimbabwe, the visa is purchased at the airport when you arrive (US$30).  No visa is required for American passengers travelling through South Africa, even if you overnight in Jo'burg.

Make sure that you allow enough connection time in order for your weapons to make baggage transfers.  Short connection times frequently translate into passengers with no firearms in Harare.

Use of a travel agent experienced with African travel by sportsmen, like Gracy Travel, can be a big help.

Should you wish to extend your holiday in Zimbabwe, we can arrange any pre- or post-safari trips you might like to take – in Zimbabwe or further afield.

Any safari or hunting activity is potentially hazardous. It is essential that all lawful directions and advice of the Safari Operators and guides should be followed at all times. It must be understood that Charlton McCallum Safaris and its employees or their agents accept no responsibility for any illness, accident, or losses whatsoever incurred during the course of the safari; or for any expenses arising from such illness, accident, or loss.

By law, you have to pay all the costs incurred in Zimbabwe in foreign currency. Using traveller’s cheques (US$, AUS$, GBP£) is the safest way of doing this. You should also bring a number of small notes for making roadside purchases, etc.