Mozambique Hunting Guide

Our hunting season in Mozambique is from 15th May to 30th November. The Niassa Reserve falls within the subtropical region of the country and receives on average 1000mm (40”) rain per year. The rainy season coincides with the heat and humidity from December through April. Winter, which is the dry season, stretches from May to mid-September and this is then also the coolest time to visit the country. Average day temperature ranges between 20°C and 30°C (68°F and 86°F). Animals become more visible from May through to November as the bush dries out and they tend to congregate close to water sources. August, September and October are the best months to hunt for predators while November is very good for buffalo as it is the driest time of the year. We are very specific with what we hunt, no buffalo or sable hunting is done in the herds, only lone bulls or groups of bulls are perused. Sable bulls must show secondary growth of 1” at the base of the horn, which ensures that they are over 7 years of age. With regards to the hunting of leopard and lion, we adhere to a strict protocol which ensures that we hunt these animals sustainably. If you are after a daytime leopard, the best time to hunt them is before the end of August. Hunting is allowed at night, with artificial light, but only for lion, leopard, crocodile and bushpig. Hunting of female, young and/or immature animals is prohibited.

Each hunter is allowed to bring a maximum of three firearms to Mozambique with a maximum of 100 rounds of ammunition per firearm. The airline’s restriction is 11lbs of ammunition. No automatic, semi-automatic or military grade firearms are allowed. We recommend the minimum calibre to be used on thick skinned game is a .375 and recommend clients bring 20 soft rounds and 20 solid rounds. For general plains game, we recommend a calibre in the .300 range with 40-60 rounds of ammunition. Bowhunting is allowed in Mozambique and is currently legal during the hunting season. All species may be taken with a bow. Should a hunter wish not to bring his/her own rifle on the safari, there are camp rifles and ammunition available for their use at an additional cost.

Each hunter is required, by law, to have a hunting licence before a firearm import permit will be issued. Furthermore, due to small quota allocations per area, a client needs to reserve animals (including plains game) upon booking the safari. Permits are issued for each trophy before the commencement of the safari. Non-reserved animals may be taken if available but will incur a 50% surcharge on top of the Government Licence fee to cover the costs of late application fees and courier fees of licences to Pemba.

There is daily laundry done in camp. Below is a packing list to get you prepared for your Mozambican safari:

The closest port of entry to the Niassa Reserve is Pemba International Airport (POL). We recommend that hunters fly via OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, to Pemba directly on SA Airlink. There is one flight per day (none on Sundays and Tuesdays). A Chapungu-Kambako representative will meet and assist each client on arrival at Pemba airport. Clients will travel in a light aircraft from here to camp.

It is advisable to make use of a travel agent when booking your international flights to Africa. Miriam Clingensmith at Frosch travel agency can assist with any flight bookings (mailto:miriam.clingensmith@frosch.com / +1 713-590-8138). She is also available to meet in person at the DSC and SCI shows.

Some flights via Johannesburg require you to overnight in Johannesburg before catching the SA Airlink flight to Pemba the following morning. We strongly recommend using Afton Guest House for your accommodation and for processing your South African firearm intransit permit.

Travellers to Mozambique must have a valid passport with validity of not less than six months and a Visa (to be applied for 60 days before the safari from the Mozambique Embassy in the hunter’s respective country).

It is important to note that all hunting safaris are potentially dangerous and it is each client’s own responsibility to arrange his/her medical, evacuation or personal insurance. We recommend Ripcord Comprehensive Travel Protection (www.ripcordtravelprotection.com) as a preferred travel insurer.

It is advisable to take out full insurance for all firearms before travelling anywhere in Africa. Ensure that your ammunition is in a separate lockable container from your rifle. It is legal for hunters to import bows for bowhunting purposes into Mozambique and no import permit is required. A valid firearm import permit is required before any hunter arrives in Mozambique. We assist with the application thereof and every hunter must provide us, at least 12 weeks before the commencement of the safari, with a scanned colour copy of his/her passport, a colour copy of a passport size photograph in .jpeg format, a copy of the US Customs form 4457 or Firearm License from your home country, the travel itinerary and the completed Client Information Sheet. Clients visiting or travelling through South Africa (depending on the airline in-transit regulations) will need to complete a South Africa Firearms Permit Application Form (SAPS 520) and obtain the permit prior to their arrival. Please check with your travel agent or airline about the transit procedure when travelling through South Africa. For more information please see our Travelling with firearms South African section.

Our continent is known for rich and colourful cultures, friendly people, exhilarating adventures and breath-taking natural beauty. Chapungu-Kambako Safaris can assist in arranging some additional sightseeing, interesting excursions or alternative activities for our travellers and observers.

All skins are washed in bactericide and dry salted while skulls are boiled, cleaned and peroxided in camp. At the end of the hunting season (end of November), representatives from the Niassa Reserve Management inspect and measure all trophies in camp. Thereafter a transport permit is issued to transport the trophies from camp to Pemba. Once in Pemba, all trophies undergo inspection by representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, Agriculture and Veterinary and permits are issued to transport the trophies from Pemba to Maputo/Matola. From here, Safari Air Cargo apply for the final export permits and once issued, the trophies are transported to Life-Form Taxidermy in South Africa. This is the closest registered veterinary-accepted handling facility in South Africa for Mozambique trophies. At Life Form, all trophies are once more inspected before either being shipped to each hunter’s preferred taxidermist abroad or we recommend to have the trophies mounted at Life Form Taxidermy (www.lifeformtaxidermy.com).

A gratuity is a gift of appreciation for services provided. They can be given to staff members at the hunter’s own discretion. We can provide a proposed gratuity list as guideline should it be required.

Mozambique is a malaria destination, so it is advisable to take malaria prophylactics before arriving in the country. Adequate clothing as well as mosquito repellent are important to minimize mosquito bites.  Tsetse flies are also found in the area, but pose little to no risk of acquiring African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness). Each hunter is advised to bring a small personal medical kit with necessary preferred medication for headaches, colds, burns, allergies etc.

All safaris booked through and conducted by Chapungu-Kambako Safaris are based on the following terms and conditions: (Please see the Safari Price List and Contract for the detailed Terms and Conditions)

Bookings are confirmed on receipt of the signed safari contract and 50% of the total daily rate. The balance due (which consists of the balances of the daily rate, trophy fees of reserved animals and all extras) is payable 60 days prior to the commencement of the safari. The only exception is for trophy elephant hunts in the Caprivi that require 4 installments, each of 25% on the total hunt value, from the date of booking to 2 weeks prior to the commencement of the hunt. Trophy fees of any animals killed/wounded and any additional expenses incurred during the trip, are payable at the conclusion of the safari and can be paid in cash in camp (US dollar notes, clean and unmarked and not older than 2009 series only) or by electronic bank transfer. Any unused credits will be refunded within 30 days of the safari end date. Any other payment arrangement must be authorized in writing.

There will be no refund of any deposit paid within six (6) months prior to the 1st of March of the year the hunt is to take place in. If cancelled longer than 6 months prior to this date, 50% of the deposit will be refunded.

It is hereby agreed that any leopard or lion shot, regardless of its age, without the consent of the professional hunter accrues an immediate fine of US$ 30,000.00 and $US 50,000.00 respectively. The hunt will not continue until payment has been received.

It must be noted that hunting is a dangerous vocation and although Chapungu-Kambako safaris are committed to your safety, comfort and enjoyment, we cannot be held responsible for any accidents, illness or death that may occur whilst on the safari.