How to book your African Safari with CT Safaris:
To book your dream hunt with CT Safaris you need to:
- Pick the hunt you want. (Different hunt options are available. You can pick an "a la carte" hunt whereby you pay the applicable Daily Rate for every day spent in camp and then pick animals you want to hunt from our Trophy List or you can buy a hunting package from us that includes a specified number of hunting days and list of animals.)
- Pick dates for your hunt. (Our calendar fills up fast so the sooner you pick your dates the better the chance of availability during the timeframe you would like to hunt in Africa.)
- Sign a Hunt Contract. (It is a legal requirement that a signed remuneration agreement must be in place between a South African Outfitter and Hunting Client before the hunt may take place. This contract contains all the details of the upcoming hunt such as hunt dates, what is included and what is excluded from the hunt.)
- Pay a deposit. (We require a deposit equal to 50% of the daily rate portion of your hunt or the full price of a package hunt to confirm your hunt dates. Payment options include: a wire transfer to any one of our accounts in the USA, Europe, Canada or South Africa or even payment via credit card using PayPal.
- Book your flights. (You should book your flights as quickly as possible after confirming hunt dates with us so you can get the best pricing. Please send us your flight itinerary once this has been confirmed.)
- Catch your flight and come and hunt. (We will pick you up from the airport, take you to the hunting area - designated for your hunt and take care of everything for the duration of your hunt. After the hunt we will take you back to the airport and make sure you catch your flight back home.)
- Enjoy your hunt with CT Safaris.
Understanding Daily Rates and Trophy Fees:
The concept of hunting on a "Daily Rate and Trophy Fee" basis is one that might be foreign to many first-time International hunters so we would like to offer a little more insight for those not in the know.
In South Africa - your hunt costs are broken up in two segments i.e. "Daily Rates" and "Trophy Fees".
Daily Rates:
These rates are charged per day, are payable upfront and cover your accommodations and guiding service (services of Professional Hunter) for the duration of the hunt. At CT Safaris, your Daily Rates include road transportation from the airport to our hunting camp, all meals and drinks, a daily laundry service and all amenities such as services of your Professional Hunter, Trackers, Skinners and Camp Staff. Think of these rates as your all inclusive "hotel" costs.
Trophy Fees:
Trophy Fees are only charged for animals that are killed (* or wounded and lost) during the safari. This allows you to decide what animals you want to hunt, structure your hunt according to your own finances and preferences and only pay for those animals that you do end up bagging.
In South Africa; we hunt on privately owned properties and all that is required to hunt on these properties is that non-resident hunters must have the landowner's permission, the hunt must be arranged through a licensed Hunting Outfitter and the Hunter must be accompanied by a licensed Professional Hunter. No special "tags" (we refer to these as "licenses" or "permits") are required for most species and should tags be required we will advise you accordingly upfront and obtain these tags for you prior to the hunt.
Trophy Fees are payable after the hunt on your departure day but you can also pay your expected trophy fees upfront - should you wish to do so. You ONLY pay for those animals that you elect to hunt and kill (or wound). If e.g. you book a kudu hunt and don't get your kudu you will not be charged the trophy fee for the kudu at the end of the hunt.
You can add animals to your trophy list even after your arrival - provided that such species of game does not require special permits that needed to be applied for in advance.
Unlike many other guided hunts where you pay the total hunt cost - irrespective of whether you see / kill an animal or not - with CT Safaris you only pay for those animals that you do end up killing or wounding.
* It is important to know that the full trophy fee is payable - should you shoot at and wound an animal during your safari. It is also important to know that outstanding trophy fees will be payable before your departure from the hunting camp - no exceptions will be made. In the same sense - we will reimburse you for any unutilized trophy fees that you may have paid upfront before you leave camp - either in cash or via money transfer.
For our current Daily Rates and Trophy Fees please click here.
Taxidermy / Dip / Pack / Shipping Fees:
There are international veterinary regulations that govern movement of animals and animal parts across international borders. This means that all trophies need to undergo a veterinary approved disinfecting process before it may be imported into your country. Trophies mounted by taxidermists in South Africa are automatically subjected to the approved veterinary process during the preparation thereof.
If you want to have your own taxidermist mount your trophies; your raw trophies must first be treated (dipped) by a registered South African Dip/Pack Agent or Taxidermist before it can be "packed" and shipped to you. This process typically takes around three months.
The Dip / Pack Agent or Taxidermist will charge you for the service he/she provides and then forward your trophies to the Shipping Agent who will charge you separately for the shipping of your trophies.
Dipping, Packing, Taxidermy and Shipping Fees are not included in our rates and are paid directly to the relevant parties. Field preparation (skinning, marking, salting) are included in our rates.
African Hunting Terrain:
Terrain varies from high mountains to dense woodlands to open savannah and grasslands - depending on where we hunt (and for what). When booking your hunt we will recommend an area that is best suited for the specific animals you want to hunt and advise what type of terrain to expect.
African Temperatures and Climate:
We hunt throughout the year but the months of March through September are cooler and more comfortable to hunt in. Our Winter starts in May and ends in August. As we operate in a Summer rainfall region - it is less likely for you to get wet during these months and vegetation will not be as thick - which is conducive to easier spotting and stalking of animals.
Recommended Calibers and Ammunition:
For medium sized plains game, Leopard, Lion and Crocodile; calibers in the 7mm / .30 range with controlled expansion bullets are recommended.
Cape Buffalo, Elephant, Rhino and Hippo require heavier calibers (.375H&H or larger) and in some instances .375H&H are the minimum legal caliber to hunt these animals with.
Liability:
Whilst utmost care will be taken to ensure your safety on safari, hunting and travelling are potentially dangerous activities and we cannot accept responsibility for loss or injury of any kind. Hunting guests are recommended to obtain travel and medical evacuation insurance prior to their safaris.
