Johan Calitz Safaris :: Mozambique

Historic summary

Mozambique is blessed with a rich and dramatic history. This country on the East coast of Africa was subjected to both ethnic and Arab rule and influence and was colonized by the Portuguese during 1505 up until its independence in 1975. A desperate civil war broke out during 1977, which lasted until 1992. The result was its current state being a capitalist driven Republic with a strong social conscience. The country has been governed by the majority party, FRELIMO, to date.

Mozambique has recovered rapidly and has turned out to be one of the most promising hunting and tourism destinations in Africa, with a taste of the "old Africa" every hunter and adventurer seeks.

The population numbers about 21, 7 million people with 27 people per km2. The official language is Portuguese while 16 indigenous languages are also spoken throughout the country , the most widely used being Swahili, Makhuwa, Sena, Ndau, and Shangaan. The major concentrations of the population are found along the coast and in the fertile river valleys, notably in the Zambezi and Gaza provinces.

The land

Mozambique borders Tanzania to the north, Zambia and Malawi to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west, and South Africa and Swaziland to the southwest. To the east lies the Indian Ocean with a coastline of nearly 2500km with pristine tropical beaches, coral reefs and strings of islands. A vast low plateau rises towards the mountains in the west and north and accounts for nearly half of the land surface of Mozambique. The plateau consists of savannah, characterised by dry and open woodlands, with tracts of short grass. The western and northern highlands are characterized by miombo woodland with large granite Inselbergs.

Climate

The climate varies from sub-tropical to tropical, with the inland being cooler than the coast. Mozambique's rainfall varies greatly with a tendency to be higher in the northern part of the country than in the south. These rains are known as the monsoons and are characterised by bouts of heavy down pours, at times resulting in flash floods. The hottest and wettest season is from October to March while April to September is mainly dry. The maximum temperature is sometimes as high as 40ºC while minimums seldom drop below 15ºC.

Concession area

We manage 418,000 hectares of pristine wilderness in northern Mozambique which is partially situated in the world renowned Niassa Game Reserve. The area is rocky, flattening out onto the banks of two rivers. The sub tropical vegetation and climate with its moderate to high rainfall is home to huge herds of Sable, gigantic African Elephants and a huge variety of small game.

Camp

Accommodation is provided in safari-style tents, each accommodating two people. Comfortable beds, tables, chairs, cupboards, linen and insect repellent are provided. En-suite ablutions offer hot/cold water showers and basins and flush toilets. Basic toiletries and towels are provided. The tents are serviced daily and a laundry service is provided. Scrumptious meals and drinks are served around the campfire on the communal dining deck. A fully equipped off-road trailer is used for fly-camping.

Health and safety

Professional Hunters and camp management have well equipped medical kits, radio communication and satellite phones in case of an emergency. The whole of Mozambique is a high-risk malaria area and Tsetse flies are a nuisance - please consult your doctor or travel clinic and take the necessary precautions. Medical evacuation insurance is strongly recommended and Global Rescues’ services come highly recommended (www.globalrescue.com/SCI).

Always carry your travel documents, travellers' cheques and cash on your person or ask the outfitter to lock them in the camp safe.

Niassa is sparsely populated and the civil war had little effect on the northern parts of Mozambique. The hunting block is located in the Niassa National Reserve and has been declared land mine free after intensive clean-up operations throughout the Province and the country as well.

Travelling

Please request your local travel agent to assist you with your international travel and accommodation arrangements prior to and after the contracted period.

Clients are to fly to Johannesburg International Airport (OR Tambo - South Africa) and JCS recommends the following travel options to Mozambique and Sable Camp:

Option 1:

Fly commercially either on South African Airways or Air Malawi to Lilongwe, Malawi (Your Travel Agent can book these flights). On arrival at Lilongwe Airport a representative of the Charter Company will meet you and help you put your firearms in save keeping for the night.

You will overnight in a guest house or in a Hotel depending on what type of accommodation you prefer. The following morning the representative will collect you and transport you back to the airport, help you get your firearms and then you will get onto the charter flight to Sable Camp, clearing customs in Lichinga, Mozambique. Johan Calitz Safaris will arrange all these services on your behalf.

If your flight from Johannesburg to Lilongwe is early morning you can still get onto a charter flight to camp (Mozambique) the same day and this way you don't have to spend a night in Lilongwe. (See Pricelist for charter costs). We prefer this option of travelling.

Option 2:

There are daily flights from Johannesburg to Maputo and back. You may have to overnight and get a connecting flight the next morning from Maputo and to Lichinga, either via Tete (Mondays) or via Beira/Nampula (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays).

Depending on the arrival time of the flight from Maputo, you may have to stay over in Lichinga as it is not safe to take the long 8 hour drive to camp in the dark on sometimes dangerous roads. Although the drive to camp is long, it is scenic and gives you good insight of the terrain you will be hunting in.

Fly Commercially from Johannesburg to Lichinga via Maputo on Linhas Areaes de Mozambique (LAM). Flight schedules change regularly and may be delayed or diverted from time to time.

Clients must be in possession of valid passports and visas. Hunting permits, rifle import permits and trophy licenses must be obtained before hand. These permits will be sent /couriered to the person doing your meet and greet in South Africa, Mozambique or Malawi.

Bookings of the Air charter and LAM flights can be arranged through the outfitter.

Air charters from Johannesburg to the hunting area via Tete are available upon request.

Customs, visas and insurance

Customs clearance is operative at your port of entry into South Africa and Mozambique. You must have a passport, valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond intended date of departure from Mozambique.

All non-Mozambique citizens MUST have a visa. Please ensure your visa is valid at least a week before and a week after the contracted period. Visa applications can be made to Mozambique Embassies, High Commissions or Consulates in your home country. SADC citizens may apply for a visa, free of charge, at their port of entry into Mozambique.

Insurance for personal effects, luggage and trip cancellation as well as medical evacuation insurance is strongly recommended.

Other documentation

No hunt may take place without valid rifle permits, trophy licenses and hunting cards accompanying the hunting party. Firearm permits need to be applied for at least 60 days in advance of your planned hunt.

Currency & Spending money

The local currency is the Mozambique Metical but US Dollars and SA Rand are widely accepted. Cash is preferred. Most service providers, especially in the rural areas, do not accept personal cheques and credit cards. It is customary to tip staff in recognition of good service.

Arms and ammunition

An import/export permit is required for South Africa (SAP520 form - free of charge if you complete the application form at the airport), as well as Mozambique (Refer to price list for applicable fee). Two rifles and one shotgun are allowed to be imported into the country per person with a maximum of 100 rounds of ammunition each. No permits are required for bows. Soft bags are preferred, especially if clients are making use of air charters. Assistance with permits when entering SA is available, at a nominal fee, upon request. Application for import/export permits of firearms into Mozambique must be applied for on the applicable form and returned to the Outfitter at least 60 days prior to the commencement of the safari. Firearms entering Mozambique without a valid permit will be confiscated. The following must accompany firearm permit applications:

•	Copy of client's passport;
•	4 passport photos;
•	Proof of firearm ownership;

A minimum of a .375 H&H Magnum is required by law for dangerous game. Please note that we also cater for bow & arrow and handgun hunters. Semi automatic or military style firearms are not permitted. A .375 H&H Magnum and ammunition can be hired by prior arrangement (at extra cost).

Packing list

The following is recommended -

Lightweight cottons and linens in natural coloured material. Please avoid dark clothes (black or navy blue) as these attract Tsetse flies. Military style camouflage clothing is not encouraged. A daily laundry service is provided.

•	Bug jackets, gloves and face netting (Tsetse flies are a nuisance)
•	DEAT based insect repellent
•	Comfortable walking shoes, natural fibre socks;
•	Long trousers, a tracksuit or sweater and weather resistant jacket;
•	Hat, sunglasses
•	Binoculars, camera, flash, film
•	Step-down converter (220 - 110 volt)
•	Gas operated hair dryer/hot brush
•	Anti-malaria medication, prescription drugs, personal toiletries, sun-block
•	Raincoat
•	Ammo belt
•	Satellite phone (if regularly required)

Packing, dipping and shipping of trophies

An import and export CITES permit for Appendix I and an export CITES permit for Appendix II animals are required for each shipment. Field preparation of trophies is done in camp and then they are transported to a shipping agent designated by the outfitter. Clients will be put in touch with the shipping agent to discuss their requirements and arrange for the payment of services. Clients should have sufficient trophy tags and full shipping instructions handy and should make sure that their skinning instructions are clearly recorded in the outfitter's hunting register.

Trophy shipping

Clients have to deal with the shipping agent directly. Johan Calitz Safaris will pack your trophies in Sable Camp on behalf of the shipping agent and transport them to Lichinga. From Lichinga they will be sent to the shipping agent in Maputo via airfreight. Trofatur Lda, an associate company of Mochaba, handles the packing, dipping and shipping of your trophies. All these services are excluded from your hunting rate. Prices are according to Mochaba’s price list. In the case of CITES I animals you have to apply for import permits prior to the hunt.