Hunting Season

1st April to 30st November. The most popular hunting time is July/July/August as these are the winter months in Zambia.

Rifle Importation

It is very important that you carefully consider which firearms you will be bringing with you, as once you have submitted the info you will not be able to change your mind. It is very important that all weapons serial numbers be exactly the same when you arrive as what was issued on your import/export permit. In order to process your rifle importation application, Balla-Balla Safaris will need your full address, a copy of your passport, full rifle details including model, make, caliber, serial numbers and amount of ammo, as Zambian customs charges ammo tax (max 60rounds per caliber).  Please note that ammo must be locked in a separate case. We suggest a max of two rifles per person. The exact number of ammunition is also important. Balla-Balla Safaris does have rifles to use if you wish not to bring your own.

Preparing, Dip & Shipping of Trophies

After your safari the field treated trophies are carefully taken to Bangweulu Taxidermy in Lusaka. The taxidermist will prepare the trophies further for export to your home country. Trophies can be exported "raw" or "mounted". Export permits are required for all trophies whether they may be for ordinary permits, cites species. We will prepare the skin and horns according to your specifications and lay them in salt. It will take a couple of weeks to dry before they are delivered to the taxidermist. Transporting wet skins is not a good idea as hair loss easily occurs.

For the trophies to be shipped raw, they have to go through a process called "Dip, Pack and Crating" at the taxidermist, which is a cleaning and sterilizing procedure. Once the trophies have undergone treatment in the dip, pack and crating process they are packed into crates ready for shipment. At this stage the relevant export permits should have been issued by the Zambian Wildlife authorities. The health certificate is then applied for based on the size of your crate and when this is received, it is then collected by the shipping company for forwarding to your taxidermist back home.

Rifle Requirements & Recommendations

Calibers in the 270 range are suited for some of the smaller plains game. The minimum is 300 caliber for dangerous game such as Leopard. The minimum is 375 caliber for dangerous game or big game hunting such as Buffalo. We recommend a 300 caliber for all round plains game & 416 caliber for Buffalo. Good quality ammunition is essential. We recommend Swift-A-frame bullets.

Bow Hunting

Bow hunting in Zambia is legal and does not have any minimum equipment requirements. Both Zambia and Balla-Balla offer tremendous opportunities for bow hunters; in fact Zambia might be the best place in all of Africa for exotic plains game, Leopard and Buffalo bow hunting. It is legal for hunters to import bows for bow hunting purposes into Zambia, however you will require an import permit. We recommend to follow the South African guidelines - for big game like buffalo, a bow must deliver a kinetic energy of 80 ft/lbs and have a arrow weight of 700 grains. For medium game like Greater Kudu, a bow with kinetic energy of 70 ft/lbs and a arrow weight of 550 grains is sufficient. Small Game like Southern Impala, a bow with kinetic energy of 40 ft/lbs and a arrow weight of 400 grains will do nicely.

Average Temperatures

The highs fluctuate between 25'C and 35'C throughout the year and the lows between 20'C and 5'C. The summer months from August to April are warm, high 20'C’s, with temperatures reaching their upper limit for the area during October around 35'C. The rainy season is prone to short, spectacular thunderstorms and our rainy season generally starts towards the end of November / December and continues until around March, but this does vary from year to year. Temperatures are still warm. An African winter, generally from May to July and into August, is typically cool at night and in the mornings although you can expect it to be lovely and warm during the day. In winter months it is advised that you do bring warm clothes especially for the mornings and evenings.

Recommended Clothing & Equipment

The African sun is harsh at most times of the year. Comfortable cotton clothing (recommended in olive green, dark colors or camo) is recommended for the hot summer months, and it’s advisable to dress in layers to allow for cooler night temperatures. Camo clothing is allowed in Zambia during the actual hunt, but we would advise that it only be worn during the hunt and not in town or for travel. Footwear and hats are most important, particularly a pair of lightweight ankle-high boots or shoes, well broken in before the hunt. We also recommend you bring a good camera, binoculars, protective glasses, hat and sun screen. Electricity is 220 V supply with square 3 pin and 2 pin plugs. 

Safari days

After a relaxing night at camp in true African style, the hunting days commence. First light brings the hunters to life and a quick cup of coffee/tea with some toast or cereal is in order before the rifles are checked on day 1 or prior to day 1 if there is time on the arrival day. A cool box with snacks and soft drinks will be packed and the hunters will set off in search of trophies. Breakfast/lunch, typically known as “brunch”, is served around 11:30 am. After brunch some time is taken to relax as it the hottest time of the day. Around 14:30 the search for the trophies continues. Night time is typically enjoyed around the camp fire sharing stories of the day gone by and past hunts. As with true African hospitality meat from varies species are prepared along with traditional dishes which makes for a truly unique world class dinner.

Professional hunters association of zambia

Professional Hunters Association Zambia (PHAZ) is an important organization, with over 80 members. PHAZ works closely, and has a strong relationship, with both the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, the governing authority for hunting operators and professional hunters in Zambia, and the Zambia Wildlife Authority.

Bangweulu taxidermy

Has been in operation since early 2000 and is registered as a Trophy Dealer as per the Zambia Wildlife Act of 1998 by the Zambia Wildlife Authority.  

kafue national park

First established as a National Park in the 1950s by the legendary Norman Carr, Kafue is one of the largest national parks in the whole of Africa.

phaz

The Association was founded as a non-racial, non-political body to represent Professional Hunters and Outfitters in Zambia.

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Zawa

The Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) is mandated under the Zambia Wildlife Act No. 12 of 1998 to manage and conserve Zambia’s wildlife, which covers 31 percent of the country’s land mass

WPAZ

Wildlife Producers Association of Zambia is a group of dedicated wildlife specialists, committed to building tourism and game ranching.

dallas safari club

Since 1972, Dallas Safari Club has been the gathering point for hunters, conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts.An international organization, they offer members a world of options.