From your front door to the bush.

Most US and EU visitors buy a Zimbabwe tourist visa on arrival, or online in advance, bring a passport valid for at least six months with blank pages. Almost everyone flies into Victoria Falls, Harare or Bulawayo; Johan's team meets you at the airport and handles the transfer to camp. Tell us your route and we'll confirm the exact visa and any regional (KAZA) options for your dates.

You may bring your own rifles, and Zimbabwe places no limit on the number of firearms you import for hunting, but ammunition is capped at 100 rounds per rifle, and automatic, semi-automatic and military-type firearms are not permitted. A .375 or larger is required for dangerous game. A temporary firearm import permit is issued at customs on arrival; Johan sends you the forms (including the Certificate to Possess Firearms) and a letter of invitation beforehand, and a team member meets you at the firearms desk to walk it through. If you transit through South Africa you'll usually need a SAPS 520 permit arranged in advance. Travelling from Europe, current regulations mean you generally can't import your own firearms into Zimbabwe — but whether you're coming from Europe or the US, Johan's own rifles and ammunition are available to hire, properly sighted in and ready to go.

Skinning and field preparation of your trophies ("care of trophies") is handled as part of the safari. Everything beyond that, dip-and-pack, taxidermy and shipping, is arranged through a registered wildlife-artistry and export agent and billed separately as your own cost. That agent handles the export permits, including CITES paperwork for listed species such as lion, leopard, elephant, hippo and crocodile, and freights your trophies to your taxidermist at home. It's a routine process, but not a fast one: expect several months. Johan works with established operators and keeps you updated at each step.

Much of Zimbabwe's hunting country is malaria-area, so check with your doctor about prophylaxis and routine vaccinations well before you travel; a yellow-fever certificate may be required depending on your routing. We strongly recommend travel and medical-evacuation insurance. Camp carries a stocked first-aid kit and communications, the nearest clinics and evac options are known for each area, and your PH is experienced in managing the field.

Want your hunt filmed? A professional videographer or photographer can be arranged to travel with you and produce a proper edit of your safari. You're also welcome to bring your own cameras and drones (drones may need clearance for certain areas, ask first). Non-hunting partners are always welcome in camp and on the drives.

Days start before first light and run with the game; you're back for a proper meal and a fire under the stars. A Zimbabwe safari is usually quoted as a daily rate plus trophy fees. The daily rate typically covers your PH, trackers and skinners, accommodation, meals and camp drinks, field transport, laundry, and field preparation (“care”) of your trophies. Billed separately are trophy fees for animals taken or wounded, government licences, National Parks and tourism levies, CITES tags, charter flights, dip-and-pack, taxidermy and shipping, insurance, and gratuities. Every safari is quoted individually, tell Johan what you want to hunt and he'll put the detail in writing.

Zimbabwe's hunting season runs roughly April to November. The cooler early months are comfortable and green; the late dry season concentrates game on water and is prime time for leopard and buffalo. Dangerous-game dates fill early, so plan a season ahead where you can, Johan will advise the best window for the species on your list.