"People want economy and they will pay any price to get it." Lee Iacocca
In the main, hunts in Africa are priced in one of three ways:
An all-in package price which includes the trophy fees for a list of game species
All-inclusive price with one or two extras dependent upon the individual hunter’s requirements. Trophy Fees excluded.
A daily rate price with all other necessary elements of the hunt itemised and listed. Trophy Fees excluded.
The All-In Package Hunt
This sort of hunt is primarily to be had in southern Africa and can be the ideal introduction hunt for a beginner in African hunting. The hunter must decide which hunt length he prefers and whether his desired species are included in the package.
Example:
5 Day Beginners Hunting Package
Package is quoted on a 2X1 Basis, for 1X1 there is an additional charge of $ 700)
$2980 Per Hunter
$740 Per Observer
5 Days/ 4 Nights:
1 Day at leisure
4 Days of Hunting accompanied by an experienced PH
Trophy Fees Included:
1 Black Wildebeest , 1 Blesbuck, 1 Springbuck
The hunter will obviously concentrate on obtaining his included species and if there is time, will, in most cases, be allowed to take other animals at the full trophy price.
The drawback of this type of hunt package is that you pay for the animals even if you are unsuccessful – there is usually no refund.
A variation on this theme is that some outfitters are offering ‘build-your-own’ packages where you hunt any species you like and if your trophy fees reach a certain target levels, you get a varying percentage discount. Be aware if you are hunting 2x1, the discounts usually apply to each hunter’s trophies not both together. Read the small print here.
In summary, your hunt price typically includes:
All accommodation & meals
Hunt transportation
Professional Hunter services
Camp staff
Trophy dipping & packing
Your hunt price typically excludes:
International airfares
Personal items
Insurance
Trophy shipping
Taxidermy work
Things to check out when booking:
Are alcoholic beverages included?
Is the laundry service included or is an extra on a per item basis?
Is road transfer to/from local airport included?
Are you charged for missed shots?
Are you being charged VAT?
The All-Inclusive Hunt Price (with one or two extras)
This hunt pricing is to be found often in Tanzania or other countries which have a myriad of Government hunting taxes. Outfitters find usually it more convenient to bundle all the costs into one price omitting the variables like air charters (dependent on aircraft size required) and firearm permits (dependent on number of firearms being bought in). All trophy fees are in addition to the hunt cost and should include any community development fees. This term is also referred to as ‘village expansion contributions’ and is frequently amalgamated with anti-poaching programs.
Things to check out when booking:
Is the air charter cost per aircraft or per person?
Are all the charter departure fees, safety and navigation fees extra to the quoted charter price?
The Daily Rate Hunt Price with Itemized Taxes, Fees and variable extras
Commonly used in Tanzania and other countries where there are many Government taxes and fees. Comparing and contrasting these hunts often throws up discrepancies in what are usually fixed Government taxes. This is not typically a profit-making ploy but just the addition of the administrative costs involved to implement the procurement of a firearm permit, for example, which would otherwise be lumped into the Daily Rate.
Let us now look at all the Government taxes and fees in detail for Tanzania as from January 2008……the nuts and bolts.
Conservation Fees
Occasionally referred to as Government Tax for the Protection of Nature
Payable by all visitors to Game Reserves and National Parks in Tanzania
US$150 per person per day if hunting
US$100 per person per day for a non-hunting observer
Concession Fees
Often referred to as Area Fees
Can range from US$150 to US$330 per day per hunter
Can range from US$50 to US$100 per day for a non-hunting observer
This fee covers the Government charges for leasing the hunting block and whatever the leaseholder feels fit to charge for the optimum maintenance of his block.
Hunting Licence
Government charge for the permit to hunt and is varied according to the licence length.
10 day hunt licence – US$950 per hunter
16 day hunt licence – US$1250 per hunter
21 day hunt licence – US$1250 – US$1400 range per hunter
This permit is acquired prior to the start of the hunt for the named client and lists all the species he is allowed to hunt. It is completed as the hunt progresses by the Government Game Scout and also information pertaining to the GPS position of the animal shot, ecological conditions present at the time, is entered on this document. The client signs all copies at the conclusion of the hunt.
Trophy Export Permit Fee
This is the document obtained after the Government Game Fees are paid and is the permission to export the trophies taken as per the client’s hunting licence.
Cost varies according to the licence length
10 day licence - US$400 per hunter
16 day licence - US$500 per hunter
21 day licence - US$500 per hunter
Firearm Import Permit Fee
Government charge per firearm to obtain a permit to allow the hunter to bring his firearm(s) into Tanzania
Ranges from US$120 -US$250
The permit is acquired in advance of arrival and will be presented to the Customs officer at the airport as the client passes through. The information on the permit must match the firearms to be inspected.
A firearm export permit is issued based on information from the import permit.
Ammunition Tax
This is a Government levy based on the total amount of ammunition the hunter brings into Tanzania.
Applicable usually for amounts over 100 rounds
Payable in US$ cash at the airport
US$30 per 100 rounds
Government Game Fees
These are the per species fee charged by the Government when an animal is killed or wounded/lost
The fees are paid to the Wildlife Department in order to receive the Trophy Export permit.
These fees form the basis of your trophy fees which either have a Community Development percentage added or indicated as to be added.
Some outfitters charge these basic rates and some add their own profit margin.
Government game fees are doubled for bow hunters
Community Development Contributions
Also referred to as a ‘contribution to Tanzanian villages’
This is a percentage of the per species trophy fees
The percentage can range from 10% - 30%
As the term indicates, it is a sum paid to the local community to improve their living conditions and village facilities. Hopefully by doing this, the local communities will play their part in controlling poaching.
Specific anti-poaching programs are often instituted and paid for by this contribution or part thereof.
Trophy Handling, Dipping and Packing, Documentation, Veterinary Clearance, Customs Clearance, transfer of trophies from bush to Dar es Salaam
Self explanatory charge
Dependent upon difference licence length as varying quantities of trophies involved
10 day licence - US$1200 per hunter
16 day licence - US$1900 per hunter
21 day licence - US$1900 - US$2100 range per hunter
Some outfitters charge a separate additional sum to transfer the trophies out of the bush - typically US$900 per hunter
Some outfitters charge additional sums to handle an elephant trophy - typically US$800
Long Distance Vehicle Tax
US$1500 per hunter
Air Charters
Most hunts in Tanzania require charter flights into the hunting areas as road transfers are long and difficult
Usually costs are per aircraft though some outfitters charge per client
Costs based on the size of aircraft required and flight distance
Fresh produce and other camp supplies for the hunt are often loaded on the aircraft with the hunter, so depending on the size of the hunting party and the camp requirement, a larger aircraft is used than may seem necessary. A large group of hunters may even require a second aircraft for supplies.
Air charters prices are subject to change due to fuel cost rises.
Additional charges for landing, air navigation, safety fees and departure tax may or may not be included in your charter quotation. These fees are payable by the client in US$ cash at the airport or can be paid in advance by the outfitter, as is often more convenient.
Other possible hunt charges
Extra vehicle rental - Optional extra should you wish your non-hunting clients to go out into the bush while you are hunting.
Extra vehicle rental - Optional and useful extra if you on a tight schedule, for example a 15 day hunt on a 21 day licence. Utilizing another vehicle to do cat baiting and bait checking leaves you free to continue hunting other species.
US$200 - US$400 per vehicle per day
Change of Hunting Area
Often a set one-time charge to move you and staff to another area in a split destination hunt
Typically US$2500
If your change of area requires a charter flight, there will be these costs in addition.
Related topics:
|
