Tips & gratuities
Tipping & gratuities
We firmly believe that you have paid for your driven rock pigeon shooting holiday in South Africa in its entirety, however should you feel the level of service you received was exceptional by individual members of staff and wish to give a little extra.
Here is a rule of thumb guidance to tipping.
Driven Rock pigeon shooting:- tips for staff
Weekly
- Sporting Agent:- £100 per week.
- Professional Pigeon Guide:- Rand 1000 per week.
- Assistant professional pigeon guide:- Rand 500 per week.
- Chef:- Rand 500 per week.
- Maids & Cleaners per person:-Rand 350 per week.
Tips must be paid directly to each member of staff in local currency Rand.
clothing
Advisory Only
CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST FOR DRIVEN PIGEON SHOOTING IN SOUTH AFRICA
There is a daily laundry service.
X 1 SHORT SLEEVED SHIRT
X 1 LONG SLEEVED SHIRT
X 2 SHORTS – LIGHT WEIGHT AND COOL
X 1 LONG LEG TROUSER – DENHAM OR COTTON
X 6 PAIRS OF SOCKS – WARM
X 1 PAIR WALKING BOOTS
X 1 PAIR GATORS LIGHT WEIGHT
X 1 PAIR OF SHOOTING GLOVES
X 1 BALACLAVA
X 1 SHOOTING HAT March to May June to August
X 1 LIGHT WEIGHT JACKET British MTP or Desert Camo
X 1 SKEET VEST/WAISTCOAT – FOR WALKING UP GAME
X 1 PAIR OF WARM THERMAL UNDER WEAR (for early mornings only not always needed)
X 1 GUN & HARD CASE, LOCKABLE, PAD LOCK OR COMBINATION – MAKE SURE
YOUR GUN IS RELIABLE AS REPAIRS ARE DIFFICULT IN SOUTH AFRICA OR
TAKE A SECOND GUN OF A DIFFERENT CALIBRE / OVER & UNDER AND SIDE BY
SIDE ARE OK.
X 1 GOOD PAIR OF SHOOTING SUN GLASSES OR SIMILAR
X 1 MEDIUM HEIGHT TRIPOD SEAT
X 1 THERMOS FLASK – SIZE MEDIUM
X 1 SUN BLOCK FACTOR FIFTY OR SIMILAR & LIP BALM
X 1 GUN SLIP – TO USE WHEN SHOOTING & SMALL CARTRIDGE BAG.
X 1 EAR PROTECTION
NB: COLOUR OF CLOTHING: DARK GREENS WILL SUFFICE; HOWEVER, LIGHT BROWNS OR
STRAW COLOURS ARE BETTER AS WINTER TIME IN SA LOOKS LIKE A HEAT WAVE IN AN
ENGLISH SUMMER, ALL THE VEGETATION HAS BEEN BURNT BY THE SUN & FROST.
Accommodation
Four Season’s Shooting in South Africa, Holiday Lodges are in the heart of prime Rock Pigeon shooting arable farming lands from Bloemfontein to Johannesburg, Free State is being known as “The Rock Pigeon Shooting Capital of South Africa”
The lodges are situated from Johannesburg to Bloemfontein. Double and twin rooms are all en suite and fitted with all the amenities to make your stay comfortable. The communal areas of the lodges have well-stocked bars, an open plan dining hall and lounging area, and outside fire pits and Lapa. Typical South African cuisine is served and the usual great hospitality will be offered as standard.
airport transfers & hunting transportation
Airport Transfers from Johannesburg airport to the lodge £250 return per person. (Minimum 3 people)
Transfers from Johannesburg International Airport are recommended and cost £250 return, ensuring you arrive on time.
Clients who prefer to fly from Johannesburg to Bloemfontein and then take the 1 hour road transfer must allow a minimum of 4 hours 30 minutes transfer time in Johannesburg International airport to allow time for guns to be retrieved from customs, including import documentation, before the internal flight.
Booking your flights with:- www.flyairlink.com or www.flycemair.co.za
Johannesburg to Bloemfontein, one hour flying time.
Please be aware that internal flight services have become unreliable since 2016, and now Covid 19, with many flights regularly being cancelled with only one hour’s notice, as well as extra baggage fees for anything over 20 kg.
Food & Drink
Evening entertainment and dining
In the evening, you will be served a freshly prepared meal in the home-style dining room. After dinner, head to the bar or out onto the patio for a nightcap in front of an open fire.
The night sky will be brilliantly clear and star-studded, and as you begin to relax, you’ll wonder why life can’t always be this way, and you’ll understand why we’ve been returning here for over 24 years.
Vaccinations
Except for Covid 19, vaccinations are not required in South Africa’s Free State.
What vaccines are needed for South Africa?
Once you’ve completed all of your routine immunisations, you can start planning your travel vaccinations.
Your healthcare practitioner may advise you to get the diphtheria, tetanus, and typhoid vaccines depending on when you plan to travel and current vaccine recommendations. Depending on where you’re going and what activities you’ll be doing, you should also get vaccinated against hepatitis A, cholera, hepatitis B, rabies, and tuberculosis.
If you are travelling to South Africa from the UK, no yellow fever vaccination is required because South Africa is not at risk for this disease. If you are entering South Africa from a country in the yellow fever risk zone, you must be vaccinated and present your vaccination certificate.
Following an individual risk assessment, your travel health specialist may recommend any of the following vaccines:
Hepatitis A is a viral infection spread through an infected person’s faeces. The relative risks of hepatitis A transmission will differ greatly across South Africa. Travellers to South Africa are most likely to contract hepatitis A from consuming contaminated food or water. Hepatitis A can cause flu-like symptoms, jaundice, and liver swelling. Most people recover within a few months, but the infection can cause serious complications in some cases.
The hepatitis A vaccine can be given as a single injection or in combination with the typhoid vaccine (also as a single injection).
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection spread through infected droplets from coughing and sneezing. It can cause a fever, sore throat, and difficulty breathing if left untreated, and it can lead to serious complications if not treated. Diphtheria is more prevalent in impoverished, overcrowded areas.
Most visitors will receive the diphtheria vaccine as part of a diphtheria, polio, and tetanus booster (assuming they are up to date on their routine immunisations). This is given as a single injection.
Tetanus is a bacterial infection that enters the body via open wounds and causes painful muscle spasms and stiffness. Tetanus bacteria are found in soil and animal manure, so if you plan to work with animals or in the natural environment while in South Africa, you may be at risk.
The tetanus booster is usually given as part of the diphtheria, polio, and tetanus booster (unless the person has never received the tetanus vaccine, in which case a full course is required).
The typhoid vaccine is frequently given in conjunction with the hepatitis A vaccine, but it can also be given alone. The vaccine can be given as an injection or as three capsules that must be swallowed.
Other South African vaccinations
The cholera vaccine is given as a drink rather than an injection and is recommended for people who will be spending extended periods of time in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to healthcare. Cholera is a bacterial infection spread through an infected person’s faeces; you can become infected by consuming contaminated food or water.
The hepatitis B vaccine is given in three injections and is advised for anyone who may have unprotected sex, share needles or injecting equipment, get a tattoo or body piercing, or receive medical or dental treatment while visiting South Africa. Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver that can result in life-threatening complications such as liver cancer. It is spread through an infected person’s blood and bodily fluids.
The rabies vaccine is administered in three injections and is recommended for people who may come into contact with animals while in South Africa or while travelling remotely. Rabies is a deadly viral infection spread by the scratches and bites of infected animals (most commonly dogs, but also monkeys, bats, and cats). Rabies is almost always fatal once the victim exhibits symptoms. Vaccination is strongly advised to avoid infection. If you are bitten or scratched, emergency treatment is still required, but it is easier to administer.
The tuberculosis vaccine is given as a single injection and is recommended for health workers or children who will be in South Africa for an extended period of time. Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that spreads through infected droplets from coughs and sneezes. It is a lung disease that causes fatigue, weight loss, and blood to be coughed up.
Is yellow fever vaccine required for South Africa?
South Africa requires all travellers who are from an area where yellow fever is known to be present, before entering the country, to present a yellow fever vaccine certificate. This certificate, known formally as an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, should be given to you after your single injection. This certificate is valid for life and must be given to you at least 10 days before your trip begins.
weather
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/kdfdqqx04#?date=2022-01-31
Weather and temperature conditions for rock pigeon shooting in the Free State, Bloemfontein, and surrounding districts.
Low Humidity: Making temperatures feel much cooler.
High Ultraviolet Index:
When spending extended periods of time in the South African sun, factor 20 to factor 50 sunblock should be used at all times. Caps and sunglasses must be worn at all times.
March night-time temperatures 6° C to 16° C
March day-time temperatures 25° C to 32° C
Prolonged sunshine with very little cloud.
Expect light winds 3 – 6 mph
The odd but spectacular thunderstorm is possible on occasions.
guns & ammunition
Visitors Gun permit application into South Africa
We will need to fill in numerous forms to apply for a South African gun permit. Usually taking approximately 1 hour at Johannesburg Airport SAPS and is quite a time-consuming procedure. Four Seasons pre-complete the necessary forms in the UK with the information you provide, saving time at Johannesburg International Airport. (Remember to take your United Kingdom Gun Licence with you, because you will be carrying your weapons through the UK airport).
How to transport firearms to South Africa
It is compulsory for you to transport your guns in a hard case gun box with a good lock on it. These can be purchased from any gun shop.
You are only allowed to carry one gun of each calibre into South Africa i.e. a matched pair of 12 bore shotguns are not allowed, but a 12 bore, 20 bore, and a rifle is OK.
Semi-auto shotguns in South Africa
Semi-Automatic shotguns are not allowed to be taken into South Africa unless we go through a 3rd party 8 weeks ahead of time, failure to comply with this will result in Semi-Auto shotguns being confiscated and locked up at Johannesburg Airport until your return, this will delay you by about 2 hours.
Shot gun hire at the lodge.
Available to hire Beretta, Extrema, semi-auto A400 in black synthetic 30 inch barrel.
Hire costs £20 per day – £100 per week.
Ammunition charges payable at the lodge :
Ammunition cost: 28 gram, 7.5 shot £10 per box 25 – £400 per 1000.
Ammunition cost: 32 to 36 gram, 6 to 3 shot £13 per box 25 – £520 per 1000.
Booking Conditions
– All prices are quoted in pounds sterling.
– £245 deposit of the land fees is required to confirm your booking none refundable but transferable in exceptional circumstances
– Balance must be paid at the lodge in South Africa before your departure from the South African Lodge.
– If you cancel more than three months before your departure date, your deposit will be refunded less a 20% handling fee. If a hunter cancels less than three months before departure, monies will be refunded only if another hunter is found to take the booking.
The local currency is in Rand, and it is worthwhile changing up £100 from sterling at the airport for any shopping excursions.
Full terms and conditions will be sent upon request.
Insurance and Liability
Guests are not covered by ‘Four Seasons shooting in South Africa’ insurance. You must ensure that you have suitable personal medical insurance and third-party liability insurance for the duration of the safari. (BASC Insurance covers you for 60 days per year for shooting abroad). Whilst we maintain all reasonable care for the safety of our clients and their property while on game bird shooting safari, we will accept no responsibility for cost incurred due to illness, accident, or loss of any nature. You can be assured, however, of our full assistance in the case of an unfortunate event. (Make sure you have travel and illness insurance).
