Tips & gratuities
Tipping & gratuities
We firmly believe that you have paid for your 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.
Rock Pigeon shooting:- tips for staff
Weekly – not daily
- 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 PIGEON 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, Bloemfontein 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 journey, must allow a minimum of 4 hours 30 minutes transfer time in Johannesburg International airport allowing 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 since 2016 and now Covid 19 the internal services have become unreliable with many flights regularly being cancelled with just one hour’s notice, also extra baggage fees for anything over 20 kg.
Food & Drink
Evening entertainment and dining
That evening, you will be treated to a freshly cooked meal in the home-style dining room. After dinner, you may retire to the bar or onto the patio to enjoy a nightcap in front of an open fire.
The night sky will be brilliantly clear, filled with stars and, as you begin to relax you’ll wonder why life cannot always be this way and maybe appreciate why we’ve been coming back here for over 22 years.
Vaccinations
The Free State in South Africa is free from vaccinations except for Covid 19.
What vaccines are needed for South Africa?
Once you are up to date on all your routine immunisations, you can begin to make a travel vaccination plan.
Depending on when you are planning to travel and the current vaccine recommendations your healthcare practitioner may advise you to receive the diphtheria, tetanus and typhoid vaccines. You might also consider getting vaccinated against hepatitis A, cholera, hepatitis B, rabies, and tuberculosis, depending upon where you will be travelling to and what kinds of activities you will be taking part in.
No yellow fever vaccination is required if you are travelling to South Africa from the UK, as South Africa is not a risk for this particular disease. However, you will need to be vaccinated and present your vaccination certificate if you are travelling into South Africa from a country within yellow fever risk zone.
Your travel health specialist may recommend any of the following vaccines after an individual risk assessment:
Hepatitis A is a viral infection that is spread in the faeces of an infected person. The relative risks of hepatitis A transmission will vary greatly in different parts of South Africa. Travellers to South Africa are most likely to contract hepatitis A by consuming contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Hepatitis A can cause flu-like symptoms, jaundice and swelling around the liver. Most people recover within a few months, but in some cases the infection can cause serious complications.
You can receive the hepatitis A vaccine on its own as a single injection, or in combination with the vaccine for typhoid (as a single injection).
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that is spread in infected droplets from coughs and sneezes. It can cause a fever, sore throat and difficulty breathing and, left untreated, can result in serious complications. Diphtheria is more common in poor, overcrowded areas.
Most travellers will receive the diphtheria vaccine as part of the diphtheria, polio & tetanus booster (provided they are up to date with their routine immunisations). This is administered as one injection.
Tetanus is a bacterial infection which can get into the body through open wounds, causing painful muscle spasms and stiffness. Tetanus bacteria are found in soil and animal manure, which means you, may be at risk if you plan to work with animals or in the natural environment whilst in South Africa.
The tetanus booster is usually administered as part of the diphtheria, polio & tetanus booster (unless the person in question has never received the tetanus vaccine, in which case a full course is needed).
The typhoid vaccine is often given in combination with the hepatitis A vaccine, but it can also be administered as a solo vaccine. You can receive the vaccine as an injection or in the form of three capsules which are swallowed.
Typhoid is a bacterial infection spread in the faeces (and sometimes the urine) of infected people. You may be at risk of typhoid fever if you consume contaminated food and water whilst in South Africa.
Other vaccinations for South Africa
The cholera vaccine is administered as a drink, not an injection, and is recommended for people who will be spending long periods of time in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to healthcare. Cholera is a bacterial infection spread in the faeces of an infected person; you can come into contact with cholera bacteria by consuming contaminated food or water.
The hepatitis B vaccine is administered as a course of three injections, and is recommended for people who may have unprotected sex, share needles or injecting equipment, get a tattoo or body piercing, or receive medical or dental treatment while travelling in South Africa. Hepatitis B is a viral infection affecting the liver that can lead to serious complications such as liver cancer. It is spread in the blood and bodily fluids of an infected person.
The rabies vaccine is administered as a course of three injections, and is recommended for people who may spend time with animals whilst in South Africa or be travelling remotely. Rabies is a serious viral infection that is spread through the scratches and bites of infected animals (usually dogs, but also monkeys, bats and cats). Rabies is nearly always fatal once the victim begins to display symptoms. To avoid infection, vaccination is strongly recommended. In the event that you get bitten or scratched, emergency treatment will still be needed but it is easier to administer.
The tuberculosis vaccine is administered as a single injection, and is recommended for health workers or children who will be spending long periods in South Africa. TB is a bacterial infection which is spread in infected droplets from coughs and sneezes. It’s a disease that attacks the lungs and leads to 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, to show officials a yellow fever vaccine certificate before entering the country. This certificate is formally known as an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis and should be given to you after you receive your single injection. This certificate is valid for life and must be given to you at least 10 days before the start of your trip.
weather
Free State South Africa weather conditions and temperature’s for rock pigeon shooting in the Free State, Bloemfontein and surrounding districts.
Low Humidity: Making temperatures feel much cooler.
High Ultraviolet Index:
Care should to be taken when spending prolonged periods of time in the South African sun, factor 20 to factor 50 sunblock should be used at all. times, with caps and sunglasses to be worn.
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 old 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 trip, your deposit will be refunded less a 20% handling fee. In the event of a cancellation less than three months before departure, monies will be refunded only if another hunter is found to take the booking.
The local currency is the Rand, and it is worth changing £100 from sterling to rand at the airport for tips and 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).
