Spring in South Africa starts anything from September to October.
Autumn - Winter sets in from about May and last until August.
In comparison to European weather our summers are much warmer and winters moderate.
Best enquire when making your reservation, pending the period and region you are going to visit.

Suitable headwear for sun protection preferably in natural colors.

Comfortable shoes for bush wear, serious hunters and hikers should consider ankle boots.

Suitable clothing and underwear for summer and winter.

For summer, light comfortable clothing preferably in natural colors.

For winter warmer clothing is advisable, because our weather can be really unpredictable.

Something not to forget is binoculars, camera and video equipment to capture the beauty you will witness, in the evening a flash light could be handy as well as a pocketknife.

Sun protection creams

Where needed, physical health awareness for changes in routine could have an effect on your health.

Any eyewear you might need plus extra pair . Small magnifying glass (in case you lose / break your glasses).

Various size 4 mil Zip Lock bags , rubber bands, safety pins, electrical tie straps , and a couple of 39 gal. trash bags . (I put my luggage in a trash bag to keep out bull dust and spilled diesel fuel on one trip.) Roll of nylon strapping tape (not silver duct tape) which will fix nearly anything.

Lens cleaner fluid and tissues for various optical lenses. Take down rifle cleaning rod (#1120 Rapid Rod from Atsko Inc.) Small whetstone,  screwdrivers & wrenches necessary for screws on firearms and scopes .

Bug spray with Deet. Leather gloves and full brim hat (not a baseball cap). 3 pair of everything... long pants, long sleeve shirts, long socks, underwear etc. Laundry is done every day in camp. You can always cut off legs and sleeves. (Remember, if it is summer here, it is winter there.) Two of broken in footwear and extra laces (I wear running shoes).  Down jacket. Bandannas. Rain poncho. Sweater (One with the product called Windstopper inside is great.).

Take a zillion batteries for any thing that runs on batteries. Electrical converter (nothing is 110 volts over there). Two good flashlights.

Take a zillion photos (of everything ) in case your trophies do not make it back. The photos are some of you best memories in later years and may be all you have. I kept a diary, which I wrote up each night. Animals seen and shot, birds, camp life, names and addresses of people met, etc. The diary and photos of my trip are as important years later as the trophies that now hang on my wall. Have your taxidermist make up 4 laminated shipping tags for each trophy you intend to bring home. One each for skull, horns, feet and skin.

Make photocopies of your passport; shot record book and prescriptions in case you lose them. Keep them separate from the rest of your luggage. Life will be much easier when you show up at our embassy to get new passport etc. Some countries require a visa too. You will need a CITES permit to get your cats and elephant home. Take care of that before you go.

I go to Africa in a Tuffpak, duffel and my day pack. The day pack has my passport, candy, paperback book, tissues and other needed items I might want on the plane or with me at all times. (Like a change of shirt and underwear)

You might want to take an inexpensive Polaroid camera and film to take photos of you and your trackers with your trophy. Give the photo to your tracker. They appreciate being included and having a memento of the hunt.

Leave any items you do not wish to bring home like old clothing, extra medicines etc. What you might think is worn out or no good may be a treasure to camp staff. Less to pack and bring home.

Tipping: I base tips on 5% to 10% of the daily rate. I leave camp staff a good tip but after consulting with PH. Staff may want tips in local currency.

Proper healthcare is never far away but care should be taken in having the necessary vaccinations.

Ask your doctor for a strong antibiotic (Cephalexin),  and the latest 'stuff' for Malaria. NEVER GIVE YOUR MALARIA MEDICINE AWAY! TAKE IT ALL . Listen up and heed the water and malaria warnings! Sunday is pill day! Start taking it before you go. If you get home and get ill with flu like symptoms make sure your doctor tests you for malaria .

Malaria medication should be started ahead of time, (please consult your physician or pharmacist). Carry in your hand luggage. Northern Province, Kwa-Zulu Natal and Mpumalanga in South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe are susceptible to malaria. Insect repellants in these areas are advisable.

If you use chronic medication, have sufficient medication dispensed to last the trip, and carry it in your hand luggage.

Benadryl tablets and cream. Zinc Ointment. Aspirin. Drixoral . Aleve , great for bad necks, back pain etc. Q Vel (for muscle cramps).

Surfak (stool softener ). Imodium AD (anti diarrhea). Preparation H. Mylanta II (heartburn & indigestion)

Wash & Dry Moist Towelettes .

Spenco Blister Gel Kit. Foot powder. Corn cushions . (If you can not walk you can not hunt.)

Ace bandage. Q tips. Tweezers. Kleenex tissue packs. Sunscreen. Bactine Hydrocortisone. Mentholatum. Eyewash, Band-Aids (all sizes & shapes), eye patches, Iodine & Iodine swabs , Ambesol (toothache), nasal spray, cough drops (no noise in the leopard blind), Unscented liquid soap for body, hair & clothing if needed.

FIREARMS

Go to U. S. Customs before leaving . Take your firearms and they will give you a form 4457 to fill out showing serial numbers etc. Your return into the U. S. at Customs will be a breeze because it shows these were the firearms you left the country with. No duty owed. You must take the firearms (not just the serial numbers) when you go to Customs. Do this or you could be charged with "trafficking in implements of war" which is a felony crime.

Take the best ammo (usually the heaviest grain weight in your caliber) and the best optics possible .
I think 8 by 30 or 42, full size (not pocket size) binoculars are the best. You will spend long periods looking through these optics. Good optics locate trophy animals and do not cause eyestrain. German / Austrian optics are the best no matter who says what.

I suggest you travel in a rolling hard case made by Tuffpak . You put your firearms inside soft padded cases and then into this super case. It looks like a hard, black golf case instead of an obvious gun case. You will be amazed at what you can put in this great case besides your firearms. Saves you from carrying allot of other luggage. You can only take 3 long guns , no pistols, no semi auto anything. Ammo limited to 5 kilograms or 11 pounds . Note: In South Africa one person can not have two firearms in same caliber.

• Visitors bringing firearms into South Africa for hunting purposes, will be asked to fill in a SAP 520 – Temporary Import Application which is available from your outfitter, can be downloaded off the SAPS Website at www.saps.gov.za, or by clicking here, or be filled out on arrival.
  
  We would suggest filling in the form beforehand to save the processing time at the Police Office for yourself and the Police.
  
  Click here to the link to print SAP 520 Form
  

Instructions for Filling in SAP 520 Form

1. Black ink must be used to fill in the form.
2. The form should be left unsigned until the document is finalized in front of the police official issuing the actual permit.
3. Please note that not all sections of the form apply. Visitors bringing their own firearms in for hunting purposes should concentrate on filling in the following:

Section D – (temporary import or export permit)
Section E – 1 – 25.4
Section G
Section I – (Must fill in all details requested)
Section J - (remember do not sign until in front of police officer at firearm office)

Additional Requirements along with the SAP 520 are the following:

1. Identity and Flight Details

• Passport
• Return Airline Ticket

2. Other Supporting Documentation

• Proof of Ownership
  Firearm licenses, documentary proof, etc. For USA Citizens, Customs Declaration Form 4457 (officially stamped) is acceptable
• Proof of Export
  Documentary proof of export from the country of origin
• Motivation Letter from Client
  This is a letter from the client stating that he is temporarily importing the referred to firearm/s for the purpose of hunting, to include that the firearm/s are required as he will be hunting (list the species to be hunted), etc.
•  Invitation Letter from the Hunting Outfitter
  This is supporting documentation from the Hunting
  Outfitter/company with whom the client will be hunting, to include full name of company, full contact details and address, dates and location where the client will be hunting and confirming that the applicant will be using the specific firearms as applied for.
• e. Any Other Supporting Documents

Firearms will be physically inspected to ensure the serial number(s) match those of the licenses (proof of ownership) and the application form. Ammunition will also be inspected.

For visitors clearing customs at the Johannesburg International Airport, please take note of the following procedure to be followed on arrival:

• Clear passport control in the Terminal where your flight arrives 
•  Proceed to baggage claim at the respective carousel. Pick up general baggage and clear customs and leave the arrival area to go to terminal where you will meet with your Ph or who ever is waiting to meet you
• Then proceed to the SA Police Fire Arm offices where you will get your fire arm and hand it the documentation. You will be issued with a temporary import permits. Ask the Airline Help Desk to direct you to the South African Police Firearm Office. Depending on the terminal where you arrive, they may need to escort you to the Office.

 Please insure sufficient time is allowed to go through the temporary importation process and to clear customs. During the busy periods of the hunting season up to seventy clients may be needing permits at the same time. We would therefore recommend at least five (5) hours be set aside for this procedure and between connecting flights.
Firearm / Ammunition Allowances and Specifications

1. No more than one firearm per caliber and 200 rounds per firearm will be permitted. No ammunition for other rifle calibers will be permitted. An exception to this may apply for shotguns where more than one of the same caliber may be allowed for bird hunting.
purposes if the client produces on arrival at the SAPS Gun Office an acceptable written motivation as to why more than one is required.

2. Firearms must bear the manufacturer’s serial number or any other mark by which the firearm can be identified. The identification number must be stamped and the mark affixed in the prescribed manner on the barrel or the frame or the receiver of the firearm.

3. Handguns will be allowed into the country, but only for hunting purposes. Any visitor wanting to bring in a handgun in this regard needs to have a letter from an association in the country of origin, stating the handgun will be used for hunting purposes.

4. Prohibited firearms which may NOT be imported into South Africa include:

•  Any fully automatic weapon
•  Any semi-automatic weapon
•  Handgun/s for self-defense
•  Weapons which fall under military categories

5. A semi-automatic shotgun for hunting purposes may be allowed if an application is made at least 21 days before arrival through the Central Firearms Register with a motivation letter as to why this type of firearm is required.

General Provisions:

 Temporary Import Permits:

• May only be issued to a foreign visitor for the purpose of hunting
•  Will be issued subject to the requirements of the Act with regard to the carrying, storage, safe custody and transport of a firearm and ammunition
•  Subject to the use of the firearm only for the purpose set out in the permit
•  Subject to the fact that no person who holds a temporary import permit is allowed to transfer the firearm to another person in South Africa without prior written permission having been obtained from the Central Firearm Register.
• Whenever the holder of a temporary import permit leaves the Republic of South Africa , the firearm in respect of which the permit is issued must accompany the holder of the permit
• Possession of no more than the quantity of cartridges determined by the Registrar and specified on the permit for each firearm in respect of which the temporary import permit applies
• A Temporary Import Permit shall not be issued for a period exceeding six months at a time
• Applicant must be 21 or over
• Should a firearm not be declared on arrival and a temporary import
  permit not issued, you will face severe penalties and possible arrest on
  departure from South Africa .

2. Applications for Temporary Import Permits can be made in advance to the Central Firearm Register. Ask your Hunting Outfitter to assist you in this regard.

3. Please ensure that your firearm/s arrive on the same flight as you do. This must be done with the airline company on departure. Your firearm/s may only be signed for by you and will not be released to your outfitter or professional hunter should it/they arrive on a separate flight. If the firearm/s do not arrive with the passenger, the passenger must proceed to his final destination in South Africa and apply at the closest Police Station for a Temporary Import Permit. When the Temporary Import Permit has been issued, the original permit with the keys to the rifle case must be couriered to the Border Post of entry. A Transport Agent with transport permit must be appointed by the passenger. This Transport Agent must have a letter from the passenger instructing him/her to transport the firearm/s to the passenger in person. The firearm/s will be inspected by the Police at the Port of entry and the firearm/s and permit will be handed to the transporter to be transported to the passenger.

4. Please do not pay for any service regarding the handling of firearms at Johannesburg International Airport , or any port of entry. The issuing of the SAP 520 is a free service and the South African Police Service asks clients not to pay anybody involved in handling firearms from the time of arrival in South Africa right through until you receive your firearm/s and the permit from the SAPS. Clients that are paying the various airline staff, security staff, or porters involved are actually creating a problem. Please note however there is a handling fee charged by airlines and/or security companies for the handling of handguns, and some airlines have started charging a handling fee for all firearms. We suggest checking with your airline with regard to any “official” fees that may be required.

5. There is no permit required, nor any charge by the South African Police Service for a bow. Handling fees are charged by airline and/or security companies for bows and handguns.

6. Please note that NO firearms will be held for safekeeping by the SAPS. If a client brings in a prohibited firearm, brings in more than what is allowed, or lacks the necessary documentation and his request for a temporary import permit is denied, the involved firearms must be exported immediately by the client or voluntarily surrendered to the State.
In Transit Passengers (Transiting South Africa )

It is critical that you check with and confirm with the airline/s involved before departure to make sure what their procedure is for the transfer of baggage and/or firearms.

If the airline does transfer your baggage/firearms, and you have booked them through to the final destination, and you stay in the in-transit area and do not clear South African customs, then you need not go through the temporary import process.
If your airline company will not transfer your baggage/guns to your connecting airline/flight, then you must collect your baggage/firearm/s and go through the entire entry process. If this is the case, the South African limitations, requirements, etc. will apply.
This also applies if you are overnighting in South Africa before flying on to your country of destination.

For more information or assistance, you can contact Capt. (f) R. Kruger of the Central Firearm Register, South African Police Services,

Tel:   +27 12 353 6057        Fax: +27 12 353 6041.