Love,
Barrett
From: admin@cvsafaris.co.za
To: rbrown@skoilandgas.com
Subject: 2008 Safari
Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:08:35 +0200
ATTENTION: ROBERT BROWN
E-MAIL: rbrown@skoilandgas.com
DATE: Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Dear Robert,
Hello from Hilton, I hope this finds you well? Below is some reading for you. Please would you let me have your flight details as soon as you have them so
I may put together your Itinerary.
Like most countries South Africa and Botswana have not escaped the effects of the steadily rising price of oil, especially since neither country produces its own.
We at CVS are reeling from repetitive increase after increase, after increase of the price of fuel. We have had an increase every month since the start of the year and overall the price we pay for fuel has increased by no less than 69% in the last 8 months.
I have no doubt that you will appreciate and fully understand that the ripple effect of these increases affects every aspect of our operation leaving us with the unpleasant task of having to tell you that we have no alternative but to add a FUEL SURCHARGE of $45.00 plus value added government tax per hunting day per hunting vehicle to the cost of your safari.
We deeply regret this unpleasant surprise and most sincerely ask for your understanding of the predicament we and the entire safari industry now find ourselves in.
Fuel Surcharge $45.00 x 7days =$ 315.00
Plus VAT @ 14% =$ 44.10
Total =$ 359.10
There will be2 safari vehicles on this safari; the amount of $359.10 will be added to your final invoice.
Passport:
Please also ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your return date to the States and that you have at least two plank pages in your passport. This is a new requirement which we were alerted recently and which the US Government has requested.
Take photocopies of your Passport (the pages with all personal details / photograph and passport number and any visas). Give copies to someone who can fax them to you overseas should you lose your passport. Also put a copy in a safe place in your luggage. This will make replacing the passport, in the event of loss, much easier and quicker.
Foreign Currency:
At Johannesburg International Airport, please be sure to cash about $500.00 in SA Rands, at any of the banks within the airport, for your personal expenses and gratuities. This is where you will be most likely to obtain the best rate. (Currently about 7 Rands to the US$.).
A few years ago when the National budget was released, the Government decided to introduce a departure TAX. It seems that some times they implement this and sometimes not. When leaving South Africa you are required to pay a departure TAX of R79.00 per person. Please have this exact amount ready upon departure from South Africa Johannesburg International Airport, but only offer to pay it, if customs officials actually ask for it.
Tips/Gratuities:
As far as gratuities are concerned, your PH will always advise you before you leave each camp as to the suggested amount to tip the various staff members if you wish to do so, depending on the amount of assistance they provide. Please use your own discretion when tipping staff. The following is a guide for your group safari. Please note the below gratuities are payable on behalf of your entire group.
Camp Maid (Own discretion) approximately $10 per day
Game Scout (Own discretion) approximately $10 per day.
Caterer (Own discretion) approximately $30 per day
Skinner (Own discretion) approximately $10 per day.
Tracker (Own discretion) approximately $40 per day.
Videographer (Own discretion) approximately $30 per day.
PH (Own discretion) approximately $100-$200 per day.
The PH, Trackers & Caterer would prefer to be tipped in US Dollars and the remainder of the staff would prefer to be paid in South African Rand, which you must obtain at an airport bank upon arrival.
Cheques/Safari Payment
Bank policy in South Africa is very strict with cheque deposits and will not bank a check that has any changes on it what so ever! So please would you bring more than one check with you in case a mistake is made when doing the final Invoice.
Tips cannot be included in the final check hence the suggestion changing cash at the airport on your arrival.
Estimated Area Temperatures
MONTH
KWAZULU NATAL
PROVINCE
Northern Regions of South Africa and Botswana
CAPE PROVINCE
FREE STATE PROVINCE
March
Min 68 Max 80
Min 55 Max 75
Min 58 Max 77
Min 54 Max 80
April
Min 64 Max 78
Min 50 Max 71
Min 54 Max 71
Min 46 Max 75
May
Min 54 Max 75
Min 43 Max 66
Min 50 Max 68
Min 42 Max 68
June
Min 39 Max 73
Min 14 Max 63
Min 41 Max 64
Min 30 Max 64
July
Min 39 Max 71
Min 14 Max 63
Min 43 Max 63
Min 27 Max 64
August
Min 55 Max 71
Min 43 Max 68
Min 46 Max 64
Min 30 Max 68
September
Min 59 Max 77
Min 48 Max 73
Min 48 Max 66
Min 41 Max 77
October
Min 63 Max 78
Min 54 Max 77
Min 52 Max 70
Min 48 Max 80
These weather temperatures are too the extreme and only a rough idea.
Weather is so unpredictable; we would suggest you bring rain gear just in case.
Camp Equipment:
All our camps are fully equipped.
Lighting, linen, bathrooms, etc .. hot and cold running water, laundry etc etc. PH will discuss all during camp orientation
Daily Routine:
Wake up, breakfast, depart, hunt am, lunch, nap, hunt pm, return, shower, snacks around fire and drinks, dinner etc. PH will discuss all during camp orientation.
I would like to suggest that you distribute the following details should there be any emergencies as we will be able to get in touch with you at all times during your visit to South Africa. I would suggest that you give out our office phone, fax numbers and e-mail, and I will be here to take a message and will pass it on to you the same day. Please find all the contact details below;
Office Phone: +27 (0) 33 3431973
Office Fax: +27 (0) 33 3431993
Darren Baker: +27 83 793 1973
Nikki Mobile: +27 72 723 3571
E-mail Address: Nikki admin@cvsafaris.co.za
Hans hans@cvsafaris.co.za
We look forward to having you with us in just a few weeks time! Please contact me should you require any further information.
Regards
Nikki
CVS Admin
Below is a note from Hans Vermaak:
Please note that if you are scheduled to hunt at Rooipoort it can get very cold in May, June, July and August! This is typical of any dessert like environment. It can get down to minus - 10 Celsius early in the mornings and at night, later in the day it will warm up to where all you'll be wearing is trousers and a short sleeve shirt; hence there is a large temperature variance throughout the 24 hour period. The key is to wear layers. Please follow our packing list in the brochure closely. Do not fear, it will not snow in the area, it just gets cold. In fact it is safe to say that during our winter months most areas in Africa do get cold, please refer to our brochure, page 34 to see our approximate temperature chart. Rooipoort will fall under Free State provinces. Remember that laundry is done daily, so be cautious not to over pack.
Please take the time to practice your shooting, from a bench, off shooting sticks, lying down and from various positions that may come up on any hunt that is not taking place from a blind or stand. Rifles should be zeroed at 200 yards for plains game, 100 yards if buffalo is on the menu. It is a good idea to tape your firearms ballistics/ trajectory to the stock that way you know where the point of impact will be at different distances. Only use 1 bullet type and grain for 1 caliber don't mix it up. African game is tough; they permanently run on high levels of adrenalin, because from day 1 something is trying to eat them. I suggest using the heaviest grain bullets for your standard plains game weapons, eg, 7 mag, 300 win mag, 270 etc. The same applies to your heavy calibers for buffalo, rhino, elephant, use the heaviest grain bullet! If you practice your shooting you will reap the rewards on the safari. Don't be fooled, shooting/hunting in Africa is not a piece of cake! Wounded animals ( it happens) take a lot of time to find, sometimes they're never found. If an animal is wounded and lost, it will obviously not be exported; therefore 14% tax is added to the trophy fee, BY LAW!!! This takes away your hunting time which is precious in the jet age safari era! Shooting straight comes with practice, concentration and being familiar with your weapon; we owe this to the animals we pursue and to ourselves!
I also suggest that all hunters bring with them the shot placement book, by Kevin Robinson, "The perfect shot", its great for reviewing where the vitals are on most African species.
Some hunters enjoy bringing T shirts (inexpensive), and caps for the camp and field staff, this is absolutely optional, not a pre requisite, but the staff do love it! Contact us for some advice if you wish to do this.
Bring a couple of good cameras with good variable lenses; preferably digital with large memory sticks so that you can fire away, people tend to take too few photos on safari! A safari is not solely about trophies!
If your children are accompanying you, ensure that they keep a diary; they will thank you for it one day! The same goes for Moms and Dads!
If this is your first African Safari, learn something about South Africa or Botswana, it makes the trip more meaningful. We have a suggested reading list in our brochure!
VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!!!
Last but certainly not least, PLEASE BE SAFE WITH THE FIREARM THAT YOU ARE CARRYING. Pro Hunters, trackers, videographers and your family members are sometimes around you when your weapon is loaded, once a shot is fired there is no taking it BACK!!!!!!!!!! The bullet is on its way!!!!! This is CRITICAL!!! The same applies when you're in camp, all rounds must be removed from the firearm on arrival at the camp. Nothing is going to eat you in your tent!
WE HAVE HAD ONE TERRIBLE INCIDENT WHERE A CLIENT ACCIDENTALLY SHOT A PH, WHILE THE CLIENT WAS IN HIS TENT AND THE PH WAS WALKING PAST THE TENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE PH SURVIVED, he was lucky to have made it, one inch difference in angles would have cost the PH his life. CVS WILL NOT TOLERATE poor firearm safety and neither will our staffs wives, husbands, children and families! There is no excuse for accidental discharges, THESE ARE KILLERS!!!!!!! WE don't mean to scare you or make you uncomfortable, this is reality!!!! We are as concerned about you and your families' safety as we are about our own!
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