• The Namibian trophy hunting season opens on 1 February and closes on 30 November each year.
• Clients should ensure that are booked and will be hunting with a Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) registered trophy-hunting operator, as well as a Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) registered Namibian hunting professional.
• The three classifications of hunting professionals are:

1. Hunting guides
2. Master hunting guides
3. Professional hunters

Two specialist qualifications are:

1. Big Game Professional Hunter – a registered Namibian professional hunter who has passed the Big Game examination; and
2. Bow Hunting Professional Hunter – a registered Namibian hunting professional with an additional bow-hunting qualification.

• Hunting professionals must comply with all the trophy-hunting regulations governed by MET.
• Trophy hunting can be practiced from half an hour before sunrise until half an hour after sunset. No artificial light source may be used while hunting.
• Trophy hunting may take place only on properties where permission has been granted by the landowner.
• Properties where bow hunting is practiced must be separately registered with the MET.

The following is required for trophy hunting:

• Permits must be applied for by the MET-registered Namibian hunting professional.
• Permits must be issued by the MET prior to the hunt.
• A separate permit must be issued for each individual hunting client.
• An additional permit is required for hunting large cats (leopard, cheetah and lion). The list of conditions attached to this permit must be adhered to strictly.
• It must be stated on the permit whether it is a rifle or a bow hunt.
• A permit must be completed in full and signed by the hunting client and the hunting professional (after the time wounded or lost animals must also be indicated on the permit).
• Permits are issued by the MET only.
• A maximum of two trophies per species may be harvested, per hunting client, per permit.
• Dogs are not allowed on the hunt.

• Refer to the Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA) website for required minimum muzzle velocities for firearms for various game species.
• A maximum of one hundred rounds of ammunition may be imported per hunting rifle. Only ammunition for the specific caliber may be imported.
• It is legal to hunt with black powder rifles in Namibia. (Refer to the NAPHA website for the black-powder hunting regulations.)
• There is not limit on the number of firearms that may be imported into Namibia for trophy-hunting purposes;
• Any unconventional firearm to be imported for trophy-hunting purposes is to be applied fro from the Namibian Inspector General before arrival;
• It is legal to import bows for bow-hunting purposes. No import permit is required. (Refer to the NAPHA website for the Bow Hunting requirements.)

• A detailed tax invoice must be issued for every hunt.
• Value Added Tax (VAT) is currently 15% and must be paid on services rendered by the trophy-hunting operator and on trophies that are NOT exported b the hunting operator on behalf of the client. NO VAT is charged on trophies to be exported by the operator on behalf of the client. This must be accompanied by a copy of the client’s passport; the completed hunting permit and a copy of the invoice which includes 15% VAT for services rendered by the trophy hunting operator.
• Please inquire what means of payment is required by your operator;
• VAT is applicable on wounded game not recovered.

It is illegal to hunt for trophies:

• at night and/or with an artificial light;
• that do not qualify in terms of the minimum measurement requirements as specified by the MET’s Namibian Quality Control. If trophies do not meet this requirement, they are in jeopardy of not qualifying for export purposes. Exceptions are trophies with abnormalities and age deformities, which can be taken home by the client (refer to the NAPHA Medal Brochure for minimum measurements).

Prohibited firearms are:

• All handguns
• All automatic firearms

As well as:

• All crossbows

In addition:

•  It is illegal to transport black powder and percussion caps in aircraft. These items can be purchased in Namibia. Inquire with your trophy-hunting operator.

The immediate export of trophies from Namibia is possible only with a veterinary certificate, an export permit from the MET and the import permit as required by the country of final destination.

• We recommend that you book only with a NAPHA member and an operator who can prove that he is registered with the Namibian Tourism Board. Consult the NAPHA website for a complete membership list. At Dallas Safari Club, Safari Club International and Dortmund (Jagd und Hund) Conventions, NAPHA members have the NAPHA logo on display in their booths.
• It is highly recommended that you enter into a written and signed pre-hunt agreement/contract with your trophy-hunting operator or agent when booking your safari.
• It is recommended that you request to see your trophy hunting prior to commencing your hunt. If no permit has been issued, your trophy export will be jeopardised. All trophies taken must be checked and signed for by the hunting client and the hunting professional on the trophy-hunting permit on completion of the hunt.

• Take out full insurance for all firearms and any other valuable items you might have before travelling anywhere in Africa.
• NAPHA, however, recommends a maximum of two firearms per hunting client;
• If travelling through South Africa, keep in mind that South African immigration control clears a maximum of two firearms for import;
• It is suggested that you bring between sixty and eighty rounds of ammunition per hunting rifle.

• NAPHA recommends flying directly to Namibia via Europe, into Hosea Kutako International Airport near Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. This will minimise delays associated with firearm transport. Air Namibia offers a direct service from Frankfurt (Germany) and London (Gatwick). Visit Air Namibia’s website for flight schedules and prices: www.airnamibia.com.na
• Recent regulations have made travelling with firearms a time-consuming process when entering South Africa. Make sure that you stay in transit with your luggage.

It is suggested that you adhere to the following procedure to minimise problems when travelling with firearms:

• All bags need to be adequately marked with name tags for identification;
• Pack an unloaded rifle in a sturdy carry case (preferably with the bolt removed);
• Have a separate lockable container in which to store your ammunition separate from your rifle in your checked luggage;
• At the check-in counter, at the point of departure, insist that the agent check your firearm through to Hosea Kutako International Airport, Windhoek, Namibia. Your bag tag should read, for example: New York – Frankfurt- Windhoek OR Atlanta – Johannesburg – Windhoek. (This is sometimes not possible if the airlines you are using do not have baggage agreements. Inquire about this before purchasing your ticket);
• Windhoek Airport’s International baggage code is WDH;
• Physically check your baggage tag to ensure that it has been correctly printed and attached. Inquire if  colourful in-transit tag is necessary when travelling through another country.