2025 Hunt with a handgun

[BigKev15]

Good afternoon (South Carolina time).

I would like to know from someone that's done it before how much of a hassle is it bringing a handgun into Africa (R.S.A.) to be exact to hunt with ??? Are additional permits needed independent of the ones that are required to temporarily import and export rifles ?? Thanks in advance for taking the time to respond to my question.

Kevin

 

[Hunter4752001]

G'day Kev. My last trip was in 2014 so things may have changed. At the time the paperwork required was the same as for a rifle, but there were some differences in respect to timeframes. Note that generally permits won't be issued for semi-auto pistols or self defence handgun. The handgun must be designed for hunting. So primarily you'll be looking at either a large revolver or a single shot. Helps if its fitted with an optic sight (red dot or scope). I would strongly recommend engaging a firearm permits service, it'l make things so much easier. Also probably pay to select a PH with experience guiding handgunners, or bow hunters. They have the skills and mindset to get the hunter in close.

 

[Ridge Runner]

I highly recommend you contact Marius at Henry Rifle Permits to help with pre approved firearms permit and ask him for information on legal calibers and barrel lengths for the animals you intend to hunt.

As @Hunter4752001 suggested, and from previous posts/threads on this subject it is best to have some sort of optics attached to your handgun. When I took my 4-5/8 inch barreled 44 mag I didn't have a scope attached to my revolver. Thanks to Marius it only took a couple of minutes explaing to SAPS I used iron sights.

Another member used plastic cable ties to fix a scope to his handgun. Then when they (the client and PH) arrived at the lodge the client cut the cable ties and removed the scope, as he only uses iron sights to shoot and hunt with.