SCI confirmed the attack took place April 29 at the headquarters of the Niassa Carnivore Project (NCP) and their Mariri Environmental and Skills Training Center in the southeastern section of the Niassa Special Reserve. In a press release, NCP Director Dr. Colleen Begg confirmed two NCP antipoaching scouts were killed. Another was severely injured but was evacuated to a hospital in Maputo and is now stable. Two scouts remain unaccounted for.

Residents of the nearby village Mbamba also fled into the bush for safety. Begg said the NCP team spent several days searching for staff and community members hiding in the wilderness and taking them to the district capital, Mecula.

In April, SCI reported the destruction of the Kambo Safaris camp in the Reserve by a group of armed insurgents, with later reports about the deaths of two staff members. The incident triggered a Security Alert from the US State Department warning travelers of terrorist activity. It was not until April 30, that ISIS Mozambique took credit for the attacks in a social media post by Amaq News Agency, which is designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the US State Department.

Amaq is often the first venue to publicize claims of responsibility for terrorist attacks conducted by the Islamic State. According to media outlet CAXTON Network News, a loose translation of text published with the image says, “The fighters of the Islamic State attacked and burned a tourist site belonging to the Christians and killed six soldiers from the Mozambican army in Niassa Province, Northern Mozambique.”

The Level 4 Travel Alert from the US State Department states, “Terrorists continue to conduct and plot attacks on government forces, villages, and key supply routes in the districts of Ancuabe, Chuire, Ibo, Macombia, Meluco, Metuge, Mocimboa da Praia, Mueda, Muidame, Nangade, Palma and Quissanga in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, and the bordering districts of Memba and Erati in Nampula Province.

According to Begg, the ANAC warden of Niassa Special Reserve is coordinating efforts to increase safety in Niassa and is working with conservation partners on the ground. SCI will continue following developments here and reporting to members as we confirm information.

SCI expresses its deepest sympathies for the families and coworkers of those who lost their lives in these senseless acts. SCI members with hunts booked in Mozambique and with concerns over security are again encouraged to speak with their safari operators about security in their areas and to orient themselves on the locations of their hunting camp and its distance from the affected regions in northern Mozambique before changing any plans. Hunters should also review their travel insurance policies and consider security evacuation insurance. US citizens should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Other members should check their country’s state department equivalent for travel alerts and travel programs. For more information and assistance contact SCI’s Hunter Information Service at HunterHotline@safariclub.org.

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Reports are based on, as of now, un-verified photos and information apparently leaked by a member of the military that responded to the incident. Mozambican forces have restricted access to the entire area around the CKS camp, preventing CKS owners, employees and family members of the deceased from entering the camp or verifying facts firsthand.

CKS joint-partner Jumbo Moore informed SCI about this development on Monday, April 28, dismayed that officials did not inform the victims’ families or CKS first. Additional reports include other details that have not been verified by authorities. CKS is seeking information from officials for the affected families while moving client bookings for the Kambako camp to other camps and venues. SCI extends its condolences to the families.

News of this incident also affected safari operators far from the area, with several reporting cancellations by clients. While individual risk tolerance levels vary, hunters should remember that Mozambique is a large country encompassing over 300,000 square miles (800,500 square kilometers). The Niassa Reserve itself, is located in the northernmost stretch of Mozambique, comprises over 10 million remote acres (42,000 square kilometers) and sprawls across two provinces. The distance from the Niassa Reserve in the north to Maputo in the south is almost 1,400 miles (over 2,200 kilometers). That distance is farther than driving from New York City to Miami.

Hunters with trips planned for Mozambique should consider the locations of their safaris. Others may wish to review their travel insurance coverages. They may consider security evacuation insurance and discuss security with their operators. SCI members may contact the Hunter Information Service (hunterhotline@safariclub.org) for further information and assistance.

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As SCI understands it, trophy importations for U.S. citizens and residents are classified in the tariff schedule as 9804.00.55 in Section XXII Chapter 98, which states that all game animals (including birds and fish) killed abroad by a returning U.S. citizen/resident after traveling abroad and imported by him/her for noncommercial purposes do not incur any duty fees. Chapter 99 also notes that most of the exempted goods listed in Chapter 98, including hunting trophies, are exempt from any additional tariffs.

Members of SCI, including members living in the U.S. and hunting operators, taxidermists and shipping agents from abroad, have inquired how the new tariffs implemented by the U.S. would affect the shipment of hunting trophies.

Michael Coppersmith, national coordinator for Coppersmith Global Logistics, explained how the newly released tariff schedule relieves these concerns. “This development ensures that the shipping process for sport-hunted trophies will remain uninterrupted by the recent tariff changes, helping to streamline logistics and reduce additional costs for shipments.”

Hunters with pending trophy shipments should contact their international shipping agents to inform them of the tariff exemption on trophy imports. Be aware, however, that other items hunters might include in a shipment with their trophies may not be exempt from tariffs. That includes curios, art, furniture, or other purchased goods, as well as trophies they purchased but did not hunt themselves. Also, any items made from animals that hunters did not hunt themselves may be subject to tariffs.

Please note that this is not legal advice, and the tariff schedule is subject to change. SCI members with additional questions or in need of further assistance can contact SCI’s Hunter Information Service (hunterhotline@safariclub.org). The Hunter Information Service is an exclusive SCI member benefit.

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Namibia’s Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration and Safety and Security announced the new requirements in March 2025. The only exemptions are for those from countries that do not require a visa for Namibian citizens.

Travelers have two options to get their visas: online before travel, or upon arrival. Application for online visas can be done through the e-visa portal (https://eservices.mhaiss.gov.na). Travelers simply create an account in the application portal, then follow the prompts. Each member of a travel party will need a visa, including children. Applicants must provide certified copies of their passport, an invitation letter or a motivation letter from their safari operator, a return ticket home, proof of accommodation (hotel bookings/resident), proof of financial means for their stay (credit/debit card or proof of upfront payments), and medical travel insurance to cover any possible medical expenses. Immigration officials may ask for these documents, so travelers should have them available with their visa and passport when arriving in Namibia. Online visas will be provided through the e-visa portal for download and printing, and travelers can also check on the status of a visa there.

Those who are unable to apply for a visa online can still do so upon arrival. Complete the application form provided by airline attendants before landing, then submit the form and all the aforementioned documentation to Namibian immigration officials.

Be aware that families with children less than 17 years old will need to provide full birth certificates and a parental consent letter if both parents are not accompanying them. (Consent letters should be certified by a notary of the public.) Also, visitors’ passports must be valid for six months from entry to Namibia and have at least three blank visa pages. The fee for a visa is NAD$1,200 for travelers from other African countries; all other travelers pay NAD$1,600 (about USD $90). For more, information download the complete Fact Sheet.

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In a blog post this past May, SCI alerted hunters to a problem with the version of the Form 4457 newly posted on the CBP website. That form would be problematic for hunters headed to South Africa later this year because of the expiration date printed in the top right corner. That’s because South African authorities responsible for issuing firearm import permits to visiting hunters will not accept a Form 4457 with a past expiration date. The new form posted to the website would have expired at the end of September 2024. Historically, it has taken up to six months or more for a new form with a future expiration date to be available for US travelers. That would leave many hunters with safaris to South Africa without the ability to take their own firearms. This is despite the expiration date being strictly for internal use by the US government and not intended to indicate validity for the traveler.

SCI had previously raised this issue with Senator Sullivan in 2022.  Following direct outreach from Sen. Sullivan, CBP posted a form without the expiration date. When the same problem reoccurred in May 2024, SCI shared member issues with the Senator, who immediately came through for US hunters once again.

The post Sen. Sullivan Gets CBP to Replace Problematic Customs Form 4457 appeared first on Safari Club.

The South African authorities will not accept a Form 4457 with a past expiration date for a firearm importation. (They also require that the form be stamped for the same year of travel to South Africa.) Historically, CBP has not posted a new Form 4457 until well after the previous one has expired (sometimes six to nine months later). That leaves many hunters going to South Africa without the ability to comply with South African requirements to import a firearm.

The expiration date on this form is not actually associated with a period of approved use for travelers, rather, it is strictly for internal governmental use. Regardless, South African authorities treat it as an expiration of the firearm owner’s approval to travel with the firearm listed on the form.

SCI had previously resolved this issue in 2022 with the assistance of Alaska Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, who managed to have CBP remove the expiration date entirely. But on May 10, 2024, CBP posted a new form with an expiration date of September 30, 2024.

SCI members who need a version of Form 4457 without an expiration date may download one at safariclub.org/firearm-import-requirements/. Members with questions may contact SCI’s Hunter Information Service at HunterHotline@safariclub.org.

The post US CBP Complicates Hunting Travel to South Africa appeared first on Safari Club.

SCI reported on the new rule earlier this year (Safari Club International Opposes Final USFWS African Elephant Import Rule). On April 4, SCI notified USFWS of its intent to sue (SCI Launches Lawsuit Against U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Over Elephant Rule). This notice warns USFWS that the new rule violates its obligations under the Endangered Species Act.

In preparation for a potential suit against USFWS, SCI is seeking assistance from members affected by the new rule for use in court. SCI members with scheduled elephant hunts can contact SCI’s litigation team to provide relevant information. Please send an email to litigation@safariclub.org. Provide your name, the country you are hunting and when your safari will take place. A member of SCI’s Legal Advocacy team will then contact you if a declaration might assist SCI’s litigation.

For a full report on the new elephant rule, see the upcoming May issue of SCI’s membership newspaper, Safari Times.

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SCI had warned members about the moratorium earlier this month in a blog post, but removed the post only days afterwards when PHASA, Hunters Support 2000 and Custodians of Professional Hunting and Conservation South Africa received verbal agreement from authorities to lift the moratorium in relation to hunting firearms.  

SAPS has now issued a written statement confirming that the transit of hunting firearms to the above listed destinations will be allowed on condition that permit applications be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Consideration of permits will be based on presentation of all the appropriate and legally required documentation from applicants. SCI members can download a list of the requirements for a transit permit from the SCI website (safariclub.org/firearm-import-requirements) or by contacting SCI’s Hunter Information Service (hunterhotline@safariclub.org).

Also clarified in the SAPS statement is that OR Tambo International Airport is the port of entry where arriving hunters may receive all firearm import permits and transit permits. Hunters arriving at the Cape Town International Airport should acquire pre-issued permits before their arrival in South Africa. Hunters planning to transit to Mozambique, Eswatini and Lesotho, may also want to acquire pre-issued import and transit permits to avoid any possible delays upon arrival in South Africa.

Hunters Support 2000 (air2000@global.co.za) and PHASA (reception@phasa.co.za) are among several services in South Africa that Hunters may use to apply for pre-issued permits.

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The Mix & Mingle is a ladies-only event hosted by SCI’s Women Go Hunting (WGH) initiative and is designed to give women with all levels of hunting experience an opportunity to network with other women hunters. Chaired by Denise Welker, winner of the SCI World Hunting Award Ring and Diana Award, SCI’s Women Go Hunting program brings together women who enjoy the hunting lifestyle and encourages them to participate in SCI’s initiatives in advocacy, education and conservation.

“When women understand the role of hunting in conservation, when they support the hunting lifestyle and participate in hunting, the whole family hunts,” says Welker. “That makes women a key part of the future of hunting.”

This year, former director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and current Secretary of the Louisiana Department Environmental Quality Aurelia Skipwith Giacometto addressed the group at the Mix & Mingle, urging them to advocate for the hunting lifestyle at every level of government. Participants of the WGH 100 Woman Challenge also gathered at the event for a group photo along with SCI Ambassadors Melissa Bachman, Kristy Titus and Anna van Nostrand. Also there, SCI Diana Award winners, SCI Foundation Sables and a variety of hunting professionals, including female professional hunters and outfitters, mingled with lady hunters and the hunting version of “soccer moms,” to recognize the important role that women exercise in maintaining the hunting lifestyle today.

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