The Big Game Hunting season starts in February and finishes in August. When it’s winter in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s summer down here in the Southern Hemisphere.

February and March: Summer with temperatures between 35-75
April and May: Autumn with temperatures between 32-65
June and July: Winter with temperatures between 28-55

There are daily direct flights that leave Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco for Auckland which is your point of entry to New Zealand. (Personally we prefer the Houston or San Francisco to Auckland flight) Another option is to fly Qantas from Dallas to Sydney and then to Auckland. Auckland is also the port where you will clear customs. Upon arrival into Auckland you have two options to get to Whanganui (note the H in Whanganui).

1. Auckland to Whanganui on Air Chathams www.airchathams.co.nz with a 1 hour 20 minute drive to the lodge
Or
2. Auckland to Palmerston North on Air New Zealand. Then a 2 hour drive to the lodge.

We will pick you up from either airport and leave you to sort which flight ties in best with your international flight into Auckland.

If flying to Queenstown book the Palmerston North to Queenstown flight on Air New Zealand and be sure to book the flexi plus fare. This is slightly more expensive but gives us the option to change flights dates and times if needed

Try to book Air New Zealand all the way as this makes internal connections on arrival and departure easier. Their website is www.airnewzealand.com Air New Zealand flies Boeing 777 from Houston, LA and San Francisco and the Business Class and Pacific Class options are excellent.

Booking online with Air New Zealand is simple, and at times, considerably cheaper than a travel agent. Look at all departure airport options in your area, and also use the search by week option to get the best fare for your travel dates.

• Paul’s mobile # from USA +64272777491
• Lodge phone # from USA +6463428100
• Lodge phone # once in New Zealand 06-3428100
• Paul’s mobile # once in New Zealand 0272-777491
• Paul’s email address is: wsafaris@xtra.co.nz
• Email us and bring a printed copy of any medication conditions, food requirements or food allergies.Your Taxidermist and your clearance Agent name, address, phone and email
• Check all final bookings of Airline Travel, Hotel, and Trip Planning are confirmed
• We recommend that you start making your hotel and airline flight reservations well in advance as the most economic travel and accommodation can be hard to book at specific times during the season; if left at short notice. However, you may want to wait until at least September/October, in an attempt to book around the high USA travel/booking season.
• When you contact the travel agent, you must keep in mind, that when traveling to New Zealand, you will ‘lose’ a day getting there. For example, if you depart the USA on the 10th, you will arrive in New Zealand on the 12th. And in regard to your return trip – if you depart New Zealand on the 20th, you will arrive back in the USA on the 20th.
• The airlines are strictly enforcing their carry-on and check-in baggage allowances, so be aware of what you plan to bring back from New Zealand when you pack for your trip. Get the latest details on allowances on the airline websites.

The following websites provide a good listing of what is available for your own travel plans throughout New Zealand.

• https://innz.co.nz/ or https://www.ki-wi.co.nz/
• www.relaxingjourneys.co.nz
• www.tourism.org.nz
• www.nzsouth.co.nz
• www.nz.com
• www.newzealand.com
• www.tourism.net.nz

It is a good idea to call us when you have arrived in New Zealand to confirm your travel is going as planned.

If you happen to be delayed or your arrival plans have changed, then we can also change the arrangements to meet you accordingly.

Please send us your arrival and departure details and any other travel information regarding your trip, no later than 2 weeks before your trip, or soonest after you have booked your flights and hotel reservations, preferably by email for our records.

From October 2019 non residents traveling into New Zealand will require an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). Application for an ETA is a simple 10 minute online process. Use this link to access the Immigration NZ ETA information and application web page:

www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/about-visa/nzeta

We use John Mitchell of NZ Expeditors to prepare, crate and arrange freight to the US for your New Zealand trophies.
Website: www.nzexpediters.co.nz

Phone: +64 27 308 9686
DDI: +64 7 3774719
Email: nzexpediters@gmail.com

We do not recommend having trophies mounted in New Zealand because of the high freight cost back to the US. However if you choose this option we can advise on taxidermist options.

Please bring with you your Taxidermist name, address, phone and email and your clearance agent name, address, phone and email to speed up the shipping process.

New Zealand weather patterns are very unpredictable, and are constantly changing from day to day and even hour to hour. It can rain or snow at any time of the year. Even if your hunt is planned for late summer or early autumn (March/April), we recommend you bring one full set of warm hunting clothes, including some type of insulated underwear.

We also suggest that for a Feb/Mar trip, you bring a set of lightweight (summer) clothes. A warm, winter layer should be packed for June, July and August hunts. After saying this, our weather is usually very mild and we do not experience the extreme cold temperatures like those encountered throughout North America. The best way to dress is in layers, and to avoid the heavy and bulky items.

• 1 or 2 pair hunting trousers – light / medium weight2 shirts – one light and one medium weight
• 3 pair of woolen socks
• 2 silk or poly material base layer jerseys
• 2 pair of base layer shorts
• 1 set of insulating underwear – preferably wool or poly
• 1 lightweight jacket
• 1 warm hunting jacket
• 1 set of high quality lightweight/breathable raingear – jacket and pants
• 2 pair of gloves – 1 lightweight or leather, the other waterproof
• Warm or insulated hat or cap
• Well broken in boots and MUST BE CLEAN (a good support boot (Meindl-Kenetrek-Lowa style)
• Binoculars (preferably 8 or 10 power, the guides are outfitted with excellent spotting scopes)
• Rangefinder
• Small day pack
• Lightweight flashlight and / or head lamp
• Camera with 4-6 rolls of film or digital card, with your 110/220v charger
• Sunglasses
• Rifle with at least 40 rounds of ammunition, preferably the one you shot very well with

As per personal items – it is recommended that you bring at least 2 times the required stay days for prescriptions and daily-required medicines for the duration of your trip to New Zealand. These should also NOT be packed in your luggage, but taken as carry-on to avoid lost baggage delays.

It is a good idea to bring an extra pair of glasses, contacts and daily cleaner, and other ‘essential’ items for your trip.

Consider sun screen, allergy medicine, and any other type of ‘seasonal’ item you may require during your trip.

Hair dryers, irons, and 220v/110v power converters are available at the lodge. If your charging equipment reads 110v-220v & 50-60 Hz on the UL label, you will only need a plug adapter to use your charging equipment in New Zealand (other than at our lodge), which can be purchased at the airport in Los Angeles or San Francisco.

All travelers leaving the USA must have a valid USA Passport for international travel. If a passport must be obtained or renewed, this can be done at certain United States post offices. You should allow 10-12 weeks for processing.

The New Zealand gun permit website is:
www.police.govt.nz/advice/firearms-and-safety/visitor-firearms-licence-and-import-permits

Fax or email form to NZ Police in Auckland.

Form asks for:

Our NZ Fire Arms number Q 0198057

Place where Firearms will be stored is a locked safe at: Wanganui Safaris 693 Otaranoho Road Jerusalem Whanganui River

Arrival details for Auckland to Whanganui.

When arriving at Auckland Airport, be sure to have $25 NZD prior to entering customs hall to pay for your gun licence. Currency exchange is available in duty free area if required.

Clear customs and pickup your bags and guns off the carousel. You must take guns to a small Police Kiosk on the left and acquire your NZ gun licence.