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8-Days & 7-Nights in South Africa

South African Hunting Trip for Four Hunters
When you think of safari, you first think of wild Africa. It’s home to lions roaming free, breathtaking sunsets that stretch far beyond the horizon, and stillness and calm that only the motherland can make you feel.

If you plan a South Africa hunting trip, you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for the Big 5. In addition, the tantalizing local wine and food will excite your taste buds.

If you are looking for an epic South Africa hunting adventure, look no further. During this once-in-a-lifetime trip, you will hunt on tens of thousands of veld (grassland) acres in the Free State or Limpopo provinces of South Africa. Enjoy bush-inspired lodging with all the luxuries, such as gourmet meals, local beer and wine, daily laundry services, and Wi-Fi. This hunting trip is created for four hunters during for the 2024, 2025, and 2026 South Africa big game hunting seasons.

South Africa Hunting Safari
South Africa boasts an incredible variety of big game species. So whether you choose to hunt the quick-moving Impala or majestic, black and white-faced Gemsbuck, your game-hunting Africa trip will forever be one of your favorites.

What does a regular day look like?

Start your day with a full breakfast, then head to the field to hunt. Then, return to the lodge for a relaxing lunch where you can share stories with your fellow hunters. Once well-rested, head back to the field for another epic Plains game-hunting Africa experience.

End the perfect day sitting around the boma (fireplace) with sundowners (cocktails). Feast on appetizers and dinners inspired by the best in South African culture with fresh chicken, beef, venison, vegetables, and delicious local desserts.

Bow Hunting Safari South Africa
South Africa is one of the best bow-hunting destinations in the world. Bowhunting in Africa is one of the most challenging hunting styles but the most rewarding. Three types of bows are allowed for South African hunting:

Recurve bow
Longbow
Compound bow
All the guides are professional hunters skilled in all things bowhunting. They will ensure you get the perfect shot at the 25 or 50-yard range. You don’t need permits for archery equipment, and there are bow shops across South Africa where you can pick up more arrows or strings should you need them. In addition, you can rent a Ten Point crossbow from the lodge if you need it.

Kudu Hunting Safari South Africa
Kudus are masters of camouflage and are known as the ‘grey ghost’ because of how fast they can disappear into the bush. The kudu is a large antelope, roughly the size of an elk, with stunning spiral horns. A large adult male is around 5 ft tall, weighs several hundred pounds and horn length averages about 4 feet long!

There are two price levels for kudus – up to 54” and 54” to 60” which are harder to find and expensive to hunt. Kudu hunts are taken by spot and stalk or glassing from high points with shots between 80 and 200 yards. However, for bowhunters on a spot and stalk hunt, the shot range is between 35 – 50 yards but can be less over water.

Classic African Plains Game Animals

Thousands of hunters travel to South Africa to hunt big game. But, with so many diverse animals, how do you know which one to choose? What do you want to hunt?

Kudu
Warthog
Blue Wildebeest
Impala
Gemsbuck (Oryx)
Blesbok
If you don’t see your favorite animals for your Plains game hunting Africa trip, don’t worry! There are 39 other game species available. So if you don’t get everything you want on the first hunting trip, return for a second or third hunt!

Cape Buffalo Safari Hunt South Africa
Cape buffalo hunting is an experience that every experienced hunter must try. Some will even wait for their second or third hunt before they try to hunt one of these beauties. Cape buffalo have moody behavior and are known to be unpredictable. Therefore, they are one of the most dangerous to hunt.

Full-grown males can weigh up to 1,700 lbs! Your highly trained licensed hunting professional will ensure your Cape buffalo hunting trip is safe and responsible when hunting dangerous big game. Hunting buffalo is a genuinely thrilling experience.

Africa Hunting Animals
While you can choose from various African hunting animals throughout the continent, South Africa boasts many different species in a controlled environment. You can choose from small but quick antelope such as Steenbok and Impala or big beasts such as the 2,000 lbs Eland.

While checking your trophy animals off your list, you will encounter many other species to admire. Some trophy animals can only get hunted at night and in specific park regions. Pick up some books on different African plains game animals and get studying. Learn all about the many animals to add to your trophy list.

South Africa Hunting Cost
You must know your expectations and budget to estimate your African safari hunting cost. There are different prices for different animals. Clients will spend roughly $3,500 to $5,500 in trophy fees for 3 – 5 animals.

Some clients book their South Africa hunting trip two years in advance, so they have time to save their trophy fees. Then there are the other expenses, such as airline tickets, trophy animal export, and gratuities, to consider. Taxidermy in South Africa can take between 9 and 11 months. However, if you decide to dip and pack, you will only receive the skull, horns, and capes in 9 – 11 months and then have to wait another six months before being able to display your trophies.

Non-Hunting Observer Activities
If you bring loved ones and worry about non-hunting observer activities, you are in for a treat. Big game roams the vast open fields and waits for a photo opportunity. Go on a traditional African safari (game drive) in private or national parks. You can see the world-famous Big 5 and learn all about the fauna and flora in the area. See animals up close and personal at animal rehabilitation centers where you can walk with elephants or feed wild cats. You can even meet Jessica, the hippo!

Learn about the many South African cultures and tribes. You can visit villages, orphanages, and local schools to get an authentic African cultural experience, see how others live, and get educated. This is also a way to give back to the beautiful communities that host us.

Oranges, pinks, and reds are painted across the sky for a sight that can only be seen in the bushveld. A classical braai (barbeque), local cocktails, and the big starlit African sky shouldn’t be experienced alone. This is a magical experience that will live in your memories forever. There are ample non-hunting observer activities to keep everyone busy and entertained.

South Africa Hunting Lodge
The South African hunting lodge is beautifully designed to suit the American hunter. Enjoy a luxurious 7-night stay in ultimate comfort with a traditional African ambiance. The Vaalwater Lodge gives glamping a new meaning. This new (2021) luxury tent has all the amenities of a lodge and takes you back to the golden years of African hunting.

The Free State Lodge is a modern lodge where each hunter or couple has their room and bathroom. Experience the best in gourmet meals and superb local beer, wine, and soda.

When is the best time for a South Africa hunting safari?
The hunting season is from February to November. Since the country is south of the equator, the seasons are opposite to that of the US. A popular time to hunt in South Africa is from late May until late August. It’s the peak of winter, and the temperatures are cool. February to April is the Fall and gives you warmer weather, and September to November for Spring.

Item Special Note

Additional Information
Once you have purchased a South Africa hunting trip, it must be completed in three years. Book the hunting trip with the outfitter within 60 days for the 2024, 2025, or 2026 hunting seasons. Availability goes fast, so ensure you book well in advance.

If you have children ten and older who want to participate in a hunt with a parent, you must take the required hunter safety course beforehand. In addition, a US$1,500 deposit is required for each hunter to reserve the dates. This deposit will get added to the trophy fees for the animals harvested at the end of your hunting trip.

Hunters need to harvest three animals for each trophy fee price sheet. Also, if you are adding a non-hunter to the journey, it costs US$1,750 per person.

Not inclucded in price: Roundtrip Johannesburg Airfare, Accommodations Before or After Hunt, Trophy Fees, Trophy Export, Rifle Permits or Rifle Rental & Ammunition, Taxidermy Services, Gratuities, Personal or Medical Insurance, Non-hunter fees