8-Day Hunt in South Africa

South Africa Hunting

When you think of safari, the first thing you think of is 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 2023, 2024, and 2025 South Africa big game hunting seasons.

Plains Game Hunting Africa

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, and then head to the field to hunt. Then, make your way back to the lodge for a relaxing lunch where you can share stories with your fellow hunters. Once you are 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 dinner inspired by the best in South African culture with fresh chicken, beef, venison, vegetables, and delicious local desserts.

Bow Hunting in 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 Hunts

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 by 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 to choose from, 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, come back for a second or third hunt!

Cape Buffalo Hunting

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 run into many of the 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.

African Safari Hunting Cost

To estimate your African safari hunting cost, you will need to know your expectations and budget. 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 are bringing loved ones and worried 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 and 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 of the best in gourmet meals and superb local beer, wine, and soda.

When is the best time for a South Africa hunting trip?

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.

Covid 19 Information

South Africa ended all Covid-19 testing and vaccination requirements in April 2022. However, you will have to take a rapid Covid test when you leave Johannesburg and test again before traveling back to the US.

Additional Information

Once you have purchased a South Africa hunting trip, it needs to 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.

Please note: if your certificate is lost, destroyed, or stolen, it cannot get replaced. In addition, the purchases made through charity fundraisers are not refundable.

Costs not included in the trip:

• Trophy fees for animals harvested, wounded, or lost
• Airfare
• Accommodation
• Dip and pack
• Taxidermy services
• Trophy export costs
• Rifle rental
• Gratuities
• Personal or medical insurance