FAQ
When is the Hunting Season?
Our busiest season is late February until the end of October. The Winter months, when it is most pleasant to hunt, are from May through to September. We do hunt year-round, but be ready for the heat from late October until late February. For Bowhunters we recommend the cooler months of June, July, August and September.
What is the Success Rate on getting all of the animals I'm after in the Package?
It has happened, though very rare, for a hunting client to not get an opportunity at all of the animals in their package. We scout the game year-round to give our clients the best possible opportunity to hunt the animals on their list. If indeed for some reason it does happen that an animal in the package is not hunted, you simply do not pay for it. Unfortunately if the animal was part of a package deal, the hunter will not be refunded the full normal Price list fee but rather the nominal discounted package fee.
Can I rent a rifle for my Safari?
Although we prefer clients to bring their own rifles, about 70% of our clients do not. For some it is just not worth the effort and for that reason we have a host of various calibers available to rent.
Can I change my mind on animals to hunt?
You only pay for the animals you hunt (or wound). We can change packages to fit your desires or needs, and can also build custom hunting packages for you. If you want to substitute an animal, we can do so, though due to our already discounted packages, we may not apply all 100% of the substitution based on our trophy fees, you might get 80-90% of the value instead.
How far are the shots?
The average shot with a rifle on Plainsgame would be about 100 yards and at the top end maybe 250 yards. If you are comfortable taking longer shots, that is OK as well, but we recommend that you practice shooting from sticks and standing up, as this is the scenario most of the time. If Bow Hunting, most of our blinds are set up for 20-35 yards shots.
How many Hunters can you accommodate?
We do host some large groups of 10 -12 hunters, but we try to keep the numbers to a maximum of 6 people at once. We have multiple PH's working for us, so typically you will split up during the day to hunt a different part of the concessions or even a neighboring concession. We will then meet up that evening to all sit around the fire and share you stories about the day's hunt.
What type of Food can we expect ?
We serve 3 lovely meals per day including snacks throughout the day. Venison that was hunted is always a treat and we try and stick to the motto from field to table.
Sodas and water are also included in our day fee as well as table wine and beer in moderation. If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know in advance and we will cater our meals to suit your needs.
Is a South African Safari Fair-chase?
Yes our hunts are fair chase. Though most of South African hunting concessions are high fenced, we hunt large tracks of land, starting at 7,000 acres and as large as 200,000 acres. Most of our land is thick bushveld, and there are animals which we will never see in their lifetimes. These animals are not tame, they are wild...they were born on the concession. South Africa is a global leader in conservation and this success is mainly due to the privatization of Land.
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We always joke with our clients and say at the end of the hunt you are the one pulling the trigger, if the hunt was not challenging enough, simply don't shoot. Fortunately we have never had a client do this.
Is South Africa safe and do we need shots?
South Africa is as safe as anywhere else in the World. We will pick you up personally at OR TAMBO International Airport just north of Johannesburg, and escort you to our lodge. To date, we have never had an issue with security. No shots are required and the only one we recommend may be Tetanus, which you should keep up to date anywhere.
How do I get my trophies back home?
One of our Team members, will skin and salt your capes at the lodge free of charge. Our trusted taxidermy company will then come to the lodge to pick up your trophies to dip, boil the skulls, clean the horns, crate and process the paperwork for export. They will send you an invoice for this 1-2 months later via email. The crate is then picked up by an export agent, and they will send you a quote for shipping back to your country, typically via sea Freight. It is recommend to have an import agent in your home country to receive this crate with your trophies. Upon arrival they can either forward on to your taxidermist, or send the trophies directly to your home via Ground freight.
How much is airfare to South AFrica?
During the busy season, May to early August, Airfare from the United States typically runs from $1400 to $2400 round trip economy, depending on whether you fly direct or through Europe. Outside of this time, you can find it as low as $900.
What Caliber and Firearm do you recommend?
One is allowed to bring 2 guns per hunter of different calibers, and up to 200 rounds of ammunition per rifle. If you are hunting dangerous game in South Africa the minimum requirement is a .375. For plainsgame, we recommend a .30 caliber or similar. In terms of ammunition we prefer any premium grade ammunition such as Barnes, Woodleigh, Swift A-Frame.
What is your policy on Wounded Game?
Unfortunately with the amount of predators, diseases and the ease of infection any game that is wounded, will unfortunately be paid in full. But rest assured, we have some amazing trackers and great PH's that will try their utmost to find any wounded game. The most common species to be wounded are Blue Wildebeest and Gemsbok. Shot placement is key, if you listen to your PH, and hit them in the correct spot, they wont run far .
Will my phone work
Contact your service provider before you leave to make sure you have international service. Your mobile phone will work in most areas, but we encourage you to turn-off your data, so you are not billed at data rates which can be excessive. Some service providers provide international Data packages and some of our Luxury Lodges have WIFI available.
Will someone meet me at the Airport?
We will be waiting outside of Customs for you once you pick up your baggage. Look for a person holding a sign with your name on it! If you brought a rifle with you, we will then take you to the South Africa Police station in the airport to pick that up next.
Will we have an opportunity to purchase souvenirs?
Yes, if time permits during your time with us, we can go to some shops to purchase items ranging from Warthog tusk keychains, to lead wood sculptures, jewelry and clothes. There are also some great shops at the exit terminal at OR TAMBO Airport where we are sure you will spend some money. Additionally we can arrange to stop at one of our local hunting stores before or after your Safari.
When Do I pay the balance on the Hunt and What do I tip the staff?
We will typically provide you with a final invoice the evening before you depart for home. Any deposits you've made previously will be applied, and you can either pay your balance in Cash, Card machine, PayPal or via an Electronic transfer. (Please note when paying with a debit or credit card we only accept Visa and Mastercard and there is unfortunately an additional 3.5% card levy added on each transaction) Gratuities are not mandatory, but they are typically expected on an African Safari.
Do you hunt other African Countries ?
Yes we do. For the more experienced hunters we also hunt concessions in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Tanzania.