How to Plan a Hunting Safari to South Africa

When planning a hunting trip anywhere there is many factors to take into consideration such as the proper seasons for the game that you wish to hunt, the different hunting guns and bows that you want o use and which seasons go paired with that. Accommodation at the proper lodges or if preferred camping trips at bounty full game Ranches. And lastly the permits that are needed when hunting big game if needed.

The seasons of hunting comes to when it is wet and when it is dry, this makes a big difference in hunting because of the watering hole aspect. Different styles for hunting can be used for both. Some hunters would like rather to use a bow but that would cut out the possibility of hunting thick skinned large animals such as elephant, white and black rhino, crocodile and so forth. Although some provinces do not allow bow hunting, the northern cape is one of the ones that do. Bows are usually more used when animals are gathered around the watering hole as it is easier to shoot from close range where the bow is most effective.

There are no automatic rifles allowed for hunting in South Africa as well as no weapon using a rim fire.22 or smaller caliber ammunition. No air guns are permitted for hunting with shotguns except in the case of birds. The minimum legal caliber to hunt South African dangerous game is 375, you are also allowed in most cases of big (dangerous) game you are to use other calibers that are larger. Always remember to in all instances to always make use of premium grade ammunition.

When it comes to permits the owners of the farm obtain permits to cover hunting on their property. There are spices that are listed as threatened or protected and permits are obtainable accordingly. The rules for hunting these animals apply to the listed species under the Biodiversity Act of 2004 and they are categorized accordingly.

Endangered: Tsessebe, Black Rhinoceros, Mountain Zebra, African wild dog, Oribi

Vulnerable: Cheetah, Samango monkey, Bontebok, Roan antelope, Suni, Leopard, Blue duiker

Protected: White Rhinoceros, Black Wildebeest, Spotted Hyaena, Black-footed cat, Brown Hyaena, Serval, Elephant, Sharpe’s grysbok, Reedbuck, Cape fox.

Hunting on the southern tip of Africa has always, just in the rest of the world been very popular, maybe even a little bit more. The vast difference in climates as well as the great diversity of spices that are on offer allow for year around hunting. But more so the beautiful landscapes that the hunting is done on make it a worthwhile experience even if that trophy you seek escapes your grasp.