South Africa is not a country for the classical "Hemmingway Safari" as the majority of game occurs on large privately owned ranches and in government reserves. There are no vast untrammeled hunting concessions where civilisation is kept at bay by tsetse fly and insurmountable barriers. There are very few places not reached by the influences of mankind. Rather, what you will find are huge ranches supporting the widest variation of game in Africa, all available at reasonable safari rates.

Don't safari in South Africa if...
if you are expecting to forage into deep dark jungles where savage natives and ferocious beasts lie in wait. Don't expect to see local tribes dressed in loin cloths staring in awe at the "white bwana" from across the sea. The days of Selous and Burton are long gone, even in the classical safari lands of Tanzania, Zambia and Botswana.

Do safari in South Africa...
because you accept that by hunting here you are fulfilling a vital role in the process of hunting in conservation. South Africa's vast and burgeoning game population is a direct result of your desire to hunt in her reclaimed wilderness.

The term safari is no more or no less fulfilled here than in other countries, it remains as it always has, a personal experience to each individual who seeks adventure.

" You will not see the importance of a well till the river runs dry" (African Wisdom from Sierra Leone)

Often a misleading impression is created by the term "ranch hunting", conjuring up illusions of hand reared family pets and caged zoo animals being offered up for the chase. On ranches where regular hunting takes place, game is extremely elusive and wary, providing days of excitement and challenge. Perhaps here more than anywhere else, is the hunter able to dictate the method and manner of the hunt to suit their personal ethics.

Hunting takes place on ranches (locally known as game farms) which vary in size from about 3000 acres upwards of 200,000 acres. These are vast areas of wilderness supporting naturally sustaining herds. In some cases, hunting does take place in specified areas of National Parks and Reserves as a profitable alternative to culling.

Today over 33 million acres are dedicated to game ranching and private reserves, almost twice the combined area of government parks and reserves. Land once used for farming now plays host to the majority of South Africa's varied game population and results in an unchallenged variety of trophies for the visiting hunter.

Some scary stories exist about the early days of South African safari hunting, mostly to do with unethical practices by outfitters and PHs. Even in more recent years some South African PHs like have not painted a pretty picture. The "canned" lion saga which was broadcast on the BBC two years ago has not helped the image of South African hunting. Unfortunately, the early "bad apples" have caused serious damage to South Africa's hunting credibility worldwide and today there is perhaps an over cautious attitude towards most South African hunting.

The legislation governing outfitters and PHs is perhaps an over-reaction to remedy and control hunting in an ordered and ethical manner and has evolved with the industry. There now is one policy document covering the whole country and is in the process of implementation by all concerned parties. The document aims at bringing South Africa into line with other African countries whilst maintaining the unique advantages of a "free market" hunting industry.

In South Africa, you have to make use of a registered outfitter to organise your hunt and you have to be guided by a registered professional hunter who is in the employ of that outfitter. These are the two basic legal requirements affecting foreign hunters and probably has more to do with protecting the prospective client from unethical operators rather than to restrict them.

When applying for an outfitter's permit, the prospective individual has to comply with certain basic hunting standards and conditions before they are granted an operator's permit. For example, the prospective outfitter has to own a game ranch or prove that he has hunting rights to a suitable property. They also have to prove that the species they intend offering for hunting do actually exist on the property or other properties where they have hunting rights. Added to this, is the requirement that outfitters must apply for and hold a permit for each province they intend to offer hunting in, which means they have to own land in each province or have hunting rights in each province. This is a cumbersome and expensive task.

Naturally, this has resulted in outfitters who are specific to one province, often only hunting on the ranch they own or in the immediate region. The majority of outfitters in South Africa operate on this basis, however in recent years more and more are offering a wider variety of species in different provinces.

South Africa is divided into nine provinces which form the basis of species variation, hunting terrains and methods and hunting regulations. Each province is vastly different allowing the hunter to return for many safaris and trophies before they can claim to have truly "hunted South Africa".

Certain species are endemic to the whole country while others are specific to a particular province. A situation exists where many species have been translocated from other provinces and in most cases do adapt well to their new environment. Most outfitters will be able to offer a list of between 12 to 20 different species or more on their ranch or within their province, whilst the larger operators can offer over 40 different species (they are more expensive though).

There are two basic ways you can structure your hunt.

The most common hunting method is to be based on one ranch, usually belonging to the outfitter. You will primarily hunt on this ranch with trips to other ranches in the vicinity if you require species which the outfitter's ranch does not hold. You will probably want to do this if you have a priority trophy that you'd like to spend a good deal of time hunting.

Another method is to move around the country, hunting specific species in their "home" provinces and moving location after a few days and when you have success. This allows you to see alot of the country and hunt in different terrains for indigenous trophies. You will need more time for this type of schedule and you'll have to choose an outfitter that covers the whole country.

MORE ABOUT PROVINCES...

Your safari will be decided by what you want to hunt and your "wish list" is the first thing a prospective outfitter will ask for. Trophy selection usually determines in which provinces you will hunt and the hunting schedule. Remember, as some outfitters are restricted to one province they may not be able to effectively offer all the species you desire.

Most outfitters base their fees upon a Daily Rate which covers certain essential services necessary for hunting. These include a licensed PH, skinning, tracking, accommodation and complete meals, camp staff, transport and more. This is usually listed in the outfitters brochure (which also has to be approved by the authorities) and is standard across the industry. Daily Rates in South Africa are some of the lowest on the continent.

Daily rates differ according to if you are hunting plainsgame or any of the big five. Most outfitters will charge a daily rate of between $200 and $400 for a plainsgame hunt while the daily rates for any of the big five will start at about $500 and upwards per day. Big 5 animals will always have a set minimum number of days to be paid for even if the trophy is shot on the first day. 

Hunts last from 7 up to 21 days or longer in duration and most outfitters have a minimum number of days that you must pay and hunt for. BUT remember there are no government restrictions regarding hunt duration and outfitters should be very flexible to your needs. It could mean if you book a hunt for 10 days and only hunt 7 days, the outfitter may only demand the daily rate for 7 days and it is always good to confirm this with the outfitter prior to booking the hunt. This is an advantage of South African hunting, you can bargain with a prospective outfitter as competition is fierce.

In South Africa many hunts are offered as package deals, where the hunter will pay a set price for a certain number of days and a specified list of trophies. In fact these are probably the most popular type of hunts sold each year as they represent good value for the purchaser. Usually these type of hunts are tied to one game ranch where the client will hunt most of the available species on the ranch only. These hunts are good if you do not have an extensive trophy list which does not require movement to different areas of the country for specialist species.

Facilities offered by most outfitters are exclusive well-appointed bush camps or lodges with modern conveniences such as power, flush lavatories, comfortable beds with mosquito nets, dining, lounge, bar and boma areas. These are usually permanent brick and mortar structures but some may be tented accommodation. Some ranches, especially in the Free State and Eastern Cape, will accommodate clients in period farmhouses. All facilities are fully serviced and catered for by camp staff.

Your major safari expense is determined by the amount of self control you are able to exercise! Each outfitter will provide you with their trophy price list before you book the safari. Trophy prices vary greatly with the more desired species fetching a premium and many clients will use this to judge which outfitter they choose to hunt with.

As a rule, species hunted in their natural surroundings produce better trophy opportunities and quality. In addition, it allows the hunter to experience more of the country by moving to another province. There are certain prime species, especially nyala, which are often translocated due to the high demand for the trophy.

On most safaris it very unlikely that you will not have a shot on a record book trophy for each species that you are hunting. Most outfitters will assure you that they will only allow you to bag a trophy that makes the record book.

While most of the species in South Africa are widely distributed throughout the African sub-region there are many which are endemic and can be hunted only here. Also, while it is possible to hunt most of the sub-regions species in South Africa it is not always recommended to do so as other countries offer superior trophy quality and hunting experiences.

South Africa's endemic species are: East Cape greater kudu, Black wildebeest, Cape bushbuck, Cape grysbok, common and white Blesbok, Bontebok, Gray or Vaal Rhebok, Springbok (common, black and white).

Other species which should be considered due to price and their limited distribution across the sub-region are: White rhino, Southern or common nyala, Southern mountain reedbuck, Limpopo bushbuck, Red duiker, Blue duiker, Livingstone suni, Cape eland and Caracal.

Your trophies and their preparation are the responsibility of the outfitter (and not your PH) from the time the animal is shot up to the time the field dressed horns and skins are delivered to the taxidermist.

RAW EXPORT

• In the field, your PH and his trackers or skinners will prepare the skin and horns to your specifications and lay them in salt

• It will take a couple of weeks to dry before they are delivered or collected by the taxidermist. Transporting wet skins is not a good idea as hair loss easily occurs if they get too hot (you'll also only notice this once the skins are being tanned prior to mounting)

• For the trophies to be shipped raw, they have to go through a process called "Dip, Pack and Crating" at the taxidermist, which is a cleaning and sterilising procedure.

• Most important, the outfitter has to apply to all the relevant Nature Conservation Authorities in the province where the animals were shot for export permits for each trophy. If you hunted nyala in Natal and kudu in Northern province separate applications have to be made to each Nature Conservation body

• Once the trophies have undergone treatment in the dip, pack and crating process (usually 2-6 weeks) they are packed into crates ready for shipment

• At this stage the relevant export permits have hopefully been issued by the Nature Conservation authorities and your crates are delivered to the shipping company for forwarding to your taxidermist back home

• Outfitters will usually tell their clients that it can take anything from 4 weeks to 3 months before the trophies are shipped and from experience this is the average wait the client can expect

DELAY PROBLEMS
Many small and seemingly insignificant procedures can cause a delay in trophy shipment leading to extreme frustration and ruined friendships.

• The most common problem and frustration experienced by outfitters is the delay caused by some Nature Conservation authorities with the issuing of export permits.

• The speed at which permits are issued vary according to province and the experience and number of staff handling the applications. One must remember that South Africa's complicated set of hunting regulations also requires extra time and investigation for some applications, adding to the delay. Considering their limited staff and the amount of applications, the Nature Conservation authorities often come under undue criticism from outfitters (they often are a handy excuse to many outfitters).

• Another cause of delay may arise if your outfitter and PH do not have their permits in order with the Provincial Nature Conservation. This can refer to either their general operating permits or permits particular to specific species (especially the Big 5).

• Sometimes it is a number of weeks before your trophies are delivered by the outfitter to the taxidermist for the start of Dip, Pack and Crate.

• Often the larger taxidermists cannot stick to their promised completion schedule, especially during the peak hunting season. Remember, taxidermists make more money from mounting work and this is where their priority lies.

• Most of the time, taxidermists require payment for their work in foreign currency before they will commence the final stages of packing and crating. Once you have left the country you will then be required to make a money transfer to their account. This can, in some cases, cause at least 3 weeks delay with faxes and phone calls going back and forth before the money is sent and received.

There is a simple solution to all of the above. Have your trophies mounted by a South African taxidermist. Export permits are not required for finished trophies, except for CITES listed species. Obtaining a CITES export permit is a simple procedure.

• South African taxidermists are exceptionally good at mounting the species of Africa. They have all the correct moulds and experience to perform a fine job and do so at a reduced rate. Usually, even after crating and shipment, South African taxidermists are 20-30% cheaper.

• They can take anything from 6 months to a year to complete the work, but this is a reasonable time period when compared with taxidermists overseas.

• Often, if your skins are damaged they have easy access to additional skins at a nominal fee.

• The Rand exchange rate to the major foreign currencies, especially the US dollar, almost always works in the hunter's favor.

Ask your outfitter or PH to take you to visit one of their recommended taxidermists to have a look at their work and prices. You will not be disappointed.

• There is a strict rule amongst outfitters regarding animals wounded by the client. If you wound it, you pay for it. Regardless of amount or color of blood or if you find it or not, your PH is obliged to inform the outfitter or ranch owner and you are required to pay the trophy fee.

• In most circumstances fresh blood is deemed to constitute a wounded animal and most PH's will adhere to this principle. If the animal is clearly wounded, a sure way of earning immediate disrespect from your PH is to argue the situation. This is often the point where an enjoyable safari turns sour.

• However if you feel you are getting the raw end of the deal, you do have recourse through the SCI Ethics Committee, the Professional Hunters Association of SA (PHASA) or the relevant nature conservation authorities in the province where you hunted.

• If you do have a complaint of any sort the best is to first contact PHASA and present them with concrete facts. They will investigate the matter and  will and have taken punitive action against unethical operators and practices.

CLIENTS
Clients are people not normally resident in the Republic of South Africa who pay or reward any other person for or in connection with the hunting of a wild animal.

A foreign client may not hunt any wild game in South Africa unless the hunt has been organised by a registered outfitter and provided that the client is guided by a registered professional hunter. This you probably have been told on countless occasions by prospective outfitter and PHs.

OUTFITTERS
Outfitters are required by law to provide the following basic services to their clients:

• The services of a licensed professional hunter.
• Hunting, skinning and trophy handling and dispatch services.
• Accommodation, storage, washing and sanitary conveniences.
• Catering, camp staff and cleaning services.
• Basic first aid services. All PHs are trained in basic first aid.
• Obtain the necessary permits for the client to be able to hunt the desired wild animals for each province and game ranch. Some animals especially the Big 5 need advance permits before they are allowed to be hunted or even advertised for hunting by the outfitter.
• Obtain the necessary permits for the client to convey or export the trophies from each province or the country.
• Must conclude a hunting contract (or remuneration agreement) with the client, prior to the commencement of the hunt, detailing duration of the hunt and daily fees payable, services covered by the daily fee, species offered and prices thereof and clients full details.
• An outfitter may not advertise or offer to a client to hunt, any species which the outfitter does not have prior permission from the owner of the land on which the animal occurs and from the relevant provincial authorities.

PROFESSIONAL HUNTERS - PHs
South Africa is perhaps the easiest country in Africa to become a registered PH. A comprehensive 14 day course from one of the hunting schools and you are qualified to lead foreign clients on a plains game hunt. There is no requirement to undergo an apprenticeship under a more experienced PH as in most of the other countries. This will change in the near future as PHASA and Nature Conservation authorities strive to institute an apprenticeship clause in the legislation governing PH's.

This has led to a proliferation of new PHs despondent with the South African job crisis and affirmative action. "An air-gun and a pick-up" seem to be the major requirements for this new wave of prospective hunter/conservationists who are creating strong competition much to the dismay of the more established outfitters and PHs. It is perhaps a natural stage in the cycle of the hunting industry in South Africa, especially with the amount of game increasing while the prices decrease.

• Not permitted to escort a client unless they are in the employ of an outfitter or are themselves an outfitter (in most provinces you cannot be an outfitter unless you are a PH and visa versa).
• May not escort more than two clients during a hunt unless it is for bird shooting.
• Must be present at all times during the hunting of a wild animal by the client.
• Must do everything within reason to make sure that the client complies with the hunting regulations pertaining to the area the hunt is taking place in.
• Must report to a police member or nature conservation officer within 24 hours, if it is suspected that the client has contravened any regulations.
• Is required to keep a hunting register containing each client's details, dates of the hunt, details of the ranches/land where the hunt took place and details about the species, sex and number of wild animals killed or wounded. A copy of the document must be signed and handed to the client upon termination of the hunt, and a copy is used by the outfitter to obtain export permits for the clients trophies.

Each outfitter and PH has a different opinion regarding the rifle you should bring. We say, there usually is no need to go out and buy a new rifle if your current calibre does not match that of the advice you have received. Most important is to be comfortable with your rifle.

All African game animals are tough, not just the Cape Buffalo, and no comparison should be made between the antelope here and the American and European species.

Always keep this in mind: You are not hunting to save the meat, you are trophy hunting and the prime goal is to put the animal down as quickly as possible.

As South Africa is primarily a plains game destination, your choice of rifle is simplified and means you probably do not have to go out and buy or borrow a rifle. Most medium calibre magnums will serve the hunter well with the most popular ranging between 30.06, 300 and 7mm magnums up to 375 magnum. If you are hunting buffalo, elephant, rhino or hippo your minimum starting calibre is the 375 Magnum.

The 375 Magnum is a very popular choice and is a good all round African rifle if you intend venturing further north. In fact many PHs will prefer their clients to use this calibre when hunting in areas where the bush is thick and heavy. It does count against you in the more open areas of South Africa like the Northern Cape, Free State, Eastern Cape and the Karoo while hunting alert species like gemsbok, springbok, mountain reedbuck, vaal rhebok and klipspringer.

Your ammunition should consist of medium to heavy grained soft nosed or ballistic tipped cartridges. Bring 20 to 50 rounds (depending on how you shoot!) in total, you can always take the surplus home with you. Ammunition for the popular standard calibres are available throughout the country for purchase but you may not always find the brand you prefer. MORE ABOUT BULLET PERFORMANCE & BULLET WEIGHT...

Most hunters make use of telescopic sights sighted in at between 100 - 200 yards. Sometimes your outfitter or PH may advise more depending on the hunting conditions and species. A quality set of optics is always recommended as your rifle is likely to take some knocks. For plainsgame calibres, 2 x 7 or 2.5 x 8 or 3 x 9 is a good choice. If you are hunting big game, a 1.5 x 5 scope with clip-off detachable mounts is a good idea.

Bring the rifle you shoot most comfortably with at home.

Category 1: Small game including blesbok and nyala ewe but excluding a Nyala bull. 40lb bow with minimum arrow weight of 400gr.

Category 2: Medium game including eland, giraffe, carnivores, bushpig, warthog, crocodile and baboon. 70lb bow with minimum arrow weight of 550gr

Category 3: Large game including buffalo, elephant, rhinoceros and hippopotamus. 80lb bow with minimum arrow weight of 700gr.

Crossbows may only be used to hunt Category 1 game. 

Only broadheads may be used.