HUNTER’S TRAIL PRESENTS
htk safaris
Mannerheim Ranch • The Kalahari, South Africa
Professional Hunter: Brendan Jonker
Where the red sands of the Kalahari stretch to the horizon and the silence of the bush is broken only by the call of a black-backed jackal, a hunting experience like no other awaits.
HTK Safaris, owned and operated by Professional Hunter Brendan Jonker, offers an authentic Kalahari hunting adventure on Mannerheim Ranch — just short of 10 000 acres of pristine, free-range wilderness in the heart of South Africa’s Kalahari region. This is real hunting country — vast, open savannah dotted with hardy camel thorn acacias, red sand dunes, natural waterholes, and game as tough and resilient as the land itself.
Hunter’s Trail has personally vetted HTK Safaris and is proud to recommend them as one of our selected outfitters. From the quality of the hunt to the warmth of the hospitality, Brendan and his team deliver on every front.
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the ranch
Mannerheim Ranch is a privately owned, dedicated game ranch of approximately 3 000 hectares (just under 10 000 acres) situated in the Kalahari. The property is owned by Harry Claassens and managed as a pure game ranch and every hectare is committed to wildlife and conservation.
The terrain is classic Kalahari - open savannah with scattered acacia trees, deep red sand underfoot, and wide-open horizons that stretch as far as the eye can see. Unlike the dense bushveld of Limpopo or the rolling lowveld, the Kalahari offers vast, sweeping landscapes where solitude and space are part of the experience. In summer the grasses flourish and game disperses across the property; in the drier months, animals congregate around pans and waterholes, making for unforgettable encounters.
Water is supplied through a network of natural mud holes and a few round cement waterholes It is only during winter months, the team provides supplementary salt licks and minerals to keep the animals in peak condition. The philosophy is simple: keep it natural!
the hunt
Hunting with HTK Safaris is a fair-chase affair in every sense. Animals roam freely across the ranch, living with a natural wariness of humans just as they would with any predator. There is no hunting from vehicles and no pen-raised game. Every trophy is earned through patience, skill, and persistence - exactly the way it should be.
the hunt
species available
Mannerheim Ranch is home to over 30 huntable species, offering an exceptional selection of plains game and dangerous game. Species on offer include Kudu, Gemsbok, Eland, Sable, Roan, Blue Wildebeest, Black Wildebeest, Red Hartebeest, Blesbok, Common and White Springbok, Impala, Burchell’s Zebra, Waterbuck, Nyala, Lechwe (Red), Warthog, Giraffe, Duiker (Grey), Porcupine, Caracal, and Jackal. For those seeking the ultimate challenge, African Buffalo is also available on the property.
There are no seasonal restrictions or species exclusions — all listed species are available throughout the hunting season.
the hunt
hunting methods
Rifle hunting (including handgun) and bow hunting (including crossbow) are both offered. All waterholes are equipped with blinds purpose-built for bow hunters.
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the hunt
A Typical Day in the Field
As the sun breaks over the escarpment, hunters gather for fresh coffee and rusks — a light, traditional start to fuel the early hours. Rifles, shooting sticks, and gear are loaded onto the safari vehicle, and the day begins. With the wind checked and direction chosen, the party sets out into the veld.
The hunting is walk-and-stalk: driving slowly to pick up tracks and signs, then dismounting to follow spoor on foot with your Professional Hunter. Sometimes the trail runs cold and you return to the vehicle to push deeper into the wilderness. But when the spoor holds, you track carefully, closing the distance until the moment of truth presents itself.
By midday, it’s back to camp for a hearty lunch and time to rest. The afternoon session repeats the process - patience and persistence are the Kalahari hunter’s greatest allies, and they always pay off in the end. As the last light fades, you return to camp, refresh, and settle in for dinner and an evening around the boma fire, swapping stories of the day’s hunt while the night fills with the sounds of the Kalahari — jackals yipping, owls calling, and sometimes the haunting whoop of a distant hyena.
the hunt
Group Size & Guiding
HTK Safaris accommodates a maximum of 8 hunting guests per excursion, operating on a 2-on-1 basis (two hunters per Professional Hunter). With four PHs and four vehicles running simultaneously, the ranch offers exclusive use - your party will have sole access to the entire property for the duration of your trip.
THE LODGE & CAMP LIFE
After a long day in the Kalahari sun, where you rest matters. HTK Safaris’ lodge features eight air-conditioned bungalows, each with its own en-suite bathroom. Four of the rooms can be interconnected for families travelling with children. Rooms are serviced daily with full housekeeping and laundry available throughout your stay. Wi-Fi is available in camp.
The camp also offers a swimming pool, a boma and lapa area for evening gatherings, a gym, and an open bar - no rules, no set times, just genuine Kalahari hospitality. The Professional Hunters double as your bartenders, making sure you are in good company, refreshed and the conversation never runs dry.
Evenings at the Boma
A typical evening at HTK Safaris begins with a hot shower and a change of clothes, followed by drinks at the boma. The day’s highs and lows are relived around the fire - what went right, what to do differently tomorrow, and what the game plan looks like for the next day. A barbecue is prepared, dinner is served, and hunting stories flow freely as friendships are forged. Much of the meat served in camp is game meat from the ranch, so guests get to taste the very animals they’ve hunted - a connection to the land that few experiences can match.
the table
Food at HTK Safaris is traditional South African, farm-style, and built around game meat. The cooking is done by family and the meals are generous, hearty, and deeply authentic.
breakfast
A light, self-service spread: cereals, toast, fresh fruit, muffins, and freshly baked eggs for those who want them. Coffee is always running.
lunch
The main meal of the day — a full spread of meat, vegetables, fresh bread or chips, potatoes, or rice. Well balanced with salads and greens.
dinner
Dinner starts with good wine and features game meat with vegetables and a starch, followed by a traditional South African dessert. Think classic pumpkin pie, “aartappelgereg,” or “paptert” — the kind of food that’s been shared around South African braai fires for generations.
during the hunt
Biltong, droëwors, chips, cookies, and rusks are always on hand at the coffee station, along with snacks for the field.
Dietary requirements, allergies, and food preferences are accommodated — an information sheet is sent to guests ahead of their trip.
FOR FAMILIES &
NON-HUNTERS
HTK Safaris is an outstanding choice for families and couples travelling together. While the hunters are out in the field, there is plenty to keep everyone else entertained and relaxed.
A day spa is available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays (advance booking required). Wine tasting evenings are arranged for guests at camp or out in the hunting area for sundowners with a view. Arts and crafts activities are organised for children. Guests also have the option to visit local communities, hand out donated clothing and supplies, and share harvested meat - a meaningful way to give back and connect with the conservation story behind the hunt.
TROPHIES & TAXIDERMY
Trophy care is taken seriously at HTK Safaris. Every animal is tagged at the skinning shed immediately after harvest, with a full double-check conducted on the final day. Field preparation, skinning, and salting are all handled on-site and included in the package pricing.
Guests can choose from European mounts, flat skins, shoulder mounts, or full mounts — the decision can be made during the hunt. Taxidermy is available through Moredou Taxidermy in South Africa or Double Nickle in the United States, or guests can nominate their own preferred taxidermist. Delivery to Moredou is complimentary.
For export to the USA, HTK Safaris works with ProCargo USA, a trusted importer based in Texas who handles all logistics and paperwork on behalf of the client, removing the complexity and risk from the process.
FIREARMS & AMMUNITION
Guests are welcome to bring their own rifles — HTK Safaris assists with all firearm import paperwork and permits, and a shooting range is available on-site to sight in your rifle on arrival.
For those who prefer to travel light, hire rifles are available in .243, .308, .30-06, and .375 calibres at $25 per day, ammunition included.
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
HTK Safaris takes pride in quality trophy photography, which is included as standard with every hunt. For guests who want their safari professionally filmed, a dedicated camera operator is available as an add-on at approximately $350 per day.
GETTING THERE
Guests are collected from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg by Brendan or one of his Professional Hunters in a double-cab safari vehicle. Ground transfers are available at $250 per person from Johannesburg or $180 per person from Kimberley.
For those wanting to reduce travel time, an airstrip is located approximately 45 minutes from camp, and charter flights can be arranged at an additional cost.
If flights are delayed or disrupted, the team works to accommodate guests as best as possible — extending stays where feasible and always prioritising the client’s experience.
PACKAGES & PRICING
HTK Safaris operates on a custom-package model. Rather than rigid, one-size-fits-all offerings, we would first like to understand each guests wish list and then build a tailored hunt based on their specific goals, species wish list, and budget. Our quotes are competitive, and promise an experience of a lifetime.
All packages include lodging, meals, drinks, daily laundry, and trophy preparation. Taxidermy, export, and ground transfers are excluded but fully assisted.
featured hunt
Kalahari Kudu Safari
6 nights / 5 hunting days
Kudu, Red Hartebeest, Warthog, and Duiker or Steenbok.
All-inclusive of lodging, meals, drinks, and trophy preparation.
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featured hunt
First-Timer’s Safari
6 nights / 5 hunting days
Gemsbok, Impala, Springbok, Warthog, and Steenbok or Duiker.
Designed as the perfect introduction to African hunting.
featured hunt
Buffalo Hunt
6 nights / 5 hunting days
All-inclusive with trophy fee for one buffalo.
$10 500 for a buffalo under 40″; $12 500 for a buffalo 40″–43″.
featured hunt
Sable Hunt
6 nights / 5 hunting days
All-inclusive with trophy fee for one sable.
$6 500 for sable under 40″; $7 500 for sable 40″–45″.
CONTACT & ENQUIRIES
To book your Kalahari hunting safari or to request a custom package quote: