WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM OUR HUNTING SAFARIS IN SOUTH AFRICA
Our safaris are a turnkey experience, with no hidden costs or surprises. From the moment you set foot in South Africa, we take care of everything.
YOUR HUNTING EXPERIENCE
ALWAYS INCLUDES
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Transport to and from all destinations
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Comfortable, high-quality lodging
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Delicious meals and drinks
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Hunting only on real wildlife ranches offering fair chase
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Expertly guided hunts with licensed professional hunters
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And of course, unlimited adventure and unforgettable experiences you’ll carry with you for a lifetime.
For many, hunting in South Africa is more than a bucket-list item - it's a deeply fulfilling experience that offers diversity, professionalism, comfort, and authenticity all in one package.
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Here’s what you can expect when
you hunt in the southern tip of the African continent
what to expect
Vast and varied landscapes
South Africa is a land of remarkable contrasts. From the thornveld of Limpopo, to the rolling plains of the Free State, the Highlands or Drakensberg ranges and the rugged Eastern Cape mountains, each region offers its own unique terrain, game species, and atmosphere. You'll hunt across hundreds - sometimes thousands - of hectares of game ranches, ranging from dense bushveld to open savanna, acacia forest, riverine valleys, or highveld grasslands.
These lands are privately owned, meticulously managed game ranches - with conservation and biodiversity at their core. South Africa’s commitment to wildlife conservation has made it home to one of the most successful models of sustainable hunting on our blue planet.
what to expect
Abundant game and
true variety
South Africa offers access to around hunt-able plains game species, including:
Large antelope
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Eland (Taurotragus oryx)
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Kudu (Greater Kudu) (Tragelaphus strepsiceros)
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Gemsbok (Oryx) (Oryx gazella) – native to arid regions like the Kalahari
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Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus)
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Roan Antelope (Hippotragus equinus) – rare, mostly in reserves
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Sable Antelope (Hippotragus niger)
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Nyala (Tragelaphus angasii)
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Hartebeest (Red Hartebeest) (Alcelaphus buselaphus caama)
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Tsessebe (Damaliscus lunatus lunatus)
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Blue Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus)
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Black Wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou)
Medium-sized antelope
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Impala (Aepyceros melampus)
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Blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi)
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Bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus) – endemic to coastal Fynbos regions
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Reedbuck (Common Reedbuck) (Redunca arundinum)
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Mountain Reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula)
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Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus)
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Lechwe (Kobus leche) – historically present in the extreme northeast
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Grey Rhebok (Pelea capreolus)
Small antelope (Tiny ten & others)
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Steenbok (Raphicerus campestris)
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Duiker (Common/Grey Duiker) (Sylvicapra grimmia)
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Blue Duiker (Philantomba monticola) – coastal forests
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Red Duiker (Cephalophus natalensis) – Zululand forests
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Klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus)
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Oribi (Ourebia ourebi)
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Sharpe’s Grysbok (Raphicerus sharpei) – extreme northeast
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Cape Grysbok (Raphicerus melanotis) – endemic to the Western Cape
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Suni (Neotragus moschatus) – forest undergrowth, northern KwaZulu-Natal
Other hunt-able indigenous plains game
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Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus)
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Bushpig (Potamochoerus larvatus)
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Baboon (Papio ursinus)
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Vervet Monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) – often not considered game, but may be hunted
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Ostrich (Struthio camelus)
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Porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis) – rarely hunted, but indigenous
For those seeking dangerous game, Buffalo hunting is a major drawcard, offering adrenaline, tradition, and a true test of skill.
Thanks to well-managed populations and habitat protection, your chances of a successful and fulfilling hunt are incredibly high, often far higher than equivalent hunts in other regions of the world.
what to expect
Experienced and ethical Professional Hunters (PHs)
Every international hunter is accompanied by a licensed Professional Hunter (PH) - a skilled guide, tracker, and host all in one. South African PH’s undergo formal training, field testing, and must be registered with provincial authorities.
Your PH:
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Knows the terrain intimately
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Is trained in ballistics, field judging, and tracking
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Prioritises ethical shot placement and fair chase
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Is fluent in English and experienced with overseas hunters
You’re not just hiring a guide, you’re gaining a partner in the hunt who will help you get the most from every moment in the bush.
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what to expect
High-quality outfitters and lodging
Most South African outfitters take pride in offering world-class service and hospitality. Accommodations range from luxurious lodges to cozy bush camps - always clean, comfortable, and offering hearty meals, warm fires, and cold drinks after a day in the field.
Outfitters handle everything, from picking you up at the airport, to firearm permits, guiding, skinning and caping trophies, and facilitating your return travel.
what to expect
Legal, regulated, and transparent
South Africa is one of the most legally regulated hunting destinations in the world. All game ranches and outfitters must comply with provincial and national environmental laws, and all hunts require proper permits and record-keeping.
You can expect:
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Full compliance with CITES and U.S. Fish & Wildlife for trophy export
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Ethical practices aligned with fair chase principles
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Professional outfitters registered with PHASA (Professional Hunters’ Association of South Africa)
This legal framework ensures both conservation integrity and peace of mind for international hunters.
The big question!
Why would you book your hunt through us?
Because we're not just selling hunts - we're facilitating life-changing experiences.
At Hunter’s Trail, we believe an African safari should be accessible, authentic, and unforgettable - not overpriced, rushed, or riddled with compromises. That’s why we do things differently.
We prioritise the experience over profits.
We’re not here to squeeze every cent out of a deal. We're here to give you a story worth telling. That means:
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No cutting corners
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No inflated prices
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No pushing for animals you don’t want to shoot
We work closely with ethical, seasoned Professional Hunters (PHs) and outfitters who live and breathe the bush - people who understand fair chase, respect the land, and care about every detail of your experience.
We only work with the best.
Every outfitter and PH we partner with is personally vetted. These aren’t just names on a list - they’re people we trust, with reputations built on years of experience, honesty, and solid client satisfaction. If we wouldn’t hunt with them ourselves, they don’t make the cut.
Fair prices. Real value.
We believe every hunter - even the seasonal, budget-conscious one - deserves the chance to hunt in Africa without having to remortgage your house.
We structure our packages to provide true value for money, without compromising on safety, comfort, or the quality of the hunt.
Start as a client.
Leave as a friend.
Our goal is simple: to be your long-term hunting partner in Africa. We want you to come once and fall so in love with the experience that you come back - maybe with a brother, a son, or a buddy. Maybe next time you’ll explore a new region, pursue new game, or bring your family along.
From day one, we look after your budget, your experience, and your well-being - so you can return home safely, soul full, rifle empty, and heart pounding with stories to tell.
