When it comes to hunting, Africa remains the best of the best in terms of top hunting destinations worldwide. Whether you are looking to target specialty game, the Big 5, or even the Tiny 10, Africa’s variety of wild game has hunting safari enthusiasts gobsmacked at its diversity. There is something about hunting in Africa that has hunters returning year after year. I think Brian Jackman (freelance author and travel writer) summed it up perfectly when he said, “Everything in Africa bites, but the safari bug is worst of all.”

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Best Game Hunting Destinations in Africa

When we talk about hunting in Africa, there are many beautiful, challenging, and truly magnificent hunting safari destinations strewn across this vast continent. From Kenya’s great Serengeti plains seeming with African plains game, Mozambique’s famous Chobe River with its infamous hippos and man-eating Nile crocodiles, through to Namibia’s renowned Caprivi Strip, famous for hunting water-loving big game and dangerous game, Africa has it all!

But there is only one game hunting destination that stands out head and shoulders above the rest, where not only the abundance of wildlife and hunting challenges set it apart, but its people and rich cultural diversity creep into visitors’ hearts and minds. And that is a hunting safari in South Africa!

Enjoying your hunting safari in South Africa

Hunting in South Africa remains a dream for many game hunters worldwide. Often referred to as the “rainbow nation,” South Africa remains the place to visit for game hunting safaris. It offers hunters an abundance of wildlife hunting choices, including the notorious Big 5, the deadly Dangerous 7, African plains game, African cats, and specialty animals.

The country offers a sunny, accommodating climate, a variety of hunting destinations, targets, and hunting methods to challenge the best of the best, along with friendly people, delicious cuisine, and African sunsets second to none!

Why choose a hunting safari in South Africa?

The pure mesmerizing variety of wildlife in the country is the first reason to choose South Africa! The primary reason for a hunting safari is to hunt, so the chosen destination NEEDS to “uithaal en wys!” (show what it’s got or made of!), as they say in Afrikaans! South Africa offers such diversity in both its fauna and flora. It remains one of the only countries where both the African plains game plus Africa’s Big 5 game can be hunted while offering exceptional trophy animals.

South Africa is seen as safe from the viewpoint of a hunting safari in South Africa. Most game hunting safaris in South Africa see hunters flying into OR Tambo International in Johannesburg and they are either collected straight from the airport or from a guest house the following day and taken directly to the final hunting destination. They don’t frequent cities and the hunting destination is usually a few hours’ drive away, in remote or rural towns or outlying areas.

South Africa has the advantage of many of the following world-class amenities when compared with other African countries:

• Good communication infrastructure and networks.
• English is widely spoken, allowing communication that is a first language for a lot of hunters.
• South Africa boasts modern, first-rate airports with good international airline connections as well as many smaller, regional airlines available for domestic travel;
• Should the need occur, there are hi-tech, advanced private medical and trauma facilities situated throughout the country.
• It provides hunters with a value-for-money game hunting destination, offering world-class hunting trophies.
• World-class infrastructure including transport systems, law enforcement, communications, healthcare, and so forth.

South Africa as a Choice Game Hunting Safari Destination

South African Fast Facts

• Size: 471,358 square miles
• Population: 60,41million
• Official Languages: English, isiZulu, isiXhosa, isiNdebele, Afrikaans, Siswati, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Tshivenda, and Xitsonga
• The country shares borders with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, and Mozambique. It also surrounds the Kingdom of Lesotho. To the west, south, and east, South Africa borders the Atlantic and southern Indian oceans.
• Provinces: Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, North West, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and Free State
• Currency: Rands (ZAR) (100 cents in one Rand)

Traveling to South Africa

Do I require vaccinations for my African hunting safari?

The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all routine vaccinations are updated, and current with nothing outstanding.  See https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/index.html

When traveling to South Africa, the CDC specifically recommends the following vaccinations be administered before travel:

• Hepatitis A & B vaccinations
• Covid-19 vaccination
• Typhoid
• Yellow Fever
• Rabies
• Cholera

When traveling to South Africa, one of the more popular routes now, from anywhere worldwide due to their large fleet and fast connections, seems to be on Emirates Airlines, via Dubai, landing at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

South Africa’s two other international airports are:

• Cape Town International Airport (Cape Town)
• King Shaka International Airport (Durban)

If you hold an American passport, you do not require a visa for entry to South Africa for your game hunting safari. For further information see: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/SouthAfrica.html

Domestic travel within South Africa is available through various low-cost airlines. At the same time, there are many regional airlines for flights onto Africa and even small charter flights, should those be your preferred method of transport.

Where are the best destinations within South Africa for a game hunting safari?

The country is divided into nine different provinces, namely the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Limpopo, Northern Cape, North West, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, and Mpumalanga. South Africa has a large diversity of fauna and flora, allowing game hunting enthusiasts different hunting experiences and targets in different provinces. For example, should you be interested in hunting gemsbok, then the Northern Cape is a prime hunting destination, while kudu is best targeted in Mpumalanga. Having said that, South Africa’s Limpopo province remains the hub for all things hunting and a top choice for hunters worldwide.

Which species are the most popular when hunting in South Africa?

No hunting safari in South Africa would be complete without mentioning the Big 5, namely the lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo. Seen as the most challenging of all animals to hunt on foot, these big, bad, and dangerous animals are all available to hunt in South Africa. These Big 5 game animals, apart from being the most difficult to hunt, are also seen as the most dangerous, with each species challenging the hunters’ skills differently. Add to these the hippo and man-eating Nile crocodile, and you have the Dangerous 7, ready for hunting in South Africa.

It is home to many plains game and big game antelope species that remain exceptionally popular and are commonly targeted when safari hunting in South Africa, including gemsbok, kudu, eland, springbok, blesbok, impala, and wildebeest.

What is the average duration of South African hunting packages?

South African hunting packages range in duration from a couple of days to a week or two, or even longer. It all depends on how many species you are targeting or whether you are combining a hunt with a couple of species. Home to many species of wildlife, outfitters can offer a range of South African hunting packages to meet the hunter’s aspirations, hunting objectives, and budget.

Typically, you can expect the following in terms of hunt durations:

• Lion hunt: 7-14 days
• Elephant Hunt: 14-21 days
• Cape buffalo Hunt: 7-10 days
• Leopard Hunt: 14-21 days
• Rhino Hunt: 7 days
• Hippo Hunt: 7-10 days
• Plains game (general): 7-14 days, dependent on the species and how many animals the client wants to hunt

While hunting packages are readily available starting from a couple of thousand dollars and heading upwards quite progressively, there are hunting outfitters who will put together a custom hunting package for you, based on your desired species to be hunted, location, and budget. If you don’t ask, you won’t know!

When is the best time to hunt in South Africa?

The best time to undertake a hunting safari in South Africa is during the cooler winter months, with the peak hunting season being from June to August. This is when the southern hemisphere experiences winter, where warmer daytime temperatures can range between 60º-75ºF, while nighttime temperatures drop much lower. Early mornings and evenings are at times exceptionally cold (according to sunny South African standards!), with temperatures between 30-50ºF being the norm. Hunters on a hunting safari in South Africa will do well to pack warmer jackets and clothing items that will be put to good use when out and about on early morning game drives before the sun is out to warm the area.

South Africa boasts spectacular summer weather throughout the country, with temperatures easily reaching 95ºF or more, depending on your location. Early morning and late nights are mild at around 60-70ºF, perfect for enjoying some South African hospitality in the form of the famous braai, or barbecue as it is known abroad. Most of the country is a summer rainfall area, which then leaves the wilderness areas and bushveld lush, and green, with tall bush that is at times a challenge when hunting in South Africa.

Should I book my hunting safari in South Africa through a hunting broker?

The answer to this question is a resounding yes. Hunting brokers have access to a wealth of information, as well as personal experience, and are best able to match you, with a professional African outfitter who will be meet your specific requirements and ensure that your game hunting African adventure is one that you will never forget, based on what you want from your game hunting experience.

A hunting broker is in the unique position of knowing what is available through various outfitters, or who is perhaps running specials on specific hunts or destinations. He has also been in the hunter’s shoes, looking for a game hunting package to suit his requirements, species, budget, and choice of destination, and can best match the client with the outfitter.

Don’t forget your pre- or post-hunt safari excursions!

South Africa is a land rich in heritage and culture and provides travelers with a kaleidoscope of activities, excursions, and experiences (after a fantastic hunting adventure of course!).

Add some pre- or post-game hunting adventures to your itinerary. Some of the more popular tourism activities in South Africa include, amongst others:

• Cape Town: No visit to South Africa is complete without a visit to the fairest Cape, home of Table Mountain, the famous V&A Waterfront, Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated, and the Cape Winelands.
• Sun City: Situated in the Pilansberg area, the Sun City Resort offers travelers exquisite accommodation, casino entertainment, a water theme park, and game viewing opportunities.
• Go on a Sowetan tour, including a visit to nearby taverns to enjoy local beer, and braai (barbeque) and experience the vibe of the township.
• Drakensberg Mountains: The Drakensberg Mountains are more than 3400m above sea level. One of the most rugged areas of South Africa, it is known for the Tugela Falls, the world’s second-highest waterfall.
• Beautiful Beaches: South Africa is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world! From Clifton Beach in the Cape to Durban’s famous beaches and rickshaws, no trip to South Africa is complete without catching some rays on the sand!
• Apartheid Museum: Situated in Johannesburg, this museum opened in 2001 and documented the rise and fall of apartheid, how races were divided, and how changes were made to the country’s government.

Make that booking now!

Hunting in South Africa provides hunters with an unforgettable hunting adventure, offering a variety of game hunting species to target. The country has many excellent game hunting trophies that annually attract thousands of visitors to its shores.

Further information about African Safari Hunts, and about hunting adventures in South Africa.