Wherever one may choose for your game hunting destination in Africa, you will inevitably find yourself staying in a safari hunting camp or lodge. The condition and state of the accommodation are undeniably important to ensure the quality of the game hunting safari as a whole. Whether it’s after a long day of tracking elephants through the Okavango Delta or glassing the mountainsides of the Eastern Cape for gray rhebok, coming back to a warm fire, hearty home-cooked meal and a comfortable pillow to rest one’s head makes a world of difference between a good hunting safari and an exceptional game hunting experience.
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The Difference Between Camps and Hunting Lodges in Africa
The main difference between a camp and a lodge is that a camp is made up of tents and a lodge is a building. A game hunting camp can be luxurious, or it can be fairly basic with the essentials provided. A safari hunting lodge is generally a much more luxurious set-up than a hunting camp. Hunting lodges in Africa typically have other activities available, such as spa treatments as well as outdoor activities other than hunting, such as fishing, walking, mountain biking trails, and birdwatching sites.
A camping situation provides a more rustic and closer experience to nature but is not always necessarily “roughing it.” Many safari camp setups are referred to as “glamping,” meaning glamorous camping. They are often just as well set up as a lodge, supplied with everything one could think of to ensure the most comfortable and luxurious camping experience during your African game hunting safari.
The Ideal Game Hunting Camp
The ideal safari hunting camp has a few non-negotiable essentials:
- Electricity – whether it be solar power or from a generator electricity is always important.
- Water – water is often a challenge, either a well is created, or water is manually brought in using tanks.
- Ablutions – the quality of ablution and bathing/shower facilities makes a significant difference and is essential.
- Tents – all hunting camps will have tents, but the quality and type of tent are important. A quality hunting camp is generally equipped with well-built sturdy canvas tents, not a nylon option.
- A campfire – one can easily build a fire in the sand after clearing vegetation, or a fire pit can be created. Either way, a campfire is a non-negotiable for a hunting safari in Africa!
After ensuring the essentials have been catered for, there are some other important camp aspects of a hunting safari in Africa:
- Location: The first aspect is the location of the camp. As many hunting camps are not permanent structures, they can be moved when seen fit. The most ideal location is in a shaded area which is generally under a group of tall trees. Even better is a shaded area as such with a view like a waterhole, open landscape, or riverbed. This allows for the luxury of engaging with nature and the animals at their leisure. It must be noted that camp is not a suitable area to hunt in, shooting an animal in camp is considered unethical and disrespectful to the wildlife that call the area home. This is a chance to truly appreciate the beauty of wildlife and not focus on the hunt, but just appreciate the wonder that is nature.
- Mess Tent or Dining Area: Secondly, a mess tent or dining area is one step closer to the ideal camp. With a proper dining set-up guests dine at a table with chairs, making the whole experience more comfortable.
- Staff: Finally, a staff force of helping hands is always helpful. After hunting hard under the African sun one tends to find themselves a little extra tired, someone to cook meals, tidy camp, and care for the guests is always helpful.
What is A Safari Hunting Fly Camp?
- A game hunting fly camp is very different from the general idea of a camp. It is not at all luxurious and provides the bare essentials.
- A fly camp is used in large concessions and hunting areas when moving between camps that are far apart or temporarily hunting in an area for a short period that is not equipped with a camp.
- A fly camp is generally only used for a maximum of three to four days, as this is considered as “roughing it.”
- There is no electricity unless a portable inverter charged by solar panels or a generator is brought along.
- There is no well to tap into natural ground water, water must be brought along or one may set up a fly camp near a water source. This is, however, certainly not recommended as hippos and crocodiles almost always occupy these natural waters. Water from a portable tank is a much safer option.
- There are no ablutions on a fly camp, business is normally done in a hole that will be filled. There is no shower or bath to get clean, however a bucket and cloth prove to suffice to clean the important areas!
Tents are however a must, otherwise, you might wake up to a hyena nibbling on your toes! Canvas tents are easy to set up and take down and can be done quickly by an experienced camper, and packed well into the back of a hunting truck.
Wherever you may set up a fly camp, you can generally count on the campfire. Food is normally prepared using the campfire coals as a barbeque or locally known across Africa as a “braai,” a traditional Afrikaans word born in South Africa.
Do not let the idea of experiencing a fly camp deter you from a hunting safari in Africa, one can always avoid it by arranging with the outfitter to stay in a lodge or a more suitable camp. However, the experience of a fly camp does prove to be raw and real, right up and close to nature, and can be an amazing experience. This is the best opportunity to have up-close experiences with wildlife as animals are curious by nature, and do not typically see canvas tents every day, meaning they will inevitably approach and investigate.
Game Hunting Lodges in Africa: A Luxurious Treat
A safari hunting adventure where one stays in a lodge is one step in the direction of a luxury experience. Game hunting in Africa can often be a weary experience for someone who is not familiar with the environment and has not experienced Africa before.
For this type of first-timer, these types of hunting lodges in Africa are a good choice to ensure a comfortable experience. Many of these lodges are graded as three stars and above, which is a much more luxurious experience than that of staying in a tent and doing one’s business in a hole!
To stay in such a lodge is not just a hunting experience but it is an all-around African safari experience, and the memories will stay with you forever. This is also the ideal type of accommodation when bringing one’s spouse on the game hunting safari trip, ensuring that they feel loved and appreciated while you are out on your African hunt, targeting your trophy game animal!
The luxury of having modern ablutions, comfortable sleeping arrangements, and delectable meals will keep the romance alive, and let them feel thoroughly spoiled while you are out hunting in Africa. Yes, game hunting in Africa is one activity, but the natural environment has so much more to offer.
Africa is home to thousands of species of fish, both freshwater and marine fish species which make an unforgettable angling experience to add to your game hunting adventure. Many safari hunting companies offer surf and turf experiences, this is where the guest may experience the hunt on land, chasing African plains game and dangerous African big game, as well as hitting the sea waters and chasing the monsters of the deep blue sea – and hopefully bag the big one that got away!
Guests of hunting lodges in Africa may also have the opportunity to experience a photographic safari, essentially the same as one would a hunting safari. The animals are tracked according to species and what the guest wants to encounter, but in the final moments instead of squeezing a trigger, one pushes a camera button to preserve one specific and unique wildlife encounter forever.
This is also an alternative activity to experience if one brings companions who don’t want to hunt, they can still have an incredible wildlife experience and soak in the unique beauty that is Africa. Photographic safaris are a massive contributor to supporting the wildlife and safari industry but do fall short of being the dominant fundraiser.
Hunting in trips in Africa supports conservation efforts on a global scale, many people who judge the activity of game hunting activities don’t understand this, but statistics do not lie. A hunting lodge is just one aspect of the hunting experience but plays an important role in ensuring the quality of the hunting safari in Africa as a whole.
Hunting in Africa
Hunting in South Africa is undeniably a once-in-a-lifetime experience, except that every hunter who hunts in South Africa always wants to return for another game hunting adventure! South Africa has the most diverse wildlife system of all other countries. It is also considered to be the hunting hub of Africa, with a well-deserved reputation as there are endless species to hunt in this diverse landscape.
The country is also home to numerous different hunting environments and vegetation biomes, all home to unique species. Hunting in South Africa is a way of life for many South Africans as well, there are hundreds of outfitting companies from which to choose when booking a game hunting safari, and these companies rely solely on international clients who wish to fulfil their safari dreams.
Hunting in South Africa is set apart from other countries for numerous reasons:
- An almost endless array of game hunting species are on offer, more than many other countries can offer international hunters.
- The most well-established and widest variety of outfitters to provide an outstanding safari hunting experience.
- Genetically superior game animals, as game animals are specifically bred to be bigger, stronger – and meaner!
- A huge variety of ecosystems and hunting areas from which to choose.
- Angling experiences are easily available for an alternative African experience.
- A variety of National Parks to visit for both hunting and photographic safari experiences.
- Nature-based experiences apart from hunting expeditions are bountiful.
- South Africa is also tops when it comes to sharing their beautiful country with international visitors and tourists. They are always happy to meet and make new friends and their warmth, kindness and superb hospitality are renowned.
Exclusive Camps and Hunting Lodges In Africa
Hunting in South Africa and throughout Africa alike is a widespread and well-known activity. However, there are many other wildlife and nature-based experiences. A photographic safari is an excellent alternative to a hunting safari. Walking trails offer the experience of walking through the wilderness, tracking wildlife, and having close-up encounters with both African plains game species and dangerous game alike. A walking trail is conducted by a certified guide, this guide by law requires them to be competent to protect their guests in any dangerous situation that the African wilderness may throw at them.
They are armed with a big-bore rifle in case of a charge from a dangerous game. A second guide is a backup to the lead guide, generally positioned at the back of the group to protect the guests from the rear. Apart from walking trails, guests to the African landscape can also attend other activities that are focused on relaxation, such as spa day treatments for ladies and gents who need to let their hair down and experience some much-needed TLC. It’s tough living in Africa!
Birding, more commonly known as bird watching, is a well-practiced activity throughout Africa. Thousands of avian species call Africa home, as well as many species that migrate seasonally into specific areas. Watching these creatures go about their daily business is both therapeutic and relaxing. Many camps and hunting lodges in Africa focus solely on birding expeditions and safaris. These safaris include walking through forests, savannas, and alluvial thickets in the coastal regions of Southern Africa. Or one may choose to have an assortment of drinks and snacks prepared and rest under a tree or at a waterhole, observing the African birdlife. Africa has numerous classes of birds, from predatory raptors who prey on small mammals, reptiles, and other birds, to water birds, social community birds, and many more.
If this has whetted your appetite to visit Africa for some game hunting experiences, read more about South Africa or recent African plains game and dangerous game hunting safaris undertaken by our team.
Author: Keenan van Wyk Conservationist & Professional Hunter