ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

Hunting in South Africa presents a unique set of challenges, given the extreme variations in hunting habitats. The conditions and preparations differ based on factors such as the average shooting distance and visibility, which can vary greatly between savannah, shrubland, brush, and wetland areas. These differences also affect the choice of rifle calibre.

For this plains game hunting safari, we chose to explore the Karoo Desert region, known for its diverse population of antelope. The young hunters in our group were used to shooting at distances of around 100 yards in thick brush areas, such as the Waterberg Mountains in Limpopo. We decided to take them out of their comfort zone for a new experience.

The Karoo, aside from a few random koppies (hills), is largely flat, with vegetation dominated by dwarf and succulent shrubs. It is also renowned for its Springbuck (grand slam), Gemsbuck, and Black Wildebeest hunts.

If you are planning a hunting safari in South Africa Click Here, and if the Karoo is your destination of choice, be prepared for shots fired at distances greater than 250 yards, with averages in certain areas ranging from 350 to 600 yards. Understanding your rifle’s ballistic data is crucial. Time spent at a long-range shooting range is valuable for hunters needing to adjust to the conditions of the Karoo and to build confidence. Shot placement and accuracy are critical, as animals like Gemsbuck and Black Wildebeest are tough. While a lung shot is fatal, these large antelope can cover miles, leaving little in the way of a blood spoor.

On this hunting safari, we used a .300 Win Mag loaded with 180-grain Hornady ELDX bullets and a CZ 7.62x39mm, the same calibre as the infamous AK-47. The AK-47 was originally designed by Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov, a Russian tank driver, in 1938 and was first produced in 1947.

If an African hunting safari in the Karoo, South Africa, is something you’re considering for the future, it comes highly recommended. Just remember to pack warm clothes, and be sure to ask your chef to prepare a delicious meal of grilled Springbuck backstraps over an open fire.

Planning a hunting safari in South Africa? Click Here for more details.