Game Hunting in South Africa
Often referred to as the “rainbow nation,” South Africa is known as the premier hunting destination in Africa. Every hunter should visit the country at least once in their lifetime. Located at the tip of Africa, South Africa is thé place to visit for game hunting safaris. From the African plains game and specialty game to the menacing Big 5 and Dangerous 7, South Africa has them all! Like a child with a menu, you can pick and choose which animal best challenges you and set yourself the goal to meet them on their own turf and rumble!
From lush vegetation and perfect hunting weather to traditional braais (BBQs) at your base camp with a lion roaring in the distance, Africa gets under your skin! Maybe it’s the sun, maybe it’s the sea, maybe it’s the thought that you are so close to your prized game hunting trophy…But whatever it may be, I guarantee you that after one visit, you will be back. Once the bug has bitten (figuratively I promise for those who are concerned!), you will be planning your next hunting safari in South Africa, safe in the knowledge that nothing comes close to the thrill and exhilaration of game hunting adventures, under starry African skies!
South Africa at a Glance
- Size: 471,358 square miles
- Population: 59.62 million
Official - Languages: English, isiZulu, isiXhosa, isiNdebele, Afrikaans, Siswati, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Tshivenda, and Xitsonga
- Location: The country shares borders with Namibia, Botswana, and 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)
- Government: Constitutional multiparty democracy, with three spheres – local, provincial, and national government.
- Capital Cities: Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative), Bloemfontein (judicial)
Climate & Topography
- South Africa is comprised of a large central plateau that is home to extensive grasslands, a continuous escarpment of mountain ranges that surround the plateau on the west, south, and east, and a narrow strip of low-lying land along the coastline.
- The country is located on a drought belt and is the fifth most water-scarce country within the sub-Sahara African region.
South Africa has both sub-tropical and temperate climate conditions, which are influenced by the ocean along the east and west coasts as well as the interior plateaus, bringing a cool, wet climate in the Drakensberg region, to warm, sub-tropical in the northeast, and a Mediterranean climate in the southwest and a warm desert environment in the central west and northwest. - South Africa’s average rainfall is 18.2 inches, with the western side of the country having their rainfall in the winter months (June-August) and the remainder of the country having summer rainfall (December-February);
- Temperatures range from 59-96.8°F in the summer and 28-78.8°F in the cooler winter months.
South African Game Hunting Safaris
Why Choose to Hunt in South Africa?
South Africa is renowned as the best destination for African hunts, offering game hunting enthusiasts a range of game species unrivaled elsewhere on the continent! It is one of the only countries worldwide where both the African plains game plus Africa’s Big 5 game can be hunted while offering exceptional trophy animals throughout the country.
Apart from the game hunting options on offer, South Africa is also seen as safe when compared to other African countries, with the added advantages of:
- State-of-the-art private medical and trauma facilities throughout the country;
- World-class infrastructure;
- Reliable, safe domestic airlines for travel within the country, or the option of charter flights to reach your destination quickly and safely;
- Ultramodern international airports allow for easy arrival and departure from a South African safari hunt;
- English is widely spoken, allowing hunters to feel more relaxed in terms of communication
- Value for money
Best Hunting Destinations in Africa!
Traveling to South Africa on a Game Hunting Safari
South Africa is a safe destination for your African hunting safari. Your African outfitter will typically collect you directly from the airport or at your choice hotel or guest house. After pick up, the outfitter will typically take you directly to the game hunting destination, which is usually outside of the major cities and metropolitan areas. Most, if not the majority, of the hunting destinations are in remote areas, away from cities that experience crime.
South Africa is home to numerous international airports, allowing visitors easy and safe access when arriving or departing the country.
Visitors will arrive at one of three international airports:
- OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg);
- 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 on your African hunt. Click here for more Travel Information.
When is the Best Tme to Hunt in South Africa?
The best time to enjoy a hunting safari in South Africa is during the cooler autumn and winter months. During the peak hunting months of June, July, and August, the southern hemisphere experiences winter. Mornings and nights can be quite cold, especially during the early mornings, and before the sun makes its appearance. The average winter temperatures in the evenings or early mornings can drop as low as 30°F to 50°F. Daytime temperatures range between 60°F and 75°F, with the days being sunny and mild.
The summer months of December –February usually experience mild weather during the nights and early mornings, with temperatures around 60-70°F. Daytime temperatures during the summer months can get quite warm and go up to around 95°F or more, depending on where you in South Africa are based for your hunting safari. It is also quite wet, with most of the country experiencing their rainfall, leaving the bush lush, green, and difficult to navigate.
Temperatures do vary greatly from region to region, with coastal areas being more consistent and the inland, mountainous areas showing the greatest changeability. When packing for hunting trips in Africa it is best to pack for all seasons, as even places that you may not think will get cold can experience great fluctuations in temperature.
Rifles
Hunting in Mozambique is affordable, exciting, and truly wild Africa! It is recommended that when considering hunting in Africa, Mozambique is a top choice.I have visited Mozambique many times for leisure, big game hunting, and game fishing. The country is safe, affordable, and a place where everlasting memories are made. If this article has you considering a big game hunting safari in Mozambique, click here to see our big game hunting offers or contact us for more information.
Hunting Hippo in Mozambique
When planning a game hunting safari, and a hippo is your target species, remember that the hippo occupies the same waterways as the Nile crocodile. It may be worthwhile, budget depending, to add a crocodile.
Hippo hunts take place in most coutadas with rivers and swampy areas.
Shot placement will depend on the level of the water:
- Out of water, a well-placed shot a third of the way up on the shoulder will penetrate the massive heart.
- In the water, a brainshot will be required. From the front, it will be between the eyes, and from the side, between the ear and the eye.
In deep water, it can take three to five hours for your hippo to float to the surface. Local communities rely on this source of protein to feed their families. You are not only hunting hippos in Mozambique but feeding entire villages.
Medical Requirements
To visit South Africa on a game hunting safari, you will require some inoculations and medications including:
- Rabies vaccination.
- Hepatitis A & B
- Typhoid
- Tetanus or tetanus booster.
In addition to these inoculations, malaria medication is suggested for some areas of the country.
Popular Game Hunting Species in South Africa
South Africa is a kaleidoscope of people, places, attractions, and experiences. But when it comes to hunting, it is pretty straightforward – the destination offers the best hunting in Africa, with more than 50 species that can be hunted in a variety of methods and conditions.
Big 5 Hunting in South Africa
When you talk about the pinnacle of dangerous game hunting, nothing compares to hunting Africa’s Big 5, and they are top on many hunters’ bucket list. They are named the Big 5 as they are seen as the most difficult animals to hunt on foot, and as a result, are extremely sought-after. Taking down these magnificent beasts has almost become a rite of passage for seasoned hunters looking for the ultimate game hunting challenge. The Big 5 consists of the African lion, leopard, Cape buffalo, African elephant, and white rhino.
African Lion
Dominating the hunting scene in terms of the memorable Big 5 or dangerous game hunting in Africa, a lion hunt is not for the faint-hearted, but rather for the serious hunter who demonstrates great aim and dexterity, as both will be needed. If you are looking for a hunt that involves an apex predator who is fast, unpredictable, fierce, and on its A-game at all times, then without a doubt, you need to book a lion hunting safari.
The legal requirement for lion hunting in South Africa is a .375 caliber. A .416 Rigby or a double rifle like a 470NE or 500NE are good choices when hunting the “King of the Jungle”. Soft expanding tips work well. Many hunters prefer a .458 or a .458 Lott. When on a lion hunting safari, use a rifle with good stopping power and one that you are comfortable and familiar with while loading premium ammunition.
Leopard
The leopard is considered an exceptional trophy and remains one of the most popular cats to target during a hunting safari in South Africa. When hunting leopards, remember that these large cats are very calculating and able to camouflage themselves extremely well due to their coloring which allows them to simply blend into the surrounding bush.
Leopard hunting in South Africa requires a minimum caliber of .375 with a 300-grain bullet. An expanding bullet tip is recommended, and the rifle should be fitter with an excellent-quality tactical scope. Leopards are soft-skinned cats that very seldom retain bullets from high-powered rifles. As such, calibers such as .270, 7mm,.308, 30.06 and 300 win-mag are also highly suitable, depending on the legal requirements.
Cape Buffalo
The Cape Buffalo is considered extremely savage and menacing, owing to their size, aggressive nature, and intimidating horns. The Cape buffalo has a couple of nicknames including “black death” and “The Widow Maker.” These nicknames are not to be taken lightly and it is considered the most dangerous of the Big 5 and Dangerous 7 to hunt because it will fiercely defend itself and its herd at all costs.
The minimum legal requirement for a game hunting safari targeting the Cape buffalo is a .375 caliber shooting a 300-grain bullet. A well-placed bullet from a 416 Rugby, 404 Jeffery, 458 WM, or Lott will bring down Africa’s black death. Double rifles such as the 470NE, 500NE, and up are preferred, especially in close quarters.
African Elephant
Although the African elephant is often referred to as a gentle giant, when agitated it can become very aggressive, and with a land speed of nearly 25 miles per hour, it is a force with which to be reckoned. If they feel that their calves or members of the herd are in danger, they may become very defensive and aggressive toward the perceived threats. Elephants are seen as the most difficult of the Big 5 to hunt because, although they are extremely large, they manage to camouflage themselves well and are the most likely of all the Big 5 to charge.
Like with any of the Big 5 dangerous game, elephant hunting requires a minimum of a .375 caliber with a 300-grain bullet. Calibers 450 grain and up are recommended such as a .416 Rigby, .458, or .458 Lott. Double rifles such as 470NE, 500NE, and up are ideal for hunting these beasts, and only solid bullets should be used.
White Rhino
The white rhino is the second largest land mammal and is relatively unaggressive. Hunting a rhino in Africa is the stuff that hunting adventures are made of and is top of many hunter’s wish lists. Rhino hunting in South Africa was traditionally done using trackers and on foot, following the rhino’s tracks, but today outfitters have the rhinos patterned out.
As with all the big five dangerous game hunting, the minimum legal requirement for rhino hunting is a .375 caliber shooting a 300-grain bullet. A well-placed bullet from a 416 Rigby, 500 Jeffery, 458 WM, or Lott will ensure proper penetration, as a rhino’s skin is incredibly thick. Double rifles such as the 470NE, 500NE, and higher are preferred, especially in close quarters.
Dangerous 7
In addition to the notorious Big 5, there are two more added big game animals forming a group that hunters fear most – The Dangerous 7. The hippo and Nile crocodile add a new level of excitement, exhilaration, and downright fear!
The Hippo
The hippopotamus or hippo is the second largest land animal and is comparable in both weight and size to the white rhino. They can be extremely aggressive and very dangerous and it’s not only their size and weight that prove to be a problem but also their sharp tusks. These tusks are made of extremely hard ivory and are sharpened when they grind them against one another, making them even deadlier. Hunting a hippo requires a hunter who is focused, experienced, and looking for the ultimate game hunting adventure.
A minimum caliber of .375 is a legal requirement when it comes to hunting hippos in Africa. In this caliber use a minimum of 300 grain bullet. This member of the Dangerous 7 has exceptionally thick skin and skull bone and a solid bullet is required to ensure penetration.
The Nile Crocodile
This Dangerous 7 member gives the words “apex predator” new meaning…It is a perfectly designed killing machine that doesn’t feel any pain. The Nile crocodile is a large, aggressive predator sporting row upon row of bacteria-ridden razor-sharp teeth, perfect for annihilating prey at the snap of its powerful jaws.
When harvesting the Nile crocodile in South Africa, it should be hunted with an accurate, high-powered rifle. Shots will be at the brain, through a thick skull, or the vertebrae. A 7mm. 300-win mag or .375 is highly recommended, especially when hunting larger crocodile specimens.
African Plains Game Hunting
South Africa is renowned as the African plains game leader, with the largest variety of plains game antelope on the continent! From the tiny steenbok to the greater kudu and mighty Eland, the sheer diversity and numbers of African plains game is mind-boggling!
African plains game hunting in South Africa provides a great opportunity for novice hunters through to highly experienced individuals to participate in challenging hunts with varying conditions, terrains, methods, destinations, length of hunts, and even timing!
Not only are hunts reasonably priced, but African plains game hunts are the perfect hunting adventures to include family members and friends…I mean who wouldn’t want to spend some time in the great outdoors under the African sun?
We Book Your Hunt!
Hunting in South Africa is an adventure from beginning to end. The available choices for game hunting enthusiasts are remarkable, at reasonable package prices, and within a stable country with safe and convenient travel options. If the thought of hunting in South Africa has tickled your fancy, contact us to put together a hunting package to suit your needs.