A 10-Day Hippo & Nocturnal Hunting Safari in South Africa
Booking Season: 2026
Hunt Difficulty: Difficult
Designed by Hunters, for Hunters
Choose between spacious luxury safari tents or comfortable lodge accommodation, each offering en-suite facilities, outstanding hospitality and an ideal place to relax after rewarding days on the river and memorable nights in the bushveld.
Hunt along permanent rivers and dams for trophy hippo before moving into Limpopo's dense bushveld after dark, where patient night hunting creates exceptional opportunities for hyena, bushpig and other elusive nocturnal species.
| Fence Type: | Free-range |
| Nearest Airport Name: | Oliver Tambo International, then Regional Flight to Hoedspruit |
| Nearest Town Name: | Hoedspruit |
| Transfer From Airport: | Yes |
Few South African hunting safaris combine the challenge of pursuing a trophy hippopotamus with the excitement of dedicated nocturnal hunting. Conducted in Limpopo Province, this ten-day safari is built around one of Africa's most respected dangerous game animals before evolving into a completely different hunt after sunset, when spotted hyena, bushpig, honey badger, jackal and genet begin to emerge.
Every day follows its own rhythm. Mornings are often spent quietly watching rivers and dams, waiting for a mature hippo to present the right opportunity. As daylight begins to fade, the focus shifts away from the water and towards the bushveld, where patience, silence and careful planning become the keys to success. Rather than repeating the same routine, the safari continually changes, giving hunters the opportunity to experience two distinctly different styles of hunting within a single adventure.
Designed for hunters looking to make the most of their time in Africa, this safari combines fully exportable trophies, experienced professional hunters and quality accommodation into one well-structured package where every day and every night offer a different hunting challenge.
Price: US$15,900 per hunter (All Inclusive)
Duration: 10 Hunting Days / 9 Nights
Hunter Ratio: 1 Hunter : 1 Professional Hunter
Observer: First observer included. Additional observers: US$250 per person, per night
Rifle Rental: Included (Thermal-equipped rifles available)
Arrival Airport: Hoedspruit Airport (HDS), South Africa
Bonus: One full-day guided tour of Kruger National Park and a professionally produced safari DVD
A trophy hippo may be the primary objective of this safari, but it is only part of what makes the hunt so rewarding. Pursuing a mature bull requires patience, careful observation and the discipline to wait for the right opportunity as the animal surfaces only briefly before disappearing beneath the water once again. Success is rarely measured by speed. It comes from understanding the animal's behaviour and remaining patient until every element comes together.
Completing a successful Hippo Hunt is often regarded as an important milestone in dangerous game hunting. The challenge of judging a mature bull, understanding precise shot placement and working closely with an experienced professional hunter creates a rewarding hunt that extends far beyond the trophy itself. It is one of the reasons hippo remain among Africa's most respected dangerous game animals.
Although harvesting a mature hippo is often the highlight of the safari, it does not mark the end of the adventure. Instead, it signals the beginning of a completely different style of hunting, where the rivers are left behind and the African bush reveals an entirely new cast of elusive nocturnal species.
Harvesting a trophy hippo may complete the day's primary objective, but it rarely signals the end of the hunting day. As the sun disappears below the horizon, the safari simply enters its next chapter. The rivers grow quiet, the bushveld comes alive and attention turns towards some of Africa's most elusive nocturnal species.
Among them, Hyena Hunts offer one of the most fascinating challenges. Highly intelligent and exceptionally cautious, spotted hyenas rarely make mistakes around a bait site. Success often depends on careful preparation, understanding wind direction and remaining completely still while waiting for an old, mature animal to commit. Patience becomes just as important as marksmanship, with opportunities often appearing only after several hours of complete silence.
Unlike daytime hunting, where movement and tracking play a major role, nocturnal hunting rewards discipline above everything else. Long periods of waiting are completely normal, and after spending an entire day in the field, remaining alert becomes part of the challenge. Those willing to stay focused are often rewarded with encounters that few hunters ever forget.
As the safari continues, another opportunity may quietly emerge from the darkness...
Not every night unfolds the same way. Some evenings pass quietly with little movement, while others change in an instant as a cautious shadow steps silently towards the bait. Unlike many other species, bushpigs rarely announce their arrival. They often appear without warning, testing the wind and listening carefully before exposing themselves for only a few brief moments.
Successful Bushpig Hunts reward patience above almost everything else. Well-prepared bait sites, careful planning and complete silence all contribute to success, but even then, nothing is guaranteed. A mature bushpig may visit regularly for several nights before finally presenting a safe opportunity, making every successful harvest feel thoroughly earned.
Honey badgers, jackals and genets add yet another layer of excitement to the safari. Their unpredictable movements and nocturnal habits ensure that every evening holds the possibility of an unexpected encounter, reminding hunters that the African bush rarely follows a predictable script.
Travelling to this safari is straightforward for international hunters. After arriving at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, you'll connect on a short domestic flight to Hoedspruit Airport (HDS), the gateway to Limpopo's renowned hunting concessions. Regular flights make the journey simple, and many international hunters choose Airlink, particularly when travelling with their own firearms.
Depending on your international flight schedule, an overnight stay in Johannesburg may be required before continuing to Hoedspruit. Many hunters choose African Sky Boutique Hotel, where airport transfers, temporary firearm permit assistance and comfortable accommodation help make the transition into Africa as smooth as possible. On arrival in Hoedspruit, your professional hunter or a member of the hunting team will meet you for the short transfer to camp, allowing the safari to begin almost immediately.
After a day spent along the river or a patient evening waiting for nocturnal game, camp offers a welcome opportunity to relax and prepare for the next hunt. Hunters can choose between a luxury tented camp and a traditional lodge, both offering spacious en-suite accommodation, excellent meals and a relaxed atmosphere after long days in the field. Daily housekeeping, laundry service and attentive camp staff ensure every detail is taken care of, allowing hunters to focus entirely on the safari ahead.
One of the advantages of this package is that everything is designed to maximise your time in the field. Comfortable accommodation, experienced professional hunters and efficient logistics allow each day to flow naturally into the next, whether you're watching a mature hippo surface at first light or preparing for another memorable night beneath the African sky.
South Africa offers one of Africa's longest hunting seasons, allowing safaris to take place throughout the year. The most comfortable conditions generally occur between April and October, when cooler temperatures make long days in the field more enjoyable and game is often easier to locate around permanent water sources. The warmer months from November to February can also produce excellent hunting, although higher temperatures and seasonal rainfall may influence daily hunting conditions.
International hunters are welcome to bring their own rifles to South Africa. Temporary firearm import permits are required and involve completing the SAPS 520 application before arrival. Hunters should also travel with copies of their passport, airline itinerary, proof of firearm ownership and a letter of invitation from the outfitter. U.S. hunters are advised to carry U.S. Customs Form 4457, making the return journey with their firearm considerably easier.
A trophy hippo may be the reason many people first consider this safari, but the memories often extend far beyond a single dangerous game animal. From patient mornings spent watching the water to evenings waiting for elusive nocturnal species, every stage of the hunt demands a different approach, making each day in camp feel unique.
Anyone looking to expand their African hunting ambitions will find this safari an excellent introduction to the wider world of Big Game Hunting. The patience, discipline and fieldcraft developed while pursuing hippo and nocturnal game create valuable experience that carries across many of Africa's most respected dangerous game safaris.
Whether this is your first safari or another chapter in a lifetime of hunting, this package offers far more than an impressive trophy list. It combines dangerous game, specialised night hunting and quality accommodation into one carefully planned adventure, making it one of Africa's most rewarding Hunting Trips for anyone wanting to make the most of their time on the continent.
Please note that terms, conditions and price are subject to change without notice and rates at the time of the hunt will apply
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