A 10-Day Hippo & Nocturnal Hunting Safari in South Africa
Booking Season: 2026
Hunt Difficulty: Difficult
Designed by Hunters, for Hunters
Hunters can choose between a luxury tented camp and a brick-and-mortar lodge. The tented camp offers spacious tents with comfortable beds, en-suite bathrooms and private verandas. The brick-and-mortar lodge provides conventional luxury accommodation with comfortable rooms and inviting common areas. Meals are prepared by professional chefs using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, with traditional South African dishes included alongside other options. Meals, snacks, hot and cold beverages, local beers and wine are included in moderation.
South Africa offers a wide range of terrain and species, and Limpopo's Lowveld is well suited to a mixed-species safari. The hunting concession combines bushveld, open areas and thicker cover, providing habitat for both daytime and nocturnal species. For this particular hunt, the varied terrain is especially useful because different species can be approached using different hunting methods. Bait sites, cover, water sources and animal movement all play a role in determining how each hunt is conducted.
| Fence Type: | Fenced |
| Nearest Airport Name: | Hoedspruit |
| Transfer From Airport: | Yes |
This 10-day hunting safari in Limpopo focuses on spotted hyena, with six additional species completing the African hunting trip. With nighttime hunting forming an important part of the safari, hunters can pursue hyena, bushpig, honey badger, jackal, and genet after dark, while baboon and vervet monkey provide additional daytime opportunities. The package includes 11 nights of accommodation, one observer, and a guided day tour of Kruger National Park.
Hyena hunting in South Africa is a specialized nocturnal hunt focused on one of Africa's most adaptable predators. Spotted hyenas are intelligent, social animals with powerful jaws and excellent senses, and hunting them after dark requires patience and careful preparation.
A hyena hunt often involves baiting, with the Professional Hunter selecting a suitable position based on animal movement and the surrounding terrain. Once the animal approaches, the hunter needs to remain calm and wait for a clear, ethical shot.
A suitable centerfire rifle is important for hyena. Calibers such as .30-06 Springfield, .308 Winchester and .300 Winchester Magnum provide appropriate options, although the final rifle and ammunition choice should always be discussed with the Professional Hunter. Good shot placement for African game is particularly important when hunting a powerful predator at night, and hunters should familiarize themselves with the best shot placement options for their chosen species.
The six additional species add variety to the safari and create opportunities to hunt both during the day and after dark. Honey badger, jackal, genet, and bushpig hunts are well suited to nighttime hunting, while baboon and vervet monkey provide daytime opportunities.
Night hunting changes the entire pace of the hunt. As daylight fades, nocturnal species become active and hunters may spend time sitting quietly in a blind, watching a bait site and waiting for an animal to appear. It requires patience, concentration and an understanding of animal behavior, but it also opens up opportunities that simply aren't available during a conventional daytime hunt.
For hunters looking for something different from a traditional African hunting trip, the combination of predator hunting, nocturnal species and daytime opportunities makes this a varied 10-day safari.
Different species require different approaches. Spotted hyena and bushpig can be hunted from carefully positioned blinds over bait, while other nighttime species may be encountered around suitable feeding areas and cover. Daytime species such as baboon and vervet monkey require a different approach, with hunters and their Professional Hunter using observation, stalking and careful positioning to get within range.
The hunting method will depend on the target species, terrain, weather, animal movement and conditions on the day.
Night hunting requires a different mindset from daytime hunting. A few practical considerations can make a significant difference:
The hunting day can begin early, with opportunities to pursue species such as baboon or vervet monkey. After returning to camp and taking time to relax, the focus can shift toward the nocturnal species. As darkness falls, hunters may head out to a blind or selected hunting position. The evening can be spent waiting for hyena, bushpig, honey badger, jackal or genet to appear.
The contrast between daytime and nighttime hunting is one of the defining features of this safari. Rather than repeating the same hunting routine each day, hunters have opportunities to experience different species, conditions and hunting methods throughout the 10-day hunt.
Wayne and his team host hunters in the Limpopo region and offer both daytime and nighttime hunting opportunities. Each hunter is accompanied by a licensed Professional Hunter throughout the safari.
The team caters to both rifle and bow hunters, with the hunting approach adapted according to the species being pursued, the terrain and the prevailing conditions.
International hunters arriving in South Africa will generally fly into Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg before taking a domestic flight to Hoedspruit Airport, the gateway to the Limpopo Lowveld.
Airlink is the preferred domestic carrier, with regular flights to Hoedspruit and facilities for transporting hunting rifles. Depending on flight schedules, an overnight stay in Johannesburg may be required before or after the domestic flight. African Sky Boutique Hotel is recommended for hunters requiring an overnight stay in Johannesburg and the hotel can assist with airport transfers and firearm permit arrangements.
On arrival in Hoedspruit, Wayne or a member of the team will meet hunters for the road transfer to the hunting concession.
Hunters who prefer to use their own rifle can apply for a temporary firearm import permit through the South African Police Service (SAPS)..
The required documentation includes a completed SAPS 520 application, passport copy, airline tickets, a letter of invitation from the outfitter and proof of firearm ownership. US hunters may use Customs Form 4457 as proof of ownership.
Hunters who do not wish to travel with their own firearm can arrange rifle rental at US$60 per rifle per day, including ammunition.
South Africa's hunting season runs throughout the year, allowing this safari to take place in every season. The dry season from May through October is generally a popular period for hunting in Limpopo. Vegetation is typically less dense, water sources can become more concentrated and see animals congregating around them, and temperatures are generally more comfortable.
January and February can bring periods of heavy rainfall and very high temperatures, and hunters should consider seasonal conditions when planning their safari.
For more information about this 10-day hyena hunting safari in Limpopo, including availability, rifle rental, and travel arrangements, contact the Game Hunting Safaris team.
Please note that terms, conditions and price are subject to change without notice and rates at the time of the hunt will apply
You can speak directly with the outfitter before booking. GHS remains available throughout the process.
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