Plains Game Management Hunt in Eastern Cape, SA
Booking Season: 2026
Hunt Difficulty: Moderate
Designed by Hunters, for Hunters
The lodge has three beautifully decorated twin rooms, each with its own private bathroom. Shared areas include a comfortable living room with a fireplace, soft couches and a dining area where hearty, home-cooked meals are served. After a day in the field, guests can gather around the outdoor fire pit to share stories of the day's hunting. A decked pool beside the lodge provides another place to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Non-hunters are also welcome and can relax at the lodge, take in the scenery or enjoy local excursions.
The hunting area is based near Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape, within a core hunting area of more than 40,000 acres formed through access to neighboring farms in the Fish River Conservancy. The landscape ranges from wide, open plains and savannah to mountains, wooded valleys and bushland, providing varied habitat and hunting conditions for a broad range of plains game. The outfitter's family also manages approximately 12,000 acres of cattle and sheep farms, with strong game numbers supported by careful management and conservation. Hunters can expect a mixture of open country where glassing and longer stalks are possible, together with thicker bush and broken terrain where animals can disappear quickly and close-range stalking becomes necessary. The changing elevation and terrain make this an active hunt. Some days may involve glassing from higher ground and working out a stalk across open country, while others can mean moving slowly through bush and valleys in search of game.
| Fence Type: | Fenced |
| Fence Area: | 40000 acres |
| Hunting Ground Size: | 16187 ha |
| Year Founded: | 1979 |
| Language Spoken By Staff: | English, Afrikaans |
Hills: 30 %, Mountains: 20 %
Fields/Bush: 50 %, Forest: 0 %
| Nearest Airport Name: | Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ), Gqeberha |
| Nearest Airport Distance: | 80 miles |
| Nearest Town Name: | Makanda (Grahamstown) |
| Nearest Town Distance: | 25 miles |
| Transfer From Airport: | Yes |
This 10-day management safari is designed for two hunters sharing one Professional Hunter, offering a relaxed and personal hunting experience in the Eastern Cape. With 16 plains game animals included, the safari provides plenty of time in the field and the opportunity to hunt several different species while enjoying the varied landscapes of the region.
The Eastern Cape is renowned for its plains game hunting, with a mixture of open plains, grasslands, rolling hills, mountains, bushveld and wooded valleys. This varied habitat supports a wide range of antelope and creates very different hunting conditions from one area to the next.
The province is particularly well suited to plains game hunts, allowing hunters to pursue several species during the same safari. The Eastern Cape is also renowned for its kudu hunting, with its broken country, thick cover and extensive valleys providing ideal habitat for these elusive antelope. Hunters interested in kudu hunts can expect a challenging pursuit that relies on careful glassing, patience and a well-planned stalk.
For those planning a South African hunting safari, the Eastern Cape offers the added advantages of a malaria-free environment, accessible travel and a long-established hunting tradition.
A management hunt is focused on maintaining healthy and sustainable game populations rather than simply pursuing the largest trophy available. Correctly managing the age, sex and numbers of animals helps maintain a balanced population and keeps wildlife numbers within the carrying capacity of the habitat.
For the hunter, this creates a different kind of safari. The objective is not simply to find an animal and take the shot. Your Professional Hunter will assist with identifying the correct animals according to the management requirements of the hunting area, making observation, patience, and communication important parts of the experience.
Originally founded in Zimbabwe in 1979, Kevin and his team have decades of experience in the hunting industry and have built a reputation for first-class, personalized service. The operation also offers dangerous game hunts in Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
In 2005, Kevin and Natalie established the South African branch on the family ranch in the Eastern Cape. Their hands-on approach and experience provide hunters with professional guidance and a personal safari experience from arrival through to the final day in the field.
The varied Eastern Cape terrain allows hunters to use different hunting methods depending on the species, terrain and conditions. Spot-and-stalk hunting is particularly effective in open country, while tracking and careful still-hunting can be more productive in thicker bush and broken terrain.
Kudu hunting can be especially demanding, with hunters often glassing likely cover before planning a stalk using the wind, terrain and available vegetation. This is where kudu hunting in South Africa becomes such a rewarding challenge, as kudu can use surprisingly small areas of cover to remain hidden.
A management hunt also requires careful identification before the shot. Your Professional Hunter will help determine which animals are suitable for harvest, taking the required age, sex and size into consideration.
Accurate shooting is essential when hunting a variety of species during the same safari. Hunters should practice from realistic field positions and become comfortable shooting from sticks. Our guide to shot placement for African game is useful preparation before heading into the field.
International travelers can arrive in South Africa through O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg or Cape Town International Airport. From either airport, a domestic flight of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes takes you to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth).
Upon arrival, Kevin or a member of the team will meet you at the airport. From there, a scenic drive of approximately two hours takes you to the hunting lodge through the diverse landscapes of the Eastern Cape.
For hunters planning their first African hunting trip, the straightforward access to the Eastern Cape makes this an appealing destination, without taking away from the feeling of being deep in hunting country.
The cooler months from May through September are generally favored for hunting in the Eastern Cape. Temperatures are more comfortable for long days in the field, while vegetation is often less dense, improving visibility when stalking and tracking game.
Conditions can vary across the province, however, and the best hunting period can depend on the specific area and species. Your Professional Hunter will advise on local weather, vegetation and hunting conditions during your safari.
Spend 10 days in the Eastern Cape pursuing a diverse selection of plains game while taking part in responsible wildlife management. And the best part, you can bring your spouse, partner or friend to share the hunting experience with you! This hunt is made for two hunters, each harvesting 8 animals.
For further information regarding this hunt, to customize your experience or find out more about other African hunting destinations, contact the team at Game Hunting Safaris.
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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