Rhino, Buffalo & Sable Hunt in South Africa
Booking Season: 2025/2026
Hunt Difficulty: Difficult
Designed by Hunters, for Hunters
**** Observers are welcome at US$ 350 per day
**** Rifle rental available at US$ 100 per hunting day
When it comes to game hunting in South Africa, nowhere beats the Limpopo province in terms of variety, exceptional quality and an all-round exceptional game hunting experience! From dangerous game to African plains game, this hunting safari in Limpopo will be an adrenaline-filled adventure, never to be forgotten.
Juan and his team are a living tribute to the golden era of East African safari, when canvas, courage, and character defined the sport. carries on the ethos of a bygone time with grit, grace, and respect for the land.
South Africa offers a hassle-free hunting experience for the individual hunter or family groups that want to experience a bit of luxury on their safari. The concessions larger than 5000 ha each and group numbers are managed to ensure the very best service at all times. With the focus on big game hunting Juan and his team offer elephant, white Cape Buffalo, hippo, crocodile and buffalo with all plains game species as add ons. They use the Greater Balepeye Nature Reserve as one of the hunting areas. Out of this destination photo safaris and day trips to the Kruger National Park are also offered.
Each hunt is a slow, deliberate journey, where trackers move like shadows and the crack of a .375 echoes through acacia groves like a memory from 1950s Tanganyika. Clients are welcomed not as tourists but as fellow adventurers, those who revere the old ways, who savor black coffee at dawn and whisky by firelight at dusk.
Here you don’t just hunt game, you chase history!!
The most straightforward flight path involves arriving at OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. From Johannesburg commercial flights are available to the closest airport to your hunting destination (Polokwane or Hoedspruit) typically lasting about an hour with the airlines of choice being either CemAir or Airlink. The return regional/domestic flight will cost approximately US$ 250.
Once you have landed at Polokwane or Hoedspruit Airport, Juan or a member of his team will meet you. Access to the hunting area is possible via road transfer (4 to 6 hours)’ or Via air charter to the hunting areas. The charter flight will need to be arranged in advance with Juan.
If you need to overnight in Johannesburg, the African Sky Boutique Hotel is recommended conveniently situated near to the airport. Their staff can also assist with rifle permits and the airport transfers for the local flights. See “Affiliate Services” below.
As the trophy Hippo may be taken on land or in the water, an in-depth understanding of Hippo Shot Placement is critical. A well-placed bullet into the brain will see the Hippo quietly slide under the water, ensuring a quick and humane kill. Hippo scull bones are incredibly thick protecting the brain. Hunters will have to patiently wait for the decomposition gasses in the stomach to ensure the Hippo floats to the surface. This process can take between an hour or four hours.
Once a suitable Crocodile is identified, you will stalk to within shooting distance, which can range from between thirty yards to one hundred yards. With the Crocodiles acute senses, approaching the Crocodile undetected is a lot more challenging than many hunters realize. They have incredible vision, hearing and smell and can detect vibration in the ground through specialized sensory organs on their skin called “integumentary sensory organs”. Be prepared to walk in your socks.
When considering Crocodile Shot Placement, it is well advised to do extensive research. This Apex predator is a perfectly designed killing machine with a prehistoric golf ball sized brain focused purely on one thing: death and he is not too particular as to where the next meal comes from. A well-placed bullet needs to penetrate the brain and a second follow up directly into the spine. A third follow up bullet then needs to enter the vital organs.
This trophy Cape Buffalo hunt will be done on foot, following the traditional principles of fair chase. This is truly a dangerous game hunting safari, and these big boys will be found in “the thick stuff”. Some Buffalo will have deep drops and curls, others a wide spread with heavy bosses. One thing that is guaranteed,they are all mean as can be. Buffalo are called “Window-makers” for good reason.
Two lodges offer high quality accommodation that’s made up of thatched chalets with en-suite bathrooms, a lapa area, boma, dining area and bar.
Each lodge offers 220-volt electricity, free Wi-Fi and daily laundry and room service. The main lodge is located on the banks of the Sand River close to Mopane, Limpopo. The lodge can accommodate 16 people ( 8 double chalets) at any given time.
The dining area is situated under the lapa which have a magnificent view over the dry river bed . Rooms have air-conditioning to help you relax after a hot day in the bush. A swimming pool is a stone throw away with lush green lawns to ensure a enjoyable stay,
The lodge is located in pristine bush-veld. Here you will experience unspoiled Africa.
Nile Crocodile
The Nile crocodile primarily inhabits freshwater environments such as rivers, lakes, and marshlands, with the Limpopo province providing the perfect habitat for this cold-blooded predator.
The Hippo
Speaking of perfect habitats, sharing the same habitat as that of the Nile crocodile lies another dangerous game hunting adversary, namely the hippo. A danger whether in the water or on land, hippo hunting in Africa is an adrenaline-filled hunt!
Cape Buffalo
Known as Africa’s Black Death, or the Widowmaker, the Cape buffalo remains one of the most dangerous animals to target when hunting in Africa.
Cape Eland
The eland is Africa’s spiral-horned antelope, as well as Africa’s largest antelope, weighing up to a whopping 2,000 pounds! This shy and skittish big game species provides hunters with a great challenge when hunting African plains game.
Roan
One of Africa’s most striking antelope species, the roan is a large and robust antelope with backward facing horns.
Sable “Prince of Africa”
The majestic and striking sable is a striking African plains game trophy, fitting for any game hunter’s trophy room!
A minimum caliber of a .375 with 300 grain tips capable of penetrating is required. Swift A Frame has some great varieties, are readily available and hold weight retention, but Hornady and many other manufactures produce high quality rounds which are more than suited.
High quality optics are required as shooting needs to execute with precision. If you planning to hunt a Hippo out of the water, larger calibers such as a .458, .416 and a suitable double will get the job done.
Hunters who would like to bring their own firearm, need to obtain a copy of the SAPS 520 form in advance to streamline the process on arrival.
If further information is required relating to this Dangerous Game hunt in South Africa, contact our team at Game Hunting Safaris, or message Juan directly using the icons provided. Should you wish to check availability, submit your preferred dates in “Request to Book”, Juan will revert.
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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