A 10-Day Hippo & Nocturnal Hunting Safari in South Africa
Booking Season: 2026
Hunt Difficulty: Difficult
Designed by Hunters, for Hunters
Accommodation is offered at the hunting lodge, with a choice between a luxury tented camp and a brick-and-mortar lodge. The tented camp features spacious, furnished tents with comfortable beds, en-suite bathrooms and private verandas. The brick-and-mortar lodge offers comfortable rooms, modern amenities and communal areas, with Wi-Fi available. Meals are prepared at the lodge using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and hot and cold beverages are included, with local beer and wine also provided.
The hunting concession lies near the Hoedspruit area of Limpopo, within the Lowveld landscape. The terrain consists of typical bushveld and savanna, with open areas mixed with thicker woodland, shrubs and grassland. This varied landscape creates different conditions for glassing, tracking and stalking and provides a changing backdrop throughout the hunt. The combination of open ground and denser bush is suited to a mixed-species safari, allowing hunting methods to change according to the terrain and the animal being pursued.
| Fence Type: | Fenced |
| Nearest Airport Name: | Hoedspruit |
| Transfer From Airport: | Yes |
This 10-day South African hunting safari combines traditional daytime plains game hunting with nighttime hunting for a selection of nocturnal species. Based in South Africa's Limpopo province, the hunt offers a varied combination of species, hunting methods, and field experiences in one African hunting trip. The package includes 11 nights and 10 hunting days, with the listed trophies fully exportable.
Limpopo offers a varied hunting environment, with bushveld, open areas, and thicker vegetation creating different opportunities throughout the day. The Hoedspruit area provides a diverse setting for plains game hunts, where hunters can spend time glassing, tracking and stalking according to the terrain, conditions and species being pursued.
The combination of daytime hunting and nighttime opportunities also means that the character of the hunt changes as the day progresses. Early mornings and late afternoons can be spent pursuing plains game, while selected species become the focus after dark.
This hunt combines spot-and-stalk and tracking methods, depending on the species, terrain, and conditions. Suitable plains game calibers can include the .270 Winchester, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield and 7mm Remington Magnum, while larger calibers such as the .300 Winchester Magnum may also be used for bigger species during a safari, including sable hunts.
The most important consideration is choosing an appropriate rifle and being confident with it. Good shot placement is essential, and hunters should wait for a clear, ethical opportunity rather than rushing a shot. Our guide to shot placement for African game provides additional information on the fundamentals of placing an effective shot.
The included species offer a varied selection of hunting challenges, from the powerful sable and elusive nyala to blue wildebeest and impala hunts. Hunters interested in sable, nyala, and blue wildebeest hunting in South Africa, will find all four included in this safari, alongside a selection of smaller and nocturnal species.
Night hunting brings an entirely different atmosphere to the African bush. Once darkness falls, many animals become more active, and hunting requires a different approach from daytime spot-and-stalk. Quiet observation, careful identification, and patience become particularly important, with thermal equipment forming part of the nighttime hunting setup.
The experience is unusual because the bush changes completely after dark. Sounds become more prominent, movement can be difficult to interpret and hunters must remain alert to what is happening around them. Honey badger, jackal, genet, and bushpig hunts are included on this night safari.
A typical hunting day starts early, taking advantage of the cooler morning temperatures and active game. After breakfast, the hunting team heads into the concession with the Professional Hunter and trackers. Depending on the species being targeted, the day may involve glassing from suitable vantage points, following tracks, or moving carefully through thicker bush in search of an opportunity.
The middle of the day provides time to return to the lodge, enjoy lunch and relax before heading back into the field during the afternoon. As daylight fades, the focus can shift toward the nighttime portion of the safari, with hunters experiencing two very different styles of hunting within the same day.
Wayne and his team of Professional Hunters operate across six regions in Africa, specializing in dangerous game, plains game, and nighttime hunting. With more than a decade of experience, they offer personalized hunting experiences with exclusive use of the lodge and hunting areas.
Both rifle and bow hunters are accommodated, with the hunting experience adapted to the individual hunter's skills and preferences.
International hunters arriving at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg will need to take a domestic flight to Hoedspruit Airport. Airlink operates flights between Johannesburg and Hoedspruit, with flight frequency varying by season.
Depending on international flight schedules, an overnight stay in Johannesburg may be required before continuing to Hoedspruit. The outfitter recommends African Sky Boutique Hotel for hunters requiring accommodation in Johannesburg and notes that assistance is available with airport transfers, firearm permits and other travel requirements.
Upon arrival at Hoedspruit Airport, Wayne or a member of his team will meet the hunter for the road transfer to the hunting concession.
Yes. International hunters bringing their own firearm for sport hunting in South Africa need to complete the required SAPS 520 application and provide the necessary supporting documentation.
This includes a copy of the hunter's passport, airline tickets, a letter of invitation from the outfitter and proof of firearm ownership. US citizens should also provide the appropriate Customs declaration documentation.
For those wanting to make life a little more hassle-free, rifle rental is available at US$400 for the duration of the safari.
Hunting in South Africa is available throughout the year, although conditions vary between seasons. In Limpopo, the dry months from May through October generally provide good hunting conditions, as vegetation becomes thinner and water sources can become more concentrated.
The cooler temperatures during the dry season can also make long days in the field more comfortable. January and February can bring periods of rainfall, followed by very warm conditions when the weather clears.
This plains game and nighttime hunting safari combines a broad selection of trophy species with different hunting methods and the opportunity to experience the Limpopo bushveld both by day and after dark.
For further information about this hunt, or to customise your African hunting safari, 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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