Special First Blood Hunting Safari in South Africa North West
Booking Season: 2026
Hunt Difficulty: Moderate
Designed by Hunters, for Hunters
| Animal | Fee |
| Greater Kudu | 1920 |
| Sable | 3200 |
| Common Nyala | 1400 |
Accommodation is provided at a private game reserve and spa featuring air-conditioned, thatched en-suite rooms located close to the communal swimming pool, lapa and bar facilities. The lodge combines modern comforts with an authentic African bush setting. Guests have access to Wi-Fi, daily laundry service and comfortable communal areas where they can relax after a day in the field. The lodge also features an African-style sitting room with a fireplace, library and video facilities, as well as a traditional boma for open-air evening gatherings. Meals are prepared by the camp's chefs, with a selection of traditional African dishes and other home-style cuisine served throughout the stay.
The hunting grounds are located in South Africa's North West Province, in the malaria-free bushveld approximately 1½ hours from Johannesburg. Bushwack Safaris has access to hunting concessions in the North West and Limpopo Provinces, with terrain supporting a diverse range of plains game. The hunting areas include open grassland, hills and more rugged terrain, providing varied conditions for walk-and-stalk hunting.
| Fence Type: | Fenced |
| Year Founded: | 2003 |
| Language Spoken By Staff: | English, Afrikaans |
| Nearest Airport Name: | O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg |
| Nearest Airport Distance: | 1.5 hours driver |
| Nearest Town Name: | Rustenburg |
| Transfer From Airport: | Yes |
| Air Charter Available: | Yes |
Designed for hunters wanting to experience their first African hunting safari, this 7-day package combines three plains game trophies with six nights of comfortable lodge accommodation in South Africa's North West Province. Located approximately 100 miles from Johannesburg, the hunting area offers a practical introduction to African hunting, with a choice of common plains game for the first two animals and a larger species for the third.
This hunt is particularly well-suited to first-time African hunters who want a manageable introduction to plains game hunting without committing to a long or highly specialized safari. The opportunity to select two animals from a choice of common plains game before choosing a larger species allows hunters to build confidence as the safari progresses. It can also suit experienced hunters looking for a shorter South African safari or those wanting to introduce a new hunter to the experience of African hunting.
The North West Province offers a diverse plains game environment, with landscapes influenced by both the Kalahari and Highveld regions. This variation creates habitat for both highveld and lowveld species and allows hunters to pursue a broad selection of game without extensive travel between hunting regions.
The province is an appealing choice for hunting in South Africa, particularly for hunters looking for a convenient safari destination close to Johannesburg. The combination of open grassland, rolling hills and more rugged terrain provides opportunities for different hunting approaches and a varied experience throughout the safari.
The first part of the package allows you to select two animals from common blesbok, springbok, impala or warthog.
Common blesbok and springbok hunts can provide an excellent introduction to plains game hunting, while impala offer a more active challenge thanks to their alert nature and agility. Warthog provide an entirely different hunting experience and can be encountered around areas where they feed and drink. For hunters interested in this distinctive African species, warthog hunting in South Africa offers a particularly rewarding challenge.
For the third animal, you can choose between blue wildebeest, zebra, red hartebeest or gemsbok. These larger species provide a step up in terms of size and hunting challenge and can make an exciting conclusion to a first safari.
Blue wildebeest are tough and resilient plains game, and wildebeest hunts can provide an excellent test of fieldcraft and shot placement. Zebra, red hartebeest and gemsbok each bring their own characteristics and hunting challenges, giving the hunter an opportunity to tailor the package to their interests.
The primary hunting method is walk-and-stalk, allowing hunters to experience the traditional style of African plains game hunting. A safari vehicle may also be used to cover more ground and reach different areas of the hunting property.
The hunting grounds combine hilly, mountainous and open grassland areas. Hunters may also use an ambush method, positioning themselves near frequently used game trails or other strategic vantage points.
The method used will depend on the species being hunted, the terrain and the conditions encountered on the day. Your Professional Hunter will guide you throughout the process and help with trophy selection, judging the animal and choosing the right opportunity.
For this package, a versatile medium-caliber rifle is suitable for the range of species available. A .30-06 or .308 is an effective all-round choice, while a .270 or .300 Winchester Magnum can also be used with suitable expanding ammunition.
The exact caliber is less important than the hunter's familiarity with their rifle and their ability to place an accurate shot under field conditions. The hunt can present opportunities at different distances, from closer shots on species such as warthog to longer shots on larger plains game.
Understanding shot placement for African game and practicing with your chosen rifle before the safari are important parts of preparing for a successful hunt.
Additional Trophies
Hunters who would like to extend the package can add additional trophies, including nyala, sable, and kudu. These additional species provide an opportunity to build a more extensive trophy list while remaining in the same hunting region. For further info, see the dropdown menu of additional trophies or contact Game Hunting Safaris directly.
International hunters will arrive at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, where they will be met by the outfitter or a member of the team. Assistance with rifle collection and the meet-and-greet process is available on arrival.
From Johannesburg, road transfer to the hunting lodge takes approximately two hours, covering around 100 miles through the rolling hills and valleys of the North West Province. Depending on international flight arrival and departure times, an overnight stay in Johannesburg may be required before or after the safari.
Hunters bringing their own rifle into South Africa will need to obtain a temporary firearm import permit for sport hunting. The SAPS 520 form must be completed together with the required supporting documentation.
This includes copies of passports and airline tickets, a letter of invitation from the outfitter and proof of firearm ownership. For U.S. hunters, this can include Customs Declaration Form 4457. The temporary permit allows a hunter to bring up to four rifles, with no more than two rifles of the same caliber, and a maximum of 200 rounds of ammunition per caliber.
The outfitter has been professionally guiding and offering plains game and dangerous game hunts since 2003. With a strong focus on conservation and sustainable utilization of wildlife resources, the outfitter's approach is centered on providing carefully planned, personalized hunting experiences.
The outfitter's philosophy is to tailor each safari to the individual hunter, combining professional guidance with personal attention throughout the experience.
Hunting can take place throughout the year where the appropriate permits are in place, although the cooler months from April through October are generally preferred.
The drier months can provide favorable hunting conditions, as shorter grass and less dense vegetation can make it easier to locate and observe game. The warmer and wetter period can bring higher temperatures, rainfall and denser vegetation, which may make spotting animals more challenging.
For hunters planning an African hunting trip, the preferred plains game hunting period is generally from March through November.
This "First Blood" package provides an accessible way to experience the fundamentals of African plains game hunting in a well-equipped hunting environment. With three trophies included, a choice of species, a 1-to-1 Professional Hunter ratio and accommodation and meals included, the package gives first-time hunters the opportunity to experience a genuine safari without the complexity of a longer multi-species hunt.
For hunters wanting to learn more about the variety available on plains game hunts, this North West Province safari offers a practical starting point, with the option to begin with approachable species before taking on one of the larger plains game animals included in the package.
For further information, or to customize your hunting safari, 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.
Needing assistance with firearm permits and international travel services, or good taxidermists? View our affiliated companies
View Affiliated Services
