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 or a brick-and-mortar lodge. The tented camp offers furnished tents with comfortable beds, en-suite bathrooms and private verandas, while the lodge provides conventional rooms and modern amenities. Wi-Fi is available. Meals are prepared using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, with traditional South African flavors incorporated into the menu. Local beers and wines are included in moderation.
The hunting concession lies near the Hoedspruit in South Africa's Limpopo province, 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 |
| Language Spoken By Staff: | English, Afrikaans |
| Transfer From Airport: | Yes |
This 10-day, 11-night safari is dedicated entirely to nighttime hunting, with the primary focus on spotted hyena and opportunities to hunt seven additional species. The package includes one observer, luxury accommodation, meals and beverages, airport transfers, trophy preparation, and a guided day tour of Kruger National Park.
Spotted hyena hunting is very different from a conventional plains game safari. These intelligent and highly adaptable predators are primarily active at night, meaning the hunt takes place after dark and requires patience, preparation, and careful observation.
This safari is built almost entirely around that unique experience. Baits are placed before the hunt begins, trail cameras monitor activity and the hunting team uses the information gathered to determine where the greatest activity is taking place. The result is a very specialized hyena hunt and a unique African hunt.
Spotted hyenas are not an easy animal to hunt simply because they are active at night. Their intelligence, strong senses and unpredictable movements can make getting a clean opportunity particularly demanding. The hunting team may establish a bait and monitor it for activity, only to find that the animals are not visiting at the expected time. Wind direction, movement, moonlight, other predators and the behavior of the hyenas can all affect the opportunity.
Sitting quietly in a blind for extended periods also requires patience. The hunter needs to remain alert and prepared for what may be a brief opportunity in difficult nighttime conditions.
That combination of darkness, patience and an intelligent, wary predator is what makes hyena hunting in South Africa such a specialized experience.
This safari offers something quite different from a standard daytime hunting itinerary. Every hunting day is focused on nighttime activity, giving the hunter the opportunity to experience the African bush after dark rather than simply adding one or two night hunts to a conventional safari.
The additional species also make the itinerary more varied. Honey badger, civet, bushpig, jackal and genet are all nocturnal or primarily nocturnal, while baboon and vervet monkey provide opportunities for species active during daylight hours.
For hunters who enjoy predator hunting, wildlife observation and the challenge of waiting for the right opportunity, this combination creates a very different African hunting trip.
This hunt is particularly suited to hunters who are comfortable with a slower, more patient style of hunting and who enjoy the challenge of hunting after dark.
It may appeal to hunters who:
Because this is a 100% nighttime hunting safari, it is important that hunters understand that the experience revolves around patience, darkness and waiting for the right opportunity rather than covering large distances during daylight hours.
South Africa offers a combination of established hunting infrastructure, diverse wildlife and a wide range of hunting environments. For international hunters considering a South African hunting safari, there are several practical advantages:
For a hunter specifically interested in a nocturnal predator such as spotted hyena, South Africa also offers the opportunity to combine the primary hunt with several other African species within the same itinerary.
The primary species on this safari, spotted hyena are intelligent and opportunistic predators that can hunt effectively as well as scavenge. They have excellent senses of sight and smell and are capable of covering considerable distances while searching for food.
Their social behavior also adds another element to the hunt, with vocalizations and communication between animals sometimes providing clues to their presence.
Honey badgers are predominantly nocturnal and are known for their powerful digging ability, tough skin and bold behavior. Their unpredictable nature makes an encounter particularly interesting during a nighttime safari.
Civets are solitary nocturnal mammals that spend much of their time in dense vegetation and cover. Their elusive behavior can make finding and observing them after dark a challenge.
Bushpigs are nocturnal and generally secretive, often staying close to areas offering dense cover and access to water. Baiting is used as part of the hunting method for this species.
This makes bushpig hunts a natural addition to a safari that is already focused on nighttime hunting.
Baboons are highly alert and social, making them a challenging species to approach. Their ability to detect movement and react quickly requires careful planning and patience.
Vervet monkeys are primarily active during daylight hours and spend considerable time in trees and other elevated areas. Their inclusion provides a contrast to the predominantly nocturnal species on the safari.
Jackals are adaptable and opportunistic, feeding on a variety of prey and carrion. They can be active both day and night, although nighttime provides opportunities to encounter them while hunting other species.
Genets are solitary and nocturnal, with excellent climbing ability and a preference for dense cover. Their inclusion adds another small nocturnal predator to the safari.
Before the safari begins, baits are placed in strategic areas where hyena activity is expected. Trail cameras are then used to monitor the sites and determine which locations are showing the greatest activity. Once an active site has been identified, the hunting team can establish a blind and wait for the appropriate opportunity.
Different hunting methods may be used during the safari, including baiting and waiting in a blind, calling and spotlighting. The approach will depend on the species being pursued and the conditions in the hunting area.
The source recommends a suitable hunting rifle for the safari, with rifle rental available at US$60 per rifle per day, including ammunition.
For hunters bringing their own firearm, the required South African import documentation includes a SAPS 520 application, passport and airline ticket copies, a letter of invitation and proof of firearm ownership. US hunters also require the relevant Customs declaration.
Shot placement remains important when hunting any African species. Understanding shot placement for African game before arriving can help hunters prepare for the different species and shooting conditions they may encounter.
International hunters fly into O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg before connecting to Hoedspruit Airport, the gateway to many hunting concessions and wildlife areas in Limpopo.
There are more than 40 flights a week to Hoedspruit, with Airlink recommended as the preferred carrier. Depending on international flight schedules, an overnight stay in Johannesburg may be necessary before continuing to Hoedspruit.
African Sky Boutique Hotel is recommended for hunters requiring an overnight stay. The hotel can assist with airport transfers and firearm permits. On arrival in Hoedspruit, Wayne or a member of his team will meet the hunter and arrange the road transfer to the hunting concession.
The hunting season runs throughout the year, so this safari can be scheduled according to the hunter's preferred dates.
In Limpopo, the dry season from May through October is generally favorable for hunting. Vegetation becomes sparser, water sources become more concentrated and temperatures are generally more comfortable.
January and February can bring periods of heavy rainfall and very high temperatures, with daytime temperatures potentially exceeding 104°F.
If you are looking for a specialized predator hunt that takes place entirely after dark, this spotted hyena safari offers a very different experience from a conventional African hunt. With seven additional specialty species, one observer included and a guided Kruger National Park tour, the itinerary combines focused hyena hunting with a broader nighttime safari experience.
For further information related to this hunt, to customize your African safari or to learn more about hunting in Africa, 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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