First Bowhunt to Africa

Hello, first post here. I am a member of many hunting forums. When I noted an interest in taking my first trip to Africa, many said to jump on this forum and look around. As you might expect, I have a number of questions. I have bowhunted big game in North America extensively. I never thought I would want to hunt Africa, but that seems to changing.

I would be interested in an extended trip to hunt plains game. My top targets would be Eland, Oryx, Kudu, and Sable. After that, I open to anything so long as I still have arrows. My guess is very few arrows are used twice in Africa. Some of those animals look tough and pass throughs do not appear to be likely.

Well got so excited thinking about it, I forgot to ask my first question. Is there a month that is generally better to go than others? And, what country should I be focusing on right now.

Most bowhunting in Africa takes place over water holes on fenced farms in South Africa. There are operations which have free range bowhunting opportunities but they are also set up over water. South Africa will be your best bet especially seeing the animals you are looking for aren't normally in the same areas in the wild . There are a few forum sponsors who support bowhunting, maybe they will chime in.

May and June for RSA. Use the search function (upper right corner) and type in "arrow build." Lots of discussion from experts. Build some heavy arrows, two bladed, single bevel, high FOC and go hunting.

Check out @Bowhuntr64 as he tests a lot of broadheads and posts videos.

hi sir

for bowhunting generally later in the season is better in my opinion

also sent u a DM

regards

Welcome to the forum always good to see another bowhunter on here. You want to go during the dry season so I would go with July or August. For plains game look at Nambia. There is nothing like that first trip to Africa.

Welcome @WTNUT!
I have bowhunted 3 times now and in 3 different months and all have been great. (June/July/August) I believe I prefer August the best as it was a bit drier.
Check out the Limpopo area and I have had great luck hunting with African Barefoot Safaris, and I know there have been a few other members here who have hunted with them as well and maybe they will chime in.

If you haven't noticed already, there will be some difference of opinion in when the best time to go is. Because some of it comes down to personal preference. Sort of like asking someone what their favorite season is (Spring,Fall, etc).

The bulk of "hunting season" is their winter months, which is June, July, August. However, many people go a little earlier or later (May and September). And some even go over their "off season"

The closer you go to May/June, the warmer it will be. The month of May can also include some rainy season, which some people don't like.

The later you go the colder it is likely to be.

There is typically less vegetation later in the season, just like is true for most places in their winter months. This can be beneficial for spotting animals, and possibly sneaking your arrow into an animal, although a lot, not all, of bow hunting does happen over water holes.

Early season has more vegetation, but you are getting first crack at the animals in the beginning of the hunting season, so to speak. Although, there are plenty to go around, so don't feel like you can't have a good hunt further into the season.

I am certainly no expert, I have only been twice, both to Limpopo South Africa, with 2 different outfits. I bowhunted both times. I went in August and July. In general, I have been bowhunting now for 30 years.

The first trip was entirely blinds over water. It is great to do, you see a TON of animals, but I also get bored of just sitting.

The second trip I had a mix of blinds and spot/stalk. My preference is spot and stalk, but going in July when everything is dry and brown makes it very difficult. Stefan told me (my PH) that March-May would be better for spot and stalk. It's green and the animals will be more spread out so we have to actually track them.

I'm new to this forum, so I will post my last hunt report soon, it was July of '24.

For arrows, I'm always a heavier arrow believer. I shoot 500gr for whitetails. I shot a buffalo last year so i had a big heavy setup, 82# bowtech CPXL, 31.5" draw and 715gr arrows with iron will single bevel "buff" heads. I like footers made either from one of the manufacturers or make your own with aluminum arrow shafts. They really toughen the end of the arrow. I've shot a concrete wall with mine and the arrows will crack at the nock, not the business end.

I also like heavy inserts, that way you can vary the weights of your broadheads to see what works best, and allows for a more common broadhead size but still get increased FOC. My 'buff arrows' were also my elk arrows for years but with a 125gr head instead of 175, so they had a bit better trajectory at 640gr versus 715 in africa.

When i go back (one of these days) i will likely only hunt plains game and will take my 70lb bow with arrows somewhere in the 500-550gr range. I also have long monkey-arms with a long draw so I can go heavy with good velocity.

My pops had no problems killing animals with 60# and 475gr arrows, except for a poor shoulder shot on a wildebeest.

I buried my arrow to the vanes on the buffalo and zipped through my elands 'vital v' like a hot knife through butter at 35y. Stefan said it was only the 2nd straight pass-thru he has ever had on eland. He went down in sight. My buff bellowed a couple minutes after he was shot and made it about 100 yards.

Here is a clip from my first trip back in 2015. blue wildebeest. 80# bowtech destroyer 350. 640gr arrow with a strickland helix single bevel. 20 yard shot.

my impala, same trip:

I do not have any videos uploaded from this past trip. maybe i will add a couple.

Good day! Really nice to read your post, because you're exactely right; arrows are seldomly used twice!
If you decide on hunting in South Africa, we would love to give you an offer. South Africa is a great hunting destination and you won't be dissapointed! All the best with your decision, it will not be easy, but go with your gut!

WTNUT said:

Hello, first post here. I am a member of many hunting forums. When I noted an interest in taking my first trip to Africa, many said to jump on this forum and look around. As you might expect, I have a number of questions. I have bowhunted big game in North America extensively. I never thought I would want to hunt Africa, but that seems to changing.

I would be interested in an extended trip to hunt plains game. My top targets would be Eland, Oryx, Kudu, and Sable. After that, I open to anything so long as I still have arrows. My guess is very few arrows are used twice in Africa. Some of those animals look tough and pass throughs do not appear to be likely.

Click to expand...

Good day @WTNUT
Welcome to AH sir, we will definitely be able to assist you with your request.
We did send you an DM, looking forward to hearing from you.
Derian Koekemoer

PM sent to you

Hi,

Just to let you know that we are very committed to bowhunting here, with opportunities for spot-and-stalk, blind hunting, and shooting from elevated platforms. Our bowhunters have successfully taken impala, sable, kudu, warthog, baboon, and even a few birds here.

@WTNUT To answer your question, later in the season is better for blind hunting. Our rain usually start around October and can last up to as late as May, so by August even September everything is dry, water in the field has dried up completely and water and feeding spots will be a lot more active.

If you are interested in South Africa please let me know and we can send you through some pricing and options.

Kind regards
Gerrit

WTNUT said:

Hello, first post here. I am a member of many hunting forums. When I noted an interest in taking my first trip to Africa, many said to jump on this forum and look around. As you might expect, I have a number of questions. I have bowhunted big game in North America extensively. I never thought I would want to hunt Africa, but that seems to changing.

I would be interested in an extended trip to hunt plains game. My top targets would be Eland, Oryx, Kudu, and Sable. After that, I open to anything so long as I still have arrows. My guess is very few arrows are used twice in Africa. Some of those animals look tough and pass throughs do not appear to be likely.

Click to expand...

I am sure you received plenty of PM,s about bowhunting Africa. How did you make out? did you get all the info you were looking for? have you made a decision and maybe booked your first hunt?

I would hunt both Namibia and SA. Namibia for kudu, oryx eland and add warthog spring buck as they are native. Sable and impala in south africa