S.A. Hunt / Safari 2028, Larger Group

Hey everyone,

We are in the planning stages for a S.A. hunt / safari trip for a (somewhat) larger group. I've scoured hundreds of posts at this point, and have reviewed all of the best (no, better!) questions threads, packing threads, etc. - we're now in the planning stages for our group to head over in March - May 2028, aiming for 7-10 days. Likely the longer end of that spread.

• We've currently got four couples + one solo going - and have another 8 families with interest in joining. I'd estimate we will end up with ~14-ish adults, requiring 7-9 rooms.
• This is a mix of hunters, hunting wives, non-hunters, non-hunting wives, and kids in both camps. the wide gambit of folks all looking to enjoy each others company on a dual-purpose S.A. trip: hunting for half of us, and safari for the other half of us (and kids). Goal is to aim for a nice ranch that is well set up for our entourage, and (hopefully) have the numbers to where we are an attractive group for an outfit, such that we can hopefully have lower prices per animal / per room... and instead turn right back around and spend more on more animals. That's the goal - whether it is reality? You know better than I do.

• We're already fully booked for SCI January 2027, and I've got a google sheet that was created in order to herd all of these questions into one centralized list that we can ask all outfitters about. Overkill? Potentially. Easier to have everything in one place? Absolutely.

I suppose this thread is really just for two primary purposes:
• An introduction to the handful of folks that will be exhibiting at SCI 2027, or those that can work with a larger group: we would love to chat with you if you can accommodate a larger, dual purpose group of hunters and non-hunters alike. A handful of folks also want to do safari on horseback (given one individual owns a horse ranch in CO)- is that even a thing? We'd love to talk to you if you have it or have dealt with it!

• And overall, just a place for me to put my thoughts on the trip. We have people wanting hiking. Others wanting horseback riding. Others that would love clay shooting in off hours. Others where a pool and lodge being nice is important. It's a bit of a mess - but we're going to try and find the right outfit that has good reviews and can accommodate a group of fun folks that are looking to visit and enjoy your beautiful country. Everyone on our end is 100% laid back and is looking to partner with an outfitter that can accommodate a larger group size.

If that sounds like you, I'd love to plan some time to meet up with you in January at SCI. If you aren't an outfitter and think of a pitfall we should watch out for - I'd love to hear it. I've already sent in my initial inquiry to Gracy to help.

Thanks kindly!

As an example, here's the base list of questions we have for when we meet with outfitters. This list will continue growing until we hit SCI, but I welcome anything you see missing that definitely should be asked!

...Ignore the lion comment from one folk. We are only hunting PG, but the point stands.

First off, very smart to come on here and ask the hard questions! You are a great guy to be the ring leader of such a trip. I think it just might be possible

cmeng12 said:

...Ignore the lion comment from one folk. We are only hunting PG, but the point stands.

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“How are the hunted animals brought in? I don't necessarily want to see a dead lion/animal being brought in.”

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They don’t want to see a dead animal while staying at a hunting ranch during a hunting safari? That is going to be difficult. I hope I’m misunderstanding the request.

“Does the taxidermist process all appropriate permits themselves, and/or any other export paperwork, or does that need to be done by us?”

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The local South African taxidermist isn’t necessarily going to handle the entire export/import process for you. I would do some more research on here about getting trophies home so you have a better understanding of the process and the different parties involved.

All in all, you have some good questions, and again, good on you for doing the research beforehand.

I think you’ll be able to find an outfitter in South Africa capable of accommodating a group that large. I would suggest, though, maybe easing up a little on some of the group’s requirements. With that many people, there are almost certainly going to have to be some compromises.

Expectations can be tough on both the host and the client, and with such a large group, everyone may need to be willing to “cut some slack” here and there and go with the flow a little bit.
Almost certainly, y’all will be hunting on multiple farms and leased properties. Not many South African outfitters own enough land themselves to have 14 people all out hunting at the same time.

That’s pretty normal in South Africa, especially with a group that large.

Have you talked to John X? ive seen them host some massive parties haha. They seem well equipped for that

I can highly recommend Tsala Hunting Safaris, they will exceed all expectations!
Here are few pictures from my brother and my trip in June!

I tagged Stuart at @Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS in your thread. He may be able to take care you in the Limpopo

Maybe I’m not clear on Cmeng12’s OP, but it sounds like he’s laying out a group safari wanting to go in 9 different directions. Are you talking about shared sleeping and dining quarters?

As far as the hunting aspect, are you contemplating piling a bunch of hunters into one truck to go out each morning and chase down animals on each hunters list?

Or would the 1 PH to 1 hunter type of hunt (along with a tracker) still be an option?

Jack Stevens said:

Maybe I’m not clear on Cmeng12’s OP, but it sounds like he’s laying out a group safari wanting to go in 9 different directions. Are you talking about shared sleeping and dining quarters?

As far as the hunting aspect, are you contemplating piling a bunch of hunters into one truck to go out each morning and chase down animals on each hunters list?

Or would the 1 PH to 1 hunter type of hunt (along with a tracker) still be an option?

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From my perspective, OP was very clear with the trip. Not sure how you are getting confused.

dchum said:

From my perspective, OP was very clear with the trip. Not sure how you are getting confused.

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Did you actually read the questions I asked in my post?

dchum said:

They don’t want to see a dead animal while staying at a hunting ranch during a hunting safari? That is going to be difficult. I hope I’m misunderstanding the request.

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Apologies - my message was confusing. Given half of the group will be hunting and half will not, I think the general gist is that us hunters do our prep work somewhere other than "the front entrance to the lodging" - those of us hunting aren't going to have an issue prepping our own hides or carving out dinner prior to sending the rest off, but I know a couple of families will probably want to avoid having their kids watching us. Not my daughter - I'll be having her help... but it is what it is. I'm letting those safari folks do their thing.

dchum said:

I think you’ll be able to find an outfitter in South Africa capable of accommodating a group that large. I would suggest, though, maybe easing up a little on some of the group’s requirements. With that many people, there are almost certainly going to have to be some compromises.

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Agree 100% - and the goal is to find a one stop shop, but it isn't to find someone that checks quite literally every box. The more the better, but I'd say the following are our order of importance:

1) lodging that will accommodate the group once we have a head count. Ideally on the "nicer" end, but no one here is expecting (or desiring) The Ritz. We're aiming for a nice lodge (or more than one on the same property) that can accommodate and be comfortable as a home base.
2) fitting budget, between animal and lodging expenses. This is a bucket trip for pretty much everyone involved, albeit I'll certainly be back for more hunting.
3) location and proximity to both hunting and safari. Goal is for PG: Kudu / Gemsbok / Sable as primaries. Other options are secondary. We will flex as necessary.
4) Additional potential "niceties" - horseback, proximity to hiking, clay shooting, etc. etc. - with each person attending having their own ordinal scale for importance. Great news: I get final say since I'm doing the legwork, which means we're just trying to get as many as possible.

dchum said:

Expectations can be tough on both the host and the client, and with such a large group, everyone may need to be willing to “cut some slack” here and there and go with the flow a little bit.

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There is not a single individual that will be in attendance that would be anything other than wholly appreciative. We're aiming for a good time - not a perfect trip.

dchum said:

Almost certainly, y’all will be hunting on multiple farms and leased properties. Not many South African outfitters own enough land themselves to have 14 people all out hunting at the same time.

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I don't think this is a deal breaker at all, although I included the question due to some of the posts I've read on here. I think overall the goal is to avoid having a 2+ hour drive every morning to "my buddies land" for our entire group - and this would fit just the same for the safari goers. While I'm not expecting to have folks in jeeps watch the same PG that I'm hunting, I'd hope we can avoid two groups having to travel for hours on end every day to accomplish what they want.

Likewise in regards to PH's: while one per hunter definitely isn't needed and we'll be able to combine hunters together without issue, "more than one" would also be expected, that way we don't have to have eight guys all following one PH. I would presume that this would be standard, but as a neophyte for S.A. - we defer to the opinion of those that do this professionally.

Jack Stevens said:

Are you talking about shared sleeping and dining quarters?

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Shared as in a lodge with private rooms would be perfectly fine. Definitely not looking for a hotel, but not looking for a tent either. From a "close to what we are looking for" aspect, the lodging from Spears or Derian Koekemoer would be perfectly fine for our group.

Jack Stevens said:

As far as the hunting aspect, are you contemplating piling a bunch of hunters into one truck to go out each morning and chase down animals on each hunters list?

Or would the 1 PH to 1 hunter type of hunt (along with a tracker) still be an option?

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Apologies, answered this in part above. Somewhere in the middle would be perfectly fine - those with similar desires join together on a given day, and work together. I think the maximum I'd aim to have together (just for sake of minimizing noise, etc.) would be 2-3 of us with one PH. Again however, we would defer to the professionals. We would definitely be flexible here, although aim for it to not be all eight of us tracking around together. That would likely get a bit hectic and have a bunch of folks sitting rather than shooting.

Well you have a great mind set!

I think you will get it done for the group!
Good luck on your search!

Here’s a good thread my friend made. He had a similar question and got good feedback


I will say, check out Namibia too. There are a few horseback operations I know of and there is lots to see across the central part of the country. Great giant hunting property’s as well.

358 Norma said:

I can highly recommend Tsala Hunting Safaris, they will exceed all expectations!
Here are few pictures from my brother and my trip in June!

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Yep - that lodge looks like it would be perfect. Definitely aiming for something where people can break out into private rooms for sleeping, but communal for breakfasts / meals. Thanks for the recommendation!

Hello,

I would recommend Derian Koekemoer Safaris. He has accommodated groups your size before. Lots of things to do for the non hunters too- Kruger National Park and other excursions too numerous to mention. Their lodge and villas would accommodate your group size (I’ve stayed in both) and they are close to Kruger National Park. I’ve hunted with Derian twice and am going on a third hunt with him in a couple months. He runs a wonderful operation with his wife Johlene and great staff. He is an honest hardworking outfitter with a pleasant disposition and will treat you like family. You will have a wonderful time with them.

Hello Cmeng12
I think we will be a good fit for what you are looking for.
We tick a lot of the boxes but not all.
The boxes that we tick are the following :
- We are the land owners and owns the lodge
- Very large hunting area (we own 8 ranches all contiguous)
- Lodge in the middle of hunting area so no long drives
- You eat every day wild meat (either what your group killed or what the previous group killed) after hanging in cold room for about a week.
- We have 7 luxurious rooms so 14 people is no problem.
- We book one group at a time
- We have a spa with a wood fired hot tub
- Swimming pool also
- Shooting range at the lodge out to 1000 meters
- Clay pigeon shooting available
- We have our own airstrip or pick up by vehicle in Johannesburg
- we have horses on the ranch that we use with the cattle operation so can do some horseback riding.
- Skinning facilities, slaughter house and cold rooms and staff housing is about 2 miles from the lodge so no chance of the non hunting part of your group seeing the dead animals
- Lots of game animals (6 000 at last count) so the chances of sucess is very good.
- We have lots of blinds so the non-hunting people can sit in the blinds just taking photos of all the animals coming into the waterhole

The parts where we do not tick all the boxes are :
- We are very remote so no shopping close by but that can be done when we pick you up in Johannesburg or when we take you back.

We do the SCI Show every year for the last 32 years so come and look us up.

Sincerely
Hans de Klerk

DE KLERK SAFARIS said:

Hello Cmeng12
I think we will be a good fit for what you are looking for.
We tick a lot of the boxes but not all.
The boxes that we tick are the following :
- We are the land owners and owns the lodge
- Very large hunting area (we own 8 ranches all contiguous)
- Lodge in the middle of hunting area so no long drives
- You eat every day wild meat (either what your group killed or what the previous group killed) after hanging in cold room for about a week.
- We have 7 luxurious rooms so 14 people is no problem.
- We book one group at a time
- We have a spa with a wood fired hot tub
- Swimming pool also
- Shooting range at the lodge out to 1000 meters
- Clay pigeon shooting available
- We have our own airstrip or pick up by vehicle in Johannesburg
- we have horses on the ranch that we use with the cattle operation so can do some horseback riding.
- Skinning facilities, slaughter house and cold rooms and staff housing is about 2 miles from the lodge so no chance of the non hunting part of your group seeing the dead animals
- Lots of game animals (6 000 at last count) so the chances of sucess is very good.
- We have lots of blinds so the non-hunting people can sit in the blinds just taking photos of all the animals coming into the waterhole

The parts where we do not tick all the boxes are :
- We are very remote so no shopping close by but that can be done when we pick you up in Johannesburg or when we take you back.

We do the SCI Show every year for the last 32 years so come and look us up.

Sincerely
Hans de Klerk

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wow, he just handled you list thoroughly @cmeng12

good stuff @DE KLERK SAFARIS