SOUTH AFRICA: Has Anyone Hunted With Southern Cross Safaris?

Hi friends,

new member and first time poster
admin, sorry if this message is in the wrong forum
I have a hunt booked with Southern Cross Safaris in SA, run by Chris Cawood, booked for April, and I was just wondering if anyone has been there before? I don’t want to bother the outfitter as I assume he’s pretty busy, so I was hoping to pick someone brain who’s been there!!
Thanks in advance!

Welcome aboard! I have not hunted there but surely someone on AH has and will have some comments for you!

I may be wrong, but I believe someone has asked this question before. Have you tried a search?

I've never hunted with Chris, but my brother has a number of years back. He still raves about him. I'll see if I can get him to give you a first-hand account.

everett said:

I may be wrong, but I believe someone has asked this question before. Have you tried a search?

I've never hunted with Chris, but my brother has a number of years back. He still raves about him. I'll see if I can get him to give you a first-hand account.

Click to expand...

Wow that would be great! I will try search function also!

I hunted with Chris. I think in 2011. Chris and his entire operation is topnotch. He has outstanding game quality and quantity and knows how to put you on your trophy.
He as an amazing lodge maintained from back around the 1700's. It is still perfect. Chris is an all around great guy and hell of a ph. He and I have stayed in touch over
the years. I also hear his operation continues to grow and get even better. I think you will be well pleased.

Hunter fisher said:

Hi friends,

new member and first time poster
admin, sorry if this message is in the wrong forum
I have a hunt booked with Southern Cross Safaris in SA, run by Chris Cawood, booked for April, and I was just wondering if anyone has been there before? I don’t want to bother the outfitter as I assume he’s pretty busy, so I was hoping to pick someone brain who’s been there!!
Thanks in advance!

Click to expand...

Welcome aboard!!! Lots of great guys on here and everyone is super helpful!!!

I hunted with Chris Cawood about 8 years ago. I can reiterate Bryan Carraway's comments about game and the lodge. Unfortunately Chris and I had a bit of a clash which soured a couple of days but we got over it. Be aware that Chris calls it as he sees it.

I too am new here on AH and will be hunting with Chris in September. I look forward to hearing how your hunt in April goes. Any word on if your trip will be affected by COVID-19?

Hello,
I have hunted with Chris Cawood 3 times so far. My first safari with Southern Cross was in 2004, then,2006 and again in 2018 I took my entire family (6 of us) on a guided 2 week tour of the garden route and hunting at Southern Cross. Chris and his lovely wife Mel set everything up for us. They picked us up in Cape Town and were our personal tour guides for the next two weeks. Everything was top shelf and first class. The hunting at Southern Cross is very good. Since the property has been in the Cawood family since the 1700's Chris knows it like the back of his hand. Animals are plentiful. The last trip I took a waterbuck, sable and a very nice cape buffalo after six days of stalking them. I spoke with Chris just last week and he stated that the property is in excellent shape due to all of the rain which they have received. The buffalo will use every inch of the 36 sq miles (I believe, but may be off a small amount) that Southern Cross sits on. If you want a Buffalo be prepared to walk. Meals and accommodations are very good and have continued to improve since my 2004 trip where we stayed in heated walled tents. Chris and Mel will do everything that they can to make sure that you have a fantastic experience while on the eastern cape. If they can't do something you will be told that it can not be done. Chris and his family have worked very hard to continue to uphold the reputation of Southern Cross and he will not jeopardize that. Chris and I have become good friends over the last years and if the Pandemic ends in time we will be on his concession in Mozambique in August after Leopard and Hippo.
Enjoy your time and remember relax, enjoy your time, the trigger pull is a small but important part of the hunt.