Is South Africa still safe to hunt?

[mainjoshua]

A buddy and I are set to go on our first hunting safari this upcoming July in South Africa. We'll be flying into Johannesburg. We have a VIP meet/greet escort with the Afton House where we'll stay the night. We fly out the next morning into Kimberly where we'll be picked up by the outfitter and driven to their property on the outskirts of Aliwal North. The return is the same vice versa. My friend has grown very concerned over the news here in the States about white genocide and farmers being targeted and other crime. I don't believe most of it, but he's considering cancelling over it. I'm looking to get feedback from people in South Africa or that have just gotten back. What's the reality of it? Does Julius Malema really have people raiding farms? Are black South Africans targeting white tourists? Is there really anything to be concerned about? If he cancels then I probably won't go alone.

 

[One Day...]

Totally safe, as long as (like New York, Chicago, etc.) you do not provoke destiny by roaming in the wrong places at the wrong time

Absolutely no worry whatsoever when in the charge of Afton, your outfitter, your PH etc.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and Julius Malema have been agitating for years (decades?) and have zero impact on the safari world.

I would not even think about cancelling, and for what it is worth, I will be there myself again in September.

Your, and your friend's much bigger risk, is to catch the "Africa bugg" and not being able to think about anything else than going back by the time you come back. Do not underestimate that risk!!!

 

[mdwest]

I completely concur with @One Day...

I travel to South Africa with my wife, and have taken our teen daughter several times… zero concerns..

I will also be back in South Africa again this September..

 

[375Fox]

The question was just asked on another thread. Yes it’s safe for hunting. There are no farms being raided and no tourists being targeted (other than normal petty crime). It has its problems but it is a safe country to hunt. The news was the same 10 years ago although maybe less of it made the news.

A

Thread 'Is south africa reasonably safe?'

Saturday at 4:14 PM

We will be going to South Africa for the very first time. We are flying into Johannesburg and ph is driving us to Limpopo province. Since booking the trip it seems like a lot in the news. I have been doing research and lots of reading. I dont know if things are getting worse or I just never really paid attention. We will have grandchildren with us is our main concern. It is so hard to tell bs from legit information anymore. Trump is either bringing something to the world's attention or stirring the pot? Any info good or bad from people who have hunted and spent time in SA or live in SA...

• ar15teacher
• Replies: 54
• Forum: Hunting Africa

• 

 

[Cucuy]

https://www.africahunting.com/threads/is-south-africa-reasonably-safe.92985/

Consensus is yes, it’s safe (provided you don’t do anything stupid)

 

[Cucuy]

375Fox beat me to it!

 

[K-man]

A buddy and I are set to go on our first hunting safari this upcoming July in South Africa. We'll be flying into Johannesburg. We have a VIP meet/greet escort with the Afton House where we'll stay the night. We fly out the next morning into Kimberly where we'll be picked up by the outfitter and driven to their property on the outskirts of Aliwal North. The return is the same vice versa. My friend has grown very concerned over the news here in the States about white genocide and farmers being targeted and other crime. I don't believe most of it, but he's considering cancelling over it. I'm looking to get feedback from people in South Africa or that have just gotten back. What's the reality of it? Does Julius Malema really have people raiding farms? Are black South Africans targeting white tourists? Is there really anything to be concerned about? If he cancels then I probably won't go alone.

Just returned from Kimberly Friday. No signs of any violence, no one looking scared, etc. Stay with your P.H. while away from camp and enjoy yourself!

 

[coreydb]

Safe!

 

[Hank2211]

Agree with the foregoing. Headed to RSA myself in June, next of many visits, and never had an issue.

 

[BryceM]

Go. Have fun. Repeat.

 

[Safari Dave]

Safe.

Just follow your safari company's recommendations and everyone should be fine.


I guess, I'll be the A--hole here, but why even bother hunting another country, if you're afraid of something "weird" happening???

Something "weird" has happened to me every time I've traveled outside of the US. (actually, even inside of the US, involving firearms.)

If your "buddy" is afraid of minor disagreements at the JNB airport, maybe you should find yourself another "buddy."

 

[Hookboy88]

Went last year and headed back this September. Most dangerous part is driving through Atlanta GA to get to the airport

 

[Frederik]

Safe no worries but why fly to Kimberly and then drive to Aliwal North.

You save less than 300km/186 miles on road but flying time an airport time combined you will loose a day.
Extra hassles checking out rifles checking in again and so on extra cost on airline tickets.

OR Tambo to Aliwal North 632km 393 miles
Kimberley to Aliwal North 362km 225 miles.

Anyway back to the topic yes you will be safe and in safe hands.
Don't show off and be loud in public areas airport etc. everyone will hear the accent and you will attract attention.

 

[Tim Blackwell]

I got back a few days ago. As always I felt 100% safe there.

In large cities & airports you take the same caution you would anywhere in the world. Other than that, go and enjoy your hunt.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

If you want to play it Safe and have no concerns or worries, hunt South Island New Zealand and rent guns.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

If your buddy cancels, then you should go alone. It’s a lot easier to travel alone and with less pressure. I’ve done both, but find it a lot easier to relax when I’m solo. Plus you are handled by professionals from start to finish. Don’t act like a tourist and focus on the hunt…

 

[Ontario Hunter]

If your buddy cancels, then you should go alone. It’s a lot easier to travel alone and with less pressure. I’ve done both, but find it a lot easier to relax when I’m solo. Plus you are handled by professionals from start to finish. Don’t act like a tourist and focus on the hunt…

I agree. Don't hesitate to leave him behind. I prefer to hunt alone for just this reason. Keep my own agenda.

You will have a GREAT time.

 

[Bandera]

As others have stated it is safe.
Is a chance that civil unrest could flare up? Sure that can happen anywhere.
If you are only hunting, you will be in the hands of the PH’s and your escort at JNB.

 

[Philip Glass]

A buddy and I are set to go on our first hunting safari this upcoming July in South Africa. We'll be flying into Johannesburg. We have a VIP meet/greet escort with the Afton House where we'll stay the night. We fly out the next morning into Kimberly where we'll be picked up by the outfitter and driven to their property on the outskirts of Aliwal North. The return is the same vice versa. My friend has grown very concerned over the news here in the States about white genocide and farmers being targeted and other crime. I don't believe most of it, but he's considering cancelling over it. I'm looking to get feedback from people in South Africa or that have just gotten back. What's the reality of it? Does Julius Malema really have people raiding farms? Are black South Africans targeting white tourists? Is there really anything to be concerned about? If he cancels then I probably won't go alone.

Nothing has changed except the rhetoric. President Trump is calling attention to the troubles there this is true.
I have one client going this year and I've had to talk him off a ledge. Hunters are completely safe with their hosts in South Africa. Turn off the TV and get to shooting of sticks, get packed, and go!

 

[Hunt anything]

In the past week a knife wielding guy attacked people on a train in Hamburg Germany and a nut job drove a car into a crowd injuring over 60 in England. Has anyone raised concerns about traveling to these places? I doubt it.
Go on your trip keep your head on a swivel as you should anywhere and enjoy what could turn out to be a trip of a lifetime!
My wife and daughter will be with me in August again this year. They are more concerned about load shedding if electricity than violence.