Looking for a nice place to hunt plains game in SA

[B Frederick]

Hello. I would like to get some information and pricing on a plains game hunt. My wife would be with me as an observer. I have a pretty good idea of I want and don't want but am always open to suggestions. I would like to hunt a kudu, a gemsbuck and an impala. I am not looking for gold medal trophies, but I would like a chance to see/get solid mature bulls that meet the SCI minimum. Most important to me is the hunt be done in the spirit of fair chase. I'd rather spend a week of hard/fun hunting to get one good animal than to shoot an animal a day from the truck. I look forward to watching the native species in their native habitat. I understand the reason for fences around the property but then would like to hunt large parcels of land to make up for this. I do not want a canned hunt where animals are trucked in to a small parcel to promptly be shot. I am very interested in watching and learning a few things on how the trackers track. My wife would very much like to be able to spend some time with the cook learning a few new dishes. As far as duration of the hunt, I'm thinking 6 or 7 actual hunting days but again am open to recommendations. Before or after the hunt, we would like to sight see and see at least a few species of the Big 5 in their natural habitat, so having a large park within driving distance (like Addo or Kruger) would be great. However, if the distance is too much, we are open to making a park visit independent of the hunt. Timing wise, we're thinking the end of May of 2027, if this is when the Kudu are typically in rut in your area.

I hope this provides a little insight into what we are looking for. If your safari would be a good fit, I would appreciate learning more about your place and the people that we would be interacting with.

Thank you.

 

[JimP]

Welcome to the forum, get ready for information overload.

I'd say that any of the sponsors on the site here would be able to set you up for just what you want.

My last hunt was with Frontier Safaries in South Africa and they were great.

 

[Mekaniks]

to AH
There will be some really good outfitters along shortly that can help you out

 

[K-man]

glad you're here, Get ready for plenty of offers, use the resources and shopping guides on here, especially the questions you should be asking. Nothing like the first hunt in Africa!

 

[Spear Safaris]

I have a running thread called " South Africas best kept secret" I think that is th perfect destination for you. Please let me know if you find it?
Cheers Ernest

 

[Mekaniks]

@Spear Safaris here it is...

Thread 'South Africa's Best Kept Secret'

Nov 17, 2024

Allow me to introduce our South African concession.

The property is High fenced and comprises 24710 acres of broken Rocky outcrops, Mopani forests, Savanna bush-veld combined with lots of dry river beds and sand washes, very close to the Limpopo river and neighbouring Zimbabwe.

THIS IS NOT YOUR TYPICAL SOUTH AFRICAN GAME FARM. !!!

This is a place where hunting is still hunting, you will work for your trophy. The hunting is real and we mostly obtain our game by means of tracking.
This region and in particular this property, has been close to my heart for more than 20...

• Spear Safaris
• Replies: 46
• Forum: Hunting Africa

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[Spear Safaris]

Thank you so much, been searching for a way to post the link. LOL

 

[375Fox]

I think you’d enjoy a hunt in Namibia more than south Africa from your description. South Africa is largely high fenced. Namibia has a lot more low fenced hunting. I’d suggest changing your list to kudu, gemsbok, Hartmann mountain zebra (more challenging species). You could have a really good hunt then you could go to Etosha once the hunt finished. I also think you have a misconception about a PG hunt. You generally aren’t going to track. PG hunting is a spot and stalk hunt. Some areas are thicker brush where you’ll spot from truck. Other areas are more open where you’ll use the terrain to glass, but still use the truck extensively. The trackers are more there to aid the PH with gates, loading animals, and spotting more than tracking. You get to see trackers work on a Dangerous game hunt not a plains game hunt.
If you do hunt South Africa I’d suggest changing your list to suit the area. If you hunt Limpopo, gemsbok aren’t widely distributed. It’s not part of their native range and they don’t do well with ticks. Something like kudu, zebra, blue wildebeest, impala, warthog would give you a better hunt. If you hunt eastern cape something like kudu, bushbuck, zebra, black wildebeest would give you a better hunt. Kalahari region in South Africa would offer you good kudu, gemsbok, springbok. I find Limpopo is the most commercialized. The other regions have larger properties and less fencing.

 

[B Frederick]

Thank you all that have given such a warm welcome. Ernest, Mekaniks and 375Fox, thank you for the helpful information. I will review it.
Per 375Fox's suggestion, I'm not opposed to hunting Namibia instead. I was initially focusing on SA as it is our first African hunt and flights are quite a bit cheaper. But if it is a better fit, I need to look into it. Thank you again!

 

[358 Norma]

Hello. I would like to get some information and pricing on a plains game hunt. My wife would be with me as an observer. I have a pretty good idea of I want and don't want but am always open to suggestions. I would like to hunt a kudu, a gemsbuck and an impala. I am not looking for gold medal trophies, but I would like a chance to see/get solid mature bulls that meet the SCI minimum. Most important to me is the hunt be done in the spirit of fair chase. I'd rather spend a week of hard/fun hunting to get one good animal than to shoot an animal a day from the truck. I look forward to watching the native species in their native habitat. I understand the reason for fences around the property but then would like to hunt large parcels of land to make up for this. I do not want a canned hunt where animals are trucked in to a small parcel to promptly be shot. I am very interested in watching and learning a few things on how the trackers track. My wife would very much like to be able to spend some time with the cook learning a few new dishes. As far as duration of the hunt, I'm thinking 6 or 7 actual hunting days but again am open to recommendations. Before or after the hunt, we would like to sight see and see at least a few species of the Big 5 in their natural habitat, so having a large park within driving distance (like Addo or Kruger) would be great. However, if the distance is too much, we are open to making a park visit independent of the hunt. Timing wise, we're thinking the end of May of 2027, if this is when the Kudu are typically in rut in your area.

I hope this provides a little insight into what we are looking for. If your safari would be a good fit, I would appreciate learning more about your place and the people that we would be interacting with.

Thank you.

You should check out Tsala Hunting Safaris, they can provide everything on your list!

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Hello. I would like to get some information and pricing on a plains game hunt. My wife would be with me as an observer. I have a pretty good idea of I want and don't want but am always open to suggestions. I would like to hunt a kudu, a gemsbuck and an impala. I am not looking for gold medal trophies, but I would like a chance to see/get solid mature bulls that meet the SCI minimum. Most important to me is the hunt be done in the spirit of fair chase. I'd rather spend a week of hard/fun hunting to get one good animal than to shoot an animal a day from the truck. I look forward to watching the native species in their native habitat. I understand the reason for fences around the property but then would like to hunt large parcels of land to make up for this. I do not want a canned hunt where animals are trucked in to a small parcel to promptly be shot. I am very interested in watching and learning a few things on how the trackers track. My wife would very much like to be able to spend some time with the cook learning a few new dishes. As far as duration of the hunt, I'm thinking 6 or 7 actual hunting days but again am open to recommendations. Before or after the hunt, we would like to sight see and see at least a few species of the Big 5 in their natural habitat, so having a large park within driving distance (like Addo or Kruger) would be great. However, if the distance is too much, we are open to making a park visit independent of the hunt. Timing wise, we're thinking the end of May of 2027, if this is when the Kudu are typically in rut in your area.

I hope this provides a little insight into what we are looking for. If your safari would be a good fit, I would appreciate learning more about your place and the people that we would be interacting with.

Thank you.

Welcome to AH! You've come to the right place to shop for an African hunt. @JKO HUNTING SAFARIS has a couple of properties that would fit your list. Both are quite large, with the biggest being some 60K acres. That property is quite hilly with a mix of open valley grasslands and thick brush. You may spot animals hundreds of yards away and using the rolling hills to conceal your stalk. Other times you may see animals quite close in the thick stuff.

If you have any further questions, please let me know via a PM or email, my address is in my signature.

 

[DERIAN KOEKEMOER SAFARIS]

Hello. I would like to get some information and pricing on a plains game hunt. My wife would be with me as an observer. I have a pretty good idea of I want and don't want but am always open to suggestions. I would like to hunt a kudu, a gemsbuck and an impala. I am not looking for gold medal trophies, but I would like a chance to see/get solid mature bulls that meet the SCI minimum. Most important to me is the hunt be done in the spirit of fair chase. I'd rather spend a week of hard/fun hunting to get one good animal than to shoot an animal a day from the truck. I look forward to watching the native species in their native habitat. I understand the reason for fences around the property but then would like to hunt large parcels of land to make up for this. I do not want a canned hunt where animals are trucked in to a small parcel to promptly be shot. I am very interested in watching and learning a few things on how the trackers track. My wife would very much like to be able to spend some time with the cook learning a few new dishes. As far as duration of the hunt, I'm thinking 6 or 7 actual hunting days but again am open to recommendations. Before or after the hunt, we would like to sight see and see at least a few species of the Big 5 in their natural habitat, so having a large park within driving distance (like Addo or Kruger) would be great. However, if the distance is too much, we are open to making a park visit independent of the hunt. Timing wise, we're thinking the end of May of 2027, if this is when the Kudu are typically in rut in your area.

I hope this provides a little insight into what we are looking for. If your safari would be a good fit, I would appreciate learning more about your place and the people that we would be interacting with.

Thank you.

Good day Sir,

We at Derian Koekemoer Safaris will be happy to assist you with your request. We’ll send you a direct message shortly to chat in more detail and answer any questions you may have.

 

[LIMPOPO NORTH SAFARIS]

Hello. I would like to get some information and pricing on a plains game hunt. My wife would be with me as an observer. I have a pretty good idea of I want and don't want but am always open to suggestions. I would like to hunt a kudu, a gemsbuck and an impala. I am not looking for gold medal trophies, but I would like a chance to see/get solid mature bulls that meet the SCI minimum. Most important to me is the hunt be done in the spirit of fair chase. I'd rather spend a week of hard/fun hunting to get one good animal than to shoot an animal a day from the truck. I look forward to watching the native species in their native habitat. I understand the reason for fences around the property but then would like to hunt large parcels of land to make up for this. I do not want a canned hunt where animals are trucked in to a small parcel to promptly be shot. I am very interested in watching and learning a few things on how the trackers track. My wife would very much like to be able to spend some time with the cook learning a few new dishes. As far as duration of the hunt, I'm thinking 6 or 7 actual hunting days but again am open to recommendations. Before or after the hunt, we would like to sight see and see at least a few species of the Big 5 in their natural habitat, so having a large park within driving distance (like Addo or Kruger) would be great. However, if the distance is too much, we are open to making a park visit independent of the hunt. Timing wise, we're thinking the end of May of 2027, if this is when the Kudu are typically in rut in your area.

I hope this provides a little insight into what we are looking for. If your safari would be a good fit, I would appreciate learning more about your place and the people that we would be interacting with.

Thank you.

Dear Mr. Frederick we have exactly what you have in mind and believe we can make this a memorable and lasting trip Ill send you a dm Sir.

Regards
Sampie

 

[MPETI SAFARIS OUTFITTER]

Welcome to AH!

We have sent you a direct message.

 

[DAVE FREEBURN SAFARIS]

Hi B Frederick,

Please allow me to give you a short description of our two areas that are adjacent to each other.

South Africa – Limpopo province
Our South African safari operation is built around two exceptional and highly exclusive hunting concessions in Limpopo Province, offering clients access to some of the finest and most authentic hunting available in South Africa.

Jackalskraal Private Game Ranch is our 10,000-acre flagship property located in the western corner of Limpopo, directly on the South Africa–Botswana border. I have hunted this property for over 17 years and recently acquired it from my father-in-law in partnership with trusted associates, allowing us to elevate every aspect of the operation. The lodge is currently undergoing a complete renovation, scheduled for completion by the end of February, ensuring a comfortable and refined camp experience. Considerable investment has been made in importing superior genetics across all species, while maintaining free-ranging, self-sustaining herds to consistently produce high-quality trophies. Set in classic bushveld terrain near Dwaalboom, Jackalskraal offers excellent plains game and big Buffalo hunting in a well-managed, low-pressure environment. As a hands-on outfitter, I am typically either hunting with clients personally or present in camp throughout the safari, ensuring a highly personalized and professionally guided experience.

Adjacent to Jackalskraal lies our second and truly rare concession, a vast 54,000-acre wilderness managed under a selective joint venture with the government. Seventy percent of the reserve is government-owned, with the remaining 30% being held by a small group of private landowners, of which we are a part. Closed to the general public since 2015, the Reserve is accessible only to landowners and their invited guests, creating an exceptionally exclusive and low-pressure hunting environment. The reserve is home to four of the Big Five—elephant, buffalo, black and white rhino, and leopard—and offers a scale and sense of wildness that is increasingly rare within South Africa. Each private landowner is allocated a very limited annual quota of select plains game and Buffalo, making hunts in this concession highly sought after. The reserve supports outstanding populations of Kudu, Impala, Blue Wildebeest, Eland, Giraffe, Gemsbuck, Waterbuck, and other common plains game across expansive terrain. Hunting season is from May – September.

Together, these two concessions provide clients with access to premium plains game and select dangerous game opportunities, combining exceptional habitat, conservation-driven management, and rare exclusivity for a truly elite African safari.

 

[SRvet]

Hello. I would like to get some information and pricing on a plains game hunt. My wife would be with me as an observer. I have a pretty good idea of I want and don't want but am always open to suggestions. I would like to hunt a kudu, a gemsbuck and an impala. I am not looking for gold medal trophies, but I would like a chance to see/get solid mature bulls that meet the SCI minimum. Most important to me is the hunt be done in the spirit of fair chase. I'd rather spend a week of hard/fun hunting to get one good animal than to shoot an animal a day from the truck. I look forward to watching the native species in their native habitat. I understand the reason for fences around the property but then would like to hunt large parcels of land to make up for this. I do not want a canned hunt where animals are trucked in to a small parcel to promptly be shot. I am very interested in watching and learning a few things on how the trackers track. My wife would very much like to be able to spend some time with the cook learning a few new dishes. As far as duration of the hunt, I'm thinking 6 or 7 actual hunting days but again am open to recommendations. Before or after the hunt, we would like to sight see and see at least a few species of the Big 5 in their natural habitat, so having a large park within driving distance (like Addo or Kruger) would be great. However, if the distance is too much, we are open to making a park visit independent of the hunt. Timing wise, we're thinking the end of May of 2027, if this is when the Kudu are typically in rut in your area.

I hope this provides a little insight into what we are looking for. If your safari would be a good fit, I would appreciate learning more about your place and the people that we would be interacting with.

Thank you.

We did something similar to that in 2022 with CT safaris and I can wholeheartedly recommend speaking to Chris Troskie about your trip. Both Chris and his wife Sabina who does the catering are wonderful people and we certainly arrived as strangers and left as friends. We did a week hunting on their lovely ranch in Limpopo then did a road trip to Kruger and back to the airport in Jo’burg. It was a fairly long journey to Kruger but we saw some sights on the way and had an overnight stop to break the journey. I had such a good time I went back in 2025 for a quick hunting trip which once again did not disappoint.
I won’t post a link but the website is ct-safaris.com

 

[mark-hunter]

@B Frederick
I confirm to what @375Fox said.
Kudu, oryx, hartmann zebra, visit Etosha park, Namibia.
Been there, done exactly that. (in separate trips)
No high fences I had for those animals.

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

Welcome welcome welcome

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

Hi sir
I have sent you a dm with more info

We have what you are looking for with naturally occurring oryx in Limpopo as they have for many generations
We also use trackers ….for tracking and u are welcome to learn from them
Our chef will happily teach your wife some dishes

Anything else feel free to ask

Regards

 

[BRICKBURN]

Have a look.
https://www.namibiahuntingsafaris.com/