Serious Safety Concerns for South Africa Hunt

[Dessert_Eagle]

Hey all,

I booked a hunt in South Africa for next year. At a cookout recently, I met a guy from South Africa—not a salesman, just a regular dude who’s family fled in the mid-90s after apartheid ended. His stories freaked me out. He said his grandfather was killed last year, tied to a chair in a burning barn, and his grandmother was murdered soon after. Their family’s previous farm had been torched a few years before that. He called South Africa a “third-world country” and said don’t mention old terms like “Rhodesia” unless you want serious trouble, which I have little context of.

This is the first South African I’ve met who wasn’t trying to sell me a hunt, and his warnings have me worried. I’m pumped for the trip, but I’m not here to die. Are farm attacks or violence a real risk for hunters in rural areas? What do I need to know to stay safe? If you’ve hunted there or know the deal, please share straight-up advice. I don’t think experiences from a couple years ago reconcile with what Julius Melema is chanting. Serious candid advice is what I’m asking for.


Thank you,

 

[Jason Miller]

There are literally tons of threads on this topic right now, Do a quick search.

Go and have fun

 

[miket1]

Not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, and on my recent trip to Namibia, the host and PH told some horror stories too. My opinion is that I have no problem going hunting in SA ( actually trying to get a few guys together right now for a trip in 2027 ), but certainly would not live there or own a farm there.

 

[Rare Breed]

Hey all,

I booked a hunt in South Africa for next year. At a cookout recently, I met a guy from South Africa—not a salesman, just a regular dude who’s family fled in the mid-90s after apartheid ended. His stories freaked me out. He said his grandfather was killed last year, tied to a chair in a burning barn, and his grandmother was murdered soon after. Their family’s previous farm had been torched a few years before that. He called South Africa a “third-world country” and said don’t mention old terms like “Rhodesia” unless you want serious trouble, which I have little context of.

This is the first South African I’ve met who wasn’t trying to sell me a hunt, and his warnings have me worried. I’m pumped for the trip, but I’m not here to die. Are farm attacks or violence a real risk for hunters in rural areas? What do I need to know to stay safe? If you’ve hunted there or know the deal, please share straight-up advice. I don’t think experiences from a couple years ago reconcile with what Julius Melema is chanting. Serious candid advice is what I’m asking for.


Thank you,

First you will be in the hands of an outfitter who absolutely know where to go and where not to go. You should be completely safe. His description which I have no reason to doubt is true would be like someone living in Atlanta today where you should not live due to danger. I know where those are given I am a native. Same principle. Stop worrying and enjoy!!!

 

[375Fox]

This is the third thread in just last few days. It’s safe for hunting. The country has its problems though. An old couple with a farm presents an easy target for criminals. There unfortunately remains a lot of racial animosity on both sides as an added driver for crime. As a hunter with a PH you have nothing to worry about. A resident has a very different set of concerns. The situation has been the same for years.

A

Thread 'Is south africa reasonably safe?'

May 24, 2025

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

• 

M

Thread 'Is South Africa still safe to hunt?'

Tuesday at 8:59 PM

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...

• mainjoshua
• Replies: 44
• Forum: Before & after the hunt

• 

 

[Andrew62]

Hey all,

I booked a hunt in South Africa for next year. At a cookout recently, I met a guy from South Africa—not a salesman, just a regular dude who’s family fled in the mid-90s after apartheid ended. His stories freaked me out. He said his grandfather was killed last year, tied to a chair in a burning barn, and his grandmother was murdered soon after. Their family’s previous farm had been torched a few years before that. He called South Africa a “third-world country” and said don’t mention old terms like “Rhodesia” unless you want serious trouble, which I have little context of.

This is the first South African I’ve met who wasn’t trying to sell me a hunt, and his warnings have me worried. I’m pumped for the trip, but I’m not here to die. Are farm attacks or violence a real risk for hunters in rural areas? What do I need to know to stay safe? If you’ve hunted there or know the deal, please share straight-up advice. I don’t think experiences from a couple years ago reconcile with what Julius Melema is chanting. Serious candid advice is what I’m asking for.


Thank you,

Hearing such a story from a SA person should cause some amount of ‘pause’, your question is a reasonable one. Myself, having been to SA many times, I would not hesitate to go back. So long as you use the same common sense you would use visiting any US city, you’ll be plenty fine in SA.

 

[Sjakon]

Hey all,

I booked a hunt in South Africa for next year. At a cookout recently, I met a guy from South Africa—not a salesman, just a regular dude who’s family fled in the mid-90s after apartheid ended. His stories freaked me out. He said his grandfather was killed last year, tied to a chair in a burning barn, and his grandmother was murdered soon after. Their family’s previous farm had been torched a few years before that. He called South Africa a “third-world country” and said don’t mention old terms like “Rhodesia” unless you want serious trouble, which I have little context of.

This is the first South African I’ve met who wasn’t trying to sell me a hunt, and his warnings have me worried. I’m pumped for the trip, but I’m not here to die. Are farm attacks or violence a real risk for hunters in rural areas? What do I need to know to stay safe? If you’ve hunted there or know the deal, please share straight-up advice. I don’t think experiences from a couple years ago reconcile with what Julius Melema is chanting. Serious candid advice is what I’m asking for.


Thank you,

Your PH will make sure you are safe. Their reputation and livelihood depends on keeping clients safe including from human predators. I will be going on my fourth hunt next week arranged and looked after by Marius Goosen from @KMG Hunting Safaris. I always have had full confidence in his guidance. Enjoy!

 

[Sturgeondrjb]

Plenty of more numerous sketchy places in the US. If you are hunting a reputable outfitter,you have more to fear in most large USA cities. Meet your outfitter at the airport and go make a lifetime of memories.

 

[ActionBob]

Hey all,

I booked a hunt in South Africa for next year. At a cookout recently, I met a guy from South Africa—not a salesman, just a regular dude who’s family fled in the mid-90s after apartheid ended. His stories freaked me out. He said his grandfather was killed last year, tied to a chair in a burning barn, and his grandmother was murdered soon after. Their family’s previous farm had been torched a few years before that. He called South Africa a “third-world country” and said don’t mention old terms like “Rhodesia” unless you want serious trouble, which I have little context of.

This is the first South African I’ve met who wasn’t trying to sell me a hunt, and his warnings have me worried. I’m pumped for the trip, but I’m not here to die. Are farm attacks or violence a real risk for hunters in rural areas? What do I need to know to stay safe? If you’ve hunted there or know the deal, please share straight-up advice. I don’t think experiences from a couple years ago reconcile with what Julius Melema is chanting. Serious candid advice is what I’m asking for.


Thank you,

Melema has been chanting that for at least a decade. Not a new thing. I'm not sure about the following comment, but my take is that the farm murders have been worse in the past than presently.

In the '90's I met people who fled RSA because they were in fear for their life. I have no facts but my suspicion is that they had done some things under Apartheid that had them on a death list or at least had people who had a vengeance for them.

Trump has recently brought the issue to World attention. Not sure if that makes it safer, more dangerous, or really no difference?

Fact is though that almost everyone on here who has hunted South Africa in the past several years has faced the issues you are asking about, whether they realized it or not. And those hunters have been mostly fine and most had the time of their life

 

[mark-hunter]

I booked a hunt in South Africa for next year. At a cookout recently, I met a guy from South Africa—not a salesman, just a regular dude who’s family fled in the mid-90s after apartheid ended. His stories freaked me out.

You need to check South African hunting reports on this forum.
Nothing to worry about.

In my opinion there are two different worlds in South Africa.
One is local South African World, and other world is for international hunter visiting the country.
I met several South Africans at my work, who of course hunt in their country. Of course discussion always goes towards hunting, and I am always looking for options.

Once we go that way: sometimes it seams to me we speak different langauge. Without exaggeration. Our pricing, tipping, booking, trophy expectations, airport meets and greets etc is unknown thing to them. They hunt and organize hunts in very different way, and on very different prices. Call the land owner, take rifle, go hunting. They dont care for inches of horn. As simple as that.

Bottom line, tourist infrastructure works differently, then local ways, and generally is very very safe and well run in.

Also, local land grab policies have nothing against westerners coming into the country, and bringing in their cash. Land grab is not focused to target tourists (unlike armed islamic terrorist problem in some other countries).

 

[DLSJR]

Desert Eagle, consider that more hunters visit South Africa annually than all other African countries combined. I can’t think of the last time I heard of any hunter havbg safety problems in South Africa.

Like anywhere else, just be smart about not visiting areas alone, especially in the cities.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Your PH will make sure you are safe. Their reputation and livelihood depends on keeping clients safe including from human predators. I will be going on my fourth hunt next week arranged and looked after by Marius Goosen from @KMG Hunting Safaris. I always have had full confidence in his guidance. Enjoy!

As always, I appreciate your confidence my friend. Our biggest journey is less than a week away.

 

[spike.t]

Your PH will make sure you are safe. Their reputation and livelihood depends on keeping clients safe including from human predators. I will be going on my fourth hunt next week arranged and looked after by Marius Goosen from @KMG Hunting Safaris. I always have had full confidence in his guidance. Enjoy!

Yup I can imagine nobody would go near marius @KMG Hunting Safaris when he is wearing his "special " little pretty coloured ultra short shorts...

 

[uplander01]

I tend to agree that SA isn’t as bad a as some would make it out to be,….however comparing it or its people to a US city is ridiculous. US cities are some of the safest metropolitan areas in the world IMO. Also, saying you’re with a ph and he’ll take care of you is also nonsensical. Is he armed all the time, does he have some sort of super powers to negotiate with a group of black thugs or a mob, I don’t think so. You end up in the wrong part of town in the USA yes things “can”go wrong, end up in the wrong part of a SA city and as an American things probably “will” go wrong. Just my opinion. I love Africa, been there 4 times so far, plan on at least 2-3 more,…until our government advises to not travel there or through there I’m still going. Some areas of countries other SA maybe not

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Yup I can imagine nobody would go near marius @KMG Hunting Safaris when he is wearing his "special " little pretty coloured ultra short shorts...

Normally, I would agree with you. When in Cape Town, I would be in trouble. Man, they love them blue shortie shorts.

 

[HankBuck]

Plenty of more numerous sketchy places in the US. If you are hunting a reputable outfitter,you have more to fear in most large USA cities. Meet your outfitter at the airport and go make a lifetime of memories.

@Sturgeondrjb - I get your point but NO you don’t have “more to fear in most large USA cities”. Most “Crimes” don’t happen in a Hunting Camp — and Not in the woods either, the problems are in or near Cities, that’s where the risk increases. Of course everyone is safe in a Safari Camp —- it’s getting there and back that concerns arise. The USA is safer overall and the reason is a more stable Government and Police force, laws enforced, violent crimes per capita are lower, and a Legal system (imperfect) that works with consistency.
I would encourage anyone to hunt & travel to Africa, it is worth it for the experience - it is still very different from traveling within the USA.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

@Sturgeondrjb - I get your point but NO you don’t have “more to fear in most large USA cities”. Most “Crimes” don’t happen in a Hunting Camp — and Not in the woods either, the problems are in or near Cities, that’s where the risk increases. Of course everyone is safe in a Safari Camp —- it’s getting there and back that concerns arise. The USA is safer overall and the reason is a more stable Government and Police force, laws enforced, violent crimes per capita are lower, and a Legal system (imperfect) that works with consistency.
I would encourage anyone to hunt & travel to Africa, it is worth it for the experience - it is still very different from traveling within the USA.

Well, from my perspective, I felt more vulnerable in the big cities within the USA this year than what I do back home. I guess its a question of comfort within my known surroundings.
I would also just add that people tend to forget that we have 10 different tribes within South Africa. They are not the same as far as "aggression" and problem areas go.

 

[Bandera]

Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Sudan, Ethiopia those are dangerous places in Africa.
As many of us have stated you can find trouble anywhere.
There are bad places in the townships that you should not goto or be in.
Stick with your PH or guide if touring and have fun.

 

[bowjijohn]

Southern Africa has always been safe

Until it is not

That might be for ever

Or suddenly change around the next corner

You don’t go to the bush, or hunt because it is safe

One does it because …..

Curiously

Looking at the news

DG ‘hunting’ is going to be a majority pastime within the next 5 years

And you won’t even have to pay for it

Putin will see to that

 

[Kavik]

Hey all,

I booked a hunt in South Africa for next year. At a cookout recently, I met a guy from South Africa—not a salesman, just a regular dude who’s family fled in the mid-90s after apartheid ended. His stories freaked me out. He said his grandfather was killed last year, tied to a chair in a burning barn, and his grandmother was murdered soon after. Their family’s previous farm had been torched a few years before that. He called South Africa a “third-world country” and said don’t mention old terms like “Rhodesia” unless you want serious trouble, which I have little context of.

This is the first South African I’ve met who wasn’t trying to sell me a hunt, and his warnings have me worried. I’m pumped for the trip, but I’m not here to die. Are farm attacks or violence a real risk for hunters in rural areas? What do I need to know to stay safe? If you’ve hunted there or know the deal, please share straight-up advice. I don’t think experiences from a couple years ago reconcile with what Julius Melema is chanting. Serious candid advice is what I’m asking for.


Thank you,

I left USA because I feel "safer" elsewhere for the Fall of the next Reich