Wive’s bday safari… hoping to hunt!

[RLXFXR]

Gosh, I don’t even know where to start! My wife is turning 60 in late June of 2026 and wants to visit Africa. She’s a non-hunter while I am an avid hunter. I would really like to hunt for no more than 4-5 days for plains game while on our 14-16 day trip. We’re thinking 4 star luxury in Northwest SA near Kruger, maybe a couple days in Botswana and/or Zimbabwe.
Do any of the hunting outfitters cater to couples? She MIGHT join me on the hunts, but guessing she’d prefer options like a spa and photo safari’s. Any recommendations/advice on outfitters, travel agencies that cater to hunters, areas? Maybe use a separate hunting safari from the sightseeing/photo safari? Hunt in the beginning or at the end of the trip? It’s all so overwhelming!

 

[Mekaniks]

to AH

Lots of good Outfitters around here that will absolutely cater to you and your wife. All the hunting, site seeing, photo safari that you would like. Cape Town, Kruger, Vic Falls and lots to see and do in between. Have fun!

 

[MarkB]

I say nearly all will cater to you and your wife. I suggest make a list of the must haves, wants and would likes then contact site sponsors and any outfits you find on web, then wait for the flood of inbound responses. One normally takes the top spot. Be honest to your wants and ask them for the same. You can gain some knowledge by spending hrs reading on here as a start. You and your wife are in for an amazing time. Remember for us who have gone there is never one trip to Africa, it honestly changes your life outlook and desire to return.

Have a wonderful time. Members on this site will do their best to assist.

MB

 

[DLSJR]

I did a similar game viewing and hunting safari some years ago and it was expertly arranged by Marita Dyason of Spear Safaris. Ernest Dyason is an excellent PH and his wife Marita does a fantastic job arranging the non-hunting aspects. Highly recommend @Spear Safaris

 

[Spear Safaris]

Dear Sir
We are landowners in the Thornybush Game Reserve which forms part of Kruger, my I suggest that we accommodate you in one of the 4 or 5 star Lodges for the Photo side of your tour, then we can go to one of my Hunting camps near by for 4 to 5 days for a Hunt, while she can eater join you or we arrange side trips for her??
Please feel free to email me.
Info@spearsafaris.com
Cheers Ernest

 

[MATTANJA HUNTING SAFARIS]

@RLXFXR I can offer you exactly what you're after!
I've send you a DM

Cheers
Dieter

 

[DERIAN KOEKEMOER SAFARIS]

Good day sir, we will be able to assist you with your reqeust @DERIAN KOEKEMOER SAFARIS
We offer Hunting Safaris and Photographic Safaris
We are situated in the Lowveld of South Africa bordering the Kruger National Park

I did send you an DM, looking forward to hearing back from you.
Kind Regards
Derian & Johlene

 

[THAT'S AFRICA SAFARI]

Gosh, I don’t even know where to start! My wife is turning 60 in late June of 2026 and wants to visit Africa. She’s a non-hunter while I am an avid hunter. I would really like to hunt for no more than 4-5 days for plains game while on our 14-16 day trip. We’re thinking 4 star luxury in Northwest SA near Kruger, maybe a couple days in Botswana and/or Zimbabwe.
Do any of the hunting outfitters cater to couples? She MIGHT join me on the hunts, but guessing she’d prefer options like a spa and photo safari’s. Any recommendations/advice on outfitters, travel agencies that cater to hunters, areas? Maybe use a separate hunting safari from the sightseeing/photo safari? Hunt in the beginning or at the end of the trip? It’s all so overwhelming!

You're in luck! We are situated near the small eco-tourism and agricultural town called Hoedspruit, South Africa. My wife has such a passion for providing tailormade experiences and safari trips, we can put together just about any experience and trip you are looking to do.

The beauty of being situated in Hoedspruit is that we are near some of the most incredible hunting and safari/tourist destinations in Africa and have built a powerful network of people and places offering once in a lifetime experiences, so planning this trip you have in mind will not only be a pleasure but more than possible. A mere 45min drive by tar road to the world-renowned Kruger National Park Orpen gate adds to the accessibility of the town. We have numerous day trips available to some of the most fascinating places, to name a view:- Blyde River Canyon - boat rides, panoramic viewpoints and waterfall hikes, Cultural trips to tribal communities; Gods Window and the entire Panorama Route; Hot air balloon trips ,Authentic African Boma dinners and spa trips. As I mentioned, my wife runs this side of things and can arrange pretty much any activity or excursion you and/or your wife and her friend would like to go on before, after or during the hunt. We could arrange a big five safari which truly is a once in a lifetime experience. Have a look under "Experiences" on our website to view more options. She recently arranged a private Big 5 horse riding safari for one of my German clients and fellow AH member for after his hunt and he absolutely loved it.

We also do a Hemmingway "Out of Africa" dinner for our clients and what better opportunity to do this than for a birthday. We set a table with fine linen, crystal glasses and fine china and silver cutlery, there is a Melvill and Moon Gin bar and selection of cigars. We take a sunset game drive and then reach a spot near a river or watering hole and serve authentic African Cousine as the hunting pioneers like Ruark and Hemmingway did.

The Eastgate Airport in Hoedspruit is a short two-hour connecting flight from Johannesburg International Airport. Alternatively, we can arrange a transfer by car which is about four and a half hours from JHB Int Airport.

Looking forward to hearing from you should you be interested in hunting with us.

We cannot wait to share our passion and continent with you.

 

[widetrackjack]

Gosh, I don’t even know where to start! My wife is turning 60 in late June of 2026 and wants to visit Africa. She’s a non-hunter while I am an avid hunter. I would really like to hunt for no more than 4-5 days for plains game while on our 14-16 day trip. We’re thinking 4 star luxury in Northwest SA near Kruger, maybe a couple days in Botswana and/or Zimbabwe.
Do any of the hunting outfitters cater to couples? She MIGHT join me on the hunts, but guessing she’d prefer options like a spa and photo safari’s. Any recommendations/advice on outfitters, travel agencies that cater to hunters, areas? Maybe use a separate hunting safari from the sightseeing/photo safari? Hunt in the beginning or at the end of the trip? It’s all so overwhelming!

My wife and I did the same thing in Limpopo (Greater Kruger) in 2023 with Ernest and Marita Dyason of Spear Safari’s. We hunted Timbavati for plains game mostly and I harvested a management buffalo as well. From there we moved on to an estate with 5 star lodging for the remainder of the trip. My wife is not a hunter either but she thoroughly enjoyed the trip and made lifelong friends as well. Ernest and Marita Dyason can put the whole package together for you. You are wise to start the process now because the very best outfits book two, sometimes three, years out. Whoever you decide to book with, good luck on your hunt! Pics to follow.

 

[RLXFXR]

My wife and I did the same thing in Limpopo (Greater Kruger) in 2023 with Ernest and Marita Dyason of Spear Safari’s. We hunted Timbavati for plains game mostly and I harvested a management buffalo as well. From there we moved on to an estate with 5 star lodging for the remainder of the trip. My wife is not a hunter either but she thoroughly enjoyed the trip and made lifelong friends as well. Ernest and Marita Dyason can put the whole package together for you. You are wise to start the process now because the very best outfits book two, sometimes three, years out. Whoever you decide to book with, good luck on your hunt! Pics to follow.
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Thank you so much for the info you shared!

 

[LIMPOPO NORTH SAFARIS]

Gosh, I don’t even know where to start! My wife is turning 60 in late June of 2026 and wants to visit Africa. She’s a non-hunter while I am an avid hunter. I would really like to hunt for no more than 4-5 days for plains game while on our 14-16 day trip. We’re thinking 4 star luxury in Northwest SA near Kruger, maybe a couple days in Botswana and/or Zimbabwe.
Do any of the hunting outfitters cater to couples? She MIGHT join me on the hunts, but guessing she’d prefer options like a spa and photo safari’s. Any recommendations/advice on outfitters, travel agencies that cater to hunters, areas? Maybe use a separate hunting safari from the sightseeing/photo safari? Hunt in the beginning or at the end of the trip? It’s all so overwhelming!

We can most definitely sir especially for a memorable trip like this will send you a dm.

 

[EPIC SAFARIS]

After you warm up on your first trip to SA with one of the very capable outfitters there, please come back to Africa and check out Zambia as a destination. We can put together an incredible trip for you that takes you into the wilds of the Luangwa River Valley both on photo safari at our sister company - the Bushcamp Company ( www.bushcampcompany.com ) that operates 8 camps in South Luangwa National Park, 3 of which have been rated top 15 in all of Africa by several well known travel and leisure magazines, as well as to a 750,000 acre hunting area that is across from North Luangwa National Park of which one of our clients sent this to me a couple days ago:

 

[Hunt anything]

Anything is possible, my wife and I went dove hunting and fishing on our honeymoon. But with that being said we met on a blind fishing date!
We will be in the Limpopo for our 30th anniversary trip.
Good luck.

 

[DLSJR]

@RLXFXR if you can make enough time, give serious thought to visiting Victoria Falls. It’s a bit out of the way compared to Limpopo, but well worth it if you can swing the time. On a recent buffalo hunt on Zimbabwe’s Savé Valley Conservancy, we spent our first five days in country at Vic Falls and the Victoria Falls Hotel; it was fabulous. My wife’s first trip to Vic Falls, my 4th and I never get tired of that place.

Your wife would love staying at the Victoria Falls Hotel. Trust me on this.

 

[MarkB]

100% agree with @DLSJR above. Lifetime memory's made, we did the same thing. A perfect intro to Africa and safari.

If you can possibly swing you will not regret. Zim is special and Vic Falls amazes.

MB

 

[Fatback]

I will echo the above posts. A few days in Vic Falls is certainly worth it. I went for the first time last year and was there for 3 days. Absolutely fantastic.

 

[rafter3]

Gosh, I don’t even know where to start! My wife is turning 60 in late June of 2026 and wants to visit Africa. She’s a non-hunter while I am an avid hunter. I would really like to hunt for no more than 4-5 days for plains game while on our 14-16 day trip. We’re thinking 4 star luxury in Northwest SA near Kruger, maybe a couple days in Botswana and/or Zimbabwe.
Do any of the hunting outfitters cater to couples? She MIGHT join me on the hunts, but guessing she’d prefer options like a spa and photo safari’s. Any recommendations/advice on outfitters, travel agencies that cater to hunters, areas? Maybe use a separate hunting safari from the sightseeing/photo safari? Hunt in the beginning or at the end of the trip? It’s all so overwhelming!

Spear Safaris, just got back from the Greater Krueger with them and my wife absolutely loved it!!!

 

[AZDAVE]

My wife has had 2 birthdays in Africa, Enjoyed every minute as she put it. Did sightseeing, spa and she spent most of her time hunting.

 

[RLXFXR]

@RLXFXR if you can make enough time, give serious thought to visiting Victoria Falls. It’s a bit out of the way compared to Limpopo, but well worth it if you can swing the time. On a recent buffalo hunt on Zimbabwe’s Savé Valley Conservancy, we spent our first five days in country at Vic Falls and the Victoria Falls Hotel; it was fabulous. My wife’s first trip to Vic Falls, my 4th and I never get tired of that place.

Your wife would love staying at the Victoria Falls Hotel. Trust me on this.

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Thank you! We will definitely find the time to visit the falls at minimum, and stay at the hotel, too

 

[SAVANNA HUNTING SAFARIS]

Gosh, I don’t even know where to start! My wife is turning 60 in late June of 2026 and wants to visit Africa. She’s a non-hunter while I am an avid hunter. I would really like to hunt for no more than 4-5 days for plains game while on our 14-16 day trip. We’re thinking 4 star luxury in Northwest SA near Kruger, maybe a couple days in Botswana and/or Zimbabwe.
Do any of the hunting outfitters cater to couples? She MIGHT join me on the hunts, but guessing she’d prefer options like a spa and photo safari’s. Any recommendations/advice on outfitters, travel agencies that cater to hunters, areas? Maybe use a separate hunting safari from the sightseeing/photo safari? Hunt in the beginning or at the end of the trip? It’s all so overwhelming!

Hallo Sir
I did send you a personal message. We do offer exactly what you are looking for.

Best regards
Johan