What's the best time for a SA safari?

[LarryC]

I am looking to book my first African Safari. What are the best dates for a South African safari? We are most interested in plains game, with trophy gemsbok and kudu at the top of the list. I was thinking the second week in June might be ideal.

Thanks.

 

[Socal hunter]

Last year I was in the same boat as you. I researched many different outfitters over about 2-3 months. I was told eventually that the best time to go to RSA is when ever you can get there. I am going for the first time in about 7 weeks. Mine is a little more expensive but he says all will quailfy SCI. I am paying $6000 for ten days with Gemsbuck, Kudu, Wildabeast, Hartebeast, Impala, Springbok, Warthog, Zebra, and Duiker. Also he does not have a long drive (usually 6-8hours) to camp. He will pick me up at joberg airport and fly me to his camp in a twin engine airplane..Alll food and alcohol is included. I booked with www.expeditionsbyron.com. The camps site is WWW.mopane.co.za. I called all referances and was told it was the best around. Also go to WWW.accuratereloading.com Good luck

 

[jjhack]

Much depends upon the species your after and the hunting area. If your hunting in the Eastern Cape it really does not matter because the majority of the hunting will be for non-indiginous animals anyway. They have few natural animals and stock the big properties for hunters. This is much like Texas game farms. Don't be misled by an agent or anyone else who says their game is born on the property. You can raise Dall sheep in florida it does not make them indiginous or a natural hunting experience there. Get a book showing the natual habitat and you will see quickly that the Eastern cape and the Free state have very few indiginous species. Then Look at the Northern Provonce and Natal. That's were the most varied big game species in the world live today

If you really want to hunt native wild big game that is born wild, lives wild it's whole life, and is indiginous to the area then the time of year does matter. Because it matters we only run our hunting camp during those months. Our season begins in May and we hunt until mid July at the latest. Although we can take special situations( typically archery) in July and Aug we don't want to hunt after that. The animals being born in the spring can be badly affected by the hunting pressure. Again not an issue with the "put and take" hunting operations where they stock only adults.

The Rut is on for most species from Mid may through Mid June
The weather is cooler and much more comfortable
the bugs are nearly non-existant
The snakes are sleeping during winter
The hair quality of the game is at it's best

We only take 24 or so hunters per season. Because we don't stock game we cannot over harvest the population we have. Our May season is already sold out But I do have several openings for June and July. The standard hunting package for 10 days is:

5 animals, Kudu, warthog, impala, and two of these 4: zebra, gemsbok, wildebeast, hartebeast. Everything is included transportation, open bar, laundry done every day, fantastic meals and I have a ton of references. I also buy bulk air travel which this past season was $1300 RT from Atlanta. This hunt is 4500.00 bucks and I will allow all the hunters to shoot Female impalas after they are done with the package for 100 bucks each, and Kudu cows for 250 each. They both have beautiful flat skins. All other game off the trophy fee list can be shot for their cost only. If this package does not meet your needs let me know, I can make any arrangement you want. I'm not a booking agent working within some restriction or guidelines. I'm a Professional Hunter and a partner in this business. I can make your package what you want it to be.

Here is a site with Photos from this year and last year. I have just started using this site because so many photo's can be stored here. You have to fill out a simple membership form for Sony it's fee and it's worth the minute it will take you.

http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures...1&id=4291727349

My website is at
HTTP://www.huntingadventures.net