WTA’s South African plains game safari delivers a world-class big game experience. As a WTA consultant who’s been to Africa 21 times, I can tell you that with WTA’s hosted hunt approach, logistics are easy and the trip is as smooth as it is unforgettable.
As the host of this trip, I traveled with the group from start to finish. These hunts are great for hunters who don’t have hunting buddies to travel with or those who don’t feel comfortable with international travel. A hosted hunt removes the uncertainty. Our group traveled together on the same flights, and by the trip’s end, guys who were strangers at the Atlanta airport had become hunting partners planning their next adventure. Plus, if problems arise, you have a WTA consultant right there to sort everything out.
Your journey starts with a flight to Atlanta, then an overnight hop to Johannesburg, landing around 7:30 p.m. Customs is straightforward, no visa needed, and an experienced travel agency handles rifle permits with ease. On one trip, a flight cancellation left 22 of us stranded in Johannesburg. But within hours, we had everyone in our party rerouted while 400 other travelers scrambled at the Delta counter. Having that support makes all the difference.
Within minutes of landing, we were shuttled to a hotel 10 minutes from the airport. After a tenderloin steak dinner, under $20 and delicious, we were headed to bed to catch up on sleep. A good night’s rest prepped us for a noonish domestic flight to Port Elizabeth, a beautiful spot right on the coast. From there, it was a quick one-hour drive to the 80,000-acre private ranch, where we were greeted by staff, bags were moved to our rooms, and we had help to sight in our rifles.
On the first morning of the hunt, we loaded into Land Cruisers and headed into some of the most beautiful hunting country I’ve ever seen. This wasn’t the typical sit-and-wait hunting. We did serious spot-and-stalk work through mountainous terrain that kept everyone engaged. The 12-animal package included Eastern Cape kudu, gemsbok, both black and blue wildebeest, zebras, impala, springbok, duiker, and plenty of opportunities for baboons, giraffes, and ostrich.
What struck me most was watching hunters challenge themselves in ways they never expected. One evening at dinner, a hunter from Texas told us that he’d never walked so much in his life, but harvesting that massive kudu after a two-hour stalk through rocky terrain was the most rewarding hunt he’d ever experienced. These are the stories I remember.
Non-hunters fit right in, and many guests bring their spouses. WTA arranges sightseeing for observers—Big Five tours with elephants and lions, beach trips, spa days, or walks with cheetahs and lions. (Honestly, there is a lion park where you do walk alongside lions. Of course, signed waivers are required…!) Observers join hunters for dinner each night, where everyone shares stories from their adventures during the day. It’s a wonderful way to close each day.
Trophy care is exceptional, with the ranch’s on-site taxidermy studio offering dip-and-pack or full taxidermy that rivals anything you’ll find stateside. They boil skulls, dry hides, and crate your trophies for shipping. I did a hunt in June and had my mounts by Christmas. It’s an impressive turnaround for international shipping. On the last night, we met with the head taxidermist to select our mounts, with all paperwork handled, including U.S. Fish and Wildlife permits.
South Africa’s plains game hunting offers incredible value, and WTA has found the perfect spot to deliver it. The combination of diverse game, stunning terrain, professional guides, and the security of a hosted hunt creates an experience that keeps hunters coming back. English is spoken everywhere, the infrastructure caters to American hunters, and you can use the outfitter’s rifles if you’d rather skip the customs process.
Whether you’re after your first kudu or adding to a collection, this hosted hunt removes all the stress and maximizes the adventure. Book with WTA and experience this amazing country with a group that becomes family by trip’s end.
