South Africa’s southern tip offers a plains game safari that surprises even the most seasoned hunters with its challenge and variety. As a WTA consultant, I had the privilege of hosting this hunt, traveling alongside the group, sharing the hunt itself, and making sure every detail ran smoothly. By the end, hunters who started as strangers had bonded over long days in the bush and were already planning future trips together.
This hunt delivers true, high-value hunting in rugged, mountainous country. It’s not the type of safari where you ride around and shoot from a truck. Spot-and-stalk is the focus, often through thick brush and thorny cover, and shots can stretch past 200 yards off sticks. The ranch spans 80,000 acres and is home to more than 200,000 self-sustaining animals. You’ll see hundreds of game daily, with 10 to 15 species scattered across the property. Eastern Cape kudu, gemsbok, wildebeest, zebra, springbok, and impala to name just a few of the opportunities you’ll encounter, with plenty of surprises mixed in.
Days start early with breakfast at first light, followed by a drive into the bush with your professional hunter (PH) and tracker. From there, it’s boots on the ground—glassing ridges, stalking through thorn, and working into shooting range. Lunch might be back at the lodge or packed afield, depending on how far you’ve pushed into the property. Afternoons mirror the mornings, with hunting until dark. It’s real, engaging, and rewarding.
The camp itself is comfortable without losing its hunting-camp feel. Sixteen chalets, 8 of them newly built, offer clean and welcoming rooms. Evenings are spent around a central fire in the main lodge, with two game-based meals served nightly and fresh bread baked over the flames. It’s a simple but authentic setting, and every part of camp life is centered around the hunting experience.
Trophy care is well handled. Once an animal is down, your PH and tracker take care of the recovery and skinning. An on-site shed and cooler ensure nothing goes to waste. At the end of the hunt, an exporter meets you in camp to walk through options for dip-and-pack or full taxidermy. Everything is handled face-to-face, including shipping and paperwork, making the process straightforward and stress-free.
One of my favorite memories was an impromptu pistol competition with the local police captain and his deputies, friends of the outfitter. We shared plenty of laughs, a few friendly wagers, and even sent them home with meat in the back of their cruiser. That type of camaraderie and welcome isn’t something you find everywhere, and it speaks volumes about the atmosphere here.
The ranch is family-run, with owner Barry and his son Fred at the helm. Despite Barry’s paralysis from a plane accident years ago, he remains an ever-present storyteller and host, and Fred carries forward the day-to-day operations. Their passion and hospitality make the ranch feel like home.
The hunting in South Africa is unlike anything else in the world, and this safari’s mix of challenge, variety, and value makes it stand out. For hunters looking for a true plains game adventure in breathtaking mountain country, this is a trip that delivers.
