I'm going on my first African hunt this August 2025. Buff and a zebra if available.
I live in North Carolina.
Does anyone have a good taxidermist to recommend? I want the Buff European mounted and zebra tanned to be put on the wall.
Also, do I need to arrange anything before the hunt? (aside from lining up a taxidermist)
thanks for your help!

Where are you hunting? i have had taxidermy from 3 hunts done in US, my last hunt i had it done in Zim. very happy with Euro mount Kudu and Buff, duffle and gun sleeves from buff hide, a lot less money.

I would tell you get it done over there. The euro mount will be just a little more then dip/pack and tanning is way cheaper over there for a zebra rug

If you are going to South Africa I highly recommend Bullseye. My sons and I have used them for years. Their work and service is perfect. Brian

Mozambique

I need someone stateside, Buzz said it would be preferable

I am in the process of having trophies shipped back from Mozambique and the process seems more complicated than any of my prior trips. My understanding is that there are no USDA approved taxidermists in Moz and therefore trophies need to be routed to South Africa first and then shipped to the US from an approved SA facility.

I don’t have any first hand experience with South African taxidermists yet but know there are many good ones.

Personally, I use Artistic Visions Wildlife in PA for all my work stateside. A bit far from you but they have done great work for me.

If it is true that they have to go through South Africa first, then just have them do the work in South Africa. Splitting Image is great and would be who I would recommend, but to do what you’re wanting, any semi competent taxidermist should be able to do that.

If you’re planning on doing the import yourself, then that is great but if you were planning on having someone do the import for you, I would recommend Safari Specialty Importers. I use them for my stuff. It’s easy to just let them do everything and I don’t have to worry about anything unless they come to me with a problem they need my help with. A little more expensive than others but to me it’s worth the extra money to not have to deal with any of it.

Basser, I live south of Charlotte on Lake Wylie. I have used a taxidermist in Fort Lawn SC and never been disappointed. His name is Randy Jordan. if you want his contact info i can send it to you. I only used a South African Taxidermist on a BOTS Elephant in 2006. It was Life Form in White River. They mounted my tusks and made barstools out of the front legs. Very good work.

Buzz is mistaken. Life-Form Taxidermy in RSA is fantastic.

I have used them for trophies from many safaris in many countries (including Moz) over many years and recommend them highly.

How come everybody who's had taxi done in Africa has great results but me? The company I used in Zim years ago looked like an 8yo did it on a Saturday. The extra shipping cost was horrendous, coz now it's a huge crate, or several smaller ones. This offset any savings I might have had at the times.

Besides , we need to keep our own here or there won't be any at all soon. I looks like many a good artist have gone belly up in the last 15-20 yrs or so. Just sayin

MM

Life-Form did a good job on what I saw at their premises.

My own trophies were done elsewhere in RSA, well enough I think but I don't know. The problem I believe was that the PH was more concerned with selling meat than saving my skins from hairslip. Therefore the antelope were driven whole for two hours back to the camp processing shed in 35C temperatures rather than caped on the spot. Another impala cape was easily found but the sable was a different matter.

Someone supposedly spent the next two years searching for a sable cape but I bet that didn't happen because another $3000 trophy fee would probably have been involved. Finally, the taxidermists told me they could buy a mounted head for $US3000, cut the horns off and stick mine on.

No, I answered incredulously, put the horns on a shield and send them that way.

Just Heard back from the PH. It WILL be going through SA and he can connect me with a well-regarded taxidermist there. Thanks for all the responses, I appreciate it

I have work done by Life-Form that is now 20 years old and still looks as good as the day the crate got here.

I currently have my 2024 trophies from Mozambique going through the import process. They are going through Life-Form Taxidermy in South Africa. I understand that nearly all Mozambique trophies go through Life-Form.

They have a good reputation, and I will be using them for the first time for full taxidermy. Communication with them has been excellent in them telling me where we are in the import process.

I believe there are good taxidermists in RSA, and I think overall quality has improved over the last decade or two. There are plenty of subpar outfits as well, and you are wise to seek recommendations. I've used Splitting Image for dip/pack only and have been satisfied. I had some bad taxidermy done in Zim many years ago. I now prefer to have all my work done in the states.

Good luck and have a great trip.

Nill