Hi all,

I am planning for my first hunt to Africa, along with my wife for whom it will be her first time travelling on a hunt with me. I hope to hunt in SA so we can combine it with some sightseeing and to keep travel/transfers to a minimum. I hope to hunt Kudu, Impala, Warthog, Zebra, and perhaps a Springbuck or Gemsbok.

Originally I was looking at Limpopo but I would much prefer to find a low-fenced 'free-range' area, which better suits my hunting ideals. I've nothing in particular against preserves (and may go down that path yet), just prefer 'wild and free' hunting.

So can anybody reccommend a particular area or outfitter which might suit my needs in South Africa? Or is it just not likely to happen on a 7-8 day hunt in SA?

Thanking you in advance,

blacks

blacks,

PM sent.

Les

If you filter through some of the hunting reports there seems to be some excellent hunting available in the eastern cape. The scenery and accommodation is outstanding.

Namibia with Hentie Van Heerden is another option and he and his wife can design a safari of your choice. Again spectacular country.

Or think about the Victoria Falls and some of the Zimbabwe operators in that region.

My 2 cents.

Andrew MacLaren or Luan who both post here wll be able to give you exactly what you want and I'd highly recommend both/either of them.......

I think I would consider one of Fairgame's recommendations, and look at Hentie Van Heerden - Van Heerden Safaris, in Namibia.

Hey Blacks, I hunted the Save Conservancy in 2010 and it has a high fence around it but I was told the conservancy is well over 800,000 acres. The only time I saw the fence was on entry and departure. Everything there does roam free so if the area is large enough don't sweat it.

quote:

Originally posted by Aaron Neilson:
I think I would consider one of Fairgame's recommendations, and look at Hentie Van Heerden - Van Heerden Safaris, in Namibia.

I also agree with Fairgame and Aaron. I was there 2 months ago and couldn't be happier. You just need to let Denise and Hentie exactly what you want.

Andrew Pringle and Chris Broster run Crusader Safaris in South Africa. All of there hunts are strictly free range. Take a look at there website. http://www.crusadersafaris.com/

My wife and I will be hunting with them in June. I called many of their references and all were very satisfied hunters.

John

recently i hunted free range in the Karoo with WILLEM DE JAEGER .

Thanks all for the much appreciated replies. I am hoping to hunt SA for my first trip for the reasons outlined above.

Re Crusaders, I have a fellow Aussie friend who had a great hunt with them this year - they are well and truly on the 'very short' list!

Kind regards

blacks

ditto for Crusader Safaris.

I did the same you mentioned last March, and brought the wife.

Side trip to Krueger was great!

Youngest son and I hunted with Crusader Safaris this past June. Highly recommend.

I have two concession areas, close to one another in South Africa, which is in excess of 150 000 acres together.

We also specialize in family vacations ant safaris, where the wife and family joins you on a trip, doing Kruger, Cape Town etc.

Email me and I will forward you a full list of possibilties

Blacks, You forgot to put "All" in front of your name!

Freerange hunts in SA = Andrew McLarens Safaris

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
Blacks, You forgot to put "All" in front of your name!

Haha, wrong side of the ditch mate, I'm in Wallabies country although I'm a League man not union...

Just a nickname shortened from my surname...started by the great-grandfather back in Oxfordshire.

Thanks one and all for the advice/leads.

Regards,

blacks

I have been doing extensive research for my first African PG hunt and Andrew Mclaren is my first choice. I really like his philosophy of fair chase and also his willingness to go the extra mile though I have not yet booked a hunt. He is also prepared to work within my budget. I cannot wait to be able to hunt with Andrew.

I'll just give you an example of his commitment - In my various post several operators contacted me & most were good. But Andrew went the extra mile several times. Just last month there was a possibility that I would be in Joburg for a couple of day & was wondering what I could do. He drove 50 miles up & down to get an off season special permit for bird shooting just in case I landed up suddenly.

quote:

Originally posted by Nakihunter:
...But Andrew went the extra mile several times.

..Thats exectly why my third trip again will be at McLarens operations...The x-tra mile!!

Kwan
What is a ant safari? Do you use porters to move everything?

So has anyone hunted KMG Safaris low-fenced area? What did you think overall and how did you do??

Thanks for the replies all, soaking it all up and learning as we go!

blacks

Blacks, PM sent.

quote:

Originally posted by blacks:

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
Blacks, You forgot to put "All" in front of your name!

Haha, wrong side of the ditch mate, I'm in Wallabies country although I'm a League man not union...

Just a nickname shortened from my surname...started by the great-grandfather back in Oxfordshire.

Thanks one and all for the advice/leads.

Regards,

blacks

I know mate, I was just pulling your leg after the World Cup results.

I work for an Air New Zealand affiliated company over here in the States.

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
I know mate, I was just pulling your leg after the World Cup results.

I work for an Air New Zealand affiliated company over here in the States.

Hehe...as it happens I work for a Kiwi owned company here in Oz

blacks