Greetings All,

Is there a "best area" in RSA, i.e. Northern Province, Free State, Eastern Cape, etc. I'm talking about free-ranging, born on the property game animals with minimal fencing. Just a question that popped into my mind when reading about Namibian outfitter reccomendations.

Thanks,

I just returned form my first safari in June hunting with Dr. Mark Sutherland in the KwaZulu Natal. His place is not as large as some others in RSA; however, I can asure you that every animal on his place was born and raised there. He only takes a few clients a year to insure the quality of animals available.

His primary animals hunted there are nyala and red duiker; however, there are plenty of others to hunt as well. His camp is located on his own private property. The camp has no electricity; however, it has everything needed for a splended relaxing vacation. There is a water hole that is visible from camp in the creek bed where some of the animals come to visit during the day while you're sitting down to eat a bite. Great opportunity to take plenty of pictures. Also, if you like to take a hot shower while looking at the stars and listening to the hyaenas sing you a song, I suggest you stongly consider Mark's operation.

Sometime in July, I posted a portion of my hunt. I think I titled it "First African Safari". You should be able to search for it.

I would suggest you get in touch with Russ Gould who posts here. He can give you much more information about what Mark offers. Also, you can PM me and I'll give you more of a hunter's account of what is offered.

Graybird

Just my take, but with the droughts in the last few yrs many of the ranches have stocked/bought animals. So it might be hard to tell what was born there and what was put there. It's my understanding the Norther Province is less put and take, but some of the ranches are stock but less so than say East Cape.

I hunted with Scottco Safari last yr in the Northern Province and I wish I had ran into a fence a time or two, I had walked just about enough. Fencing should not be a problem with a good outfit, most of the farms are plenty big and most are not cross fenced like US cattle ranches. I took two Kudu out of a small farm, not sure how many acres 6k or so,can't remember, didn't matter, I climbed up and down rock Kopies and walked deep sand in dry river beds til I couldnt go any more, other than rocky mt. hunting was as hard a walking I ever experenced, I saw the fence going in and going out, other than that I never saw it. But like I said, wished I had a time or two.