Hunting with us in South Africa
South Africa is one of the most popular hunting destinations in the world, and an absolute paradise to those hunters who are inclined to a hunt on everything from small to medium and big-sized game. The wealth of species on offer, the wide range of hunting experiences, overall affordability and fantastic infrastructure all contribute to a world-class African hunting destination. From tracking a buffalo in the bush to unwinding with a refreshing beverage in a luxury hunting camp, South Africa has a hunting experience available to realize every hunter’s dream.
To some, plains game hunting in Southern Africa has remained only a dream, as most perceive it as far too expensive and best left to only the wealthiest of hunters. THIS IS A COMPLETE MYTH! In fact with us, you can book a very enjoyable plains game hunting safari for considerably less than the average elk hunt in the western states of America.
At Pete Safaris, we have access to more than 200.000 hectares of hunting concessions in the game rich Eastern Cape province, offering more than 40 different huntable species. All hunting is done on foot, normally by spotting and stalking the animals from natural vantage points.
All our professional hunters share a burning desire for the conservation and protection of wildlife. By careful game management, we can proudly say that we offer some of the best hunting in the southern Africa, with world class trophy quality and diverse terrain from open plains of the great Karoo, to the mountains and thickets of the valley and coastal bushveld. From novice first time hunters to seasoned marksmen, Pete Safaris caters to all levels of experience. Whether you prefer tough hunting in the great mountains or a enjoyable stalk in the bushveld – we will deliver!
As strong believers in ethical hunting, we always work extremely hard to ensure you the ultimate hunting experience. A successful safari in Africa is about making every little detail count, and a good hunting camp is another thing we strive to offer. To ensure that each hunter’s individual needs are met, we therefor make use of different camps, all of which has been carefully selected for their locations, surrounding wildlife and level of intimacy – Its all about the experience!
About Trophy Hunting
Trophy hunting is the careful and selective hunting of a particular wild game animal, usually because that particular animal has a desirable characteristic, such as large horns and/or a distinctive hide. Most hunters then keep the trophy, be it the hide and/or the horns of the animal, and preserve them as a memento of the hunt.
Here in South Africa, trophy hunting is targeted on the older animals that are past their breeding age, or at least are old enough to have had a chance to pass their genes along. In most cases, if not hunted by trophy hunters, the very old animals will not survive the following winter or dry season, and simply die of exposure or starvation. Instead these animals is put into good use:
The money generated from trophy hunting goes towards supporting conservation in South Africa, including anti-poaching funding for the protection of the endangered species. Also, the meat from the animals we hunt is always utilized. Even the meat obtained from a buffalo, giraffe, elephant etc. is never wasted, and the meat which is not consumed by our hunters in camp, is given to the people in nearby villages. By conducting sustainable trophy hunting and supporting the local communities, we are not only keeping the poor people from having to poach animals in order to survive, but also helping to create job opportunities within the hunting industry or anti-poaching units – So not only does the funds generated from trophy hunting help fund conservation efforts in and outside South Africa, but it also provides a significant boost to the local economies, simultaneously preserving sustainable wild life populations.
About Cull Hunting
Unlike trophy hunting which help generate large funds for various efforts, cull hunting is mainly a (but powerfull) conservation tool in Africa, as many plains game species have the ability to reproduce at rates of 25-30% per annum, and can quickly exceed the carrying capacity of an area, to the detriment of other species.
Cull hunting is normally offered at relatively cheap rates and gives great hunting value for money. If you like driven hunts, culling of large number of springbucks is often done this way, while other species is normally hunted by walking and stalking. Culling is not limited to, but normally performed on non-trophy animals, which could be both males or females depending on the season. In Africa, many species carry horns despite their gender, and if you don´t mind that your “trophies” (being the horns or teeth from the hunted animal) is of a smaller size, broken or abnormal, then a cull hunt is the right thing for you.
Combining Hunting and Family Holiday
South Africa is particularly ideal if you are looking to bring along observers or your family, as there is such a wealth of local highlights for them to enjoy.
The Eastern Cape is home to a number of national parks and reserves, most notably the Addo Elephant National Park and the Camdeboo National Park, where non-hunters who do not wish to accompany the day’s hunt, can enjoy game drives and similar accompanied by local guides. The coastline is home to very fine beaches and hundreds of attractions, in-land and at sea. The country is also home to numerous world class wine districts and golf courses, as well as stunning landscapes and a rich wild life.
If you are considering to combine your hunting trip with a family holiday, South Africa is without doubt the place to go!