doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com South Africa Bird Hunt information

I'm looking for additional information on a South African bird hunt. Outfitters, costs, restrictions, etc..

I did find wburns' thread from last year. Looked like a great time.

A friend and his son are planning a 2013 trip and have some prelim info from a SCI attending outfitter. He mentioned approx $3k for the outfitter for approx a week of hunting and lodging/meals, ammo was extra. 12 and 20ga ammo readily available, 2 gun limit per hunter, must be of different gauge (what's that about?).

Both father and son are .410 shooters exclusively and won't go if they can't shoot their .410's. Their prelim investigation determined a path to get 410 ammo on the ground before they commit to the trip. They are experienced with South America trips where they had to arrange for .410 ammo similarly.

I've been invited and the SWAG on costs with all the costs of airfare, tips, drinks, and miscellaneous looks like about $6k. I'm considering it.

Unless your are a South African, you probably will know about this one: Grasslands Safari. website is: grasslands.co.za. Wild birds down in the Free State, wonderful accomdations, guides and dogs. And they do not "overcharge" non South Africans.

Bv

Dont spend so much money that we dont get the Tri Tips and wine........

The gauge/caliber restriction was originally based on rifles more than shotguns. The purpose, from what I have been told, is that it is a way of cracking down on people bringing an extra gun to sell to SA residents.

I used Likulu Safaris. Matt was at the SCI convention and may have been who they talked to. With the base hunt cost, airfare, tips, ammo, hotel (spent a day in Germany), I spent around $6,500.

Matt puts on a great upland hunt. He had good access to helmeted guinea, spur fowl, common quail, grey wing and orange river partridge. He hunts some very large ranches all in fairly close proximity to his hunting lodge so you don't spend much time traveling between hunts. I never tried his dove hunting which he usually mixes in to the upland hunt. I have never been much for dove hunting so I opted to spend more time hunting partridge (nothing against it, just never found it interesting as I like watching dog work).

We were served great meals, and all the drinks (both soft drinks, and liquor) we wanted for no additional charges. His lodge was very comfortable and clean.

The only downside to the trip was his waterfowl hunting. It was not that we did not get to shoot ducks and geese, but rather he did not have the dogs to retrieve the birds anymore as his waterfowl dog was getting old. We were selective on what shots we took so that we could retreive the ducks without leaving waste in the field. He did have great access, as we shot where the De Beers (Diamond Company) bring their main clients once a year on a waterfowl hunt. It was awesome as far as species, volume, and scenery.

IMO if you are looking for a great upland experience Matt is a good choice. If you want more waterfowl I would look elsewhere until he gets some young retreivers again. If you just want a day or two of waterfowl then it is not bad. We had a 10 day hunt, but you have to figure in 2 days are travel, so you actually shoot for 8 to 8 1/2 days based on what time you leave or arrive.

If you want more info feel free to pm me and I will send you my phone number and we can talk more about my experience. No matter what, it is worth doing. You will want something bigger than a 4-10 for Guinea. They are a [censored] to put down. For the other birds it will be adequate as they all hold very well. If I remember correctly, Small Bore ships ammo over for the hunts he sets up. He is also a good source I am sure for additional information. Good luck and have fun! I plan to go again next year.

Might want to leave that Model 42 at home also I don't think they like people bringing in repeaters over there.

I had a superb experience with a PH named Simon Leach, who has a website: www.eaglesafaris.co.za

We go in September to Orange Free State. It is a regular trip now and great fun. Kiri Kythreotis organises it from Athena Hunting Tours. Walked up francolin and guineas and quail in the mornings and evenings. rock pigeons in the day time.

If you are interested in a rather different African experience, there is wonderful bird shooting in some remote wilderness areas of Kenya. Although big game hunting has been closed for 35 years, you can hunt many species of sand grouse, pigeons, francolins, guinea fowl and waterfowl, amidst elephants, buffalo, all sorts of other game and very traditional peoples, in habitats ranging from hot, dry desert to lush grasslands.

If you are interested, I know a few people who run these trips and can put you in touch.

LGF, do you have any web-sites for these outfitters?

LGF,
Do you know if shooting over dogs is available in Kenya? I believe it is not in allowed in Tanzania but wasn't sure about Kenya.
Thanks,
Dave