The bow hunting information Africa we supply is based on more than 20 years active hunting. In every section of this fine website we discuss the specific best time of year to hunt South Africa.
We are happy to share the information with you on this page also:
South Africa is in the southern hemisphere turning our seasons opposite to anything North of the Equator. During the rain season, typically from middle- to end October it starts getting rather warm to hot. Trees bud, grass is green and the veld is full of water pools.
This does nothing to encourage animals to visit and congregate by traditional water pools which lowers chances of a successful hunt considerably.
Best time of year is mid-April (in time for the rut) to mid-October.
Follow this link for all the South African bow hunting regulations.
We are not subject to a specific time of the year to hunt. This is subject to the concession having been inspected by the authorities who deem the concession fit for hunting year-round. If that permit is issued we can hunt every day of the year.
However, the best hunting season remains during the dry months of the year as discussed on the left.
You can hunt with bow and arrow outside of those times but the expected success rate will be less than 50% on hunting packages.
During winter evenings and early mornings it is downright cold according to our standards. Fleece and a heavy jacket will be good to have.
Beanie and gloves are a very good idea. Sunglasses when we travel helps for the glare.
During down-time in camp, you can use flip-flops during the heat of the day.
Staff will be working long and hard hours making sure your trophies are skinned and salted properly. This can take them into the early hours of the morning. And yet, when we have coffee early morning they will be there and ready to go.
T-shirts and knives just do not cut it anymore. However, if you have items of clothing that you can part with staff still appreciate it.
As the old saying goes: Cash is King. The law in South Africa is rather strict in regard to foreign currency. As citizens we cannot go to the bank and exchange foreign currency without a very good reason, and trying to explain a good reason to someone in dire need of a lunch break is not our way of seeking fun.
For the skinners, trackers and camp staff the local currency works best. We can take you to the bank where you can exchange your currency for the local Rand.
You are welcome to tip your PH in foreign currency as he will use it once abroad for marketing purposes.
Speak to your outfitter about what would be considered a fair tip for everyone. Very important is the tipping policy of every Outfitter differs somewhat. Discuss how they would like it taken care of.
No paperwork is required to import your bow to South Africa for the best Africa bow hunting safari.
Rules at the airport in Johannesburg change from time-to-time. In the past you had to collect your bow case from the Police station inside the arrivals area, but lately you collect you bow case from the carousel where you collect your luggage from.
If the bow case did not arrive, or some of your luggage did not arrive, you have to report it to the airline representative inside the customs area.
We will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall and escort you from there until the end of the hunt.
You need a full valid passport. In fact, the passport must still be valid for another six (6) months after your departure date from South Africa.
Also, it is a stipulation your passport must have at least two full open pages before full. Some customs officials feel obliged to refuse you entry to South Africa when a single stamp is on the second to last open page of your passport.
It takes an awful lot of time to have that taken care of.
If you have children traveling with you under the age of 18, both parents must be present. If not, customs will require an unabridged birth certificate to accompany your child / children. This law is applied very strict.
You do not need to have any particular shots to visit South Africa. Covid-19 vaccination proof is handy to have somewhere, but it is not expected to have to prove upon entry to the country.
It is always a good idea to have your Tetanus shots up-to-date. This is for your personal health and is not mandatory. During our winter months, which is prime hunting time, you will unlikely see bugs of any kind.
We mainly hunt in malaria-free hunting areas. However, always ask about malaria if you intend adding a photo safari on to your hunting package.
We trust this bow hunting information Africa is sufficient to answer your first round of questions.
If you need to know anything else do not hesitate to ask.
You are welcome to bring some DEAT for personal satisfaction.
