Information about our South African Hunting Safaris
We Offer the Best of Ethical Real Hunting, Fair Chase - Spot and Stalk on Foot, resulting in an Excellent Overal Safari Experience !
Vehicles and Hunting
On your South African hunting safari Richard Holmes Safaris offers only fair chase hunting. 4x4 Toyota Land Cruisers, shown below are the ultimate, tough vehicle for AFRICAN conditions and these are used to get into the field and locate game.
Thereafter walk and stalk, ambush or wait - This is NOT physically difficult as stalks are usually not long.
Rifle shots are taken at an average of 200 yards (180 m), however fairly regularly closer shots present themselves, so please don't panic about the 200 yard average. But Please practice shooting with sticks and bipods, preferabally bipods attached to your rifle and practice at 200 yards (standing and sitting ), as that elusive one you Really want may well require this distance !
Your PH ( Professional Hunter ) will NOT expect you to shoot beyond your comfort range and will attempt to get you within your comfort shooting range, and your PH will get you into a comfortable position to shoot from if you can't crawl or bend , eg. prone or from standing sticks.
Hunting Season
The hunting season runs from February to November, although we do sometimes take small hunts in Dec and Jan.
Certain species require advance notification to obtain the necessary permits and quotas - see Trophy Fees - ' Special Game' section to avoid disappointment.
Firearms
We highly recommend you bring your own rifle, a bolt action with scope of 4-12 or larger, in about .30 calibre with 2 - 3 lbs trigger pull and a 28" Harris Bipod attached to the rifle for plains game hunting. It is always better to bring your own rifle and the one you have shot game with before, not a brand new rifle. Your tried and trusted shooter is the best rifle to bring on Safari !
We have a bench rest and targets for zeroing. Bring soft point bullets. Solid copper bullets ( FMJ ) are not allowed. Good expanding soft nose bullets which you have shot big game with before is the best ammunition to bring, eg. Nosler, Hornady or Remington.
South African Customs will issued you a permit for your firearms on your arrival in Johannesburg. You must get this permit even if your guns do not arrive with you. Do not lose this permit. Pre approved rifle permits can be obtained before you arrive via Afton Safari Lodge in Johannesburg.
Locktite all as long distance travel causes screws to come lose ( ALL stock, scope, bipod and sling screws )
Trophy Handling
Fully trained trackers and skinners are provided. Trophies are cured - salted, dried and cleaned on RICHAD HOLMES SAFARIS ranch and picked up by our local taxidermist for shipping and/or mounting and secure packing - see www.taxidermyafrica.com
General
We provide clients with a list of things/equipment to bring and see this and more on Travel Hints FAQ. Please read and follow all Travel Hints to make your journey and your safari easier.
All export permits, trophy documentation for packing of trophies and freight are arranged by us with our Taxidermsit, with a 100% success rate over very many years. All your trophies will get home in one piece with no hassles.
Daily Routine
Wake before sunrise.
In the Lodge : Coffee, Tea, Toast, Eggs, Bacon, Cereal, Yoghurt, Cheese, Fruit, Snacks for breakfast, which is self serve and you may cook what suits you in our lodge kitchen for breakfast. A packed brunch / lunch goes out in the truck with hunters each day so you could stay out hunting if you elected to or needed to do so. Hunters mostly go out hunting just before sunrise.
Evening we have a sit-down dinner or BBQ at RHS base in our LODGE.
Liability
Clients will be expected to sign an indemnity absolving Richard Holmes Safaris from any accident, illness, loss or damage. All necessary safety precautions will be taken. All guests are advised to purchase insurance for the trip.
Side Trips
For any of our guests who wish to enhance their South African visit or for spouses and non-hunters we offer a variety of interesting side trips and activities. Please click here for more info.