This concession owner approached us in 2017, having heard from some of our PH’s, that we here at Hunt-Nation specialize in African Safaris and adventures.
Since then our clients have been glowing in their reports on just how good this operation is. Said one well-traveled hunter: “Butch, this place is just too nice for hunters! Like staying on a luxury cruise ship. I give it excellent in every single category from guides to game to lodging and meals!” Tom M.
Says Earl G. of his safari:
Quality of Outfit Excellent
Condition of Camp Excellent
Quality of Food Excellent
Ability of Guide/PH Excellent
Condition of Equipment Excellent
Trophy Care Excellent
Highlights of Trip
“All phases of this hunt exceeded expectations. The lodge, food, accommodations, staff, guides, hunting areas and trophy quality were exceptional. Great destination for hunters but also couples or families. I would rebook this same hunt and go get the trophies I did not hunt.”
The resident Hunting Manager started hunting with his father on his grandfather’s cattle farm in the Limpopo Region, close to the Botswana border. In the many years since then, he has been hunting much of South Africa as well as many other African countries. After he finished school in 1985, he joined the South African Police Force as part of his military training. He worked 30 years as a detective in the Limpopo Province, and specialized in the investigation of game and cattle theft. Because of that extensive background, he knows the area like no other man alive, and has an extensive field of contacts. In 2000, he decided he wanted to become a Professional Hunter, and since then he has been hunting with clients from around the world. He was very excited to work with us in promoting to the North American market.
Their camp is very nice indeed, and is located in a great area far from cities and public traffic or noise. The staff is extremely friendly and very service minded and in the hunters lodge you have your own chef and waiters plus a barman just waiting for you next order. The accommodation is luxurious, and I got the Klipspringer suite, which is a higher standard than the basic one. You have great beds, a walk in huge bath and a terrace with a view to the animal park and swimming pool. The food will be served under the fantastic black velvet African sky with a view to a milky way I have never seen so clearly before.
The PH’s are very professional. Most of them are x-cops with long experience. They know their job and will adapt to any form of hunting you prefer. I like to walk and ‘work’ for my game hard; others prefer to drive and then stalk from the car. All is possible, you just need to tell them what you prefer.
“I shot Impala, Kudu, Warthog, Bushbuck, Blesbuck, Nyala and klipspringer. All medal, most gold and silver. I tried also night hunting and that was exciting in many ways. The hunting grounds are both on the farm and on other farms in the area, and most of them rather challenging. Some are in ‘mountainous’ areas other on the flat savanna. The trophies are handled well and will be displayed on the last day for photos.” T. Oerting
Their own private 10,000-acre game reserve is the starting point of your hunt, and is located in the middle of the beautiful Waterberg Mountains in the Limpopo Region. In all they hunt 500,000 acres consisting of numerous ranches and parcels. Some can be many tens of thousands of acres, while others can be smaller of course. The area is scenic, and is considered to be a malaria-free area. Over the last 20 years, the outfitter’s efforts have transformed this area into a superb wildlife reserve containing three of South Africa’s most luxurious lodges. The lodges are an oasis in the middle of the UNESCO-protected ‘Biosphere Reserve’ that is the Waterberg Mountains, 149 miles north of Pretoria. This area is one of only 93 Biosphere Reserve locations in the world, which means it is under complete environmental protection.
It also is adjacent to the Velgewonden Big 5 Area (where the Big Five can be seen), and only a short drive from well known Pilansberg National Park, allowing great touring opportunities. In addition, the PH has around 500,000 acres of “Bushland” hunting concessions that he operates on, affording you a huge variety of species and terrain.
This new 5-star lodge was completed in early 2022 and has its own full-service facilities such as a large dipping pool for guests, sun beds and towels, a lounge area, a bar area, an outdoor grill and a large kitchen where all your meals will be prepared. The wine cellar is incredible! And wine tastings can be arranged! Companions who stay behind have many choices – see the itinerary proposed below; lots to do here.
When the day’s hunt is over and the darkness gathers, everyone meets around the fireplace (“lapa”) within the traditional “boma” (enclosure) and tells “slightly” exaggerated hunting stories in a relaxed atmosphere while enjoying your choice of beverage, served by a barman.
The personal chef will spoil you with high-end quality and exciting menus. Bartenders will customarily be ready from noon until the last guest goes to bed at night. Housekeeping will come by every day to clean your room as well as the common areas. Unfortunately, they are unable to offer laundry service for hunting parties who spend less than six days at Elephant Lodge hunting.
Night Safari
Do you want to have the ultimate safari experience? Then you should join opt to do their popular night safari where you drive around with a large spotlight and experience the African bush and its animals in an entirely different manner. With some luck you may experience some of the nocturnal animals such as bush babies, ant bears, porcupines, caracals, leopards, etc. Then at the end of the drive you will stop and will be met by their chefs and be seated around a warm fire where they have prepared a 3 course meal for you. Dining around a fire in the middle of the bush, listening to the sounds of the night and drinking a glass of red wine is truly an experience of a lifetime.
A past client said this:
They went out of their way to do everything to make my trip enjoyable. They upgraded me to a suite for the entire trip for free, provided a private driver both pick up and return to the airport, and everything was first class. I am very pleased with the trip. I hunted one particular warthog and one particular waterbuck. I was unsuccessful with both of those, but it made for a better hunt. I am very pleased with the four gold medal animals taken. I would return for another hunt without hesitation. I am attaching photos of my sable, wildebeest and 2 impala. Thank you, Angelo”
Another Client:
“Truly special. I got very lucky with 3 true trophies in 1.5 days of hunting. Food was excellent. Friendliness of service was true 5 star. Range of food and quality of presentation was excellent. Very impressed how well organized everything was. Even the gun range had washrooms and we saw 2 zebra there before we shot. The amount of animals was staggering. I saw over 500 animals in 3.5 days of hunting along with over 15 species of animals from jackal to sable. Saw another 200 plus on daily drives and walks within the camp’s main area. Internet was spotty for international guests. I expect to return. I was impressed as another 2 guests totally switched their packages and the PHs had no problem with changes and quickly had a range of hunting grounds. Both guys were very successful in getting a sable, croc and buffalo with very little planning. – Mark D.”
HUNTING:
Hunt Nation has negotiated for our clients some wonderful packages with excellent pricing – some of the best deals in Africa! The packages and trips are tailored to the species you want to hunt and whether you want to hunt with a rifle or a bow. Bowhunting should be conducted in dry periods, mainly from May to September, and full moon periods should be avoided, if at all possible. All packages allow switching of species, with some price adjustment if needed.
The vast majority of South African game species are found in the Bushland, and over the years this PH has built a strong relationship with neighboring landowners, fully utilizing all of the hunting possibilities in the surrounding area. The area is enormous and has a varied biodiversity. This means you usually have to drive to the surrounding hunting areas. The daily driving distance entirely depends on the species you wish to hunt, but most of the hunting is within a 30 minute drive.
The hunting is usually done as a mix of driving in open safari jeeps to find the game, and then stalking – depending very much on your endurance and preferences. These arrangements are done in close coordination with your PH (Professional Hunter) who always accompanies you during the hunt, and is there solely to assist and help in any way possible. Furthermore you will be accompanied by highly qualified Trackers that can find even the smallest of tracks left behind.
A typical day starts early, at around 5.30, with a big continental breakfast prepared by The Elephant Lodges personal chef, living up to all western standards. Followed by a quick drive to your designated hunting area where you, together with your PH and Tracker will start your hunt.
As the heat starts to rise, and the animals stop being active and go into hiding, it’s time for a mid-day break. You either drive back to the Lodge, or you rest under a three whilst lunch is prepared. There are plenty of soft drinks, beer and water under the hunt. After an energizing meal and well deserved break you start up again, and continue until sunset – or when you wish to return to The Elephant Lodge. All of this is arranged in close and ongoing coordination with your PH. So if you at any point want to stop for the day, or otherwise have any preferences, this is your prerogative.
The staff is always ready to serve your every need – hunt all day, or if you are lucky and shot your game before noon and want to relax by the pool, this is totally up to you. They are solely there to give you the most amazing hunting experience of your life, and you simply won’t find better hunting conditions in South Africa.
ACCOMMODATIONS
The lodge is designed in an African architectural style, blending perfectly together with its surroundings. In each spacious room you will find specially-imported beds and duvets, guaranteeing your sleeping pleasure after a long day of hunting. You will have all the high-end modern facilities you may need. But they have consciously omitted modern electronic gadgets like TVs and Internet (WIFI is available at the bar) in your rooms, as they wish to create the best starting point for a relaxing and energizing vacation. Furthermore, you will find fans/air conditioning, a safe, and European and American plug adaptors for the 230V power supply. All the rooms have towels, shampoo and body wash, and the rooms are cleaned and towels replaced every day. They have 2 twin beds; a table and 2 chairs; en-suite bathroom with toilet and shower and a washbasin on top of a base unit; 2-speed ventilation fan; 2 closets and 2 shelves; valuables safe; hairdryer. Quite luxurious and comfortable. All packages include a bar stocked with a minimum selection of local whisky, rum, brandy, vodka and gin. They also have an extensive wine selection in their cellar with over 2,000 bottles of wine at any time, and wine up to a value of $24 is included. You must pay the difference for any bottle over that amount.
HUNTING PACKAGES
Below are the hunting packages Hunt Nation has negotiated for our clients (subject to availability). These represent an outstanding value, AND YOU CAN ADD EXTRA ANIMALS TO EACH PACKAGE AT A 10% DISCOUNT OFF THE NORMAL TROPHY FEE. Not only do the packages include nearly all hunting and associated costs, but they also include a FREE observer/non-hunting companion! And if that companion sees an animal they’d really like to harvest, they can do so and pay only minor associated admin fees (about $100) and the applicable trophy fee. There’s no charge for upgrading from “non-hunter” to “hunter”. And if that doesn’t sound good enough already, they do not charge Value Added Tax (“V.A.T.”) on hunts or taxidermy fees for clients of Hunt Nation. That means a 15% savings over just about every other outfitter in South Africa, all else being equal. We just don’t think you can beat that!
NOTE: You are perfectly free to trade out animals in a package for other animals you prefer during the trip but, if you do so, please realize the package animals are discounted. For example, a package animal with a trophy fee of $500 might only trade out at $400 toward something else. This is common everywhere.
FINAL PAYMENTS: You will have paid a deposit of 50% to Hunt Nation upon booking. The final 50% can either be paid to Hunt Nation or directly to the outfitter at the end of your hunt. If you opt to pay in Africa, these are their rules:
• Final payment for extra trophies, taxidermy work, tours, curios, etc. must be paid at check-out
• THEY ONLY ACCEPT credit cards and bank transfers for final payment (Visa or Master Card). NO CASH!
HUNTING PACKAGES
7 DAYS/8 NIGHTS, 1 HUNTER, 1 OBSERVER, 1×1 HUNT, 4 ANIMALS $2,600. REALLY!
Stay in a luxury 5-star lodge. Package includes your food, 1×1 guiding, your lodging and your companion and three trophy fees for 1 impala, 1 blesbuck, 1 springbuck and 1 wildebeest – all for only $2,600! Your only extras are tips or additional animals! And they even pick you up at the airport for free. You hunt nearly 500,000 acres in various concessions in the famed Limpopo Region.
INCLUDES:
• 8 nights at 5-star lodge
• Free stay for observer and access to their photo safari program
• Full board and great food
• 7 hunting days with professional hunter 1×1 and unlimited use of 4WD hunting car
• One wildebeest, one springbuck, one impala, one blesbuck
• Transfer to and from Johannesburg airport and all other transport
• Tracker, skinner and field preparation
• Transport including insurance of trophies to their South African taxidermist
EXCLUDES:
• Airfares and insurance
• Extra hunting days
• Any extra animals – pay only the trophy fees, at 10% discount
• Gratuities to PH and staff
• Taxidermy work
• Shipment of trophies from taxidermist to home address
Normal price is $4,780, but we negotiated this incredible bargain for our clients. This is the ideal first-timer’s African safari at a truly ridiculous price. TWO PEOPLE GO TO AFRICA FOR JUST $2,600! THAT’S A 50% DISCOUNT. And you can add on more species from a long list of other animals. AND NO V.A.T.!
ALL PACKAGES CAN BE ADDED TO OR MODIFIED. JUST ASK FOR A QUOTE!
- SABLE SPECIAL – JUST $3,970
7 Days, includes 1 Sable 35″-40″ plus FREE observer - 7-DAY/5 MAJOR ANIMALS SPECIAL PACKAGE FOR HUNT NATION CLIENTS: $4,250. SAVE $3,095 ! Includes Springbuck, Wildebeest, Oryx, Blesbuck, Impala and Free Observer! AND NO V.A.T.!
- Kudu/Sable Package $6900- 7 Days, Kudu up to 54″ and Sable up to 40″.
- World Class Special- 7 animals for only $7650
- CAPE BUFFALO PACKAGE – JUST $10,700!
PACKAGE TERMS: All packages include the following:
• All your nights at a 5-star lodge
• Free stay for observer and access to their free photo safari program
• Full room and board and great food
• All your hunting days are with a professional hunter 1×1 and unlimited use of 4WD hunting car
• Trophy fees for game included in package
• Transfer to and from Johannesburg airport and all other in-field transport
• Tracker, skinner and field preparation
• Transport including insurance of trophies to their South African taxidermist if you choose to use them
EXCLUDES:
• Airfares and insurance
• Extra hunting days
• Any extra animals – you then pay only the trophy fees for game above the package
• Gratuities to PH and staff
TROPHIES ARE MEASURED USING THE “SCI FIELD METHOD” AND ACCORDING TO PHASA (PROFESSIONAL HUNTERS’ ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICA) SCORE SHEET.
A LA CARTE SAFARIS: If you prefer an “a la carte” safari (where you pay daily rates plus trophy fees for whatever game you take), you can do a 7-day safari (5 hunting days), with one observer, for as little as $2,125 plus trophy fees:
Hunter Companion
Day 1 Arrival day US $150 US $75
Day 2-6 Hunt 1:1 US $250/day US $100/day
Day 7 Departure day US $100 US $50
Total US $1,500 US $625
EXTRA OPTIONS: Additional Rates Per Day Per Person:
Additional hunting days are $200 pp/pd; companions are $100pp/pd;
Rifles $25/day Howa 1500s with Leupold VariX 3-9
A LA CARTE INCLUDES:
• Program planning and hunting licenses
• Airport transfer and all transport in South Africa
• Full board and accommodations
• Free beverages during the hunt
• Professional Hunter 1×1 and 4WD hunting car
• Tracker, skinner and field preparation
• Transport including insurance of trophies to their South African taxidermist
• Guide service, photo safaris and activities according to companion program
EXCLUDES:
• Airfares and insurance
• Trophy fees and taxidermy work
• Gratuities to PH and staff
• Shipment of trophies from taxidermist to home address
A LA CARTE PROGRAMS GENERAL TERMS:
• Minimum 4 hunting days
• Final payment for trophies, taxidermy work, tours, souvenirs, etc., upon check-out
• Credit cards and bank transfers are accepted (no cash)
• Further according to individual agent terms and conditions
• AND NO V.A.T.! THAT’S A 15% SAVINGS OVER MOST OTHER SOUTH AFRICAN OUTFITTERS!
All additional animals shot over and above what was booked on the package will qualify for a 10% discount
TO PREVENT PROBLEMS WHEN RETURNING TO THE UNITED STATES, YOU MUST REGISTER YOUR FIREARMS AND RELATED EQUIPMENT BY TAKING THEM TO ANY CUSTOMS AND BORDER PATROL (“CBP”) OFFICE BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE UNITED STATES. THE CBP OFFICE WILL REGISTER THEM ON THE SAME CBP FORM 4457 USED TO REGISTER CAMERAS AND COMPUTERS. PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU OFTEN CANNOT SIMPLY DO THIS AT THE AIRPORT WHEN LEAVING THE U.S., SO YOU SHOULD DO THIS IN ADVANCE OF YOUR TRIP.
