Often we wonder about taking a vacation and then the planning for that special getaway is underway. Decisions have to be made considering a number of things and most probably having to decide the type of vacation, be it first time safari in Africa or vacation to a destination you are already familiar with.
To go through one’s life without having at least once been to Africa is a life without that spicy ingredient. Once the African sun kisses you on your cheek and the sunset bids you a good night, your life will simply never be the same. And then of course once the "safari-bug" bites you, it is over and done with, for you will seek that African sunrise and sunset as it has become an integral part of your soul and wellbeing.
On any hunting trip in Africa, whether it is for plains game or African Big Game hunting the experience is one of everlasting reality. And just as the memories start to fade, the "safari-bug" bites you again, and you find yourself heading to Africa for yet another African hunting safari.
South Africa hunting is equally if not more attractive than hunting in any other part of Africa given all the species available to hunt. Hunting in South Africa also offers the sought after Buffalo roaming Tanzania, when booking a safari for big game hunting.
Although the term game hunting South Africa might imply that all species resort to game, in a sense it is true, but we distinguish three main categories of the game:
Mini-Antelope, of which the Blue Duiker, Red Duiker and Suni are included. Plains-game, of which most of the larger antelope are made up of and then the Dangerous Six, of which the Elephant, Hippopotamus, Rhinoceros, Buffalo, Lion and Leopard and referred to by hunters as doing big game hunting when hunting these dangerous animals.
When booking a hunting trip of African Hunting Safari, we strongly recommend being in your best physical condition possible for a good hunt and a quality memorable safari experience. In the African bush, conditions might be difficult for the hunters. Although hunting is normally conducted during typical winter months in South Africa, conditions during the day can be very challenging with respect to the ambient temperature and the dry air.
The South African hunting safaris are conducted mainly in drier climate regions with the exception of the coastal region where the humidity is much higher and makes for an even tougher hunt.
A fit hunter with mental alertness will find it a lot easier to concentrate when perusing his quarry getting to adjust his eyes to the vegetation in the field. Each region where game hunting is done in South Africa has a unique make-up of grass, trees, shrubs and bushes delivering either: grass lands, river rines, savannas or thick bushveld areas.
In these areas all senses available to the hunter must be utilized in giving him the best opportunity to outsmart his quarry and be successful in harvesting his trophy he came to collect. So as much as there is a good Professional Hunter guiding the hunter hunting game during his African hunting safaris, the hunter also contributes to the memorable hunting experience.
By Kobus Vrey
The author is a licensed hunting outfitter, professional hunter, and taxidermist. Kobus a third generation hunter currently owns Shingelani Safaris, an African Hunting Safari company founded in 2002.
www.shingelani.com