Trophy hunting & Wild Coast tours South Africa

Hunt & support conservation

Trophy Hunting as a Conservation Tool: Balancing Wildlife and Habitat Preservation

Hunting has been a controversial topic for many years, often evoking strong emotions and differing opinions. However, when viewed through the lens of sustainable utilization and conservation, hunting can be seen as an essential part of a multifaceted approach to wildlife and habitat preservation. Trophy hunting, when conducted responsibly and ethically, can contribute positively to conservation efforts, particularly in regions where wildlife and livestock compete for limited resources.

One common misconception is that wildlife habitat in Africa is free and readily available. However, the reality is quite different. Wildlife areas face constant pressures as wildlife and livestock vie for the same spaces. It becomes challenging for these two entities to coexist harmoniously. Furthermore, ensuring the safety and protection of wildlife and their habitat requires substantial investments, such as the erection of fences to secure areas and keep poachers at bay.

Private wildlife owners, who often shoulder the responsibility of managing and protecting these areas, face a myriad of challenges. Poaching, political interference, and criticism from uninformed individuals who lack an understanding of the complex conservation landscape create an added burden. These dedicated individuals live under constant pressure as they strive to protect wildlife and their habitat.

It is within this context that we firmly believe in the value of responsible trophy hunting as a conservation tool. We offer quality hunting safaris that adhere to ethical hunting practices and make positive contributions to conservation efforts. By engaging in sustainable hunting practices, we strive to strike a delicate balance between wildlife preservation and habitat enhancement...

Variety of Wildlife

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The regions we focus on are central South Africa and the Kalahari, which offer some of the most remarkable hunting experiences in Southern Africa. These areas consist primarily of marginal land with limited carrying capacity for traditional livestock farming. By utilizing wildlife as a means of sustainable land utilization, we can not only make use of these otherwise less productive areas but also improve grazing conditions over time.

By carefully managing trophy hunting activities, we can control the population of certain species, preventing overgrazing and ecosystem imbalances. This sustainable approach to hunting helps maintain healthy wildlife populations, which in turn supports overall ecosystem health. Moreover, the revenue generated from trophy hunting is reinvested into conservation efforts, including anti-poaching initiatives, habitat restoration, and community development programs.

It is crucial to emphasize that responsible trophy hunting should be well regulated and monitored by relevant authorities. This ensures that hunting quotas are sustainable, based on scientific research, and aligned with population management objectives. The welfare of hunted animals should always be prioritized, with ethical guidelines in place to ensure humane and responsible practices.

In conclusion, while trophy hunting may be a contentious issue, when conducted responsibly and within the framework of sustainable utilization and conservation, it can play a vital role in wildlife and habitat preservation. By supporting ethical hunting practices and contributing to conservation efforts, we aim to strike a delicate balance between the competing needs of wildlife and humans, protecting ecosystems for future generations to enjoy.

Wide variety of species

South Africa boasts an exceptionally healthy wildlife population, thanks to the presence of government and privately owned protected areas.

We believe in the importance of selective hunting, where older animals are targeted once they have had their genetic influence on the population. This approach allows for the natural progression of the species, ensuring their long-term survival.

When you book a hunt with us, you can experience the thrill of hunting a diverse range of wildlife species. Here are some of the magnificent animals you can encounter on our safaris:

African Buffalo: These iconic creatures are known for their impressive size and strength, making them a challenging hunt.

Roan Antelope: With their distinct reddish-brown coat and impressive spiral horns, Roan Antelope are highly sought after by hunters.

Sable Antelope: Recognizable by their striking black coat and gracefully curved horns, Sable Antelope offer a thrilling hunting experience.

Livingstone Eland: The largest antelope species, Livingstone Eland, with their majestic appearance and large horns, are a prized trophy for hunters.

Waterbuck: With their distinctive white markings and impressive horns, Waterbuck present a thrilling hunting opportunity.

Golden Wildebeest: This unique color variant of the Wildebeest offers an exciting challenge for hunters seeking a distinctive trophy.

Golden Oryx: Known for their golden hue and elegant horns, the Golden Oryx offers a captivating hunting experience.

Red Oryx: The Red Oryx, with its reddish-brown coat and long, straight horns, is a prized trophy for any hunter.

Saddle Back Oryx: Characterized by their striking black and white markings, the Saddle Back Oryx provides a visually stunning hunting experience.

Wildebeest: These migratory animals with their distinctive appearance and impressive horns offer a thrilling hunt.

Impala: A popular game species, Impala, with their reddish-brown coat and lyre-shaped horns, are a rewarding trophy.

Tsessebe: Known for their speed and agility, Tsessebe present an exciting challenge for hunters.

Springbuck: With their unique ability to "pronk" (jumping high into the air), Springbuck offer an exhilarating hunting experience.

Oryx: These desert-adapted antelope, with their striking black and white facial markings, are a true trophy for any hunter.

Red Hartebeest: Recognizable by their reddish-brown coat and elongated horns, Red Hartebeest provide an exciting hunting opportunity.

Blesbuck: These medium-sized antelope, with their distinct white face and horns, offer an enjoyable hunting experience.

Black Wildebeest: With their dark, shaggy appearance and impressive horns, Black Wildebeest present a unique hunting challenge.

Lechwe: Found in wetland areas, Lechwe's beautiful reddish-brown coat and impressive spiraled horns make them an exciting target.

Warthog: Known for their formidable tusks and bristly appearance, Warthogs provide a thrilling hunting opportunity.

Kudu: With their magnificent spiral horns and elusive nature, hunting Kudu offers a rewarding challenge.

These are just a few examples of the incredible wildlife species you can encounter during your hunt with us. South Africa

Wildlife Species Guide

Sable Antelope

Hippotragus Niger

Identification: Bulls are black and cows are mainly brown but

occasionally black. Vertical white lines on the face, white tummy,

white inner thighs and buttocks. Both sexes have horns.

Size: Shoulder height 135cm. Weight - 230kg.

Habits: Groups of up to 200. Territorial. They sometimes fight to death

to protect territories. There is one or two dominant cows in a herd.

They always lead the herd to water and pastures and when danger

approaches. They graze in the mornings and afternoons and rest

in the shade during midday. They are selective grazers and prefer

grass of medium length. Calve from January to March.

Distribution: Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Mozambique, Botswana, South Africa. The hunting industry has contributed greatly to the well being of this species as revenue from hunting enabled reserve owners to maintain and acquire more habitat to protect these majestic animals.

Roan Antelope

Hippotragus Equinus

Identification: Second largest antelope. Both sexes are horned. Grey

brown in Colour. Very long ears with a tussle of hair on the end.

Dark face with a white patch on each side of the face stretching

from the base of the horn downwards to the side of the face, around

the nose, both lips, chin and throat are white. They have a mane as

well as long hair on the lower neck.

Size: Shoulder height ± 140cm. Weight ± 270kg.

Habits: Live in groups of up to 30. They live in the same area for years.

Not very aggressive but has territorial behavior. They are grazers

and prefer medium to long grass. A dominant cow will always be

on watch at the side of the herd. Calves are born any time of the

year.

Distribution: Southern parts of North Africa, Angola, Congo, Tanzania,

Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Northern Namibia and

South Africa. The hunting industry has contributed greatly to the well being of this species as revenue from hunting enabled reserve owners to maintain and acquire more habitat to protect these majestic animals.

Buffalo

Syncerus Caffer

Identification: Large ruminants looking very much like cattle. They

are heavily built and bulls are black, cows have reddish brown tint

with the black. Bulls have heavy horns with well developed "Boss".

Cows horns are much lighter, they have broad muscle and large ears

situated behind the eyes.

Size: Mass 750-800kg. Shoulder height - 140cm.

Habits: Move around in large family units of up to 3000 in a group. Old

bulls normally group together in bachelor groups, in the dryer

season they tend to graze near water. Non-selective grazers, also

browse a bit. Buffalo are carriers of foot and mouth and corridor

disease. Puberty at three years. Gestation 330-346 days ± 11

months. Birth weight - 40kg. High mortality amongst calves.

Distribution: Central and Southern Africa. The hunting industry has contributed greatly to the well being of this species as revenue from hunting enabled reserve owners to maintain and acquire more habitat to protect these majestic animals.

Livingstone Eland

Taurotragus oryx livingstonii

Identification: Largest antelope in Africa. Grey to red brown in colour. Both sexes are horned. They have a dewlap and a white chevron and a tussle of hair on the forehead (in big bulls). They also have, a black garter on the front legs with white stripes on the sides, which is more prominent in younger animals. Size: Shoulder height 1,5 - 1,7m. Weight 460 - 1000kg. Habits: Live in groups of up to 1000. Mainly browsers but do occasionally graze, they love wild fruit. Well adapted for dry hot climate. Not territorial. Bulls can be aggressive towards each other. Calves are born mainly from August to November. Distribution: Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, Namibia, Malawi, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa.The hunting industry has contributed greatly to the well being of this species as revenue from hunting enabled reserve owners to maintain and acquire more habitat to protect these majestic animals.

Oryx / Gemsbuck (Red Oryx)

Taurotragus oryx livingstonii

Identification: Long straight horns in males and females. Bronze red in colour with prominent black markings and a black horse-like tail. Short black mane, black in colour continuing onto the tail. Black and white face markings. Lower parts of legs are white. Both sexes have horns. Size: Shoulder height +/- 1,2m. Weight 210 - 240kg. Habits: Grazers but browse occasionally. Love dry open areas (semi-desert). They also eat tsammas and roots. Calves are born throughout the year. They are very well adapted for hot conditions and have a well-developed cooling-off system for the blood going to the brain. Distribution: Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Western Zimbabwe and South Africa (Northern Cape). The Red Gemsbuck / Royal oryx colour variation is very rare and found in South Africa. The Red Gemsbuck / Oryx has the same markings as normal Gemsbok , but the colour is much darker and bronze red in colour. The hunting industry has contributed greatly to the well being of this species as revenue from hunting enabled reserve owners to maintain and acquire more habitat to protect these majestic animals.

Blue & Golden Wildebeest hunts South Africa

Blue Wildebeest (Golden)

Connochaetes taurinus

Golden Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) Identification: Golden to copper or bronze in colour. They have a long copper mane, beard and tail tussle. The horns are smooth, broad at the base and point towards each other. Both sexes have horns. Size: Shoulder height 135 - 150cm. Weight 180 - 250kg. Habits: Territorial group animals 20-1000, active during the day but prefer shade during the hot hours of the day. They have a typical "tar" smell coming from glands on the front feet which is also used for marking of territories. Prefer to graze on short green grass. Calving season November to December. Distribution: Angola, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa. The Golden Wildebeest colour variation is found in South Africa & Botswana. The hunting industry has contributed greatly to the well being of this species as revenue from hunting enabled reserve owners to maintain and acquire more habitat to protect these majestic animals.

Tsessebe

Damaliscus Lunatus

Identification: Colour is dark reddish brown with noticeable purple

shade changing to almost black from the top of the head to the

tip of the nose. The shoulders, upper parts of front and back legs

and thighs are almost black. The distal parts of the legs are yellow

brown. In Central Africa a subspecies of Tsessebe is found known

as the Topi.

Size: Shoulder height 1,2m; weight - 126-140kg.

Habits: Graze in groups during the day, they prefer long grass of ± 60cm.

Territorial behavior. They have pre-orbital glands for marking of

territories. Calving season October to December.

Distribution: Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. The hunting industry has contributed greatly to the well being of this species as revenue from hunting enabled reserve owners to maintain and acquire more habitat to protect these majestic animals.

Kudu

Tragelaphus Strepsiceros

Identification: They are grey brown in colour with 6-10 vertical white

stripes on the body. They have a white V on the nose just under

the eyes with white lips and chin. The mane is also partly white.

The bulls have corkscrew-shaped horns. They have big ears. Bulls

have a dark beard that stretches down to the front of the chest.

Size: Shoulder height - 1,25 - 1,4m. Weight - 200 - 250kg.

Habits: Live in groups of 4-12. Mainly browsers, non-selective. Mainly

active at dusk and dawn. Kudu are gracious. They jump high and

are very shy. They give a loud bark when frightened and run away

with the horns held horizontal and the tail curled up to show the

white underneath. Calves are born mainly from January to April.

Distribution: Eastern parts of Africa, Angola, Namibia, Botswana,

Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia and South Africa. The hunting industry has contributed greatly to the well being of this species as revenue from hunting enabled reserve owners to maintain and acquire more habitat to protect these majestic animals.

Wild Coast Helicopter tours

Explore one of the most scenic coastlines in the world. Book one of our helicopters and explore the beautiful Wild Coast. This coastline forms part of the East Coast of South Africa. We offer full helicopter tours & holidays to luxurious and unique resorts along this coastline. Experience great food and hospitality and take the short cut. Enjoy great seafood and experience the local Xhosa culture.