BLAAUWKRANTZ safaris

BLAAUWKRANTZ safaris
SOUTH AFRICA'S PREMIER HUNTING AND CONSERVATION DESTINATION
BLAAUWKRANTZ safaris is a world-class hunting outfitter and conservationist of almost 100000 acres, founded in 1978, it is owned and operated by us, the Arthur Rudman Family.

We are located in the malaria-free Eastern Cape, South Africa. Operating from our magnificent and vast, single-unit family ranch, the largest of its kind in South Africa.

Our hunting lodge is only a 45-minute drive from the Port Elizabeth Airport. We offer hunters, couples, hunting families and safari groups, a high standard of trophy quality, exceptional hunting experience, family hospitality along with passionate, experienced and enthusiastic staff, personal service and delicious cuisine.
Thanks to stable politics and a good safety record, family hunting safaris in South Africa has become a trend. Keep in mind the old adage, ‘ the family who play together, stay together’.

We have been hosting international hunting clients for 36 years. Not only are we well represented in the SCI Record Book for our excellent kudu hunting, but numerous Wetherby award winners have also chosen us as their hunting safari destination.

Specializing in the Eastern Cape species, we offer over 44 species for your African hunt. Non-hunters are welcome to join the hunting safari party while on their African hunt or there are plenty of non-hunter activities in the area. Our hunting lodge is the perfect place to relax and unwind.

Enquire with us for further information regarding your African hunt, we look forward to guiding you on an unforgettable hunting safari.

Click HERE to explore our website www.blaauwkrantz.com for a lot more information!






HUNTING INFORMATION
We are able to hunt the entire year, but the most popular time is mid-March to end of September. At BLAAUWKRANTZ safaris we offer you a choice of hunting options. Clients can hunt off the Trophy Price List on a Daily Rate; alternatively, you can choose a package or we can tailor make a package for your needs. While trophies and days can be added to the existing packages, substituting of trophies is discouraged. We do NOT charge VAT on packages.

Most of our hunting is undertaken using the ‘spot and stalk, ‘stand’ and ‘still’ method and our hunts are fair-chase. Shots vary between 100-300 yards, we urge you to practice shooting from the long bipod shooting sticks that are commonly used here.

Because such a large quantity of game can be found on Blaauwkrantz, we prefer to limit the amount of travelling while on safari. Clients also enjoy travelling to Springvale, our mountain lodge, Asante Sana, Karoo lodge, to hunt species not commonly found on here.

Our tracking hounds form an invaluable part of the team, particularly where trophy animals have been wounded. The use of dogs increases our recovery by 90%.


BOW HUNTING INFORMATION
We have traditionally been a rifle-hunting destination but in recent years, the bow-hunting trend has made its mark at BLAAUWKRANTZ safaris too. Each year bow hunters comprise ±5% of the total amount of hunters at Blaauwkrantz.

Bow hunters have had the most success with the species that has made our ranch famous, i.e. the East Cape Kudu. This is largely due to the healthy Kudu population that BLAAUWKRANTZ safaris carries.

Some success has been recorded with Impala and Bushbuck too. Warthog and the Brown Bush Duiker (Common Duiker) have also often featured in the bow hunters’ bags. It is important to note that these are all species that are relatively abundant on Blaauwkrantz, so no traveling is required to begin the hunt, enabling multiple attempts at these species with the bow during the entire safari. Various other species can provide hunters with surprise opportunities.

Most of the hunting for these species is done from blinds over bait or water. Spot and stalk is also attempted to break the monotony of sitting blinds although spot and stalking does not yield much success on our 80 000 acres, where animals are wild and roam freely in a very dense habitat at best of times.

If bow hunters are prepared to work really hard for their trophies, they will be rewarded with some special memories in addition to their hard earned trophies too.





OUR FAMILY
BLAAUWKRANTZ safaris ranch has been in the Rudman family since 1936. Eardley & Francois are 4th generation ranchers. We are life members of Safari Club International, Dallas Safari Club, Houston Safari Club, Professional Hunters Association of South Africa and Wildlife Ranchers South Africa.

BLAAUWKRANTZ safaris is world-renowned for its top quality trophies, especially the East Cape Kudu (largest herd in Africa), Cape Bushbuck, Bushpig, Cape Grysbok and other species. With 25 species to hunt and an estimated 20 000 antelope on our property, we have access to millions of acres, game is in abundance and real African hunting at its best. We employ 50 staff members to efficiently run BLAAUWKRANTZ safaris & Ranch to provide our clients with excellent service and trophies.

Arthur was born and raised here, he is the CEO of BLAAUWKRANTZ safaris and sees to the business end of the outfitting business and fills in as professional hunter when needed. Besides being a keen wildlife conservationist, he is passionate about livestock, the Angora goat in particular and property development. Arthur is serving as a director for PHASA (Professional Hunters Association of South Africa) and WRSA (Wildlife Ranchers South Africa). He is a SCI Master Measurer. Trinette and Arthur were married in 1970 and shortly after that were one of the pioneers in game ranching in the Eastern Cape. Trinette is our hostess at the lodge and and oversees all the delicious meals served.

Eldest son, Eardley, is a professional hunter,and was born in 1972. Eardley studied Agriculture at the University of Stellenbosch before returning to the family ranch. Eardley is an official SCI Measurer and his interests are wildlife, hunting (especially bushpig hunting), fishing and cricket. Eardley is married to Carmen and their wedding was on the 23rd of February 2008. Carmen assists in our office. They have a son, Caleb and a daughter, Christina.

Younger son, Francois is a professional hunter and was born in 1974. Francois studied Commerce at the Univesity of Port Elizabeth before returning to the family ranch. Francois is also an official SCI Measurer and his interests are hunting, fishing and cricket. Francois is married to Cris and they were married on 31 January 09. They have 2 daughters, Isabel and Tessa. Cris is from Mexico, she is a graphic designer and is fluent in Spanish.

Daughter, Zani, takes care of the administration and marketing and was born in 1976. She married Philip Dixie in 2001 and they have 3 children, Jane, Jack and Oliver. Zani studied Economic Sciences with marketing honours at the University of Stellenbosch and enjoys the outdoors and golf.
Son-in-law, Philip is a professional hunter, born in 1968, Philip studied agriculture at Cedara Agricultural College. He owns, our mountain lodge, Springvale in the Adelaide area and is forté are the mountain species. He is a passionate farmer, conservationist and avid golfer.


MEET THE PROFESSIONAL HUNTERS
From back left: Francois Rudman, Eardley Rudman, Eric Daniell & outfitter, Arthur Rudman.
Front left: Braun Olckers, Philip Dixie, Puren Joubert & Paul Smith

THE TEAM
- Eric Daniells: is our neighbouring rancher and has been part of our team since 2002. He is married to Denise and has two daughters.
- Braun Olckers: is a local rancher and eco guide and comes with a wealth of experience.
- Puren Joubert: is co-owner of Igala Productions and is married to Janine, our videographer.
- Paul Smith: is owner of Relive Africa Taxidermy and is married to Beverley and has two daughters.

Collectively these experienced PH's have over a century of experience, their knowledge of our vast hunting areas is second to none.




CHALET LODGE
Clients are accommodated in our spacious and comfortable lodges on Blaauwkrantz. Our lodges have ensuite bedrooms which are beautifully appointed, featuring exquisite ethnic decor in keeping with the bushveld and safari environment. Our lodges offers free WIFI, swimming pools, indoor & outdoor BBQ areas.
Our Blaauwkrantz mountain chalet lodge, has 5 thatched chalets and a lapa.

Our family and well-trained lodge staff offer uncompromising high standards of service, efficiency and personalised attention.

Clients enjoy fine South Africa wines and local venison, lamb and beef. Hunter groups consisting of four or more hunters can enjoy the exclusivity of our large ranch homestead lodge and hunting areas.
We do have cell phone reception in most areas and cell phones will work in South Africa. Clients can also Facetime or whatsapp call their families back home.

Electricity is 220V, and we recommend that clients bring an international converter adapter with them. A laundry service is available from Monday – Friday.

Lodge Facilities:

• 7 ensuite bedrooms
• Swimming pool
• Outdoor deck
• Large dining area
• Indoor & Outdoor BBQ areas
• 3 lounging areas with fire places
• Bushpig Bar and satellite TV
• Water fountain for drinking water

Lodge Amenities:

• Wifi Internet
• Satellite TV
• Cellphone reception
• Bar facilities
• Tea & coffee making facilities
• Room safes
• Hair dryers
• Room heaters
• International plug adapters
• Week day daily laundry

RANCH STYLE LODGE
Clients are accommodated in our spacious and comfortable lodges on Blaauwkrantz. Our lodges have ensuite bedrooms which are beautifully appointed, featuring exquisite ethnic decor in keeping with the bushveld and safari environment. Our lodges offers free WIFI, swimming pools, indoor & outdoor BBQ areas.

Our ranch style Brakhill lodge is centrally situated on Blaauwkrantz property and is only 45 minute drive from the Port Elizabeth airport. The lodge is decorated with numerous trophy mounts giving it a 'hunters camp' feel. It can sleep up to 14 guests and is famed for its warmth, vibrancy and legendary hospitality.
Our family and well-trained lodge staff offer uncompromising high standards of service, efficiency and personalised attention.

Clients enjoy fine South Africa wines and local venison, lamb and beef. Hunter groups consisting of four or more hunters can enjoy the exclusivity of our large ranch homestead lodge and hunting areas.
We do have cell phone reception in most areas and cell phones will work in South Africa. Clients can also Facetime or whatsapp call their families back home.

Electricity is 220V, and we recommend that clients bring an international converter adapter with them. A laundry service is available from Monday – Friday.

Lodge Facilities:

• 7 ensuite bedrooms
• Swimming pool
• Outdoor deck
• Large dining area
• Indoor & Outdoor BBQ areas
• 3 lounging areas with fire places
• Bushpig Bar and satellite TV
• Tennis & Squash court
• Water fountain for drinking water

Lodge Amenities:

• Wifi Internet
• Satellite TV
• Cellphone reception
• Bar facilities
• Tea & coffee making facilities
• Room safes
• Hair dryers
• Room heaters
• International plug adapters
• Week day daily laundry

TROPHY PHOTOS



BUSHPIG HUNTING
The Bushpigs of BLAAUWKRANTZ - BLAAUWKRANTZ safaris is located in the heart of the East Cape Valley Bushveldt. This is a very unique habitat that is limited to a relatively small geographic location of the South Western part of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. In its natural form this type of thicket biome, that is made up of a large variety of unique plants include grasses,succulent shrubs,thorny shrubs, cactus and stunted trees. Due to the erratic and relatively low rainfall of the area these plants have adapted themselves to survive extreme conditions. The plants with Thorns and small and/or succulent leaves have enabled the vegetation to withstand severe heat and cold. Where the habitat has been modified it opens up to form grassy, as pseudo savanna type setting.

This natural thicket forms an impenetrable thicket of thorns and succulent which makes it the ideal habitat for game animals that seek refuge in this vegetated cover. These species include the East Cape kudu, Cape bushbuck, Cape Grysbok, blue and common duikers as well as the very shy bushpig. These animals seek refuge on the well vegetated ridges of this habitat during the day and move to lower lying draws or “kloofs” during the evenings.The bushpig that does not stand very tall on its short, powerful legs ,and along with its coarse,dark coat, makes it one of the stealthiest game animals to target.

Privately owned Blaauwkrantz Ranch is home to a vast tract of this unspoilt thicket biome and the wildlife that resides in it, and thanks to the value that sport hunters attach to these game species, we at Blaauwkrantz protect these animals and their habitat with relentless commitment. Even species that have no direct or extrinsicvalue, are preserved by this principle. Eardley has always been of the opinion that bushpigs are one of the most underrated game species, and to target one is one is an endeavor often “swept under the carpet” by many PH’s and outfitters in favour of species that are easier to target. Bushpigs are not as easy on the eye as the likes of sable, nyala or gemsbok, but most definitely make up for this shortfall in by superbly eluding prospective pursuers. Eardley has been working hard at baiting bushpigs which has led to BLAAUWKRANTZ safaris to proudly be one of the most consistent outfits to target bushpigs as well as the other species it is famous for.