SOUTH AFRICA: BOWHUNT: Has Anyone Hunted With Hennie Viljoen Africa Hunting Safaris?

[Archerholic]

Hi forum members,
I'm new here. I am an avid bowhunter. I am considering bowhunting South Africa (not sure of the region, etc... as of yet). I was wondering if anyone on here has ever hunted with Hennie Viljoen South African Safaris. He doesn't have a website up yet. Lots of posts on FB. I just wanted to make sure everything was legit and not sure how to verify a licensed PH. I feel all is well but as a consumer it would be unwise not to check before traveling halfway around the world and after sending a deposit end up at an airport with a no show or something like that.

Thanks for any response.

 

[billc]

Just be up front and ask him for it. If he is a phasa member it would be on there site but you don't need to be a member to get a ph license in SA.

I would ask him for picture of bow hunters maybe some pictures of the blinds on his areas. Don't be scared to ask question directly to him as that is who will be in control of your hunt.

 

[Archerholic]

Yes BillC I will certainly do that. I am curious, if things were to go 'south' with the PH, meaning any issues or the guide basically up and quits, what are my options? Meaning if I am in the bush is there a reliable contact that could get a guy back to the airport? With all the craziness in the world today I feel it is important to ask.
Thank you.

 

[billc]

I have never heard of that kind of issue before. Even when problems happen they get you back to the airport at the very least. I have heard of storys of bad clients that the outfitters have cx hunts during a hunt but they still get the client back to a place they are safe. There is taxis and stuff like that around in SA it would be all on how far out in the bush you would be in what could be done. I would tell you not to worry about that at all really. Sa if a very safe place with how hunts get handled.

 

[Archerholic]

Ok that is comforting. Never traveled quite that far before and just want to be prepared in case of any issue since I will be going alone. What with terrorists and kidnappings, etc... one never knows what might happen when leaving the states. Certainly not paranoid, just doing my homework.

 

[BRICKBURN]

............ I just wanted to make sure everything was legit and not sure how to verify a licensed PH. .

#1 He needs an Outfitters License, no matter which one of the provinces he operates in.
That allows him to arrange hunts. Without it he is operating illegally.

#2 A PH license is required to actually take a foreign hunter out hunting in the field. Again, for every province.

#3 Outfitters and PH's may or may not be the same person.

Nature Conservation in each province is the proper authority to contact in RSA.

Have a look at this thread.
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/hunting-associations-organizations.14391/

 

[BRICKBURN]

.......... if things were to go 'south' with the PH, meaning any issues or the guide basically up and quits, what are my options? .................

If a PH up and quits, it is the the Outfitter who is responsible for your hunt and your safety. If some muppet PH quit the Outfitter will replace them.

Archerholic, spend some time reading some hunting reports here and you will begin to see the "typical" experiences hunters have. Many hunters start out being quite anxious before they are educated.

Have fun researching your trip.

 

[Archerholic]

Thank you for all replies. I appreciate your time. I will continue to review hunting reports and requests license information from this guide.

 

[50by50]

Good luck Archerholic. You've come to the right place to get info. I've never seen a hunting forum made up of so many good guys- willing to give advice and take time to help you have a good hunt. I'm not as experienced as the guys giving you advice so don't have anything to add- except that I concur with everything they've said! Good luck man!

 

[Archerholic]

I wanted to mention that I have since this post conversed with Hennie Viljoen. He seems to be a straight up guy and experienced well. Planning on heading on down to South Africa in April. My package will include kudu, impala and warthog.....maybe more if the funds and time allow. This may or may not be my only trip to Africa so hoping to sling as many arrows as my budget allows.
Thanks for everyone's post on this topic.

 

[HeinrichH]

Just do proper and very wide research on an outfitter before doing anything...... All i can say in this case...

 

[HeinrichH]

And speak to references that have hunted with an outfitter

 

[crs]

Archerholic,
A friend of mine is trying to work with the same person/outfit, so I did a Google search and found their website. It had some traffic back in 2012 and 2013, but non since. Apparently he has info on Facebook, but I do not do Facebook, so I will not deal with him without additional good references.
Good luck with your hunt.

 

[HennieV]

The hunt with Gene went well and without any incidents.

 

[gillettehunter]

Love to read a report and see some more pics. Congrats on the kudu. Bruce

 

[hardmont1]

I'm booked with hennie next February and can't wait !

 

[Phyllis Roberts]

I wanted to mention that I have since this post conversed with Hennie Viljoen. He seems to be a straight up guy and experienced well. Planning on heading on down to South Africa in April. My package will include kudu, impala and warthog.....maybe more if the funds and time allow. This may or may not be my only trip to Africa so hoping to sling as many arrows as my budget allows.
Thanks for everyone's post on this topic.

Hello Archerholic,
Did you go on your safari with Hennie Vilojeon? My husband and daughter are considering going in April and I'm just looking for references. Thanks for your information.

 

[Phyllis Roberts]

I'm booked with hennie next February and can't wait !

Were you able to get more information and references on Hennie Viljoen? My daughter and husband are wanting to go in April and I'm trying to find references that have been to his location. Thanks for the information.

 

[Phyllis Roberts]

Archerholic,
A friend of mine is trying to work with the same person/outfit, so I did a Google search and found their website. It had some traffic back in 2012 and 2013, but non since. Apparently he has info on Facebook, but I do not do Facebook, so I will not deal with him without additional good references.
Good luck with your hunt.

Did you friend go to Hennie Viljoen's safari? My husband and daughter are considering a trip to his location and I was looking for references. Thank you for any information you can provide.

 

[hardmont1]

Were you able to get more information and references on Hennie Viljoen? My daughter and husband are wanting to go in April and I'm trying to find references that have been to his location. Thanks for the information.

Here's a write up about his services

https://www.bowfishingmadness.com/guided-hunts-hunting.html