South Africa Bowhunting Recommendations

[LWood]

If you have time, tell me about your hunt. Did you hunt 1 property or many? which lodge did you stay at? Did you hunt many different blinds? Was the PH with you or did you have a radio? How many animals and species did you see everyday? Thank you..

Many properties but most were connected. I think they have over 200k acres. We were at the Sable Valley camp, which is fantastic. I’m booked to go back in 2026. I hunted many different blinds but my PH was always with me. I ended up getting 11 animals in 10 days. Animals per day varied.

 

[jpomazi]

I plan on hunting with the top bow hunting only operations over there in the future so this is an interesting thread. I have hunted with Dries Visser multiple times and will be hunting with him again in a couple of weeks along with another trip to Bushmen Safaris who I visited in 2021. I hunted with African Arrow last year. I don't think you can go wrong with any of these.

 

[Schmidty]

I'll add another vote for Dries Visser. I brought my entire family (dad, mom, wife, and two daughters). My dad and I bowhunted and the rest were observers. They let my daughters each hunt a day with crossbows and didn't charge for a hunting day just the animals they took. It was first class all the way! Great people there.

 

[Adipose]

I plan on hunting with the top bow hunting only operations over there in the future so this is an interesting thread. I have hunted with Dries Visser multiple times and will be hunting with him again in a couple of weeks along with another trip to Bushmen Safaris who I visited in 2021. I hunted with African Arrow last year. I don't think you can go wrong with any of these.

You will have a great hunt with Dries, Do you know who your PH will be? We were there last month and had a great trip, Can I send you some dog treats to take over for Charlie?
Its so hard getting info on these places these days. I am interested in bowhunting info, the story, what the day will be like, average shot, if gun hunters are on the property etc. Most of the places that contact me do not even show bowhunting on the website or pictures of the blinds or size of the property. It is tough getting info.
We spend a lot of money, my trip to Dries last month with flights was over 100K, I just got the dipping invoice at 3K and the animals have not shipped yet. So this is why we ask questions. Was it worth it, well hell yes! but we want to make sure if we choose another outfitter it is more than an American spending money, but a trip that is amazing. I went to Bushmen many times, They are also a great place, and I hope to return one day to the first place I went back in the early 90's. African Arrow also is on my Radar and I hope to see them at SCI in January. I am looking forward to hearing about your trip.

 

[DonPablo]

I've heard great things about African Arrow Safaris and Matsuri Safaris but have not personally been to either. I can get you contact info for bowhunters who have. I had a great time bowhunting with Kuche but others' experiences have been hit or miss. Plus if communication is important to you, you will not be a fan of Kuz. Please post pics from your past hunts so that we can all imagine we're back there now.

 

[Adipose]

I have been happy with my experiences at African Barefoot Safaris, wheels up August 4 for my 3rd hunt.

I have heard many good things from folks who loved their hunts with Limcroma, Bushmen Safaris, Bush Africa Safaris, and African Arrow. They are all South Africa based.

There are a variety of outfitters in Botswana and Namibia, as well.

Jason Stone Safaris and African Bowhunting Adventures organize bow hunts throughout all of Southern Africa and seem to have good reputations. I believe Butch Coaton has quite a bit of experience guiding bowhunters in Zimbabwe as well.

I personally have found that outfitters who say they accommodate bowhunting as they are bowhunters themselves are very much not the same thing as outfitters who specialize in bowhunting.

Looking forward to hearing about your hunt! I assume you are back now?

 

[Adipose]

Thank you to everyone that replied on this thread. We are booked for our 2025 30 year anniversary Safari! We are going with 2 different outfitters that were recommended here. My wife is more excited than even I am, and she talks about it everyday. Keep the bowhunting reports coming! It helps build up the excitement and we are already looking at where we may want to go in 2026. Thank you again for all the recommendations.

 

[Stubbleduck]

Marco DuPlessis.....Afrika Barrel and Bow Safaris. A smaller outfit with a variety of great hunting land and a total commitment to the client. Good blind hunting if that's your preference but Marco is really great at leading a stalking hunt including for Cape Buffalo. He is also well set up for hunting the night critters (Honey Badger, Bush Pig, etc.).

 

[joker2400]

Looking forward to hearing about your hunt! I assume you are back now?

I have been back about a week and I’m planning to get the report up this weekend

 

[jpomazi]

You will have a great hunt with Dries, Do you know who your PH will be? We were there last month and had a great trip, Can I send you some dog treats to take over for Charlie?
Its so hard getting info on these places these days. I am interested in bowhunting info, the story, what the day will be like, average shot, if gun hunters are on the property etc. Most of the places that contact me do not even show bowhunting on the website or pictures of the blinds or size of the property. It is tough getting info.
We spend a lot of money, my trip to Dries last month with flights was over 100K, I just got the dipping invoice at 3K and the animals have not shipped yet. So this is why we ask questions. Was it worth it, well hell yes! but we want to make sure if we choose another outfitter it is more than an American spending money, but a trip that is amazing. I went to Bushmen many times, They are also a great place, and I hope to return one day to the first place I went back in the early 90's. African Arrow also is on my Radar and I hope to see them at SCI in January. I am looking forward to hearing about your trip.

Hi Adipose,
Sorry I didn't see this before I left as I would have been happy to take over those treats. I will do a report soon on both my Bushmen and Dries Visser trips. If you look back at last year you can find my trip report on African Arrow.

 

[Adipose]

Hi Adipose,
Sorry I didn't see this before I left as I would have been happy to take over those treats. I will do a report soon on both my Bushmen and Dries Visser trips. If you look back at last year you can find my trip report on African Arrow.

Hi, No worries, I am sure you at least got to give my friend Charlie a bit of attention. Looking forward to hearing about your trip, 2 great places for sure.

 

[Sheldor]

Dries Visser

 

[Joey17]

I’ve bowhunted SA twice now. Last year with Dries Visser - great outfit and generally very well run. That said, I was along on their hunt, if that makes sense. They have a system - a proven one, I might add - and they drop you right in. Meet your ph the first day and you’re off to the blind.

This year, I went with African bowhunting adventures. I honestly can’t say enough good stuff about them. Early and consistent communication with my PH/outfitter, worked with me to find incredible individuals of each species I was after(I’m very picky), and had tons of areas to work with and critters to chase. I took 7 great trophies, only one from a blind(no issues with blind hunting at all but I wanted to do some more stalking), and 2 of the 4 horned trophies I took will be top 3 sci with a bow. As opposed to my first hunt, this was truly my hunt, with many opportunities and customized situations for me, my capabilities, and what I specifically wanted to shoot. Will do a full post soon recapping this trip and including photos, but I really was impressed. Happy to discuss the hunt if any of you have questions- I really am very excited about the whole experience.

 

[Adipose]

I’ve bowhunted SA twice now. Last year with Dries Visser - great outfit and generally very well run. That said, I was along on their hunt, if that makes sense. They have a system - a proven one, I might add - and they drop you right in. Meet your ph the first day and you’re off to the blind.

This year, I went with African bowhunting adventures. I honestly can’t say enough good stuff about them. Early and consistent communication with my PH/outfitter, worked with me to find incredible individuals of each species I was after(I’m very picky), and had tons of areas to work with and critters to chase. I took 7 great trophies, only one from a blind(no issues with blind hunting at all but I wanted to do some more stalking), and 2 of the 4 horned trophies I took will be top 3 sci with a bow. As opposed to my first hunt, this was truly my hunt, with many opportunities and customized situations for me, my capabilities, and what I specifically wanted to shoot. Will do a full post soon recapping this trip and including photos, but I really was impressed. Happy to discuss the hunt if any of you have questions- I really am very excited about the whole experience.

I know exactly what you are trying to say. So nice to hear you had an awesome trip this year. I am looking forward to the report. I will look up African Bowhunting adventures.

 

[rookhawk]

We are looking for a list of great destinations for Bowhunting in South Africa. I started bowhunting in Africa over 30 years ago. We had to take the last few years off due to business and children, but we went back this year and had a very enjoyable time. This was my Wife's first time in Africa bowhunting and needless to say she is hooked. We have made a decision to try to go over at least once every year for as long as we are able to.
We have been with many different outfitters, and can say we have never had a bad hunt. Some places do things better than others, some have grown and others are no longer around. We have been with places that the PH is with you all day and others where you have a radio and you call in when you shoot an animal. I have enjoyed both hunting methods. what we are looking for is a place that has property specifically for bowhunting, good blinds and a good population of animals and choices. If they have the ability to arrange day trips also to different properties for others species then all the better.
All the places we have been have had real nice accommodations, daily laundry, great food and transportation from the airport. All of those things while important, are second to the animal quantity and quality and being with someone that understands bowhunting.
What recommendations might you have or experiences with bowhunting outfitters in RSA that you could share. Thank you very much

I haven't been to RSA yet, but intend to go once after I've hunted as much no-fence wilderness areas of Africa as I can first. After a dozen safaris, there are animals I have not hunted in their native ranges so I've been looking at an RSA bowhunt to have a challenging hunt for those species that slipped through the cracks. So far, the most credible outfit I've seen is Driess Vissers. They have about 50 hours of youtube videos and they were impressively knowledgeable about bowhunting even if not all the American clients made us proud of their shots or arrow builds.

 

[Joey17]

I know exactly what you are trying to say. So nice to hear you had an awesome trip this year. I am looking forward to the report. I will look up African Bowhunting adventures.

Sat down and typed it up…here it is. As I mentioned, very special trip and very catered to what I was after. Can’t recommend these guys enough.

Thread 'SOUTH AFRICA: (Pic Heavy) Archery Lion, Buffalo, Giraffe, & Plains Game'

Sep 8, 2024

Long time AH reader, first time poster. This was my second trip to Africa (SA both times), exclusively bowhunting, and my first time with African Bowhunting Adventures. I started typing this, trying to keep it short, but I’m so excited about it I can’t stand to not share some of the details…..so, my apologies for being verbose.

I had spoken with Danie a few times online previously, and we made arrangements to meet in person at DSC show in January of ‘24. First two things I told him were (1) that I wasn’t coming back in 24 after a big trip in 23 with another outfit, and (2) that I am very...

• Joey17
• Replies: 15
• Forum: Hunting reports Africa

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[LIMPOPO NORTH SAFARIS]

Limpopo North Safaris has excellent area dedicated soley to #bowhunting