F.A.Q

We will pick you up at the airport and take you to the hunting area.  You do not have to arrange any transport while you are hunting with us.

Bungalows/Chalets/lodge is a permanent sandstone or brick building.  The thatch roof gives it a great African atmosphere. It usually has different rooms with two single beds, with en suite bathrooms; hot&cold water a shower/bathtub and flush toilets.  All bedding is provided, as well as towels & bath soap.  Each camp has a “boma” which is a sitting area under the stars around the campfire.  All camps have electricity.  A conversion plug (USA to South Africa) works for all your electrical needs like charging your camera or laptop etc.

All ammunition must be packed and transported in a lockable ammo box, placed within your checked luggage. A manufacturer's carton is no longer sufficient. Remember that there is a limit of five kilograms (11 lb) of ammo per passenger. That includes the weight of your ammo box. And don't forget to declare your ammo at check-in.  

You can either bring your own rifle (See firearm import docs and procedure) or hire a rifle from us at US $25 per day.

What calibres are recommend?

Minimum calibre for small to medium game -.243 Win.
.270, .308 calibres and any of the .300 magnum calibres are considered good all rounder.
Dangerous game – a minimum of .375 H&H with well constructed bullets.

Bushveld shots will most likely be between 20 and 150 yards and usually through bushes.

Highveld shots will be on the open plains of the Free State and can be between 50-300 yards.

You can rent a rifle from us for US$ 25.  This is an easy way of doing it since all you would have to do, is let us know in advance.
To bring your own rifle find the documentation and directions on the home page under Firearm import.

Also get a manufacturers/police letter to confirm ownership of your rifle. Make sure that when you go through US customs you get this letter stamped.
Visit www.phasa.co.za for more information. Also check with your airline.

We recommend that you buy  “The perfect shot: Mini Edition for Africa” by Kevin Robertson, Safari press. Available from Cabelas/Outdoorwarehous/Sportmans warehouse/Bass pro shop or online.  Other than the North American animals, African animals must be shot up the front leg on the shoulder on a broadside shot.  When quartering away aim for the opposite front leg.  You Professional hunter will discuss this again before hunting starts.

Bow setup women/kids
38 pounds and up
380 gr arrow with a well constructed two blade broadhead like a kudu point or ironwill broadhead.

Bow and arrow setup for plainsgame.

Any 400 gr+ arrow.
A well constructed fixed blade or mechanical broadhead will suffice. Make sure your bow is tuned with this setup.

Big game bow and arrow including giraffe & buffalo etc.

A 720gr + arrow with a minimum of 70 pounds draw weight.
Use a fixed blade broadhead like ironwill, kudu or alaskan

Bow hunting is mainly done from permanent blinds/pop up blinds or walk and stalking.  When hunting out of the blind your shot will be set up to be between 15-30 yards.  
The blinds are permanent elevated blinds with enough space for at least 2 people. All blinds are suitable for using a video camera.

Hunting from the blind is recommended for first time hunters. If you want to stalk you must be able to shoot up to 60 yards, accurately. You must bring full camouflage clothing, preferably a ghielie suit, sent block and good walking boots.

The Bushveld tend to be much warmer than the Highveld so make sure you look at the temperature/time of year table below and pack accordingly.

Clothing
You can travel light; laundry is done daily or every other day. So leave space in your suitcase for souvenirs and curios.

Clothes to pack include:

• One outfit to arrive and leave in
• 1 Thin fleece jacket and 1 Heavy jacket
• 3 pairs Long trousers
• 3 pairs of shorts
• 2 long sleeved shirts or t-shirts
• 3 shirts
• Well worn in walking shoes/boots with 4 pairs of socks
• One comfortable pair of shoes for evenings round the campfire.
• Underwear and warm pyjamas
• A good hat or cap with sun block especially if your rifle hunting
• If you are booked in June/July or in the Highveld we would advise you to bring a beanie, gloves, a scarves, woollen socks and warm under garments.

Accessories

• Personal medicines & toiletries
• Sun protection and sunglasses
• Binoculars/ range finder for bow hunter
• Cameras (digital and/or video)
• Flashlight & batteries
• Hunting equipment
• Bring a few books/I-pod/magazines/games for in the blind
• Hairdryers (must be able to switch to 220 V)
• Converters for charging of video batteries etc. are available in camp

Specific species are found in specific areas.  We mainly hunt plains game in the Bushveld and the Highveld. We can also arrange big game hunts in other parts of South Africa.  The Bushveld are great for both Bow and Rifle hunting while the Highveld is more suitable for Rifle hunting.  See the difference between the Bushveld and the Highveld below.

The Bushveld

The Bushveld is between 3- 4 hours drive north from the airport in Johannesburg. It is located in the Limpopo province and close to the Botswana border. The climate is typically warm and dry. The Bushveld has grasslands full of acacia trees and thorn bushes. It is round 2000ft above sea level. It’s a great area to Bow and rifle hunt. See the pricelist to see which animals are available in the Bushveld

The Highveld

The Highveld is between 2.5-3 hours drive South, South-East from the airport. It is located in the Free State close to Zululand. The climate is typically cooler than the Bushveld. The Highveld has great open grass plains with high mountains. Rifle hunters do best here. You can be between 4000-6000ft above sea level. See the pricelist to see which animals are available in the Highveld.

We recommend the taxidermist that we use in South Africa, Johannesburg.  Highveld taxidermists are very reputable and specialize in African animals.  

You are welcome to visit their website on www.highveldtaxidermists.com or e-mail info@highveldtaxidermists.com for more information. We also like to take you to their workshop and show you what they have to offer. Alternatively we can arrange to have your trophies dipped and shipped, and you can get them mounted by your own taxidermist.

Taxidermy work is not included in any of our prices and completely optional.

A non-refundable deposit of US$ 500 will confirm your booking.  You can either do an electronic transfer or pay per credit card.

Swift details for direct transfer to our Bank Account

FIRST NATIONAL BANK
ACCOUNT HOLDER: REON JAKOBUS VAN TONDER
ACCOUNT TYPE: CHECKING/CURENT
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 62 313 59 8338
BRANCH CODE: 250 655
SWIFT NUMBER: FIRNZAJJ
REF. YOUR NAME PROOF OF PAYMENT MUST BE EMAILED TO africanbarefootsafaris@gmail.com

PHYSICAL BANK ADDRESS
FIRST NATIONAL BANK
30 RETIEF STREET
MOKOPANE
0600

Address of Account holder
PO Box 88 Marken 0605 / Farm Fairview LR 222 Marken 0605

• Please state your name address and the reason for the payment  eg: Hunt Deposit or Daily rate payment
• You can also pay your deposit with your credit card.  Follow the Booksure link under Booking in the main menu.  We accept MarsterCard and VISA
• To settle your outstanding account you can pay with traveller’s cheque, credit card (MasterCard or VISA) or cash (US Dollar or Rand).
• You can also build up your fund by paying a monthly amount into our account before arrival to cover the cost of the hunt.
• The package hunts include two people hunting 10 days and 4 trophies.  Only additional animals will be added to the bill.  Pay per animal is your daily rates, trophy fees, travel fees and arrival night accommodation costs.
• Gratuities are at your own discretion, we recommend a minimum of $50- for kitchen and laundry staff as well as skinners and trackers.  We recommend that you tip your guide 10  % of your bill, but once again, this at your own discretion.
• A small cash amount is handy for curio shopping, but most shops accept credit cards and even US dollars.

Drinks – Soft drinks, fruit juice, drinking water, milk, ice tee, tee and coffee are provided free of charge.  Beer, wine and Amarula (South African liquor) are served around the campfire or for a nightcap.  Any additional liquor can be requested.

A typical Menu for a day

Breakfast
English breakfast including, eggs, bacon/sausage, toast/muffins/french toast, fresh fruit, cereal and yoghurt.

Lunch
Lunch packs for bow hunters, consisting of sandwiches, salad of the day, snacks, fruit, sodas and water.
Rifle hunters or hunters coming back to camp in the middle of the day, lunch consists of different salads with cold meats and bread/soups with fresh bread/macaroni and cheese/burgers and fries etc.

Dinner
Salad of the day can include letters, tomato, spring onion, olives, feta cheese, carrots, corn etc.
Meat usually venison, with chicken/pork/beef
One starch, Potatoes, rice, “pap”/grits
Two/three different fresh vegetables broccoli, carrots, asparagus, corn, gem squash, spinach, cauliflower etc.
Desert is served after dinner.

If you have any food allergies or special food requirements, please let us know prior to arrival so that we can purchase the correct food.

Unlike 110 Volts in the US, South Africa’s electricity is 220 volt.  We have adaptor plugs to convert the US plugs to the South African version.  You will be able to charge camera batteries etc.  Hairdryers must be 220 V compatible.

You need a valid passport, unless you are coming from Mexico, in which case you will need a visa.  No inoculations are necessary although Malaria prophylactics are recommended when hunting Zululand (Bushpig/Suni/Reedbuck/Red Duiker), the Lowveld (Buffalo/Hippo/Crocodile/Elephant) or visiting the Kruger Park.  Ask your doctor what he would recommend.  

It is also advisable to bring a small medicine kit with personal/general medicines; we do have a first aid box in camp as well as excellent private hospitals and doctors in town. Pre arrange with your medical insurance to know what your options are.

Africa is a great attraction for the keen hunter or the observer, photographer shopaholic, tourist, animal lovers, cyclist, backpackers, adrenaline junky or bird watchers.

We can do additional tours or activities with any hunts. If you are hunting in the Bushveld we can easy do a Pilanesberg Game Reserve package or even add a trip to the Kruger Park. If you hunt the Highveld we can do a Zululand tour and include a Cape Town trip.

Please let us know what you are interested in so that we can send you an itinerary with a quote. Children 8 years and younger stay for free in hunting camp but do pay for other activities and add on tours
Other activities include

• Elephant ride
• Curio shopping
• Game drives
• Night drives
• Playing with lion cups
• Sky diving
• Bird watching
• Hot air balloon ride
• Visit the crocodile farm
• Visit Sun city or Lost City casino
• Visit Pilanesberg Nature reserve (2 days)
• Visit Kruger Park (4 days)
• Rovos rail down to Cape Town
• Day tour of Johannesburg
• Visit to Cradle of Human kind (1 day)
• Jewellery Silver/Gold/Diamonds/Tanzanite)