Hunters considering a hunting safari in South Africa may have questions about the medical care, hospitals, facilities and physicians available in the country.
The medical care of South Africa can be described as excellent, provided, as in all countries, that the payment of medical bills is guaranteed. If no payments can be made, you probably will be refer to a state hospital. Most state hospitals have fair to good facilities and you will get all basic treatment there. However, private clinics and hospitals have some of the finest facilities anyone could wish for. Their rates will be higher, but their services will be excellent. Most tourists coming from abroad won't experience the medical fees of private hospitals as expensive, but it still may be the best to take out medical insurance for each member of the hunting safari. The outfitter will be willing to assist his hunters in finding the right clinic or hospital, but he cannot be held responsible for the billing due to injury or illnesses that may occur during or after the safari. The best hunting fields may be found in the remote parts of the country, but about anywhere in the country, a hospital will be available within an hour or two (driving at normal speeds) from the hunting ground. All outfitters and professional hunters are by law due to have knowledge of emergency care and all bush camps will have a fair and clean medical emergency kit available.
South Africa has quite a number of professional aviation ambulances that facilitates doctors as part of the crew and operates all over the country. Patients that are critically ill or injured severely can be rescued by air anytime of the day or night if needed. Usually, some guarantee of payment is needed before the flight will be okay-ed. Your medical broker may be able to give you more information about this and it may be a good idea to enquire about the insurance rates that includes this kind of services.
Although some 150 parasitic infestations and diseases are known to be transmissible between man and animals, very few of these cause a serious threat to humans. Almost all of the dangerous ones, like rabies, malaria, bilharzia, cholera, etc. can also be treated successfully if the right medical procedures are followed. Let us examine these potentially dangerous diseases and see what can be done to prevent infection or treat the ailment itself
RABIES
Endemic rabies areas are found, but it may occur in other regions as well. When bitten by a rabid animal, this virus can be contracted. Potentially, it can be fatal to humans. Animals that could be the source of the disease include stray cats, dogs, jackals, and some of the smaller mammals as well. But even Kudus have been found with it. Bats are seldom bearers of it. Be cautious when a wild animal turns into an unnatural tame one, or if a domestic animal turns into an unnatural aggressive one. Convulsions or paralysis of the throat muscles may occur in the animal (and dropping of the lower jaw) may be signs of it.
Prevent a suspicious animal to come near any human. If an animal that is suspect bites a person, consult a doctor immediately. An injection against rabies may be all that is needed. If needed, the animal's brain can be examined at a veterinary laboratory. Do not take a chance with this one, for rabies is a horrible and fatal disease to humans.
MALARIA
Although by far the most parts of South Africa is free of malaria, some of the best hunting areas does pose a malaria threat. Malaria are transmitted by certain types of mosquitoes (Anopheles spp.) Malaria isn't necessarily a fatal disease, but it can just as well infect the body in a deadly kind of cerebral or brain malaria. Most of the time, it is associates with the summer climate in the warmest lowlands of the country, although it sometimes occurs in wintertime as well. After a good rainy season, more of these mosquitoes may be active, causing a greater risk. In this case, prevention is better than cure. Different kinds of preventive measures are effective against malaria: first, preventive malaria tablets are to be taken BEFORE one sets of to a malaria area. It should be taken during and after the visit as well. But it isn't effective after the illness have started. Sleeping under mosquito nets, using one or a combination of mosquito repellents or aerosol insecticides will be quite effective against it. Wearing only thick clothes isn't a solid solution. Each mosquito bite doesn't mean malaria is to be feared! But malaria starts of as a typical case of influenza, developing into a grave sickness with symptoms such as high fever and heavy sweating. It can, most of the time, be cured, even if it is full blown malaria, but the doctor should be consulted if any suspicious symptoms occur after a visit to a known malaria area.
BILHARZIA
Bilharzia is a slow sickness, less dangerous but it can cause the body to become quite weak over a period of months. Bilharzia is transmitted through infected water. Don't swim or wash in pools or even streams in bilharzia regions. One can prevent the disease to take effect by drying yourself after you've been into the water, as it take a minute or two for the parasites to penetrate through the skin. But drinking bilharzia water, or going into the water with an open wound in your body, will leave you unguarded. Purified or boiled water should be taken if thirsty in the bush. Normally, the water at the bush camp will not be infected at all. Chronic tiredness of unusual nature will be the clearest sign of this illness. Consult a doctor, for it can be treated medically.
CHOLERA
Contaminated water may house this disease in its depths. Cholera doesn't have the same effect in each person and can be transmitted from one to another person. Even healthy looking people may be bearers of the disease. Usually, the poorest people, who don't have access to purified water, are the most vulnerable to this disease. Symptoms like diarrhea, dehydration, weakness and muscular pain may be signs of cholera. The dehydration itself is a most dangerous aspect of the illness. Infected areas can be avoided, water can be boiled or purified and food can be prepared only in healthy water. Most hunters will be met with circumstances that don't pose a threat of any cholera infection.
TICK-BITE FEVER (Afrikaans: Bosluiskoors)
The African savanna is full of a tick-bite lesion that may spoil a first-time hunter's fun somewhat. Although not dangerous, a solid bite from this little creature causes pain after about eight days when your glands starts to swell, you experience some fever, headaches and nausea for a couple of days. Tetracycline treatment against tick-bite fever is effective, but you don't need to suffer in the first instance. It can be avoided by dusting your socks and lower legs, as well as your trousers with a carbaryl-containing tickside or repellant. Once you spot the brown little fellow on your body, removal in time may still save you the disease. But after a solid bite, you may be vulnerable to the disease. The good news then may be that you will experience immunity after the fist round of ailment. Your precious fun-time will be shortened somewhat, however.
HYDATIDOSIS OR PENTASTOMIASIS
Thorough washing of your hands may save your live, once you've handled an infected carnivore, infected by the worm eggs of the Echinococcus species or by the tongue worm (Linguatula sp.). Or, as someone has rightly put it, a dead lion may be more deadly than a live one. This tape worm eggs stick to the coat of a carnivore and if you touches your mouth before washing your hands, even through a cigarette, the microscopic eggs can be ingested. After this, development of huge, fluid-containing cysts will occur in most organs, with great danger of their failure. Even surgery may not be successful. Therefore, wash your hands with care afterwards or use gloves if a carnivore, even one that is alive, is handled. Hunters of carnivores, posing for a photo with their pride lion or leopard trophy animal, game capturers, veterinarians or biologists are in danger of being infected. Even domestic dogs can be the bearer of it.
So, go and wash that hands after the flash have clicked!
Of course, many other diseases like tuberculosis, Q-fever, trichinosis, yellow fever, amoebiases and others exist. Some countries may prescribe injections before entering other infected countries. But none of these poses a real danger if one is well prepared and informed.
The danger of snakes is over-exposed in mans instinctive spirit. In practise, very few confrontations between man and snake turns out in favour of the snake. And all snakes isn't poisonous indiscriminately. In fact, only a few are outright deadly. Amoured with knowledge, one isn't as vulnerable against the unseen snake as some might think.Which, of course isn't to say that a snake-bite can simply be ignored! The following useful tips may help you to stay out of the snake's way (and may be helpful for the prevention of infection by spiders or scorpions as well):
What to do in case of a snake-bite?
Useful information about prevention is good. But some information about emergency procedures may also be worth while. Treatment doctrines have chanced over the years and it may be best to consult a doctor or well-informed medical person for the youngest theories in this regard. Here is some useful information:
During the sixteenth century, firearms slowly replaced the faithful old bow and arrow as the most effective long range weapon in the military and hunting scene. Although some archery clubs prevailed during the centuries, most of them have faded by the end of the nineteenth century. But early in the twentieth century, if revived as a true sport that gained Olympic status, with clubs all over the world. But the hunting possibilities of archery wasn't utilized until much later in the same century.
Since 1983, bow hunting is legalized in South Africa in terms of prescribed circumstances under the Nature Conservation Ordinance 12.
To many hunters, this is a very sporting way to equalize the hunter's challenge with the animal's defenses, for one has to work much harder (with your camouflage, hiding and stalking) at distances less than 30 meters to obtain your goal. Small wonder then, that this sport has keep on growing in popularity ever since.
But even after this legislation, a lot of restrictions still applied:the risk of closing in on an elephant, a rhino, a buffalo or a hippo, and even a giraffe, with only an bow and arrow in hand, was considered too much because of their thick hides. Also, the risks involved in trying to take down predators like a lion, a crocodile, a leopard and a spotted or brown hyena, as well as those animals mentioned earlier, was considered to be too much for any person's safety. And lastly, it was considered cruel from the outset to plan to take down any animal with too little penetrating power. And naturally, many wounded animals will in the end result in many wounded (or killed) hunters. Therefore, all the above mentioned animals were excluded from the 1983 law.
As was later realized, the bow and arrow industry have produced much improved shooting power since the re-vitalizing of the ancient sport in the early twentieth century. Today, the penetrating power of the bow and arrow are simply awesome! With new information by local and international role players, attained on invitation of the Chief Directorate of Nature and Environmental Conservation, a new set of standards was formulated and selected after comments for the change of policy was received from
This new set of standards then, was applied by an Executive Committee ruling in 1992. Now, the law opened up the way, with the result that all animals in South Africa may now, under certain conditions, be hunted with bow and arrow.
Once the experts have it their way, the modern bow and arrow is a most effective hunting weapon! In the USA bow hunting is flourishing to the extent that 2,6 million people are taking up the bow annually.
If the bow and arrow is used under the professional hunter's supervision, and if the stipulated conditions of use is adhered to, bow hunting can without doubt be used to hunt literally ALL the South African animals even the most dangerous of them! The Executive Committee's ruling in 1992 thus was received much enthusiasm. At last, the art of archery could once again be utilized in its true original conditions!
Bow hunting is much more difficult that hunting with a rifle. Everyone in the bow hunting field also have to reckon with the history of previously restrictive legislation, which means that no bow hunter outfitter will risk the entire bow hunting sport in South Africa by letting a hunting safari turn into a ugly party of killed and wounded tourists, because of unprofessional conduct. Experience with bow hunting thus is important to the extreme when dangerous animals are to be hunted.
Any bow hunter setting out to hunt dangerous game therefore, have to obtain a certificate of competence, issued by someone to whom the Department of Nature Conservation have given the right to be the judge of competence. Some outfitters have the right to issue the documentary proof that is needed. This may be a good talking point between a prospective hunter and an outfitter who advertise bow hunting services. Not only will the document of competence be needed to obtain bow hunting rights from the authorities ; the competency itself will be most important when drawing near that majestic buffalo or lion‚ which leads us also the question of what kind or category of animal may be encountered with what type of shooting power.
Category I ‚ III requires 25 mm cutting width
Category IV ‚ V requires 28 mm cutting width
Animals | Min. Kinetic | Max. kinetic | ||
Category I | All smaller species up to the female | 25 | 350 | |
nyala (the ewe) and blesbok, excluding | ||||
the warthog and bushpig and predators | ||||
larger than the black backed jackal | ||||
Category II | Most medium species, including the | 40 | 400 | |
kudu, nyala bull, warthog, bushpig, | ||||
and about all predators, but excluding | ||||
the lion, leopard, gemsbuck and sable | ||||
antelope, and the crocodile | ||||
Category III | Still larger species, including the crocodile, | 65 | 450 | |
lion, leopard, gemsbuck and sable antelope, | ||||
excluding the giraffe and buffalo | ||||
Category IV | Large animals, namely the giraffe and | 80 | 700 | |
buffalo | ||||
Category V | Enormously large animals, namely the | 105 | 850 | |
Black rhino, the white rhino, the hippo- | ||||
potamus and, of course, the elephant |
Hunting a dangerous animal with bow and arrow
Dangerous animals can only be hunted if a very good chance exist that the animal will not be wounded, but killed first time round. Danger looms the moment an animal, let alone a most dangerous one, is hurt but still powerful enough to use its natural power.
This well known hunting tip applies all the more when the hunt is done by bow and arrow.A strict set of hunting conduct, standard routine for the accompanying professional hunter, will be applied for bow hunting:
1)The hunt will not be done if the hunter can't move in to no more than 25 metres from the dangerous animal
2)Hunting of the hippopotamus and the crocodile can only take place if the target that a hunter should aim to, is above the water.
3)When a buffalo is standing sideways, with its tail somewhat to the side of the hunter, no shot can be fired to the side of the buffalo if the angle with which the arrow will penetrate the animal exceeds 25 degrees (compared to an imaginative line from the head to the tail). If it is standing sideways with its head towards the hunter, don't fire at all at angles! And when the Category V animals are taken on, don't fire unless you're using a flat 90degree angle with the above mentioned line.
4)If a hide is taken as camouflage, remember that it also restricts movement. Two-way radio communication and good enforcement of the hide(s) may not be such a bad idea. We are talking about brute animals here!
5)The use of aids is allowed with the idea of both safeguarding the hunter and helping to cut down on the unnecessary wounding (or prolonged wounding) of animals. This may also helps with the determining of arrow placing.
These, amongst others, may include:
-a radio transmitter in the shaft of the arrow to trace down your hippopotamus or crocodile (floating buoy's and tow-lines may also be used)
-infra red sensors to trace animals that have been shot right before sunset, at night or that have been shot in a very dense bush
-night seeing equipment to increase the bow hunters effectiveness at night ; also, the use of luminous material at the impact side of the arrow, or the use of an arrow with a knock that features its own light.
Crossbows
The crossbow isn't used much in South Africa, mostly due to its short arrow, which makes it somewhat ineffective for hunting. Modifications have resulted in other types of bows that will be discussed below. A highly sophisticated compound crossbow is available which can be as accurate as a rifle. To some hunters, its sophistication level is simply too high and one tend to forget that it is bow hunting we're talking about.
Longbows
Combining elements of the American flatbow and the old English longbow, resulted a very deadly bow with a composite of wood and glass fibre, utilizing a heavy arrow - the modern longbow. It's disadvantages for bushveld hunting is that its handling runs you into trouble once the density of the bush increases, while its propulsion, due to the heavy arrow, isn't as quick as that of the recurve or compound bow. But: it was the longbow (one made of bamboo used by Howard Hill) that - in modern recording - first took down the Big Five. The longbow will always be the favourite to those that feels that the modern bows‚ sophistication level is becoming an overkill.
Recurve Bows
If shooting with a short bow and a light arrow with a flat trajectory is what you have been seeking, you may opt for the recurve bow. In contrast to the longbow, it yields brilliant power over long distances. It is also made of glas fibre and wood, or out of solid glas fibre.But it is a most unforgiving bow as well: errors from the archer will be boldly underlined on the target (if it hits the target at all!). Another disadvantage is that a split second is given to the animal to dodge away, for a slap of the string against the bow's recurve side may disclose that the race between arrow and soundis still won by sound. Silencers fittings at the recurve side of the bow may help.
Compound bows
This very sophisticated bow may be called the favourite of the hunting bows in use today. Designed like other bows, but given enhanced leverage, it features cables, pulleys and cams to thrust out the arrow with immense power. To most people, its hunting record is much better than what they achieve with the other bows. It is shorter than the longbow, and much faster and steady than the others. The secret of this one's popularity may especially be due to the fact that it's back pull reaches a peak, after which more pull actually isn't such an effort any more, by still enhances performance. It also results in a much easier aim. So, if a steady aim with very good striking power is what you're after, this is the one!
Restrictions have been assimilated into legislation that concerns arrows and the devices fitted in front of the arrows. This means:
Since 1981, the hunting, outfitting and hunting industries became the object of new legislation to safeguard and protect the touring hunter. This legislation ensures that the overseas client experience a standard of expertise and service that one may expect from someone licensed to operate as a professional hunter. This legislation also demanded that, after such licenses were granted, they had to be maintained by obligatory inspections as well.
Since each province in the country have an own conservation department, legislation concerning the hunting industry may differ from area to area. This may include legislation concerning certain types of weapons, etc. However, both outfitters and professional hunters will be well informed about their own provinces requirements. Naturally, national legislation covers the central issues and the provincial legislation the regional aspects that takes the wildlife of the area itself into consideration. The national legislation, for example, stipulates that all outfitters and professional hunters obtain the necessary insurance that covers their profession's risks. The provincial legislation may decide on the use of bow hunting on certain species that is indigenous to that region.
Legally, a hunting outfitter or a professional hunter can obtain a license if:
Only now the successful candidate is issued a license from the nature conservation authorities to operate. Up and above these requirements, the outfitter wishing to qualify as a professional outfitter, also have to apply to an obligatory standard of facilities, vehicles and personal that the authorities will inspect before granting the outfitters license. The outfitter's advertising also have to comply to set standards to avoid misleading advertising. Follow-up checks by officials are performed regularly.
Part of this legal requirements stipulates that, before the actual hunt takes place, a written agreement between outfitter and hunter is entered into to cover the expectations concerning the detailed costs (which means the trophy fees, the daily fees, etc.) duration of the safari and services provided on the one hand, and the species of game offered, the sex of the game the hunter intend to shoot, conditions of payment etc. on the other hand.
By law, the outfitter also has to obtain all the documents and hunting permits needed. Once a trophy animal was brought down, the outfitter has the responsibility to remove the trophy from the hunting area and handle and dispatched it in the correct manner. The outfitter has to facilitate the hunter's lodging, meals, and transportation professionally. As was mentioned, the legislation also covers the way in which he is allowed to advertise.
In 1990, the government opted for the privatization of the examinations and licensing of professional hunters. Since then, only the very highest standards prevailed in the few private professional hunting schools.
The professional hunter's responsibilities includes:
What this legislation means for the foreign client is protection against misleading hunting promises or deals, it means that standards are set and met, it means that he will encounter professionals that are licensed because they proved that they could provide and sustain the high standards set by law.
The standards of hunting in South Africa today is something the country may be proud of. You may still find the odd misleading advertisement, but when tourists asks for proof of adherence to the legislation, an unlicensed outfitter will quickly be identified and if a foreign client chooses to use an unlicensed outfitter he is on the thin edge of our country's law.
Any hunter have the right to report a complaint should he or she feels to be at the losing end of a hunting deal or suspected any unethical behaviour.
A hunter who hopes to obtain a brilliant trophy is spending a lot to come to a foreign hunting ground. He may just as well do the most important part as the textbook prescribes. That is, handling the actual skin, scull and horns correctly so that the trophy may come to its full potential.
The outfitter, professional hunter or the hunter himself cannot predetermine exactly what the quality of the animal that will be shot may turn out to be. And to some extent, one have to satisfy yourself that the first shot was the best possible one under the circumstances. BUT: from the moment that the first shot hits the target, each action taken shortly afterwards, is those that determine the quality of that specific trophy in a very real sense. And the hunting group have everything in the world to do with the actions that follow.
So remember:
TAKE NOTE:
Your outfitter and his staff are used to handle the whole process of field preparation, skinning, salting and the storage of trophies. They know that the skin mustn't be stained at all. Very few parts of the animal will be wasted. The meat will be handled with care and in good hygienic fashion. If the hunter is willing, some of the tasty cuts of most (but not all) animals may be served as a treat or part of a meal at base camp. It may be necessary to enquire whether the handling and preparation of trophies are included in the trophy fees or not. (Field preparation is included in your daily rate when hunting with Marvel Africa Safaris)
When a hunter is planning a South African hunting expedition, one of the first questions that is usually asked, concerns the weaponry that will be needed for such a safari. To straighten out what exactly is meant by words like ‚medium caliber‚ or what models of rifles one's talking about, the following general list of firearms gives you a basic idea to work with:
Light Caliber
.222 Remington Magnum
.243 Winchester
Medium Caliber
.264 Winchester Magnum
.300 Winchester Magnum
Heavy Caliber
.375 Holland & Holland
.378 Weatherby Magnum
.458 Wincherster Magnum
.460 Weatherby Magnum
Hunting Rifles: Recommended Ammunition and Calibers
South Africa's Rifle and Ammunition stores provide good quality ammunition for almost all types of calibers. You will be asked for your rifle's license/prove of rightful ownership. All you need to know is the caliber of your gun and the type of game you intend to shoot, and you will be assisted accordingly. Buying up to 50 or 60 rounds for each rifle is more than enough to see your rifles sighted-in and leaving you with the ammunition needed for your trophy.
Because game hunting would almost surely result in the client paying trophy fees for lost/wounded animals (after a shot was fired), it is important to aim with the firearm suited best for the type of game that you plan to shoot. Yet, it is possible to shoot quite a wide range of game with a mid-range rifle like the .300 caliber. If the caliber is extended to a .375, hunting the Big Five becomes possible, while it still suites a whole number of the bigger antelopes and the hunter wouldn't bother about bringing his whole armament to the hunting ground. Usually, hunting with a medium caliber like a .270 or a 30.06, would do quite well for most of South Africa's larger antelopes. Smaller antelope could be brought down easily with a well aimed shot from a .222 to a .243 caliber.
At the shooting range: Sighting-in and Rifle-defects
Almost all game-camps will provide a suitable shooting range where sighting-in of the rifles will be possible (Marvel Africa Safaris have a shooting range at our main camp in Limpopo). Travel and moisture-levels surely have an influence on the accuracy of the rifle. Most safaris starts of with the sighting-in of the hunting rifles. In the case of rifle-defects upon arrival, most professional outfitters will be able to provide a substitute, while fixing the gun would surely be a possibility (either at the game-camp or at a nearby rifle-workshop). The customary sighting-in will take you to the 100 yards-mark (91meters), where your rifles could be zeroed-in (or, as some hunters prefer, being 25 - 40mm high at 100 yards) with the necessary equipment which the outfitter will provide.
Hiring of Firearms
Under certain conditions, unplanned borrowing of rifles from the outfitter may be possible if the hunter runs into trouble with his own. Usually, it will be perfectly possible to rent/hire a firearm from your outfitter or professional hunter, as most of them offer a wide variety of rifles with different calibers. It could be worthwhile to make this issue a talking point with the outfitter before departure, saving an unnecessary import. But at least, the hunter should confirm if the outfitter does have the caliber available that will suite your hunt's needs.
Firearm imports
Most hunters prefer to bring along their own rifles/guns. With the exception of fully automatic weapons, the import of weapons for temporary use in South Africa, won't cause the hunter much trouble. Such a temporary permit is valid for six months. It is advisable to check such imports with your outfitter or professional hunter first, for it may, at least,cause time-consuming delays if the hunter also wishes to tour to neighboring states as well.
Hunting with a Handgun
All handgun hunters who wishes to sport the stalking and handgun game in the South African setting, will be most welcome to do so. Areas may be selected that suite handgun hunting best.
South Africa today have one of the most up-to-date conservationist policies in the world. First world standards apply in a geographical area that yields the wild open spaces that is associated only with wild Africa.
While about six million hectares of land is used as public conservation reserves, the privately owned areas of conservation have now risen to over eight million hectares, and the number is growing annually. While industrial development have been the main driving force of the South African economy for the previous century, the tourist industry seems set to take over this role in the century to come. Of course, a repeat of the 11 September 2001 attacks in New York (may God forbid it) may have its toll on the heritage of the African wildlife in the long run as well, for the Eco- and hunting industry is interwoven with that of the rest of the world.
Today, most, but in particular the northern provinces,may be likened to an era of more than a century ago. Game quantities have improved greatly in the last two decades. Property combinations and co-operational actions have in some instances taken place where fences have been lifted to improve land size and the free movement of game have taken on a new dimension in such areas as well. Although still in process, some areas as big as 30 000 - 50 000 hectares and more can now be visited without having to pass a single wire of fence in between. Elephants, Rhino and other exclusive game are being re-introduced in areas that haven't seen these beasts for more than a hundred years! And the prized kind of the jungle, the lion, can today be seen in half a dozen game reserves. This turn of conservationist efforts came about, as was indicated earlier, especially in the private sector, since the dawn of economically viable game hunting took off. The moment this industry was able to match (and exceed) conventional farming in the private farmers purse, the wildlife heritage of this country was guaranteed for future generations!
The viewpoint that hunting cannot be good for conservation, stems from well-meant documentaries about obscure people in isolated regions, hunting recklessly with scorching self-interest. The endeavors of these men can best be described as twisted sub-cultures that doesn't form part of a coherent system in a country with a healthy economy. And it is a good thing that their disgusting malpractices should come to light.
The hunting industry in South Africa, however, forms part and parcel of a well-kept tourist industry that generates large fees of foreign income, most of which is destined to be reinvested in the same conservationist institutes. This includes the buying of new bloodlines of game, or new species, improvement of the natural state of those Eco-systems which carries the fauna and flora, spending on infra-structure and staff to be qualified as conservationists, trackers, field guides and chefs or hosts for tourists. Nature-friendly lodging and bush transport (for example, sometimes on horseback) isn't cheap as well. The point is: by and large, the hunters and Eco-tourists are, considered both in per capita spending and as lovers of nature, the most prized tourists this country could wish to host if one look from a perspective of conservation. Or, to put it somewhat negatively: there would, by now, be very little left of the South African wildlife scene if it hadn't been for the paying hunters. Since the last decade, you can add Eco-Tourists to the equation. The hunting industry in South Africa can best be described as well-controlled hunting in Eco-friendly, conservationist style.
Another factor often missed in a naive anti-hunting approach, is that over-population and interbreeding of game have its own regulating demands, caused not by man's conservationist misconduct in our own time, but by unnatural structural developments of many decades earlier that causes game to be fenced away from natural rivers or roaming spaces. If the game isn't hunted, cycles of nature will cause it to be deformed or become vulnerable to diseases. Another remark in this regard: the very natural selection that takes place in a superior Park such as the Kruger National Park, which simply means killings performed by lions, hyenas, leopards etc. have to be done artificially. In this, under controlled circumstances such as will be find in South Africa, the hunter is playing a stabilizing role in nature. And incidentally, even the Kruger Park runs its own scientific based programs of hunting for the sake of safeguarding certain species). This same truth applies when a farm that has no elephants: some disturbance to the trees and bushes may be needed to fulfill the role that the elephant should naturally be taking care of.
Lastly, hunting in the country is regulated by a monitor system of conservation authorities that means the requirement of hunting permits, the regulation of hunting to set dates each season, stock counting, handling of hunting complaints, field workers etc. But as will be found in almost any game farm, today the same conservational interest is driving the game rancher and outfitter that previously had to be regulated by legal force. And, in the last instance, this, more than anything else, is why the wildlife is South Africa is in such a healthy state.
Hitting the target on the aimed spot and aiming at the correct position is paramount to the success of any hunt. This of course means that the hunter has to be able to do fairly accurate (if not state of the art) shooting, combined with some refined knowledge about the vital organ positioning in the animal's bodies.
The right ballistics may be a helpful aspect, but is by no means nearly as important as the accurate placement of the shot. Most hunters will aim for the heart, which can be reached by aiming to the low, forward part of the chest cavity. This spot is situated almost on the front leg (slightly to the back part of it, vertically) and about 25% up the chest/belly (on the horizontal line). This has the advantage of not spoiling the head of the trophy. Although the telescope helps to spot the target, shortening the distance to the animal will by far be the best way to increases effectiveness. Only extremely good hunters take aim at the head or neck. The fact that you don't wound an animal that easy when aiming at the neck or head shouldn't be the deciding factor not to aim at the heart, because if wounding is such a great possibility, the shooting range must be the place to spent your time, and not the hunting ground. Your chance to get the trophy when aiming at the heart, is considerably bigger, not only because of the position of the vital organs, but also because animals will start most movement by head and neck mobility. Brain or neck shots naturally spoils the least amount of the skin and meat, but may, on the other hand, damage the trophy's head.
If the animal isn't standing at a right angle towards the hunter, compensation can be made until a certain point. If the angle becomes bigger, certainty about the effect of the shot decreases. It may be necessary to take aim in quite another way, or to hold back until the animal yields a better shot. No hope for the best shots should ever be taken, al the more when hunting dangerous game. A frontal standing of the animal also makes for a good shot at the heart. In this case the lowest position right between the front legs will be the perfect target.
If at all possible, move to a better position if the angle to the target poses a problem. Do remember that the animals usually can hear, see and smell far better than human. Also keep in mind that you will be having seconds, rather than minutes, to make the decision to shoot. The professional hunter may give the thumbs up, but the final decision to take the shot is the responsibility of the hunter himself. Many good hunters will only shoot with a clear picture of the animal, standing at a good angle towards the hunter, because previous experiences of wounding an animal when taking a risky shot have tempered the idealism.
Effectiveness increases if the following actions are taken:
The moment a shot is fired, immediately chamber another round! This is the best time to make a noise, but, much more important, the safest way to secure your own life and your trophy. This must be done regardless of outcome of your shot.
As two exceptions, it may be recommended, provided that the position of the brain is well known to the hunter, to take down the elephant and the hippopotamus with a shot to the brain.A word of caution, however: many hunters uses soft-nosed ammunition to hunt with, which may be perfectly in order. But when hunting a thick-skinned animals, like the elephant, rhino or buffalo, solid (or hard-nosed) bullets must be used to penetrate the animal. This emphasizes the need to do a well-placed first shot. Even if the animal is taken down, give it a second shot in any case as well! If a buffalo is wounded, no matter what type of bullet was used, fit a hard-nose one for your second shot! And if the elephant is shot to it's head, but the bullets hits slightly too high or low, it will may take no effect. And if the shot isn't penetrating or the shot hits the scull or tusk, the trophy will be spoiled and the hunter may experience the wild fury the elephant!
Tracking is the art of finding an animal by following the signs (called spoor) it left when it passed a certain place. This means that, by crossing a place that the animal passed earlier, and by carefully following the spoor of the animal, that animal can be caught from behind if the right spoor is followed.
An animal leave behind a spoor through:
It is important to strive to track down an animal when hunting in the South African bushveld, because of the density of the hunting ground. The animals aren't locked up in a small area, and the hunt is much, much more than a mere selection and target shooting. It combines a solid safari-experience, an eco-tour through the thickest of bush, an understanding of the geographical area, the time of year, the direction that the wind blows and the behaviour of the animals. If the area is known, the hunter will for example - not go to dry grasslands at the time that the animals may be expected to crunch their thirst at the waterhole. The movement of different animals also differs, meaning that it have to be taken in consideration that a lion may be expected at the waterhole at night, the kudu early in the morning or late in the afternoon, etc. The knowledge of the professional hunter will be very helpful in this regard.
But the person most likely to do the intensive study of the spoor will be the tracker. He may be the same person as the professional hunter. Usually, however, the tracker will be one of the native locals who have lived in the bush a great deal (or all) of his life. He have developed the art of sensing the slightest change in the field, realizing many things that the ordinary hunter won't see at all. He will know how to look for the fresh spoor following it like a hunting dog, yet not only having his nose on the ground but also his eyes out there. Usually, he will be the first to spot the animal you are looking for.
How does he do it? Some useful insights, which will help the hunter to enjoy the long, walk in the bush, and to appreciate the work that the tracker puts into the hunt, may be the following:
BUT: Would an overseas hunter at any stage seriously be following a spoor? And if so, why?
The answer is: yes, and the most obvious reason is, sadly, in case of a wounded animal. This, however, is part of hunting and isn't too unfamiliar to most outfitters. What should the hunters-safari be looking for in case of a wounded animal (apart from taking the best possible safety precautions)
All animals, even the most dangerous, prefer walking away from confrontation to taking on an unidentified enemy (man). But most animals, even the seemingly harmless ones, will, if cornered, be prepared to put up the most fearsome fight one can think of. So don't underestimate any of the bush's mammals!
Aimed at the preservation of nature's wildlife treasures, the CITES regulations was formulated and, by international agreement, became one on the cornerstones of wildlife conservation worldwide. It regulates trade of endangered species and stipulates which animals should be considered as very rare animals, those in danger of becoming extinct.
CITES aims to preserve indigenous fauna and flora by regulating exports, imports and trade of game, trophies, or specimens of wildlife (which includes all types and parts of plant specimens as well). Only through agreement and after conditions have been met, the CITES system of permits and certificates yields those consignments that legally are to be shipped or flown to other countries. CITES enforces the use of scientific - and management authorities which have the right to issue these certificates and licenses.
According to the CITES agreement, three appendices of animal and plant species are distinguished. Authorization for trade in only the most exceptional circumstances, concerns those listed in the first Appendix and deals with species threatened with extinction. At all times, an import permit have to be obtained before any export permit could be granted. The export permit thus is dependent upon the presentation of the import permit (with the exception of a very special CITES export permit, which includes, amongst other things, the exporting of specimens or species to registered breeding endeavours of just this CITES Appendix 1 species or specimens.)
To prevent unauthorized trading even more strictly, even re-exporting permits can't be issued unless the authorities can trace down the path that the specimens came into the country. Only if it was done according to the CITES regulations, a re-exporting permit will be issued.
The species named under the second Appendix are species that isn't endangered right now, may become on the danger list if steps aren't taken to prevent it. It also specified regulations concerning species that isn't endangered at all, but have a strong similarity to other species that is and may easily be confused with one another.
For transport of the species listed under this heading, one first needs proof that the product or specimen was obtained in accordance to the ordinances of the Nature Conservation Law, after which an export or re-export permit may be obtained. After that, an import permit can be issued. The re-exporting permit isn't issued, unless proof can be given that the CITES provisions have been met.
The species listed under the third Appendix concerns species that are restricted because of concern of their numbers by a certain Party (usually because of low numbers in a certain area). The co-operation of other Parties, however, are needed, in order to prevent misconduct in the jurisdiction of the first Party. The same restrictions as was mentioned under the second Appendix listing will, in such instances, be followed.
This schedule 1 animals (Appendix 1)need a special import permit from the hunter/conservationist's country and should be obtained before the he sets of on his (in such instances) very ambitious safari.
The issue of permits depends upon the answering of questions about trading, and the type of trade in the species involved. The impact of hunting or capturing animals to the survival strategy of listed animals will be important. In case of shipment of live animals, the standard of the shipping operation will be evaluated. The process of the acquisition of specimens will usually be traced. Questions about, and proof of the necessary facilities on the importing side will be asked and needed. Details about the care and future of live stock will be asked. Imports of Appendix 1 specimen's will usually only be allowed if it could enhance the survival strategies of that specimen. Commercial benefits to the importer doesn't weigh much in this regard and are forbidden by the CITES Convention.
These listings may change from time to time and it is strongly recommended to have this information updated with both their Professional Hunter and Outfitter, as with wildlife authorities in their own countries, before the planned safari's take off. This may be the single most important reason why a hunter may loose a prized trophy : failure to obtain the specified special permit prior to the hunt. Hunters thus both needs the import permit or license of his own country and the export permit from the country where the animal will be hunted.
It may be quite legal to hunt a certain animal in South Africa (as, for instance, the leopard). But, as in the case with some countries, it may just as much be prohibited to have this trophy imported into the hunter's country of citizenship.
(Apart from the export and import permits, the veterinary permits also have to accompany all raw or mounted trophies.)
CITES also distinguishes schedule 2 (Appendix 2) animals that aren't endangered, but are threatened nonetheless. Although permits for the hunting of these animals may be granted more freely, the hunter in the end still have to obtain both an export permit from the hunting ground's country, as well as an import license from his own country.
Although, from time to time, changes may be made to the list, some of the South African animals one can expect to find on the CITES 1 list are the:
- elephant
- cheetah
- leopard
- cape mountain zebra
- white rhino
The South African animals most likely to appear on the CITES 2 list may include the following:
- crocodile
- lion
- all primates
- minor cats
- Hartsmann's zebra
- blue duiker
- bontebok
The CITES 1 and 2 listing is, naturally, much longer and it may be worth while to approach the authorities to obtain the youngest listing.
South Africa
Herodotus, the great historian of old, reports that in the year 700 BC, the Egyptian Pharao challenged those brilliant sailors, the Fenicians, to try and sail around the southern landmass on which Egypt was build (Africa).
A few boats, reports the historian, did depart from the Red Sea at the Arabian side of the continent that would later be called Africa. More than two years later, some of the ships sailed through the pillars of Herakles (Gibraltar, near Spain) to finish a most mysterious journey which is almost beyond believe. Their tales was just as unbelievable: they told untrustworthy stories of the sun which turned to the wrong side of the boat, of a wonderful green jungle beneath the dry Sahara desert, of this jungle being inhabited by dwarfs so who in his right mind could believe such fairytales?
So, because of disbelieve, it took man another 2200 years before the Portugese discoverer, Bartolomias Dias, also experienced the same incredible sun which turned to the wrong side of the boat (in 1488) when he sailed around the Cape. His boat however, was damaged so heavily in the waters of the "Cape of storms" that his sailor staff refused to finish the trip to India. On Christmas day, 1497, Vasco da Gama discovered Natal, sailed pass the whole of Southern Africa and became the first man to do what the Fenesians did 2209 years ago, according to the legend that Herodotus described.
In 1503, a man with the name of Saldanha, was the first to discover Table Bay and to report a climb to the top of Table mountain in the Cape Peninsula. This sight of the South African shores, fauna and flora have ever since took the breath of whomever went up that mountain after Saldanha.
In 1510, the Portugese crew which included their captain, D. Almeida, lost their lives in a fight with the Koi people at the shore of Table Bay. By 1600, the Xhosa migration to the south, have reached the Umtata river in the (now called) Eastern Cape. In 1652 the Dutch East Indian Company planted a outpost in the Cape under command of Jan van Riebeeck. They started to hunt big animals, but, as is recorded in Van Riebeeck's journal, only to protect people and crops. More and more people from Holland came to the Cape, and some of them turned from company employees to "Free Citizens" of the Cape and became full time farmers. This was helped by the arrival of the French Hugenote who fled their country after the Law of Nantes, that protected Protestants, was cancelled in France in 1685. Hunting naturally went with it.
In 1725, the Dutch East Indian Company send an expedition of 31 men under the leadership of Francois de Kuiper from the old Delagoa Bay to inspect possibilities for trade with the indigenous people. At Gomondwane, in the area which today is called the Kruger National Park (near Pretoriuskop), fighting occurred against the locals, which kept that area of abundant wildlife clear of any white people for another 100 years.
From the Cape's side, the white hunters, nomad farmers and, all the same, explorers, reached the Gariep River (Orange River) in 1760. It was crossed the first time by Jacobus Coets ©, possibly with the aim of hunting elephants!
Almost at the turn of the eighteenth century, the missionary movement from Europe and England also made an impact on Southern Africa when, at different places simultaneously, missionaries moved into some of the continent's biggest people groups. Dr. Livingstone was such a missionary who later did a lot of discoveries in Southern Africa as well.
Two of the biggest historical movements that permanently changed the scene in South Africa, was first the coming of the British settlers in 1820, and the inland movement of the Voortrekkers from 1838. Some of the British settlers didn't make it as farmers or tradesmen, and opted for the idea of professional hunting as a living. Improved rifles became available for hunting. One of them, John Thackwray, have killed lots of elephants in just a few years, and was killed himself by an elephant in the Fish River bush. They solely hunted for profit. And there were many of these hunters.
The Voortrekkers helped to safeguard movement of the white people in the midlands of the later Free State, parts of Natal and the later Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek by breaking the military might of the Zulus and Basotho people. For the first time, the inland plato's was open for fairly free and safe movement of people and cattle. This wasn't good news for the millions and millions of wild animals that was roaming the vast fields of South Africa, for it turned South Africa into the greatest game-hunting ground this world has ever seen. The Voortrekker farmers themselves wanted to cultivate crops and raise cattle. It suited them to shoot the wild animals that disturbed their farming ideals.
But by far the most devastating effect on the wild fauna of South Africa, came from hunting parties. Led by ruthless professional hunters, they came from the Cape or Natal to the seemingly endless masses of brilliant wildlife in the midlands of the country. One such a hunter was M.J. Koekemoer who, in the middle of the nineteenth century, shot 108 lions in just one single year! There was various herds of antelope, each well over a million, available on the beautiful open grasslands.And the hunters caused havoc, shooting for the pleasure of killing and this was the case for 60 to 80 years. They shot the majestic Cape Lion, Blue Buck and Quagga to total extinction. Some of their guests included the royal houses of more than one country. One such hunting party (at the end of the nineteenth century by the prince of Whales), caused the death of an totally unbelievable number of animals. At the infancy period of the British occupation of Natal, the British lived by hunting and trading in big game. Ivory, ostrich feathers, hides, skins, trophies or exceptional horns, and animal specimens of any rare quality, in fact any exceptional or strange natural object, filled many a hunter's purse, and then the middle man, then the VIP's dining room or the museum's chamber.
The discovery of gold and diamonds in the midlands of the country during the second half of the nineteenth century didn't help either. By 1869, the time of the discovery of gold in the district of Lydenburg (and also Baberton), the wildlife in the Plato regions of South Africa had already been given a severe blow. But suddenly, people were flocking to the Lowveld regions which, because of the heat and malaria, had been ignored until then. The abundance of wildlife once again seemed unending. The wonderful winter weather came to be well known and farmers started to take their cattle to the region during winter times. And: again, the hunting parties came in and started shooting almost indiscriminately.
It was in this circumstances of declining game numbers, that the famous pres. S.P.J. (Paul) Kruger proposed in the parliament of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek in 1884 that a wild animal reserve should be erected to save the wild from extinction. This was only done 14 years later, on 26 March 1898that the proclamation was made.
But the worst period for the game in South Africa was yet to come.The last straw in the South African game destruction history came with the devastating Anglo-Boer War which raged from 1899 to 1902. The British scorched earth war policy ruined the wildlife to such an extend that the midlands of this country totally lost all its game. What was left, was driven to the most densely bush and border areas.
The plans that Kruger started gracefully survived, and in 1903 the Sabi- and Shingwedzi Reserve was formed as a conservation area of 4600 square kilometer. But only after the Law on National Parks was passed on 31 May 1926, did the tide again turned in favor of the conservation of the wildlife in South Africa. Since then, millions of square km was added to Nature Parks in this country, but it was done mostly with state funding.
At that time, professional hunting was no longer done. Some people had the means to continue hunting, but only as a sporting game. This era was necessary, for it helped to restore some of the very low numbers of game. But it was also a dangerous time for the South African wildlife. There was no money in hunting anymore. Farmers thus all switched to cattle and crops to make a living and wild animals was seen as pests.
The movement that helped to turn the tide once and for all, was the introduction of legitimized tourists-hunting. This was the single most important economic safeguard for the protection of wildlife this country has ever seen, because since the farmers realized that it was an economical option to host hunters and Eco-tourist, the money for conservation became available via the introduction of new Game Parks, the well managed buying and selling of game, the erection of a tourist infrastructure and the professional conservation strategy to meet nature's own demands.
Now, the farmers good knowledge of rifles, the game and the bush became useful to zoological investigation and geographical study, while many a black citizen's extensive field knowledge, gathered over generations, and his craftsmanship, could come to use in favour of conservational purposes, for tourism and to preserve the age-old art of tracking a spoor and hunting in a positive, synergistic way.
Today the number of free living game in South Africa is well on its way to equal some of those astounding figures that our own fathers and grandfathers never experienced, but was reported by their grandfathers!
They shoot, mostly finding their target. They sometimes miss their targets. They very often end with breathtaking trophies‚ to show for their efforts. Wildlife photography is an extremely popular sport-cum-art ‚ much more, if all participants are counted, than hunting!
The joy of it is that you may, without the legislative constrains, aim at a much, much greater variety o ftargets, having less weight to carry afterwards, less red tape, much less expenses and still doing the same route, with much the same amount of enjoyment on the way. Yeah, it's a safari, all right!
Photographers have the freedom to shoot any of the almost 400 species of mammals, 800 species of birds, 20 000 species of flora, an absolute uncountable number of insects and reptiles, let alone the scenic heavens, mountains, rivers and fields which won't object a single time to do the background artistry.
Wildlife photographers may decide for themselves the league in which they wish to compete against the hunter which have to obey the ballistic rule of the thumb. Which means that you may shoot the biggest elephant with the most tiny little photo graphical junk if you like. And just the same you may do the photo of your live on the little white bird taking off from a submerging hippo (if you have the right equipment).
As with everything, the better your knowledge of the subject, the greater your encounters become. Knowledge of the bush, the animals or the surroundings, combined with knowledge of your equipment, will yield one of the most satisfying sporting experiences anyone could wish for. Interested in an Eco-safari, armed with your camera? Prepare yourself for one of the most richly rewarding experiences!
Of course, a full photographic course can't be given here. But it will serve the interest of many aspiring safari-going tourists to have a few hints about the use of a camera in the bush, especially coming from a source who have had the good, the bad and the ugly experiences in this regard!
We will share some information on this topic covering some practical hints about both the conventional and digital cameras, and covering also some information about the use of the videocameras/camcorders, lighting, lenses, filters, film and tripod's.
We would like to draw the attention to the fact that some magazines, like the very readable Nature Wildlife and Safari Magazine, that covers exactly this topic as it's leitmotiv or even great tourist guiding magazine's like Getaway, that almost always features articles on South African wildlife photography.
Internationally, any country into which an import is aimed, have the final say about the conditions regarding the import, or if the import is allowed at all. This means that the hunter (who hopes to obtain a special hunter's trophy which he would want to take back home) should in the first instance approach the veterinary authorities of his own country.This must be done before he sets off on his South African safari! The following should be obtained
1)An import permit, authorizing the import of his planned trophy, or, in case no permit is needed, a written letter indicating that a permit isn't required, should be brought to South Africa.
2)All requirements of the veterinary authorities of the hunter's own country should also be brought along in writing with the aim of presenting it to the South African veterinarian to adhere to.
Veterinary and export permits may be obtained from the State or Regional Veterinarians, but almost all taxidermists (the people who mount the trophy) will have the know how about the necessary paperwork for shipping a trophy abroad. The outfitter, without doubt, will have at least one or two taxidermists as part of his regular hunting network and may easily help to hunter in this regard.
After the (successful) hunting safari, the hunter has to approach the South African official veterinarian in the same area where the hunt has been done. Now, the above mentioned paperwork will be needed to finalize all compliance's and health requirements. On his turn, the state veterinarian will now be issuing the hunter with a veterinary health certificate concerning the trophies. The contact numbers and addresses of the district state veterinarians, as well as the Regional Director of Veterinary Services (who may be contacted in case any other information is needed), are listed in this presentation at *****************. If the hunting safari is finalized, an informational call to the South African Regional Director of Veterinary Services may be worthwhile at any rate, because an unexpected disease may hit a geographical area, changing control measurements just enough to make the safari uncomfortable.
At large, South Africa seldom experience much more than standard restrictions concerning the foot-and-mouth disease as well as those for the African swine fever. Both of these are well-known measurements to more or less all outfitters and officials in the hunting industry and wouldn't cause much discomfort at all. Apart from the above mentioned factors, movement of game products is, with the written permission of the outfitter, almost no problem in South Africa.
Of course, veterinary movement permits cannot be issued by outfitters themselves. This has to be done by State Veterinarians or by the Regional Veterinarian's office.
Foreign hunters may feel more comfortable with a more detailed picture of the standard restrictions concerning the foot-and-mouth disease as well as those for the African swine fever” that was mentioned earlier. For their convenience, the detail (which almost all outfitters will be familiar with), will be given in the paragraph to follow:
Restrictions concerning foot-and-mouth disease
Cloven-hoofed animals or products of them have, in the areas shown on the map, restrictions every hunter has to adhere to. Movement of these products has to be accompanied by a veterinary permit which the district's State Veterinarian can provide. The permit is granted for a single movement only.
The four foot-and-mouth disease zones are:
1)The Kruger national park zone
Only the Parks Board abattoir in Skukuza, the main camp of the Kruger Park, can process and treat cloven-hooves game's products from the Park itself, for it is an endemic disease area.
2)The red line zone
A line, extending about 15 km (10 miles) wide outside the Kruger National Park, running all along the Kruger Park, to the west and south, extending in the same way alongside the Mozambique border (thus 15 km wide from Komatipoort to Swaziland).
Here, carcasses or meat from the specified game may not be moved out of the area, with the exception of biltong (dried, salted meat, seen as a most delicate treat in South Africa). The biltong has to be totally dry and prepared with vinegar.
Well treated trophies, skins and hides may be moved out of this area under the following conditions:
Trophies:
a) Immersion of all horns in a mixture that includes at least 5 % formalin or 5 % washing soda for at least 24 hours.
b) Masks should be treated with salt and 5 % washing soda and be stored for a period of at least one month under supervision of a State Veterinarian
OR
After it been salted and dried, stored for a period of at least three months under
supervision of a State Veterinarian
OR
Immersed in a solution of sodium silica-fluoride saturated salt, mixed 1:2 500, and kept there for 24 - 48 hours (depending on the size)under supervision of a State Veterinarian
c) Skulls and skeletons should be boiled and dried
Skins and hides
Treated with salt and 5 % washing soda and be stored for a period of at least one month under supervision of a State Veterinarian
OR
After it been salted and dried, stored for a period of at least three months under
supervision of a State Veterinarian
OR
Immersed in a solution of sodium silica-fluoride saturated salt, mixed 1:2 500, and kept there for 24 – 48 hours (depending on the thickness of the skin)under supervision of a State Veterinarian
3) The secondary zone
This area, 10 - 20 km (6 to 12 miles) wide, which extended to the west along the same lines as the red-line area. Products of cloven-hooved animals are allowed to move out of this zone with a veterinary movement permit without any other regulation other that all carcasses should be without any entrails, head and feet, and it should be clean and properly dressed.
4) The remainder of the controlled zone
If a veterinary movement permit is obtained, no other regulations have to be adhered to.
Restrictions concerning African swine fever
The restrictions concern the handling of the domestic pig, the warthog and the bushpig.
As with foot-and-mouth disease, a veterinary movement permit is prescribed for the movement into, within or out of this area. Carcasses and meat of this three animals may be moved within this area, but isn't allowed to be taken out of the restricted zone. Trophies and skins, however, may be moved out of the area if the following conditions are met:
Why Visit South Africa
Most Southern African Countries will entertain its tourists on a wildlife experience that will be remembered for life (and probably be the start of a series of re-visits).
South Africa, however, may rightly be proud of the exceptional blend of attractions for it's tourists, ranging from the wildest African safari's to the cheekiest urban entertainment (a blend that few, or none, of it's neighboring countries could meet).
It's beaches, mountains, open spaces, African bush and modern cities, combined with it's well-maintained tourist industry, made it the logical choice for millions of satisfied tourists over many years.
Lately, with the exchange rate (against most developed countries) being as it is, South Africa can host most foreign tourist in glorious style without hurting their budgets too much.
In the South African bush alone you will find more mammals than those of the Americas together, more wild plant species than the United States, both smaller and bigger animals, almost a thousand bird species, a number of the very largest cats in the world, the largest antelopes in size, numbers and in variety. Of course, you'll also find the biggest and most dangerous of all animal creatures in South Africa, with the elephant, lion, rhino, hippo, leopard, buffalo and some very interesting reptiles in the country.
This country, with it's rainbow of people-groups (and eleven official languages), it's first world standards and it's undiscovered open countryside, is truly the place to have an out of this world holiday and hunting experience!