BHA Brochure 2024

OFFERING THE WORLD’S MOST VARIED AFRICAN BIRD HUNTING SAFARIS www.birdhuntersafrica.com | office@birdhuntersafrica.com

BIRD HUNTERS AFRICA 2024 PRICE LIST - SOUTH AFRICA (All prices are quoted in US Dollars and are charged per person, per night in camp. Prices are subject to change).

DAILY RATE SAFARIS

BLOEMFONTEIN

DAILY RATES

DAILY RATE SAFARIS

WESTERN CAPE

DAILY RATES

Groups of 4 Hunters or more

$850

Groups of 4 Hunters or more

$850

Observers

$400

Observers

$400

Shotgun Hire per day

$50

Touring

$400

Ammunition per box

$20

Shotgun Hire per day

$50

Ammunition per box

$20

DAILY RATE SAFARIS

BLOEMHOF

DAILY RATES

DAILY RATE SAFARIS

Groups of 6 Hunters or more

$850

Observers

$400

Shotgun Hire per day

$50

Ammunition per box

$20 DAILY RATES

DAILY RATE SAFARIS

DAILY RATE SAFARIS

NORTHERN CAPE

STORMBERG

DAILY RATES

Groups of 4 Hunters or more

$850

Observers

$350

Shotgun Hire per day

$50

Ammunition per box

$20 MOSITA

DAILY RATES

Groups of 4 Hunters or more

$850

Groups of 6 Hunters or more

$2500

Observers

$400

Observers

$400

Shotgun Hire per day

$50

Shotgun Hire per day

$50

Ammunition per box

$20

Ammunition per box

$20

SAFARI FEES INCLUDE

SAFARI FEES EXCLUDE

• The full-time service of a licensed Professional Hunter and complete staff services, including trackers, skinners, cooks and camp/lodge assistants.

• Full accommodation, including laundry, food, soft drinks, local beer and wine during the safari.

• All ground transport during the safari.

• Value Added Tax (VAT) @ 15% on daily rate.

• Airfare, to, from and within South Africa, including charter flights.

• Hotel accommodation before and after the contracted safari period.

• Ammunition.

• Hire of shotguns $50 per day.

• Gratuities.

• Meet and greet in Johannesburg for quick gun clearance.

• Transfers from international airport to hunting lodge.

ABOUT BIRD HUNTERS AFRICA Bird Hunters Africa prides itself on a wide variety of the finest bird shooting in Southern Africa, offering the discerning hunter champagne shooting.

Southern Africa is a haven for wild bird shooting and part of Bird Hunters Africa’s uniqueness is the multiple bird shooting areas that we offer, giving the sport hunter a diversity of choice that is both exciting and varied, taking place over a variety of habitats where no day is alike. This, together with specialist professional hunting guides, and dog handlers makes for the experience of a lifetime for a bespoke bird shooting safari tailored to the individual’s needs.

On your safari, you will experience unequaled bird shooting that may include a walk up greywing partridge, francolin and spurfowl shooting over well-trained English pointers, to the thrilling anticipation of driven guineafowl, as well as flighted duck and geese and finally hot barrel dove and pigeon shooting. Our Bird Guide Professional Hunters have a vast amount of experience and knowledge in guiding bird-hunts in South Africa. We pride ourselves on the high standard of our dogs, which include past and present Field Trial Champions. Upland game birds are hunted over well-trained English pointers, while Labradors are used for retrieving downed birds. A true classic wing shooting adventure awaits you.

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR BIRD SHOOTING SAFARIS We look forward to guiding you on a Bird Shooting Safari that will realise all your dreams and expectations. In addition to the information you have already been provided with, we would like to provide you with some guidelines that may be of benefit to you in preparing for your safari.

YOUR SAFARI: • Each safari is individually planned to meet your exact requirements, so please ensure that you complete our client questionnaire.

• You will need a valid passport to enter South Africa.

• South Africa does not require an entry visa.

• You will be responsible for your own travel arrangements, before and after your safari, from your country to your point of entry into Africa, in addition to any internal flights necessary for your safari.

Bird Hunters Africa would be happy to assist you in making any travel arrangements and can assist you in recommending a travel agent.

FREE STATE DE OUDE KRAAL COUNTRY ESTATE The Oude Kraal Lodge - is a historical farm lodge, situated about 20 miles out of Bloemfontein where you will find genuine South African hospitality on this fifth generation 1885 Free State sheep farm. Here, creatively furnished luxury accommodation, gourmet meals and spa is the order of the day. You will take delight in the unique creativity of each luxury en-suite room, with fireplace and patio. You will find their food exceptional and generous, with the norm being a 5-course meal in the evenings of traditional South African cuisine of exceptional quality. The Oude Kraal pride themselves on their fine dining cuisine.

ROCK PIGEON SHOOTING IN THE FREE STATE Bloemfontein - the Capital City of the Free State Province, is situated in the centre of South Africa and is easily accessible by road or air as it lies on the main road and air links between north and south, east and west. Bloemfontein is fondly known as the ‘City of Roses’ and more than 4 000 rose trees have been planted in the rose garden at King’s Park, which was opened in 1925 by the Prince of Wales, Edward VIII. There is little stress and less haste in this peaceful country town which has an atmosphere that one feels is based on an appreciation of family values, where quality of life is of prime importance. The backbone of this area is the huge agricultural industry where cropping of corn and sunflower is the largest in the country. Due to this factor, the abundance of food has created a unique environment for pigeons and doves to thrive way above their natural population, making Bloemfontein the ‘pigeon capital’ of South Africa. Millions of pigeons and doves commute, twice daily, between the city and the ripening sunflower fields in the surrounding district. It is here where sportsmen ambush from blinds, these humbling game birds under their flight paths. First the incoming flight to the fields and thereafter the outgoing flight from the fields back to their roosts.

Here the seasoned wing shooter's shooting talents will be tested to the ultimate, while novice shooters will have ample opportunities to hone their shotgun skills and improve their shooting ability. The experience is second to none and certainly one that wing shooters come back to South Africa for time and time again. Come and test your skills on this tricky little game bird that is commonly referred to as the ‘African Grouse’.

IN THE FIELD Flighting pigeons and doves - Normally shot in the mornings and afternoons coming in to feed around harvested sunflower fields. Our pigeons and doves offer serious hot barrel shooting, with birds coming at a fast pace with singles, pairs and flocks coming to the field with regularity. High, low and every angle with a zigzagging flight just to confuse things, seldom is there a moment when a dove or pigeon is not in sight over your barrels. Rock pigeons are rated by world shooters as the most sporting birds on the planet, and their ability to change direction in mid-flight makes them an extremely worthy quarry testing the abilities of the most respected guns. Doves consist of about 40% of the total bag and constitute Cape turtle doves and laughing doves, as well as the large red-eyed dove. Doves and pigeons are considered an agricultural pest and there is no bag limit or season, however their numbers peak in March, April and May. Nonetheless the hunting quality is sustained throughout the bird shooting season of June, July, August and September.

NORTHERN CAPE KALAHARI ORYX A diamond in the rough. This rare South African gem stretches over 212 000 acres in the Northern Cape Province, making it the largest privately owned hunting concession in the country. The reserve forms part of the Kalahari Desert (meaning “large thirst” in Tswana) which is a huge red sand basin that reaches from the Orange River up to Angola in the north, in the west to Namibia and in the east to Botswana.

However, in contrast to this arid landscape, Kalahari Oryx is a hidden oasis for the most discerning hunter. The 5-star private lodge boasts four en-suite rooms overlooking the beautiful landscape. Traditional three course meals prepared by our chef are served in the dining/lounge area that leads onto a walkway to the decked swimming pool. Special desert sundowners in the dunes are a great specialty offered by our friendly staff. Four of the Big Five can be found roaming this landscape apart from other plains game such as kudu, springbuck, oryx, eland etc. one can also find sable, roan and nyala. Being malaria free, having our own asphalt airstrip and being only 1,5 hour’s flight from Johannesburg makes Kalahari Oryx one of the most exclusive hunting destinations in South Africa.

SANDGROUSE SHOOTING IN THE KALAHARI It is perhaps the most isolated corner of South Africa. It is the very isolation of this place in the heart of the mysterious desert wilderness of the Kalahari that makes it the exceptional and fascinating experience it is. This area has a remarkable eco system and is teaming with game and birds that occur here, namely gemsbuck, springbuck, kudu, eland, sable, buffalo and rhino to name a few. It is also home to some of the largest numbers of sandgrouse found anywhere. Namaqua and Burchell’s fly to the water holes in the mornings and double-banded sandgrouse in the evenings. This area also has small populations of guineafowl and red billed spurfowl. Turtle doves and laughing doves also occur here and can be shot over the same waterholes in the afternoons. The experience is second to none and certainly one that wing shooters come back to South Africa for time and time again. Come and test your skills on this tricky little game bird that is commonly referred to as the ‘African Grouse’. In this ever-changing wilderness of rolling Kalahari dunes with camel thorn trees and teaming wild game and abundant bird life, the experience of shooting the prodigious sandgrouse and the splendour of the luxurious Kalahari Oryx Lodge, all make this an absolute hidden gem and an incredible experience for the avid hunter.

SANDGROUSE IN THE KALAHARI Sandgrouse - Southern Africa’s central Kalahari Desert in South Africa, offers some of the finest sandgrouse shooting in Africa. This is the bird that Hemingway wrote about so passionately and loved to shoot. Burchell’s and Namaqua sandgrouse arrive at waterholes at a gentlemanly hour of 09:00 and the double-banded just before it is too dark to shoot in the evening. The strategy of sandgrouse shooting has been carefully worked out and honed at each waterhole, by the guns forming an outward facing circle around the waterhole about four hundred yards from it, leaving an un-shot area in the middle large enough for incoming sandgrouse to land and drink. With the guns at this distance from the waterhole, the incoming flocks of sandgrouse are fair game at a high range and are extremely sporting. Once the birds have passed over the guns, they drop down to the waterhole to get their fill and then fly out once again to run the gauntlet. All in all, they offer great sport and are delicious.

STORMBERG BUFFELS FONTEIN LODGE Buffels Fontein Lodge is a luxurious colonial style lodge set in the Stormberg Mountains. Steeped in history, it was once a post office and inn for weary travellers to rest their oxen and horses between the diamond and gold mines in the north and the docks in the south. Buffels Fontein Lodge is owned and run by sixth generation Robbie and Angela Stretton, as well as their grown children Grant and Diana. After a solid day’s shooting in the mountains, Buffels Fontein Lodge can be a welcome sight for the weary and cold hunter, where fond memories of the day’s shooting can be re-lived around the large stone fireplace in the entertainment room. Hosting, fine wine and dining is the order of the day. All this provides the necessary ingredients to a good evening’s entertainment. Although one still gets the sense of history and tradition at Buffels Fontein, it has every modern convenience, including electricity and wireless connection.

GREWING PARTRIDGE SHOOTING IN STORMBERG The greywing partridge are considered by many to be one of the best upland game birds, often referred to in the same sentence as the ‘The Scottish red grouse’ when compared to the quality of shooting, and occur at an elevation of above 5000 feet in rugged breathtaking terrain. A lot of hard walking and well trained dogs are required to shoot greywing and can sometimes be in windy and cold conditions, so a state of good fitness, good health and a pair of good boots is a prerequisite. Living in coveys from six to eighteen, these fast flying birds flush swiftly before well trained English pointers and use the wind and terrain to their full advantage, offering the discerning hunter very challenging shooting. Most shoots are for the duration of the morning, where a shooting party can expect to see in the region of 60 birds and bag about 15 depending on their shooting ability.

GUINEAFOWL SHOOTING IN STORMBERG Flocks of guineafowl offer an entertaining and testing midday shoot. Once troops have been located, these unpredictable birds are at first driven over the guns by beaters, providing challenging shooting and are then walked up and shot over English pointers, with labs doing the honours of retrieving downed guineas out of the thick grass. On a midday guineafowl shoot, guns can expect at least 3 or 4 troops to be encountered with at least a box of cartridges being expelled.

DUCK & GOOSE SHOOTING IN STORMBERG South Africa boasts the largest goose in the world, the spurwing, with ganders often exceeding the 20lb mark, making them a remarkable bird to shoot. Together, with the cunning smaller Egyptian goose, they are shot out of dry land pit blinds or standing blinds, over decoys, either first thing in the morning or last thing in the evening. Our goose season is May, June, July and August. Our duck shooting takes place in the evening from grass blinds at the edge of ponds and marshes. Decoys are used to attract the ducks in, normally ending with a wild flurry just before sunset. Yellow-bill duck, shell duck, Cape shoveler and red-bill teal are the main species downed and are retrieved by enthusiastic Labradors. Expect to shoot at least two boxes of cartridges per gun and have 150 odd duck decoy in with a bag of at least 20.

SNIPE SHOOTING IN STORMBERG Snipe occur in the wetlands and marsh areas of inland South Africa. As they are an inter-African migratory bird and are very sensitive to rainfall, they only occur in shoot-able numbers in wet years. When our areas receive adequate rainfall, which is normally every second year, they make an extremely testing quarry and are probably our most challenging bird. We use Labradors and beaters to flush them out of the marshes, as they do sit very tight and when they flush, they get up at your feet and zigzag away at an alarming rate. A very challenging bird indeed.

WESTERN CAPE ROUXWIL COUNTRY HOUSE At Rouxwil, a modern, luxurious comfort meets old-fashioned farm-style hospitality on an authentic, African farm. Luxuriously designed studio apartments in complete seclusion, with all the modern comforts you need. From your own private verandah, you will have an unspoiled view across the valley of wheat fields, mountains and game. Look down across the farm dam, covered with “waterblommetjies” – a fragrant water flower which is a delicacy of the Overberg, during the winter and spring months. Stone courtyards, with calming water features and spacious bathroom, feeling like you are in your own private paradise. Prepared with fresh, local and often homemade produce, food is served with a scoop of passion for Africa and a drizzle of farm tradition. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the Manor House, either in the tastefully decorated lounge, or the intimate old farm kitchen, or on the big spacious verandah with a huge fireplace. An authentic taste of South African fare and a real culinary experience is central. O’nel loves explaining South African eating habits and traditions, like “waterblommetjies” and beetroot, or “snoek and patats”, bread and homemade jams and cheeses, or venison and curried peaches. Or experience an unforgettable “braai”, the real South African way!

GUINEAFOWL HUNTING Flocks of guineafowl offer an entertaining and testing midday shoot.

Once troops have been located, these unpredictable birds are at first driven over the guns by beaters, providing challenging shooting and are then walked up and shot over dogs. On a midday guineafowl shoot, guns can expect at least 3 or 4 troops to be encountered with at least a box of cartridges being expelled. The best time to hunt these wildly birds is at the end of August.

CAPE SPURFOWL SHOOTING IN WESTERN CAPE The Cape spurfowl or Cape francolin is a game bird in the pheasant family. It is endemic to southern Africa, where it is the largest francolin.

It occurs in the Western Cape province of South Africa, and locally northwards to southern Namibia. It has adapted to alien vegetation and a variety of human-altered habitats, but scrubby roosting and nesting space is a prerequisite. For those who enjoy a brisk walk in the morning, Francolin and Spurfowl offer some great sport. We use two English Pointers at a time, which work the surrounds of harvested corn, peanuts and soya fields. Francolin and Spurfowl have increased dramatically in these agricultural areas, as this habitat lends itself to perfect upland game bird conditions consists of adequate grass and thorn cover around the cultivated fields, offering the birds perfect breeding and roosting habitat, with the adjacent cultivated fields giving an endless supply of food.

NORTH WEST MOSITA LODGE After a great day of driven guineafowl shooting, Mosita lodge is a welcome and hospitable sight. Upon arrival from the shooting fields, Sundowners are served under the Africa setting sun at the open laps, where a burning log fire welcomes you in the tranquil surroundings of this bushveld lodge. Mosita Lodge is a traditional African thatched and stone bungalow, set in the shade of beautiful camel thorn acacia trees.

There is a central dining bungalow with a large table where hearty meals and joyous conversation are enjoyed. Meals can also be served at the fire pit lapa under the African sky or in the indoor dinning bungalow.

Here, the morning starts with a combination of an English and Continental breakfast of your choice and where the day ends with a traditional African dinner served with a European flair, washed down with the Cape’s fairest wines. There are eight twin accommodation bungalows that have king size or single beds with en-suite bathrooms. These bungalows can be heated or cooled with air conditioning. The sleeping quarters are all connected with a stone path leading to the central dining and lapa area. Mosita is a very comfortable and scenic traditional bushveld lodge where you can experience true African hospitality.

DRIVEN GUINEAFOWL SHOOTING IN THE MOLOPO BUSHVELD Your safari will start when you arrive at Mosita Lodge in the Molopo Bushveld of the Northwest Province of South Africa. While sparsely populated and rugged, it has incredible landscapes that are conducive and rich in agriculture. The climate here is warm to hot, with nights being cool. This area is ideal for guineafowl populations to thrive. The mixture of agriculturally planted corn, sunflower and ground nuts, all ripening at different times of the year, ensures an adequate year-round food supply. Thick bushveld between the planted lands is left fallow and creates an ideal nesting and roosting environment. This combination of food and habitat, makes for a perfect environment for guineafowl to flourish. Driven guineafowl shooting is one of the most exciting and frenetic shoots the field sportsman can experience in South Africa.

Based on British driven pheasants, beaters and flag bearers have the arduous task of driving troops of guineas towards the line of waiting guns. Sometimes, thousands of guineafowl, as well as some spurfowl, will be meticulously driven in military style over a line of 6 to 8 guns at strategically placed pegs in a clearing made in the African Savannah. This is truly magnificent shooting. Shooting is in the winter months, from July to September, when guineafowl troop together and spend the day eating in the agriculture fields. These troops sometimes number in the thousands of guineas. The challenge is then to drive them from the fields into the bushveld over the wating guns. This is done by at least 50 enthusiastic chanting beaters, ably assisted by parallel flag bearers, who in unison drive the panicking guineas over the guns. Swainson’s and Natal spurfowl are also abundantly interspersed amongst the driven guineafowl and are extremely cunning and challenging to shoot. A typical day of driven guineafowl shooting will start with a hearty English breakfast at dawn. Thereafter departure to the hunting area is about a half an hour drive. The morning consists of 3 to 4 drives. Guns are dropped off at strategically placed pegs. Each peg has a safari chair and picker upper who will be assisted by your professional hunters with their gun dogs eagerly waiting to retrieve downed birds. After the drive, the guns will be picked up by a vehicle and driven to the next beat. A full field lunch is served under a gazebo tent or in the shade of a camel thorn acacia. After a well-deserved lunch, back into the field for 2 to 3 more afternoon drives. Evening sundowners are enjoyed after the last beat.

NORTH WEST BLOEMHOF Bloemhof Lodge is an upmarket lodge situated in the heart of the Free State Province. Here you will be staying in luxurious chalets. All rooms are en-suite and delicious African flavoured meals are served either in the boma or interior lounge. The appreciation of comfortable luxury is enhanced by the friendly staff that will see to your needs. Bloemhof Lodge is situated on a game ranch. This area is home to large numbers of game. After a good day’s shooting, enjoy a relaxing sundowner at the boma fire pit, with wildlife coming in to drink at the watering hole a stone’s throw away. All this is complimented by the breath-taking sunsets and clear star studded night skies with the sounds of the African bush reminding you of where you are.

PIGEON AND DOVE SHOOTING Flighting pigeons and doves - Normally shot in the mornings and afternoons coming in to feed around harvested sunflower fields. Our pigeons and doves offer serious hot barrel shooting, with birds coming at a fast pace with singles, pairs and flocks coming to the field with regularity.

High, low and every angle with a zigzagging flight just to confuse things, seldom is there a moment when a dove or pigeon is not in sight over your barrels. Rock pigeons are rated by world shooters as the most sporting birds on the planet and their ability to change direction in mid-flight makes them an extremely worthy quarry testing the abilities of the most respected guns. Doves consist of about 40% of the total bag and constitute Cape turtle doves and laughing doves, as well as the large red-eyed dove. Doves and pigeons are considered an agricultural pest and there is no bag limit or season, however their numbers peak in March, April and May. Nonetheless the hunting quality is sustained throughout the bird shooting season of June, July, August and September.

GUINEAFOWL SHOOTING Flocks of guineafowl offer an entertaining and testing shoot. Once troops have been located, these unpredictable birds are at first driven over the guns by beaters, providing challenging shooting and are then walked up and shot over English pointers, with Labs doing the honours of retrieving downed guineas out of the thick grass. On a guineafowl shoot, guns can expect at least 3 or 4 troops to be encountered with at least a box of cartridges being expelled.

GOOSE SHOOTING South Africa boasts the largest goose in the world, the spurwing, with ganders often exceeding the 20lb mark, making them a remarkable bird to shoot. Together with the cunning smaller Egyptian goose, they are shot out of dry land pit blinds or standing blinds, over decoys, either first thing in the morning or last thing in the evening. Our goose season is May, June, July and August. Our duck shooting takes place in the evening from grass blinds at the edge of ponds and marshes. Decoys are used to attract the ducks in, normally ending with a wild flurry just before sunset. Yellow-bill duck, shell duck, Cape shoveler and red-bill teal are the main species downed and are retrieved by enthusiastic Labradors. Expect to shoot at least two boxes of cartridges per gun and have 150 odd duck decoy in with a bag of at least 20.

PACKING LIST The pigeon season is March to August. There are varying temperatures during this time as it spans from late summer through autumn to winter. Typically, you can expect the nights to be cool and a light frost in the morning as winter sets in. The days warm up rapidly in late summer, sometimes reaching mid-80s, however, as the winter sets in the days are cooler with day temperatures fluctuating between 40 to the mid 60s by midday. This is predominately our dry season, and we seldom have any rain except in March and later August. Laundry is done on a regular basis, so there is no need to over pack.

• 1 or 2 pairs good quality walking boots or running shoes (worn in) • 3 pairs good quality socks • 2 pairs long hunting pants (dark khaki or olive green) • 2 pairs short hunting pants (early hunts – April and May in SA) • 2 pairs hunting shirts (dark khaki or olive green) • 1 hunting jacket – Realtree type camo (dark khaki or olive green) • 1 warm sweater or jumper • Gloves • Sunscreen / cap or hat • Casual wear for evenings • Personal camera equipment / binoculars / insect repellent PLEASE NOTE: Military-type camo is not permitted in most African countries, but Realtree-types are accepted.

INTERNATIONAL & LOCAL FLIGHT INFORMATION You will need to book your international flight from the UK, EU and USA to Johannesburg, South Africa. Upon your arrival into JHB, a Bird Hunters Africa representitave will assist you through customs and immigration. Depending on your arrival time, you may need to spend a night in JHB or catch a shuttle, commercial or private charter flight to the hunting area. Bird Hunters Africa will assist you in this process with booking the relevant transfers or accommodation.

GUN CLEARANCE, GUNS AND AMMUNITION If you choose to bring your own shotgun, you will be required to have a Temporary Import Permit upon your arrival in South Africa at customs for gun clearance. The Temporary Import Permits application will be sent to you well in advance for you to complete and return to us. Bird Hunters Africa will have a representative meet you upon arrival and guide you through the process of clearing your gun. This is well worth the extra cost and saves time and hassle.

If you would rather hire a shotgun from us, we do have a variety of 12g and 20g shotguns available. We will provide you with shotgun ammunition.

TERMS & CONDITIONS • The tariffs are based on current prices and are subject to change.

• Bookings will be secured on payment of 50% of the total amount. Balance due 60 days prior to arrival. Other costs incurred are payable on the last day of the safari.

• Deposits will not be refunded unless the safari can be rebooked.

• No refunds are allowed for late arrivals or early departures.

• All payments must be made via direct bank transfer or cash.

• You will be required to sign an indemnity form before the commencement of the safari.

• Please note there is a Government Value Added Tax (VAT) @ 15% on all daily rates.

BIRD HUNTER AFRICA Members Glen Haldane: +27 83 630 7076 | Mark Haldane: +27 82 807 5110 | Dylan Holmes: +27 82 805 7017

CONTACT Webpage: www.birdhuntersafrica.com | Mobile: +27 87 153 6169 | Email:office@birdhuntersafrica.com