This is the definitive South African odyssey for the serious plains game hunting enthusiast. Spanning twenty-one days across the Bushveld, Free State, and Eastern Cape, this epic journey offers the rare chance to secure twelve different species. It is an extensive, deep-dive hunting experience designed specifically for those who wish to see different corners of this magnificent country over three weeks.
This 21-day safari includes a strong set of sought-after plains-game trophies, with the option to add additional species at standard list prices. If an animal is not taken or wounded, you will be credited 90% of the list price on your final bill.
Our most extensive itinerary, covering three legendary regions for a deep-dive, twenty-one-day African hunting odyssey.
Upon landing at OR Tambo International, you will be met and welcomed for a private transfer into the thorn-thickened bushveld region. This first day is about sensory immersion; as you settle into your private camp, you’ll begin to acclimate to the sounds of the African savanna and the rustle of the dry acacia.
The afternoon is reserved for a range session to ensure your optics are calibrated for the Bushveld's dappled light. After zeroing, we embark on a slow orientation drive to study local animal corridors and water-access points. This initial scouting helps define our strategy for the complex, wooded terrain ahead.
These days focus on "still-hunting" through the riverine forests and dense acacia stands. We will utilize silent, methodical foot patrols, pausing frequently to glass into the deep shadows where Kudu and Nyala often remain motionless. It is a high-stakes game of observation and patience in close-quarter cover.
Midday brings a return to the lodge for a traditional brunch and rest during the peak African heat. As the temperature drops, we reposition to high-ground vantage points to intercept game moving toward feeding clearings at dusk. Evenings are spent around the fire, dissecting the day’s tracking successes and preparing for dawn.
After a final Bushveld breakfast, we begin a scenic southward journey toward the Eastern Free State. Witness the dramatic geographic shift as the dense thickets give way to the towering Mountains and vast, shimmering grasslands. You will arrive at your new lodge in time to absorb the panoramic views.
The afternoon involves a light scouting mission to adjust to the higher altitude and exceptional visibility of the central plateau. We focus on identifying herd movements across the rocky slopes and golden flats. This massive change in environment requires a shift toward long-range tactics, which we discuss over dinner.
Hunting in the Free State emphasizes "spot-and-approach" tactics across wide-open horizons. You will spend hours glassing rolling valleys from rocky outcrops, locating black wildebeest or Springbok from miles away. The challenge lies in using the natural folds of the ground and dry watercourses to mask your approach.
Each day is a lesson in persistence, often requiring disciplined belly-crawls and low-profile movement to secure a steady shooting position. Between sessions, the lodge provides a sanctuary to recount the morning’s long-range successes. These stalks are a pure test of your fieldcraft against the keenest eyes in Africa.
After a final breakfast in the Free State, we embark on a scenic cross-country road journey heading south into the Eastern Cape. This drive takes you through the changing heart of South Africa, transitioning from the high-altitude grasslands into the rugged, broken "Karoo" landscape and eventually the dense, green valley bushveld of the coast. It is a spectacular way to witness the sheer scale of the country's geography.
You will arrive at your third and final hunting destination by late afternoon, greeted by the steep ridges and thick evergreen cover unique to this region. After settling in, we will conduct a short scouting drive to observe how the local game utilizes the deep ravines and coastal thickets. Over dinner, we will map out our final tactical approach for the remaining species on your twelve-animal list.
The final leg takes place in the undulating, steep-sided hills of the south. Tactics here shift to "vantage-point monitoring," where we occupy high ridges to glass for game traversing the deep, tangled ravines below. It is a physically rewarding experience that favors those who can navigate vertical terrain and calculate shots across varying mountain winds.
Mornings are spent on the peaks to catch animals warming in the early sun, while afternoons focus on intercepting game emerging from the thick Valley Bushveld as the shadows lengthen. You can truly appreciate the unique floral biodiversity of the Cape between sessions. Every night celebrates the journey’s nearing completion with premium local wines and fireside reflection.
Your final morning in the Eastern Cape is reserved for a quiet, reflective sunrise session. Whether you choose a last brief outing to photograph the coastal peaks or simply enjoy a relaxed breakfast overlooking the valley, it is a time to appreciate the immense scale of your twenty-one-day journey. After brunch, we finalize the field preparation and tagging of your trophies.
All administrative duties and trophy paperwork are completed right here at the lodge to ensure a stress-free transition. We then provide a private transfer to the Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport in Gqeberha for your domestic flight to Johannesburg. Your legendary South African odyssey concludes at OR Tambo International, where you will check in for your onward journey home.
Answers to common questions about hunting areas, camps, daily routines, and what observers can expect during a three-area South African safari.
We manage all logistics for you across three provinces, ensuring your collection remains secure. Your trophies will be expertly field-prepared at each location, salted, and tagged. At the end of your twenty-one-day odyssey, the entire shipment is consolidated and delivered to a professional taxidermist for dipping and packing before being sent to your final destination.
A moderate level of fitness is recommended to help you navigate the varied terrain, especially the steep mountains of the Eastern Cape. We always tailor the pace to your personal abilities, ensuring you remain comfortable and focused. To reduce your physical load during the trek, you can utilize the Professional Hunter's rifles throughout the trip for the cost of ammunition only.
The travel days between our three provinces serve as natural breaks for you to recharge and enjoy the scenery. We often include a relaxed morning during these transitions to allow you to experience the local culture or simply rest. This ensures that you stay sharp and energized for the next leg of your hunting journey through South Africa.
We follow a strict ethical code where any animal wounded and not recovered is considered taken, and the full fee remains payable. Our teams utilize every available resource, including highly skilled tracking dogs, to ensure a successful recovery. We prioritize the search above all else to ensure your safari maintains the highest standards of sportsmanship and conservation.
You will find this an endurance safari spanning three distinct provinces. Your day evolves as you travel: from thick-cover tracking in the Limpopo Bushveld to open-plains glassing in the Free State, and finally, mountainous stalks in the Eastern Cape. It is a deep-dive into the diverse soul of South African hunting that will both challenge and reward you.
Observers are invited to accompany the hunters through all three provinces, making this a true South African tour. Beyond the stalking, you can enjoy whale watching in the Eastern Cape, mountain scenery in Lesotho, and metropolitan culture in Pretoria. This package offers you a complete 21-day vacation covering the very best attractions the country has to offer.
You are welcome to take additional trophies beyond those in your package as opportunities arise. This is subject to the availability of specific species quotas and required permits. Any extra trophies will be charged according to our current list prices.
