Main Hunting Areas

Limpopo Province

Limpopo is one of South Africa’s most productive wildlife regions and offers exceptional hunting opportunities. The terrain includes bushveld, river systems, hills, and savannah plains. Many plains game species as well as buffalo and other speciality species occur in this region.

Mpumalanga Province

Mpumalanga features rolling hills, grasslands, and mountainous terrain. The diverse landscape supports a wide range of wildlife species, making it ideal for specialised hunts.

Free State Province

The Free State is characterized by open plains, rocky hills, and scattered vegetation, providing excellent conditions for classic plains game hunting.

North West Province (Kalahari Region)

This region features Kalahari sandveld terrain with dunes and sparse vegetation, offering unique hunting conditions and species adapted to semi-arid environments.

KwaZulu-Natal

KwaZulu-Natal is a unique safari destination known for its beautiful landscapes, diverse wildlife, and rich cultural heritage. The region features rolling hills, dense bushveld, river valleys, and scenic mountain backdrops. This diverse terrain supports a wide range of plains game species and provides an exciting and challenging hunting experience. The province is also well known for its warm climate and breathtaking natural scenery.

Northern Cape

The Northern Cape is South Africa’s largest province and is known for its vast open spaces, rugged landscapes, and true wilderness atmosphere. This region features semi-arid savannah, Kalahari sandveld, rolling dunes, and open plains, creating a unique and challenging hunting environment. The terrain is characterised by red sand dunes, scattered camelthorn trees, and dry riverbeds, which support a variety of plains game species well adapted to these conditions.

The Northern Cape is particularly famous for its Kalahari hunting experience, offering excellent opportunities for species such as gemsbok, springbok, and other desert-adapted plains game. The wide-open landscapes provide hunters with longer shooting distances and exciting spot-and-stalk hunting opportunities. With its remote beauty, breathtaking sunsets, and abundant wildlife, the Northern Cape offers an authentic African safari experience in one of the country’s most unique environments.

Eastern Cape

The Eastern Cape is one of South Africa’s most diverse safari regions, offering a wide variety of landscapes and wildlife habitats. The province features rolling hills, open plains, dense bushveld, and mountainous areas, creating ideal conditions for a wide range of plains game species. This region is particularly well known for its excellent hunting opportunities and large variety of game, making it one of the most popular safari destinations in South Africa.

The varied terrain allows for different hunting experiences, from spot-and-stalk hunting in the hills and valleys to hunting in open grasslands and bushveld areas. The Eastern Cape is also famous for its beautiful scenery, mild climate, and well-managed game reserves, providing both hunters and visitors with an authentic and memorable African safari experience.

• Pretoria – Administrative capital
  

• Cape Town – Legislative capital

• Bloemfontein – Judicial capital

The landscape is diverse, with a large central plateau surrounded by mountains, rolling hills, and narrow coastal plains. The highest point in South Africa is Njesuthi (3,408 m) in the Drakensberg Mountains, while the lowest point lies at sea level along the Atlantic Ocean.

South Africa is renowned for its rich wildlife and biodiversity. It is home to one of the most diverse game populations in the world, including around 36 species of antelope, making it a premier destination for wildlife viewing and hunting safaris.

Hunting Season

The primary hunting season in South Africa runs from March through November, which corresponds with the dry winter months when wildlife is more active and vegetation is less dense.

Weather & Seasonal Conditions

South Africa’s seasons are opposite to those in North America. Our winter occurs during the Northern Hemisphere summer months. During the hunting season, mornings are typically cool and crisp, while daytime temperatures are comfortable and pleasant. Evenings cool down again after sunset. We recommend dressing in layers, as temperatures may change throughout the day while traveling by vehicle or walking during hunts.

What to Pack

Laundry is done daily in camp, so there is no need to pack large amounts of clothing. We recommend bringing:

• 3–4 sets of hunting clothes
  

• Neutral colored clothing such as khaki, olive, or camouflage

• Comfortable hunting or hiking boots

• A hat or cap for sun protection

• A warm jacket for early mornings and evenings

• Binoculars

• Camera and spare batteries

• Sunglasses and sunscreen

• Personal medications

Layered clothing works best due to changing temperatures throughout the day.

Terrain and Topography

Hunting areas used by Silver Thorn Safaris vary widely and include:

• Savannah bushveld
  

• Mountain slopes

• Riverine forests

• Grass plains

• Valleys and escarpments

Each species inhabits different environments, and our professional hunters will guide you to the most suitable areas depending on your hunting goals.

Accommodation

Our safari camps offer comfortable and authentic African accommodation, ranging from luxury chalets to traditional safari tents. Facilities typically include:

• Private rooms or chalets
  

• 220-volt electricity

• Daily laundry service

• Comfortable lounge and dining areas

Meals are prepared using fresh local ingredients, often including game meat from the area. Guests can also enjoy a fully stocked bar and traditional South African bush cuisine.

Access and Transfers

Guests are met upon arrival at OR Tambo International Airport by a representative of Silver Thorn Safaris. From there, transfers are arranged to the relevant hunting areas. For safaris outside South Africa, connections may be arranged to neighbouring countries including:

• Mozambique
  

• Zimbabwe

• Botswana

• Namibia

• Zambia

Meals are prepared using fresh local ingredients, often including game meat from the area. Guests can also enjoy a fully stocked bar and traditional South African bush cuisine.

Taxidermy

All trophies are professionally field prepared in camp before being transported to a licensed taxidermist. Clients have the option to:

• Dip and ship trophies to a taxidermist in their home country, or
  

• Have their trophies fully mounted in South Africa before export.

Trophy Preparation & Export

Proper care and preparation of your trophies is extremely important to us. The daily rate includes field preparation, which consists of:

• Skinning of trophies
  

• Salting and preservation

• Preparation for taxidermy or export

Dip-and-pack services, taxidermy work, and international shipping are not included in the daily rate. Silver Thorn Safaris works closely with reputable shipping agents and taxidermists and will assist you throughout the process of exporting your trophies to your home country.If you would like, we can also arrange a visit to a nearby taxidermy studio where you can review their work and discuss your trophy mounting options.

Firearms, Permits & Rifle Rental

Firearm Permits

Silver Thorn Safaris partners with professional firearm concierge services to assist hunters with obtaining the required temporary import permits for South Africa. These services help simplify the process and ensure all documentation is properly prepared before arrival.

Firearm Transport

For international travel, your rifle must be packed in a hard, lockable gun case approved for airline travel. For travel within South Africa between hunting areas, soft rifle cases are recommended. These can be provided by Silver Thorn Safaris if required.

Rifle Rental

For guests who prefer not to travel with their own firearms, Silver Thorn Safaris offers high-quality rental rifles.

Rental rate: $50 per rifle per day

This option allows hunters to avoid the administrative process of traveling internationally with firearms while still using reliable and accurate equipment.

Booking and Payment Terms

Final Payments

At the completion of your safari, the remaining balance may be settled using the following payment methods:

• U.S. Dollars (cash)
  

• Credit cards

• International wire transfer

Please note that trophy fees are calculated based on animals taken during the hunt.

Gratuities & Tipping

One of the most common questions we receive from first-time safari clients is about tipping. While gratuities are never expected or required, they are a customary way of showing appreciation to the team who work hard behind the scenes to make your safari successful and enjoyable.
‍
At Silver Thorn Safaris, our staff take great pride in providing excellent service and ensuring every guest has a memorable experience. Should you wish to leave a gratuity, the following figures are commonly used in the South African hunting industry as a general guideline. Ultimately, the decision remains entirely at your discretion.

One of the most common questions we receive from first-time safari clients is about tipping. While gratuities are never expected or required, they are a customary way of showing appreciation to the team who work hard behind the scenes to make your safari successful and enjoyable.
‍
At Silver Thorn Safaris, our staff take great pride in providing excellent service and ensuring every guest has a memorable experience. Should you wish to leave a gratuity, the following figures are commonly used in the South African hunting industry as a general guideline. Ultimately, the decision remains entirely at your discretion.

Daily Gratuity Guidelines

Professional Hunter (PH)
$50 – $100 per day
Tracker
Approximately $15 per day (normally one tracker per hunter)
Skinning Shed Staff
Approximately $15 per day (shared between the skinners and skinning shed team)
‍Camp Staff
Approximately $70 per day (shared among the chef, housekeeping staff, waiters,and camp management)

Presenting Gratuities

If you decide to tip, many guests prefer to hand their gratuities directly to the individuals or staff teams as a personal way of saying thank you. We recommend exchanging a small amount of currency into South African Rand when you arrive at the airport, as this makes tipping more convenient at the end of your safari or when departing from a particular hunting area.

At the conclusion of your hunt, Silver Thorn Safaris will provide you with a list of all staff members who assisted during your safari, ensuring everyone who contributed to your experience can be acknowledged. Your generosity is always appreciated, but most importantly, our team values the opportunity to share the African bush and create unforgettable safari memories with you.

Included in Daily Rates

Daily rates include the following services:

• Accommodation in hunting camp
  

• Licensed Professional Hunter (PH)

• Services of trackers and skinners

• All meals and beverages in camp (including alcoholic beverages)

• Daily laundry service

• Unlimited Wi-Fi in camp

• Field preparation of trophies

• Delivery of trophies to the taxidermy agent in South Africa

• Full camp staff support

• Airport Transfer from Airport to Camp and Back

excluded in Daily Rates

Daily rates exclude the following services:

• Government VAT (15%) on daily rates
  

• Trophy fees for animals harvested

• Dip & pack, taxidermy, and international shipping of trophies

• Gratuities for staff and Professional Hunters

• Tours or excursions away from camp

• Airport transfers

• Charter or domestic flights between hunting areas

• Travel or medical insurance

• CITES permits where required

• Accommodation before or after your safari if needed

• Professional videography services

Important Terms & Conditions

• All prices are quoted in U.S. Dollars (USD)
  

• Daily rates are calculated per overnight stay in camp

• A 50% deposit of the daily rate is required to confirm your safari dates

• Deposits are non-refundable if cancellation occurs within 90 days of the safari

• The remaining balance must be settled upon completion of the safari

• Prices are subject to change without prior notice

Accepted payment methods include:

• Cash
  

• Visa or Mastercard

• Wire transfers