South Africa in 2026

[deltadukman]

I second the African Hunting Forum. Wealth of knowledge and lots of posts about what you are asking and more. It's like Rokslide for the dark continent, but don't shoot a giraffe in camo with a 6creed, they lose their shit. And they don't drop test their rifles on their Courtney's...peasants.

 

[SCHUNTER73]

I just did the Delta flight from Atlanta to Joburg back in August. My group did the comfort seat and I think my ticket was around $1400 round trip. It was a long flight but we took some sleep aids and it wasn’t too bad. I’m 6’ 3 and want not miserable in that seat. Seemed like the whole plane knew what they were in for, so everybody nobody on the flight acted out. For the first trip, I think the package hunt is a good way to whet your appetite. Feel free to PM if you want more info. We hunted about 3 hrs north of Joburg.

 

[Sevens]

I’ll be the dissenting opinion on flights and say route through Dubai or Doha so you can get into business class on a MidEast carrier. Arrive rested and pampered.

Done trips to Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Mozambique my flight got all messed up due to an aircraft issue. In order to make my connections, my travel agent (highly recommend getting one for flights, especially if bringing guns) rerouted me at the airline’s expense and I ended up flying San Diego - Chicago - Frankfurt - Jo’berg - Beira. Horribly long travel, but I got there on time. I’ve also done the Atlanta to Jo’berg route, which sucks but is the most direct to Jo’berg. I do hate that you take off at as the sun sets, then land 17 hours later as the sun sets.

Africa itself is great though. Just sucks to get to.

 

[Mojave]

The last time I was in Namibia the guy I was in camp with had 3 back to back hunts. He was in his 70's and ended up giving up the ghost in between the 2nd safari and 3rd in the hotel. It was his first safari.

The PH had to deal with the guy dying and the family had to figure out how to get his dead ass back to. the USA. If my father would have done that to us, I would have told them to put him in the local graveyard and send me a bill.

Africa is really cool, a friend did a Mozambique safari as his first hunt last year in September. Which should have been fairly cool, but it was unseasonably hot and he had a hard time but a good time. They got a leopard, sable, wounded and lost a buffalo, a big croc and some odds and ends. Hell of a first safari. He is a ER nurse in Montana and was making Covid nurse money in the $200,000 a year range, no kids, wife is also an ER nurse. They had a hell of an adventure, and are getting everything mounted.

I love taxidermy, but I usually end up resenting it because I move so much. I would't invest much in taxidermy again. Like skulls, maybe a rug.

 

[Mojave]

As for flights I am a fan of the Frankfurt or London to Windhoek route. Direct.

 

[eddielasvegas]

The last time I was in Namibia the guy I was in camp with had 3 back to back hunts. He was in his 70's and ended up giving up the ghost in between the 2nd safari and 3rd in the hotel. It was his first safari.

The PH had to deal with the guy dying and the family had to figure out how to get his dead ass back to. the USA. If my father would have done that to us, I would have told them to put him in the local graveyard and send me a bill.

Very few travelers think of this when they starting planning their far off trips.

I think of it often when I see stories of people dying or sick/injured/whatever and making no arrangements to address this in the event it happens. Friends and family are on the hook for time and money to solve the problem.


Eddie

 

[Hydra6]

I went to Limpopo region South Africa with wife in 2023.
1) we used Trophy Grade Safaris (TGS). Very pleased with the experience. Will do this again.
2) I did the plains package where you picked from several options. I liked that package.
3) We are from Georgia so Delta from Atlanta to Jburg.
4) All the Delta seats less than Business class are a compromise - either embrace the suck or upgrade. I will upgrade next time.
5) We added a 3 day tour of Kruger park at the end of hunt.
6) Since my wife was coming as observer, I rented a rifle from PH. Good decision. Shots 85 yards to 250 yards off sticks.
7) I did not bring trophies home - decided to use that money to fund a future trip. Not enough room at home for all those horns! PH will take professional pics!

 

[rvalleyp]

One thing to consider when picking the seat is can you get in a 2-seat row vs 3 or 4. Makes the flight much easier being able to sit next to your wife rather than in between a couple strangers.

 

[Hooknbullet2]

I went to South Africa 6 months ago on a Banquet hunt with 3 friends.

We had a great time. Wasn’t really keen on the high fences. But it is what it is.

We flew United Business class from Newark to Johannesburg. Which I highly recommend.

 

[Chase0109]

I did a Buffalo Hunt in Mozambique 2023, elephant hunt in Zimbabwe 2024, and going back to Mozambique this fall for Buffalo in 2025.

So I’ve done the travel twice now and I’ll give you my opinion based on research and experience. I’ve flown direct from Atlanta to JoBerg both times. I will continue to do that Delta flight for every trip to Africa. Yes it’s long, it is uncomfortable if you do basic economy. But I would much rather have a direct flight with less travel time and a little less comfort with delta than bouncing through multiple flights with long layovers on Qatar, emirates, or united.

It also depends if you’re gonna take your own rifles, and if you’re gonna take a suppressor. If you’re going suppressed, I would avoid any flights out of Chicago or the United option out of Newark.

The best bang for the buck I found seating wise on Delta is to get a basic economy seat in an aisle that’s an exit row. That is what I did on my second trip and what I’ll be booking for this year‘s trip. No seats in front of you. That way you can actually stretch your legs and get up whenever you feel like it. I can tell you from personal experience on my first trip if you’re tall your knees will hate you if you get a basic economy seat non-exit row.

Since this is your first African trip, I would suggest using a travel agent. I used Gracy travel for my first trip and they were wonderful about sorting out all the flight details and permits for traveling with a rifle. I believe their fee is $300 per person. Well worth it to learn all the ins and outs. My second trip I handled everything other than the rifle import permit myself. And I’ll do the same on this trip.

Once you’re actually in country, you’ll have an amazing time! It is addictive so plan on going back multiple times lol.

Chase

 

[Hydra6]

FYI - on my 2023 South Africa trip I was surprised at the number of rifles/bows that did not arrive in Jburg at the same time as the passengers. Seems like issue was connecting flights. I rented a rifle/ammo as I was focused on getting my wife through the whole travel process and frankly wanted to insure she had the best experience possible (versus me dealing with rifle in/out).

 

[Mojave]

If you are lucky your rifle and ammo both arrive and you can go hunting.

If you are unlucky your rifle or your ammo but not both arrive and you can pick up a rental.

If you are very unlucky your rifle or your ammo do not show up at all because they were stolen on either end of the trip.

As much as I love esoteric cartridges, like my 10,3x68 RWS, 8x68 and 5,6x57. Africa to me is 375 H&H, 375 Ruger, 300 Win, 308, 30-06, 8x57 country.

 

[Samson7x]

I opted to rent from PH also, for ease of travel. All went well, although it was a CZ which didn't feed very well. Luckily I never needed a follow up shot.

 

[Mike D Texas]

I won a South African hunt at a banquet, basically stole it on auction and did the trip last June. I never had any desire to hunt in Africa, I did it primarily as an adventure. I only shot 1 animal, my buddy shot 3. Just to provide some context:

We flew Delta from Atlanta direct to Cape Town. Just seemed the easiest all the way around. I believe it was 14 hours wheels up to wheels down, 14.5 coming back? I had economy aisle seats. I can't sleep on planes, hate flying, so a bunch more money for a little leg room wasn't worth it. Flew an Airlink commuter jet from Cape Town to Kimberley and felt comfortable with it.

We rented rifles from the outfitter and glad we did. Traveling with them wasn't worth the work or hassle, to us.

Great you got your animal list, but remain flexible. In talking with outfitter, he said his biggest frustration was hunters (especially first-timers) arriving with absolute expectations, in the animals they want to hunt and other items.

Find out who their preferred taxidermist is. Then do your research BEFORE you go over if you want to go through them. If you have any hesitation, prepare to bring it back here. I went with a European, so I just had it done there.

To each their own... but I would strongly recommend doing some traveling before or after the hunt. We did a few days around Cape Town and also drove a rental car to Gansbaai to go shark cage diving and visit coastal parks. I hear so many people flying to Johannesburg... and honestly, I don't get it. Cape Town is safer and has more to offer a tourist, I felt. I've only been overseas once before, so this was a hell of an adventure for me. So glad we spent the extra time traveling around and it was affordable. Just a thought.

Good luck on your trip!!

Oh Lord. I don’t need for my wife to know about the shark cage diving.

Seeing a great white shark is a bucket list item for her, lol.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[pacoalcracker]

Gracy Travel for sure. I used Delta, Atlanta to Joburg. I'm short so it was ok. Madubula Safaris, John Abraham. John is a SA resident, but his wife is from Dallas Texas. One of the best PH's and Safari operators in SA and other countries. Many PH of the year awards. He does not throw his name all over the place, because he doesn't have to. I have hunted the DeBeers Estates of 400,000 acres with him in 2006. Almost NOBODY ever hunts that Estate..it was by invitation only and John has very fine ties with the wealthy there. I believe they have since sold that massive property to the Oppenheimers and it was a hunters paradise let me tell you. Yes, it had a historic diamond mine on that property but was not in operation at the time. I'm pretty sure John attends the DSC event as it allows him and his wife to visit her family. Look him up....he is worth your time to do so.

BTW..that DeBeers Estate had a LOT of record book animals of a wide variety roaming it.

 

[Wallace]

I like the direct from ATL to Johannesburg, I prefer Delta over all other airlines as well. I usually get bumped to Comfort +. I'm cheap, I'd rather be uncomfortable for 15 hours and just watch movies and some half ass sleep than spend what they want for first class.

Talk to outfitters, read reviews, talk to more outfitters. TYPICALLY trips sold at SCI, DSC, DU, etc banquets have been vetted, you can get some great deals there. The outfitters make their money from those trips when you add animals, so they're incentivized to help you add to the base package you buy.

Spend some time in Cape Town, it's worth it and you can have an outstanding trip there for very little money. Last time I went I took my wife and two of my children (the 3 year old stayed at home). My wife and daughter do not hunt, but they had a great time at the lodge and they set up some things for them to do while my son and I were hunting (spa, leather working to make clutches and purses, riding around to see animals). Everyone enjoyed Cape Town. We did Table Mountain, saw the penguins at Boulder Bay, stayed a couple nights in a coastal town outside of the city, visited some vineyards, stayed in the city at the Taj a couple of nights ($150 for a suite, one of the nicest hotels with some of the best service I've ever experienced), and ate like kings every day.

 

[HydeParkHunter]

Oh Lord. I don’t need for my wife to know about the shark cage diving.

Seeing a great white shark is a bucket list item for her, lol.

While the diving trip was fun, we unfortunately didn't see any Great White sharks. Due to the Orca presence that's moved into the area, Great White shark sightings are much less common. Still, there were a school of Copper sharks, biggest being 12', that showed up on cue both mornings.

The shark cage diving was a bucket list item for me and was a big reason why I bid on the hunt in the first place. If you (or anybody else) want any details about the cage diving, shoot me a PM.

 

[Nicaburns]

Man, I am here in Atlanta as well and went to the show as well. Now we and another couple are looking at doing the same thing in summer 26. Subscribed for intel!