South Africa, known and recognized for its richness in medium and big game hunting, also turns out to be an exceptional destination in terms of small hunting thanks to its impressive variety of landscapes, each as beautiful and grandiose as the next. .
Too often neglected, the hunting of small game in RSA is nevertheless worthy of the greatest interest.
The populations of sedentary game such as guinea fowl and francolins are very important because they are hardly ever hunted. The concentrations of pigeons and turtledoves in the sunflower fields remain, at certain times, completely breathtaking. As for waterfowl, geese hunting in the fields and duck passes have nothing to envy to some well-known destinations in this area.
The program we have specially designed is masterfully organized by our exclusive South African partner, a renowned specialist in this discipline, as it may be, but also in Central and East Africa for big game hunting. With a wealth of experience in the field and a lover of things well done, it is with pleasure and serenity that we entrust you to this French-speaking guide. The safari is comprehensive and “top of the range”. .
Hunting period
• Pigeons / turtledoves exclusively : April
• Full program : June to end of August
Progress of the safari
Arrival day (usually in the morning)
Arrival at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Clearance of weapons and departure for Ermelo (2.5 hours transfer)
Day 1 & 2
Ermelo and its surroundings form a purely agricultural sector, mainly based on cattle breeding and corn cultivation. The hunting mornings will be reserved for hunting Gambian geese and Egyptian ouettes, on the lookout, in cultivated areas OR hunting for francolin and pointing dogs (mainly Swanson francolin and gray-winged francolin ).
The afternoons are focused on hunting anatidae, on the lookout, on the outskirts of water points. The two main species are the yellow-billed duck and the red-billed duck (90% of the tables) but it is also possible to take widowed dendrocygans, Cape tigernuts, Cape teals, brown net, shelduck. Cape and blackish ducks.
Accommodation at Highveld Splendor.
The lunchtime period, which is more recreational, can be devoted to shooting colombids (red pigeon, Cape turtle dove and laughing turtle dove).
Day 3 & 4
Morning breakfast then departure for Kroonstad (Around 4 hours transfer)
This agricultural region has an excellent population of guinea fowl and Francolins (Francolin from Swainson and Francolin from the Orange River).
Hunting in the afternoon of day 3 then full day of day 4. Hunting mainly organized in the form of mini flaps.
Possibility also to hunt colombids.
Accommodation at Arcadia Guest House.
Day 5 & 6
Early morning departure for Bloemfontein (around 2 hours transfer) Considered the breadbasket of the country, the Bloemfontein region has the largest sunflower production in the country. No need therefore to describe at length the quantities of russet pigeon present on site. Fixed station hunting.
Possibility to also hunt guinea fowl for more athletic hunters. Accommodation at Kotoko lodge.
Departure day
Hunting for colombids in the morning, lunch, then departure for the international airport in Johannesburg.
