Bird hunting seasons in South Africa may vary slightly from province to province, however the best time for your safari will be from May to September.

Each concession is surveyed during the year and flight paths are monitored. Blinds with decoys are set up for Waterfowl. Our bird hunting guides especially enjoy guiding "species collectors" and will do their utmost to ensure success in your collection. Species collectors should inform us prior to arrival, so that we may carry a preparation kit into the field to preserve the bird as best we can. We will send the frozen specimens to the Taxidermist of your choice same day delivery.

You can hunt Upland game birds over pointers, Guinea Fowl hunts are generally driven, Geese and Ducks are hunted over decoys, as well as pass shooting. On doves and pigeons you can expect to shoot 4-8 boxes of shells per day in August. This is not the optimum time for doves and pigeons (April/May is - 10-20 boxes of shells per day), however it is excellent for all the other bird species. Also note that this is not a hot barrel shoot. You can expect 5-10 francolin per day (We shoot 40% of the annual Francolin covey according to our research on the impact of hunting on Francolin species), about 10 guinea fowl per day and the same for ducks and geese.

We only hunt wild birds and stick to bag limits. Although Guinea Fowl are plentiful a brace or two Francolin per person per hunt is realistic.

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Francolin & Spur fowl

These upland game birds, similar in size and behavior to Spanish and Hungarian partridge, offer some of our highest quality shooting experiences. Hunting in areas of spectacular mountain and highland scenery, over English and German Pointers where the thrill of a flushed covey will be one of the greatest memories of your Wing shooting experience.

Waterfowl

The huge Spurwing Goose, the noisy and colorful Egyptian Goose as well as the Mallard-like Yellow Billed Duck are the mainstay of our waterfowl shooting. Other species like Red billed, Cape and Hottentots Teal, African Shelduck, White-faced Whistling Duck and Knob-Billed Duck are all shot over decoys from blinds, using lead shot. Our waterfowl are not migratory and in many areas are classified as crop damaging wildlife. Bag limits are therefore more generous.

Guinea Fowl

These crafty and prolific game birds are found all over South Africa in flocks of up to 200 birds. Our shooting strategies are based on the driven shoot methods using beaters and retrievers. Once the flock has been dispersed we often follow up with Pointers.

Doves & Pigeons

We have 3 species of Pigeon & Dove, namely the large Rock Pigeon, Red Eyed Pigeon and Cape Turtle Dove, which provide our client with exceptionally challenging and active sport where bag limits are not as restrictive due to the classification of these species as crop damaging wildlife.

Swainsons		(common) hunted over pointers
Greywing		(common) hunted over pointers
Orange River		(common but have to travel) hunted over pointers
Redwing		(rare) hunted over pointers
Natal		(rare) hunted over pointers
Guinea Fowl		(common) driven shoot method with bird boys
Shell Duck		(rare) from blinds on flight path
Red Billed Shoveler		Teal (available) from blinds on flight path (available) from blinds on flight path
Yellow Billed Duck		(common) from blinds on flight path
White Faced Duck		(common) from blinds on flight path
Egyptian Geese		(common) in peanut lands from blinds on flight patterns
Spurwing Geese		(common) in peanut lands from blinds on flight patterns
Common Quail		(migrate, have concession with resident available) over pointers

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Bird Hunting Areas

Free State

Accommodated in ranch homesteads, large populations of Guinea Fowl, Francolin (Swainson’s, Grey wing, Red wing and Orange River) as well as doves and waterfowl populate this grain farming area of South Africa. Areas are approximately 3 hours South of Johannesburg.

KwaZulu Natal

Guests are accommodated in exclusive lodges and safari camps. The main highlights are waterfowl as well as Francolin (Natal and Crested). The area stretches from the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean to the peaks of the Drakensburg Mountains, South East of Johannesburg.

Cape Province

Guests stay in a 200-year-old manor house, situated in the fabulous winelands of the Western and Southern Cape. Spurwing Geese and Egyptian Geese are hunted over decoys and Cape Francolin are hunted over pointers.

Eastern Cape

Accommodations consist of traditional African Safari camps and lodges. The prince of the Upland game birds, the Greywing Francolin, is hunted over pointers in high country and hunters can enjoy some of the best Scottish grouse shooting.

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Bird Hunting Safari Options

Guided Hunting, Fishing & Photo Safari

This is the perfect safari for the “all-round” hunter. It’s a great way for Husband and Wife or a group to experience the full spectrum of Wildlife that South Africa has to offer. Enjoy a comprehensive itinerary that combines Wing shooting, Big Game hunting, Fishing and African Wildlife, scenery and culture. Itineraries range from 10 to 21 day safaris – we will tailor an itinerary to suit your travel requirements. While hunters are out hunting, non-hunting companions can undertake guided daily excursions to places of interest in the area. This is by far our most popular safari option.

Wing shooting only

Hunters will concentrate on Wing shooting only and collect the resident species of each individual area. This itinerary example has proven the perfect option for the serious Wing shooting hunter.

Wing shooting & Photo safari

Tour our beautiful country, with a few days of good bird hunting. Hunters can choose to hunt waterfowl or upland game birds. Itineraries vary from 7 to 14 days.

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