Yes! By all means traveling to South Africa, and more specifically TDK Safaris is 100% safe.
No you do not need to apply for a Visa before arriving in South Africa. If you would like more information, please click here. Link (https://www.southafrica-newyork.net/homeaffairs/visitorsvisa.htm)
You will fly into O.R Tambo International Airport in Johannessburg, South Africa
Yes, Kevin will meet you in the arrivals area of the airport.
TDK Safaris is in the Limpopo Province of South Africa just outside the town of Vaalwater.
TDK Safaris has over 30 years of combined experience out in the field.
It is entirely up to you. We recommend you speak with a medical professional and visit the CDC website for updated and recommend immunizations.
Our area is a very low risk malaria area.
We hope that this never happens but if it does we are well prepared and can get you where you need to go. We have an ambulance that is on standby 24/7 as well as access to helicopters if the situation is critical. We would also recommend having a Global Rescue membership which gives you access to a network of medical professionals as well as medical evacuations if need be.
It will, but you will need to get with you carrier let them know where you are going and get an international plan.
No we do not. If you need to get on the internet we have wifi down at the main house that you can use anytime!
Yes, you will need an electrical converter/adapter. Click here to view and purchase.
Depending on the time of year you take your safari you will need clothes that you can layer.
Right now we do not have any minimum age for children.
Of course! TDK Safaris prides itself on the fact that we can accommodate everyone on the trip!
TDK Safaris offers many excursions and activities, click here to view!
Not necessarily. However if you would like to change Dollars for Rand, we will do so at the airport upon your arrival.
Most definitely! We always enjoy when others want to experience the hunt!
Our area is phenomenal throughout the year so it will depend on what temperatures you are comfortable with. October through March is our summer months and maximum temperatures of up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit can be expected. April through September is our Winter, with day temperatures of around 45-65 degrees Fahrenheit. Early morning and in the evening temperatures can drop down do 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The best time for hunting is in the winter months from April to September.
.30 caliber rifles with heavy grain weight bullets are great for most of the African game Click here for more Info. For Dangerous game the minimum caliber you can use is .375 H&H.
Yes you can. We have a selection of rifles to choose from for $80.00 per day, which includes 1 box of ammunition.
We closely work with Bullseye Taxidermy, African Legacy Logistics, and Gallagher Transport. We can take you to meet Craig at Bullseye where he will fill you in on all the details and show you around the facility. You will also receive an invoice from Brett at African Legacy Logistics for transport from Bullseye to the airport for export. Then you will be working with the exporter of your choice for the transport from the port of Africa to you or your taxidermist.
The weather in our area is phenomenal throughout the year. October through March is our summer months and maximum temperatures of up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit can be expected. April through September is our Winter, with day temperatures of around 45-65 degrees Fahrenheit. Early morning and in the evening temperatures can drop down do 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Bow Hunt South Africa, the do’s and don’ts before you go.
If you are an avid bow hunter and are looking to bow hunt in South Africa you are at the right place, TDK Safaris. We offer the first time and experienced African bow hunter the opportunity to hunt most of the South African plains game species and some of the dangerous game species. Dangerous game that can be bow hunted in South Africa are the Cape buffalo, Lion and Hippopotamus given that the correct permits are in place.
Bows and the minimum requirements for bow hunting in South Africa.
The Compound, re-curve and longbow are all legally permitted to be used for bow hunting in South Africa, provided that the following requirements are met:
Category 1
Small game: Birds, small carnivores, hares, hyraxes, rabbits, and the pygmy antelopes.
- Bow minimum draw mass: 40 Lbs.
- Bow minimum KE: 30 ft. /lbs.
- Minimum arrow weight: 300 grains.
Category 2
Medium game: Impala, Blesbuck Warthog, Bush pig, Springbuck, and Nyala.
- Bow minimum draw mass: 50 Lbs.
- Bow minimum KE: 50 ft. /lbs.
- Minimum arrow weight: 400 grains
Category 3
Large game: Wildebeest, Kudu, Gemsbok, Zebra, Waterbuck, Sable and Red hartebeests.
- Bow minimum draw mass: 60 Lbs.
- Bow minimum KE: 60 ft. /lbs.
- Minimum arrow weight: 500 grains
Category 4
Cape buffalo.
- Bow minimum draw mass: 80 Lbs.
- Bow minimum KE: 80 ft. /lbs.
- Minimum arrow weight: 750 grains
Category 5
Giraffe.
- Bow minimum draw mass: 90 Lbs.
- Bow minimum KE: 90 ft. /lbs.
- Minimum arrow weight: 750 grains
Broadheads and the minimum requirements for bow hunting in South Africa.
When it comes to broadheads, there are so many options available to the bowhunter these days and with what we have seen over the years we can only make a recommendation. With the knowledge gained through hunting with clients over the years we prefer fixed blades, these have proven to be the most reliable and effective on African game in our experience.
Also, keep the following minimum requirements in mind when selecting your broad heads:
- In the case of mechanical broadheads, 5% additional kinetic energy is required for Category 1, 2 and 3 animals.
- Broadheads must have at least two cutting edges.
- The minimum permitted arrow length for all categories is 50 cm. or 19,6 inches.
It is of utmost importance that the hunter is comfortable with the equipment being used. Time should be spent on the practice range honing his skills prior to the safari. This usually makes the difference between a well-placed shot and a day spent walking after a wounded animal.
Bowhunting methods.
Most of the hunting is done from blinds or by spot and stalk. We utilize ground, pit, and elevated blinds strategically placed at waterholes or we make use of movable canvas blinds, placed in a spot where we can ambush a specific species like a bush pig or some of the smaller night predators. Shot distances at the various blinds vary from 10 yards to 30 yards.
Another method of bowhunting here is spot and stalk hunting. This method of bowhunting South African game is much more challenging and the success rate much lower than hunting from a blind. This is a real adrenalin rush for those who are up for the challenge, especially when you hunt Cape buffalo. Be prepared with good camouflage, quiet shoes, good fitness levels, nerves of steel and a lot of patience, all this is necessary to get within shooting range on foot and then you still have to make the shot. With this method of bowhunting, the hunter must be able to make shots up to 50 yards confidently and accurately.
The best time and the duration of a bowhunting safari.
These are very important points to take into consideration when planning to bow hunt South Africa. You do not want to spend all the money and time to go on a safari and then you do not see any game while in the blind.
The first thing to look at when planning your safari is the moon phase. Plan your hunt over the dark moon cycle to ensure success.
Next, you need to do your hunt during the dry season. In South Africa and specifically the Limpopo province this is from late May to September. During the dry season, water is limited to only a few waterholes, and game concentrations around waterholes will greatly increase your success rate.
The duration of your safari is also an important point to consider. Depending on the number of animals you plan to hunt, a bowhunting safari should be slightly longer than a rifle hunting safari. In general, if you plan to hunt five trophy animals you should have at least seven hunting days. If you want to hunt some of these animals with the spot and stalk method you should book even more days, and remember that the days required for bow hunting is dependent on the species hunted.
Final thoughts.
No legal documents or import permits are required when importing your bow hunting equipment into South Africa.
Finally, we recommend that you bring a good supply of arrows, spare broadheads, an extra string and other spares for your bow and do not forget the anti-scent sprays.