Plains Game Hunting
About Plains Game Hunting
All of our hunting follows the practices and codes of conduct of ethical hunting as laid down by the governing bodies of PHASA and South African Game Hunters and Conservation Association. We are proud to be full members of both associations.
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No one goes out into the veldt until they have zeroed in their rifle and had sufficient practice. This is important for the client’s confidence and our obligation to ensure that you are a capable shot. Clients have the choice of walking, taking a game vehicle and “spotting and stalking” or using one of our many blinds. |
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Given the distances that need to be covered the most popular method is to use the game vehicle and spot and stalk. |
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Click to enlarge |
Following the successful completion of the hunt we always want the clients to come with us to the skinning shed and watch (or even help) the skinning of the animal. At this time the client can choose the type of mount or skin that is desired. |
Rifles and Ammunition
Clients are welcome to bring their own rifles and ammunition and we can help with the necessary importation documentation. However if you bring your own rifle please ensure that it is of an adequate calibre. We strongly recommend .30 calibre rifles as the minimum. We have found that the following rifles and ammunition most suitable:
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.300 win mag |
180 |
.30/06 |
150-180 |
.308 |
165-180 |
.338 |
200 |
.375 |
235 -300 |
7 mm |
175 |
8 mm |
150-200 |
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At the Lodge we can provide .30/06 and .375 rifles. Of course, irrespective of calibre bullet placement is key, which is why we initially spend so much time on our purpose built range.
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Click to enlarge |
Animal profiles
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Called the Ghost of the Bush and have not gained this reputation lightly. They are a large elegant antelope with impressive spiral horns, grey in colour with white stripes on their flanks. Both males and females have prominent ears.
Difference between Male and Female: Females are smaller and don’t have horns.
Distribution: Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, RSA, DRK, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi.
Habitat and Habits: Mostly found in thickets along water courses and acacia savannah. Can be found in groups of three to ten. In rutting season female groups will walk with a lone bull. The rest of the time bulls will form small herds and will walk separate from females. They feed early in the morning and late afternoon and will rest in the shade during the heat of the day. They scare easily and flee to safety with the tail raised and the white under the tail visible as an alarm signal. It also shows the direction to the rest of the herd.
Food: Kudu are browsers feeding on leaves, pods from especially acacia thorn trees and even grass.
Reproduction: A single calf is born any time during the year after a gestation period of seven months.
Age: Average 14 years.
Average weight: Male 230 kilograms. |
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A surprisingly fast animal and known as one of the fastest antelope in Africa. Reddish brown in colour with black high on the head, face and the outside of the legs.
Difference between Male and Female: The males are larger than females and the horns are longer and much thicker.
Distribution: Botswana, Namibia, RSA.
Habitat and Habits: Found in open bush but prefers grassland and is not dependant on water. Red hartebeest is herd animals and is usually found in herds of up to twenty individuals. Bulls will form bachelor herds. They are active early morning and late afternoon and will rest lying in the sun.
Food: Grazers and feeds on grass. Will drink when water is available.
Reproduction: A single calf is born from October to December after a gestation period of eight months.
Age: Average 13 years
Average weight: Males 155 kilograms. |
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A large stoutly built animal with woolly brown grey coat and a distinctive white circle around the tail.
Difference between Male and Female: The males are larger with impressive horns. Females do not have horns.
Distribution: Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, RSA.
Habitat and Habits: Savannah specie never far from water. Usually found in herds of six to 10 individuals. Bulls will form bachelor herds. Bulls reach maturity at about six years and will mark a territory that he will fiercely protect.
Food: Grazers and sometimes leaves and fruits. Dependant on water.
Reproduction: A single calf is born at any time during the year after a gestation period of nine months.
Age: Average 14 years.
Average weight: Males 230 kilograms. |
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A large antelope. Both the bulls and cows have recognizable and impressive long, straight horns. The face is black with white markings looking like a mask.
Difference between Male and Female: The males are slightly larger with shorter thicker horns.
Distribution: Botswana, Namibia, RSA.
Habitat and Habits: Associated with open dry landscape, but prefers open grassland. Found in large herds with a mixed composition of males and females.
Food: Grazers, will dig for roots and fruits. Not dependant on water.
Reproduction: A single calf is born at any time during the year after a gestation period of nine months.
Age: Average 19 years.
Average weight: Males 240 kilograms. |
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White with typical black stripes and white on the belly.
Difference between Male and Female: The stallions are slightly larger than the mares.
Distribution: Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, RSA.
Habitat and Habits: Savannah specie never far from water. Usually found in small family groups. Stallions will fiercely protect mares in group. Usually found with other savannah species.
Food: Grazers. Dependant on water.
Reproduction: A single fowl is born at any time during the year after a gestation period of 370 days.
Age: Average 28 years.
Average weight: Males 310 kilograms. |
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A very large antelope and one of the biggest in Africa. Both the bulls and cows a dullish grey brown colour. The horns are short and spiralled like screw.
Difference between Male and Female: The males are heavier and stockier build. Bull’s horns are stockier and heavier than cows.
Distribution: Botswana, Namibia, RSA.
Habitat and Habits: Very adaptable to terrain. Trees and scrubs are important for them. Can be found in large herds but males and females form separate herds during calving season. Avery distinctive clicking noise is made by their hooves.
Food: Browsers, but will also eat grass. Dependant on water.
Reproduction: A single calf is born at any time during the year but usually peaks August to October after a gestation period of nine months.
Age: Average 12 years.
Average weight: Males 700 kilograms. |
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The Poor man’s Buffalo. A cattle like antelope. Has a mane and tail like a horse and is black. Over the neck and flanks there is a dark vertical line visible. Both males and females have horns.
Difference between Male and Female: The males are larger with longer and thicker horns.
Distribution: Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, RSA.
Habitat and Habits: Associated with open savannah but prefers short open grassland. Found in large herds with a mixed composition of males and females. Males also form herds and territorial bulls cover females.
Food: Grazers and is dependent on water.
Reproduction: A single calf is born from November to February after a gestation period of eight months.
Age: Average 20 years.
Average weight: Males 245 kilograms. |
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Swala is named after these beautiful antelope. Impala is of medium athletic build. Reddish brown in colour with recognisable black stripes on the tail and backside.
Difference between Male and Female: The males are larger. Females do not have horns.
Distribution: Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, RSA.
Habitat and Habits: Associated with open savannah but prefers thicker acacia veldt. Rams form bachelor herds and territorial males dominate female herds.
Food: Browsers and is dependent on water.
Reproduction: A single lam is born from September to January after a gestation period of six months.
Age: Average 12 years.
Average weight: Males 65 kilograms. |
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Known as the “good morning” antelope as they always seem to be nodding their heads. This is not down to good manners but because they have a perpetual worm in their noses.
Difference between Male and Female: The males and females have horns. The horns of the rams are slightly thicker.
Distribution: RSA.
Habitat and Habits: Only found in open grassland. They form very large herds.
Food: Grazers and is dependent on water.
Reproduction: A single lam is born from September to November after a gestation period of eight months.
Age: Average 11 years.
Average weight: Males 55 kilograms. |
Plains Game Equipment List
The following items are considered essential for a successful hunt:
Hunting boots (lightweight)
Long trousers
Long sleeve shirts
T shirts
Hunting Jacket
Hat
Sunglasses
Sunscreen Lotion
Swimming costume
Camera
Travellers cheques or Bank transfer details
Cash for tips and presents
The following items are considered optional:
Own rifle (at least .300 calibres up to .416)
Ammunition (soft points)
Range finder
Binoculars
FAQs
How safe is it to visit South Africa?
With all the stories you hear in the news this is a good question. Like all countries, there are good areas and not so good areas. I suspect the country you live in is the same and it is just a case of taking sensible precautions. First of all, all guests are met at the arrivals gate at Johannesburg airport by one of our own full-time staff and brought to Swala in one of our luxury vehicles. While certain suburbs of the larger cities have a reputation for high crime rates, the countryside, or the bush, is home to friendly locals who are only too pleased to welcome visitors and tourists. Throughout your stay our own experienced staff and guides will always escort you.
Is it far to the Swala Lodge reserve?
It is only a 2-hour road journey from Johannesburg airport.
What about healthcare? Are there local doctors and hospitals?
Healthcare in this area is exceptionally good. We are a 25-minute trip to our local market town, which has an excellent hospital. The town of Bela-Bela also has excellent General Practitioners and a wide range of chemists.
What are the general rules that apply to tipping? Is this something I should budget for?
Tipping is always at the client’s discretion but we are often asked for guidance. The staff at Swala are well trained, well paid and motivated, and the usual practice for tips is 7.5% of the bill.
Will I be able to shoot my bag?
We are proud to say that every guest to Swala so far has always shot their bag. Our goal is to get you into an appropriate shooting position with the quarry. You will see plenty of game during your stay and have ample opportunities to make the numbers.
Who does the taxidermy?
On the last day of your hunt we arrange for a taxidermist to visit the Lodge and go through your options for taxidermy. He is very experienced and highly recommended by previous clients. Taxidermy and shipping normally takes 6 months and is at the client’s expense.
Can I shoot extra animals?
If time allows during your normal stay and you want to shoot more we will just charge the trophy fee of the animal.
Is there any chance of catching Malaria?
We are very lucky in this area of South Africa as we are in a malaria free zone.
What is the weather like?
We are in the Bushveld and 1000 metres above sea level. This means that winters (April to October) are dry with warm days and cool nights. Summers are warm and can be humid but only for a few weeks of the year. Rain falls in summertime and usually comprises of thundershowers. If you would like exact temperatures for the weeks you are coming please click on www.weathersa.co.za
Can I hunt at any time of the year?
Yes, you can hunt at any time although most hunting in South Africa takes place between April and November when temperatures are lower and the bush less dense.
What about weapons, do I have to bring my own guns?
We have an excellent stock of top quality rifles and shotguns and you don’t have to bring your own firearm unless you want to. Some of our guests prefer to bring their own in which case you need a Temporary Firearms Licence from South African Police Service. This is quite common and we will send you all the necessary application forms and talk you through the procedures, which are quite straightforward.
I like the idea of hunting in South Africa but I haven’t shot for a while and may be rusty.
Don’t worry; many people come here to learn more or simply to brush up on their shooting skills. We have an excellent rifle range for practising and we do not let people out into the bush until they are comfortable and can demonstrate that they are a competent shot. We will provide all the coaching you need and pride ourselves on our firearms and ballistic knowledge.
What other things are there to do when not hunting?
There is no chance you will be bored here. If you want to relax and take it easy that’s fine, but for the energetic we have a tremendous range of activities to occupy our guests.
We breed horses on the actual reserve and guests are welcome to go on escorted bush rides or take riding lessons. We also use horse drawn carriages quite a lot for game viewing and it is great fun to learn how to drive a carriage. We also have dune buggies combined with 60 kilometers of our own roads for the exclusive use of our guests. There are extensive bush walks and jogging trails, which are very picturesque. That is just the start. Details of all the activities both for hunting and non-hunting guests can be found on this web site.
Can I come and hunt at Swala and then visit other parts of Africa while I am there?
Many of our guests like to combine the two. We work closely with an excellent tour operator based in Cape Town and she can plan any additional itinerary you may require.
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