introduction
Every bowhunter dreams of the freedom and wide open spaces of Africa . Plentiful game – Lion, elephant, Buffalo, Rhino, Leopard and many species of sought after Antelope roam the savannah woodland environment which is dense but with little underbush. Hot, dry, yet relaxing lowveld climate. Africa where it all began. Honey Badger Safaris is a subscriber game ranch specially reserved by bowhunters for bowhunters. To the west of the Kruger National Park, world renowned for its unmatched variety of African game, the authorities have released lands for hunting in the prestigious area.
Hunting for the committed hunter who cares deeply about conservation and the natural habitat. If you want to shoot with a bow or camera then Honey Badgers Safaris is for you. The area is abundantly populated with game of all kinds. What most people see only in a zoo, you will see in its natural environment. The hunt of a lifetime. Without the problems you could experience elsewhere in Africa. Accessible. Honey Badgers Safaris airstrip is less than two hours flight from O.R. Tambo International Airport. Authentic. This is not a theme park. This is a genuine bush unsettled by man, where game lives its natural life.
Unlike most of Africa it is comfortable. Air conditioned accommodation, luxury service, unrivalled recreation, excellent food, and drink with all those little details taken care of. Affordable - perhaps a quarter of what you would expect to pay elsewhere in Africa . This is the real challenge. This is the hunt of a lifetime. Honey Badgers Safaris.
THE AFRICAN CLIMATE AND MYSTIQUE– EVERYTHING YOU HAVE EVER READ ABOUT
Set in southern savannah woodland, Honey Badgers Safaris is favoured with the hot, dry yet relaxing lowveld climate. There is a pleasant sub-tropical humidity which contributes to the natural surroundings and reminds you that you are in Africa . After a few days, you will be surprised at the extent to which you can distinguish the subtle and natural scents of unspoilt bushveld.
AN ENJOYABLE LEARNING EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS AN UNFORGETTABLE SAFARI
One of the big thrills in store at Honey Badgers Safaris is talking with your fellow hunters about bowhunting. The days experience will be freshest in your mind of course. There will be a lot of reminiscing over a campfire drink. A good time for bowhunters to learn from each other. Tips, techniques and skills, painstakingly developed over the years. New ways of thinking about old challenges. Not to mention good fellowship. Meaning that you will be coming away from Honey Badgers Safaris with a lot more than just your trophy.
THE RICHEST AND MOST PLENTIFUL VARIETY OF AFRICAN GAME – THE BOWHUNTERS DREAM
During your safari, you can count on seeing a tremendous variety of African wildlife. Animals that most people see only in a zoo will be living their lives an arrow's flight away in their unspoilt habitat. Professional scouts will show you how to identify game by the tracks they leave. They'll teach you the signals that betray their presence. You will acquire a wealth of knowledge from your experiences. And marvel at the size and majesty of the Lion, elephant and the Cape Buffalo. This is not to mention the diversity of game that will be a feature of your daily life at Honey Badgers Safaris.
THE HUNT OF A LIFETIME IN THE AFRICAN BUSH
What the Olympic games are to an athlete, the African bush is to the bowhunter. Africa – where it all began. This will be the most challenging hunt of you life. You'll need every ounce of you skill as a bowhunter plus many other qualities besides. Patience, knowledge, courage and yet more patience. Don't forget you will be hunting unfamiliar animals who have camouflage advantage over you in their own territory. Animals whose survival instinct make them very cunning opponents. And is that isn't enough you'll be shooting on unfamiliar terrain. That makes judging angle and distance a real challenge.
THE UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE OF BUSH CAMPFIRE AND BARBEQUE IN THE AFRICAN NIGHT
The real thrill of you and the family of the unforgettable experience of the African campfire. While you swap hunting stories old and new - while you relate the day's events – the background music is a symphony of animal noises. Guinea fowl and francolin going to roost. Then the haunting presence of the night birds. The unmistakable roar of the Lion. Mixed with the smoke of the barbeque will be the earthly scent of Africa in repose. Listen for the chatter of the tree frogs and the furtive occasional rustlings in the undergrowth. Under the clear, starlit sky the clink of ice will provide the perfect counterpoint to the sizzle of the meat on the fire.
YOUR BEST SHOT – NOTHING ELSE IS GOOD ENOUGH
You've come a long way to hunt wild game in Africa so be sure to give it your best shot. There are a number of key ingredients – planning, skill, judgement, knowledge and experience. The animals have all year to stay alive – you have just a few days to set up and execute that perfect shot. So when it happens you want to take your opportunity. Perfectly. Planning that hunt thoroughly is critical. You need to augment your bowhunting knowledge and experience with that of the local specialists. The professional hunters and trackers who grew up in Africa are fully familiar with the habits and peculiarities of all species. More importantly, they understand bowhunting and can assist you to assess the optimum conditions in placing that perfect shot. Man has been constantly improving his weapons over the years since the first caveman bent a stick and tied the ends with vine.
Animals have been relying on those same natural instincts that made them monarchs of the bush for thousands of years. So this is no ordinary struggle. This is where the hunt becomes a mental and physical challenge. Your wits and skill against the animal's cunning. It takes judgement, ability and above all patience to give it your best shot. With your skill, experience and equipment, supported by the specialist guidance you have available you have all it takes to bag whatever animal you have set your heart on.
THE ROLE OF THE HUNTER IN CONSERVATION
It us ironic and unfair that the American hunter, who grassrooted the conservation concept and movement is now under attack from it. Honey Badger Safaris is doing something positive about conservation at a time when the whole of Africa is under threat. While time and money are spent arguing the pros and cons of hunting, the real menace, destruction of habitat, goes on unchecked. Much more needs to be done in the African context. Unfortunately, most of the states are too poor to divert funds into what is narrowly regarded as an extravagant special interest group.
In addition to our physical investment of resources, Honey Badger Safaris is the vanguard of a philosophic challenge and lobbying of the appropriate authorities. For many African governments with pressing social problems, conservation is not high on their list of priorities. Yet it ought to be... Nature is a resource that cannot be rebuilt. Once it's gone, it's gone. And what will tomorrow be like without our natural environments? African terrain is being eroded at a frightening rate. Honey Badger Safaris is committed to maintaining land in its pristine condition. We make our views plain to the authorities. The future comes soon. What is not today's priority can well be tomorrow's biggest problem. We have to do something about it now.
ALL THE FACILITIES FOR YOU AND THE FAMILY
Everything you need for a successful and enjoyable safari is provided on site.
• Our Cordon Bleu restaurant specializes in game dishes. Mouth-watering cooking complemented by fine wines.
• Special diets can be catered for with pleasure by prior request.
• A well-stocked bar caries a full range of local and imported liquor plus non-alcoholic drinks for those who prefer them.
• All public rooms are air-conditioned for guest comfort.
• Professional medical care is on hand at all times. In the unlikely event of medical emergency, immediate airlift will be arranged.
• Hunter's specialist shop with repair facilities, spares and hire equipment.
• Luxury swimming pool.
• Exciting game drives and game trails for the passive hunter.
• All your photographic necessities, spares and films for still shots or video.
• Sports, recreation and relaxation for the whole family.
• Illustrated familiarization talks on African game and the natural environment.
STEP INTO BOWHUNTING HISTORY IN THE AFRICAN BUSH – WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
Africa is unique in that past, present and future intertwine in one horizon.
The Past
Primitive rock paintings confirm that the Bushmen were bringing down game with the bow and arrow centuries ago. In those primitive days the bow was little more that a bent stick tied with vine or animal gut. Interestingly, the bow as a hunting weapon has evolved step-by-stepl with mankind. As soon as you set foot in Honey Badger Safaris, you feel the weight of this awesome past.
The Present
Bushveld, teeming with plentiful game and exotic birdlife. Within hours you feel as if you've always belonged here.
The Future
As things stand, Africa is the only real hope for serious nature conservation and the preservation of rare wildlife in its natural habitat.
THE TROPHY – ULTIMATE CONSUMMATION OF THE HUNT
Perhaps you have already exercised your skills in the pursuit of big game. Though now you're looking for a really significant trophy to take home with you. Getting an outstanding trophy is a demanding task. Remember, animals don't become good trophy animals by being careless or easy prey. To shoot a superb trophy animal may mean going well off the beaten track with an experienced guide and tracker. You won't be the first hunter who wanted that animal and he doesn't want to fall to your well-placed arrow. You may have to learn the ultimate characteristics of the particular animal if you're to stand a fair change of taking him. This is the ultimate challenge where everything you've ever learnt comes into play. Your determination, skill and courage against his cunning and proven survival record. Where hours of patience are suddenly followed by split-second reactions to give you a trophy you can display with pride and pleasure. To ensure your complete satisfaction only the most professional South African taxidermists will be used for disinfection, preparation, mounting, packing and export of your trophy.
GETTING TO HONEY BADGER SAFARIS JUST COULDN'T BE EASIER OR MORE CONVENIENT
Unlike much of Africa , there are no access problems with Honey Badger Safaris. With our own airstrip we are less than two hours away from OR Tambo –Johannesubrg's International Airport . That means within 24 hours of taking off from one of your major US gateways, you could be setting up the hunt of a lifetime.
HOW YOU CAN BE SURE THAT ALL THE DETAILS AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS ARE TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME
In reality, the success of your hunting visit starts long before you leave home. Planning the hunt of a lifetime calls for special attention to detail on both sides. This is why Honey Badger Safaris will be in touch with you a few weeks before you are ready to leave. To make sure your personal arrangements are going smoothly. For instance, we suggest clothing best suited for your comfort and success in our environment. To make sure you get the best photographic shots we can advise you what filters you need to cope with the harsh sunlight. Which films you need in view of the exposure, the distance and the speed of the game. And the recommended lenses. Naturally, we give you a reminder of what travel documents, visas and permits you may require and assist you in obtaining them if necessary. You will probably need to take some preventive medicine before you leave and we'll give you full details or even get supplies for you if you have difficulty. When you arrive at Honey Badger Safaris we want you to get straight down to the enjoyment of your hunting. That's why we take care of all those little details well in advance.