NORTHERN CAPE SANDGROUSE
• WWW.BIRDHUNTERSAFRICA.COM • GLEN HALDANE: +27 83 860 7076 • DYLAN HOLMES : +27 82 805 7017 • MARK HALDANE : +82 807 5110 • Email: office@birdhuntersafrica.com
• ABOUT BIRD HUNTERS AFRICA • Bird Hunters Africa prides itself on a wide variety of the finest bird shooting in Southern Africa, offering the discerning hunter champagne shooting. Southern Africa is a haven for wild bird shooting and part of Bird Hunters Africa’s uniqueness, is the multiple of bird shooting areas that we offer, giving the sport hunter a diversity of choice that is both exciting and varied. This, together with specialist professional shooting guides and dog handlers makes for a bespoke bird shooting safari tailored to the individual’s needs. On your safari you will experience unequalled bird shooting that may include walk up Greywing Partridge, Francolin and Spurfowl shooting over well-trained dogs, to the thrilling anticipation of driven Guineafowl, as well as flighted Duck and Geese and finally hot barrel Dove and Pigeons shooting. • Our Bird Guide Professional Hunters have a vast amount of experience and knowledge in guiding bird-hunts in South Africa. Upland game birds are hunted over well-trained English Pointers, while Labradors are used for retrieving downed birds. A true classic wing shooting adventure awaits you.
THE ACCOMODATION – KALAHARI ORYX • A diamond in the rough. This rare South African gem stretches over 212 000 acres in the Northern Cape Province, making it the largest privately owned hunting concession in the country. The reserve forms part of the Kalahari Desert (meaning “large thirst” in Tswana) which is a huge red sand basin that reaches from the Orange River up to Angola in the north, in the west to Namibia and in the east to Botswana. However, in contrast to this arid landscape, Kalahari Oryx is a hidden oasis for the most discerning hunter. The 5-star private lodge boasts with four en-suite rooms overlooking the beautiful landscape. Traditional three course meals prepared by our chef are served in the dining/lounge area that leads onto a walkway to the decked swimming pool. Special desert sundowners in the dunes are a great specialty offered by our friendly staff. Four of the Big Five can be found roaming this landscape and apart from other plains game such as kudu, springbuck, oryx and eland one can also find sable, roan and nyala. Being malaria free, having our own asphalt airstrip and being only 1,5 hour’s flight from Johannesburg makes Kalahari Oryx one of the most exclusive hunting destinations in South Africa.
SANDGROUSE SHOOTING IN THE KALAHARI • It is perhaps the most isolated corner of South Africa. It is this isolation that makes this place in the heart of the mysterious desert wilderness of the Kalahari a fascinating experience. This area has a remarkable eco system and is teaming with game and birds that occur here. It is also home to some of the largest numbers of Sandgrouse found anywhere. Namaqua and Burchell’s fly to the water holes in the mornings and Double Banded in the evenings. This area also has small populations of Guinea Fowl and Red Billed Spurfowl. Turtle Doves and Laughing Doves also occur here and can be shot over the same waterholes in the afternoons. In this ever-changing wilderness of rolling Kalahari dunes with camel thorn trees and teaming wild game and abundant bird life, the experience of shooting the prestigious sandgrouse and the splendor of the luxurious Kalahari Oryx Lodge, all make this an absolute hidden gem and an incredible experience for the avid shooter. • Sandgrouse - Southern Africa’s central Kalahari Desert in South Africa, offers some of the finest sandgrouse shooting Africa has today. This is the bird that Hemingway wrote about so passionately and loved to shoot. Burchell’s and Namaqua Sandgrouse arrive at waterholes at a gentlemanly hour of 09-00 and the double banded just before it is too dark to shoot in the evening. • The strategy of Sandgrouse shooting has been carefully worked out and honed at each waterhole, by the guns forming an outward facing circle around the water hole about four hundred yards from it, leaving an un-shot area in the middle large enough for incoming sandgrouse to land and drink. • With the guns at this distance from the waterhole, the incoming packs of sandgrouse are extremely sporting. • Once the birds have passed over the guns, they drop down to the waterhole to get their fill and then fly out once again over the guns. All in all, they offer great sport and are delicious table fair.
International & Local Flight Information • You will need to take an international flight from the United Kingdom/Europe/USA to Johannesburg and then take an additional local flight from Johannesburg to Upington. Bird Hunters Africa can book this for you or alternatively you can arrange this yourself. • Upon arrival in South Africa at OR Tambo International Airport, once you have clear customs, you will then need to walk a short distance to the domestic departures to catch a pre-booked local flight to Upington Airport. Bird Hunters Africa will have a representative to meet you upon arrival and will guide you through customs and all the way to domestic departures to catch your local flight. • Upon arrival in Upington Airport, your Professional Bird Guide will meet you and transfer you to Kalahari Oryx Lodge. PACKING LIST •
Laundry is done on a regular basis, so there is no need to over pack.
• 1 or 2 pairs good quality walking boots or running shoes (worn in) • 3 pairs good quality socks • 2 pairs long hunting pants (Dark Khaki or Olive Green) • 2 pairs short hunting pants (early hunts – April and May in SA) • 2 pairs hunting shirts (Dark Khaki or Olive Green) • 1 hunting jacket – Realtree type cammo (Dark Khaki or Olive Green) • 1 warm sweater or jumper • Gloves • Sunscreen / cap or hat • casual wear for evenings
TERMS & CONDITIONS • The tariffs are based on current prices and are subject to change. • Bookings will be secured on payment of 50% of the total amount. Balance due 60 days prior to arrival. Other costs incurred are payable on the last day of the safari. • All deposits will not be refunded unless the safari can be rebooked. • No refunds are allowed for late arrivals or early departures. • All payments must be made via direct bank transfer or cash. • You will be required to sign an indemnity form before the commencement of the safari. GUNS • If you choose to bring your own shotgun, you will be required to have a Temporary Import Permit upon your arrival in South Africa at customs for gun clearance. • The Temporary Import Permits application will be sent to you well in advance for you to fill in and return to us. Bird Hunters Africa will have a representative to meet you upon arrival and guide you through the process of clearing your gun. This is well worth the extra cost and saves time and hassle. • If you would rather hire a shotgun from us, we do have a variety of 12g shotguns available. We will provide you with shot gun ammunition.