Hunting is conducted in over 12 000 acres of lush riverine and mountain habitats. With vast areas of wilderness,
only accessible on foot, an extensive sanctuary where Nyala bulls and Bushbuck rams can live and grow to truly exceptional proportions. Each season Nyala measuring 30” and Bushbuck in excess of 16” are taken. In addition, there is 5 000 acres of game rich habitat on neighboring farms where for many years Watervale Safaris has had and continues to enjoy exclusive hunting rights.
At Watervale Safaris we offer you a choice of hunting options. Clients can hunt off the Trophy Price List on a Daily Rate; alternatively, you can choose a package or we can tailor make a package for your needs. Trophies and days can be added to the existing packages. Our hunting season runs all year round, with certain species being more successful during certain times of the year, enquire with us directly for the best times of year to book. All huntable species are subject to availability and we reserve the right to remove one of the species on offer according to the sustainability of that animal at the time.
Clients will be designated a professional hunter for the duration of their stay. Most of our hunting is undertaken using the ‘spot and stalk, ‘stand’ and ‘still’ method. Our hunts are fair-chase and we pride ourselves in ethical and respectful hunting practices. Shots vary between 100-300 yards, we recommend you practice shooting from the long bipod shooting sticks as they are often used.
Taxidermy 
For many, if not all, hunting that trophy animal is a memory that will last a lifetime. Some hunters are happy with only photographs, others prefer just the bleached skull and horns of their animal, but the majority of hunters want their trophy mounted in some way. Example of such mounts is a shoulder mount, pedestal mount or a full mount. Your photo, skin, skull or mount will always be a reminder of that particular hunting moment. They will take you back to that moment every time you see it, the blue sky, the smells, the terrain and vegetation and sounds that were around you, and all of the emotions and thoughts you had at that moment in time.
Taxidermy of your trophies is considered an option and is not viewed as a must or a part of the safari. However it is something to be thought about. Please note that this service is not included and will be added to your account.
Initial preservation of your trophy is done by Watervale Safaris prior to delivery to the Taxidermist. We can assist you with different mounting options for your trophy before sending it off to the taxidermy.
Watervale Safaris utilizes Spirit of Africa Taxidermy, who produces the highest quality trophies at competitive prices!
Rifle Information
There should be no reason to purchase a new rifle for your South African safari. The most important factor is your knowledge and comfort in your ability to shoot your own rifle accurately. The rifle you use for deer hunting is probably adequate for any type of plains game you may hunt. Being familiar with your rifle and practicing in several positions, including utilizing shooting sticks, will go a long way toward a successful safari. Accurate shot placement is much more important than a large caliber rifle.
The most popular rifle calibers being: .270, .308. 7mm, .30-06, .300 win Mags and wetherby’s .338 and .375. When hunting dangerous game like Buffalo, popular calibers have been .416 Rem and Rigby as well as .458 Win Mag and Lott. Rifles can be hired from Watervale Safaris at a daily rate. If you will be hiring, we recommend you practice shooting with a similar caliber before
your arrival but you will also have an opportunity before the hunt to shoot a few rounds and get to know the rifle. For any more information regarding rifle hiring please do not hesitate to contact us.
We recommend that you take care in selecting an appropriate gun case for transporting your firearms as they can be exposed to extremely harsh treatment by airline baggage handlers. To insure your rifles arrive at your safari destination without suffering any damage make sure the case you choose includes the following: robust locks, sufficient internal padding, strong exterior construction, light enough to carry or one that is equipped with wheels. I personally feel that it is best to spend a little extra money and get the best case available so that where ever you hunting destination is, your rifles will arrive intact.
Information on Rifle import under the Travel Information page.
Bow Hunting
We have traditionally been a rifle-hunting destination but in recent years, the bow-hunting trend has made its mark at Watervale too. Success has been recorded with Impala, Bushbuck, Warthog and Bush Pig have also often featured in the bow hunters’ bags. Species are abundant on Watervale so no traveling beyond the reserve is required to begin the hunt, enabling multiple attempts at these species with the bow during the entire safari. Various other species can provide hunters with surprise opportunities.
Most of the hunting for these species is done from blinds over bait or water. Spot and stalk is also attempted to break the monotony of sitting blinds although spot and stalking does not yield much success on our 12 000 acres, where animals are wild and roam freely in a very dense habitat at best of times.
If bow hunters are prepared to work really hard for their trophies, they will be rewarded with some special memories in addition to their hard earned trophies too.