BOW HUNTING
Bow Hunting for many hunters is the ultimate challenge. Getting close, undetected, and using a short range weapon offers many the thrill of a life time, and on the wary African game it takes it one step beyond that.
We offer bow hunting safaris for all of the plains game species on our price list. Dangerous game that can be bow hunted in South Africa include Cape Buffalo, Lion, Leopard and Hippopotamus. Come experience the African bush the way the natives have for hundreds of years. Africa Expectation Safari’s has set aside special areas specifically for bow hunters.
Waterhole hunting is not only a great way to bag that big trophy, but a great way to see all the wildlife. From song birds to giant Kudu, they all need a drink eventually. Our bow hunting blinds are set up with vertical slits for easy targeting. We offer natural covered ground blinds for bow -15-25 yards off of water holes.
For the real die-hard Bow hunters stalking African antelope can really get the adrenaline pumping.

BOWS & DRAW WEIGHTS
The three types of bows which are legally permitted in South Africa are the compound, re-curve and longbow, with the compound bow being the choice of most international sportsmen who pursue the game of South Africa with a bow. A minimum draw weight of 50lbs is required for plains game hunting. It is, however, recommended to use a bow of 60lbs to 80lbs when hunting plains game. The minimum draw weight permissible by law when hunting dangerous game is 95lbs.
It is of course very important that the hunter be comfortable with the equipment being used and that time is spent on the practice range honing your skills before commencing the safari. This normally makes the difference between a well-placed shot and a day spent tracking a wounded animal.
BROADHEADS
Of the three main types of broad heads, namely fixed blades, removable blades and mechanical oe expandable blades, our experience and preference favours fixed blades, for these have proven to be most effective in our experience of pursuing African game. This is sure to be somewhat controversial as each hunter probably has his or her own preference.
REGIONS & CONCESSION AREAS
The northern part of South Africa is typically characterized by varying degrees of wooded savannah. This region offers the best success rate on bow hunting safaris, primarily because the terrain favours ambush whilst the open grassland of central South Africa and the mountainous terrain of the south eastern escarpment pose a much more difficult adventure. We recommend booking your safari in the Bushveld region.
The concession areas in which bow hunting safaris are conducted are dedicated solely to bow hunting, ensuring that animals are more relaxed and slightly easier to bow hunt than in areas where rifle hunting is conducted.
BLINDS
A variety of blinds are used from which to ambush trophy animals. These range from elevated blinds in strategic areas to ground blinds. Tree blinds are placed strategically along game paths or in areas where trophy animals are most likely to be encountered. Ground blinds are normally in close proximity to waterholes, ensuring a high success rate during the early morning and late afternoon.
DURATION & BEST TIME OF YEAR
A bow hunting safari should normally be slightly longer than a rifle hunting safari which pursues the same species. When booking one of our packages a general rule of thumb would be to increase the number of days by 30% over that normally advisable when rifle hunting for the same animals. We would recommend a hunt of at least seven days for five trophy animals.
It is ideal to bow hunt during the winter months from late May to early September. During this period, water sources are limited and game concentrations around waterholes will greatly increase the success rate of your safari. Another advantage during this period is the fact that most of the indigenous trees shed their leaves which makes spotting animals approaching a water-hole a great deal easier.
DOCUMENTATION
No legal documents are required when importing a bow into South Africa.
BOW HUNTING BIG 5
Taking on a Cape Buffalo or a Lion with a Bow is not for the fainthearted. All of the Big Five offer an immense challenge to the hunter, even more so to those who practice this ancient method of hunting that we inherited from our ancestors.
Even though technology has improved the bow immensely since those days, a bow is still a primitive weapon which requires much more skill to operate efficiently than a rifle. And without a doubt the ultimate challenge to any bow hunter, is to hunt the most dangerous animals on the planet.
Around October is the best time for bow hunting the Big Five as it is drier and the animals would be more concentrated around the waterholes.
To achieve a quick kill on any of the Big Five, an arrow that penetrates deep into the animal is vital. We recommend the following as a minimum. At least 90lbs draw weight, the more the better. A arrow weight of at least 850 grains and a arrow that travels at least 240fps The minimum requirement for the bow’s kinetic energy is 110ft-lbs.