Frequently Asked Questions

Kuvhima Safaris is located in Limpopo Province, South Africa's prime hunting province. Our base lodge is in the Lephalale area. Malaria risk is very low during the prime hunting season (May through September) — consult your doctor about appropriate prophylaxis before traveling.

Kuvhima has been operating in Limpopo for over 15 years, hosted by André and Yolande Stewart. We are a PHASA-registered outfitter.

Yes — pickup from OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) is included in our daily rate. Our team will meet you on arrival and drive you to the lodge in Limpopo.

OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg (JNB). The drive from Johannesburg to our Limpopo base camp is roughly 4–5 hours.

A guide wearing KUVHIMA SAFARIS identification with a signboard bearing your name will be at the port of entry to meet you. All safaris commence at O.R. Tambo International Airport unless otherwise discussed.

No, except if a flight is delayed. Kuvhima will make all arrangements for you at the normal observer rate, which includes all normal observer advantages.

Pricing follows the standard SA two-part model: a daily rate covering your PH, lodge, meals, vehicle, tracker and skinner; plus per-animal trophy fees, only payable when an animal is successfully harvested. Contact us for the full price list.

The daily rate covers your dedicated Professional Hunter, lodge accommodation, all meals and beverages at the lodge, your hunting vehicle, the tracker, the skinner, and field preparation of trophies.

Trophy fees (per animal taken), rifle rental and ammunition if needed, permits and CITES paperwork, taxidermy, shipping of trophies, gratuities, and travel insurance.

Two luxury thatched-roof lodges with cozy en-suite rooms, an open African boma where hunters share stories around the fire, and a chef who prepares African cuisine each evening. Malaria risk in the area is very low during the prime hunting season — consult your doctor about prophylaxis before traveling.

Plains game, bow hunting, dangerous game (including Cape buffalo), bird hunting, and family / non-hunter safari packages. Trophy and observer rates are available.

South Africa is not called the plains game mecca of the world without reason. Excluding newly introduced exotics, you could hunt at least 42 different species. That includes the only country where you can hunt White Rhino, Vaal Rhebok, Mountain Reedbuck, Cape Grysbok, Cape Kudu, and Cape Bushbuck. Also the rare Bontebok, White Blesbok, and Common, Black, and White Springbok.

Hunting is mainly done using a vehicle to locate pockets of game, from where hunting on foot takes place. If your medical situation does not allow for this, extreme care is taken to get you as close as possible for a fair and ethical shot. In general we work on one species per day, though you could bag more than one — or none at all. Bow hunters can also walk and stalk or hunt from elevated and ground blinds near water, trails, salt licks, or alfalfa.

We work with Trophex Taxidermy as our trusted taxidermy partner. They handle preparation and shipping arrangements. You can also use a taxidermist of your choice — speak with us during your booking.

After your hunt, your skinned and salted trophies are transferred to a registered taxidermist. From there you have two main options. Dip & Ship: trophies are dipped (chemically treated for import compliance), dried, and shipped to your country — typical timeframe 4 to 8 months to the USA or Europe; your import taxidermist then finishes the mounts. Fully mounted in South Africa: the taxidermist completes the full mount here and ships the finished product — takes 12 to 18 months but saves significant cost since South African taxidermy rates are substantially lower than in North America or Europe. All trophies require a South African export permit, and CITES documentation where applicable. Estimated total costs for Dip & Ship should be discussed with your taxidermist prior to booking — budget approximately $800 to $1,500 per large trophy for processing and shipping to the USA.

Citizens of most Western nations — including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, and most EU member states — do not require a visa for tourist or hunting visits of up to 30 days. Your passport must be valid for at least 30 days beyond your intended departure date and must have at least two blank pages. If you plan to stay longer than 30 days, a visa extension can be applied for at a South African Home Affairs office. Kuvhima will send you a formal letter of invitation, which is useful when presenting your purpose of visit to border officials.

An African safari should never be too short. Research has shown the average safari is 9 days — we recommend 9 days or longer. The USA is at least a 2-day trip from camp. You need 2–3 days to get into the African rhythm. If you stay 7 days you are on your way back before you start truly enjoying it. We have a lot of species to hunt and world-class sightseeing opportunities.

There are no mandatory vaccinations required to enter South Africa for citizens of most Western countries. The exception is Yellow Fever — if you are travelling from a Yellow Fever endemic country you will need proof of vaccination. While not required, we recommend the following optional precautions: Hepatitis A and B (standard travel vaccinations), Tetanus (ensure your booster is current), and malaria prophylaxis (see the next question). Consult your doctor or a travel medicine specialist at least 6 weeks before departure.

During the prime hunting season (May through September), malaria risk in the Palala River area is very low — cooler, drier conditions significantly reduce mosquito activity. That does not mean the risk is zero. We recommend you consult your doctor about appropriate malaria prophylaxis before travelling, particularly if your itinerary includes any time in higher-risk areas such as the Kruger National Park. Common prophylactic options include Doxycycline, Malarone, and Mefloquine. Additionally, bring insect repellent (DEET-based), long sleeves for evenings, and consider treating your clothing with permethrin.

We will send all confirmed clients a detailed equipment list, but here are the essentials: camouflage clothing in earthy tones (khaki, brown, olive, tan — no solid bright colours in the field, multiple sets recommended); sturdy well broken-in walking boots with good ankle support (bring a spare pair); a warm jacket or fleece for June/July mornings which can be near freezing; a neck buff or gaiter for dust, sun and cold; quality binoculars (minimum 8x42); a headlamp for pre-dawn departures and boma evenings; sunscreen and lip balm for the fierce Limpopo sun; and enough personal medications for your trip plus a few extra days.

Importing firearms into South Africa for hunting purposes is well established. The key document is SAPS Form 520 — a temporary firearms import permit issued by the South African Police Service. You must apply at least 60 days before your arrival. You may import up to four firearms per person; automatic weapons are not permitted, and semi-automatic rifles may be restricted depending on configuration. On arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport, proceed to the SAPS firearms counter in the arrivals hall before clearing customs — allow 2 to 4 hours. Bring: your SAPS 520 permit, proof of ownership for each firearm, a letter of invitation from Kuvhima, and approximately 60 rounds per rifle. Your firearms are stored securely in the lodge gun safe throughout your stay.

For plains game, a minimum of .243 calibre (6mm) is generally accepted, though we recommend a flat-shooting cartridge in the .270–.300 range for versatility. For dangerous game (buffalo, elephant, hippo, and any others), South African law requires a minimum of .375 calibre — the .375 H&H is the recommended minimum, with heavier options such as .416 Rigby, .458 Lott, or .470 Nitro Express preferred for elephant. Whatever you bring, ensure you are well practised with it at field ranges before travelling.

CITES is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species — an international agreement that regulates the international trade, including trophy export, of certain protected species. For most standard plains game species at Kuvhima (kudu, impala, zebra, wildebeest, etc.) no CITES permit is required for trophy export. However, a CITES permit is required for species such as leopard, elephant, and crocodile — permit requirements vary by species and by category (Appendix I or II). Kuvhima assists with all CITES documentation as part of the relevant safari package, working with licensed taxidermists and export agents to ensure documentation is accurate, legally compliant, and processed efficiently.

In South Africa we use Celsius. In winter (May to August) it ranges from 0°C (32°F) to 20°C (72°F). You will need jackets in the morning and late afternoon; during the day it warms up considerably. Expect cold weather with very limited possibility of rain during the hunting season.

The water is safe to drink in most of South Africa. Always confirm with your Professional Hunter at your specific camp.

Very safe — your guide will not take you to any bad areas. Like any major city in the world, Johannesburg has areas to avoid, but you will always be in safe hands with the Kuvhima team.

Definitely yes. We send out a client info list approximately 2 months before your safari — that is your opportunity to tell us what you eat and drink, special preferences, and what you would like to hunt.

South Africa has two of the biggest shopping centres in the world — Sandton City and Menlyn Park, both about 30 minutes from the airport. Shopping is usually done on the last day or two. We also have jewellers coming out to camp, and many curio shops are in close proximity. You can send larger curios home with your trophies.

Absolutely. Kuvhima warmly welcomes non-hunting guests — spouses, partners, children and friends who want to experience Africa without hunting. Non-hunters can join morning game drives as observers, explore the lodge and river surroundings, enjoy birdwatching, swim in the pool, and participate fully in the social life of the camp including boma evenings. We can also arrange dedicated non-hunting game drives, day trips to nearby attractions, and optional excursions to places like Sun City or the Pilanesberg National Park. A non-hunter rate applies — contact us for details.

Kuvhima's daily rates and trophy fees are quoted and paid in US Dollars (USD). Cash USD is the most convenient way to settle your hunting account at the end of your safari. We also accept international wire transfer (to be completed before departure) and major credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) with a 3% processing surcharge. For personal spending — airport meals, shopping, incidentals, and tips — bring a combination of USD (widely accepted at most safari-adjacent businesses) and South African Rand (ZAR). You can exchange money at the airport or withdraw ZAR from ATMs at most major banks.

Gratuities make a meaningful difference to the local staff. Widely accepted guidelines: Professional Hunter $100 per hunter per day; Tracker $20 per hunter per day; Skinner $10 per hunter per day; Lodge and camp staff $50 per day to be shared amongst the lodges staff. Tips are best given in cash USD or ZAR at the end of your stay. These figures are guidelines, not obligations — what matters is that your staff feel genuinely appreciated for their effort.