Chapter 02 · Bow hunting

Bow hunting at Buffelkraal

Bow hunting rewards patience. Instead of covering ground, most of our bow hunters sit quietly in a blind beside a waterhole or feeding area and let the bush come to them. Shots are close — usually well inside thirty yards — and the birds, the wind and the small sounds around you become part of the hunt.

Blinds built for bow hunters

We put our blinds where the animals already want to be: on waterholes, near feeding areas and along well-used game trails. They are brushed in and comfortable enough for a long morning or afternoon sit, with clear shooting lanes at the right height for a bow. Trail cameras and fresh sign tell us where the movement is, so we can choose the right blind for your trip.

Crossbow as a back-up

Compound, traditional or crossbow — you are welcome with whichever you shoot best. We keep a crossbow at the lodge as a back-up, in case of equipment trouble or simply to give you one more option during your stay.

What you can hunt with a bow

• Plains game — impala, warthog, blesbok, duiker, kudu, gemsbok, blue wildebeest, zebra and eland.
• Dangerous game — only with a suitable heavy set-up and your professional hunter on back-up.
• Night species — hunted from special blinds, strictly under permit.

What to bring

• Your bow, spare arrows and broadheads — plus a release aid and arm guard you trust.
• Quiet clothing in bush colours, with layers for cold mornings.
• Practice from a seated position — most blind shots are taken sitting or kneeling.
• Your honest maximum distance — tell us, and we plan the blind accordingly.

Ready to plan your bow hunt?

Send us your dates, the species on your wish list and what you shoot, and we will build a bow hunt around it — blinds chosen for the time of year, and days paced so that you are never rushed.