What makes Mugaba Safaris unique?

· Our clients are our most valuable asset. For this, we make every effort to determine what is most important to our clients above all else.

· Service commitment. Mugaba Safaris endeavors we deliver a service to our clients that always ensures complete client satisfaction.

· Value chain support. Mugaba Safaris offers a complete support system for our clients, from the day the preliminary booking is made, until the mounted products are received by the client.

· Value for money. Mugaba Safaris adheres to the principle of offering value for money. We guarantee the best application of your money through delivering a premium service, offering quality trophies and accommodating our clients at the best facilities of our various concessions.

· Range of activities. Our range of activities allows for the whole family to accompany the hunter. Whilst a dedicated team of Professional Hunters commit them to the hunting activities, rangers and guides can facilitate the other activities available.

· Pledge. Mugaba Safaris is probably the only Outfitter in South Africa to offer a full money-back guarantee to our clients. If, after your Safari, you are unsatisfied, you are entitled to claim a 100% refund.

A lot of empty promises have been made by various hunting outfitters to trophy hunters in the past, to the hunters’ dismay once they set foot in Africa. What guarantee can you offer that I will get good value for my money and receive the benefits that you promise?

Typically we can not guarantee that you will bag your animals. Although fenced, we hunt in areas which are very big and the animals are in their wild and natural state. Nothing is tied down to a tree or ‘canned’ within a few yards by a few yards camp.

Yet, what we do guarantee is our utmost commitment to do our best to offer you the best opportunities to bag your quarry. Also, we guarantee to deliver what we advocate. Exceeding your expectations is our main selling point – regard that standard of our operation.

If any component of our service offering falls short of your expectations, we offer you a 100% money back guarantee on your daily rates. Refer our guarantee section for more details.

Can you sketch a typical hunt?

Usually you arrive at the Johannesburg International Airport on your day of arrival (which is charged at observer rates) from where we transport you either to the hunting concession, or to a lodge close to the airport (depending on your time of arrival). Once at the hunting concession, you are given adequate opportunity to sight-in your bow or rifle. Only when you (and we) are comfortable with your sighting results, we head for the first hunt. We hunt from 07:00 to 11:00 and again from 14:00 to 17:30. From 11:00 to 14:00 it is of no use trying to hunt. It is the heat of the day and finding a suitable animal to hunt is very difficult. Usually during this time clients relax at the swimming pool, enjoy a siesta and feast on brunch.

Depending on the time of the year, 17:30 is the latest we would allow bowhunts in the winter season (then it is getting dark). This time is extended to 18:30 in the summer months. Rifle hunting is judged on the specific scenario.

Winter months stretch from April – August, whereas the rest of the year can be regarded summer months.

Do you have specific bow and rifle hunting seasons?

No. We offer year round hunting for bow- and riflehunters.

For how many hunting days must I book?

We offer standard 7, 14 and 21 hunting days safaris. Remember to add an arrival and departure day.

Based on your species requirements, we will provide you with a suggested amount of hunting days which you can choose to book. Depending on your species, traveling between concessions is unavoidable, and this is taken into account when we make our suggestions. We strive to offer you the best opportunity to bag your quarry, yet we also respect your time and vacation needs, so a fine balance between these is always adhered to.

What do you experience the trend of package bookings to be?

Usually, our mean client books a 7-day hunt with a Buffalo and 5 plains game species. They add an arrival day and departure day for sight-seeing and shopping purposes. From these types of bookings, which constitute more than 60% of our total bookings, 70% are bow hunts and 30% are rifle hunts.

What must I consider to ensure a successful Safari?

Once your booking is made we will correspond with you regarding everything you need to know to make your Safari a success. That ranges from vaccinations, medications, equipment, clothing, rifle import permits, bow and rifle setup requirements and recommendations, your food and beverage requirements etc.

Will there be enough time on Safari for some sight-seeing and shopping?

Yes. Our suggested period of days accounts for shopping and sight-seeing days. We acknowledge your expectations of a vacation combined with a hunting safari. We also realize that everybody is not that fortunate to book a trip to Africa every year. Therefore, we do our best to offer you as much of an African experience we can whilst you are our guests.

I have read a lot about the Kruger National Park. Would we have opportunity to visit the Park?

Extra days will have to be set aside for a visit to the Park. The Park constitutes the Eastern border of South Africa next to Mozambique, covers millions of acres of untamed bush and is home to the Big six and a wide variety of plains game species.

We recommend at least 2 evenings in the Park. Based on your hunting requirements, we will suggest the number of days you have to book with us should you require a visit to the Park. Please note that the rates at the Park do not align with our daily rates, so we will quote you specifically for the Park visit.

Do you recommend a visit to the Kruger National Park?

Yes. During your hunting days you might experience some of the Big Six and plains game (depending on your specific package). Yet, if you want to increase your changes of getting close to the big ones, it is recommended.

I am an avid bowhunter and want to hunt to a bowhunting specialist in South Africa.

Patrick and his team of Professional Hunters are all specialist bowhunters and competition archers. In fact, a large percentage of our concessions are bowhunting only concession. This combination of concessions and Professional Hunters skilled to assist you all the way in picking the right spot, will ensure your best success of bagging that dream buck.

I want to hunt big game. What are the dangers involved?

We offer big game bow- and riflehunting safaris throughout the year. Yes, hunting big game is always dangerous with inherent risks attached. From our side, we can offer our guarantee of years’ big game hunting experience and adequate skill to back you up in a dangerous scenario. You are and will remain our top priority throughout, meaning we would always risk our own lives to ensure your well being.

If you were to suggest one rifle to bring with on Safari, what will it be?

The old-time all-rounder .375 H&H. This rifle is slow enough for the small species not to create any damage to the cape, whereas it is big enough for our large and big game alike. Depending on your species requirements, we will suggest the grains of bullets and the amount of cartridges you will require in the solid and soft categories.

If you were to suggest a particular all-rounder bow setup for the Safari, what will it be?

A difficult question to answer, because it largely depends on your personal preferences and also the game you are going to hunt. A 60 – 70 lb. draw weight and a 500 gr. arrow is more than adequate to hunt up to our large game category of species – that is, most of our plains game. Hunting big game, there is a sliding scale that we recommend based on the specie.

Any broadhead design will be adequate, although mechanical broadheads are not allowed to hunt with in South Africa.

How do you conduct bowhunting safaris?

Mostly from blinds (ranging from pit blinds to elevated hides), and for the client who prefers, walk-and-stalk hunting. Most shots are up to 40 yards, with a mean of 25 yards.

I want my teenage children and spouse to accompany me as hunters. Is that possible?

Pretty much so. We believe not only in killing, but actually in educating prospective future hunters about African hunting. We have had kids of various ages and woman hunting with our Professional Hunters and being very successful. For the first-timer, we spend extra effort to accustom the person to the bow/rifle, making sure he/she is absolutely comfortable with the weapon. After that, we offer the person a comprehensive shooting form course to ensure the shot in the bush will be a clean kill. We have all the patience in the world to ensure the best experience for the first time hunter – an experience that will set the foundations of his/her future hunting sport.

My family does not want to hunt. What can you offer them whilst I am in the bush?

Usually most of the concessions where we hunt offer swimming pools, games rooms, game drives, walking safaris etc. for observers. Other activities include spa treatments or any of the activities listed under our add-on section.

 

I've learned that traveling between concessions can be quite tiring and time-consuming. Are there any alternatives?

Yes. First of all you do not have to travel by vehicle. Mugaba Safaris offers you personal charters for all your traveling needs between concessions. For this, we have standing contracts with fixed wing and helicopter charter companies that does all our charter flights.

How do I pay for extra expenses, such as during a shopping excursion?

Most of the vendors in South Africa do not accept dollars. For this reason, we usually pay for your purchases in Rands and add this, based on the exchange rate on the day you reconcile your check, to your final account.

Do you offer customer-credit?

No. Safaris must be fully paid-up on the day of departure.

What are the regulations in South Africa with regards to hunting CITES listed animals?

Submit you required list of species and we will inform you whether you have to apply for any permits in you home country. We see to the permits on our side. If something can not be hunted bound by regulation, we will inform you timeously.

What is your policy regarding tips?

It remains your choice whether you want to tip any staff members, professional hunter, trackers, skinners etc. Tips are always appreciated. We have a very strong policy regarding bribery though which is not tolerated under any circumstances.