Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa South Africa: early April or late August?

I'm planning a 2019 trip to South Africa for my son and me. It will be primarily plains game, and possibly to visit to Kruger.

I need to work around his school schedule. He has a spring break the second week of April that could work. We can also go mid to late August. I've only been in late May and early June.

Which would you prefer: early to mid April, or mid to late August?

August. Without a doubt.Cooler weather, animals move more.

A lot will depend on what you are selecting to go after as your primary animal (s). Some animals like to hang out in the brush, others in hillsides and some in the open savannas. So check with your outfitter or PH’s as to what he recommends. If you check with three or more different outfitters/PH, you will get a feel for whom you may select to go with.

Marius would be a good person to ask your questions.

April you will find more green vegetation and it could be more difficult to spot animals. While it is warmer and you may like that. With the warm weather, you will have ticks everywhere and you will need to be mindful of that. I have done April and treated my clothing and that did the tricks on ticks and helped with the fly’s.

August, you will find less vegetation and cooler temperatures, therefore warmer clothing including a jacket will be in order. I have done August and a light jacket was needed in the morning and evenings while sitting in a blind for bush pig.

I'm planning on heading over there the last 2 weeks of August for a Cape buffalo & tiger fishing. I'll let you know in a few months.

I've been in April - it's warm. August is better. Saw snow inn July once!

I have made 4 trips to the African continent, specifically Namibia and S.A., in late August. Temperatures are usually very good, although I have seen extremes as high as 104 degrees, and as low as below freezing in the mornings. Just plan on some clothes layering and you will be fine.

August

Well. I've been three times before and -- August 7-18, 2018 for me and the missus this time around. (Right now they're killing cobras in the front yard!)

I’ve made 3 trips in late April or May. The kudu are rutting as are the impala. As mentioned above ticks can be nasty and although not peak snake season they are around.

I would check with your PH for the final word.

Thanks for the feedback. I think we will be better off planning an August trip.

Airfare in August could be considerably higher than in April. Could be significant savings travelling in April. Use the savings for more animals.

Just so you know if you're hunting the northern or Limpopo province the rain will not be over by a long shot. One day of hard rain will screw with hunting because of impassable muddy flooded roads in many places. The game shuts down too. Limited movement when everything is wet. Once water is everyplace normal drinking patterns, hence movement between waterholes change considerably as well.

April is not a good choice to risk the anticipation of this trip. If it rains and it likely can that time of the year it will be a less than successful trip for you. Any time after May 5-10 is a better less rainy season through September. After Sept the likelihood of rain increases through the hot months. I do not book a hunt in April without covering this in great detail with the hunters. Many only have this as an option and accept the risk.

I am living in South Africa in Mpumalanga and would rather consider April before August. August is normally very windy, therefore if you plan to shoot plains ( Blesbuck/ Springbuck) you will have a very good chance of shooting in 20 m/h ( 30km/h ) winds at 250+ M. April is normally warm with day tempretures reaching high 20's deg C.
If you planning any Bushveld hunts you have an increased chance of snakes in the veld in April.
To get the most out of a trip rather aim for June / July.
My 2C......enjoy your trip, make the most out of your trip and go to Kruger Park (Lowveld), Table mountain in Cape Town and try to Hunt the plains and bushveld.
Nice places ( Combination of Mix) where you can hunt is Pongola Game reserve (Natal Bushveld) and Rhino Lodge( Highveld plains). Both places offer great service....I am taking my 7 year old on her first hunt to Pongla in June.
Enjoy your trip...

I like to go to Africa when the snake's aren't out!!!

As a local hunter, I will always choose April/May. Remember that the local hunters make up more than 90% of game hunted in a calendar year in S-Africa. Traditionally hunting season starts in April/May and ends in Aug/Sept. So when you arrive in Aug, I think it is fair to assume, the best animals(of that season) have been harvested(either by locals, or overseas hunters). The rest of the game, normally are excessively "skittish" from being exposed to all the hunters, come Aug.

Just some local input

I have seen Puff adders in the dead of cold in Africa, both in my army days as well as out hunting. In Limpopo, the very "fun loving'' Black Mamba is spotted all year. However snakebites are very very rare among local hunters.

I’m headed to South Africa in August. Our trip is set. We leave for South Africa August 9th and return home the 22nd. We will be plains game hunting. I prefer colder weather. So should be a great time for me.
1st time to South Africa for me. Working on the air fair at this time..

Brian