REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
  "A World in One Country"
  South Africa is noted for its diversity of habitat and wildlife. Because the game in South Africa is privately owned and found on private reserves or National Parks, the variety of species and the amount of game is very great. Several species - such as the Vaal rehbuck, white and black springbuck, bontebok, blesbok, several species of duiker, all of the Cape species and, for all intense and purposes, the nyala - are found only in South Africa and a few game ranches in Namibia.

  Trophy quality on the larger ranches and reserves is also quite good. Some of these areas are immense in size. For example, Pilanesberg National Park - where Coenraad Vermaak conducts safaris - is over 400 square miles and Garry Kelly's private reserve of Bonwa Phala over 100,000 acres. Both Kelly and Vermaak offer over thirty species of game - including the Big Five - in a variety of venues ranging from desert and coastal plains to the snowy peaks of the Drakensberg mountains.

  The hunting areas of South Africa are readily accessible by commercial flights and an excellent highway system, by far the best in Africa. There is also an excellent infrastructure and consumer products are readily available as are electricity and telecommunications. Consequently, camps are very comfortable to luxurious and table fare excellent. Charters are not required. I rate the country one of the most beautiful in the world and - as mentioned - the diversification of from area to area as great as that of the U.S. Many areas such as Cape Town and the fabled Wine Country make excellent side trips for the pleasure for all party members.

  Rates with the better operators in South Africa are not inexpensive, however, since there are no concession or charter fees, hunting is still more reasonable than in many other locals. For example, for Kelly and Vermaak the daily rates run from about $350.00 per day for a plains game hunt to six or seven hundred for a classic big game hunt. Some small operators charge as low as two fifty per day, however, many of the areas hunted are quite small and a variety of ranches and farms must be visited to hunt any variety of game.

  Both of the safari operators I have mentioned - Garry Kelly and Coenraad Vermaak - are true professional hunters not farmers turned guides. Coenraad has been in business thirty years and Garry almost that. Both have very professional organizations, excellent reputations and honest representations of what they offer.

  I highly recommend South Africa for a family safari, or a first time hunt, or a species hunt and a relaxing good time. It would not be my first choice for big game except White rhino. Definitely the place to go for nyala, Vaal rehbuck, Mountain reedbuck, Black and White springbuck, the Cape species, Blue wildebeest, bontebok, blesbok, Red duiker, Blue duiker and some very big waterbuck.

  Here are a few of the prices:

  BONWA PHALA SAFARIS - GARRY KELLY
  DAILY RATE
  Bonwa Phala, Eastern Cape, Zululand: $350.00 to $385.00 1X1 / $300 to $350.00 2X1
  Big Five $575 1X1

  COENRAAD VERMAAK SAFARIS - COENRAAD VERMAAK
  DAILY RATE
  National park, private reserve $675 to $475 1X1 / $575 to $425 2X1
  Big Five $800 to $900 1X1

REPRESENTATIVE TROPHY FEES

Big Five Prices on request, including White rhino
Greater kudu $950 - $1200	Eland $1,750	Gemsbuck $950 - $975
Waterbuck $1,300 - $1,475	Springbuck $500 - $600	Zebra $875 - $900
Nyala $1,300 - $1,500	Wildebeest $735 - $825 depending on species

  *Trophy fees vary between locals as well as between operators, National Parks and private reserves.