Huntshoek Safaris Operates in the captivating and hospitable Eastern Cape province of South Africa, we are proud to present, Huntshoek Lodge and Rockdell Lodge, two distinctive havens to the discerning hunter, the Eastern Cape comes alive with the sights and sounds of nature in its representing seven different biomes of South Africa. Each with their own unique landscape, fauna, and flora. Both Lodges are situated conveniently about an Hour and Half drive from the East London Airport and are about 2 hours drive from each other.
Huntshoek, an African-style Lodge near Grahamstown, embodies the essence of a true safari experience. Nestled in the Eastern Cape’s scenic landscape, it serves as a gateway to the rich cultural heritage of the area.
Rockdell, our newer luxury farm-style Lodge near Stutterheim, promises a retreat that blends opulence with the rustic charm of the surroundings.
Grassland
- Grassland biomes, dominated by grasses with occasional trees on hills and along riverbeds, offer excellent hunting opportunities.
- The South African highveld, known for its expansive grasslands, is a prime hunting area due to its higher altitude and uncultivated terrain.
- Summer rainfall and cold winters with frost create a diverse environment that attracts a variety of game.
- Hunters will find an abundance of grass-eating herbivores such as black wildebeest, blesbok, and eland grazing in these pastures.
- The long grass also attracts rodents, making it an ideal hunting ground for birds of prey and providing opportunities for small game hunting.
Succulent-Karoo
- South Africa’s biomes offer more than just proteas; a variety of flowers can be found across different regions.
- Namaqualand, part of the Succulent Karoo and desert, is renowned for its vibrant floral displays, making it a key destination for hunters seeking a unique outdoor experience.
- The flowering season in Namaqualand is short, lasting just over a month, so timing is crucial for those wanting to witness this natural spectacle.
- Flowers in this region bloom in the morning but close by the afternoon, typically around 4 p.m., adding a unique challenge to timing your outdoor activities.
Nama-Karoo
- The Nama Karoo, South Africa’s second-largest biome, is a semi-desert region with minimal rainfall, creating an arid landscape.
- The harsh terrain supports mainly grassy dwarf shrubs, providing a unique environment for hunting.
- Insects, particularly brown locusts and Karoo caterpillars, are abundant in this biome, attracting insectivorous game.
- During rare rainfalls, there are significant booms in insect populations, which can lead to increased activity among predators, offering prime hunting opportunities.
Fynbos
- Fynbos, the natural vegetation of the Western Cape, thrives in the region’s cold, wet winters and hot, dry summers, creating a unique hunting environment.
- The Western Cape’s fynbos is remarkably diverse, with more botanical species than even the richest tropical rainforests, including the Amazon.
- This biome’s nutrient-poor soils can’t support large herds or big game, but it is ideal for hunting small mammals such as chacma baboons, klipspringers, grysbok, dassies, mongooses, and striped mice.
- The fynbos also hosts a variety of butterflies, reptiles, and amphibians, including the rare geometric tortoise, adding to the rich biodiversity hunters can explore.
Albany Thicket
- In a thicket biome, you’ll encounter dense clusters of short trees intertwined with low-growing shrubs and vines, creating a challenging yet rewarding hunting environment.
- Thickets are common in regions with high rainfall followed by dry spells, preventing them from becoming full forests.
- These dense areas are prime habitats for animals like kudus, monkeys, and bushbuck, offering excellent hunting opportunities.
- If the tight, enclosed nature of a thicket biome feels too confining, South Africa offers other biomes that might better suit your hunting preferences.
Forest
- Forests in South Africa are scattered across the country, varying in rainfall patterns, with some receiving winter rains and others year-round showers.
- Forests are densely packed with trees, including large yellowwoods and over 1,700 other species, providing diverse habitats for wildlife.
- Hunters will find these forests ideal for tracking birds like loeries, eagles, and pigeons, as well as small mammals such as bushpig, bushbuck, and monkeys.
- The abundance of insects supports a rich ecosystem, offering additional hunting opportunities.
- While forests are key to South Africa’s terrain, other biomes like Fynbos add unique diversity to the landscape.
Savannah
- The savannah is South Africa’s largest biome, characterized by sandy plains, thorn trees, and spiky bushes.
- Though it may seem quiet, the savannah is home to Africa’s big game, including lions, elephants, buffalos, and kudus, making it prime hunting territory.
- The vegetation is mainly low-growing thorn trees and bushes, adapted to the hot, dry climate and frequent fires.
- The low annual rainfall limits water availability, favoring grasses and bushes over large trees.
- Key hunting areas in the savannah biome include the western Limpopo, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal.