Archery Hunting...Safari

[tim.buffington]

Has anyone done a true spot and stalk archery safari in Africa? Interested in going, but have never been to Africa...Yet! Would love to hear of your experiences, who and where, to do and not to do's, etc.

 

[Pete Correale]

Book a trip to crusaders through FE Outrider, you can spot and stalk til' your hearts delight. Frederick Hammer is a awesome, Bow hunting PH as well as Dave De Coning.

 

[Pete Correale]

This was at Crusaders… Lechwe make for a great spot and stalk hunt…

 

[mr.brown6708]

Yes, I did, brother — and it was incredible.


We booked with Avula Safaris, which operates multiple lodges across Africa at varying comfort levels. Since my wife joined me, comfort was non-negotiable, so we stayed at the Broadhead Luxury Lodge. It’s a bowhunter-focused lodge, and that was obvious right away — from the way the blinds were designed to how knowledgeable the PHs were when it came time to track an arrow.


I spot-and-stalked four of the five animals I harvested. The only one I took from a blind was my Gemsbok. While the ground blinds were excellent, I couldn’t quiet the urge to get out and chase game on foot — channeling a bit of Teddy Roosevelt in wild country. Some of the blinds are hard-shell and dug into the ground, giving you more space and better clearance for drawing your bow. Others were elevated, similar to the Redneck-style blinds we use here in the States. The ground setups are solid if that’s your preference, but in my opinion, nothing compares to matching wits on foot with animals whose senses far exceed your own — especially in terrain where everything seems designed to poke, hook, or stomp you.


Of course, I ran my bow. A few gear recommendations based on the experience:

1. Tether your handheld release. If you drop it in the bush, it may be gone for good.
2. Practice longer shots (70–90 yards).You may need to take a shot farther than expected. Build enough confidence to execute an ethical shot under pressure at extended distances. For reference, my shots were:
   • Zebra – 83 yards
   • Impala – 75 yards
   • White Blesbok – 66 yards
   • Blue Wildebeest – 85 yards
   • Gemsbok – 22 yards (only animal taken from a blind)
3. Train in the wind. Depending on the season and region, winds can be significant. Learn how your arrow drifts and how to hold steady at full draw.
4. Use a bow sling that protects your strings. Spot-and-stalk often means pushing through thick brush filled with hooked thorns and vegetation that can damage strings and cables.
5. Shoot a well-built arrow and broadhead combo you’ve tested at multiple distances. Know your setup and make sure it’s appropriate for the size and species you’re hunting.
6. Consider carrying a completed 4457 form on your bow case (and a copy inside). It makes things easier if customs needs to contact you or if your bow gets separated during travel.
   
   Large-G5 mega meat Small- Slick Trick

 

[tim.buffington]

Yes, I did, brother — and it was incredible.


We booked with Avula Safaris, which operates multiple lodges across Africa at varying comfort levels. Since my wife joined me, comfort was non-negotiable, so we stayed at the Broadhead Luxury Lodge. It’s a bowhunter-focused lodge, and that was obvious right away — from the way the blinds were designed to how knowledgeable the PHs were when it came time to track an arrow.


I spot-and-stalked four of the five animals I harvested. The only one I took from a blind was my Gemsbok. While the ground blinds were excellent, I couldn’t quiet the urge to get out and chase game on foot — channeling a bit of Teddy Roosevelt in wild country. Some of the blinds are hard-shell and dug into the ground, giving you more space and better clearance for drawing your bow. Others were elevated, similar to the Redneck-style blinds we use here in the States. The ground setups are solid if that’s your preference, but in my opinion, nothing compares to matching wits on foot with animals whose senses far exceed your own — especially in terrain where everything seems designed to poke, hook, or stomp you.


Of course, I ran my bow. A few gear recommendations based on the experience:

1. Tether your handheld release. If you drop it in the bush, it may be gone for good.
2. Practice longer shots (70–90 yards).You may need to take a shot farther than expected. Build enough confidence to execute an ethical shot under pressure at extended distances. For reference, my shots were:
   • Zebra – 83 yards
   • Impala – 75 yards
   • White Blesbok – 66 yards
   • Blue Wildebeest – 85 yards
   • Gemsbok – 22 yards (only animal taken from a blind)
3. Train in the wind. Depending on the season and region, winds can be significant. Learn how your arrow drifts and how to hold steady at full draw.
4. Use a bow sling that protects your strings. Spot-and-stalk often means pushing through thick brush filled with hooked thorns and vegetation that can damage strings and cables.
5. Shoot a well-built arrow and broadhead combo you’ve tested at multiple distances. Know your setup and make sure it’s appropriate for the size and species you’re hunting.
6. Consider carrying a completed 4457 form on your bow case (and a copy inside). It makes things easier if customs needs to contact you or if your bow gets separated during travel.
   
   View attachment 2269View attachment 2270View attachment 2271View attachment 2272 Large-G5 mega meat Small- Slick Trick

Congratulations on a great hunt! well done. What sling set up did you use?

I've booked one in tanzania in '27....hoping to have some pictures as good as yours!

 

[mr.brown6708]

Congratulations on a great hunt! well done. What sling set up did you use?

I've booked one in tanzania in '27....hoping to have some pictures as good as yours!

I am sure you will! Here is the sling- GOHUNT Compound Bow Sling

 

[tim.buffington]

I am sure you will! Here is the sling- GOHUNT Compound Bow Sling

Awesome, i'll look it up!

 

[Sean Molina]

Yes, I did, brother — and it was incredible.


We booked with Avula Safaris, which operates multiple lodges across Africa at varying comfort levels. Since my wife joined me, comfort was non-negotiable, so we stayed at the Broadhead Luxury Lodge. It’s a bowhunter-focused lodge, and that was obvious right away — from the way the blinds were designed to how knowledgeable the PHs were when it came time to track an arrow.


I spot-and-stalked four of the five animals I harvested. The only one I took from a blind was my Gemsbok. While the ground blinds were excellent, I couldn’t quiet the urge to get out and chase game on foot — channeling a bit of Teddy Roosevelt in wild country. Some of the blinds are hard-shell and dug into the ground, giving you more space and better clearance for drawing your bow. Others were elevated, similar to the Redneck-style blinds we use here in the States. The ground setups are solid if that’s your preference, but in my opinion, nothing compares to matching wits on foot with animals whose senses far exceed your own — especially in terrain where everything seems designed to poke, hook, or stomp you.


Of course, I ran my bow. A few gear recommendations based on the experience:

1. Tether your handheld release. If you drop it in the bush, it may be gone for good.
2. Practice longer shots (70–90 yards).You may need to take a shot farther than expected. Build enough confidence to execute an ethical shot under pressure at extended distances. For reference, my shots were:
   • Zebra – 83 yards
   • Impala – 75 yards
   • White Blesbok – 66 yards
   • Blue Wildebeest – 85 yards
   • Gemsbok – 22 yards (only animal taken from a blind)
3. Train in the wind. Depending on the season and region, winds can be significant. Learn how your arrow drifts and how to hold steady at full draw.
4. Use a bow sling that protects your strings. Spot-and-stalk often means pushing through thick brush filled with hooked thorns and vegetation that can damage strings and cables.
5. Shoot a well-built arrow and broadhead combo you’ve tested at multiple distances. Know your setup and make sure it’s appropriate for the size and species you’re hunting.
6. Consider carrying a completed 4457 form on your bow case (and a copy inside). It makes things easier if customs needs to contact you or if your bow gets separated during travel.
   
   View attachment 2269View attachment 2270View attachment 2271View attachment 2272 Large-G5 mega meat Small- Slick Trick

Save some for the rest of us.