Best time of year to go?

[wildfowler.250]

Folks, just curious on what you think is the best time to hunt SA? The outfitter had suggested either Jan or May being the best for kudu? I’m assuming Jan the bulls are not split up so easier to choose? Or May because maybe less cover? Which would you go for?

I assume the mosquitoes will be just as bad either month? I get pretty bad reactions but that’s something I’m going to have to deal with for the greater goal..


Thanks!

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Folks, just curious on what you think is the best time to hunt SA? The outfitter had suggested either Jan or May being the best for kudu? I’m assuming Jan the bulls are not split up so easier to choose? Or May because maybe less cover? Which would you go for?

I assume the mosquitoes will be just as bad either month? I get pretty bad reactions but that’s something I’m going to have to deal with for the greater goal..


Thanks!

Well personally, living in Phoenix, I have no use for hunting when it's hot. That rules January right out. Besides that's the rainy season.

May would not be a bad choice, it will be cooler then, well into the RSA autumn. But if the rains run long, you could still be fighting muddy roads. The kudu rut will be coming on the later you get in May and then it comes on in June.

Personally my favorite months are June - August, these are the coolest months. September can start to get warm but not bad. I've hunted there first two weeks of October. It was definitely getting warm then, but wasn't too bad.

Just because I hate the heat, from mid-October and thru their summer is out. And as mentioned even as late as May you can be fighting rain.

 

[375Fox]

He suggested May because of kudu rut. January would likely be some local condition specific to the outfitter you are speaking with. Most outfitters don’t suggest that timeframe. May should be cool and dry with very few mosquitoes. January will likely be warm and green with some rain and mosquitoes. Without more detail on his January hunts I’d tell you to go in May during the rut.

 

[Duke1966]

Folks, just curious on what you think is the best time to hunt SA? The outfitter had suggested either Jan or May being the best for kudu? I’m assuming Jan the bulls are not split up so easier to choose? Or May because maybe less cover? Which would you go for?

I assume the mosquitoes will be just as bad either month? I get pretty bad reactions but that’s something I’m going to have to deal with for the greater goal..


Thanks!

My PH suggested June for Kudu...so that's when I'm going

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

If your outfitter is suggesting January, I'd suggest finding a new outfitter.

May thru Sept is good.

 

[375Fox]

If your outfitter is suggesting January, I'd suggest finding a new outfitter.

May thru Sept is good.

There was a very interesting offer posted on another forum for January kudu hunts. Apparently the kudu in that area congregate in groups in the agriculture and you can select some really nice bulls to take in that area. I spoke to the booking agent for that hunt at DSC and that outfitter fills all the spaces for his hunts in that time frame and are really successful on multiple big kudu bulls during a hunt in the January/February timeframe. I thought it was a really unique opportunity, especially for hunters that live where it’s cold and miserable that time of year.

 

[Rare Breed]

Folks, just curious on what you think is the best time to hunt SA? The outfitter had suggested either Jan or May being the best for kudu? I’m assuming Jan the bulls are not split up so easier to choose? Or May because maybe less cover? Which would you go for?

I assume the mosquitoes will be just as bad either month? I get pretty bad reactions but that’s something I’m going to have to deal with for the greater goal..


Thanks!

no mosquitos in SA. I personally love July as it is in there dead of winter

 

[Red Leg]

January !!!!!!!!!

 

[Red Leg]

Could be. Though in the right area, I have never had a problem seeing or shooting good kudu in July or August.

Like at @PHOENIX PHIL I grew up in hot country - South Louisiana and now live in Central Texas. I do not go to Southern Africa to be miserable. Plus you will have to dodge all those bugs and ole Jake No Shoulders.

 

[Neil Molendyk]

I've been to Namibia and into Botswana and Zimbabwe in June, adjacent to KNP in June, northern Limpopo in June, and at the Eastern Cape in late November. Mosquitos, what mosquitos. If hunting game was as plentiful as the mosquitos, on all three occasions, I would have come home empty handed. Try central Alberta or better yet, Yellowknife NWT in June if you want mosquitos. As for hunting Kudu, as June is mid winter in RSA, there typically is less leaf cover then, depending upon the local rain. It should be easier to spot them then.

 

[Ridge Runner]

I will go along with what the others have suggested, last 2 weeks of May and most of June for the kudu rut if your hunting in the East Cape, RSA.

Of my three trips only on my first trip I only seen 3 mosquitoes plastered to the bath area wall either because they were to cold to move, or they were still awaiting clearance for take off from PE ATC.

Happy hunting and please share your hunting experience.

 

[wildfowler.250]

Well personally, living in Phoenix, I have no use for hunting when it's hot. That rules January right out. Besides that's the rainy season.

May would not be a bad choice, it will be cooler then, well into the RSA autumn. But if the rains run long, you could still be fighting muddy roads. The kudu rut will be coming on the later you get in May and then it comes on in June.

Personally my favorite months are June - August, these are the coolest months. September can start to get warm but not bad. I've hunted there first two weeks of October. It was definitely getting warm then, but wasn't too bad.

Just because I hate the heat, from mid-October and thru their summer is out. And as mentioned even as late as May you can be fighting rain.

Thanks! Really appreciated. Is June much drier? Honestly I need to google the weather. I’ve been years deciding I’m going and now going to bite the bullet but no idea what cool is for SA compared to uk!

He suggested May because of kudu rut. January would likely be some local condition specific to the outfitter you are speaking with. Most outfitters don’t suggest that timeframe. May should be cool and dry with very few mosquitoes. January will likely be warm and green with some rain and mosquitoes. Without more detail on his January hunts I’d tell you to go in May during the rut.

Well I was leaning away from Jan anyway because I thought it would be too green. Possibly last week of May makes sense then? Are they like deer where if you’re after the rut it goes rubbish for a while. Certainly our roe bucks all but disappear for a month to recharge after.

My PH suggested June for Kudu...so that's when I'm going

Seems to be the trend on here!

If your outfitter is suggesting January, I'd suggest finding a new outfitter.

May thru Sept is good.

Well it was Jan or May so possibly go for May

There was a very interesting offer posted on another forum for January kudu hunts. Apparently the kudu in that area congregate in groups in the agriculture and you can select some really nice bulls to take in that area. I spoke to the booking agent for that hunt at DSC and that outfitter fills all the spaces for his hunts in that time frame and are really successful on multiple big kudu bulls during a hunt in the January/February timeframe. I thought it was a really unique opportunity, especially for hunters that live where it’s cold and miserable that time of year.

Can I ask who the outfitter was? It sounds very similar as it’s free range kudu on cattle farms and they’re in bigger groups in that time of year. I’m inclined to go when it’s cooler but they did suggest Jan as kudu were one of my main ones.

no mosquitos in SA. I personally love July as it is in there dead of winter

They’ll find me! How does the winter shape up? Cold and dry?

Could be. Though in the right area, I have never had a problem seeing or shooting good kudu in July or August.

Like at @PHOENIX PHIL I grew up in hot country - South Louisiana and now live in Central Texas. I do not go to Southern Africa to be miserable. Plus you will have to dodge all those bugs and ole Jake No Shoulders.

Seems like everyone picks mid winter which is interesting

I've been to Namibia and into Botswana and Zimbabwe in June, adjacent to KNP in June, northern Limpopo in June, and at the Eastern Cape in late November. Mosquitos, what mosquitos. If hunting game was as plentiful as the mosquitos, on all three occasions, I would have come home empty handed. Try central Alberta or better yet, Yellowknife NWT in June if you want mosquitos. As for hunting Kudu, as June is mid winter in RSA, there typically is less leaf cover then, depending upon the local rain. It should be easier to spot them then.

June seems to be the month to go. Really kudu nyala springbok and impala are my main ones. Certainly less cover for the first two may help. Did think going ‘earlier’ in the season might give you more choice though

I will go along with what the others have suggested, last 2 weeks of May and most of June for the kudu rut if your hunting in the East Cape, RSA.

Of my three trips only on my first trip I only seen 3 mosquitoes plastered to the bath area wall either because they were to cold to move, or they were still awaiting clearance for take off from PE ATC.

Happy hunting and please share your hunting experience.

How cold are we talking? If guide is suggesting May, if I went tail end / last week, would that seem reasonable? Otherwise better to tip over into June than early May?

 

[Drywaller44]

I went the first week of May to the eastern cape of South Africa last year. I hit the beginning of the rut for kudu, warthog and impala. It was a lot of fun watching these animals in rut and we saw a ton of kudu bulls. Temperature was 45 in the mornings and 75 in the afternoons. No rain while I was there and the bugs weren’t a problem. I’d think by mid May you’d be right in the middle of the kudu rut for the eastern cape, not sure if it differs with other regions of South Africa.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Thanks! Really appreciated. Is June much drier? Honestly I need to google the weather. I’ve been years deciding I’m going and now going to bite the bullet but no idea what cool is for SA compared to uk!

Well I was leaning away from Jan anyway because I thought it would be too green. Possibly last week of May makes sense then? Are they like deer where if you’re after the rut it goes rubbish for a while. Certainly our roe bucks all but disappear for a month to recharge after.

Seems to be the trend on here!

Well it was Jan or May so possibly go for May

Can I ask who the outfitter was? It sounds very similar as it’s free range kudu on cattle farms and they’re in bigger groups in that time of year. I’m inclined to go when it’s cooler but they did suggest Jan as kudu were one of my main ones.

They’ll find me! How does the winter shape up? Cold and dry?

Seems like everyone picks mid winter which is interesting

June seems to be the month to go. Really kudu nyala springbok and impala are my main ones. Certainly less cover for the first two may help. Did think going ‘earlier’ in the season might give you more choice though


How cold are we talking? If guide is suggesting May, if I went tail end / last week, would that seem reasonable? Otherwise better to tip over into June than early May?

For the East Cape and going in May- June your packing list should include:

Pair of shorts x 2, if you like to wear shorts.
Long sleeve shirts...roll the sleeves up when it gets warm; roll the sleeves down as the weather cools/gets cold.
Long pants preferably jeans/denim
Sweater wool or fleece
Mid weight jacket...gore tex for rain and when needed layer over sweater
Cold weather-winter coat
Long sleeve T-shirts
Base layer...Long John's
Hand & Body warmers....if not needed leave with PH and/or tracker
Wool socks warmth and moisture wicking
Ball cap
Fleece Bakalav or wool toboggan
Ankle high footwear, boots, or gaters to cover your ankles to protect against jumping cacti. Preferably soft sole for quieter approach on shale covered ground

Weather to expect:

Calm sunny and warm spring to rainy, extremely cold and extremely windy frosty winter....all in one day. Or at least during your stay.

Notes:

Okay,....technically it did snow twice. However, the snow showers were very brief, lasted maybe 20 to 30 minutes, and it was very fine, tiny flakes with no accumulation. And yes, this was in the valley, lower elevations.

You want to be able to layer clothing as needed; when needed.

Temps:

-32° C morning to guessing 70° F by 1:00-2:00pm then quickly starts cooling down.
Temps vary not only by the hour but also by the day....or days. And by your location.....I am only describing my experiences in the Grahamstown area in the East Cape.

The same year I saw snow flakes in the East Cape. I was wearing shorts and light clothing in Zimbabwe, 11 days later in the East Cape my first 2 days I wore light clothing. Throughout the next 10 days I went from wearing moderate warmer clothing to layered winter clothing, the twelfth day, deperture day, the weather was sunny, warm and nice to wear light clothing for my return trip to the US.

Hope this helps.

 

[Doug3006]

Since you mentioned mosquitoes…..beware of the pepper ticks year round. I hunted in Limpopo in June. I’ve never seen a”Tickier “ place. We used Sawyers Pyrethrum spray and it killed them by the hundreds. I brushed the dead ones off my pants most days when we’d stop for a break. However, washing the clothes quickly diminished its effectiveness. I got bit by only 2 or 3 and contracted tick bite fever. No fun navigating JNB with fever, body aches and feeling nauseous! Just apply it every other day and you’ll be fine. Good luck on your safari!

 

[375Fox]

Well I was leaning away from Jan anyway because I thought it would be too green. Possibly last week of May makes sense then? Are they like deer where if you’re after the rut it goes rubbish for a while. Certainly our roe bucks all but disappear for a month to recharge after.

Can I ask who the outfitter was? It sounds very similar as it’s free range kudu on cattle farms and they’re in bigger groups in that time of year. I’m inclined to go when it’s cooler but they did suggest Jan as kudu were one of my main ones.

I’ve only done two kudu rut hunts. Definitely a lot more movement and sightings during rut, but I would not say they are like deer where they just completely disappear post rut. I’ve never not taken a kudu on a hunt I wanted one. If you could go end of May that would likely be ideal for kudu plus general plains game. The January hunt sounds like a kudu targeted hunt. I spoke with hunters networks at show but I believe he’s representing aloe Africa Safaris based on comments I saw on other forum.