Has Anyone Used Safari Taxidermy In Polokwane South Africa

[Ryan]

Interested in any first hand reviews of Safari Taxidermy out of Polokwane RSA. Making plans now, thinking mostly skull mounts plus possibly a single wall pedestal.
Thanks.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Ryan, I used them several years ago. I really liked the two shoulder mounts, but they (as does everyone in Africa) over boiled my skulls and then spray painted the horns. They may do better if you tell them.
If you go to their facility, they do tons of work! Explain to them how you want the skulls and horns done. They were very nice to me, but since then I have been on every taxidermist there and here about not over boiling and over bleaching euro mounts.

 

[Ryan]

Thank you @Ridgewalker. I already have an email out to them to get info. I've read more than one complaint of RSA taxidermists about over boiling. All mine from Namibia were macerated, which seems to be the norm more there. Heck, I checked out a rather shady place (that I avoided) in Outjo while passing through and they even did that instead of boil. Anyway I'll see what they have fo say, not my only option.

 

[TNDave]

I have a good friend who has used them for about 15 years and his house is full of taxidermy, all top notch. They are doing my taxidermy from my first safari and it has just not made it to me yet. I met the owners and had dinner with them last year and they are great people. I will also be using them for next year’s trophies as well. I as well toured the facility and they do a ton of work! Hope this helps.

 

[Ryan]

I have a good friend who has used them for about 15 years and his house is full of taxidermy, all top notch. They are doing my taxidermy from my first safari and it has just not made it to me yet. I met the owners and had dinner with them last year and they are great people. I will also be using them for next year’s trophies as well. I as well toured the facility and they do a ton of work! Hope this helps.

Any chance some of those are skull mounts and the shipment will be arriving soon?

 

[AZDAVE]

I have used them 2 times and am very happy with the results from our first trip and we take delivery of the 2018 safari mounts in a little over a week. They are very easy to work with and answer emails promptly.

 

[CAustin]

Interested in any first hand reviews of Safari Taxidermy out of Polokwane RSA. Making plans now, thinking mostly skull mounts plus possibly a single wall pedestal.
Thanks.

I have never used them but have used Capricorn Taxidermist owned by Mike Smith out of Polokwane six times. In all that one mistake which was corrected.

 

[Ryan]

I have never used them but have used Capricorn Taxidermist owned by Mike Smith out of Polokwane six times. In all that one mistake which was corrected.

Thanks, they are on my list of options.

 

[Mekaniks]

@Ryan have you considered just dip, pack and ship and have them mounted in Anc? Knights handled the import paperwork and completed the taxidermy for me and it worked well.

 

[Ryan]

@ Mechanix I personally prefer to use a taxidermist over there. Clearing Customs and Wildlife on fully finished work is pretty easy to do here, most people do it themselves.

If I did it here I would use the guy I normally use for local animals, but he was backed up to two years last I used him for a javelina. I would only use Knight's to clear and dip swine for that guy since they are currently the only ones in the entire state who can do that. I personally know of at least two dissatisfied customers of their work. One got a different chamois back than he turned in (showed me the photos, different curve to the horns and shading on the head). Amazingly, he still uses them. The other friend will go into a raging fit about them. Really not any different than a few stories of taxidermists over there.

 

[WAB]

I have not. I have had great luck with Nico van Rooyen which I believe is relatively close.

 

[Ryan]

@WAB I won't say they are out of the realm of possibilities. But according to their website they are in Pretoria, so at least 4 hours south of the area. Marakalalo down in Bloemfontein also comes well recommended by @Hogpatrol. But for now I'm checking out the ones close to the area.

 

[TNDave]

Any chance some of those are skull mounts and the shipment will be arriving soon?

3 of my mounts are skull mounts. We just got an email from them that out taxidermy is pretty much finished but they are having permitting issues from the Free State for some of my friend’s trophies. We will hopefully have everything sometime after the new year.

 

[AZDAVE]

We have two skull mounts coming in the shipment that will be delivered next week. and had two done from our 2015 safari.

 

[Ryan]

We have two skull mounts coming in the shipment that will be delivered next week. and had two done from our 2015 safari.

The skulls from 2015 are in good shape? Not painted?

 

[cpr0312]

I've not used the one in question but have used Capricorn in Polokwane with good results.

 

[AZDAVE]

The skulls are in good shape, they did put a white coating on the skulls themselves.

 

[WAB]

@WAB I won't say they are out of the realm of possibilities. But according to their website they are in Pretoria, so at least 4 hours south of the area. Marakalalo down in Bloemfontein also comes well recommended by @Hogpatrol. But for now I'm checking out the ones close to the area.

Gotcha, they must have moved since I used them.

 

[Ryan]

Gotcha, they must have moved since I used them.

I'll send them an email, perhaps they still do work up there too. Can't hurt to ask.

 

[Ty Howard]

Safari is handling our dip and pack
They are shipping early January