SOUTH AFRICA: Has Anyone Hunted With Settlers Safaris?

[MJ75]

Posting on behalf of a friend. Does anyone have any experience of this South African outfit, Settlers Safaris? He's considering a hunt with them Feedback either on here or by PM would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance
MJ

 

[Bobpuckett]

Mj wish I could help you out I've taken a look at there website and it looks pretty good But I've never heard of them I'll email a frind of mine that lives near Grahamstown and see if he's ever hunted or heard of them. Bob

 

[MJ75]

Well the friend has talked me into going with them next year, so I should be able to give feedback and a hunting report next june. The UK agent has been exceptionally helpful so far and I have received good feedback from another forum, so I'm hoping my experience will be as good.

 

[Tracker49]

I hunted with Settlers in April, we had a great time, got all the animals that we were after. I had prior experience with the owner (Murray Crous) in 2009 when he was filling in as a PH for another outfitter, so planning for this hunt was a no-brainer and went directly with Murray and Settlers. Murray is strictly on his own now and is running a top notch (in my opinion) outfit, from facitities, equipment, personnel and game available. So far I've taken the following animals with Murray or one of his PH's: Blue Wildebeest, Impala, Blesbuck, Kudu, Bushbuck, Warthog, Springbuck, Nyala, Red Hartebeest and Black Wildebeest.

 

[Tracker49]

I hunted with Settlers in April, we had a great time, got all the animals that we were after. I had prior experience with the owner (Murray Crous) in 2009 when he was filling in as a PH for another outfitter, so planning for this hunt was a no-brainer and went directly with Murray and Settlers. Murray is strictly on his own now and is running a top notch (in my opinion) outfit, from facitities, equipment, personnel and game available. So far I've taken the following animals with Murray or one of his PH's: Blue Wildebeest, Impala, Blesbuck, Kudu, Bushbuck, Warthog, Springbuck, Nyala, Red Hartebeest and Black Wildebeest.

I forgot to add that they have three lodges now (only two are shown on the website). They added another lodge/area west of Grahamstown. The name of this one is Normandale. Murray completely remodeled this lodge after he recently bought it and just started using it this year. We toured this facility on our way to another area for Black Wildebeest. The Normandale lodge has a main lodge with the hunters staying in individual cabins. There is one bedroon for hunters in the main building but most stay in the private cabins. We stayed at the Bushmans Gorge (home) lodge on this trip.

 

[daved]

Murray runs a good honest operation. Don't hesitate to book with him. a good time guaranteed.
regards
Dave

 

[Moe324]

I recently hunted with them. The lodge, food, staff, and game was excellent. I was successful in taking blue duiker with dogs, caracal with dogs, vaal rhebuck, mountain reedbuck, lechwe, waterbuck, black springbok, white springbok, and another caracal while night hunting. Even got a bonus springhare. My pH was Charl. But the whole team at Settlers is fantastic. Will definitely return.

 

[Novice Huntress]

Moe324, may sound a strange question, was CHARL the PH very tall??

 

[Moe324]

Moe324, may sound a strange question, was CHARL the PH very tall??

I'm 6'2" and he was probably under 5'11 for sure. I had hunted with Charl before in 2017 when he was a PH at another place. He's now only at Settlers. Great guy and even better PH.

 

[Novice Huntress]

Hi Moe324, thanks for that, we obviously hunted with another "CHARL", we hunted at Settlers in 2019 and partly in 22, we had a very memorable time!!!
Yes I would recommend Settlers. Safaris to anyone considering trying them,
Pls message if anyone wants any further info.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Well the friend has talked me into going with them next year, so I should be able to give feedback and a hunting report next june. The UK agent has been exceptionally helpful so far and I have received good feedback from another forum, so I'm hoping my experience will be as good.

I'm 6'2" and he was probably under 5'11 for sure. I had hunted with Charl before in 2017 when he was a PH at another place. He's now only at Settlers. Great guy and even better PH.

@MJ75
When in 2025 will you be at Settlers? I should be there around the 3rd week of May for 7 says. We'll Charl Crous, (Murray's cousin) and I will be going on a cow buff hunt. We are planning on trading a few shots between his 458 Lott and My 458WM. But really there to visit with him and his family.

Charl is serious about his hunting. Fun to be around.
_____________________________________________

@Moe324,

Did you hunt with Charl Crous?

I first met Charl C. and his brother(?) or cousin(?) at KUBUSI SAFARIS on my first trip to Africa in 2017.

 

[Moe324]

@MJ75
When in 2025 will you be at Settlers? I should be there around the 3rd week of May for 7 says. We'll Charl Crous, (Murray's cousin) and I will be going on a cow buff hunt. We are planning on trading a few shots between his 458 Lott and My 458WM. But really there to visit with him and his family.

Charl is serious about his hunting. Fun to be around.
_____________________________________________

@Moe324,

Did you hunt with Charl Crous?

I first met Charl C. and his brother(?) or cousin(?) at KUBUSI SAFARIS on my first trip to Africa in 2017.

Yes I hunted with Charl Crous. I also first hunted with him in 2017. I promised him I would hunt with him again someday. Been to Africa a couple times since but this time I wanted to go back to the Eastern Cape. With the focus on some unique animals. A lot of them being free range animals. Besides buffalo what else are you hunting. I will say the mountain hunting for vaal rhebuck is awesome. Can't go wrong with Charl he's a blast to be around.