South African rock pigeon shooting 2024
Rock pigeons are found in astounding numbers throughout the Free State in South Africa, the Rock Pigeon (or ‘African grey Grouse’) is a fantastically exciting pigeon to shoot! These flighty erratic rock pigeons dive and twist with displays of acrobatics at speeds of 80 mph, challenging to even the absolute best of game shots. South African rock pigeons are utterly unique, like no other bird you could shoot anywhere else in the World, considered the ultimate challenge in the world of pigeon shooting.
Driven Pigeon Shooting In South Africa rock pigeon numbers peak at Easter, making the last two weeks of March and the first two weeks of April the best time for high volume, driven pigeon shooting in southern Africa.
The southern African Rock Pigeon is not a “game bird”, nor is it a Dove, but a pigeon with incredible speed and airborne agility, enabling rock pigeons to out-jinx any situation. South African rock pigeons make driven red Grouse shooting look decidedly easy in comparison!
Popular inhabited regions for South African rock pigeon shooting, are primarily mixed crop farming areas with nearby mountain ranges and cities, these hunting areas are also particularly rich in Upland game birds & waterfowl.
Southern African rock pigeons and mixed Upland game and waterfowl shooting.
Your shooting skills will be tested by rock pigeons shot over sunflower stubble fields, using decoys and walked-up Duck and Snipe in marshlands. The best South African rock pigeon shooting is March and April for high-volume rock pigeon hunts; however, the best Game Bird shooting opportunities are from 1st June to 15th September, which coincides with the open season in the Free State of South Africa.
The absolute best time of year to shoot South African rock pigeons over decoys, combined with Upland game birds and waterfowl, then August and September are prime months.
Wingshooting rock pigeon hunts are social occasions, combining friends and family, ideal group sizes 4 to 8 people. Four Season Rock pigeon shooting holidays can personally bespoke your South African rock pigeon shooting trip to suit any team, however…our most popular wing shooting packages are listed above on the South Africa web page.
South African pigeon shooting 2024
South African rates for rock pigeon shooting
Duration
6 Days - 6 Nights
Package price
GBP £1170
Quarry
rock pigeons
Country
South Africa
group size
1-8
Destination
johannesburg
UK Departure
heathrow
accommodation
Farm Lodge
Food & Drink
all inclusive
seasons
March-August
South African rock pigeon shooting package prices and rates 2024
- South African rock pigeon shooting- £1170 includes 2 half & 5 Full days / 6 nights accommodation all meals and drinks inclusive. This price does not include any ammunition or Gun hire.
- Observer Price: £90 per night.
- Flights Return: LHR to JNB £630 to £840 per person-(Economy class) prices fluctuate.
- Option (A) Airport Transfer by 4X4 Return: Johannesburg to lodge £250 (minimum of 3 people per transfer.)
- OR
- Option (B) Flights JNB to BFN return £250 including Airport Transfer by 4X4 Bloemfontein to lodge return.
- Cartridges: £400 per 1000 Trap 7.5 / 28 gram = £10 per box 25 cartridges (pigeon & dove shooting only)
- Gun Hire, Beretta, A400, Semi-auto: £100 for 5 days
- Quarry: Rock pigeons & collared doves only.
- The prices shown above! Are accumulated here and shown in option A & B for (BUDGETING-PURPOSES-ONLY) (A)£2'875 or (B) £2’875 including Hunting, Gun Hire, 1000 cartridges, accommodation & flights from LHR and Airport Transfers.
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Dates Dep:- Virgin Atlantic - Saturday - LHR to JNB - 21:50- 10:55 (+1 ) VS449
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Dates Dep:- British Airways - Saturday - LHR to JNB - 18:20 - 07:25 (+1) BA55. -
Dates Rtn: Virgin Atlantic- Saturday JNB- LHR 19:55- 0520 (+1) -VS450
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Dates Rtn: British Airways - Saturday JNB - LHR - 20:15 - 05:30 (+1 ) -BA56 - Places available: minimum group size 4 - Maximum 8 hunters at the lodge - Individual hunters welcome.
- Hunting area's: Johannesburg to Bloemfontein in the Free State South Africa.
- Map it
Overview: South African Rock pigeon hunting description
Sunflowers rustle in the light South African warm winds that blows directly in your face, you can feel the warmth, even though the sun has only just risen in the African sky, you can feel the heat building throughout the morning. The camouflage netting blind in which you stay hidden makes you invisible to oncoming rock pigeons, with a shouted warning “no sudden movements”, absolute essential when shooting South African rock pigeon.
The Warm wind gusts, a shout out, ‘coming over at, 12 o’clock’, you look hard into the South African blue sky, way off in the distance grey specks appear in coveys of 30 to 70 rock pigeons, riding on the inward winds. Rock pigeons are coming in straight at you, upon the first shot being fired, from high above the south African scorched earth, rock pigeons descend whiffling down to head height, hugging the contours, skimming across the tops of the sunflower fields in front of you, south African rock pigeons are now 100 yards off your position, fast paste coveys of rock pigeons approach you’re blind, your presence has not been detected.
slow gun and body movement is crucial, it is imperative you stay concealed, with deliberate focused intent, you address the rock pigeon covey with your gun barrel, you are certain the first pack you have pictured in your mind’s eye, two pegs to your right a shot is fired by a neighbouring gun, falling rock pigeons Causing your covey of pigeons to starburst right in front of you, catching you off guard, with your gun barrels left pointing into blue sky, the sound of wings cutting through the air is loud and intense, evasive action was taken by the rock pigeons, down the gun line each side of you, gunshots ring out, frantic swinging of barrels is all that can be seen as the packs of ‘rock pigeons’ head to sunflower block to the rear of the field.
Southern Africa has become a popular hunting destination on the dark continent. with an abundance of bird species available for hunting, with a plethora of hunting experiences available, affordability and great infrastructure all culminate to a world-class southern African wing-shooting rock pigeon destination. our farm lodges are easily accessible via OR Tambo Johannesburg International airport or Bloemfontein Airport, you should take this into consideration as part of the appeal in choosing southern Africa for your Rock pigeon shooting holiday.
Four Seasons shooting specialise particularly in wing shooting in Southern Africa, increased popularity over the last two decades, amongst wing shooters headed to the dark continent, testing their shotgun skills. From one end of the Free State to the other rock pigeon shooters can find more than twenty varied species of game bird shooting.
We are extremely excited to announce Four Seasons South African rock pigeon shooting hunts, are world-class experts on South African Rock Pigeons.
Four seasons can offer you a truly unforgettable experience, tailored specifically for each client’s pleasure!
Southern Africa is especially great for partners or observers, such a wealth of local highlights is available to enjoy, from horseback riding to safaris or go exploring the nearby towns and cities.
The south African Rock Pigeon is an unbelievably exciting bird to shoot! These flighty rock pigeons, turn and dive at speeds of 80 mph, making them a challenge for even the most skilful of shots. They truly are like no other pigeon you have shot anywhere in the world – considered by experts as being the most challenging pigeon on the planet! The reason this quarry is so popular with hunters around the globe, and the Free State in South Africa, can only be attributed to rock pigeons incredible combination of high speed manoeuvres, coupled with their abundance throughout the Free State which allows easy pursuit when decoying rock pigeons.
South African rock pigeons are a wing shooter’s dream come true. They are fast, agile, and skilful in flight – using automatic shotguns! These birds will challenge even the most experienced pigeon shooters all day long; there is not much that can match this kind of excitement (unless we count high-speed driven grouse). So, if you need a new challenge in life, then give us call, South African sunflower crops are currently being stripped by these speedy little feathered demons, called “Rock Pigeons.”
The early morning is the best time to shoot because it is cool, and the pigeons are hungry from their cold night on the roost. As you wait for rock pigeons to fly over your blind, other rock pigeon shooters stay hidden! The afternoon brings more activity as flocks of rock pigeons break over a line of bushes one after another like driven red grouse, a challenge that will make a pigeon shooters heart race.
Southern African rock pigeon shooting is a full day of sport, where the excitement and challenging Rock pigeons continue to come until 4 PM. “As the afternoon progresses,” one shooter says, “your skill gets further addressed by sky high rock pigeons returning from the back of the sunflower field.” The pigeon shooters will often take shots at 80+ meters up, but it is very satisfying picking out and killing rock pigeons at such astronomical heights, straightaway another rock pigeon arrives just behind the first rock pigeon you shot, screaming towards you.
Richard Mumford says that the South African Rock Pigeons are one of nature’s fastest flying birds – they can out-jinx any situation with their airborne agility.
What's Included
- £1170 Lodge accommodation for duration 5 days - 6 nights.
- Daily laundry and cleaning service.
- Daily transport to hunting areas.
- All meals throughout the days and evenings.
- Free bar with soft drinks and locally produced beers, wines and spirits.
- Fully guided throughout each day's hunting.
- Free Wi-Fi at the Lodge.
- Government hunting l licenses and fees.
What's NOT Included
- International flights return LHR-JNB economy class from £630-£840 per person.
- Airport transfers Johannesburg to the Lodge return £250 per person (minimum of three people)
- Gun import and export paperwork fee £70 should you wish to bring your own gun. Over & under or side-by-side only. Additional fees and extra time of 12 weeks for semiautomatic shotgun imports.
- Gun hire £100 per five-day hunting week (Beretta A400 extrema) £20 per day for any additional days gun hire.
- Internal flights JNB-BFN return £250 including airport transfer by 4x4 Bloemfontein to the Lodge return. (minimum of three people)
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South African rock pigeon ammunition price:- clay cartridges £10 per box of 25 or £400 per thousand 12 gauge.
Goose shooting ammunition price:- £12 per box of 25 or £480 per thousand for 12 gauge. - Travel insurance and personal shooting liability.
- Observer / companion £90 per day, per person.
South African rock pigeon shooting itinerary
- check-in 3 hours beforehand at terminal 5, London Heathrow at 15:20 for departures to South Africa with BA55
- check-in 4 hours beforehand at terminal 5, London Heathrow at 14:24 departures with a Firearm to South Africa with BA55
- BA 55 departure times 18:20 local time
- BA55 landing at Johannesburg Tambo International Airport at 7:25am local time.
- Four seasons shooting holidays representative will meet you at arrivals and escort you to your airport transfer vehicle to the Lodge, Alternatively should you be carrying a firearm you will be escorted to the local airport SAPS police station on-site at arrivals to complete your import export permit for your firearm taking approximately one hour, you will then be escorted to your overland airport transfer vehicle or internal connecting flight.
- Overland JNB airport to lodge transfer travel time five hours including a 30 minute lunch and toilet break.
- Four seasons Lodge check-in at 1:30 PM accompanied with coffee tea and snacks.
- Evening meal will be served from 7:30 PM
- Drinks served at the bar with open area seating by a traditional log fire till 11 PM
- local goose shooting 6 AM pre-hunt coffee tea and toast in the bar.
- Bloemfontein goose shooting 5 AM pre-hunt coffee tea and toast in the bar.
- Early morning Egyptian goose shooting in South Africa starts at 6:45 AM concluding at 9:30 AM.
- local Egyptian goose hunts return to the Lodge at 10 AM for full English & continental breakfast.
- Bloemfontein morning Egyptian goose hunts will have breakfast in the field.
- Afternoon South African rock pigeon shooting, shot over decoys with a pigeon magnet starts at 12 o’clock and concludes at 3:30 PM
- return to the Lodge from South African rock pigeon shooting at 4 PM.
- 4:30 PM duck & goose fed pond flight.
- Arrive back at the Lodge by 6 PM time for a shower before your evening meal served at 7:30 PM
- Drinks served at the bar with open area seating by a traditional log fire till 11 PM.
- Leisurely morning at the lodge with full English & continental breakfast.
- Depart four seasons Lodge for JNB airport transfer from between 10 am and 12 o’clock midday.
- Overland lodge transfer to JNB airport, travel time five hours including a 30 minute lunch and toilet break.
- Arrive at Johannesburg Tambo International departures at 5 PM
- BA56 departure time Johannesburg Tambo International Airport at 20:10 local time.
- BA56 landing at London Heathrow Airport at 5:30 AM (UK) local time.
Essential South African rock pigeon shooting Information
Tipping & gratuities
We firmly believe that you have paid for your South African rock pigeon shooting holiday in South Africa in its entirety, however should you feel the level of service you received was exceptional by individual members of staff and wish to give a little extra.
Here is a rule of thumb guidance to tipping.
South African Rock pigeon shooting:- tips for staff
Weekly
- Sporting Agent:- £100 per week.
- Professional Pigeon Guide:- Rand 1000 per week.
- Assistant professional pigeon guide:- Rand 500 per week.
- Chef:- Rand 500 per week.
- Maids & Cleaners per person:-Rand 350 per week.
Tips must be paid directly to each member of staff in local currency Rand.
Advisory only
CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST FOR SOUTH AFRICA
There is a daily laundry service.
X 1 SHORT SLEEVED SHIRT
X 1 LONG SLEEVED SHIRT
X 2 SHORTS – LIGHT WEIGHT AND COOL
X 1 LONG LEG TROUSER – DENHAM OR COTTON
X 6 PAIRS OF SOCKS – WARM
X 1 PAIR WALKING BOOTS
X 1 PAIR GATORS LIGHT WEIGHT
X 1 PAIR OF SHOOTING GLOVES
X 1 BALACLAVA
X 1 SHOOTING HAT March to May June to August
X 1 LIGHT WEIGHT JACKET British MTP or Desert Camo
X 1 SKEET VEST/WAISTCOAT – FOR WALKING UP GAME
X 1 PAIR OF WARM THERMAL UNDER WEAR (for early mornings only not always needed)
X 1 GUN & HARD CASE, LOCKABLE, PAD LOCK OR COMBINATION – MAKE SURE
YOUR GUN IS RELIABLE AS REPAIRS ARE DIFFICULT IN SOUTH AFRICA OR
TAKE A SECOND GUN OF A DIFFERENT CALIBRE / OVER & UNDER AND SIDE BY
SIDE ARE OK.
X 1 GOOD PAIR OF SHOOTING SUN GLASSES OR SIMILAR
X 1 MEDIUM HEIGHT TRIPOD SEAT
X 1 THERMOS FLASK – SIZE MEDIUM
X 1 SUN BLOCK FACTOR FIFTY OR SIMILAR & LIP BALM
X 1 GUN SLIP – TO USE WHEN SHOOTING & SMALL CARTRIDGE BAG.
X 1 EAR PROTECTION
NB: COLOUR OF CLOTHING: DARK GREENS WILL SUFFICE; HOWEVER, LIGHT BROWNS OR
STRAW COLOURS ARE BETTER AS WINTER TIME IN SA LOOKS LIKE A HEAT WAVE IN AN
ENGLISH SUMMER, ALL THE VEGETATION HAS BEEN BURNT BY THE SUN & FROST.
Four Season’s Shooting in South Africa, Holiday Lodges are in the heart of prime Rock Pigeon shooting arable farming lands from Bloemfontein to Johannesburg, Bloemfontein being known as “The Rock Pigeon Shooting Capital of South Africa”
The lodges are situated from Johannesburg to Bloemfontein. Double and twin rooms are all en suite and fitted with all the amenities to make your stay comfortable. The communal areas of the lodges have well-stocked bars, an open plan dining hall and lounging area, and outside fire pits and Lapa. Typical South African cuisine is served and the usual great hospitality will be offered as standard.
Transfers from Johannesburg airport to the lodge cost £250 per person round trip. (At least three people are required)
Transfers from Johannesburg International Airport are recommended and cost £250 round trip to ensure on-time arrival.
Clients who prefer to fly from Johannesburg to Bloemfontein and then take the 1 hour road transfer must allow at least 4 hours 30 minutes in Johannesburg International airport to allow time for guns to be retrieved from customs, including import documentation, before the internal flight.
Booking your flights with:- www.flyairlink.com or www.flycemair.co.za
One hour flight from Johannesburg to Bloemfontein.
Please be aware that since 2016, and now Covid 19, internal flight services have become unreliable, with many flights frequently being cancelled with only one hour’s notice, as well as extra baggage fees for anything over 20 kg.
Dinner and evening entertainment
That evening, a freshly prepared meal will be served in the home-style dining room. After dinner, head to the bar or the patio for a nightcap in front of an open fire.
The night sky will be brilliantly clear and star-studded, and as you begin to relax, you’ll wonder why life can’t always be this way, and perhaps you’ll understand why we’ve been returning here for over 24 years.
The Free State in South Africa is free from vaccinations except for Covid 19.
What vaccines are needed for South Africa?
Once you are up to date on all your routine immunisations, you can begin to make a travel vaccination plan.
Depending on when you are planning to travel and the current vaccine recommendations your healthcare practitioner may advise you to receive the diphtheria, tetanus and typhoid vaccines. You might also consider getting vaccinated against hepatitis A, cholera, hepatitis B, rabies, and tuberculosis, depending upon where you will be travelling to and what kinds of activities you will be taking part in.
No yellow fever vaccination is required if you are travelling to South Africa from the UK, as South Africa is not a risk for this particular disease. However, you will need to be vaccinated and present your vaccination certificate if you are travelling into South Africa from a country within yellow fever risk zone.
Your travel health specialist may recommend any of the following vaccines after an individual risk assessment:
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a viral infection that is spread in the faeces of an infected person. The relative risks of hepatitis A transmission will vary greatly in different parts of South Africa. Travellers to South Africa are most likely to contract hepatitis A by consuming contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Hepatitis A can cause flu-like symptoms, jaundice and swelling around the liver. Most people recover within a few months, but in some cases the infection can cause serious complications.
You can receive the hepatitis A vaccine on its own as a single injection, or in combination with the vaccine for typhoid (as a single injection).
Diphtheria
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that is spread in infected droplets from coughs and sneezes. It can cause a fever, sore throat and difficulty breathing and, left untreated, can result in serious complications. Diphtheria is more common in poor, overcrowded areas.
Most travellers will receive the diphtheria vaccine as part of the diphtheria, polio & tetanus booster (provided they are up to date with their routine immunisations). This is administered as one injection.
Tetanus
Tetanus is a bacterial infection which can get into the body through open wounds, causing painful muscle spasms and stiffness. Tetanus bacteria are found in soil and animal manure, which means you, may be at risk if you plan to work with animals or in the natural environment whilst in South Africa.
The tetanus booster is usually administered as part of the diphtheria, polio & tetanus booster (unless the person in question has never received the tetanus vaccine, in which case a full course is needed).
Typhoid
The typhoid vaccine is often given in combination with the hepatitis A vaccine, but it can also be administered as a solo vaccine. You can receive the vaccine as an injection or in the form of three capsules which are swallowed.
Typhoid is a bacterial infection spread in the faeces (and sometimes the urine) of infected people. You may be at risk of typhoid fever if you consume contaminated food and water whilst in South Africa.
Other vaccinations for South Africa
The cholera vaccine is administered as a drink, not an injection, and is recommended for people who will be spending long periods of time in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to healthcare. Cholera is a bacterial infection spread in the faeces of an infected person; you can come into contact with cholera bacteria by consuming contaminated food or water.
The hepatitis B vaccine is administered as a course of three injections, and is recommended for people who may have unprotected sex, share needles or injecting equipment, get a tattoo or body piercing, or receive medical or dental treatment while travelling in South Africa. Hepatitis B is a viral infection affecting the liver that can lead to serious complications such as liver cancer. It is spread in the blood and bodily fluids of an infected person.
The rabies vaccine is administered as a course of three injections, and is recommended for people who may spend time with animals whilst in South Africa or be travelling remotely. Rabies is a serious viral infection that is spread through the scratches and bites of infected animals (usually dogs, but also monkeys, bats and cats). Rabies is nearly always fatal once the victim begins to display symptoms. To avoid infection, vaccination is strongly recommended. In the event that you get bitten or scratched, emergency treatment will still be needed but it is easier to administer.
The tuberculosis vaccine is administered as a single injection, and is recommended for health workers or children who will be spending long periods in South Africa. TB is a bacterial infection which is spread in infected droplets from coughs and sneezes. It’s a disease that attacks the lungs and leads to fatigue, weight loss, and blood to be coughed up.
Is yellow fever vaccine required for South Africa?
South Africa requires all travellers who are from an area where yellow fever is known to be present, to show officials a yellow fever vaccine certificate before entering the country. This certificate is formally known as an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis and should be given to you after you receive your single injection. This certificate is valid for life and must be given to you at least 10 days before the start of your trip.
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/kdfdqqx04#?date=2022-01-31
In the home-style dining room that evening, a freshly prepared meal will be served. After dinner, grab a nightcap at the bar or on the patio in front of an open fire.
The night sky will be brilliantly clear and star-studded, and as you relax, you’ll wonder why life can’t always be like this, and perhaps you’ll understand why we’ve been returning here for over 24 years.
Low Humidity: Making temperatures feel much cooler.
High Ultraviolet Index:
Care should to be taken when spending prolonged periods of time in the South African sun, factor 20 to factor 50 sunblock should be used at all. times, with caps and sunglasses to be worn.
March night-time temperatures 6° C to 16° C
March day-time temperatures 25° C to 32° C
Prolonged sunshine with very little cloud.
Expect light winds 3 – 6 mph
The old but spectacular thunderstorm is possible on occasions.
Gun permit application for visitors to South Africa
To apply for a South African gun permit, we will need to fill out numerous forms. It usually takes about an hour at Johannesburg Airport SAPS and is a lengthy procedure. With the information you provide, Four Seasons will pre-fill the necessary forms in the UK, saving you time at Johannesburg International Airport. (Remember to bring your United Kingdom Gun Licence, as you will be carrying your weapons through the UK airport).
How to Bring Guns to South Africa
It is mandatory that you transport your firearms in a hard case gun box with a good lock. These are available at any gun shop.
You can only bring one gun of each calibre into South Africa, so you can’t bring a matched pair of 12 bore shotguns, but you can bring a 12 bore, a 20 bore, and a rifle.
South Africa imports semi-automatic shotguns
Semi-automatic shotguns are not permitted to enter South Africa unless we go through a third party 8 weeks in advance; failure to comply will result in Semi-Auto shotguns being confiscated and locked up at Johannesburg Airport until your return, which will cause you to be delayed by approximately 2 hours.
All prices are in British pounds sterling.
To confirm your booking, a £245 deposit of the land fees is required. This deposit is non-refundable but transferable in exceptional circumstances.
The remaining balance must be paid at the lodge in South Africa before you depart.
If you cancel more than three months before your departure date, your deposit will be refunded less a 20% handling fee. If a hunter cancels less than three months before departure, monies will be refunded only if another hunter is found to take the booking.
The local currency is the Rand, and it is worth changing £100 from sterling at the airport before going shopping.
On request, full terms and conditions will be sent.
Guests are not covered by the ‘Four Seasons shooting in South Africa’ insurance. You must have adequate personal medical insurance and third-party liability insurance for the duration of the safari. (BASC insurance covers you for 60 days of shooting abroad per year). While we take all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of our clients and their property while on game bird shooting safari, we will accept no responsibility for any costs incurred as a result of illness, accident, or loss of any kind. You can, however, count on our full support in the event of an unfortunate event. (Make sure you have travel and illness insurance).
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Four Seasons Shooting Holidays – Sporting Agent – Sporting & Hunting Holiday provider
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