An African Adventure

In August of this Summer, I was lucky enough to visit South Africa and experience some of the very most remarkable and memorable days sport this magnificent continent can offer. I was a guest of Royal Berkshire Sporting Agency's partners in South Africa for what was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I can categorically state that it does not get much better than this. Whether you are tackling the unbelievably exciting rock pigeon (Rockies) in Bloemfontein or walking up the vast slopes of the Stormberg mountains in pursuit of greywing partridge, this country has it all.

After an easy flight from the UK to Johannesburg (with no jet lag!) we then took a short internal flight to Bloemfontein (this can also be driven in a minibus). The hotel was stunning and on our first day we headed out with our guide for the trip - Grant Stretton. We spent the day shooting rock pigeon and doves in the vast acreage of farmland outside Bloemfontein. The birds are shot on flight lines from camouflage blinds and, despite being late in the season, we still had a serious amount of shooting (at least 500 shots per gun).
 

The doves are similar to those found in Argentina and good sport. However, it is the rock pigeons that provide the true entertainment. They are extremely fast and agile and offer some of the most varied, challenging and exciting shooting I have ever experienced (think grey partridge crossed with red rrouse). One moment you are shooting birds flying like grouse, ducking and diving towards you at head height, the next you are tackling pigeons which replicate the highest of high partridge. I will happily stick my neck out and say they are toughest bird I have ever tackled!

 

 

Having completed our whistle stop tour of Bloemfontein we headed south to the Stormberg Mountains. These are a true hidden gem which few have ever heard of let alone visited. The Stormberg is quite simply a sporting paradise - at the right time of year (March onwards) you can stalk low and high ground plains game, enjoy walked-up greywing and snipe, waterfowl and even attempt driven guineafowl. Buffels Fontein is the ancestral home of the Stretton family. It was here that we stayed for our week in the Stormberg with Grant, Robbie and Angela Stretton. They are, quite simply, world class hosts. Sadly during our stay, the greywing season had just finished. However, we tried everything else.
 

Whilst I will resist the temptation to give you a blow-by-blow account of everything I can assure you that if you enjoy walked up shooting, deer stalking, duck flighting and the great outdoors - then you simply must to visit the Stormberg. It is not about the numbers here (though we shot plenty) - it’s about switching off and enjoying a truly wild experience. With over 50,000 hectares to explore there won’t be a dull moment. I could have sat and simply watched those mountains, teaming with game and wildlife for hours. A personal highlight of the Stormberg was stalking mountain reedbuck high up on the mountain slopes - a truly exhilarating stalk. We also managed a duck flight that was hands down the best I have ever experienced.
 

Alas, we had to leave the Stormberg eventually - so we headed to the Kat River to visit some  bush lodges, all of which offer something totally different from the next. From thatched bush camps to luxurious newly built lodges, it is safe to say that all bases are covered. The good news is that a whole weeks sport can only end up costing a mere few thousand pounds, with favourable exchange rates playing in our favour (a rare luxury these days!). It’s amazing value compared to the UK and you will we waited on hand and foot. Packages are totally bespoke and you can pick and choose their activities based on their personal preferences.

 

Find out more through Royal Berkshire Sporting Agency.