Hunt the Kalahari: Where the Desert Breathes and the Wild Roams Free

The Kalahari isn't the barren wasteland most imagine. Stand at the edge of
our veranda at sunset, and you'll see why the San people called this place
home for millennia. The red dunes roll like frozen waves, dotted with
camel thorn and shepherd's trees. Springbok drift across the pans like
copper-colored ghosts. This is Red Dunes Game Farm—15,000 hectares of
authentic African wilderness, and your next hunting destination.

The Philosophy: Fair Chase, Fair Price

We've abandoned the traditional trophy fee model. Why should you pay
R15,000 for a gemsbok you might never see? Our per-kilogram system is
simple: you hunt, you harvest, you pay for the meat you take home. No
artificial baiting, no high fences channeling animals into kill zones. Just
you, your guide, and 15,000 hectares of genuine bushveld.

Current Rates (Dressed Weight)

• Springbok - R45/kg | Avg yield: 18-25kg
• Gemsbok (Oryx) - R65/kg | Avg yield: 90-130kg
• Greater Kudu - R75/kg | Avg yield: 110-160kg
• Blue Wildebeest - R55/kg | Avg yield: 85-120kg
• Warthog - R40/kg | Avg yield: 25-40kg
• Red Hartebeest - R60/kg | Avg yield: 75-95kg

Trophy fees apply for exceptional specimens (60"+ kudu, etc.) – inquire
for details

The Facilities

Main Lodge: "The Thorn Tree"

Our central lodge is built around a massive camel thorn estimated at 400
years old. The open-plan design features:

• Wraparound veranda with views across three waterholes
• Professional trophy preparation room with walk-in cold storage
• Fully stocked bar featuring local Kalahari gins and whiskies
• Dining hall seating 24, specializing in traditional potjiekos and braai
• Wi-Fi (Starlink—because even the Kalahari has entered the 21st century)
• Gunroom with secure storage and cleaning facilities

Accommodation

Luxury Rondavels (6 units)

• King or twin beds with premium linens
• En-suite bathroom with hot shower (solar/gas heated)
• Air conditioning (essential in summer, trust us)
• Private deck with fire pit
• Minibar stocked with local beverages
• R1,200/night per person sharing

The Shepherd's Cabin (sleeps 4)

• Perfect for families or hunting parties
• Two bedrooms, shared bathroom
• Kitchenette and lounge area
• Outdoor boma with braai facilities
• R2,800/night (entire cabin)

Bush Camp (seasonal, April-September)

• For the purist: canvas tents with camp beds
• Communal fire, bucket showers, long-drop facilities
• Sleep under stars that the city has stolen from you
• R650/night per person
• Guide included for tracking and safety

The Hunting Experience

Your Guides

Our three professional hunters have a combined 60+ years in the bush:

• Piet van Rensburg - 3rd generation Kalahari farmer, knows every pan
  and dune
• Jonas Molefe - Tracker trained by his grandfather, can read spoor
  like you read a newspaper
• Mariska Botha - One of South Africa's few female PHs, specializes in
  bow hunting

The Hunt Itself

Day One: Arrive mid-afternoon. Sight in your rifle at our 300m range.
Sundowner drive to scout the waterholes and discuss strategy over cold
beers and biltong.

Day Two-Four: Pre-dawn departures. We hunt from elevated hides near
waterholes or track on foot through the red dunes. This is where Jonas
earns his reputation—he can tell you what an animal ate three days ago by
studying its droppings. Midday siestas during the heat. Afternoon stalks
as the temperature drops. Evening around the fire, planning tomorrow's
approach.

Final Day: Morning hunt if you haven't filled your quota. Trophy prep,
meat processing, cold storage arrangements. Departure after lunch.

The Processing

We take pride in our field-to-freezer operation:

1. Immediate Field Dressing: Within 30 minutes of harvest
2. Cold Room Processing: Our butchery is SABS certified
3. Aging Options: We can age your meat 7-14 days (recommended for kudu)
4. Packaging: Vacuum-sealed, labeled, frozen solid
5. Transport: We arrange courier to your door anywhere in SA

Want biltong or droëwors made from your harvest? Our biltong master charges
R120/kg processed weight.

Beyond the Hunt

For Non-Hunting Partners

• Guided nature drives focusing on birds and smaller mammals
• Visit to nearby San rock art sites (40-minute drive)
• Stargazing sessions with our telescope (the Kalahari's dark skies are
  exceptional)
• Spa treatments arranged (mobile therapist visits twice weekly)
• Day trip to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (2-hour drive)

Photography Safaris

Not interested in hunting? Book a photography safari. Same experienced
guides, same access to 15,000 hectares, same wildlife. R1,800/day per
person (minimum 2 people).

Practical Information

Location: 85km northeast of Upington, Northern Cape
Access: Tar road to farm gate, then 12km gravel (2WD accessible)
Airport: Upington (UIR) - we provide transfers R850 return
Season: Year-round, but March-October optimal (cooler temps)
Weapons: Bring your own or rent (R350/day, ammo at cost)
Calibers: .270 minimum for plains game, .308 recommended

What to Bring:

• Hunting license (we can arrange if needed)
• Sturdy boots (the Kalahari thorns are vicious)
• Wide-brimmed hat
• Quality sunglasses
• Binoculars
• Sunscreen (SPF 50 minimum—the sun here doesn't play)
• Warm jacket (winter nights drop to -5°C)

Testimonials

"Three days, two gemsbok, 240kg of the finest meat my family has ever
tasted. Piet's knowledge of the veld is encyclopedic. Worth every cent."
— Marcus H., Johannesburg

"I've hunted across Africa. Red Dunes offers something rare: genuinely
wild animals, ethical practices, and no BS. The per-kg model is
refreshingly honest."
— David C., Texas, USA

Book Your Hunt

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +27 (0)54 451 8822
WhatsApp: +27 82 445 9031

Deposit: 30% to secure dates
Cancellation: Full refund if canceled 30+ days out

We practice ethical, sustainable hunting. All animals are free-ranging on
native habitat. We report to Cape Nature and comply fully with TOPS
regulations.

Red Dunes Game Farm
Where the Kalahari meets tradition, and every hunt tells a story.