We booked to go in June 2016 and had a superb time. I went with 3 friends and we all came from the Yorkshire area of the UK. We flew directly to Johannesburg with no hassles and it proved to be a very easy flight. It was 11 hours long but only 1 hour time difference with the UK and it was an overnight flight.

We had arranged to rent a car at Johannesburg airport and we were Swala bound within 10 minutes. They had sent us directions which worked out fine as there were only really 2 turns from the airport. It took us 90 minutes to get to Bela Bela or Warmbaths as it used to be called and we met Jakes, the Professional Hunter, at the prearranged spot. had a quick beer and off to do some shopping for the week’s supplies. All very easy and everything available in one supermarket. It took us about 30 minutes down a tar road and then a gravel road to get to Swala and after sorting out who was going in which bedroom we went out on the range. We were going to bring our own rifles but in the end decided not to bother.

After zeroing in the rifles we went on a game drive to have a look at the place. From the start we were very impressed with the layout of the farm and the amount of game that we could see. At about 6 pm it started to get chilly on the truck so we went back to the farmhouse to set up the fire and sort out dinner. We had bought beef fillet steaks in Warmbaths for about one quarter of what we would pay in the UK. Everything in South Africa was so much cheaper.

Next day we started our hunting package with all of us on the vehicle and the designated shooter sitting up front just in case we saw a Warthog or Jackel. Within an hour we spotted some nice Wildebeests and decided to take one of these. We dropped of myself, Jakes and Buck and the others drove on. We stalked the Wildebeest and I took one with the 30/06. It ran for about 200 yards and then turned around in circles before falling down. We walked up to it and the truck came back to meet us. It was a very nice young male and I was very pleased with my shot. The loaders and skinners came with another vehicle and trailer and loaded the Wildebeest on to the trailer. We followed to the skinning shed and watched the boys do their job.

Then it was Buck’s turn to be up front and off we go again. This time we spotted a suitable Impala and Buck dropped off the vehicle and successfully stalked it. At lunchtime back to the farmhouse for some lunch and a rest. We went out again at about 3 pm and on the way back to the farmhouse we did some lamping for Jackels. We then had a very nice dinner cooked on the fire outside and sat with a few beers and stared at the Africa sky.

We stayed for a week and everyone shot their package. We had tremendous fun and the whole thing was very professionally arranged. it was also incredible value for money having shot quite a bit in the UK and the US. I shall be back next year.