George Halliday’s Hunting career started out as an apprentice at one of Africa’s leading and most Professional hunting outfitters. He went on to direct and manage a number of other hunting outfits before taking destiny into his own hands by starting George Halliday Safaris.
George Halliday has an absolute passion for hunting nature and conservation. He firmly believe that hunting in large areas as well as free range areas ensures a hard, ethnical and fair chase hunt.
George Halliday Safaris offers plains game and dangerous game safaris all across Southern Africa.
George Halliday Safaris hunts a vast amount of land with concessions all over the country.
Through experiences we found that by hunting in multiple provinces and concessions we can spread the hunting pressure to ensure top quality trophies and the increase of animal populations in all hunting concessions. This is not a small ranch hunting operation, we hunt africa the right way in large areas. All animals hunted is done so in their natural state and among breeding populations of all game.
Whether you are completing the tiny 10 or the notorious big 5, George Halliday Safaris will guarantee you a top quality professional experience.
Our accommodation ranges from luxurious lodges to rustic bush camps and temporary fly camps, all depending on your safari needs and preferences
In Most of our hunting areas we are permitted to hunt throughout the whole year with exceptions on certain free range animals. Typically the best time of the year is from mid-March to mid-October. Generally bowhunters will frequent September and October because of the dry climate and better chances of success. Rifle hunting shots can range from under 100 yards to over 300 yards all depending on the situation and client. Most shots gets taken from tri-pod shooting sticks when walking and stalking. We are also permitted to use dogs in the case of animals being wounded, we pride ourselves on the exceptionally high recovery rate of wounded animals.
We suggest that the client bring along a scoped rifle from .30cal for the average smaller bushveld and plains game.
I always recommend a minimum of .30 cal for plainsgame up to the size of Kudu and a minimum of .338 for animals up to the size of Eland. For dangerous game the legal minimum calibre is .375 H&H.
We recommend clients bring their own rifles just for the fact that being familiar and comfortable with a gun makes the world of difference in confidence. We do have high quality rifles in camp for those that don’t want to travel with rifles.
It is imperially important to shoot good constructed bullets such as Swift A-frame and Barnes TSX/TTSX. We also prefer heavy bullets over light bullets
Weather you are hunting dangerous game or plains game bullet selection is of utmost importance. In recent years we have had very high success with Barnes Bullets, Swift-A-Frame bullets and for the long range hunters the Hornady ELD-X makes a perfect mach. Which ever bullet you decide on make sure it is a well constructed expandable bullet that doesn’t disintegrate on impact with thick skin and heavy bones.
The temperature is moderated during the day to cold on winter nights. Dress is very informal. From our experience the following clothing is required on Safari; 4 shirts, 3 pairs of long trousers, 2 pairs of short trousers, 2 pairs of lightweight hunting boots or sneakers, if preferred, socks, underwear, bush hat/cap, bush jacket, camo fleece vest, sunglasses, flashlight with extra batteries and rainproof jacket (March to May).
Experience has proved that the above colours were most effective to blend with the vivid seasonal vegetation. We have also found it preferable to wear fabrics made from natural fibres instead of synthetic ones.
We suggest that the client bring along a well-tuned bow of draw weight not less that 50lb. Arrows should weigh no less than 400gr. If larger animals are going to be hunted such as Giraffe, the bow should not be less than 90 foot/lb. Well-constructed broad-heads are also essential for a successful hunt.
Range finders and binoculars will be beneficial for judging and spotting of trophy animals.
Non-hunting Safaris can be arranged on concessions, private reserves and National Parks throughout South-Africa. Packages to suit your requirements can be compiled on request. A minimum of 210-mm lens is suggested for game photography.
There is some information that one should understand about hunting in South-Africa and why it is the top hunting destination for hunters all over the globe.
South Africa’s wildlife and conservation success story is unparalleled anywhere in the world. The safari hunting industry has played a pivotal role in this success since day one and will continue to do so indefinitely! In 1964, we had about 575 000 wild game animals countrywide. During the 1960s, safari hunting and game ranching were mere fledglings in South Africa, but the fact of the matter is that hunting started to place a value on wildlife and wild areas, creating a direct incentive to purchase, own, protect and conserve this precious resource. It became a viable investment. As the safari hunting industry began to grow and with it, the demand for South Africa as a destination, more and more land was converted from agriculture to wildlife.