African Safaris outfitted by John X Safaris was introduced to the world in 1983 by Rick and Sue van Zijl at the tiny

outpost town of Merriman in The Great Karoo in the Cape Province which lies in the central region of South Africa.

Within a few years Rick and Sue expanded into the Eastern Cape and hired a spike camp in the Kirkwood district

where they were the first outfitter to develop trophy hunting along the coastal areas of the region. John X Safaris was

the first to offer Bushpig and Caracal hunting with dogs, and together with landowners instituted a conservation

program whereby we could offer Blue Duiker to the trophy hunter.   In 1996 we purchased our own land in the

Eastern Cape – as we found there was a real need for a genuine Safari Camp in the area.  Hence was born  the very

first true hunting safari camp in the Eastern Cape. From that simple idea a greater dream emerged, a "Big Five

Reserve" where plains game hunters could live among and experience Elephant, Rhino, Lion, Buffalo and more.

After only eight short years the Reserve was ranked Number 1 in the East Cape; and the Four superb lodges located

on the Reserve are the envy of the African Safari world.

Rick also knew that when hunting for top quality animals in over 40 different species you need more than

one or two concessions, regardless of size.  So over the years John X Safaris has been able to accumulate over

3,000,000 acres of top hunting areas.  This fact combined with true Professional Hunters has provided our

clients with over 630 top SCI Record Book entries.  This also allows our clients to experience many different

areas as they spend several days of their hunt at our out camps in diverse ecosystems.

We offer exclusive hunting on a wide range of terrain that spans over that includes vast semi-arid desert,

dense bush, mountains and open grasslands, including over 250,000 acres of open land  for

"free ranging animals". This is largely as a result of our reputation amongst land owners, which has

enabled us to secure some of the finest hunting areas in the country.  

For over twenty years John X Safaris has been providing an exceptional hunting experience to international sportsmen. 

It is our goal to continue to produce the finest trophies for our clients while at the same time providing an unforgettable

African experience!  

To further enhance the team, John X Safaris of North America was formed in 1998 so that we could better serve the North

American clients.  Dave Harwood, President of John X Safaris of North America, has spent over 40 years hunting big

game with almost 30 of those years spent hunting internationally.  Dave is a six term past President of a Safari Club

International Chapter, a member of the Dallas Safari Club and the International Professional Hunters Association.  In

addition, Dave is a Certified Travel Consultant and owner of John X Safaris Travel.  Part of his job is to help our clients

coordinate their flight and travel itineraries in and to Africa.

John X Safaris specializes in African Safaris for plains game hunting with Rifle, Handgun, Bow and Black Powder.   We offer  "tailor made" daily rate hunts to suit the particular needs of our clients.  We can customize your hunt for as many days as you wish, from a minimum of Five to the ideal number of ten days and can include White Rhino as well as the other Big Five upon request.   We offer "Green Hunting," (darting) for White Rhino and Elephant.

John X Safaris owes much of our success to the fact that we do not hunt just one or two properties, but rather hunt over a wide expanse that covers some 3,000,000 acres combined.  This insures the highest quality trophies for our clients; a fact which is born out in the Record Books.  Our clients will generally spend their first two or three nights on the Reserve at one of three lodges there.  Then they will hunt some of our  out areas where they will spend several nights at one or more of our  other lodges.  Usually they will return to the home camp for their last two nights.  This allows our clients to experience much more diverse terrain during their hunt.       

Dog packs are available for Bushpig or Lynx hunting and have proven to be extremely popular with our clients. Over the past three years we have taken no fewer than three new or pending Top Ten Lynx as well as many Record Book Bushpigs.

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Buffalo, Lion, Rhino, Elephant and Leopard are available in very limited numbers. Prices are available upon request and it is urged that you contact us well in advance to make arrangements.

When it comes to Kudu no one does it as well as John X Safaris.  Our clients currently have the new or pending Safari Club International : #1 , #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8 & #10 East Cape Kudu!! 

Bow Hunting, Handgun Hunting and Black Powder Enthusiasts are most welcome and have been extremely successful while hunting with us.  While bow hunting in the Eastern Cape is at best difficult, it is by far the most exciting bow hunting in South Africa.  Bow Hunting with John X Safaris is a very special hunting experience.  In addition, when bow hunting with John X Safaris you will be able to spot and stalk and not just sit in a blind all day waiting for the next animal to come to water. This has proven to be much more exciting for our clients as well as providing them a much more rewarding African Safari.

Send mail to daveatjohnx@aol.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: April 30, 2009