2025 & Beyond with John X Safaris

There are few things in this world which compares to seeing Africa through the eyes of a first timer. To be a part of that excitement is infectious, it engulfs you, as you become caught up in the moment with someone who ultimately is experiencing something new for the very first time.

It reminds me of that special time back in 2010 when South Africa hosted the FIFA Soccer World Cup. We were the flavour of the world and the world flooded to our beautiful country. People were seeing our country through new eyes experiencing the vibrance of the rainbow nation. At the time there was a beautiful television advert doing the rounds which ended with the slogan; “We were there.” No one wanted to miss a minute of the spectacle and everyone wanted to be a part of it.

It is so similar to what we experienced with you this past season on safari. Your enthusiasm for Africa and African hunting has once again afforded our teams the opportunity of hunting South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Together with you we pursued from the tiniest of the tiny ten to the abundant plains game and the exhilarating big five. There was no end to your desire of not only hunting responsibly, but hunting with purpose when it came to age-based hunting. By scrolling through this season’s Year Book I’m sure you will agree that our ideology is not only working, but flourishing throughout our areas. When one hunts for age, then the quality will always take care of itself.

Year Book 2025

Our areas on the whole for the majority of the year have been blessed with a green period across Southern Africa and the wildlife has once again flourished through a proven sustainable use model. Your contributions have allowed us to stay true to the course with our community-based projects at the John X Foundation and it not only provided over 5000 lunches from your hunted game, but we were able to adopt a new school, Elinus, to go with our existing efforts at Carlisle Bridge. Stationary supplies were dropped monthly and two new kitchens were added with the ongoing maintenance of infrastructure being the primary focus.

Through your continued support, may that have been for your very first hunt or your fifteenth, we could not have done it without you.  As you came to witness, our team shares a special bond and camaraderie which is a rarity in today’s society. It is something which you, our hunter should be very proud of. Your generosity and willingness to give of yourself continues to drive our desire of being the best whilst sharing extraordinary experiences on the African continent.

In closing I’d like to leave you with a story and a message I learnt from my youngest son, Grant. Grant lives life at a pace few could imagine and he dares to be different. He is the square peg in the round hole. He chooses to see the very best in people with a cup which is always overflowing. During the season, while on safari, when I am far away from home, I will often ask him how things are going? And with the cheerful voice the response is always the same… “I’m living my best life, Dad!”

So, I challenge you to say the things you want to say to the people nearest and dearest. Do the things you want to do while you still can. Explore, adventure and be the one without regret proud to say I WAS THERE living my best life.

See you on your next safari….

Carl & Team – December 2025, Woodlands Safari Estate