What clients can expect with Rivers South Safaris
When you book a Hunt with Rivers South Safaris from the moment you clear customs at Christchurch International Airport you will be met by A friendly and professional member of our Rivers South Safaris team. You will then travel two and a half hours south to the beautiful Serenity Park Lodge. Along the way, passing through some of the most picturesque and scenic country side in New Zealand. You will arrive at Serenity Park Lodge around lunchtime and after a long flight, clients can unpack and freshen up and then sit down to lunch.
The majority of the properties that Rivers South Safaris hunts on can be viewed from the lodge. Following lunch we will go to the range to sight in your rifles or bows. Shots in New Zealand for a rifle are on average 150 - 300 yards. Depending on what species of game animal you are hunting and also the terrain we are hunting in, shots are often across canyons, up or down hill and wind can also be a factor. We recommend calibers, which shoot a minimum of a 150grain bullets ideal for New Zealand hunting conditions. These include 7mm mags through to 300win mags and are perfect for all New Zealand big game animals. Bow shots during the rut of the targeted species can be as close as 20 - 40 yards. Preferably we like to get clients under 50 yards. Some bow shots have been successfully taken out to 75 yards and further. Each bow hunter has their preferred distance that they are confident at taking animals at and every effort will be made to get them to within their shooting distance.
Depending on what species and what time of the year you will be hunting remembering that New Zealand seasons are the opposite to those in the U. S. A. For example New Zealand winter is the northern hemisphere's summer. Rivers South Safaris starts it's hunting season in late February when the Stags have stripped their velvet and are in hard antler. which is our late summer and the temperatures can usually be around 80 - 90 degrees. Hunting at this time of the year will start with a 6-30 to 7 am breakfast and hunt in the mornings and evenings like most countries where the animals rest in the heat of the day. We take a packed lunch and on some occasions return to the lodge for lunch. During the roar for Red Stag's this is the mid March through to mid April (our fall) temperatures can fall to 50 -60 degrees and this is when Jack turns up. No not Jack Daniels, Jack Frost and we will get to the hunting estates early. There is nothing more beautiful than hearing a Red Stag's roar echoing around the mountains on a cool, crisp, clear morning. This is truly breath taking.
Hunting Himalayan Bull Tahr in the rut from mid May through to early July are our coldest months for hunting and temperatures can often come down to 0 degrees at night and up to 40 degrees during the day. Clients should always insure that they bring a warm hunting jacket with them no matter what time of the year they come on Safari. Good ankle support hunting boots should also be brought with you. During your hunting Safari with Rivers South and if time and the opportunity allows night shooting for New Zealand varmints such as hares, rabbits and opossums is great fun, AND totally legal in New Zealand. We use shotguns or.22 rifles which have silencers fitted to them, these are also legal in New Zealand. This is an experience not to be missed. After a successful and enjoyable hunt with Rivers South Safaris you will be driven back to Christchurch along with your trophies and there we will stop in at the taxidermist where expediting or mounting of your trophies can easily be arranged. Following this we will return to the Christchurch airport and assist you with your checking in. From the time you arrive at Christchurch airport until the time of your departure, a professional and friendly member of our Rivers South Safaris team will be with you.