Darted Green Rhino Hunt in South Africa

 

2026 / 2027

 

Darted Green White Rhinoceros Hunt

 

1 x 1 - $5,900

 

THIS SAFARI INCLUDES:

• 3 Full Hunting Days
• 2 Travel Days
• 1×1 Professional Hunter
• Rhino Dart Hunting Experience
• Use of Dart Gun and Tranquilizer Dart
• 4-Star Lodge Accommodations
• Arrival Day and Final Night Lodging
• All Meals
• Beer, Wine, and Spirits
• All Necessary Hunting Licenses and Permits
• Rhino Measurements for Replica Trophy
• Professional Hunting Staff
• Transportation During the Hunt
• Round Trip Airport Transfers from O.R. Tambo International Airport

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EXTRAS:

• Additional Hunting Days – $350 / Day
• Observer – $180 / Day
• Replica Rhino Trophy / Taxidermy
• Additional Species
• Dip & Pack if Applicable
• Trophy / Replica Shipping
• International Airfare
• Before and After Hunt Accommodations
• Gratuities
• Personal Expenses

 

This 3-day Rhino Dart Hunt lets hunters experience the tracking, stalking, and close-range pursuit of one of Africa's most iconic dangerous game animals without harvesting the rhino. The hunt takes place near Hartebeesfontein in South Africa's North West Province on a large, high-fenced concession consisting of bushveld, open savanna, and rolling hills.

The experience follows many of the same principles as a traditional rhino hunt. Fresh tracks are located, the animal is followed on foot, the wind must be carefully managed, and the hunter works with the PH to close the distance before taking the shot with a dart gun. The goal is generally to approach within approximately 30–50 yards, making this a genuine close-range dangerous game experience. After the rhino is darted, measurements can be taken so that a replica of the animal may be produced. The rhino itself is not harvested and remains part of the population.

 

About the Rhino

Rhinos are among the largest and most impressive land animals in Africa. Their enormous size, heavy build, thick skin, prominent horns, and powerful presence make encountering one at close range an experience unlike almost anything else available to an African hunter. White rhinos are the larger of Africa's two rhinoceros species and can weigh several thousand pounds when fully mature. Despite their name, they are not actually white in color. They are generally gray and are distinguished in part by their broad, square-shaped mouth, which is adapted for grazing.

Unlike many African game animals that rely heavily on eyesight, rhinos have comparatively poor vision. They compensate with an exceptional sense of smell and very good hearing. This makes wind direction especially important during a stalk. A hunter may be able to remain visually concealed yet still alert the animal if the wind shifts and carries human scent toward it. Rhinos may appear slow and cumbersome at first glance, but their appearance can be misleading. They are capable of moving surprisingly quickly over short distances, and their massive size means that a close encounter must always be treated seriously. The PH controls the final approach and determines when conditions are appropriate to continue closing the distance.

Tracking begins by locating large footprints, dung, feeding sign, or other evidence of recent movement. Once fresh tracks are found, the PH begins working through the bush while evaluating wind, vegetation, and the rhino's likely direction of travel. Because the objective is to reach close darting range rather than simply observe the animal from a distance, patience and careful movement become increasingly important as the stalk progresses. A dart hunt provides an alternative for hunters who want to experience the pursuit of a rhino without permanently removing the animal from the population. Once the animal has been successfully darted and the necessary measurements are taken, those dimensions can be used by a taxidermist to reproduce the hunter's individual rhino as a replica trophy.

 

The Rhino Hunting Area in the North West Province

The hunt takes place near Hartebeesfontein in South Africa's North West Province. The hunting concession covers more than 5,000 acres, and the outfitter has hunted this area for approximately 25 years. The terrain consists of a mixture of native bush, open savanna, and rolling hills. These different habitat types provide enough visibility to locate rhinos while also giving the animals substantial areas of vegetation and cover in which to move.

The combination of open country and heavier bush is particularly important once a stalk begins. A rhino that is easily visible across an opening can disappear surprisingly quickly once it enters thicker vegetation, requiring the PH to return to the tracks and determine where the animal is moving. A wide variety of African wildlife also occupies the concession, including both plains game and dangerous game. This creates the atmosphere of a complete African safari rather than an isolated darting experience.

 

 

Rhino Dart Hunting Methods

A typical hunting morning begins around 7:00 a.m. at the lodge with coffee, rusks, cereal, and preparation for the day. The hunter and PH generally begin hunting around 8:00 a.m., initially searching for fresh tracks and determining where a suitable rhino has recently been moving. Once fresh tracks are located, the hunt continues on foot. The PH follows the tracks while constantly evaluating wind direction and listening for signs that the animal may be nearby. The hunter must move quietly and remain prepared because visibility can change quickly as the stalk moves between open savanna and thicker bushveld.

As the distance closes, the approach becomes progressively slower and more deliberate. Rhinos possess excellent hearing and smell, so getting close requires careful use of the wind and available vegetation. This is one of the elements carried over from the traditional dangerous-game experience: the challenge is not simply finding a rhino, but getting close enough without alerting it.

The objective is to work into a suitable position at approximately 30–50 yards before taking the dart shot. The PH determines when the angle, distance, animal position, and surrounding conditions provide an appropriate opportunity. The dart gun replaces the conventional hunting rifle for the rhino itself. Once the dart is successfully delivered and the animal is safely handled according to the procedures for the hunt, the opportunity is used to take photographs and collect detailed measurements.

Those measurements are particularly important for hunters who want a physical trophy from the experience. A taxidermist can use the horn and body measurements taken during the darting process to create a replica representing the actual rhino encountered during the hunt.

 

About the Rhinocerous Outfitter

The outfitter brings more than 30 years of professional hunting experience in southern Africa and has hunted this particular concession for approximately 25 years. That experience includes both plains game and dangerous game and provides extensive knowledge of animal behavior, tracking, wind, shot positioning, and the additional judgment required when approaching very large African animals at close range.

The operation places considerable emphasis on ethical hunting and individual attention. Each safari is adapted to the hunter, conditions, terrain, and animal movement rather than following a rigid schedule. The goal of the Rhino Dart Hunt is to provide the hunter with the tracking, stalking, proximity, and experience pursuing a rhino while allowing the animal to remain alive and continue contributing to the population.

 

The 4-Star North West Hunting Lodge

Hunters stay in a comfortable 4-star main lodge with permanent electrical power, internet access, and cell phone service. Rooms are spacious and feature comfortable beds, private en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning, and heating.

 

Meals are included throughout the safari, along with local beer, wine, and spirits. After the day's hunt, guests can return to the lodge for dinner and spend the evening relaxing and discussing the day's experience.

The combination of comfortable accommodations, good meals, and traditional South African hospitality provides a relaxing contrast to the close-range hunting experience during the day.

 

Additional Hunting Opportunities

The outfitter has access to a wide variety of additional African game for hunters who wish to extend the safari after completing the Rhino Dart Hunt.

Available species may include Buffalo, Lion, Crocodile, Giraffe, Eland, Sable, Kudu, Gemsbok, Zebra, Blue Wildebeest, Black Wildebeest, Red Hartebeest, Tsessebe, Waterbuck, Nyala, Common Impala, Black Impala, Blesbok, White Blesbok, and Common, Black, White, and Copper Springbok.

Additional species may be hunted according to current availability and the applicable trophy fee price list.

 

 

 

Rhino Measurements and Replica Trophy

No rhino is harvested during this safari. Instead, the darting procedure provides an opportunity for measurements to be taken while the animal is being handled. A taxidermist can use these measurements to create a replica of the hunter's individual rhino. This provides something substantially more personal than a generic rhinoceros reproduction because the dimensions can be based on the actual animal pursued during the safari.

Hunters interested in a replica should advise the outfitter before the hunt so that the necessary measurements can be coordinated. Replica production, taxidermy, and shipping are not included in the package price.

 

Taxidermy

Hunters Heart Taxidermy is the taxidermy provider used for the darted rhino hunt. The outfitter will take the measurements and photos necessary to reproduce the rhino trophy.

Replica production and shipping are additional costs. Hunters should discuss the desired mount style, pricing, production timeframe, and shipping arrangements directly with the appropriate taxidermy provider.

 

Getting to the Darted Rhino Hunt

Hunters will fly into O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, South Africa. Round-trip road transportation between O.R. Tambo International Airport and the hunting operation is included in the package. The outfitter will pick you up and drop you off at the airport. No charter flights are required.

Before and after hunt accommodations are not required by the outfitter, although hunters may choose to spend an additional night in Johannesburg depending on their international flight schedule.

 

The Hunting Season and Best Time to Hunt

This Rhino Dart Hunt is available year-round from January through December. Anytime during the year is an acceptable time to come.

 

Dart Gun and Equipment

The rhino portion of this safari is conducted using a dart gun with tranquilizer darts rather than a conventional hunting rifle. Hunters should follow all instructions from the PH and hunting staff during the stalk and final approach. Practice and familiarization with the darting equipment will be coordinated before the actual rhino encounter.

Hunters adding conventional plains game or other species can also arrange rental rifles through the outfitter for $30 per day.

 

Deposit Policy

A $2,000 deposit is required three months before the hunt.

The remaining balance is payable on the last day of the safari. Accepted payment methods include bank transfer and cash.

 

Cancellation Policy

Hunts may be rescheduled one time at the outfitter's sole discretion. Safaris rescheduled to a subsequent year are subject to that subsequent year's pricing. For any reschedulings, a $150 non-refundable payment is due to the booking agent.

 

EXCLUSIONS: International airfare, before and after hunt accommodations, additional hunting days, observer fees, replica trophy production, taxidermy, dip & pack where applicable, replica or trophy shipping, gratuities, and personal expenses.

HUNT # SA-NS-Rhino Dart