The country’s second largest province lies between the Indian Ocean and the Drakensberg Mountains. The dry semi-arid desert interior is known as the Karoo which in complete contrast gives way to the densely wooded valley bushveld, like the Addo Elephant National Park. The coastline is dominated by beautiful evergreen coastline plains, with magnificent beaches and the spectacular forests of the Garden Route and Tsitsikamma National Park. Owing to this vast diversity of habitat it was once considered one of the county’s richest wildlife areas and severely over-hunted during colonial times. Much of the province’s former wildlife populations have been restored to their former glory days. Buffalo and an assortment of general plains game can be hunted in the Eastern Cape. This includes some of South Africa’s specials, like the Eastern Cape Kudu, a regionalised species, slightly smaller both in body and horn length to their Greater Kudu relatives. Two South African endemics occur in the area, namely the Grey Rhebuck, a mountain species often hunted in cold, windy and sometimes snowy conditions. These extremely weary animals, with their uncanny sixth sense are known for being the most challenging plains game hunt in the country. The other endemic species is the Cape Grysbok, a member of the “Tiny Ten”. Generally speaking, hunting with dogs in South Africa is illegal. However, the tiny Blue Duiker may be hunted with specially trained Jack Russell Terriers. These animals are flushed by the dogs and shot on the run with a shotgun. Caracal (Lynx), an acknowledged stock farming problem predatory animal may also be hunted with hound packs, an experience as exciting as a Mountain Lion hunt in the USA. Specialised bird hunting outfitters with pointing and retrieving dogs offer some of the best upland (Greywing Francolin) and waterfowl shoots in the country. Another unique hunt offered in this province is a Rhino Vita Dart Hunt. This is a non-lethal hunt conducted in conjunction with a veterinarian who is only permitted to tranquilize a Rhino for conservation, medical or management reasons. The client will then be able to dart the Rhino with a vitamin cocktail prior to the animal being completely immobilised and classified as a kill by SCI. Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) and CITES permits are required for some species even with an exemption permit. All the necessary documentation details will be provided by your Outfitter. Learn more about South African hunting regulations here.