Julian Salutregui just got back from his first South Africa bow hunt, and in Episode 53 of Live Like You Mean It, he and host Cory Glauner break down the whole experience — from the long flight into Johannesburg to hunting impala, nyala, and warthog across multiple concessions. If you’ve been curious about Africa but don’t know where to start, this one is worth your time.
In this episode
They Hit the Ground Running — Whether You’re Ready or Not
Julian landed after a long flight, eight hours of time difference behind him, and the outfitter’s crew was ready to go immediately. The cook met him at the lodge with a drink, his gear was put away, and the expectation was clear: you’re hunting tonight. Julian asked for an hour to get his legs under him and get his bow dialed in before heading out. He got it — but just barely.
That first evening, a big pack of baboons came through. That was the show for the night. No shot, but a reminder that Africa doesn’t waste any daylight.
Concessions: You’re Not Stuck in One Spot
One of the things Julian didn’t know going in — and said he wished someone had told him — is how the concession system works. Your outfitter isn’t limited to one piece of ground. The operation he hunted with shared access to multiple concessions, and if the animals you’re after aren’t showing on one piece, they load up and take you somewhere else.
Julian spent time on a second concession — a big one, miles of road through it — hunting there for a couple of days, sometimes half days. He had a real chance at a zebra over there that didn’t quite come together, but the point is the flexibility. Staying at one beautiful lodge while having access to different ground depending on what you’re chasing is a setup that Julian said he didn’t expect and genuinely appreciated.
If you want gemsbok, the outfitter knows which concession has the right habitat for gemsbok. If you want to sit a water hole somewhere else, you go there. You come back to the same lodge every night. That’s the deal.
The Variety Is Real
Beyond the standard plains game, Julian’s outfitter offered bush pig hunting on a nearby farm — spotlighting at night, a totally different style of hunting. They had a big one coming in during Julian’s trip, but it didn’t work out. Still, he said they’re cool-looking animals and worth knowing that option exists.
The outfitter was also willing to keep hunting as long as Julian could stay awake. Day hunts, night hunts — the program runs as long as you want it to. Cory mentioned a client of his who went over and shot 14 animals on a rifle hunt. That’s an extreme example, but it illustrates how much is available if you want it. Africa will let you go as deep as you’re willing to go.
What’s Around Camp After Dark
Back at the lodge at night, the experience doesn’t stop. Vervet monkeys come in and spend the night in the big trees around camp. Bush babies — small, wide-eyed primates — show up after dark and move through the trees in a way that Julian compared to watching Spider-Man. It’s not something most hunters expect, and it’s a genuine part of what makes the trip feel like more than just hunting.
Kruger National Park is within reach of the area Julian hunted — about seven hours away, Cory noted. The outfitter is willing to arrange tours there for people in the group who want it. But Julian put it plainly: if you’re a hunter, you’re going to feel like you’re at Kruger Park anyway, given what you’re seeing around you every day.
The Best Case for Going
Both Julian and Cory have hunted hard in Idaho their whole lives — steep, rocky, tough country, brutal weather. They know what it means to suffer for a hunt and they’re fine with it. That context matters when Julian says South Africa is one of the most fun hunts he’s ever been on.
The animals are diverse, the days are full, and the physical demands are nothing like chasing elk through Idaho timber in a rainstorm. Cory said it this way: if you built an equation of dollars spent per unit of fun, South Africa is hard to beat. That’s not a knock on North American hunting. It’s just an honest accounting of what the experience delivers.
For hunters who want to do something different without suffering through it, or who want to bring a spouse, a kid, or a friend who isn’t built for a sheep hunt, South Africa makes a lot of sense.
Taxidermy and Getting Your Gear There
The episode touches on the reality of what comes after the hunt. Bringing multiple animals home means taxidermy costs add up fast — Julian made that point when talking about the client who shot 14 animals on a rifle. It’s part of the trip you need to budget for going in, not something to be surprised by after the fact.
The show also covers bringing firearms to South Africa. The process is manageable, but there are steps to follow, and knowing what those are before you get to the airport matters. Cory and Julian both recommend talking through the logistics with a consultant before you book, so nothing catches you off guard.
—
Episode 53 is a straightforward, honest walkthrough of what a first-time South Africa hunt actually looks like — the good, the unexpected, and the things nobody tells you until you’re already there. Give it a listen wherever you get your podcasts.
If you’re thinking about a trip like this, reach out to the team at Outdoors International. Most people don’t know exactly what they want when they start the conversation, and that’s fine. That’s what the consultants are there for.
Listen to the full episode — or wherever you get your podcasts.
I didn't think an experience like this was possible.
This trip, was, for me at least not just a trip, for me it was a real adventure, a real experience. I love the wilderness and this trip afforded me the opportunity to connect with the Alaskan wilderness in ways very few people do. It was an experience I will never forgot in a place I can’t wait to get back to.Oliver Fischer
The outfitter handled everything perfectly.
We were thankful that Outdoors International hooked us up with a great outfitter because they were able to find us an acceptable alternate on short notice. Overall the two year process to get this float in was seamless and worry free. Just like it should be.Thank you, Stan Masneri
What an amazing experience!
The lodge was out of this world! Our rooms, the delicious food, the incredible wildlife and the scenery were amazing. Our photo safari guide was truly exceptional and had us on animals almost constantly. We saw over 30 different species and had some incredible up close experiences. Africa is amazing!Scott Navares
Copyright 2005-2026 © Outdoors International™ · All Rights Reserved.
