Authentic
Adventure Hunting
Experience New Zealand's most remote and rugged landscapes
Are you ready for
The Adventure Beyond?
Once in a lifetime
Backcountry Hunts
Around
The Snow Line
A Southern Lakes Safaris specialty, these are the hunts we live for. Flying into our public land concession, situated in New Zealand’s most remote and scenic public land hunting grounds, we’ve spent our whole lives gaining the knowledge to be able to make our clients successful in harvesting a truly mature tahr or chamois on public land.
We are the only New Zealand outfitter with a concession directly with the New Zealand government, and this covers almost the entire tahr range, and where we also find high quality chamois and red deer. And it’s because we take things seriously enough to have gained our own concession, that we also have client safety always front of mind with our safety plan having been independently audited to a much higher level than is required. Meaning we put you and your experience here first.
We can adapt these trips to virtually any level of fitness and sense of adventure, but a good base level of fitness will see you enjoy this hunt so much more. We are proud to say we are the only New Zealand outfitter serious enough about mountain hunting, that our guides have high level avalanche qualifications and experience.
Our commitment to client safety is such that we have developed our own Health and Safety System specifically for backcountry hunting, which has been audited to a much higher level than our industry peers.
Real life
Endless Adventure
Once in a lifetime
Stalks
Game Rich
Environments
Unlike most New Zealand outfitters, we don’t just hunt a small part of the one ranch. Instead, through our relationships developed from a long time in the industry, we are able to hunt throughout more than 6 expansive ranches, including some of the most exclusive and iconic private land hunting in New Zealand.
Our estates range from 5000-10,000 acres, and together with our free range properties we have access to over 400,000 acres. With our estate stags typically scoring 320 to 550 SCI and beyond, our free range stags are scored on the Douglas system with an exceptional stag scoring 300, the equivalent to 280 SCI.
We utilise 4WD’s and ATV’s to gain altitude on the numerous tracks, then spot and stalk on foot. We can cater to any level of fitness, but a little bit of fitness will see you reach those less frequented “hidden gems”.
Our Guests
Love Us
“Good honest people and true professionals”
— CHASE GREENVILLE – HUNTING VIDEOGRAPHER, TEXAS
“I travelled to New Zealand for a hunt with Ewan from Southern Lakes Safaris on the recommendation of a friend. I was not disappointed. Ewan has the most incredible local connections and access to private land all over the South Island. Ewan’s connections, knowledge, equipment, and approach are outstanding. He can tailor a hunt to suit the desired game, the hunter’s age, level of fitness, and personal preferences. I will hunt again with Ewan at the next available opportunity.”
— MICHAEL SCHWEDE – AUSTRALIA
“I had the pleasure of joining Ewan from Southern Lakes Safaris on a guided tahr hunt this year. As this was my first overseas hunting trip, the planning process was seamless. The hunt exceeded my expectations; the location was spectacular and there was an abundance of tahr. Ewan was an exceptional guide with a deep understanding of tahr behaviour. Ewan is organised, professional, thoughtful, and dedicated to providing a first-class hunting experience.”
— SIMON MUNIANDY – QUEENSLAND
