Authentic
Adventure Hunting.
A true mountain hunting experience
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 one of only two New Zealand outfitters with a concession directly with the New Zealand government, and this covers almost the entire tahr range, but 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 what is common. 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 soo 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.
Real life
Endless Adventure
Once in a lifetime
Bush 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
“I have hunted with Ewan of Southern Lakes Safaris multiple times solo and with a friend and have always came away with unparalleled hunting experiences. Ewan has tailored the hunts perfectly to our requests from fly in helicopter hunts for Chamois and Tahr to hike in backpack camping hunts for free range Stag. Southern Lakes Safaris has provided us the completely catered style hunt while also guiding on us on hunts where we have wanted more of a “do it yourself” experience. With Southern Lakes you will get the type of hunt and experience YOU want whereas with so many other outfitters I have experienced in the past the hunt is dictated on their terms.
I love having an owner/operator/guide who truly is a hunter’s hunter who is just as passionate about the hunt as I am and not just someone doing a job to make money. If you want to experience the “Real and Wild New Zealand” I would highly recommend Southern Lakes Safaris.”
— BRENDT SHERIDAN – FENNVILLE, MICHIGAN, USA