About Us

Hotfire Safaris is owned and operated by Patrick and Ryan. Their team look after all your needs, ensuring that your expectations are exceeded and your safari is what you want it to be.
Hotfire Safaris utilise the services of top Angling Guides and Professional Hunters, combined with the well trained and experienced trackers, skinners and various other support staff. Your trip will be professionally managed, giving you complete peace of mind.

The History of Hotfire

Hotfire Safaris was established by the Fletcher family in 2001. The origins of the farm settlement dates back to when the area was still known as the Queen Adelaide province in the early 1800s. The present Hotfire farm house was built in the 1930s.

Hotfire’s unusual name, according to verbal tradition, derives from a battle that took place during the last of the frontier wars between the British colonists and the indigenous Xhosa tribes. According to the legend, a patrol of colonist soldiers were pursued from the junction of the White Kei and the Black Kei rivers by a Xhosa impi under Chief Anta, half brother of the Great Chief Sandile.
The colonist patrol retreated to a small outpost, near the present Hotfire homestead, manned by members of a Welsh Regiment. However, Anta’s Xhosa impi overran the outpost and forced the colonists to retreat and take refuge in the caves and amongst the rocks of the Greystone Slopes. The battle which then ensued is referred to as the battle of Hotfire, due to the amount of hot lead (bullets) that was swapped between the two groups!

The legend has neither been proven nor disproved, but evidence of an old rifle and jacket buttons of the correct period were found amongst the caves near the Hotfire beacon by a previous owner of the farm, Mr Sparks.
A memorable African safari for the hunter & the conservationist in the picturesque Eastern Cape. Flanked by red sandstone cliffs, bushveld covered mountains and bordering on the picturesque Kei River in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, lies the historic Hotfire Wildlife Ranch, waiting to provide a memorable professional hunting African safari to the hunter and the conservationist.

The malaria-free hunting grounds of the Eastern Cape are some of the most fruitful and dynamic environments on the African continent, providing a true African hunting safari experience. The Swart Kei river valley is home to a prolific amount of indigenous mammal and bird species, such as the kudu, mountain reedbuck, eland, warthog, wildebeest and vervet monkey among other attractive game. Hotfire ranch has been additionally stocked with extra-limitable species, including nyala, impala, zebra and hartebeest, offering a full spectrum of game for an amazing African game hunting holiday.
Hotfire Safaris offers the ultimate South African hunting experience for birds and mammals, with various trophy size animals regularly in stock for professional and amateur trophy hunting. Fishing safaris on the Swart Kei River offer the opportunity to catch "Africa's Trout", the Smallmouth Yellowfish.

Although visitors might feel like they're in the heart of the African bush during their stay, Hotfire hunting and fishing safaris is a short 33km drive from Cathcart, and just an hour and a half drive from the booming coastal metropole of Buffalo City (East London).

Hotfire is committed to provide an experience for the whole family, and hunters are encouraged to bring their wives, children, parents and everyone in between along for unforgettable family hunting trip. The pool and river are a pleasure during the hot summer months, while game drives, hiking, birding, rock art sites, spa treatments and trips and tours to surrounding areas will keep even the fussiest family member happy.
Now is the time to fulfil your dream of hunting in South Africa, and Hotfire Safaris is the ideal first stop. With immense attention to detail, every part of the Hotfire African hunting safari experience is uncompromisingly professional, including the luxury safari tents, the guided hunting and fishing trips, the wholesome home-cooked meals, and the in-depth knowledge of African wildlife.
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