Private Land & Hunting Areas

New Zealand Safaris gives hunters access to some of the most spectacular private hunting country in New Zealand’s South Island.

Based in Fairlie, South Canterbury, our hunts take place across privately owned high-country stations, mountain properties, river valleys and open hill country. These are the places Jim Gibson has built relationships around over a lifetime of hunting, guiding and working with private landowners.

For our clients, that means a more personal, flexible and exclusive hunting experience — not crowded public land, not a resort-style multi-group setup, and not a one-size-fits-all hunt.

Your hunt is yours alone.

Why Private Land Matters

Private land access is one of the biggest differences in the New Zealand Safaris experience.

Because we hunt private properties, we can offer a more controlled and personalised hunt. Your guide can choose hunting areas based on the species you are targeting, the weather, animal movement, your physical ability and the style of hunt you are looking for.

This gives us flexibility that is difficult to match on heavily pressured or public-access land.

It also means your experience can be shaped around you — whether you are looking for a Red Stag hunt, an alpine Tahr or Chamois challenge, a family-friendly safari, or a combination of hunting, fishing and touring.

Hunting in the Heart of the South Island

New Zealand Safaris is located in the Fairlie Basin on the South Island, near the world-famous Mount Cook region and the Southern Alps.

This part of New Zealand offers a rare mix of open country, river valleys, mountain views, fertile farmland, high-country stations and dramatic alpine scenery. It is an ideal base for hunters who want world-class game, incredible landscapes and a comfortable lodge experience close to the hunting areas.

Our primary lodge, All Seasons Lodge, is located in Fairlie and is within easy reach of most of the hunting properties. This helps reduce unnecessary travel time and gives you more time in the field.

Close to the Lodge, Close to the Game

One of the advantages of staying at All Seasons Lodge is how close it is to the hunting properties.

The lodge is set on a private 20-acre property in Fairlie and is located within approximately 5–30 minutes of many of the hunting areas. That means you can enjoy a comfortable base, home-cooked meals, warm beds and private accommodation without being far from the country you came to hunt.

After a day in the hills, you return to the lodge to relax, eat well and prepare for the next day’s hunt.

Free-Range and Fair-Chase Hunting Options

New Zealand Safaris offers hunters the choice of free-range and fair-chase hunting experiences.

Depending on your species, goals and hunting style, you may hunt high-quality free-ranging animals in their natural environment, private fair-chase estate country, or a combination of both.

Many hunters choose to combine different styles of hunting on private land. For example, a client may want the experience of an alpine Tahr hunt as well as a quality Red Stag hunt. The right plan depends on the species, trophy goals, time available, weather and hunter ability.

Terrain and Hunting Style

The terrain varies depending on the species you are hunting.

For most deer species, the country is made up of rolling hills, valleys and private ranch-style land. Much of this country has good vehicle access, making it suitable for a wide range of hunters.

For Tahr and Chamois, the terrain becomes more mountainous. These hunts may involve open hill country, river valleys, steeper climbs and alpine-style hunting. The East Coast of the South Island has fewer trees than many North American hunters may expect, which allows for long-distance glassing across open slopes and valleys.

The hunting can feel similar to parts of Wyoming or Colorado, but with its own distinct New Zealand landscape: open country, shorter native vegetation, mountain backdrops and big views.

Tahr and Chamois Country

Tahr and Chamois hunts are often more physically demanding than deer hunts, but they can be adapted where possible to suit the hunter.

Some hunts may involve one to two hours of steady uphill walking or sidling to reach the right position. In other cases, vehicle access can make a major difference. Helicopter access may also be available for Tahr and Chamois depending on the weather, the hunt plan and the client’s preference.

The goal is always to match the hunt to the hunter while still giving you a genuine mountain hunting experience.

Species Across Our Hunting Areas

The private hunting areas give clients access to a wide range of New Zealand and South Pacific game species.

Popular hunts include:

• Red Stag
• Tahr
• Chamois
• Fallow Deer
• Elk
• Arapawa Ram
• Sika Deer
• Sambar Deer
• Rusa Deer
• White Stag
• Whitetail Deer
• Boar
• Alpine Goat
• Wing Shooting
• Fly Fishing

Each species offers a different kind of challenge, terrain and experience. Some hunters come for a once-in-a-lifetime Red Stag. Others build a multi-species safari around Tahr, Chamois, Fallow Deer, Elk, sheep, wing shooting or fishing.

If you are unsure which hunt is right for you, we can help you choose the best combination based on your goals, dates, ability and the type of experience you want.

Guided by Local Knowledge

Private land access is only valuable when it is matched with deep knowledge of the animals, the country and the conditions.

Jim Gibson has spent a lifetime building personal relationships with private landowners and learning the land he hunts. He still guides the majority of New Zealand Safaris hunts personally and works with a team of experienced local guides who understand the game, terrain and client experience.

Your guide will help with glassing, stalking, judging animals, reading the country and setting you up for the best possible shot opportunity.

A Hunt Designed Around You

New Zealand Safaris is a small, family-run outfitter. We focus on quality hunts over high-volume hunts.

That means we are not trying to move large numbers of hunters through the lodge at once. Instead, we aim to create a personalised hunting experience for each hunter, couple, family or small group.

Your hunt can be shaped around:

• The species you want to target
• Your preferred hunting style
• Your physical ability
• Your trophy goals
• The time of year
• Weather and animal movement
• Non-hunter or family activities
• Whether you want to combine hunting with touring, fishing or sightseeing

This flexibility is one of the main advantages of hunting private land with an experienced local outfitter.

Land Stewardship and Sustainability

We believe the land should be protected and respected.

New Zealand Safaris works across thousands of acres of native bush, grassy meadows, timber, river valleys and mountain country. The properties we use are home to native trees, native birds, natural springs, waterways and diverse wildlife.

We support predator control, responsible land use, recycling, composting, reduced plastic use and practical environmental care across the lodge and properties.

Our goal is simple: to preserve the land we hunt and live on so future generations can enjoy it too.

What Hunters Say

“Jim has an intimate knowledge of the animals and their habits. He frequently predicted what the animals were going to do before they did it. In addition, he has a complete knowledge of the tens of thousands of acres he hunts. Jim is completely focused on your hunt being successful.”

— John Larue, Montana, USA

“Jim, you are a very hard working guide and outfitter and it was great my wife could come on the hunts with us. You have great knowledge of the land and game, that made the hunt a lot of fun.”

— Kevin & Mary Beth Pollock, Utah, USA