New Zealand Safaris and All Seasons Lodge is located in the central South Island between Christchurch and Queenstown, near the rural town of Fairlie. We are are just over the pass from the world famous Mt. Cook National Park and Southern Lakes. This area is the natural home to the bull tahr, fallow buck, red stag, and wallaby with plenty of chamois, birds and other various species who also call this area home.
Our most common questions
Yes. Most countries will allow you to bring meat home due to our game animals having no foreign pests or diseases, certainly in the U.S.
We will prepare your meat either chilled or frozen until you are ready to leave. If you plan to bring meat home we recommend bringing a small cooler with you that can fit inside your main bag, or you can take larger amounts up to 50 lbs as checked baggage.
Yes! Whether they choose to come with us on the hunt or would prefer to enjoy the many activities around us, we can help plan plenty of things to do. New Zealand is a very friendly place to vacation, we have no snakes, spiders or predators and can cater to all interests.
INCLUDED: Prices are quoted in USD and are inclusive of 15% NZ tax, private land hunting, professional guide, lodging, wifi, meals, beer and wine (in moderation), photos, ground transfters, field caping, visit to taxidermist.
NOT INCLUDED: Flights, insurance, before and after accommodation, gratuities, ammunition, any helicopter time (unless noted), taxidermy, expediting, hard liquor.
Yes, Jim has been guiding on free range deer and buffalo in Australia for many years now, towards the end of our season, which is when the main rut is in Australia (June-October).
Species include water buffalo, ox, boar, banteng, rusa deer, sambar deer, axis deer, and black buck antelope. On your request we can personally guide you.
Keep in mind Australia is only 3 hrs from Christchurch International Airport.
We do specialise in hunting most animals Free Range on Private land in New Zealand because of the quality, accessibility, and numbers on our exclusive properties to New Zealand Safaris. But for those clients wanting to go after the truly huge antlered animals like Red Stag and Fallow Buck we have our own 3500 acre hunting estate.
Yes we take a number of bow hunters every year. This is the ultimate challenge for a die-hard hunter that wants to hunt New Zealand at its purist form. We don't use tree stands or hunt over feeders, all spot and stalk on foot shooting up or down hill predominately. Shots will vary from 15-60 yards.
If you have a drivers licence in your home country then you can drive in New Zealand. We drive on the left hand side of the road, and with the low traffic numbers most of our roads are only 2 lane with limited turn offs, just remember roundabouts give way to your right. Hiring (renting) a vehicle is recommended if you would like to tour around during or after your hunt, we can recommend local companies should you need help. The Sould Island only has 23% of the total population of 5 million people in NZ, there is no rush hour. We also have tour guides that can take non hunters aroudn during the hunt.
Generally gratuities are based on 10% of the hunt value for guides and your cook/tour guide 2-5%.
From gift shopping to trout or salmon fishing, sightseeing, snow skiing, horse riding we can personally help in combine these things to your experience to add to your personalised safari.
We are on 240v, with a 2-3 pin plug. Most modern electronics now will handle both 110-240v, just take a look at the plug as it will say. All you will need to use them here is a plug converter which you can get from most stores or airports.
We chill or freeze your trophies until the hunt is finished. From there we will take them to our local taxidermist where you can decide weather you want them mounted here or salted and shipped to your preferred company. Shipping costs vary according to crate size.
Our taxidermist can give you an estimate based on how you would like it done, upon request.
From New Zealand it goes to your country where it is recommended you use a customs broker to clear your trophies and forward onto your designated destination. Again our local taxidermist can assist you with finding a customs broker. You can engage with the customs broker before you leave or once you arrive home you'll just need to provide the contact information to our local taxidermist but its a very straight forward process.
New Zealand is an island and our weather can change often within a day or the week. We carry wet weather gear throughout most of the season and in winter good warm clothing. Much like hunting in many parts of the central U.S, Alaska and Canada, we will send you out a full list of clothing and equipment before you come.
- February-March: This is still in our summer, temps 38°F(3°C) - 80°F (26°C)
- April-May: We are now going to fall, temps 32°F (0°C) - 65°F (18°C)
- June-September: Our main winter months, temps 28°F (-2°C) - 55°F (12°C)
Exercising and working out before the hunt certainly pays off, especially when taking on our mountain animals. Because of our well-tracked properties we are able to drive around most places from the valley floors which allows all ages and abilities of hunters the opportunity to harvest their magnificent trophies. Different properties will provide hunters with different levels of hunting to suit their physical requirements.
For most of our hunting in the South Island the terrain is from rolling hills and valleys for the deer species, to rolling hills/montains for Tahr and Chamois. The hunting is very much like Wyoming or Colorado except there are very few trees on the East Coast so very open country where we can glass for a long way, lower valleys filled with shorter native vegitation 3-6 ft tall which all the animal know well how to use especially in the heat. Most clients are able to hunt all the deer species as this is private ranch type land we have very good roads on them, the most important thing is being confident at prone shots if there are at longer distances but your guide will set you up for this to help get you on target. Putting a couple of rounds through the rifle at the start of the hunt helps also. With tahr and chamois we have had clients of all ages and abilities, althrough we don't use the word guarantee we are very confident of showing you trophy animals, its making the climb to them. Often it takes 1-2 hours taking your time up a hill or sidling, if we can drive onto this can really makes a huge difference. If clients prefer we can also call in a helicopter for tahr/chamois which takes the climb out and gets a lot more action in within a short amount of time. Flying is based off weather forcast and we reccommend to allow 1-2 hours flying time per animal ($1300 - $2100 per hr based on number of clients for helicopter size) this is also for scenic flights which is highly reccommended time allowing or can combine with hunting, the west coast and glaciers is approximately 1.2 hours flying time.
Shots vary depending on game being hunted and more importantly the range the hunter is comfortable with. For deer and most game 100-250 yards, on tahr and chamois 200-400 yards. Bow hunting we try to get you to 40-70 yards.
Our main hunting season is from late February-August. Most of the deer species rut late March-end April. Tahr and chamois winter coats start late April, rut is late May- end of July but they will have their winter coats right through to September. The main bird season is May-July but there are variations, like pheasant is typically April-August. The north island deer are hunted later in the season generally from May-September.
New Zealand Safaris and All Seasons Lodge is located in the central South Island between Christchurch and Queenstown, near the rural town of Fairlie. We are are just over the pass from the world famous Mt. Cook National Park and Southern Lakes. This area is the natural home to the bull tahr, fallow buck, red stag, and wallaby with plenty of chamois, birds and other various species who also call this area home.
626 Hamilton Road Fairlie, South Island, NZ 7987
The lodge is 2.2 hours south of Christchurch and 3.5 hours north of Queenstown.
We can be reached at one of the following numbers:
-Jim Cell Phone: 027-430-3876
-Jim WhatsApp +64274303876
-Annas Cell Phone 021-308-840
-Jim cell USA Jan-Feb 307-355-9356 (phone works when back in NZ but not on me every day)
When dialing from the USA cell, you must dial 011-64 and then the above number; however you must drop the 0 (01164274303876). When calling within New Zealand, dial the no. the way it reads above, without the 011-64 pre-fix from a NZ phone. Or on your phone +64274303876. Apple has calling through wifi which means when set up you can call and text for free via wifi data.
Christchurch offers a blend of restored heritage, modern innovation, and natural beauty. Top spots include strolling through the beautiful Botanic Gardens, eating at Riverside Market, riding the Gondola for city views, and exploring the colorful New Regent Street.
Must visit spots: https://ccc.govt.nz/culture-and-community/central-city-christchurch/things-to-do
Riverside Market & Little High Eatery: Vibrant indoor markets featuring local produce, artisan food and diverse restaurants.
New Regent Street: Known as New Zealand's most beautiful street, this precinct boasts colorful Spanish Mission-style architecture, cafes, and boutiques.
Christchurch Botanic Gardens: A peaceful innter-city sanctury featuring exotic and native plants, sprawling lawns, and historical buildings.
Turanga: The impressive, modern central library offering, among other things, a forth-floor terrace with city views.
Christchurch Gondola: Provides panoramic views of the city, Pegasus Bay, and the Southern Alps.
The Arts Centre & Christchurch Art Gallery: Cultural hub featuring galleries.
We have many options for both hunters and non hunters alike. Non hunters/hunters can tour out of the lodge each day @$400 per day per vehicle, or stay away trips start that include accommodation, breakfast, lunch, tour guide and vehicle @$750 per day. WE have a group tour loop around the South Island for 4 days, and daily scenics out of the lodge to glaciers, lakes, hiking, shopping, day spas, hot pools, and restaurants. Another great option many clients love is to have the freedom to self drive following our tourist map we have planned out.
If you are wanting to visit Queenstown also, here is a great link that will help.
Our time zone is different than yours. The easiest way to understand is to look on your phone, with Apple it's under clock - world clock and type in Wellington. The whole country is on the same time zone.
Boots - Suitable for mountain hunting, waterproof, durable soled with a good heel (do not bring flat sold or hiking boots as these can be treacherous in our hills, the airport is the only flat country you will walk on). They must be well broken in before you arrive. I recommend leather boots such as Meindl, Crispi or Iowa. Additional light shoes for camp and town can also be useful.
Gaitors - Quality type to keep water, vegetation and/or snow out of your boots when food hunting tahr ahd chamois.
Socks - Warm socks for hiking in cold conditions, wool are best as they may get wet.
Trousers - 1 pair of warm hunting pants and long johns, 1 pair of light hunting pants and/or polar fleece bottoms
Over - Trousers - wind/rain proof over trousers are essential
Shirts - 2 heavy weight warm (merino wool perferred or polar fleece) shirts and 1 light shirt
Polar Fleece Top - wool jersey or good fleece - wind stopper is a necessity here
Hat - 1 wool or insulated cold weather hat, 1 sun had (peak cap or brimmed hat)
Gloves - 1 pair of gloves suitable for cold weather hunting is essential and a lighter pair for under gloves.
Jacket - wind/rain proof jacket - esential of tan, green or camoflage color insulated layer optional, though can become useful especially in May - September our winter. You are better to have layers that you can shed when it warms up, than come with heavy clothing
Insulated Vest - optional but recommended May - September
Underclothes - Minimum 2 heavy weight t-shirts for cold conditions and 1 lightweight t-shirt. 5 pairs underpants and 1 pair of long johns. Polypropylene or under armour mountain gear recommended. Cotton is no good, unless hunting in our summer or early fall through March.
Personal toiletries, medical gear, medicines, etc
Other essentials
Sunglasses (snow glare), small day pack preferrably one that can carry a rifle, good quality binoculars, a water bottle, head lamp is a must with spare headlamp or batteries. If we have planned on a camp out for tahr and chamois, a good sleeping bag and mountin pack (one that carries rifle or bow is high advisable) for personal gear is recommended so YOU need to be self sufficient. Your guide will be carrying phone that can text with satellite, first aid kit, emergency EPIRB, extra gear should you need extra.
Personal Hunting Equipment
Rifle - Firearms are easy to bring into and out of NZ. Please make sure you also bring a soft rifle case inside your gun case, as this is how your rifle will travel with us while we are traveling out hunting and they can get knocked around. Suitable calibers for all NZ species are .270s, .300s, .7mm etc. ammunition 40 rounds. Practice long shots up and down hill from a lying down position as this is how 90% of your shooting will be. Your rifle should be sighted in for approx 250 yards, premium projectiles of suitable weight are recommended. 150 gr for the .270W, 160-180gr for the .7mm, and 180 of the .300 seem about right. A good quality scope is ESSENTIAL with at least 10 or 14 power with a scope cover. A bi-pod on your rifle is a valuable asset when hunting the hills in NZ!
Binoculars, camera, spare batteries, scope cover, etc.
New Zealand Safaris can also supply you with a rifle or shotgun shoudl you choose not to bring one.
Bow - broad heads, bring plenty, shafts min of 2 dozen, any necessary spare parts and accessories, range finder, etc
General - The weather can be very changeable and can vary from hot/dry/sunshine to blizzard conditions with little warning in the winter. Light jackets and over-trousers that can be carried are valuable. Over garments, hats, etc shoudl be of subdued colors like green/brown or camoflage.
Ensure that you have sufficient warm clothing, if you do have too much the excess can be safely stored while you are hunting. Also bring casual clothes for before and after the hunt. Please notify us if there is particular equipment that you require from us before you arrive as we need you to be prepared and ready to head to the mountins on the start of your hunt.
For the tahr and chamois hunters this can be river valleys off the road or steeper hill mountain country, you need to be in the best physical and mental shape possible, so keep up with your fitness. You will then enjoy your hunt and will be rewarded with an enjoyable and successful experience.
Air Travel:
Most flights arrive from San Francisco, L.A, or Houston into Auckland which is an overnight 12 hr flight. The main carrier is Air New Zealand which has won numerous awards as an international airline. Travel insurance is recommended and a passport is required. A visitor’s visa is issued upon arrival into New Zealand. Your New Zealand final destination will be either Christchurch or Timaru in the South Island. We are just over 2 hrs south of Christchurch International Airport, and 35 minutes from Timaru Airport and half way between Christchurch and Queenstown.
Hunting Properties:
New Zealand Safaris operates on leased private land. These huge properties are all within 5-30 minute of the lodge. Each species we hunt has 3-4 properties. Which means the game have less pressure from hunting, it also gives us the option to change properties according to weather and hunter’s ability. Every hunter or party can have their own property to hunt on. These ranches (stations) range from 8,000- to our largest 47,000-acre sheep and cattle ranch that is home to the first liberation of the bull tahr. New Zealand Safaris still has access to the largest and most diverse types of privately owned hunting properties in New Zealand, both free range or fair chase estate.
Additional Questions:
If you have any questions that haven't been answered here, please feel free to contact us. We look forward to hunting with you for the experience of a lifetime with New Zealand Safaris!
