FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When Is The Best Time To Hunt Buffalo In Australia?

Our season runs from Late May-October. Typically known in the Northern Territory as the dry season which comes after the wet monsoonal summer. By mid September the weather starts to get quiet extreme with hot and humid days. However it is still a great time to hunt buffalo as they come out of the valleys onto more permanent water sources.

What Will The Weather Be Like?

Katherine being in the North of Australia has a subtropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. The hunting season of May to October (dry season) consists of mostly dry cool overnight temperatures ranging from 9-14 degrees Celsius to rain free days of 24-34 degrees Celsius. The later two months of the hunting season September and October brings with it humidity and increased temperatures upto 38 degrees Celsius with the occasional storm and shower of rain. 

Can I Bring My Own Rifle And What Calibres are Recommended?

Clients are more than welcome to bring their own rifles. There are restrictions on what rifles can be brought into Australia but bolt action sporting rifles have no restrictions. All clients using firearms whilst on safari with Big Country Safaris are required to hold an International Visitors Firearms Licence and if bringing their own rifle an import permit known as a B709A. The link to applying for this licence and import permit are below. The process is an easy one but requires completing at least two months before coming to Australia to allow time for reviewing ands processing, rectifying any mistakes or clarifying information on the applications.  

We also have several quality 458 Win Mag and 375H&H rifles that our guests are more then welcome to use free of charge.

International Visitors Firearm Licence Application- https://pfes.nt.gov.au/sites/default/files/uploads/files/2020/International%20Visitor%20Permit%2001-2020%20.pdf

B709a Firearm Import Permit Application- https://pfes.nt.gov.au/sites/default/files/uploads/files/2019/ApplicationforPoliceAuthorisationB709.pdf

We recommend trialled and proven big game calibers such as the 375H&H, 404Jeffrey, 416 Rigby, 458 Win Mag, 458 Lott and other similar big game cartridges. We also recommend that you are comfortable shooting the calibre you have chosen whilst hunting with us. 

Do You Guide Bow Hunters?

The answer is Yes and Yes. Since the conception of Big Country Safaris we have aimed to accomodate and welcome bowhunters. We love the challenge and use of patience required to place our client within 20 yards of a 1600pound bull whilst waiting for the animal to present the perfect shot opportunity. Please see the bowhunting section of this website for more information. 

Where Are Your Hunting Camps Located and How Long Does It Take To Get There?

Please see the location section of our Website

How Do I Get To Darwin Where You Would Pick Me Up?

If you are flying in from America you will be landing in the Port of either Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne. Qantas and Virgin Airlines fly several times a day from all three of these cities to Darwin. We will then pick you up from Darwin at the Airport or from your hotel.

Where Is The Best Place To Stay Before And After Our Safari?

We recommend staying at the Argus Hotel in Darwin City or the Hilton on Mitchell St, Darwin City. booking.com is a great site to use to find accommodation in Darwin. Smith, Cavenagh and Mitchell Streets are the three Darwin City streets that many great hotels within a close proximity to the pubs, restaurants and tourist attractions can be found.

How Will My Trophies Be Prepared, Packed And Forwarded To Me After The Safari?

Once your trophy has hit the ground and photos to capture the memories have been completed, we will work quickly and proficiently to remove the cape from your animal, turn the ears, eyes, nose lips etc and have it in the salt promptly. We have many great taxidermists in Australia we can recommend. However most clients request we send their trophies and capes to their personal taxidermist from their respective country. We dip, pack, crate and then freight your trophies and capes to Raitt Freight International in Brisbane who is a trusted and experienced import and export agent of hunting trophies worldwide. They will work with your respective import agent to have your trophies delivered to you or your taxidermist efficiently. 

Are You Able To Provide A List Of References Of Previous Hunters?

Yes having conducted successful hunting safaris and seasons since our conception and repeat clients, we are more then happy to supply a comprehensive list of contacts from previous local and international clients.

What Is Your Success Rate?

We have a 100 percent success rate on mature buffalo bulls. We are blessed with two great concessions and sole access with plentiful numbers of buffalo. It is not uncommon to see 300-400 buffalo in a day 

Do You Offer Deer Hunting?

Although there is know deer hunting safari operations in the Northern Territory, we work in conjunction with some terrific, experienced and well established deer outfitters in Australia. We can organise safaris for all 6 of the deer species found in Australia in conjunction with your buffalo safari. Those species being Red, Rusa, Sambar, Fallow, Hog and Chital/Axis Deer

What To Bring?

Please contacts us for a comprehensive packing list 

What Accreditations Does Big Country Safaris And Their Guides Hold?

Big Country Safaris has an exclusive Section19 Lease in Arnhem Land. A section 19 Lease is required to conduct any business on Aboriginal owned land in the Northern Territory. Permits are required to enter Arnhem Land. Having a section 19 Lease agreement allows us and our clients to be permitted to enter Arnhem Land to conduct safari operations

Big Country Safaris also holds a Corporate Safari Firearm Licence which is required by Northern Territory Police in order to conduct hunting safaris. All of our guides have current first aid training and employee firearm licences. We are both accredited and insured to conduct safari operations in the Northern Territory and Arnhem Land.

What Is There To Do In The Northern Territory Before or After My Hunt

The Northern Territory as well as being a sportsman paradise is a world famous tourist destination. Aside from the top class barramundi and deep sea fishing accessible from Darwin, the territory is home to the World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park. Easily accessible from Darwin either by tours leaving daily or hire a 4wd and see it for yourself. There is various accommodation from hotels to campsites within the park.  Listed below is are some of the sites Kakadu is famous for

- Corroboree Billabong 

- Ubir Rock

- Cahills Crossing

- Jim Jim Falls

- Yellow Waters

- Barramundi Gorge

- Gunlom Falls

Within the Katherine District sites worth the visit include

- Edith Falls

- Katherine Gorge

- Mataranka Hot Springs 

-  Cutta Cutta Caves

Big Country Safaris is more then happy to help you organise your holiday pre or post hunting safari. Get in touch with us and we can help and offer our local advice and information. The below website is also a great information source of things to see and do in the Northern Territory and how to do it. Some of these sites in the Katherine District you will visit with us on route to and from camp on the 1st and last day. 

https://northernterritory.com