For dedicated bowhunters, planning a South African safari requires careful consideration of both the lunar calendar and the season. At Bushmen Safaris, we have specialized in the “Dark of the Moon” method for decades. Aligning your hunt with the new moon cycle allows you to hunt more effectively by leveraging the natural rhythms of Africa’s game.
The Science of the New Moon: Why Animals Move
The “Dark of the Moon” is the period around the new moon, when the night sky is at its darkest. Animal movement during this phase is strongly influenced by predator-prey dynamics.
Most African plains game, including kudu, impala, and wildebeest, rely heavily on their eyesight to detect predators such as lion and leopard. During a full moon, increased visibility allows these animals to graze more safely at night. In contrast, the darkness of the new moon makes nighttime movement riskier, so many animals stay bedded down longer and become more active during daylight to meet their feeding and watering needs.
The “Gold Standard” for Archery Opportunity
In archery, success depends on close-range opportunities, often from a blind. Increased daytime activity during the new moon is therefore a major advantage for bowhunters.
Hunting the “Dark of the Moon” at Bushmen Safaris offers several benefits:
- Increased Daylight Watering-Hole Activity: Reduced nighttime movement often pushes animals to water during legal shooting hours, especially near strategically placed archery blinds.
- More Predictable Movement: Lower nocturnal feeding pressure tends to create more reliable morning and evening movement windows.
- Better Setup Timing: Daylight movement allows hunters and PHs to read sign and patterns with greater confidence.
An Archery Legacy Since 1986
Since 1986, Bushmen Safaris has operated as an archery-focused destination, and our expertise in lunar timing is a key part of our consistently high success rates. When the moon is dark, the bush often comes alive in daylight—creating ideal conditions for a world-class, fair-chase bowhunting experience.
Contact Bushmen Safaris
Ready to plan your next archery safari? Visit www.bushmensafaris.com to view our gallery and trophy lists, call our USA office at 208-322-5902, or email [email protected] to request a brochure and available dates.
