Big shout out to Clayton Comins of Umdende Safaris!

I just returned from South Africa where I was put on a spectacular waterfowl collecting hunt. Clayton along with Sabastian Paquot made this experience one to remember. 15 different species of waterfowl were targeted for my collection and all 15 were collected in 3 1/2 days. The best way for me to describe trying to get each species is by thinking of each hunt as it’s own mini safari. They had a game plan to target each species that was executed until the 15th one was taken. I would highly recommend using them if collecting anything from the African Pygmy Goose to the Spur Wing Goose and all the other species in between that South Africa offers. The lodging, food, culture and of course the hunting was spectacular! It was definitely a bucket lister for me and I’m glad Umdende Safaris was able to help me check it off.

Rich Maris, August 2023

Amazing

When it comes to Africa’s best wingshooting and hospitality, you need look no further than the skilled folks at Umdende Safaris who have been doing it a long time. Beyond the tremendous variety from decoying ducks and geese to driven guineafowl and francolin to high-volume doves and pigeons, there’s more to this continent’s sporting opportunities than big game alone.

Chris Dorsey, July 2019
Executive Producer and host, Sporting Classics TV and author of ‘The World’s Greatest Wingshooting‘ 

Thank you all for a beautiful and amazing hunt, you helped make amazing memories for my wife and I. What a great hunt and animal, his scar’s tell stories. We are already planning on when we can return, adding the Black Wildebeest, Kudu, and a few others. Can’t wait.

I have just gotten back from our trip to South Africa with Umdende Hunting Safari’s. To say it was a dream trip come true is an understatement! We were a group of 10- 6 hunters and 4 non-hunting pain in the butt women. From the planning stages to the trip itself, Clayton was super accommodating and went above and beyond to make sure us girls had a great time. They organized a private safari trip to Kruger National Park for two days, boat trips, excursions for shopping, and a cat sanctuary where we were able to get up close and personal with lions and tigers. Back at camp we were spoiled rotten with wine and drinks and food preferences. The accommodations exceeded my expectations and the staff was amazing; I so very much enjoyed our evenings spent together eating and drinking and sharing stories. To Clayton, Theo, Francois, Nells, Audrey and Henk (especially for having to put up with us girls for two days in the car) thank you so so so much! I will never forget this amazing experience and really hope to see you all again.

African Tradition

After bird shooting several times over the last 20 years with Clayton’s father, Trevor, we looked forward to more of the same with Umdende – and we were not disappointed.We brought along English friends who had not experienced bird shooting in Africa before and they were very impressed and very, very happy.  We stayed all week at the Lodge, and Clayton and Garth presented us with a wide range of feathered game – duck, francolin, dove, guinea fowl (wild and driven!), geese – and all well within an hour’s drive from base. As before, the food and hospitality were first rate and the conversation around the fire pit was always stimulating. We hope we can carry on another African tradition with Clayton and all the Umdende family.

I Am Really In Africa

Up at 7am , Frost in the morning “Am I really in Africa? “, it’s our first days hunting at the magnificent hunting estate, 6000 Hectares of rolling hills ,valleys , dry river beds, vast areas of woodland and grasslands. This was Jonathan’s and my first trip to SA and first trip Shooting game.On landing we were met by our 2 PH’S who loaded our gear and a short time later we entered the enormous estate which would be our home for the next 8 days. 

The lodge is impressive, a roaring log fire outside surrounded by comfortable chairs burns 24 hours a day, and I was soon shown my large bedroom with swimming pool bath. I was unpacked within minutes and booted up we went to the firing range to check our sights and a sensible chat on safety. This was fun and got us all in a relaxed mood for dinner. None of that Michelin stuff !! Good tuck which over 8 days included curries ,steaks, Roasts, chops, greens, roast potatoes and all that makes one feel well and truly fed. Great starters and the puddings to die for.

My PH was Garth Lee , been a Pro for 12 years. Jonathan had his first kill that day a magnificent Warthog. I was in bed by 9.30 each evening as stalking these hills made us all tired and ready for an early night.

That evening we also met Clayton Comins who runs the very successful Umdende Hunting Safaris Company , Clayton employs Garth and Rudolf and the three travel the world to various game shows presenting the various hunting lodges and farms they represent throughout Africa. These guys enjoy enormous knowledge of their quarry and will organise trips in Namibia ,Botswana in fact wherever you wish to find your trophy. Each evening over dinner we would discuss our day and plan the next, these PH’s really know their business and ensure you are completely at ease. They are competitive with each other and measurement of horns and a good bit of teasing was par for the course. The next morning was to be Jonathan’s big day, Cape Buffalo had been seen and it wasn’t long before we were all loaded up. Wow it was an amazing moment when Jonathan took his Buff and I could only imagine what was going through his mind. A magnificent beast, probably 19 years old with the scars of battle on his horn bosses. We took numerous other species over the week, then guns were cleaned, lunch taken and with great sadness we bade farewell to our new friends at Umdende Hunting Safaris. They had done us proud and given us the most amazing, exciting trip of our lives, I have to say that hunting in Africa was never something I felt I had missed but now I want to return to this magnificent countryside , and I will and see our new friends again.

Truly Fantastic

Nkulu here. Can’t say enough good things about our trip. It was truly fantastic. Clayton does a phenomenal job as a PH, host, driver, fire maker, guinea drive manager, Dad and husband. We had great fun with him and he did a fabulous job. Bob and Roger are very, very, very happy with their trip.Here are a few photos of yours truly from the trip. That bush pig thing is really a spectacularly ridiculous stupid event. WOW!!!!! My adrenaline gets going just when I see the photo or think about it. Love u guys and I am officially recruiting Liam for Texas A&M University and the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets. He would make a fantastic Fightin’ Texas Aggie like his Uncle Tim and Mark. 

Enjoyed it all. Wish I could do it every year!

Recommended Without Hesitation

After being the successful bidder on the Umdende Hunting Safaris donation hunt at our local SCI chapter I elected to take my oldest son Eric on his first African safari. To say that it was a success would be an understatement as he cleanly harvested 7 animals after months of practicing and preparation.  Everything was first rate from airport pickup to drop off. Camps were impeccable, food was superb and the quality of Clayton’s work as a PH were excellent (with a good word also for Johan who assisted at the end of our hunt as well as to Garth who assisted with Eric’s Kudu hunt). We plan to return next year. Recommended without hesitation.

Exceeded All Expectations

I have just finished my fourth year of hunting with Umdende. Garth and Clayton have again done a very good job of presenting fair chase game. The birds were very active for the most part. Blinds and hunts were set up to maximize the opportunities. Weather hindered one day but there is nothing that they could have done to improve this. Even with this they made changes to the plans to maximize the chances. I really like that all of the hunts are close to the lodge, very little wasted time driving.This is a family operation with Debbie and Tenneil assisting. The lodge and food exceeded all expectations. I appreciate that we were eating the game that was taken.

I am already looking forward to a return trip next year.

Great Experience

Good morning Debbie 

On behalf of everyone I’d like to thank you all for all the efforts you all put during this safari, it was great experience as expected and hopefully it won’t be the last. 

Please pass our regards to everyone.

Highly Recommended

Clayton and his team did an outstanding job of providing a number of diverse hunting experiences for our group.  They also showed a great deal of flexibility in changing some of their plans based on some last minute requests.  Perhaps just as important they all worked very hard to get to know each us on a more personal level which helped create a very fun and enjoyable social atmosphere.  I would highly recommend Umdende Hunting Safaris to any individual or groups that are looking for a very professional and adaptable team that will exceed your expectations.

Experience of a Lifetime

Clayton/Debbie/Garth/Tenneil, thanks for your terrific hospitality, incredible hunting, lots of fun and laughter, and the video. The team was true professionals from the time we first met until we left. What an adventure, we especially appreciate your flexibility in changing plans on a minutes notice and going the extra mile. We will forever remember the experience of a lifetime and more important each of you.

A Very Special THANK YOU to Clayton and the entire staff at Umdende Clayton Comins Hunting Safaris.

I just wanted to take the time to say a BIG THANK YOU for such an Amazing Hunting Safari. I want to assure you of one thing, You have been able to bring my life long dream of hunting South Africa a Reality, and that Reality exceeded all of my expectations. From the Accomodations, the Gourmet Food to some of the best hunting I have ever experienced. The Professionalism and Dedication of All the Staff at Umdende was second to none.

Clayton, it was such a pleasure to meet your wife Debbie and children Liam and Camilla, and even more of a pleasure to hunt with your son Liam. The excitement in his eyes and all of his hard work illustrated the passion he has for the outdoors. Clayton when I left I said ” See you later” Not Goodbye, I mean this in a sense that this will not be my last hunting safari in Africa and I can assure you that every hunting safari in South Africa will only be with Umdende Clayton Comins Hunting Safaris. 

Please thank Tenniel, Debbie, Moses and all of the staff for me at the lodge.

In closing, if I only have one word of advice to give you, it would be this… KEEP DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING!!!!

Dream Hunt

To all the staff at Umdende, the farm owners where we hunted the serval & aardwolf, & the game ranch operators where we hunted the plains game: Thank you once again for spoiling my wife & I on our 7 day safari. My 3 previous attempts to collect a serval met with no real opportunities & very few sightings. I don’t know how the first 3 days could have been any better. 8 serval sightings & 2 aardwolf. If you are looking for that elusive serval, I would definitely recommend Umdende Safaris. Clayton & his partners will put you on the cats. They have a great pack of hounds if that is what you prefer, weather permitting. Or you can do night hunting. Both ways are exciting & very productive. Thank you once again for putting my fears to rest & making my dream of collecting the serval a reality. Thank you so much!!

From my wife, Marcie:  I certainly agree with my husband!  It was an amazing adventure. From a woman’s perspective, I felt spoiled and pampered. Everyone went out of their way to make sure my needs (and wants) were met. I have an extraordinary love for giraffes and the fact that a special effort was made to fulfil one of my dreams of seeing them up close and personal was priceless! I have never seen my husband happier than when he shot the serval-–what more could a woman ask for? Thank you so much!!

Dark Continent to Stormy Desert

Dear Clayton, Debbie and the whole UMDENDE team, From the “dark continent”, we are back to the “stormy desert”!

It was a great experience for each one of us to make safaris with UMDENDE. We would like to express our sincere gratitude for the excellent and outstanding support extended, thank you so much!This was our first hunting in South Africa. Each one of us really enjoyed and would like to come back at the earliest.

The most memorable thing is the treatment from all of you. Everything was well organized and taken care of. We wish all success to UMDENDE Safaris, we will continue to be in touch with you.