On June 19th of 2024, I travelled to South Africa to embark on an adventure of a lifetime. When I arrived at the lodge I was taken back by the outstanding facilities and professional staff. I had no idea what I had gotten myself into, but I felt like I was in good hands the minute I met the owners of the lodge and when I met my Professional Hunter, Brendan Jonker.
Right from the get-go Brendan wanted to learn as much as he could about me and my hunting partner. After discussing what we wanted to harvest and checking weather patterns, he devised a plan that would be advantageous for both of us.
To say Brendan is a professional is an understatement. He treated us with respect and made every effort to make things as comfortable as possible during our hunt. I was especially impressed as to how knowledgeable he was with regards to the animals, weather patterns, tracking, safety, and his natural ability to communicate about any topic brought up during the hunt.
Hunting from a bow blind can take its toll if you are not used to sitting for long periods of time but Brendan made it entertaining with his wit and just plain old conversation regarding hunting in South Africa. We learned a lot about him and his passion for being a Professional Hunter. I never knew what Professional Hunters must go through to obtain that designation. I can say without a doubt that Brendan is a true professional and truly passionate about his craft. When the day was over, he always made sure we were okay and asked what he could have done to make our experience better.
If you plan a hunting trip to South Africa and are paired with a Professional Hunter, I hope it is Brendan. You will not be disappointed.