There is a singular kind of magic in the African bushveld. The red dirt, the dense mopane, and the undeniable reality that you are stepping into a wild, untamed ecosystem. For this adventure, we at Roam and Harvest set our sights on South Africa, bringing along the best gear we could pack to handle the notoriously tough game of the Dark Continent.
My weapon of choice? The Hoyt AX-90, tuned to absolute perfection by Jordan—undoubtedly the best bow tech in the world—at Archery Country in Austin, Texas. I paired this flawless setup with arrows fletched with TAC 2.75” Driver Vanes and tipped with Shwacker #243 150gr broadheads. When you’re miles away from civilization, doing daily spot and stalk hunts, there is zero room for gear failure. You need confidence, penetration, perfect arrow flight, and devastating lethality.
I am thrilled to report that my setup delivered beyond all expectations: four incredible African species taken, and it only took one arrow each.
RW Safaris International: The Ultimate South African Outfitter
Before getting to the hunt, I have to talk about the outfitter that made this dream a reality: RW Safaris International (www.rwsafarisinternational.co.za).
Hunting in Africa is as much about the experience as it is the harvest, and RW Safaris International strikes the perfect balance between rugged bush hunting and absolute luxury. The lodging is a resort-like facility where you can wash the African dust off your boots and relax in five-star comfort.
Every evening, we were treated to incredible, chef-prepared meals—a true culinary experience that showcased local flavors and perfectly prepared wild game. Waking up to that level of hospitality before hitting the unforgiving bush makes all the difference in the world.
Boots on the Ground: Spot and Stalk with Rick
Our guide and the Owner of RW Safaris International, Rick, is an absolute master of his craft. We didn't fly halfway across the world to sit in a blind over a waterhole all day. We wanted the real deal: boots on the ground, reading the wind, tracking spoor, and moving through the brush. Rick delivered daily.
His ability to spot game through thick cover and formulate a stalk is incredible. Every single day was a masterclass in bushcraft, closing the distance on animals whose very survival depends on spotting predators long before they get into bow range.
The Gear Test: 4 Animals, 4 Arrows
African game is legendary for its toughness. Their vitals are situated slightly lower and farther forward than North American whitetails, and their hide and bone structure demand a broadhead that can punch through heavy resistance while creating massive hemorrhaging.
Shooting the Hoyt AX-90, I had the kinetic energy I needed. But the real star of the show was the Shwacker 150gr broadhead. Shwacker has always been a proud sponsor, but out here, the results spoke louder than any advertisement ever could.
1. The Sable Antelope
The Sable is often considered one of the most majestic and regal animals on the continent, with its sweeping horns and stark black-and-white face. Rick got us into perfect position 60 yards from 5 male Sable. At the release, the Hoyt sent the Shwacker 150gr right into the sweet spot. The broadhead deployed flawlessly, and putting the beautiful bull down almost instantly.
2. The Blue Wildebeest
Known as the "poor man's buffalo," the Blue Wildebeest has a reputation for being incredibly dense and hard to bring down. Many hunters have lost wildebeest to poor penetration. The Shwacker 150gr didn't care about the rumors. The slice was devastating, creating a massive wound channel that resulted in the animal dropping in its spot. One arrow. Done.
3. The Impala
The "McDonald's of the bush" (because they are everywhere, and predators love them), Impala are incredibly fast and famously "jump the string." We took a break from spot and stalk one afternoon and spent some time in a pit blind. When the shot presented itself, the Shwacker 150gr did its job with absolute surgical precision. These animals are incredibly tough and he ran almost 200 yards. Thankfully the blood trail from the large wound channel from the Shwacker made tracking easy.
4. The Grey Duiker
A small, elusive, and incredibly skittish target. Hitting a Grey Duiker requires a finely tuned bow and supreme confidence in your flight path. The Shwacker flew like a field point, finding its mark and securing my fourth harvest of the trip with zero issues.
The Takeaway
Four distinctly different animals, four high-pressure scenarios, and a 100% success rate with just a single arrow per animal. That is the kind of performance that builds lifelong brand loyalty.
A massive thank you to Swhacker for believing in Roam and Harvest and supplying the absolute best broadheads in the game. And to Rick and the entire team at RW Safaris International—thank you for an unforgettable adventure, world-class guiding, and hospitality that we will be talking about for years.
If you are planning an African bowhunt, do yourself a favor: book with RW Safaris International, make sure you're in shape to stalk, and tip your arrows with Shwacker 150gr broadheads. You won't regret it.
— John & The Roam and Harvest Team