If you read through the testimonials on Rosedale Safaris’ website, you will find one from my wife and me. It has been seven years since my last trip to South Africa, but I can promise it will not be another seven years before my next. In the last seven years a lot has changed. Charl and Julia have acquired their own lodge and land, added world class guest accommodations to that lodge, arranged for hunting areas all over the country, and added two beautiful kids to the family. At the same time a lot has not changed. Charl and Julia still make you feel like family, they still make you feel like nothing is impossible, and Charl still makes me feel like a strong hunter, even while he teaches me how to be better every day. I simply can’t tell you how wonderful your time will be if you decide to take the plunge and come to Africa for a “once in a lifetime hunt”. I put that in quotes because essentially everyone who hunts with Charl and eats Julia’s amazing food returns over and over again.
This time we invited my non-hunting sister and brother-in-law. They must have told me it was the best vacation of their life over twenty times on the plane ride back to the states. The team catered to their every wish. A helicopter flight over an amazing ranch and the gorgeous coast, along with a very exciting ride that felt a little like that scene in Top Gun, private game drives with a guide who knows every African animal’s habits and details from lions to termites, walks around Rosedale’s’ private land where if you are quiet and careful, you can get up very close to amazing wildlife including giraffes, impala, kudu, ostrich, blesbok, zebra, wildebeest, and warthog (just to name a few). I could go on for hours and if you call me I will.
I believe everyone should strive to spend time in South Africa, especially if you are a hunter and if you are going you should absolutely call Charl, Julia, and their staff to plan the trip of a lifetime (but I also bet you will do it over and over again once you experience it). There is just nothing like waking in the morning and walking out onto your deck, coffee in hand, watching the savannah rolled out in front of you teeming with the animals of Africa. It really is like stepping back in time, but with all the luxury of a 5-star resort. I know I’ll be revisiting these memories over and over again until we can return to let Charl and Julia make our next dream hunt a reality.
Scott and Janel Tingey
Chicago, Illinios
Pat Bergin
Denver Colorado
Phone: +1 (720) 289-8565
We spent 10 days at Rockwood Farm & Private Game Reserve / Rosedale Safaris with Charl and Julia LeRoux in April 2016 and can honestly say this trip exceeded all of our expectations in the stellar hunting, accommodation, gourmet meals, and graciousness of our hosts and their staff. This was our first trip to South Africa and both of us were delightfully surprised at the tropical beauty of the East Cape region! There is so much to see – even without leaving the farm! There are baboon, zebra, wildebeest, kudu, warthog, giraffe, ostrich, and birds of all types on the property and easily within viewing or photographic range when you venture out for a walk. There is an abandoned railroad track and depot at the top of the property that was fun to explore one afternoon. The lodge is beautiful and well appointed with breakaway walls in our bedroom, as well as across the great room, leading out to a large deck with amazing views and cooling breezes at all hours of the day. What a lovely place for coffee in the mornings or a cocktail in the evenings. There is a swimming pool that we did not utilize but I imagine would be quite refreshing in the heat of the summer!
Charl’s expertise and hard work as a PH led to successful hunts for various plains game and cape buffalo. Charl, Kwir, Django and Bullet all played an integral role in the hunts for each animal and it was beautiful to be a part of their hunting routine. James was impressed by being met at the airport by Charl for a safari that was well planned and efficient. The number of locations with varied game assured a successful safari.
The successful hunts translated into tasty gourmet meals prepared by Julia and Tabisa in the kitchen and out on one of the most functional braais I have ever seen (yes I still have braai envy!). We had all sorts of game throughout our stay including ostrich, warthog, kudu, impala, blesbok, oxtail soup, boerewors and kabobs of some exotic type to name a few. They also made great breads, pastries, and deserts! There are plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables for the healthy eaters as well.
Beth is not a hunter but, with Julia’s help prior to our arrival, was able to plan a lot of fun activities to do while James was out hunting including 2 separate photographic safaris – one at Addo National Park and one at Kwantu private game reserve, with an up close elephant experience and ride, a hike along the Indian ocean shore one afternoon, a tour in Grahamstown including a stop at local sculptor Bruce Little’s studio, exploring the Alexandria dune field, a marine safari with Raggy Charters and afternoon shopping in Port Elizabeth, and a local hike close to Rosedale. With some internet research and Julia’s help non-hunters can be as busy as they would like doing a wide variety of activities which suit their interests. Just be sure to protect some time to enjoy the surroundings and peacefulness at Rockwood also!
Charl, Julia, Andre, Tabisa, Kwir, and all of the other staff we met on our trip were engaging, kind, and knowledgable about the local game, flora, and fauna. Charl is also an accomplished taxidermist and based on viewing his work at the lodge we look forward to receiving our mounts from True Reflection Taxidermy sometime this winter. They all worked very hard to make sure that we had an incredible experience and they were 100% successful! We hope to make a trip back to Rockwood Farm & Game Reserve sometime in the coming years.
James & Beth
Anchorage, AK
Silverdale, WA
Just want to give a big “thank you” to Charl and Julia Le Roux from Rosedale Safaris. Their help in organizing my hunting trip to the dark continent of Africa was wonderful. From the trophy selections and best time of the year to hunt specific animals and to the actual hunting with them once my wife and I arrived in South Africa were superb. Since a sable antelope was at the top of my list, Charl made sure my opportunity to hunt and successfully take this unique and most majestic antelope will long be remembered.
From pickup at the Kimberley airport, the hunting over the next days, the follow-on drive through some of South Africa’s unique countryside from Kimberley to Grahamstown, a tour of Addo Elephant Park, more hunting in and around the Grahamstown area were all well organized and will long be remembered by us.
As this was my wife’s first trip to Africa, both Charl and especially Julia took great pains to keep her engaged and occupied with numerous non-hunting sight-seeing activities. The LeRoux’s lodge and facilities were first rate. Julia’s cooking was outstanding, and we never left the table hungry. The ten days we spent on this trip with Rosedale Safaris were beyond belief and cannot be adequately described in a few words here. One must simply be there to experience all they have to offer. A return trip with Charl and Julia LeRoux and their staff at Rosedale Safaris will be in our future.
Willi and Sharon Spicker
Spokane Valley, Washington
Do you have a “bucket list”?
I did and it was Africa!
Rosedale Safaris presented themselves at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Banquet in their live auction and I won! Now the fun began with planning my dream trip for two weeks in 2016!I chose to remain on the Eastern Cape of South Africa to fully experience my passion for wildlife photography. I also wanted to have my first experience hunting big game with a rifle.
I arrived in Port Elizabeth and was greeted by Charl & Julia le Roux the owners of Rosedale Safaris/True Reflection Taxidermy and Andre Crous who would be my PH (Professional Hunter) guide for my time in South Africa. Andre was exemplary in all he did. With his amazing knowledge of the rich diversity of animals, birds, plant life, the multi-cultures of South Africa and of course his skill set as a master trophy hunter – he has it all to make you feel welcomed to his homeland and wanting you to experience South Africa to its fullest. He did and then some! Rockwood Farm & Private Game Reserve is home to Charl and Julia le Roux. This too would be my home while in South Africa. My room was exquisite. Imagine looking out from your room through a wall of glass or meandering out onto the deck to see miles of untouched landscapes and an abundance of wildlife? Simply breathtaking! The food was palette prefect and showcased beautifully on a glass dining room table with a zebra skin reflection. Now, imagine you coming back to Rockwood Farm after a successful hunt and Julia (with help from Tabisha) prepares and serves you Warthog stew. These two are magicians in the kitchen, so do not get me started on the desserts.
Thank you Rosedale Safaris for the new found memories and now new friends half way around the world in South Africa. I anxiously await Charl’s talents as taxidermist!
I still have visions of the “Ghost of Africa” the magnificent Kudu…Rosedale Safaris will be seeing me again soon!
Suzanne
The San Juan Islands, Washington State
From beginning to end, our South African Safari with Charl and Julia was an outstanding adventure. Starting with our arrival in East London, up to our departure from Cape Town, we were taken care of every step of the way. Charl is a fantastic PH. I really enjoyed hunting with him. He went above and beyond my expectations to make sure my hunts were memorable. Always, he, Kwir, “Django”, and support staff were all very professional and knowledgeable of the area, terrain, and especially the animals. I took five beautiful animals, one more than my package. Then, Charl and “True Reflection Taxidermy” provided me with superb quality taxidermy work at an unbelievable turn-around time, all at good rates. I now have a magnificent, shoulder mounted Kudu on my wall,that gives me a smile and a memory every time I look at it. The accommodations were excellent at the lodge, the setting beautiful with an amazing view of the lake, and with plenty of wildlife around. The pictures on the brochure do not compare to the real view. The character and warmth of the lodge made us feel right at home. Julia and staff put out so much great food every day that I gained weight on the trip. Julia is a wonderful cook and the best hostess. She and her staff will take very good care of you.
After our excellent hunt, we departed on a 7 day tour of the Garden Route with Charl and Julia to Cape Town. It turned out to be the “Greatest” time seeing this unique and beautiful part of the world. As with our hunt, our tour was handled very professionally. Always very nice accommodations, fine food, and we found our guides to be great to travel with. Important, if you’re going to spend a week in a car with someone. Again, Charl’s knowledge of the area, the attractions, and the animals was impressive. We started from the lodge and spent the first day wildlife viewing at Kwantu Reserve and Addo Elephant Park. We saw plenty of animals at both, but it was really the “Day of the Elephant.” We saw truly impressive numbers of them up close and personal all day. Spent that night at Port Elizabeth. Next day to Tsitsikamma for monkeys, birds, and zip lining. Zip lining is a must. Beautiful with all the waterfalls. We passed on the Bungee jump, just had a nice lunch and watched. Finished that day at Knysna, where we spent 2 nights, located on a beautiful bay with a small harbor, surrounded by lush green covered hills. Great restaurants and shops on waterfront, plus excellent hike and views at the Featherbed nature reserve. Next day, down the coast to George, than over the mountains to Oudtshoorn with stops at the Ostrich farms and the Cango Caves, all excellent stops. In the morning a pretty ride through the Karoo down to Stellenbosch. Along the way we had lunch and winetasting at one of the wineries.
We had a very nice downtown hotel there, close to restaurants and my wife’s favorite, shopping. Stellenbosch is a beautiful area. Finally on to Cape Town, where we spent a beautiful day at the Cape of Good Hope and Boulders Beach to spend some time with the Penguins. Excellent dinner on the waterfront that night. Our last day was spent with a little sightseeing and shopping in the morning. Then sadly it was over. Charl and Julia dropped us off at the airport and we were off. We had a wonderful time in a beautiful place with great people. The plan is “definitely” to return soon for another adventure with Charl and Julia. So, if you are looking for a quality Hunt and/or Vacation in South Africa, we recommend you book with Rosedale Safaris.
We thank both of you for the great hunt and vacation!!! You are the best Good Hunting.
Mike & Ireba
Lexington, KY
Our South African garden route tour with Julia and Charl of Rosedale Safaris was amazing. It was a once in a lifetime experience and we cannot wait to go back some day. We only had 8 days away from work but Julia and Charl organized a perfect trip which allowed us to see all the sights but somehow we also found time to relax and enjoy the scenery and a glass of wine. We spent the first 3 days in the eastern Cape area where we enjoyed photograph safaris. When you are with Charl you will not miss an animal because he has amazing vision, after day 1 we referred to him as “The Best Eyes of South Africa” (a nickname that we are hoping will stick).
We look back at our photos and cannot believe how close we were to cheetahs, elephants, buffalo, giraffes etc. Julia and the Rosedale Safari staff are amazing hosts. They prepared elaborate and delicious meals and were amazing company. The family lodge is beautiful with vaulted ceilings and cozy beds with breathtaking views. On Day 4 we set off on the garden route. Our first stop of Tsitsikamma where we ziplined over waterfalls. We then headed to Knysna which is a picturesque beach town. We really enjoyed the hike in the Featherbed nature reserve where we got great views of the Knysna heads. The shops and restaurants around the Knysna waterfront were great. We headed to Cape Town next, stopping in Stellenbosch on the way for a great lunch and winetasting at one of the wineries. Julia picked an awesome downtown hotel in Cape Town, close to restaurants and night life. On our first full day in Cape Town we were able to see two of its most famous sites, Robben island and Table Mountain. The views from the top of Table Montain were amazing. The second day we did a great white shark dive where we saw tons of huge sharks. We spent the rest of our time checking out shops and markerts before enjoying one more dinner out on the town with Julia and Charl. All in all it was a great trip and we would recommend Rosedale Safaris to anyone looking to see all that South Africa has to offer!
Nathan Kristy
Lexington, KY
I have been dreaming of an African safari for most of my life. I studied and read everything I could find for my once in a lifetime trip to Africa. My wife and I feel so lucky to have found Charl and Julia who made sure that everything was perfect for us while making us feel like old friends. I simply can’t imagine a better experience. We had only been in Africa for a few days when we knew we would be returning to South Africa over and over and we know we can count on the Charl and Julia le Roux team to make it amazing every time. The hunting was world class and I learned a lot from Charl which I know will make me a better hunter here at home. He was a joy to hunt with; he knows the animals, listened closely to me and worked hard to find the right trophies for me. He is patient, knowledgeable and absolutely loves the hunt which was evident during every stalk, I believe he was as excited as I was although his hands did not shake as much as mine did as I looked through the scope at a giant kudu (my first African trophy). I took all trophy class animals which were in the custom package that Charl built for especially for me and added a few in the field that I simply couldn’t pass up.
It is also important to note that Charl and Julia are a one stop shop. We meet them at the sportsman show, they picked us up at the airport in Africa, They were with us through the entire trip and then Charl took care of taxidermy too. This may seem like a small thing during the planning process, but it brought me great piece of mind as we embarked on our safari and after we left for home. We became very attached to our trophies and knowing they are in Charl’s hands puts our minds at ease.
Everything was perfect, world class Hunting, five star accommodations (with an amazing view), marvelous food, and good company. If you are considering booking an African Safari I urge you to give me a call, I’d love the opportunity to tell my stories and share with you in person how truly incredible this experience can be with the right Professional hunter and outfitter.
Scott Tingey
Richland, WA
(509) 987-7780
Thank you for the “all-out-effort” to make my Zimbabwe and South Africa safari a grand success. I can’t remember when I enjoyed a hunting adventure as much as my time with you. I have had an opportunity to hunt a great many species throughout the world and believe you are among the best Professional Hunters that have organized and guided my hunts. And, I have shared my opinion with my hunting companions, friends and members of our SCI Chapter.
Your intimate knowledge of the trophy-rich lands available to Rosedale Safaris was truly impressive. Although I expected great spotting and stalking skills, I was most impressed with your calm demeanor in the face of the charging Cape Buffalo.
In summary, I would recommend you and Rosedale Safaris without reservation. The complete hunting experience was enhanced by Julia’s charm and creative fine dining as well as Jango’s tracking ability. My experience with Rosedale Safaris was exceptional.
Gary N.
360-567-7234
Dear Charl, I have to say that without a doubt you made my first trip to Africa an unforgettable experience, both for hunting and touring.
You provided my wife and I with so many excellent opportunities to harvest different species of plains game in the East Cape region and come home with enough memories for a lifetime. In addition, the tour you provided for us to Cape Town along the Garden Route was out of this world. Once we arrived home and received our mounts from your True Reflections Taxidermy Studio (at a fraction of the cost and in much less time than any domestic taxidermy studios) our minds were made up to return as soon as possible so that we can to continue to add to our South African experience. We both look forward to returning to South Africa in October and hunting with you as our PH, tour guide, and friend.
Al and Jill B.
Everett, WA
My second trip to Africa started off rocky with the airlines. My mother and father flew ahead and followed them after a few days. When I arrived after the long flight I was tired and not as near as excited as I should have been.I was greeted at the airport with smiles and a waiting truck. The PH even brought my mother to the airport to cheer me up. We went along the county side getting a history lesson on all of the local farms and geography.
Upon arriving at Rosedale Safaris lodge I was greeted again as my rifles and luggage was whisked off to my incredible water view room. The accommodations were incredible with a huge great room, heated beds and hot showers. The lodge over looked a massive lake and was surrounded by wildlife. They fed me and asked if I was up to going on an afternoon hunt. Initially I did not think I would, but after a great meal and equally great stories we went out and almost instantly were on trophy animals.
Charl and his crew were extremely accommodating. If I wanted to follow my parents around and hunt with my father I could. If I wanted to go for a night hunt until the early morning, Charl would get out the “good” spotlight just for me and we would go.I ended taking double the amount of animals and had an incredible time. If there was an animal I wanted they would go out of their way to make it happen. The food was incredible. Charl’s wife, Julia is an fabulous cook and I gained a fair amount of weight even with hiking every day.
Being a guide in the States I had an idea of what to expect on this hunt. I can honestly say that my expectations were blown out of the water. The PH’s, the trackers, the game, the amount of knowledge about everything…It was all excellent. On top of everything, the owner, Charl also owns and operates an incredibly successful taxidermy shop. He had a huge showroom, so I could easily pick out all of my mounts I wanted. I had all of my hunting and taxidermy in one stress free stop.
I am already planning a trip back with Rosedale Safaris and I plan on making many, many more.
Kris Cantrell
Cantrell Outdoors llc
Cell 425-344-7055
Dear Charl, thank you for my African safari, a dream come true. Accommodations and everything was more than expected. You are a great PH, know the game, and easy to work with. I have been dreaming of this trip for 25 years and I came home with 12 trophies. Six of them were gold medals and the duiker almost made SCI’s top 10. On several occasions, you stalked the game into a great shooting position, far closer than I thought possible. The food, lodging, staff, and service were wonderful. Thank you for a trip of a lifetime.
Scott B.,
Redding, CA,
(530) 221-4650
The Eastern Cape of South Africa is a hunter’s paradise. Charl and Julia le Roux provided me and my family with an outstanding hunting AND non-hunting vacation. Rosedale Safaris has access to numerous tracts of land with a seemingly endless abundance of trophy plains game species. The highlight of the hunt was when Charl guided my 5-year-old son to his first animal ever (a huge common blesbuck). On top of this, Charl provided superb taxidermy work with a very quick turn-around time at rates that would be unheard of in the United States. I highly recommend Rosedale Safaris and plan to return again in the very near future.
Joey D.
Lexington, KY
(859) 277-4005 (x262)
Dear Charl and Julia,
As a world wide hunter and traveler, always looking for incredible sights and adventure alike; here is the Greatest Reference I can offer…
I have repeatedly utilized your services as an Outfitter, a Professional Hunter, Taxidermist and Tour Guide; And will continue to do so and I recommend you to others without hesitation or reservation.
Here’s why…
Not only have I hunted with you repeatedly all over Namibia and South Africa, and successfully taken dozens of species from Dangerous to Plains game but;
As a Hunter: In the pursuit of both Dangerous and Plains Game, I have repeatedly placed both my life and that of others in your capable hands and not found you wanting; even in the face of tracking wounded dangerous game!
As an Adventurer/Tourist: You have shared unspoiled lands with classic African vistas; you have helped me enjoy an “Authentic African experience”, uncompromising fine dining; Even touring and shopping I have been pleased by your abundant and intimate knowledge of your surroundings. I have always felt both safe and informed.
Taxidermy work: In the course of our hunts together your studio, “True Reflection Taxidermy” has proven to be just that! A true reflection of the dozens of truly special animals we have hunted, tracked, feasted upon, and celebrated together around the fire!
Thank you both for being such a special part of my African memories and experience!
Your friend and client,
Casey C.