Living Our Dream
Born and raised in Africa, Graham and Ananda Jones are fourth- and eleventh-generation South Africans respectively. Growing up in the African bush, their passion for the outdoors began at an early age.
After completing military service and university, both pursued careers as full-time Professional Hunters. Graham freelanced for many of Africa’s top outfitters, working with over 35 companies, while Ananda hunted, built, and managed a safari camp for one of the continent’s premier safari operators.
Professionally, Graham has hunted in 12 African countries and has held hunting licenses in five. Together, Graham and Ananda have guided hunters to over 130 species and subspecies of African game.
They have settled and are living their dream on their own game reserve, Kifaru, located in the breath-taking Waterberg region of Limpopo Province, South Africa.
They specialize in bespoke hunting and photographic safaris, offering personalized and authentic African experiences.
Graham’s 1st introduction to hunting with his father in the Karoo – Eastern Cape (S.A.)
Born and raised in Africa, Graham’s parents and extended family had a profound influence on his life, exposing him from an early age to travel, wildlife, and hunting. As a young boy, his father’s hobby of collecting bird eggs sparked Graham’s lifelong interest in birds, while his mother’s love of dogs instilled in him a deep respect & love for all animals.
One of his fondest childhood memories—before the advent of television—was listening in the evenings to “Calls of the Wild”, an LP recording of African wildlife sounds.
Graham harvested his first game at 10: a warthog and an impala.
Graham spent most holidays (junior school) on his godfather’s farm in the Lowveld. His godfather, who had worked for many years in the Veterinary Department in Bechuanaland (now Botswana), shared countless hunting stories and passed on invaluable firearm and shooting knowledge. He gifted Graham his first hunting book,“Memories of a Game Ranger”by Sir Percy Fitzpatrick—a formative influence, that he still treasures today.
Completed high school at St Andrew’s College, a boarding school in the Eastern Cape. Chairman of the Natural History Society & recipient of the SKAIF Award for Junior Biologists in South Africa with his project on the endangered Cape Vulture.
Completed two years of military service in the South African Defence Force (SADF).
Qualified as a Bombardier, a Physical Training Instructor (P.T.I.) at the SA army College and as a Parabat with 1 Parachute battalion.
Gap year spent working on his uncle’s game ranch in Limpopo, helping to build and develop the safari camp & farm. Established fly camps and guided his uncle’s international clients on hunts in the Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe.
Guided his first dangerous game hunt, Cape Buffalo, with an international client.
Ananda Graduated from High school in 1987.
Ananda grew up with a deep love for hunting and the great outdoors of Africa. Her passion for wildlife and nature was instilled in her by her father, who owned a game farm. Most of her holidays and weekends were spent horseback riding and hunting, often for the pot.
Studied at CEDARA agricultural College – Kwa Zulu Natal.
Becoming a Professional Hunter...
Completed his professional hunting apprenticeship with Mziki Safaris. Qualified as a professional hunter under the former Transvaal Game Department.
Guided and hunted full time for David Van Der Meulen Safaris in Eastern Cape, South Africa. Booked & guided his first international client to Africa. Founder member of East Cape Chapter of Safari Club International (SCI).
Ananda Graduated from Pretoria University (TUKS) with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Majored in History and Setswana language.
Her exposure to international hunters who visited the family farm sparked a new path in her life. She went on to complete her Professional Hunters license, becoming one of the first female Professional Hunters (PHs) in South Africa.
Worked as a freelance Professional Hunter for more than 35 outfitters, some of the best in the business.
Met Derek Evans (Mentor), a retired and highly respected Professional Hunter & Outfitter with extensive experience in Tanzania, Zambia, and Namibia—setting a benchmark for what a Professional Hunter should be.
Ananda worked for Kgama Safaris in Bophuthatswana, where she managed and guided hunts in Borakalalo and Pilanesberg National Park.
During this time, she gained invaluable experience in big game hunting, guiding her first leopard and rhino hunts. Her role also involved marketing the safari business in the USA, where she represented Kgama Safaris at international conventions.
Worked for Hunters & Guides Africa as operations manager, overseeing and organizing all logistics for the safaris.
At the time, Hunters & Guides was the largest hunting company in Africa. Her role involved catering for a VIP group of clients traveling to camps in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Tanzania.
Worked for Oubangui Safaris in the Central African Republic (C.A.R.) Hunted the remote Mboki area in South-eastern C.A.R., bordering Sudan, pursuing Lord Derby Eland, Bongo, and other savanna & forest species.
Hunted alongside the Zandi natives, renowned as some of the best trackers in all Africa. Only tracking Bongo was permissible, the use of dogs were frowned upon. Based out of legendary elephant hunter, Capt. James Sutherland’s former camp from the 1920’s.
Graham and Ananda were married – the love of each other's lives!
Together with Ananda, worked for Hunters & Guides Africa in Tanzania.
Hunted and managed the famed Fort Ikoma, Grumeti, and Ikorongo Blocks, bordering the Serengeti National Park.
The start of 10 years of traveling by Land Cruiser up and down from South Africa to Tanzania.
It took us 5 – 18 days one way depending on the Roads, Border crossings and breakdowns.
Few Professional Hunters can claim to have followed up wounded buffalo together with their wife!
Graham hunted 250 – 300 Days per year across Cameroon, South Africa and Tanzania.
Ananda Started hunting Lukwati Game Reserve, in Southeast of Tanzania. Accompanied Graham for Safaris in Cameroon.
Bought into Safari Royal Holdings (PTY) in Tanznaia.
Purchased and established Kifaru Game Reserve (Pty) Ltd in Limpopo Province, South Africa.
A lifelong dream that became reality of living Ananda’s grandfather’s mantra: “Save a match and buy a farm.”
Kifaru became the home and operational base of The Safaris of Graham Jones.
Blessed with the birth of son Josh, named after his great-grandfather – Josh Walter Jones.
Ananda becomes Full time administrator and partner for The Safaris of Graham Jones & Kifaru Game Reserve (PTY). Established “Delay your Departure TM “our photographic safaris.
Hunted in the Northwest Territories, Canada for Polar Bear & Muskox.
Hunted in Kyrgyzstan for Marco Polo (Hume Argali) and Mid Asian Ibex.
Hunted the Alaskan Peninsula for Alaskan Brown Bear – accompanied Kevin Budney.
Hunted in Tajikistan for Bukuran Markor – accompanied Kevin Budney.
Celebrated 35 years of full-time guiding and outfitting, representing a combined 70 years of experience between Graham and Ananda.
Recipient of the Custodians – Basie Martin Award,
Professional Hunter of the Year 2024.
- Past member of Tanzania Professional Hunters Association (T.P.H.A.)
- Past member of Professional Hunters Association of South Africa (P.H.A.S.A.) for 29 years.
- Founder member SA’s most proven and experienced outfitters (S.A.M.P.E.O.)
- Founder & member of CUSTODIANS for Professional Hunting.
- Member of African professional Hunter Association (A.P.H.A.) argubly the most ethical and respected Association in Africa.
Reflecting on the above, the past 36 years we give our Creator all the Glory (Prov. 27:2) for our Blessings of good health and the privilege of sharing extraordinary experiences & traveling across the world with so many wonderful clients.
We are firm believers in “Sustainable use” holding that ethical and responsible hunting is the best forms of Conservation.
Graham & Ananda’s common love for the Outdoors finalized into an adventurer’s spirit shared with all their clients.