JOHNNY VIVIER

Johnny Vivier ranks among the elite big game hunters in Africa today. His name and reputation represent “old school” safari, ethics and personal integrity.

Johnny was born and raised in the cradle of Africa’s greatest hunting moments. His father, the late Chris Vivier, earned recognition as a Professional Hunter (PH) in the 1950's, operating his own safari company in Zambia and working in Botswana with Harry Selby of Kerr, Downey & Selby Safaris. Harry Selby is known today as one of the inspirational characters in the literature of author, Robert Ruark.

Johnny shot his first buck, a Roan Antelope, at the age of 7 with a .300 caliber rifle. At 10 years of age he killed a Cape buffalo. Johnny spent his youth in the company of his father and the native tribesman who taught him the art of tracking and taking game. By the age of 19, Johnny had hunted all the dangerous species of Africa and obtained his Professional Hunters license.

The Rhodesian war interrupted hunting while Johnny served in the Rhodesian Special Forces. He lived off the land and among the enemy, for days, weeks and months at a time, in a bush war defined by guerrilla tactics. Political change, the termination of war and the subsequent name change to Zimbabwe displaced his family to South Africa where Johnny has remained a premiere safari operator.

Johnny has hunted professionally for 27 years in such places as Tanzania , Botswana , Zambia , Zimbabwe and South Africa. His clients hold countless entries in the safari Club International (SCI) record books, including “number 1” entries. Johnny was selected on four occasions by SCI to conduct the SCI – Political Action Committee Hunt of a Lifetime and has been twice nominated as Hunter of the Year.

Johnny is a life member of the Professional Hunters Association of South Africa (PHASA), a member of SCI since 1983 and an official scorer/measurer. Johnny has donated numerous hunts over the last 15 years to organizations involved in the conservation and preservation of wildlife.

Johnny has shared the podium with former US President George Bush Sr. and General Norman Schwartzkopf and made camp with legendary author, Peter Hathaway Capstick. However, Johnny's greatest moments are spent in the African bush sharing the spirit of adventure with friends and clients.