Buying a game ranch: more than a fence and a view
Fences, water and a track record: what separates a game ranch from a large field with animals on it.
- Text: admin
- 2 min read
On a good game ranch, the animals are the asset and the land is the infrastructure. A buyer who mixes the two will pay for one and discover the other later.
What makes a ranch
- Boundaries: fences that are certified, maintained and legally recognised;
- Water: boreholes, dams, springs and the rights that go with them;
- Carrying capacity: how many animals the grazing can support through a dry year;
- Records: game counts, births, sales and permits, over several seasons.
The numbers behind the land
| Item | What to ask for |
|---|---|
| Game counts | The last five years, with the method used |
| Water | Borehole yields, dam capacity, written rights |
| Permits | Hunting, trading and movement of animals |
| Fences | Length, age and last inspection |
A word on permits
In several countries, game is owned by the landowner only once the land is properly fenced and registered. Make sure that the registration is in the seller’s name, and that it is transferable.
“The fence is the deed. If it is down, so is the value.”
An adviser in Southern Africa
We work with local lawyers and veterinary advisers on every ranch we present. Browse our current properties.