Avon Valley Safaris

Avon Valley Safaris operates a 5,000-acre private ranch in inland Marlborough with access to a further 20,000 acres of bordering country. The lodge sits about 30 minutes' drive from Blenheim Airport and combines lodge-based hunting with a strong food-and-wine angle for non-hunting partners.

Hunting is spot-and-stalk through bush, valley and mountain terrain. The property carries red stag, fallow, Roosevelt elk, Himalayan tahr, chamois, Arapawa ram, feral goat and boar, with sika, rusa and sambar offered on adjoining country, plus wing shooting. Rifle, bow and muzzleloader clients are taken.

The outfit is run by Darren and the team, with trophy processing and export handling arranged in-house. Pricing is not published; trips are quoted to the client's species list and dates.