Three days of adventure at WILD EXPO 2014
Outdoor enthusiasts should mark the WILD EXPO on their calendars, as this expo, one of South Africa’s top outdoor adventure shows, is back from Friday, 20 June to Sunday, 22 June 2014 at the Tshwane Events Centre – previously the Pretoria Show Grounds.
This expo, which has become a tradition in Pretoria, is being held for the 12th time this year and is a must for hunters, game-ranchers, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Jan van der Walt, organiser of the WILD EXPO, says the expo is a tailor-made event for the wildlife industry and outdoor enthusiast, with exhibits that will satisfy the most discerning tastes.
“The expo will feature a comprehensive selection of hunting, game-ranching, angling and outdoor equipment and accessories, including guns and ammunition, hunting bows, knives, hunting outfits, fishing equipment, camping gear and off-road vehicles. Visitors can try new equipment, see informative demonstrations and talk to experts. Whether you want to buy the latest fishing rod, arrange an angling or hunting trip, or if you just feel like sharing your love for the outdoors with other like-minded outdoor lovers, the WILD EXPO is the place to be!”
The expo will be held in Hall J and the surrounding outdoor exhibition facilities at the show grounds. More than 150 exhibitors will showcased goods from the hunting, angling, conservation, tourism, camping and general outdoor industries. The event will offer bow courses, air rifle courses, laser clay pigeon shooting, casting and angling demonstrations, as well as fun activities for the younger visitors.
Highlights on the programme include the exhibitions of Ultimate Creatures, where visitors will have the chance to see some of the amazing venomous and non-venomous snakes which occur in southern Africa, as well as the hunting dog demonstrations by Dr. Slang Viljoen, which will showcase the distinctive skills of hunting dogs.
Game farmers can look forward to exhibits which include feed, auctioneers and machinery and informative talks by experts in the game industry, as well as the Capital Hotel School who will do a presentation about hospitality in the wildlife industry. The ever-popular slaughter and meat processing demonstrations will be presented daily. The Professional Hunters Association will talk about how to become a professional hunter and Jokl le Roux of WILD & WRAGTAG will talk about hunting traditions in Germany and other European countries.
Hunters can also look forward to clothing, guns, binoculars, light and distance estimate equipment, while anglers will be in shoppers’ paradise at the stand of Pretoria West Trading. For anglers, there are presentations by well-known personalities from the angling industry, like Mohammed Patel, Schalk van Breda and Bennie Wiese who will talk about topics such as how to use your fish finder and bass angling vs other species.
Van der Walt adds that quality food stalls will offer something to eat for every taste, and that visitors can look forward to a tea garden, a fashion show focusing on clothing for the outdoors, camel rides, paintball, water balls, a climbing wall and bungee jumping. “Another highlight on the programme is definitely the show of Adam Tas on Sunday, 22 June. Adam is a popular singer, but is also an avid bow hunter and well-known as presenter of the television series WILD & WRAGTAG,” says Van der Walt.
The expo opens daily at 09:00 and will close at 17:00 on Friday and Saturday. The expo will close at 15:00 on Sunday. Entrance fee is R80 per adult, R 20 per primary school child, R40 per pensioner and parking is free.
Programme highlights
• Hospitality in the wildlife industry – Friday, 20 June at 14:00
• Slaughter demonstrations – Daily
• Louis Lemmer, Vice Chairman of SA National Parks’ Honorary Rangers – Saturday, 21 June 10:30 about their work
• Richard York’s talk about the economy of game farming – Friday, 20 June at 12:00
• Hunting dog demonstrations by Dr. Slang Viljoen – Saturday, 21 June at 12:30 and 14:00
• Jokl Le Roux, hunting traditions in Germany and other European countries – Sunday, 22 June at 11:30
• Adam Tas – Sunday, 22 June at 12:30
See the ShowMe Pretoria gallery of Wild Expo – 9 to 11 August 2013
For more information about the WILD EXPO visit www.wild-expo.co.za or tel 012 348 5550.