What is a typical day like at Ivory Cliffs Estate?
A typical day at Ivory Cliffs Estate begins before sunrise. After a light breakfast, you and your dedicated guide will depart the lodge, utilizing our Can-Am ATVs to quickly and quietly move to a pre-determined high vantage point. This is where the magic of the morning happens.
Upon your arrival in New Zealand, a representative from Ivory Cliffs Estate will personally collect you from either the Napier or Taupo regional airport, or from your pre-arranged accommodation if you spent the night in the city. You will then be chauffeured to the lodge—a scenic journey culminating in your arrival around midday, perfectly timed for a hearty gourmet lunch. After being introduced to the lodge's luxurious amenities and meeting your dedicated professional guide and the rest of our esteemed staff, you will select your firearm from our high-quality inventory. Our rifles are meticulously maintained and paired with world-class optics, such as Swarovski. We will then proceed to our private range to confirm your zero, guaranteeing confidence before your hunt begins. From there, your first evening will be dedicated to a rewarding glassing session, allowing you to observe the diverse game in the golden light before returning to the lodge for an exquisite dinner and relaxation.
A typical day at Ivory Cliffs Estate begins before sunrise. After a light breakfast, you and your dedicated guide will depart the lodge, utilizing our Can-Am ATVs to quickly and quietly move to a pre-determined high vantage point. This is where the magic of the morning happens. As the sun begins to illuminate the dramatic landscape, you'll spend time "glassing"—meticulously scanning the meadows and cliff faces for stags moving their herds of hinds back toward the dense native forest, or feeding undisturbed in the open. You will see various sizes of Red stag, from spikes to those scoring over 700" plus, often with multiple stags visible in each size class. During this patient observation period, you will also encounter the other species that thrive here: Sika, Fallow, and the occasional Elk, as well as Arapawa Rams and Feral Goats. We highly recommend dedicating the first day purely to observation; this allows you to acclimate, enjoy the stunning scenery, and most importantly, ensures you are not rushed. We want you to see numerous magnificent animals and feel absolute conviction when selecting your trophy stag. Once a suitable animal is located and confirmed to the hunter's satisfaction, the exhilarating stalk is initiated.
Can't wait? Then come experience it.
Capturing the moment
Hunting at Ivory Cliffs Estate is a deeply personal and engaging experience, guided by ethical practice and expert knowledge of the terrain. For your comfort and success, most shots are made from within 300 yards or at a distance the hunter is completely comfortable with. When your magnificent stag is successfully harvested, an essential step follows: the trophy photography.
We cannot stress enough the importance of capturing these photos in the field—it is a moment that can never be recreated, and we take the time to ensure you have lasting, high-quality images of your achievement. Following this, the trophy is transported back to our dedicated, state-of-the-art skinning shed. Here, it is handled with the utmost expertise & care, ensuring meticulous field preparation and initial processing to guarantee a perfect foundation for your taxidermy mount. Usually by midday, you will have returned to the luxury of the lodge for a hearty, cooked lunch and a chance to rest and reflect before preparing for the equally exciting evening hunt.
This rewarding rhythm defines your tenure at Ivory Cliffs Estate—departing before dawn, glassing the rugged landscape, stalking the ultimate trophy, and celebrating over gourmet meals—continuing seamlessly until the animals on your package are successfully harvested. Once your hunting goals are achieved, you have the option to continue exploring the estate for further observation or relaxation, or utilize any spare time to accompany your non-hunting partner into Napier for an afternoon of boutique shopping, wine tasting, or local cultural experiences. Alternatively, you may wish to try your hand at world-class trout fishing in the nearby crystal-clear rivers. Finally, before your departure, you will finalize all necessary trophy preparation information with our staff, and then be chauffeured to your next pre-arranged destination, carrying with you the memories of an unforgettable Ivory Cliffs Estate adventure.