The magnificent Sindh Ibex’s diversified habitat ranges from the sea level along the Makran coastal range all the way up to the undulating hills of Shah Noorani, Durreji, Taloband, Wadh & Phore in Balochistan and the undulating sandy hills of Jamshoro and Kirthar National Park in the province of Sindh.
We will access these areas through good roads on which we run our first-class air-conditioned motor coaches. The average driving time from Karachi to the habitats in the Province of Sindh is around 02 hours, whereas it takes 04 hours to reach the habitats in Balochistan. However, upon arriving at the road ends of these habitats, we need to use 4WD jeeps to go deeper into the meadows, and later, we stalk on foot. The walks are easier on the undulating but dry & small hills, ravines & gorges studded with shrubs & grass.
Since these areas are far below the snow line, temperatures during the peak Hunting Season (Dec-Jan) are pleasantly moderate (an ordinary fleece or jacket is sufficient). By mid-February, it becomes a bit warmer, but still bearable by March. So, jeeping, camping, walking, and stalking are much easier in these areas than in the mountainous habitats of our northern areas.
The Provincial Wild Life Departments auction all permits, which are given to the highest bidding Pakistani outfitters only. The wildlife department of Sindh province grants only 15 hunting permits, whereas the province of Balochistan grants 25 hunting permits. So, one must book the hunts well in advance to avoid disappointment.
Taxonomy & Game Profile
Biological Name: (Capra Hircus Aegagrus)
Local Name: Saeh & Turkman Wild goat
Shoulder Height: 90 cm (35 inches)
Body Length: 127 to 140 cm (50 to 55 inches)
Weight: 45 to 48 kg (99 to 105 lbs
Horn Length: 97 to 102 cm (38 to 40 inches)
About Sindh Ibex
The Urial, also known as the Arkars or Shapo, is a subspecies group of wild sheep. Noticeable features include the long reddish-brown fur that fades during winter; males are characterized by a black ruff stretching from the neck to the chest and large horns. Urial males have large horns, curling outwards from the top of the head and turning in to end somewhere behind the head. The males’ horns may be up to 100 cm (39 in) long. The shoulder height of an adult male Urial is between 80 and 90 cm (31 and 35 in). Females have slender upward curving horns about 12.7cm(5in) long.
Similar to the Marco Polo Sheep in general body proportions and coloring but averaging considerably smaller in size with shorter, less massive horns. The face is generally grayish, the long, slender legs and belly are creamy-white, and the body fur is reddish-grey. There is no extensive white area in the caudal region. The tail is always the same color as the dorsal hair and lacks a longer or terminal tuft. The sub-orbital glands are deep and conspicuous, often exuding a viscous substance that mats the hair. The iris is pale yellowish-grey, with the retina contracting to a horizontal slot.
Reproduction:
Sindh Ibex are stocky animals with thick-set bodies and strong limbs terminating in broad hooves. Female and young males, till their second winter, are yellowish-brown varying to reddish-grey with a darker brown mid-dorsal line extending from between the shoulders to the base of the tail. Mature males are spectacularly beautiful, with long sweeping scimitar-shaped horns over 102 cm (40 in) and almost silver-white bodies offset by a sooty grey chest, throat, and face. The extent of white hairs in males’ hind neck and body region increases with age. The hair in summer coat is short and coarse and even in adult males is more reddish-buff in color. Males have short beards, but females lack any beards. The belly and outside of the lower limbs, beard, and forepart of the face vary from black to deep chestnut-brown in mature males. Adult males also have a conspicuous black stripe, running from the withers down the front of the shoulders and merging with the black chest. Older males have a dark face pattern. The horns are strongly keeled in front, sweeping upwards and outwards, with diverging tips.
This wild goat is gregarious and, if undisturbed, will congregate in fairly large herds. The older males associate with such herds but generally keep together, often on the periphery of the main band. Where disturbed, they are much more wary and ascend into inaccessible crags very early in the morning, emerging again just before dusk. During the hottest part of the year, they lie up more extensively during the day and may graze a considerable part of the night. Wild goats have a wonderful sense of balance and can make a standing leap of 1.75m (5–6 ft) upwards on a seemingly vertical rock surface. They appear almost slow and deliberate when traversing rock faces but can slide without injury down nearly perpendicular rock faces with drops as much as 4 to 6 meters. When challenging another male, these wild goats frequently stand up on their hind legs and, at the same time, bend their head to one side before charging forward and clashing their horns.
Habitat :
The Sindh Ibex can survive almost at sea level and, in fact, do so in some of the remoter cliffs around Ormara. They inhabit mountain crests up to 3,350m in the Koh-e-Maran Range.
Wild goats are found in southern Balochistan’s higher and more extensive mountain ranges, from the Makran coastal range at Pasni right across Sindh Kohistan to the Kirthar Range in the east. Northwards, they extend throughout Kalat. They are found in the Kolwah Kupp range in northern Makran and on the Shah Narani Hills on the eastern border of Kalat, as well as the Pat range and Khudo range in Lasbela. There is a game reserve for Ibex in the Hingol Range in central Makran, and they also occur in various parts of the Makran coast range, including the cliffs around Ormara.
Trip Summary
- Hunting Season: December to February
- Altitude: 120m to 450m
- Average Temperature: 7 to 20°C
- Hunting Duration: 6 to 7 days
- Fitness Grade: Easy to moderate
- Landing Airport: Islamabad International Airport
- Accommodation: Guest houses and camps
- Meals: All-inclusive
- Local Sightseeing: Optional
Day 1: Arrival
- Arrive at Islamabad Airport.
- Fly to Quetta or Karachi.
- Drive to the hunting area in Sindh or Balochistan.
Day 2 – Day 4: Hunting Area
- Spend three days in the hunting area, accompanied by our experienced team.
- Stay overnight at guest houses or camps.
- All meals included.
Day 5: Departure
- End of hunting safari.
- Drive back to Karachi or Quetta.
- Fly back to Islamabad.
Day 6: Departure
- Fly back home.
Services Included: (as per terms)
- Cost of hunting permit of Sindh Ibex.
- Car from Karachi or Quetta to the hunting area.
- 4WD Jeeps inside hunting Area (03 days)
- 03 Nights in a room or tents in a hunting area.
- Full board meals in the hunting area.
- Soft drinks, tea/coffee in the hunting area.
- PH, game scouts, porters & security guards.
- Wages, meals & accommodation for staff.
- Liaison with Govt offices for issuance of permits.
- Free baggage allowance of 25 Kg on the trip.
- Free sightseeing in Karachi or Islamabad.
Services Not Included :
- Hotels, meals, transport & other services before & after hunting safari.
- Costs for import of hunting rifle & shooting license.
- Charges for skinning, dipping, trophy export, quarantine, packing & shipping.
- International or domestic air tickets & airport taxes for any client or staff.
- Arm, ammunition, tripod, binoculars, scope, clothing & personal gear.
- Portage, cargo, shipment, and transportation of excess baggage.
- Sleeping bag, rucksack, ponchos, umbrellas, rain gear & hunting gear.
- Phone & fax calls, room services, meals on ala carte, or any special food.
- Costs of medications, immunizations, hospitalizations & services of doctors.
- Charges for evacuation or rescue by ground ambulance, helicopter, or airplane.
- Hard drinks / Alcohol (liquor), room services, and meals on a la carte.
- Any service or product not agreed to or mentioned in our quotation & contract.
- Tips to servers, bellhops, drivers, and porters at airports, hotels, restaurants & sites.
Ready to Book Your Sindh Ibex Hunt?
Contact us today to discuss your dream Sindh Ibex hunting safari in Pakistan. Don’t miss this opportunity to pursue a remarkable trophy in a breathtaking landscape.
Looking for a Different Challenge?
We also offer Himalayan Ibex hunts. Visit our Ibex Hunts page to learn more.
