The gemsbok (oryx) is one of Africa’s most iconic antelope species. With its long, perfectly straight horns and striking black-and-white facial markings, it has long been one of the most sought-after trophies among hunters visiting southern Africa.

What many people don’t know is that, besides the classic coloration, there are also several exceptionally rare color variants.

The Golden Oryx is immediately recognizable by its light golden coat. This naturally occurring color mutation first appeared in gemsbok populations of southern Namibia and is now carefully managed on selected game ranches and high-quality hunting concessions.

Even rarer is the Red Oryx (Royal Oryx). Its rich reddish-brown coat makes it one of the most spectacular color variants found in African plains game and one of the most desirable trophies for experienced hunters.

Whether you choose the classic gemsbok or one of its remarkable color variants, Franc Hunting Safaris offers the opportunity to hunt one of the toughest, most resilient and most beautiful antelope species in Africa.

And once your safari is over, Franc & Zugar Taxidermy will transform your trophy into a world-class mount that will preserve the memories of your African adventure for a lifetime.

Over the past few weeks, our workshop has started to look a little like a lion pride.

One lion in the finishing room. Another just a few metres away. A lioness in the early stages of being “dressed” in her skin. Another nearly finished. Walking through our workshop this week, you might start to wonder whether you are still in a taxidermy studio in South Moravia or somewhere out in the African bush.

In a short space of time, we have had several lions and lionesses reach the final stages of completion.

And with big cats in particular, you can clearly see just how many details determine the final result. Correctly fitting the skin over the form is not enough. Expression is created in millimetres. The position of the eyes, the shape of the eyelids, the line of the mouth, the placement of the ears, the whiskers, the work with the fur and the overall carriage of the head. A tiny deviation is all it takes for a majestic predator to become something that may resemble a lion, but lacks life and character.

We will leave it to you to judge how well we are doing.

In the photographs, you can see part of this journey – from works in progress covered with pins and temporary fixings to finished lions and lionesses already waiting for their owners.

Most of these lions were hunted with Franc Hunting Safaris, and we are proud that with us, the journey to a trophy can both begin and end in one place – from planning the African safari and the hunt itself to trophy transport and final taxidermy.

One team. One journey. One outstanding result!

The Black Wildebeest is one of the most fascinating game species you can hunt on a safari in southern Africa with Franc Hunting Safaris. Its story is also one of the clearest examples of how responsibly managed hunting can play an important role in wildlife conservation.

Less than 150 years ago, the Black Wildebeest stood on the very brink of extinction. Only a few dozen animals survived in the wild in what is now South Africa. Agricultural expansion, uncontrolled hunting and habitat loss nearly brought this iconic African species to an end.

Then came a remarkable turnaround. Private hunting farms began protecting Black Wildebeest, breeding them deliberately and managing their populations for the long term. Thanks to active wildlife management and regulated hunting, a species once close to extinction again became a common sight on the plains of southern Africa. Today, tens of thousands of Black Wildebeest live not only in South Africa, but also in other countries across the region.

The Black Wildebeest is therefore one of the best examples of how sustainable hunting in Africa can contribute to wildlife conservation. When wild animals have recognised value, there is also a strong incentive to protect their habitat, invest in land and wildlife management, and ensure healthy populations for future generations.

For hunters, pursuing a Black Wildebeest is an exceptional experience. Its characteristic dark coat, long white tail, prominent mane and massive forward-curving horns make it one of Africa’s most distinctive antelopes and a highly attractive hunting trophy.

If you hunt a Black Wildebeest on safari with Franc Hunting Safaris, our team at Franc & Zugar Taxidermy can also create a top-quality mount of your trophy. Years later, it will continue to remind you not only of an unforgettable African safari, but also of the remarkable story of a species that returned to the African landscape thanks to responsible wildlife management and regulated hunting.

When people look at a finished taxidermy mount, they usually notice the size of the trophy, the pose of the animal, or the quality of the hide.

A taxidermist, however, often focuses on something entirely different – the expression. And that expression is largely created by the precise positioning of the eyes.

Just a few millimetres around the eye area often determine whether a mount appears lifelike, natural, and believable, or whether it looks artificial and unconvincing.

That is why this stage is one of the most important parts of the entire process. Every fold of skin, the position of the eyelids, and the direction of the animal’s gaze must be exactly where nature intended them to be.

Perhaps that is why people say that the eyes are the window to the soul.

And in taxidermy, this is doubly true.

The waterbuck is one of Africa’s most recognizable antelope species and is typically found near rivers, lakes and wetlands.

At first glance, it stands out with its robust build, shaggy coat and impressive lyre-shaped horns. Many hunters, however, recognize it for another distinctive feature – the prominent white ring on its rump, affectionately nicknamed the “toilet seat” among hunters.

Its unique appearance, size and unmistakable silhouette have earned it a respected place among Africa’s most popular trophy animals.

Hunting waterbuck is often associated with tracking game through dense vegetation along waterways. While it is not considered exceptionally wary, the terrain it inhabits can make for a challenging and rewarding hunt.

Waterbuck can be found in countries such as Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and South Africa. In many regions, it is regarded as one of the classic African plains game species and an integral part of the local hunting landscape.

If you are looking for a distinctive and truly African trophy animal, the waterbuck is certainly worth considering. At Franc Hunting Safaris, we will be happy to help organize your hunt, while Franc & Zugar Taxidermy can preserve the memory in the form of a professionally prepared mount.

Activity in our workshop never slows down, even with the arrival of summer. Sometimes it is difficult to choose just one project to share with you.

Over the past few weeks alone, we have worked on several lions, a crocodile, a fighting mouflon display, a black-faced impala in a dynamic pose, a spotted hyena, and we also completed and shipped a full-body giraffe mount to its new owner.

And that is only a small selection of what we completed in our workshop during the month of May.

Every project is different. Each brings new challenges, new experiences and often new stories. That is what keeps our work interesting even after many years.

The work never ends, but we are grateful for the trust you continue to place in us by entrusting us with trophies from your hunts around the world. None of this would be possible without you.

Thank you for your support and loyalty. We appreciate it more than you may realize.

Dear guests, friends of hunting and taxidermy, and dear friends,

another edition of one of the largest Czech fairs dedicated to hunting, gamekeeping, outdoor life and related traditions is now behind us.

We would like to thank all of you who took the time to visit us in Lysá nad Labem and gave us the opportunity to present at least a small part of our work. We truly appreciate every conversation about taxidermy, hunting tourism and the new business connections created during the fair.

We were also very pleased to see the interest of the younger generation. Enthusiasm among young people for hunting, taxidermy craftsmanship and hunting traditions is extremely important for preserving the quality, standards and future of these fields.

It was a pleasure to meet so many familiar faces, old friends and new customers over the course of the exhibition.

We are already looking forward to future editions and to staying connected through social media as well as personal meetings, continuing to share our common passion together.

Thank you, and we hope to see you again soon!