San Juan Lodge | Mixed Bag Shooting | Uruguay
Perched majestically atop a knoll with a striking 360 degree view of the fertile Uruguayan countryside is Estancia San Juan. Managed by long time shooting hosts Bernardo and Mercedes Barran, San Juan offers the convenience of shooting all game birds in Uruguay, ducks, doves, pigeons and Perdiz, from just one destination and the assurance of a world class outfitter known for attention to detail and quality. Hunting and shooting at San Juan offers a variety of game that makes Uruguay a very unique destination. Hunters can enjoy the pursuit of the upland mixed bag in the same day, each and every day.
Location
San Juan Lodge is situated in the North west region of Uruguay in the state of Paysandú near the river town of Paysandú. The lodge is located approximately 336km or 208 miles away from Montevideo, the Capital and the major metropolitan centre of this small country.
Shooting
Each morning you will hunt wild partridge or Perdiz in short grass pastures, and over pointers and English setters, or ducks and big wild pigeons by decoying in lagoons and ponds nearby. In the afternoons, volume dove shooting is on the shooting schedule, and normally doves are encountered, in large numbers, on a flyway en route to a roost or at a big roost that is very close to the San Juan Estancia. However, when planning your shooting holiday to Uruguay, please consider these seasonal limitations as a guideline:
Perdiz hunting runs May 1st to July 31st, Duck hunting runs from May 1st until September 15th, Pigeons generally run from May 1st to September 15th, Dove shooting is available and productive year round.
Everyday you will drive to the Perdiz fields or to the lagoons for duck and pigeon shooting and return for lunch at the lodge, or remain in the field for an asado (BBQ) prepared outdoors.
The afternoon shoot (normally high volume dove shooting, sometimes ducks and pigeon) will start after lunch, and will end at dusk. Each evening you will return to the lodge for cocktails and dinner. Your host and guide, as well as bird boys, will be with you to provide you with challenging shooting, and other necessities such as shotgun shells, refreshments and anything else you may need. Drive time to hunt locations is usually between 10 and 35 minutes for the Perdiz, ducks or pigeon fields, and from 5 up to 35 minutes for the dove shooting.
Additional Activities
Additional activities for the non-hunting companions include City tours, sight seeing and shopping trips.
Estancia San Juan accommodates up to 8 guests in 5 double bedrooms – each with private bath and fireplace. With plenty of space to spread out, this estancia offers a comfortable living room and a dining room that boasts a majestic view to complement exquisite meals and fine wines. The usual amenities include, telephone, maid and laundry service. On pleasant evenings or before the next hunt, an open air galleria is available, so guests may enjoy the fresh air and Uruguayan countryside. Each room has beds, en-suite bathroom, electricity, heating, plus storage space for clothes.
We use a variety of Hotels in Buenos Aries for your overnight stay, from hotels close to the airport to hotels in downtown Buenos Aries that allow you to see a bit more of Buenos Aries and even extend your stay.
All hotels that we use are a minimum of 3 stars and will at least include all the basic facilities listed below. If you wish, we can discuss, which hotel to use to suit your own personal requirements. Also, for overnight hotels, there is always the option to upgrade to single rooms.
Season: April to August
Peak: May to July
Season: May to August
Peak: June to July
Season: All Year
Peak: All Year
Season: 1st May to 15th Sept
Peak: June
There is no set itinerary and the below is only for a guide purpose, you can have as many or as little number of days shooting as you wish. We also have daily flights departing from the UK with British Airways, therefore should you wish to either extend your stay with additional days at the beginning or end in Buenos Aires, or add on some fantastic fishing, the itinerary below can be tailored to suit.
DAY 1:
Depart UK (alternative routes available)
DAY 2:
Arrive Buenos Aires International Airport
After you have picked up your luggage and cleared customs, walk out of the terminal building where a Sportquest Holidays representative will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Buenos Aires.
Overnight Accommodation: Buenos Aires Hotel (Twin room) B/B.
DAY 3: Shooting Day.
In the morning our staff will transfer you to San Juan Lodge in Uruguay which takes approximately 4.5 hours.
Once you have had time to settle in, you will depart with your guides for your first afternoon’s shooting.
Overnight Accommodation: San Juan Lodge (Twin room) F/B
DAYS 4 to 7: Shooting Days.
The program generally starts at 8:00 AM with a hearty breakfast and a short drive to the shoot. In the field you will be assigned a blind or hide and you’ll be attended by a bird-boy, who will provide you with shot shells and refreshments at your shooting stand. Everyday you will drive to the perdiz fields or to the lagoons for duck and pigeon hunting and return for lunch at the lodge, or remain in the field for an asado prepared out of doors. The afternoon shoot (normally high volume dove shooting, sometimes ducks and pigeon), will start after lunch and end at dusk. Each evening you will return to the lodge for cocktails and dinner. Your host and guide, as well as bird boys, will be with you to provide you with challenging shooting and other necessities such as shotgun shells, refreshments and anything else you may need. Drive time to hunt locations is usually between 10 and 35 minutes for the perdiz, ducks or pigeon fields, and from 5 up to 35 minutes for the dove shooting.
Overnight Accommodation: San Juan Lodge (Twin room) F/B
DAY 8:
In the morning our staff will transfer you by road to your hotel in BA, which takes approximately 4 hours. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore.
Overnight Accommodation: Buenos Aires Hotel (Twin room) B/B.
DAY 9:
In the morning our staff will transport you to the International airport for your return connection flight to London.
Depart Buenos Aires International Airport
DAY 10:
Arrive UK
Remember that Sportquest Holidays' services are completely FREE! When you book a trip with Sportquest Holidays, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge and flights independently. Plus what’s more if you book with Sportquest Holidays your holiday is protect by our ATOL and the Travel Package Regulations Act. To see more details CLICK HERE.
| Start Date | End Date | Days | Nights | Shooting | Gun | Bag size | Availability |
| 01/01/2019 | 29/12/2019 | 10 | 9 | 4.5 | £6,596 | Book Now | |
| 01/01/2020 | 29/12/2020 | 10 | 9 | 4.5 | £7,068 | Book Now |
We are so confident that our packaged prices are the best available and offer great value for money.
If, however, you find an identical holiday available with any other fully bonded Tour Operator at a lower price, we will match that price.
Price NotesPrices are based on two adults sharing transfers, shooting and accommodation (unless otherwise stated) and are correct at the time of going to press. Subject to time of year or date and currency fluctuations, these prices may fluctuate slightly due to flight price increases or fuel surcharge.
ATOL
Holidays or flights booked with Sportquest Holidays Limited are protected by the Civil Aviation Authority by our ATOL bond (Number 6371). ATOL protects you from losing your money or being stranded abroad. It does this by carrying out financial checks on the firms it licenses and requiring a guarantee, called a bond.
Gun Licence (approx $395 pp per total stay)
Gun Hire (approx $95 pp per day)
Shells (approx $18.50 per box)
Non- Hunters $650 per night ( Minimum party of 4 people)
Why not enjoy browsing our destinations in the comfort of your own home.
- All flights
- All transfers
- 2 nights Buenos Aires
- 5 nights San Juan Lodge
- 4 Days guided shooting
- All drinks at San Juan Lodge
- Personal insurance
- Meals in Buenos Aires
- Gun Licence
- Gun Hire
- Shells
Flight upgrades
Additional shooting days
Additional nights in BA
Add on Sea Trout or Golden Dorado Fishing
Visa
A machine-readable passport with at least 6 months before expiry, no visa for UK citizens required.
Medical Requirements
No vaccinations currently required
Please Note
All details of visa and medical requirements are correct at time of press however please check these requirements for changes.
Departure tax
There is no additional airport departure tax when leaving Argentina
Flight Route & Flight Time
UK – Buenos Aires (approx 14hrs)
Baggage Allowance
Your actual allowance is based on both which airline you are flying with and also what class of seat you are travelling in. Normally in economy it is 1 checked bag, Premium Economy / Business 2 checked bags, First 3 checked bags. In addition to your checked bags you are also allowed 1 cabin bag and either 1-laptop bag or ladies handbag. The actual size and weight limit for bags is dependent on the airline. We therefore recommend that once your flights are booked you check on the airlines website for the up to date allowances.
If your itinerary includes private light aircraft or helicopter flights we will advise you on your baggage and weight allowance.
Transfer Time
Buenos Aires – San Juan Lodge by Minibus (approx 4.5 hours)
Where is the lodge?
San Juan Lodge is located in the northwest region of Uruguay in the state of Paysandú. The lodge is situated approximately 208 miles from Montevideo, the capital and major metropolitan centre of the small country.
How long does it take to reach to drives?
It will take anything from 5-45 minutes to reach the shooting areas.
Where do they shoot?
The hunting fields are in the surrounding hunting areas of San Juan lodge where you will be shooting the marshes, ponds and fields.
What quarry will I shoot?
You will be shooting Non-Migratory Eared Doves, Perdiz, Duck and Pigeon depending on what you are interested in and the seasons.
How does the day work?
The program generally starts at 8:00am with a hearty breakfast and a short drive to the shoot. In the field you will be assigned a blind or hide and you’ll be attended by a bird-boy, who will provide you with shot shells and refreshments at your shooting stand. Everyday you will drive to the Perdiz fields or to the lagoons for duck and pigeon hunting and return for lunch at the lodge, or remain in the field for an asado prepared out of doors. The afternoon shoot (normally high volume dove shooting, sometimes ducks and pigeon), will start after lunch and end at dusk. Each evening you will return to the lodge for cocktails and dinner. Your host and guide, as well as bird boys, will be with you to provide you with challenging shooting and other necessities such as shotgun shells, refreshments and anything else you may need. Drive time to hunt locations is usually between 10 and 35 minutes for the Perdiz, ducks or pigeon fields, and from 5 up to 45 minutes for the dove shooting.
Do the guides speak English?
All the guides and lodge staff speak very good English
Who is best suited to this destination?
A keen and well-seasoned wing shooter would appreciate this destination due to the opportunity for a selection of challenging birds. However, at the same time it would be an ideal place for the beginner and intermediate gun to try his hand at plentiful well-presented birds whilst being well looked after.
What skill level is required?
Both experienced and beginner wing shooters can fully appreciate the delights of this trip. With the high and testing birds for the more well-seasoned gun down to the countless opportunities to the improve their skill on the copious amounts of low incoming targets for the less experienced. Due to the mixed species there will be something for everyone.
How physically demanding is this trip?
This is a fairly low key affair with regards to the amount of walking and lugging equipment about. However, be prepared to be shooting an incredibly hefty amount of shells through your gun during the days sport as this can in itself be very punishing on the shoulder by the end of the day. A decent shoulder pad and/or a shooting vest should help with this.
When to go?
Ducks- May-July
Perdiz- May-July
Doves-January- October
Pigeon- Mid April- Mid October
How to get there?
Depart UK on route to Buenos Aires Airport and from there you will be greeted and transferred to a hotel over night before being transferred to the lodge in the morning with a journey time of approximately 4 hours.
What is the accommodation like?
Estancia San Juan is perched majestically atop a knoll, with striking views of the Uruguayan countryside. It is an elegant family home with 5 comfortable bedrooms each with a private bathroom and fireplace. The lodge can host up to 10 guests with lots of space to relax including an open air galleria so you can enjoy the fresh Uruguayan countryside at any time.
What is the food like?
The food at San Juan uses regionally represented meats and fresh produce in which the experienced chefs work wonders with. There will be beautiful salads, breads and the finest wine to accompany the delicious meats. At San Juan lodge pride itself in different creations, such as asados to the classical Perdiz a la cordon blue and grilled Duck breasts in moustard. For breakfast there will be a variety of homemade breads, jam, meadow honey, fresh fruit, natural yoghurts and eggs to have any which way you desire.
Does the lodge provide hunting/shooting equipment?
The lodge provides a choice of guns for hire.
Is Internet and phone signal available?
San Juan Lodge provides Wifi/Internet at no extra cost.
What method of payment is accepted at the Lodge?
Cash (US Dollars) Credit and Debit Cards
Are there other activities available?
Additional trips can be arranged for historical tours, sight seeing and shopping trips.
How much does it cost?
Sportquest Holidays offers you a complete package including all flights and transfers to view all prices & availability click the “Dates & Prices” Tab above.
Alternatively, if you wish to arrange all our own travel arrangements Sportquest Holidays can book just the lodge and shooting for you.
Sportquest Holidays is proud to be different, and one way we stand out from the crowd is our tried and trusted information we provide our customers. This information is not just provided on our own personal experiences but also REAL CUSTOMER reviews.
We are the only fishing & shooting tour operator to operate our own review system whereby customers can review both the packaged holiday and also how we performed on each destination.
See how our customer feedback works and our latest customer reveiws. Read More
Write a Review
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Overall Rating:
Everything on this trip was excellent.
The hosts were extrodinarily accomodating, the lodging was spotless, the food world class and the hunting was perfect.
We could not have asked for a better experience so thank you to everyone.
Kris
Thank you for taking the time to share your review of your trip. glad everyone had such a good time.
Mel
Overall Rating:
Bernardo and Mercedes are wonderful hosts and their attributes are extended to all staff.
The quality of service and food exceeded all my expectations, we will have to return very soon.
Thank you so much for the destination review both Bernardo and Mercedes certainly do take special care of all customers so its very nice of you to say so.
Kind Regards Peter
Overall Rating:
We had an outstanding experience; the shooting was terrific not to mention the food and intimate atmosphere of the lodge.
The staff was friendly and the guides were very efficient. No detail overlooked!
Thank you!
Regards William
Will thank you for the review and kind comments about the lodging staff.
Regards Peter
