Services

World Class Taxidermy

At Highveld, we believe in attention to detail to create true to life reflections of your prized hunting trophies. We hand sculpt all our own forms and work closely with you to make sure your hunting memories are brought to life every time you look at your trophies. 

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Tannery

Our tanning recipes have been developed in conjunction with BASF and all hides are hand shaved for the best results. Rest assured that your hides are processed within a short period of time, reducing the chance of bacterial damage.

Dip & Pack

Our Dip and Pack service is designed to ensure the preservation of your specimen until it’s ready for mounting. We start by carefully dipping the animal’s skin in a special preservative solution, which helps to prevent decomposition and maintain its softness. Afterward, the skin is securely packed in protective material and stored under controlled conditions, preserving its quality during transport or temporary storage. This service is ideal for clients who need to store or transport their specimens safely before the full taxidermy process begins.

World Wide Logistics

By Sea or By Air, Your Cargo is Safe with Us

We offer reliable and efficient logistics solutions for the transportation of your valuable cargo, whether by air or sea. With our range of services, we ensure safe and timely delivery to any destination worldwide.

Imports

We facilitate and manage the importation of cargo from all countries into South Africa, ensuring that your goods are handled with care and compliance with local regulations.

Permits

Our team takes care of all necessary import and export documentation, managing the paperwork so you don’t have to. We handle the administration and ensure smooth customs clearance for your cargo.

Crating

We provide custom-built crating solutions that guarantee the safety and security of your goods during transportation, minimizing the risk of damage and ensuring economical shipping.

Communication

Stay informed throughout the entire process with our clear and consistent communication. You’ll be updated every step of the way, without the hassle of dealing with unnecessary administration.

Your story awaits, let’s bring it to life.
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Masters of Eternal Wildlife Art

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about our taxidermy services

How long does taxidermy take?
Turnaround time depends on the mount type and complexity. Shoulder mounts typically take 8–12 months, full mounts 12–18 months, and skull mounts 4–8 months. We prioritize quality over speed — each piece is hand-sculpted on custom forms to ensure a lifelike result.
What types of taxidermy mounts do you offer?
We offer full mounts (life-size), shoulder mounts, skull mounts (European-style), pedestal mounts, replica mounts, flat and rug mounts, bird mounts, and fish mounts. We specialize in both African and North American game species.
Do you ship trophies internationally?
Yes. Our Worldwide Logistics service handles international permits, CITES documentation, customs clearance, and safe delivery. We regularly ship between South Africa, the United States, and destinations worldwide.
What is dip and pack in taxidermy?
Dipping and disinfection of trophies is a process to kill pathogens and render the raw skins and skulls safe for export from South Africa to their destination. It is important to note that the trophies are still considered to be raw and that this process does not preserve the skins. Tanning of the hides should be done as soon as possible to prevent bacterial damage and Highveld Taxidermists (Pty) Ltd will not accept liability for any bacterial damage to hides. The process involves the following:

Skulls:
The skulls are cleaned and bleached and all meat, blood and brain matter is removed.

Skins:
The skins are immersed in an organic acid solution with a pH of 2.3 - 2.5 for 48 hours to kill all pathogens and spores. They are then dried and resalted. As an added precaution, the skins and skulls are sprinkled with Carba Dust just before shipping (white powder insecticide).
Where are your taxidermy studios located?
We operate two studios: one in Charlotte, North Carolina (USA) and one in Johannesburg, South Africa. This dual-location setup allows us to efficiently serve hunters across both continents.
How do I get started with a taxidermy project?
Contact us through our website or by phone for a free consultation. We'll discuss your vision, mount type, reference photos, and details like pose or habitat base, then provide a quote and timeline.
What makes Highveld different from other taxidermists?
Family-operated by the Ochsenbein family since 1981, with over 40 years of experience. We hand-sculpt all custom forms, use proprietary tanning recipes developed with BASF, and offer end-to-end service from field to finished mount.
Can you mount African game trophies in the United States?
Absolutely. With studios in both South Africa and Charlotte NC, we handle the entire process — dip and pack in Africa, international shipping with all permits and documentation, and final mounting in our US studio.