Taxidermy Services — Mounts, Tannery, Dip & Pack & Worldwide Shipping

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. 

View Gallery

Tannery

Our tanning recipes have been developed in conjunction with the chief tanning technologists at BASF and Stahl, 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 prepares your raw trophies for safe, legal export from South Africa. Skulls are cleaned and bleached, and skins are immersed in an organic acid solution (pH 2.3–2.5) for 48 hours to kill pathogens and spores, then dried, re-salted and treated with a protective insecticide before crating. Dipping renders the skins and skulls safe to ship, but it is important to note that it does not tan or permanently preserve them — the trophies remain raw, so tanning or full mounting should follow as soon as possible to prevent bacterial damage. It’s the standard first step for hunters shipping trophies home 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.
Get in touch

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about our taxidermy services

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?
Our full taxidermy studio is located in Pretoria/Centurion, South Africa, where all mounting work is carried out. We also operate a client liaison office in Charlotte, North Carolina, to support our US-based clients with consultations, logistics, and trophy intake.
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 Stahl, and offer end-to-end service from field to finished mount.
Do you have an office in the US?
Yes, we have a liaison and administrative office in Charlotte, North Carolina to better serve our US-based clients.