Hollybrooke Airsoft Field: Manaka
Enter the next phase of role-playing warfare! Paintball has nothing on airsoft. Hollybrooke Adventure Farm hosts one of North West Province’s very few airsoft fields - and one of her largest fields at that. Only a short drive from Hartbeespoort, our field is a hop-skip-jump from Joburg, making it one of the best locations for battle hobbyists in Gauteng.
Ruck up, FNG! We’re Oscar Mike!
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Manaka Battlefield
With one of the newest fields close to Johannesburg (approx. 40 minutes from Randburg, Midrand, Centurion), Manaka is a 25ha field with bushveld and a small central kraal for some CQB. Hollybrooke is always thinking of improving the field to ensure that it reaches the height of competition-grade experiences.
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Organisers & Sponsors
The Manaka Field is maintained and owned by Hollybrooke Adventure Farm. However, the airsoft event organisation is done by a number of event organisers. If you are an airsoft event organiser or a league, then let us know: we’ll be more than happy to have you playing on the Manaka fields.
How Can I Play Airsoft in Hartbeespoort?
As you may have guessed, airsoft in South Africa is a hobby that is taken very seriously. There are many enthusiasts that have spent thousands of rands on the proper kits, outfits, and markers (guns). This doesn’t mean that you aren’t able to have fun with the airsoft guys should you be new to the hobby. Many social games allow people to play who don’t have kits. Most organisations will allow you to rent markers (guns) and safety gear. If you’re interested in playing airsoft in Hartbeespoort, you’ll want to join a community of professionals who ensure that large numbers of hobbyists attend an event. The Manaka airsoft field, run by Hollybrooke Adventure Farm, is the perfect place to play airsoft in Hartbeespoort. If you need to find out more about an airsoft community that organises events (including at Hollybrooke), then maybe contact one of the organisers shown below:
COF Airsoft: 082 351 9476
South African Airsoft League: 081 245 7809
Airsoft HQ: 062 679 6921
What Is Airsoft?
Airsoft is named after the airsoft gun: an air-powered gun that is termed a ‘marker’ for numerous safety reasons. The airsoft gun should not be confused with an actual weapon, hence we will refer to it as a marker (as in paintball). Markers shoot tiny plastic spheres that we will refer to as pellets. You are correct in thinking that this sounds a lot like paintball; however, paintballs shatter when hitting the target, spilling paint to ‘mark’ the target. Pellets from an airsoft marker fire straighter, at higher velocity, and are therefore much more realistic in their simulation of real, live ammunition and bullets.
Because there is little evidence in being hit by an airsoft pellet (other than bruises and welts on the skin), players are expected to use the honour system when playing a variety of airsoft games. This means they must raise their arms and yell ‘HIT’ when they have been hit with a pellet. As you can imagine, this sometimes leads to issues in some competitive spaces, but overall the honour system works tremendously well among the hobbyists: you’ll always have more fun when being honest about getting hit.
Airsoft markers will often attempt to simulate real guns in both weight and tactical ability. Therefore you can find high-velocity sniper rifles on the airsoft field as well as smaller handguns and SMG-replicas with lower velocities. This means that certain markers cannot be fired on opposition targets within certain ranges (again, this is for safety purposes). Under 5 meters, for example, players are expected to aim their marker at an exposed target and yell ‘BANG BANG’ to indicate their shooting a target. Under 20 meters, those armed with a high-powered sniper airsoft rifle are expected to use a marker that shoots pellets at lower velocity.
There are many safety precautions that a person needs to learn when starting airsoft. This is because of the realism of the markers and the realism of the warlike simulations that players take when playing. However, be warned: airsoft is A LOT of fun, and you may find yourself investing in a brand new hobby should you play a game or two. Make sure you contact a local airsoft gaming organiser if you’re interested in playing airsoft in Hartbeespoort, or airsoft in Johannesburg and Pretoria. See you on the battlefield soon!