Hunt In Africa - South African hunting safaris and big game hunts

Game to hunt in Southern Africa

Seven categories of Wild Game species which can be hunted in Southern Africa

Plains Game Hunting
Larger Antelope Hunting
Medium Antelope Hunting
Small Antelope Hunting
Wing Shooting Hunting
Small Cat Hunting
Falcon Hunting

Plains Game Hunting

Giraffe: The Afrikaans name is "Kameelperd", a combination of kameel and luiperd. They believed the giraffe to be a mixture of a camel and a leopard (Giraffa camelopardalis). Height at shoulder: approx. 550cm, Weight: approx. 1500kg, Age: up to 28 years, Speed: 50km/h
Nile Crocodile: The largest reptile on earth and belongs to the oldest surviving creatures. Crocodiles have been around for more than 60 million years. Height at shoulder: approx. 40cm, Weight: up to 100kg, Length of body: up to 600cm.
Burchell´s Zebra: Zebras use their stripes to regulate their body temperature. On cold days they turn their bodies to the sun in order to absorb as much warmth through the black stripes. On hot days they turn their predominantly white rumps to the sun, in order to reflect the heat. Height at shoulder: approx. 136cm, Weight: approx. 320kg, Age: up to 35 years, Speed: 60km/h
Mountain Zebra: The mountain zebra is not a s common as Burchell´s zebra nor does it have "shadow" stripes. It is smaller, has longer ears and no stripes on its belly. Height at shoulder: approx. 120cm, Weight: 300kg, Age: up to 35 years, Speed: 65km/h
Baboon: The baboon is intelligent, cunning and almost human. Baboons live in groups and display a highly developed form of social behaviour. Height at shoulder: approx. 100cm, Weight: approx. 20kg, Age: up to 45 years

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Larger Antelope Hunting

Eland: The largest antelope in South Africa. Both male and female bear horns, the bulls being massive and short, the cow's being elongated and slender. They live in herds of up to 60. They can leap remarkably high, up to 2.4m. Height at shoulder: approx. 170cm, Weight: approx. 650kg, Age: up to 12 years, Length of horn: up to 110cm
Kudu: Selous described the Kudu as "one of the most beautiful in the world". The magnificent horns, borne only by the males, are spread in beautiful open spirals. They live in small herds of 5 to 10. They can leap up to 2.5m. Height at shoulder: approx. 150cm, Weight: 300kg, Age: up to 11 years, Length of horn: up to 181cm
Roan Antelope: The roan is the largest of the antelope after the Eland, and resembles the sable in some ways. Height at shoulder: approx. 150cm, Weight: approx. 285kg, Age: up to 19 years, Length of horn: up to 99cm
Sable Antelope: The sable with its regal bearing is one of the most beautiful antelope. Its heavily ringed horns rise vertically and sweep back in a semicircular curve. The bulls are black and the under parts are white. In Afrikaans it is called Swartwitpens: "black-white belly". Both sexes bear horns. Height at shoulder: approx. 140cm, Weight: approx. 220kg, Age: up to 19 years, Length of horn: up to 155cm
Cape Hartebeest: Is also known as the red hartebeest. Both sexes bear horns. They have a docile appearance but are extremely fast runners who can maintain their pace for long distances. Height at shoulder: approx. 130cm, Weight: approx. 160kg, Age: up to 20 years, Speed: 65km/h, Length of horn: up to 66cm
Tsessebe: The Sassaby as it is also known occupies the position both physically and geographically between the Blesbok and the Bontebok. However it strongly resembles the Red Hartebeest. It is reputed to be the fastest African antelope, reaching speeds of up to 100km/h, and can run 7 miles and be as fresh as it was from the start. Height at shoulder: approx. 120cm, Weight: 160kg, Age: up to 20 years, Length of horn: up to 48cm
Oryx/Gemsbok: Both sexes bear horns, those of the cow being longer and slimmer. They live in herds of up to 40 animals and can survive without water for long periods. They are aggressive and always ready for a fight. Wounded animals can be dangerous. Height at shoulder: approx. 120cm, Weight: approx. 200kg, Age: up to 19 years, Length of horn: up to 122cm
Waterbuck: It is a stately looking beast with well ringed horns, borne by males only. Generally found close to water and bears a peculiar white marking on its rump that would suggest that the prototype waterbuck sat on a freshly painted toilet seat. Height at shoulder: approx. 130cm, Weight: approx. 250kg, Age: up to 12 years, Length of horn: up to 99cm
Blue Wildebeest/Bridled Gnu: Also known as black-tailed gnu, it is ox-like in build and has buffalo shaped horns. It lives in herds and is often seen with Zebras, Impalas and Giraffe. Height at shoulder: approx. 135cm, Weight: approx. 250kg, Age: up to 20 years, Length of horn: 83cm
Black Wildebeest/White-tailed Gnu: It is smaller than its "blue" cousin. Is generally referred to as the black wildebeest and its natural habitat is the highveld and the Karoo regions of South Africa. Height at shoulder: approx. 120cm, Weight: approx. 180kg, Age: up to 20 years, Length of horn: up to 68cm
Lechwe: Looks like a cross between an Impala and a waterbuck. Lives mainly in swamps and lagoons. Height at shoulder: approx. 82cm, Weight: approx. 120kg, Length of horn: up to 68cm
Nyala: Looks like a mixture of a young kudu and a bushbuck, but wears its characteristic "orange-coloured stockings". Height at shoulder: approx. 105cm, Weight: approx. 130kg, Age: up to 8 years, Length of horn: up to 83cm

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Medium Antelope Hunting

Bontebok: Was named after its characteristically coloured coat. It was applied by the Dutch settlers and means "pied" or "variegated" buck. It nearly became extinct and is at home only in the south western Cape. Both sexes bear horns. Height at shoulder: approx. 90cm, Weight: approx. 64kg, Age: up to 8 years, Length of horn: up to 43cm
Blesbok: Looks very similar to the Bontebok, but it is smaller, has a lighter coat and is more prolific Both sexes bear horns. Height at shoulder: approx. 95cm, Weight: approx. 80kg, Age: up to 9 years, Length of horn: approx. 51cm
Bushbbuck: Is easily recognised by its white collar. Is at home in thick bush and close to water. It is aggressive, brave and quite dangerous. It will tackle leopard, dogs and even human beings. Height at shoulder: approx. 80cm, Weight: approx. 54kg, Age: up to 9 years, Length of horn: up to 55cm
Impala: The Impala is the most prolific antelope in South Africa. Only the ram bears horns. Height at shoulder: approx. 90cm, Weight: approx. 65kg, Age: up to 9 years, Length of horn: up to 65cm
Reedbuck: As its name denotes it is at home in areas rich in reeds. But it does not like to go into water. It can be recognised by a characteristic whistle. Only the ram bears horns. Height at shoulder: approx. 90cm, Weight: approx. 70kg, Age: up to 9 years, Length of horn: up to 46cm
Mountain Reedbuck: Is at home in mountainous regions and lives in small groups. It is smaller and shyer than the Reedbuck. Only the ram bears horns. Height at shoulder: approx. 75cm, Weight: approx. 25kg, Age: up to 8 years, Length of horn: up to 23cm
Springbok: This is the national animal of South Africa. It has an amazing ability to jump vertically as high as 3m and horizontally as far as 5m. Both sexes bear horns. Height at shoulder: approx. 75cm, Weight: approx. 35kg, Age: up to 10 years, Length of horn: up to 48cm
Rhebok: Lives in larger groups, is small, aggressive and bravely defends its territory. Height at shoulder: approx. 75cm, Weight: approx. 22kg, Age: up to 9 years, Length of horn: up to 29cm

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Small Antelope Hunting

Oribi: An elegant golden coloured antelope that can be found in grassy landscapes that are rich in water. Height at shoulder: approx. 65cm, Weight: approx. 20kg, Age: up to 13 years, Length of horn: up to 19cm
Klipspringer: Lives only on rocky hills and mountains. Generally lives in groups and is both a grazer and browser. Height at shoulder: approx. 60cm, Weight: approx. 16kg, Age: up to 8 years, Length of horn: up to 16cm
Cape Grysbok: Looks like a steenbok but is a very shy animal that comes out only at night. Live in dense bush. Height at shoulder: approx. 55cm, Weight: approx. 12kg, Length of horn: up to 12cm
Steenbok: Lives in pairs, but only the buck bears horns. Its habitat is the steppe and open woodland . Needs very little water and is active during the day. Height at shoulder: approx. 50cm, Weight: approx. 12kg, Age: up to 6 years, Length of horn: circa. 18cm
Grey Duiker: Only the buck bears horns. It lives in woodland and in grassland with thickets. It is active mainly at night and live in pairs. Height at shoulder: approx. 50cm, Weight: approx. 12kg, Age: up to 9 years, Length of horn: up to 18cm
Red Duiker: Lives in thick bush, is extremely shy and is recognisable by the long head tuft between the ears. Both sexes bear horns. Height at shoulder: approx. 45cm, Weight: approx. 12kg, Age: up to 9 years, Length of horn: up to 11cm
Suni: Is a tiny antelope, that can be found only in some definite areas of KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Northern Province. Only the bucks bear horn. Height at shoulder: approx. 40cm, Weight: up to 8kg, Length of horn: up to 9cm
Blue Duiker: Is the smallest antelope in South Africa. Lives in dense woodland, mainly in the eastern parts of the country. Height at shoulder: approx. 30cm, Weight: up to 5kg, Age: up to 9 years, Length of horn: up to 10cm
Warthog: Has a disproportionately large head compared to the rest of the body. The female has two and the male has four warts on either side of the head. When they trot along they hold their tails upright like antennae. When they feed they often go down on their knees, as if praying for their meal. Height at shoulder: approx. 75cm, Weight: 70 - 100kg, Age: up to 20 years, Speed: 30 - 50 km/h, Length of body: up to 60cm
Bush Pig: Looks similar to its domesticated cousin and lives in groups of 5 to 20 in thick bush, woodland or forests. It is aggressive and known to have attacked human beings with serious consequences. Height at shoulder: approx. 80cm, Weight: 55 - 75kg, Age: up to 20 years, Length of body: up to 18cm
Black-backed Jackal: Can be found on the open plains and lives on reptiles, birds, birds' eggs, small mammals and carrion. Can often be seen during the day. Height at shoulder: approx. 40cm, Weight: approx. 10kg, Age: up to 10 years, Speed: 55km/h

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Wing Shooting Hunting

Waterfowl: The species hunted include Spurwing geese, Egyptian geese, Yellow billed duck, Red billed teal and White-faced duck. Shooting methods are based on shooting the birds on their flight paths in the early mornings and the evenings, across water, at Pans and Lakes.
Doves and Pigeons: Our bags are normally made up of Red Eyed morning doves, Cape turtledoves and Rock pigeons. This is a must for the wingshooter who likes to be kept busy with a variety of challenging shots.
Guinea fowl and Francolin: The guinea fowl is without doubt one of the best game birds in Africa. They are normally shot on driven hunts, which take place in cornfields or long grass. Francolin are split into Red necked and Swainsons. This is normally combined with the guinea fowl hunt as they are often found in the same habitat.
African Gamebirds: Both waterfowl and upland gamebirds make up Africa's gamebird population. Waterfowl are dependent on aquatic environments and include ducks and geese and snipe. Upland gamebirds include grouse, francolin, quail, pheasant, partridge and guineafowl.
Southern Africa sees the most successful sustainable utilisation game management policies with South Africa establishing some very successful ventures. We've included a list of gamebirds of southern Africa, not all of them being suitable for sustainable hunting.
In many instances, gamebirds are shot as an additional activity to trophy hunting. However, since most hunting takes place in the cooler months, this co-incides with the breeding seasons of most gamebirds. This is having a serious impact on populations throughout southern Africa but particularly in Botswana and South Africa. Western Cape - up to end-June and Free State - from July

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Small Cat Hunting

Serval: Looks similar to a young cheetah. Is active at night and lives on birds and antelope. Height at shoulder: approx. 55cm, Weight: up to 18kg, Age: up to 13 years, Length of body: approx. 110cm
Caracal: A beautiful, but dangerous animal, when cornered. Can be found everywhere except in rainforests. Height at shoulder: approx. 45cm, Weight: approx. 18kg, Age: up to 15 years, Length of body: 75cm
Wild Cat: Is found throughout South Africa and looks very much like a house-cat. It is not aggressive to human beings. Height at shoulder: approx. 35cm, Weight: approx. 6kg, Age: 10 years, Length of body: 50cm
Civet: A grey "cat" with a long body and wiry coat and has a gland which produces a scent used in perfume. It is a loner and is active mainly at night. Height at shoulder: approx. 40cm, Weight: approx. 20kg, Age: 8 years, Length of body: approx. 90cm
Genet: Is a relative of the civet, and although it is not a cat, it looks deceptively like one. It lives on rabbits, birds, reptiles and insects. Height at shoulder: approx. 20cm, Weight: approx. 2kg, Age: up to 13 years, Length of body: 50cm

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Falcon Hunting

Peregrine Falcon: A superbly efficient bird hunter, the Peregrine is the world's fastest and most aerial predator, with physical adaptations for aerial hunting unsurpassed by any other species. Its stoop, and the lethal blow delivered with the hind claw of the open foot, are among the most dramatic of all raptor hunting techniques. These methods have made the Peregrine one of the most renowned of all birds of prey.
Saker Falcon: A favourite hunting bird of Arab falconers, because of its power and aggression in the hunt, the Saker Falcon is a large, rather pale-looking falcon, due to its light head and underparts and lack of distinct moustachial stripe. The Saker is capable of great speed and power but much of the time it is content to hunt ground prey such as Susliks and other small rodents.
Lanner Falcon: Although less powerful than the Saker, the Lanner Falcon is an excellent flier, and takes much of its prey on the wing. Birds up to the size of guineafowl are captured, and it has a particular fondness for fruitbats. It is the only falcon known to attack birds head-on, that is, travelling in the opposite direction to itself - a feat requiring exceptional timing and coordination.
European Kestrel: The most common bird of prey in the British Isles also known as the 'Windhover' by countrymen. A small falcon populating diverse habitats ranging from towns, fields, heathlands and coastal areas. Commonly seen hovering around road and motorway edges in search of insects, worms and small mammals.
American Kestrel: Formerly called the Sparrowhawk, the American Kestrel can be readily identified by the double black stripes on its white face, russet coloured back and tail and slate coloured crown. In summer it survives primarily on insects, whilst in winter taking small birds.
Greater or White eyed Kestrel: A small red brown raptor. The tail feathers, flight and rump are sooty brown with broad bars of pale grey. Pairs proclaim their territory by high pitched screams and fast rocking flights. Existing mainly on termites, lizards birds and rodents.

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