An African hunting safari, a dream safari of many international game hunters. Many hunters receive their introduction to a Hunting Safari in Africa by commencing and exploring their journey on the more cost-effective African plains game hunting packages. These safaris include smaller game animals, with lower trophy fees such as Impala, Blesbok and Springbuck.

An African Safari is all about the magic, the travel, sunsets, experiences and memories with many hunters booking return hunting safaris to recapture those first African moments and memories.

International hunters, realizing just how cost effective and value for your “buck” these hunting safaris are, quickly move up to larger game. These plains game antelope include animals such as Kudu, Eland, Waterbuck, Hartebeest and Wildebeest. Of course, another return favorite amongst hunters is also the exotic attractions such as Roan and Sable or hunting the tiny ten antelope.

[DYNAMIC-BLOGTABLEOFCONTENT]

Key Takeaways

• Many international hunters start their African hunting trips by exploring African plains game species and safaris dedicated to these species.
• These safaris provide hunters with cost-effective and affordable hunting options.
• There are more than 180 huntable African plains game species.
• There are two challenges that hunters aim to complete: The Sprial Horn Challenge that targets the kudu, eland, nyala, and bushbuck; while the Springbok Grand Slam targets the Common springbok, as well as the Copper, White, and Black Springbok variants.
• African plains game hunts are often combined with dangerous game hunts, adding an element of danger to the hunt.
• African plains game hunts can vary in terrain and landscapes from woodlands, to desert, and even bushveld areas, depending on the country and specific species you are targeting.
• Popular African plains game hunting destinations include South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Mozambique, Botswana, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.
• Namibia remains a popular African plains game hunting destination due to affordability and the wide range of species on offer. 
• South Africa’s major African plains game hunts are undertaken in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal regions.
• An African plains game safari remains an enjoyable hunting adventure, with many species available to target, depending on your destination and budget.

What are the tiny ten antelope in Africa?

The tiny ten antelope in Africa are the Klipspringer, Blue Duiker, Common Duiker, Red Duiker, Sharpes Grysbuck, Damara Dik-Dik, Suni, Steenbuck, Oribi and Cape Grysbok.

The variety of African plains game is truly amazing, with over 180 huntable species available. Plains game hunting safaris are often also combined with a little night time hunting  “action” for critters such as Serval, Genet, Jackal, Civet and of course Hyena Hunting. A hunter could spend years, not even taking into consideration the cost of the hunting safaris to fill their trophy room with all the species. Successfully hunting every antelope in Africa would be an almost impossible task, and to complete the trophy room would probably require hunting over a couple of generations.

African Plains Game, the Spiral Horn Challenge

On the top of the list for many an African plains game hunting safari is successfully harvesting and hunting trophy spirals horn antelope which include one of Africa’s most sought-after trophies, the “Gray Ghost,” namely a Kudu Bull. The other three spiral antelope in the Spiral horn slam include Eland hunting, Nyala hunting and the most elusive of all, Bushbuck.

Springbuck hunting Grand Slam

Another favorite when targeting African plains game on a hunting safari is for the Springbuck grand slam for the color variants of the species. This includes the Copper Springbuck, Black Springbuck, White Springbuck and the South African Springbuck. Safari Club International (SCI) recognizes all four species, along with the Angolan and Kalahari Springbuck.

African plains game can be hunted in most African countries from Southern Africa, north to the Cameroon and North East into countries such as Ethiopia. The majority of African plains game hunting safaris take place in Namibia and South Africa, the only two countries where Rhino hunting is legal.

Other countries such as Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Botswana and Zimbabwe also offer African plains game hunting which is normally added to dangerous game hunting safaris.

African Plains Game Hunts, Safari Affordability

An African hunting safari for plains game is affordable. A perception exists among many international hunters that a hunting safari in Africa costs the earth, this is by far and large not correct.

An African safari can cost the hunter less than what it would cost to hunt a Moose, or a Brown Bear in the United States. African countries rely on the revenue generated by African plains game hunters, who in fact are more in numbers, and generate more in cash than dangerous game hunters who select species such as Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Cape Buffalo and Leopard hunting.

Due to the affordability of an African hunting safari, these African plains game safaris are often combined with the more “cost-effective” dangerous 7 hunts and both crocodile hunting and hippo hunts are often additional species added on to the African plains game hunting safaris, adding the element of danger and excitement.

The average cost of an African plains game safari can however significantly increase when the hunter is focused on specific species which are endemic to certain African countries, such as Kafue Lechwe and Sitatunga in Zambia, and White-Bearded Wildebeest in Tanzania by way of an example.

Plains Game Hunting in Africa and Terrain Diversity

The African continent well known for diversity in terms of hunting terrain. African plains game hunts can stretch from the woodlands to the Kalahari Desert in Namibia. In Limpopo South African we have the thicker bushveld and countries such as Zambia. Mozambique and Tanzania are well known for their lakes and waterways.

In many African territories, geographical hunting areas offer a wide expanse of grasslands leading into swamp areas such as the Caprivi Strip (Zambezi Region) in Namibia.

Every country has a unique set of challenges and will extensively evaluate the skills of the hunter, whether in terms of stamina, endurance of shooting ability.

What rifle to pack when preparing for the African Hunting Safari?

When trophy hunting African plains game, like on any other hunting safari success is equal to the ability to shoot straight, hit the target area and ensure and humane kill.

Large antelope like Eland, Sable, Roan and Kudu can successfully be hunted with calibers as low as a .243 or .270, assuming shot placement is perfect.

In some areas, the kill shot will be taken form a distance of as little as between forty yards and sixty yards. In other areas such as the Kalahari or the Free State in South Africa, the average distance of the kill shot may be between two hundred and fifty yards to four hundred yards.

My advice would be to pack and all rounder rifle with good optics shooting a flat trajectory. A 7mm or a 300 Win Mag will work really well. While these rifles “pack a punch,” the bullets can always be changed to a lower weight or to solids or monolithic tips.

When plains game hunting in Africa, there are often species which may be targeted as they are classified as “opportunistic,” and a shot may present itself. This would normally apply when Cheetah hunting in Namibia or Spotted and Brown Hyena.

Plains Game Hunting and Shot Placement

As a rule, when trophy hunting avoid the head or neck shot, unless there really is no other opportunity. A head shot can possibly ruin the trophy.

Aim for a third of the way up the shoulder, the target area being a kill shot to the vitals, being the heart of lungs.

When considering the quartering towards and quartering away shot, remember to draw the imaginary lines and adjust the point of entry. You can read more about shot placement on our shot placement page.

How to prepare for my first African Plains Game Trip?

The above question is often asked by first time visitors and travelers to “The Dark Continent.” For a comprehensive guide and planning you can read our blog on Safari Planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are plains game animals in Africa?

African plains game refers to any animals that inhabit the plains or savannas of Africa. There are many antelope that fall under African plains game, but also includes species such as giraffe, warthogs, and bushpigs. These animals do not include dangerous game, or members of the Big 5. In total, there are more than 180 species of African plains game to hunt.

What is the most popular plains game species?

The spiral-horned kudu is the most popular African plains game species.

What is the largest African plains game species?

The Cape eland is the largest African plains game species.

What are some common plains game species to target when hunting in Africa?

Popular African plains game species include the impala, springbok, wildebeest, gemsbok, warthog, zebra, giraffe, blesbuck, kudu, and reedbuck.

What African game are the best to hunt?

Sought-after African plains game species include the Greater kudu, with its magnificent spiral horns, as well as the striking gemsbok, with its long, straight horns.

Can you hunt a giraffe on a plains game hunt?

Yes, giraffes are hunted on an African plains game hunting safari, with the stalk section of the hunt being an exciting showcase of the hunter’s skills and perseverance.

Which African plains game are hard to hunt?

The Cape eland, as well as the Roan and Sable are seen as being exceptionally challenging to hunt.

African Plains Game Hunting Destinations

The balance of this article will cover plains game hunting in two of Africa’s most popular game hunting destinations, namely Namibia and South Africa.

Part two of this African plains game hunting blog will incorporate Zambia, Mozambique, Botswana, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

Plains Game Hunting in Namibia

Namibia is one of the most popular destinations for a African plains game hunt due to affordability and wide variety of plains game antelope. Since gaining independence in 1990 (previously controlled by South Africa), Namibia is a politically stable African country with a government who values natural resources and acknowledges the roll that game hunting plays in wildlife conservation.

Namibia is family friendly and the perfect African country for first time visitors and hunters to Africa. More than 6000 hunters visit Namibia every year, from the USA and European countries such as Germany.

Plains game hunting in Namibia is broken down into three main areas:

• Government Hunting Concessions
• Private Game Ranches
• Conservancies

Hunting areas range in size from thousands of acres on private ranches to millions of acres in the northern territories which are mostly government concessions.

With most of Namibia being arid, the wetlands and swamps of the Caprivi Strip are famous for Hippo and Crocodile hunting. Most of the plains game hunting in Namibia takes place in semi-arid areas, thick woodlands or desert plains in the central Kalahari region.

Namibia is a top African plains game hunting destinating due to the shear variety of antelope and that African outfitters know just how to ensure that hunters have a world class hunting safari. Namibia is famous for producing trophy antelope as well as endemic species such as the Damara Diki-Dik, Hartmann’s Zebra and the Black-Faced Impala. Namibia boasts good populations of antelope such as Kudu, Eland, Springbok, Blesbok, Impala, Steenbok and Blue and Black Wildebeest. Of course, the hunter cannot ignore the Gemsbuck (Oryx) and the Puku.

When reviewing your Namibia hunting package, be sure to advise your safari broker that a Cheetah may be on the list. Cheetahs are usually hunted and spotted in Namibia when searching vast areas for African plains game antelope and Namibia is the only African country who allows Cheetah hunting.

As hunting in Namibia covers a vast landscape, scouting the area for African plains game is normally done using a four-by-four truck such as a reliable Toyota Landcruiser. Hunters will glass an area, depending on the topography and spot an antelope from a vehicle and then proceed to walk and stalk the quarry.

Travelling to the hunting destination may take two to eight hours by vehicle, so in certain instances it is best to make use of local flights offered by either Namibian airways or private charter. Depending on the plains game hunting destination, Namibia is best entered by:

• Hosea Kutako International Airport (previously Windhoek)
• Or via Kasane Airport in Botswana, then crossing over the Chobe River into the Zambezi Region.

Night critter hunting is always a good addition to your Namibian plains game safari and the smaller species include Jackal, Bushpig, African Wildcat, Genet (Large and Small Spotted), Serval and Porcupine. Hyena hunting, for both Brown and Spotted Hyena is also available for those hunters who can manage to stay awake.

Bow hunting in Namibia is allowed, except hunters may not make use of crossbows. If visiting Namibia for the first time, it is suggested the hunter extends the plains game hunting safari by a few days and takes in some of the tourist attractions which include a trip to the Etosha Game Reserve, Walvis Baai and Swakopmund. Namibia is current the only country in Africa where all five members of the big five can legally be hunted, including both the White and Black Rhino.

Plains Game Hunting in South Africa

The majority of African plains game hunting in South Africa tales place in fenced off areas, which can vary in size from a few hundred acres hundreds of thousands of acres. Government reserves do allow outfitters the opportunity to bring in plains game hunting clients on a quota basis per species. Sustainable hunting in these reserves assist with the animal populations and reduces the need for mass culling to have to take place.

Private ranches have an enormous variety of antelope and population numbers exceed that on public land due to supplementary feeding and focusing on animal health by treating worms and bacteria infections.

The majority of African plains game hunts take place in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo Province with KwaZulu Natal also fast becoming a top hunting destination where Nyala are abundant.

International travelers can access this premier game hunting destination by numerous international airports. Depending on the species being hunted, transfers between hunting areas are either done by vehicle or domestic air travel, which is on time and affordable.

Plains game hunting in South Africa is done on foot following the walk and stalk method. Safari vehicles, depending on the terrain are also made use of to spot fresh tracks which will then be followed.

Hunting lodges in South Africa are family friendly, well rated and provide a wide array of additional activities such as visits to day parks, game fishing safaris, hot air ballooning and health spas.

Average shooting distance when African plains game hunting in South Africa can vary between close up in the thick and thorny areas, to long range shots in areas such as the Northern Cape, Kalahari and Free State area. In areas such as the Waterberg mountains, the hunter may need to be well preparing and be able to climb mountainous areas in search of trophy Kudu, Eland and Bush Buck.

Plains game hunting in South Africa has to of course include a little Warthog hunting livening every hunting safari with some thrilling action. Bushpig hunting in South Africa is also a favorite but be sure to notify your outfitter in advance so that areas can be baited as these nocturnal hogs are known to traverse fifteen miles in an evening.

South Africa also offers top class exotic antelope such as Sable, Roan, Golden Wildebeest and various other color variants.

For those plains game hunters wanting some night time action, Hyena hunting in South Africa is also a sought-after safari, which will including hunting for both Spotted and Brown Hyena.

South Africa also has incredible taxidermists who after the dip and pack can prepare some amazing game hunting trophies. Be sure to factor in the cost of international shipping when budgeting for the African Plains Game Safari.

It is strongly advised that the hunting safaris be extended, time and budget permitting to spend a few days on additional site seeing and tourist activities. South Africa is famous for National Parks, the magnificent Garden route, impressive cuisine and wines winning many international awards.

An African Plains Game safari in South Africa is world class and has to be included on any bucket list.

Read Part 2, African Plains Game: Territories, Info and Overview: Part 2

Author: PC van Wyk