The adventure of plains game hunting in Africa is not one to be taken lightly. While many hunters enjoy targeting Africa’s Big 5 or dangerous game, there is something to be said for the thrill of hunting the various species that inhabit African plains and savannas, from the diminutive duiker to the large Cape eland. An African plains game hunting safari challenges a hunter’s skillset, pushing him to adjust and readjust his hunting strategy as needed with each trophy as he targets some of the most challenging, yet rewarding, species available on an African hunt.

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Key Takeaways

• African plains game hunting safaris are offered throughout Africa, allowing hunters to target different species in different destinations, utilizing varied hunting methods.
• African plains game hunting in Africa is often more affordable than other types of hunting experiences and can often be tailor-made to meet a hunter’s specific hunting requirements.
• African plains game hunting is a great opportunity for a hunter to challenge himself, with a wide variety of species available from which to choose.
• Different countries offer diverse and unique hunting experiences with some offering endemic species to make the hunting experience even sweeter and more targeted for that specific region.
• While there are popular or common species to target on an African plains game hunting safari, the less common species also provide a great challenge and reward to hunters.

What is African Plains Game Hunting?

African plains game hunting refers to the targeting of various animal species, including antelopes, that choose habitats such as savannas and grasslands. Plains game hunts do not include species such as the Big 5 but other species inhabiting the area.

Why are African Plains Game Hunts so Popular?

Plains game hunting safaris allow hunters to experience some of the best hunting on offer in Africa! These hunts are growing in popularity for numerous reasons including:

• Variety of Species on Offer: From diminutive duikers to the massive eland with many antelope and other species on offer, hunters are spoilt for choice in terms of game hunting trophies on offer.
• Value for Money: When it comes down to brass tax, plains game hunting in Africa is more affordable and, in many instances, provides better value for money.
• Customized Hunting Packages: Outfitters often customize packages to suit the hunter’s specific wants and needs for his African plains game hunt.
• Different Hunting Methods: African plains game hunting safaris often allow hunters to experience a variety of hunting methods depending on the game species being targeted.
• Levels of Expertise: African plains game hunting is all-inclusive, with novice to expert hunters challenged during these hunting safaris. While novice hunters may begin with species such as the impala, many species provide great opportunities to test the hunter’s skillsets, whether expert or novice. The kudu, also known as Africa’s grey ghost, is one such species that challenges hunters and sees them return time and again to hunt this highly elusive species renowned for its exceptional camouflage skills.
• Exploring Africa: Different regions are well known for the species of African plains game calling the area home. This allows hunters to not only challenge themselves with different species but also allows them to experience Africa’s unique charm when visiting different areas on the African continent. For example, South Africa is famous for being an exceptional hunting ground for springbok and kudu (amongst others), while Namibia is home to the endemic Damara dik-dik and striking black-faced Impala.

Which Species are Popular to hunt on an African Plains Game Hunting Safari?

While plains game hunting in Africa provides hunters with the opportunity to target whichever species they prefer, dependent on quotas and availability linked to ethical and sustainable hunting practices, there are definitely certain species that are more popular or sought-after by game hunting enthusiasts. Whether this popularity is simply to tick the species to their bucket list, add the species to the trophy room, or even for a local hunter a species that provides a good amount of meat for the pot, some species are more commonly hunted during a plains game hunting safari.

These species include, but are not limited to:

• Impala
• Springbok
• Blue Wildebeest
• Eland
• Kudu
• Sable
• Blesbok
• Bushbuck
• Waterbuck
• Zebra
• Red Hartebeest
• Warthog

Less Common Species to Target on an African Plains Game Hunting Safari

Other hunters choose their African plains game trophy for its unique characters, challenge to hunt, hunting method, or even location, broadening the area of the hunt as well as the species available.

Some of the less common species targeted during African plains game hunting safaris include, but are not limited to:

The Oribi

Found in many southern African countries including South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique as well as in some areas of East and West Africa, the Oribi (Ourebia ourebia) is a small antelope that proves quite a challenge to target on a hunting safari. Its diminutive size, along with its shy nature and tendency to hide in long grass makes it a challenge to hide, while stalking this small antelope requires precision and a careful approach to avoid early detection.

The Bongo

The Bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus) is a striking antelope and is hunted in various countries, depending on the specific sub-species. The lowveld or western bongo is available to hunt in numerous African countries including Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The mountain bongo, also known as the eastern bongo, is critically endangered and not available to hunt. These antelopes are a challenge to hunt as their preferred habitat is dense forests, making them difficult to spot.

The Puku

Known to primarily inhabit south and central Africa, the puku (Kobus vardonii), the puku is hunted in Tanzania, Zambia, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, amongst others. These agile medium-sized antelopes are quite skittish and shy, making them a challenging target.

The Blue Duiker

One of the tiniest members of the duiker family, the blue duiker (Philantomba monticola) is hunted in South Africa and Cameroon with more limited hunting opportunities available in Zambia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. This duiker only weighs between 10-12 pounds and is often solitary and extremely shy, making it difficult to find. Its preferred habitat includes thickets and dense forests, making it a challenge to spot and stalk.

The Bushpig

This nocturnal hog provides a great challenge for hunters wanting to bag an unusual trophy when plains game hunting in Africa. The bushpig (Potamochoerus larvatus) is found in forested areas across southern Africa.

The Sitatunga

The sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii) is known to frequent swamp and wetland regions and is found in various Central African countries, depending on which one of the three sub-species it is. This shy and elusive antelope species challenges hunters in terms of its chosen habitat which is difficult to navigate. Its ability to easily evade predators with its hoof adaptations also allows it to quickly move through soft sand and wet mud.

Popular Destinations for African Plains Game Hunts

While plains game hunting in Africa takes place throughout the continent, like with any other type of hunting, some destinations are seen as prime African plains game hunting locations. Each destination has its own appeal and offers unique experiences while catering to differing hunting preferences.

South Africa

South Africa remains the pinnacle destination for plains game hunting in Africa, with its famous Limpopo province being an exceptionally sought-after location due to its wide range of plains game animals, variety of hunting environments, and opportunities to engage in numerous hunting methods. Prime species targeted in South Africa include the kudu, impala, springbok, and Cape eland.

Namibia

Namibia’s range of diverse wildlife is a major drawcard for any game hunting enthusiast, and it remains a premier destination in which to target African plains game. Endemic species such as the Damara dik-dik as well as the black-faced impala provide hunters with unique hunting opportunities while other species such as the springbok and gemsbok (oryx) are popular options.

Botswana

Botswana is famous for its range of dangerous game hunting options and remains a wonderful bucket list destination to target members of the Big 5 and Dangerous 7, but did you know that it is also a good option for African plains game hunts? Species such as the puku, oryx, and kudu are popular species to target in the famous Kalahari region.

Zambia

Zambia is a wonderful destination of choice for plains game hunting in Africa. These hunts are like the Africa of old, with most plains game hunts taking place in unfenced areas, thereby making the hunt even more challenging and exciting! Zambia is home to the magnificent sable, with other endemic plains game species including the Cookston’s Wildebeest, Kafue Lechwe, and the Black Lechwe.

Tanzania

If you are after free-range hunting, Tanzania is the place to visit. Although pricier in terms of affordability, the opportunity to hunt without any fences, in a true free-range location is well worth it! Popular African plains game species targeted throughout this region include, amongst others, the sable, roan, and gerenuk, as well as various duiker species.

Zimbabwe

This diverse region is seen as one of the best in which to hunt African plains game, offering hunters a wide variety of species, including the Chobe bushbuck, eland, klipspringer, and oryx.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular African plains game to hunt?

The kudu, also known as Africa’s gray ghost, is the most popular target on African plains game hunting safaris. This elusive antelope is well-known for its exceptional camouflage skills, excellent hearing, and wary nature, all of which make it a challenge to hunt. Its innate ability to disappear into the shrub and undergrowth before a person’s eyes is both mesmerizing and very frustrating, ensuring that the hunter is challenged to bring their A-game when targeting this species.

What animal is the largest African plains game hunting trophy?

The Cape eland, weighing up to 2,200 pounds, is Africa’s largest antelope trophy. This massive wall of muscle stands around 4.9-5.9 feet at the shoulder and is available to hunt in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.

Which two animals are seen as the best to hunt when in Africa?

While opinions on this may vary according to personal preference, the greater kudu and the gemsbok (oryx) are seen as being two of the most impressive species to target when plains game hunting in Africa. The kudu provides hunters with a great challenge as it is renowned for its ability to simply blend in with its surroundings, giving it the nickname of Africa’s grey ghost, while the striking gemsbok with its beautiful long horns is an impressive antelope to add to any trophy room.

Where can Sitatunga be hunted in Africa?

A swamp-dwelling antelope, the sitatunga can be hunted in various African regions including Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Botswana, Tanzania, and Gabon.

In Closing

African plains game hunting in Africa remains an extremely popular and sought-after hunting adventure that lures many hunters to travel to the “Dark Continent.”

Offering a range of hunts in varied locations, with different species available to hunt, and customizable hunting packages available according to the hunter’s preferences and skillset, these hunts are not only value-for-money but provide a great all-around African hunting safari experience for those seeking unique hunting opportunities and rewards.

If the thought of an African plains game hunting safari gets your heart beating a bit faster, check out our latest available African plains game hunting safaris under our Hunt Section.

Author: B. Hershensohnn