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Kafue Lechwe Safari Hunting In Zambia

The Kafue Lechwe is endemic to the Kafue flat in Zambia

The Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis), a sub-species of the southern lechwe, is a medium-sized antelope endemic to the Kafue flats in Zambia. A sought-after Africa plains game trophy, this antelope’s status is listed as “vulnerable” by the IUCN, and its numbers in the wild are decreasing.

When safari hunting in Zambia, you can find this antelope in a wetland habitat, favoring flood plains bordering swamps, marshes, and rivers, where they are close to both food and water sources. The Kafue lechwe tends to be more active during the early mornings and late afternoons while spending the day resting. Although slow moving on land, they are excellent swimmers that can more quickly in the shallow water to outrun predators or head to deeper waters should they feel threatened.

They are known as opportunistic feeders, consuming a variety of food, including fruits, seeds, and nuts as well as their main food source of grasses and water plants. Although they don’t drink much during the rainy season, they do drink several times a day during the drier, hotter summer months.

Breeding takes place during the dry part of the year when the quantity and quality of the grass is at its worst, but the calf is born when the grass is both good quality and in abundance. The female gestates for 7-8 months, with a single calf being born. The calf is born in a dry, sheltered spot and kept hidden for the first 2-3 weeks of life, after which it joins the herd, and is weaned at about 5-6 months.

Apart from hunters on a game hunting safari, the Kafue lechwe’s predators include lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, Nile crocodiles, and pythons. This Africa plains game antelope uses the water to its advantage and outruns predators. If the Kafue lechwe feels threatened, it heads straight to the water and will often submerge itself so that just its nostrils are sticking out, to evade predators or threats.

AT A GLANCE

Name:
Kobus leche kafuensis

Male Weight:
132-186 pounds

Male Shoulder Height:
42 inches

Horns:
Only males grow horns

Gestation Period:
7-8 months

Range:
Zambia

Life span:
15 years

Hunting Kafue Lechwe

Hunting the Kafue Lechwe in Africa

Size and Appearance

When game hunting in Zambia, look for a medium-sized light brown antelope with a white underbelly. It has dark shoulder patches, with black leg markings. Their hind legs are longer, allowing them to move or run through the wet and soggy conditions to escape their predators. Adding to the longer hind legs, they also have spreading hooves, allowing them to easily walk in wet and muddy environments. Their fur has a special waterproof coating that enables them to run and swim while protecting their fur. Only males have lyre-shaped horns that measure 18-37 inches in length. Males are larger than their female counterparts, weighing 132-186 pounds and standing 42 inches at the shoulder.

Hunting Methods

The Kafue lechwe’s territory is wet and soggy, come prepared to do plenty of walking in these challenging conditions, which makes the walk-and-stalk method of hunting even more adventurous!

Challenges and Rewards

This medium African plains game species remains a sought-after trophy when safari hunting in Zambia, but be sure to target a bull with a good set of horns! The challenge in this game hunting adventure is the wet conditions and environment in which you find yourself hunting the Kafue lechwe.

Rifles and Requirements

When it comes to Kafue lechwe safari hunting in Zambia, any 30-caliber loaded with 165 grains will do the job, but a good choice would be the flatter shooting 7mm Magnum. A .270 with an excellent quality expanding bullet. A bigger caliber, such as the .375 with a 300-grain solid bullet, is another option to use on this Africa plains game hunting adventure.