Cape Buffalo & Plains Game Hunting in South Africa
Booking Season: 2026
Hunt Difficulty: Difficult
Designed by Hunters, for Hunters
While South Africa is home to a wide range of animal species, including members of Africa’s Big 5 and Dangerous 7, it’s Africa’s “gray ghost” that has hunters returning time and again to target this shy and elusive antelope. South Africa is home to the Greater Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) and although kudus are found in various regions of the country, the best African kudu hunts are undertaken in South Africa’s Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and Kalahari regions. This king of the spiral-horned antelopes provides an exciting, yet testing game hunting safari! These antelopes have excellent eyesight and are extremely alert. They are also quite fast, reaching up to 43 miles per hour, and can jump 8-foot fences with ease! If you consider this, together with their ability to camouflage themselves, you are definitely in for a challenging time when kudu hunting in South Africa!
Hunting kudu in South Africa is not for the faint-hearted. It requires patience, skill, and precise shot placement. These African plains game antelopes are striking, majestic, and an extremely sought-after game hunting trophy, as their beautiful spiral-shaped horns can reach up to 50-55 inches on a prized trophy, with exceptional trophies reaching 60 inches! A large African plains game antelope, kudus reach up to 700 pounds, with females being smaller than males and not having horns. They have a reddish-brown to grayish-brown coat, with long muscular legs that aid them well in their jumps. No special permits are required for kudu hunting in South Africa. The IUCN has listed the greater kudu with a status of least concern. Kudu hunting in South Africa will see you possibly visiting several areas within the country. There are two types of greater kudu, namely the southern greater kudu and the Eastern Cape greater kudu.
Although not as large as their northern counterparts, with smaller horns and a darker coat, Eastern Cape kudu are only found within the Eastern Cape province providing hunters with impressive game hunting trophies and challenging African kudu hunts. Other popular local destinations for hunting kudu in South Africa, this time being the southern greater kudu, include the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, as well as the Kalahari region.
Shot Placement when Kudu Hunting in South Africa
When hunting kudu in South Africa, the best times to target these elusive antelopes is in the early morning or just before sunset when they are most active, with a popular hunting method being spot and stalk. Another option would be to ambush them near a water hole, after setting up a blind where you have seen tracks. Once you have successfully managed to be within range of your game hunting target, it’s time to consider shot placement for your African kudu hunt. A headshot or a brain shot should not be considered on an African kudu hunt. Not only is precision shooting a requirement, but a solid headshot will most certainly ruin your trophy kudu. Headshots are also risky in that the target area is so small. The preferred shot would be the broadside shot, one-third of the way up on the shoulder. Missing the heart by an inch or two will still result in other vital such as the lungs being hit, resulting in a certain, rapid death.
What Caliber Rifle is Used when Hunting Kudu in South Africa?
Kudu hunting in South Africa allows both rifles, as well as bow hunting options. It is imperative to note though, that hunting kudu in South Africa using a bow is extremely difficult and is usually completed from a blind overlooking a water hole. When targeting antelopes on an African kudu hunt, a 30.06 caliber rifle will do the job. A bullet weighing less than 150 grain is not recommended when hunting kudu in South Africa. Other options, such as a .375 right up to a .458, can also work. When taking longer shots that may be required with this elusive antelope, a 7mm or 300-win mag will work well.
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