The very large greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) is native to Ethiopia, Tanzania, Eritrea and Kenya into the south, while they are found in Zambia, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe as wellas South Africa. Kudu hunting in South Africa is extremely popular, with the Limpopo province being an excellent backdrop for a brilliant African kudu hunting adventure!
Many hunters consider kudu hunting in Africa to be the pinnacle of big game hunting in Africa. This majestic antelope is tall and striking and provides a great and daring challenge for anyone willing to target it on a hunting adventure. They are diurnal and more active in the early morning and towards dusk when the weather cools down. Kudus tend to rest and sleep in the shade during the hotter daylight hours. Their habitat includes thick bushveld and semi-desert.
Mating occurs towards the end of the rainy season, which differs according to the region. The female kudu gestates for 8 months, giving birth to one or two calves. Calves are born in a safe, protected environment and hidden for 1-2 weeks.
The greater kudu is a browsing herbivore, eating grass, leaves, flowers, fruits, tubers and shoots from a variety of trees, bushes, grasses, herbs and vines. Their diet enables them to inhabit waterless regions, although greater kudus do regularly drink as well.
Kudu hunting in Africa doesn’t stop with man, although they are highly prized animals and sought for their horns. Predators hunting kudus in Africa include lions, leopards, African wild dogs as well as hyenas. Cheetahs don’t have the strength to take down an adult male kudu and they tend to focus on the old, injured, sick or kudu calves and females.
Greater kudus have excellent hearing and that, combined with their outstanding camouflage behavior, protects them against predators. If they feel threatened or sense danger, they will stand dead still, which makes them extremely difficult to spot.
Although kudus can run up to 43 miles per hour, this isn’t enough to outrun many predators and they cannot maintain this speed over longer distances. Kudus tend to elude them by jumping over obstacles as they can jump as high as 6.5 feet at a time.
