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Hunting The Cape Eland

Hunting the world’s largest antelope, is open to hunting enthusiasts looking for an adrenaline-filled adventure

When you talk about big game hunting, there is simply no larger African plains game trophy than that of the mighty Eland (Taurotragus oryx), the world’s largest antelope. Also known as the Cape Eland, this majestic antelope is native to southern and eastern Africa. It remains the pinnacle of African plains game hunting and a definite pick on many hunters’ bucket lists when hunting in South Africa. 

The eland’s habitat includes woodlands, plains, mountains, and the sub-deserts of eastern and southern Africa. They live in herds that reach up to 500 members, with individual members remaining within the herd for several hours to several months. Females and juvenile elands form larger herds, while males either form smaller herds, or even live a solitary life and wander by themselves. Elands are herbivores and graze on grasses, but also consume seeds and fruits.

There are not many carnivores brave enough to tackle a fully grown eland. Lions and spotted hyenas take up the challenge to hunt the eland, while cheetahs, leopards, and wild dogs target the calves and infirm. 

The eland doesn’t have a particular breeding season, but there are some months where more calves are born than others. A female will birth a single calf after a gestation period of 9 months. Calves are quickly up and about and run with the herd only a few hours after birth.

AT A GLANCE

Name:
Taurotragus Oryx

Weight:
2,000 pounds

Shoulder Height:
76 inches

Range: 
Southern and Eastern Africa

Mating Season:
Throughout the year

Life span:
15-20 years

Hunting Cape Eland

The Eland remains the pinnacle of African plains game hunting and a definite pick on many hunters’ bucket lists

Size and Appearance


This eland is known for its incredible size, with an adult male weighing up to 2,000 pounds and standing 76 inches at the shoulder. Females are smaller in stature and weigh approximately 990 pounds. They have a slight hump at the shoulders and a prominent dewlap. In Zulu they are referred to as “Mpofu” which translates to “the light-skinned” one, a is very accurate name given its tawny-colored coat. Their coloring allows them to easily camouflage and blend into their surroundings, a much-needed adaptation for this giant antelope. Both sexes have black horns that spiral tightly, with the female’s horns being longer and thinner at 20-27 inches compared to the males that are 17-26 inches long. They have the ability to jump up to four feet from a dead stand, as well as being able to trot for extended periods.

Hunting Methods


When hunting in South Africa and targeting the eland, you will find yourself in some spectacular game hunting areas, including Limpopo, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Free State, and the North West province. The eland is targeted by means of the traditional walk-and-stalk technique, or they are shot from a blind that has been erected near a waterhole. Many times, however, the eland is purely an opportunistic target while hunting other African plains game.

Challenges and Rewards


The first challenge for this big game hunting target seems easy enough – you need to spot it, but its camouflage skills are legendary. Once spotted, the next challenge is to approach it without being noticed. The common eland is a skittish antelope, with excellent eyesight and hearing and tends to bolt when it perceives danger. If you manage to overcome these two hurdles, the only challenge left before downing this huge beast, is ensuring that you have enough muscle power up your sleeve to adequately handle the world’s largest antelope! For those willing to take the gamble, walk-the-walk and calmly wait for the right moment, this classic African plains game trophy is well worth the wait and the glory of taking down one of Africa’s greatest antelopes.

Rifles and Requirements

These large plains game antelopes require a minimum of a thirty-caliber rifle with a 180-grain bullet. The 9.3 x 62mm and .375 are also ideal cartridges for eland hunting. With lighter calibers like the .308, make sure shot placement is spot on and there should not be any issues.

MASTERING SHOT PLACEMENT FOR LARGE ANTELOPE

Greater Kudu Side ViewGreater Kudu Side View Shot Placement, Large Antelope

Available Cape Eland hunts

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South Africa Hunting Trip, Plains Game Safari and Bushpig

Waterberg District Municipality, Limpopo, South Africa

Hunting Categories:African Plains Game , Exotic Plains Game , Medium Antelope

Species:Blue wildebeest , Bushpig , Eland (common) , Impala , Zebra

Hunt Preferences:Accessible Hunts (Disability Friendly) , Family Friendly , Gun Rental

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt:1 x Hunter 1 x Professional Hunter

Booking Season:2025

Destinations:South Africa

Languages Spoken:Afrikaans , English

Hunting Methods:Baiting , Black Powder Hunting , Bow hunting , Crossbow hunting , Rifle hunting , Walk & Stalk

Hunt Difficult:Difficult

$9400 for 6 days
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Eastern Cape Hunting Safari with Eland, Kudu & 4 More Species

Graaff-Reinet, Sarah Baartman District Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Hunting Categories:African Plains Game , Large Antelope , Medium Antelope

Species:Eland (common) , Gemsbok , Impala , Kudu (greater) , Waterbuck (common) , Zebra

Hunt Preferences:Family Friendly , Gun Rental

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt:1 x Hunter 1 x Professional Hunter

Booking Season:2025

Destinations:South Africa

Languages Spoken:Afrikaans , English

Hunting Methods:Bow hunting , Hunting from a Blind , Rifle hunting , Walk & Stalk

Hunt Difficult:Difficult

$15525 for 7 days
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Buffalo, Hippo, Crocodile Hunts Plus More, 14 days in Limpopo

Limpopo, South Africa

Hunting Categories:African Plains Game , Dangerous Game , Large Antelope

Species:African Crocodile , Cape buffalo , Eland (common) , Hippo , Roan , Sable

Hunt Preferences:Accessible Hunts (Disability Friendly) , Family Friendly , Gun Rental

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt:1 x Hunter 1 x Dangerous Game PH

Booking Season:2025/2026

Destinations:South Africa

Languages Spoken:Afrikaans , English

Hunting Methods:Rifle hunting , Walk & Stalk

Hunt Difficult:Difficult , Moderate

$42950 for 14 days
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Hunting Safari in SA 10 x Nights Plains Game Combination 

Eastern Cape, South Africa

Hunting Categories:African Plains Game , Large Antelope , Medium Antelope , Small Antelope

Species:Blesbok , Blue wildebeest , Eland (common) , Gemsbok , Golden Wildebeest , Gray Duiker , Impala , Kudu (greater) , Nyala (common) , Red Hartebeest , Reedbuck (common) , Springbok , Steenbok , Warthog , Waterbuck (common) , Zebra

Hunt Preferences:Accessible Hunts (Disability Friendly) , Family Friendly , Gun Rental

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt:2 x Hunters 1 x Professional Hunter

Booking Season:2025

Destinations:South Africa

Languages Spoken:Afrikaans , English

Hunting Methods:Bow hunting , Rifle hunting

Hunt Difficult:Difficult , Moderate

$14200 for 10 days
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Cape Buffalo Hunt, Kudu, Eland Roan and Rhino Dart in SA

Northern Cape, South Africa

Hunting Categories:African Plains Game , Dangerous Game , Large Antelope

Species:Cape buffalo , Eland (common) , Kudu (greater) , Roan , White Rhino

Hunt Preferences:Accessible Hunts (Disability Friendly) , Family Friendly , Gun Rental

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt:1 x Hunter 1 x Professional Hunter

Booking Season:2025

Destinations:South Africa

Languages Spoken:Afrikaans , English

Hunting Methods:Black Powder Hunting , Crossbow hunting , Rifle hunting , Walk & Stalk

Hunt Difficult:Difficult , Moderate

$32900 for 6 days
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Plains Game Hunting in SA, Trophy Sable and 4 Species

Rustenburg, Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, North West, South Africa

Hunting Categories:African Plains Game , Large Antelope , Medium Antelope , Speciality Animals

Species:Black Wildebeest , Blesbok , Blue wildebeest , Eland (common) , Gemsbok , Impala , Kudu (greater) , Nyala (common) , Red Hartebeest , Sable , Springbok , Waterbuck (common) , Zebra

Hunt Preferences:Accessible Hunts (Disability Friendly) , Family Friendly , Gun Rental

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt:1x Hunter 1 x PH/Guide

Booking Season:2025

Destinations:South Africa

Languages Spoken:Afrikaans , English

Hunting Methods:Black Powder Hunting , Bow hunting , Crossbow hunting , Rifle hunting , Walk & Stalk

Hunt Difficult:Moderate

$8685 for 10 days
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Hunting Safari in Botswana, Kalahari Plains Game 7 Days

Botswana

Hunting Categories:African Plains Game

Species:Black-backed Jackal , Blue wildebeest , Eland (common) , Gemsbok , Impala , Kudu (greater)

Hunt Preferences:Accessible Hunts (Disability Friendly) , Family Friendly , Gun Rental

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt:1 x Hunter 1 x Professional Hunter

Booking Season:2025

Destinations:Botswana

Languages Spoken:Afrikaans , English

Hunting Methods:Bow hunting , Hunting from a Blind , Rifle hunting , Walk & Stalk

Hunt Difficult:Extreme , Moderate

$7600 for 7 days
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Cape Buffalo Hunt Zambezi Valley in Zambia 8 x Nights    

Zambia

Hunting Categories:Dangerous Game

Species:African Crocodile , Black Lechwe , Bushbuck , Cape buffalo , Cookson's Wildebeest , Eland (common) , Hippo , Kafue Lechwe , Kudu (greater) , Leopard , Lichtenburg Hartebeest , Roan , Sharpe's Grysbok , Sitatunga , Waterbuck (Defassa)

Hunt Preferences:Family Friendly , Gun Rental

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt:x1 Hunter x1 Dangerous Game PH

Booking Season:2024/25

Destinations:Zambia

Languages Spoken:English

Hunting Methods:Rifle hunting

Hunt Difficult:Difficult , Extreme

$22800 for 7 days
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Spiral Horn Hunting Package in South Africa for 8 days

Cullinan, Metsweding, Gauteng, South Africa

Hunting Categories:African Plains Game , Large Antelope , Medium Antelope

Species:Bushbuck , Eland (common) , Kudu (greater) , Nyala (common)

Hunt Preferences:Accessible Hunts (Disability Friendly) , Family Friendly , Gun Rental

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt:1 x Hunter 1 x Professional Hunter

Booking Season:2025

Destinations:South Africa

Languages Spoken:Afrikaans , English

Hunting Methods:Black Powder Hunting , Bow hunting , Crossbow hunting , Hunting from a Blind , Rifle hunting , Walk & Stalk

Hunt Difficult:Moderate

$10200 for 8 days
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Giraffe Hunting Incl 3 x Spiral Horn, 10 x Days in Zimbabwe

Chichindwe, Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe

Hunting Categories:African Plains Game , Speciality Animals

Species:Bushbuck , Eland (common) , Giraffe , Kudu (greater)

Hunt Preferences:Family Friendly , Gun Rental

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt:1x Hunter 1 x PH/Guide

Booking Season:2025

Destinations:Zimbabwe

Languages Spoken:English , German

Hunting Methods:Black Powder Hunting , Rifle hunting , Walk & Stalk

Hunt Difficult:Difficult , Moderate

$14754 for 10 days
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Hunt Cape Buffalo, Rhino Dart, Sable, Roan & Eland in SA

Northern Cape, South Africa

Hunting Categories:African Plains Game , Dangerous Game , Large Antelope

Species:Cape buffalo , Eland (common) , Roan , Sable , White Rhino

Hunt Preferences:Accessible Hunts (Disability Friendly) , Family Friendly , Gun Rental

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt:1 x Hunter 1 x Professional Hunter

Booking Season:2025

Destinations:South Africa

Languages Spoken:Afrikaans , English

Hunting Methods:Black Powder Hunting , Bow hunting , Crossbow hunting , Rifle hunting , Walk & Stalk

Hunt Difficult:Difficult

$39900 for 7 days
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Leopard Hunting in Zimbabwe plus 7 x Plains Game Trophies

Bulawayo, Bulawayo, Bulawayo Province, Zimbabwe

Hunting Categories:African Plains Game , Dangerous Game , Large Antelope , Medium Antelope

Species:Blue wildebeest , Eland (common) , Giraffe , Leopard , Warthog , Zebra

Hunt Preferences:Family Friendly , Gun Rental

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt:1x Hunter 1 x PH/Guide

Booking Season:2025

Destinations:Zimbabwe

Languages Spoken:English

Hunting Methods:Baiting , Black Powder Hunting , Bow hunting , Hunting from a Blind , Rifle hunting , Walk & Stalk

Hunt Difficult:Difficult , Moderate

$42750 for 14 days
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Hunting in Namibia Kudu, Cape Eland and 4 Species

Khomas Region, Namibia

Hunting Categories:African Plains Game , Large Antelope , Medium Antelope

Species:Eland (common) , Gemsbok , Hartmann's Zebra , Kudu (greater) , Red Hartebeest , Springbok

Hunt Preferences:Accessible Hunts (Disability Friendly) , Family Friendly , Gun Rental

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt:1 x Hunter 1 x Professional Hunter

Booking Season:2025

Destinations:Namibia

Languages Spoken:Afrikaans , English

Hunting Methods:Black Powder Hunting , Bow hunting , Crossbow hunting , Rifle hunting , Walk & Stalk

Hunt Difficult:Moderate

$7900 for 8 days
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10-Day Plains Game Extravaganza Hunting in South Africa

North West, South Africa

Hunting Categories:African Plains Game

Species:Eland (common) , Gemsbok , Impala , Kudu (greater) , Nyala (common) , Springbok , Zebra

Hunt Preferences:Family Friendly

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt😡 1 Hunter x 1 Guide/PH

Booking Season:2025/2026

Destinations:South Africa

Languages Spoken:Afrikaans , English

Hunting Methods:Black Powder Hunting , Bow hunting , Crossbow hunting , Hunting from a Blind , Rifle hunting , Walk & Stalk

Hunt Difficult:Moderate

$14250 for 10 days
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Royal Species Hunting in Zimbabwe 7 Days 1 x Hunter   

Bulawayo, Bulawayo, Bulawayo Province, Zimbabwe

Hunting Categories:African Plains Game , Exotic Plains Game , Large Antelope

Species:Eland (common) , Kudu (greater) , Sable , Tsessebe

Hunt Preferences:Accessible Hunts (Disability Friendly) , Family Friendly , Gun Rental

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt:1 x Hunter 1 x Professional Hunter

Booking Season:2025

Destinations:Zimbabwe

Languages Spoken:Afrikaans , English

Hunting Methods:Black Powder Hunting , Bow hunting , Crossbow hunting , Rifle hunting , Walk & Stalk

Hunt Difficult:Moderate

$22500 for 7 days
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Buffalo Hunting & 30 African Plains Game Trophies 2:1

Limpopo, South Africa

Hunting Categories:African Plains Game , Dangerous Game , Large Antelope , Medium Antelope , Small Antelope

Species:Blesbok , Blue wildebeest , Bushbuck , Cape buffalo , Eland (common) , Giraffe , Impala , Kudu (greater) , Nyala (common) , Sable , Springbok , Warthog , Zebra

Hunt Preferences:Family Friendly , Gun Rental

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt:2 x Hunters 1 x Professional Hunter

Booking Season:2025

Destinations:South Africa

Languages Spoken:Afrikaans , English

Hunting Methods:Black Powder Hunting , Bow hunting , Hunting from a Blind , Rifle hunting , Walk & Stalk

Hunt Difficult:Difficult , Moderate

$59950 for 14 days
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Hunting in Tanzania, 10 x Days Plains Game in Maasailand

Tanzania

Hunting Categories:African Plains Game , Exotic Plains Game , Large Antelope , Medium Antelope , Small Antelope , Speciality Animals

Species:Black-backed Jackal , Eland (common) , Gazelle - Grant's , Gazelle - Thomson's , Gerenuk , Kirk's Dik-Dik , Kudu (lesser) , Oryx - Fringe-Eared , Spotted Hyena , Striped hyena , White-Bearded Wildebeest

Hunt Preferences:Family Friendly

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt:1 x Hunter 1 x Professional Hunter

Booking Season:2025

Destinations:Tanzania

Languages Spoken:Afrikaans , English

Hunting Methods:Black Powder Hunting , Rifle hunting , Walk & Stalk

Hunt Difficult:Moderate

$46990 for 10 days
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Kudu hunting for 8 days 5 species 2 x Hunters in Namibia

Namibia

Hunting Categories:African Plains Game , Large Antelope , Medium Antelope

Species:Blue wildebeest , Eland (common) , Gemsbok , Kudu (greater) , Springbok , Zebra

Hunt Preferences:Accessible Hunts (Disability Friendly) , Family Friendly , Gun Rental

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt:2 x Hunters 1 x PH (Guide)

Booking Season:2025

Destinations:Namibia

Languages Spoken:Afrikaans , English

Hunting Methods:Bow hunting , Crossbow hunting , Hunting from a Blind , Rifle hunting , Walk & Stalk

Hunt Difficult:Moderate

$10000 for 8 days
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Hunting Adventure in the Eastern Cape SA Spiral Horn Slam

Eastern Cape, South Africa

Hunting Categories:African Plains Game , Large Antelope , Medium Antelope

Species:Bushbuck , Eland (common) , Kudu (greater) , Nyala (common)

Hunt Preferences:Family Friendly

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt:2 x Hunters 1 x Professional Hunter

Booking Season:2025

Destinations:South Africa

Languages Spoken:Afrikaans , English

Hunting Methods:Black Powder Hunting , Bow hunting , Crossbow hunting , Rifle hunting , Walk & Stalk

Hunt Difficult:Moderate

$13200 for 7 days
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Trophy Hunting in Zimbabwe, Plains Game in Matetsi Unit 2

Zimbabwe

Hunting Categories:African Plains Game

Species:Eland (common) , Gray Duiker , Impala , Klipspringer , Kudu (greater) , Roan , Sable , Sharpe's Grysbok , Spotted Hyena , Steenbok

Hunt Preferences:Family Friendly , Gun Rental

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt:1 x Hunter 1 x Professional Hunter

Booking Season:2024/25

Destinations:Zimbabwe

Languages Spoken:English

Hunting Methods:Bow hunting , Hunting from a Blind , Rifle hunting , Walk & Stalk

Hunt Difficult:Moderate

$9700 for 10 days
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African Hunting Safari in the Waterberg SA Spiral Horn Slam

Limpopo, South Africa

Hunting Categories:African Plains Game , Large Antelope , Medium Antelope

Species:Bushbuck , Eland (common) , Kudu (greater) , Nyala (common)

Hunt Preferences:Accessible Hunts (Disability Friendly) , Family Friendly , Gun Rental

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt:1x Hunter 1 x PH/Guide (Observer Included)

Booking Season:2025/2026

Destinations:South Africa

Languages Spoken:Afrikaans , English

Hunting Methods:Black Powder Hunting , Bow hunting , Crossbow hunting , Hunting from a Blind , Rifle hunting , Walk & Stalk

Hunt Difficult:Difficult , Moderate

$8600 for 6 days
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10x African Plains Game Trophies in 10 Days in Limpopo, SA

Limpopo, South Africa

Hunting Categories:African Plains Game , Large Antelope , Medium Antelope , Small Antelope

Species:Blue wildebeest , Eland (common) , Gemsbok , Impala , Klipspringer , Red Hartebeest , Steenbok , Warthog , Waterbuck (common) , Zebra

Hunt Preferences:Family Friendly , Gun Rental

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt:1 x Hunter 1 x Professional Hunter

Booking Season:2025

Destinations:South Africa

Languages Spoken:Afrikaans , English

Hunting Methods:Black Powder Hunting , Bow hunting , Crossbow hunting , Rifle hunting , Walk & Stalk

Hunt Difficult:Difficult , Moderate

$10950 for 10 days
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Plains Game Hunting in Africa Botswana 2 x Hunters 7 Days

Botswana

Hunting Categories:African Plains Game , Large Antelope

Species:Black-backed Jackal , Blue wildebeest , Eland (common) , Gemsbok , Impala , Kudu (greater)

Hunt Preferences:Accessible Hunts (Disability Friendly) , Family Friendly , Gun Rental

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt:1 x Hunter 1 x Professional Hunter

Booking Season:2025

Destinations:Botswana

Languages Spoken:Afrikaans , English

Hunting Methods:Black Powder Hunting , Bow hunting , Crossbow hunting , Rifle hunting , Walk & Stalk

Hunt Difficult:Difficult , Moderate

$15200 for 7 days
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Trophy Lion Hunting 21 Days in Untamed Rufunsa GMA Zambia

Zambia

Hunting Categories:African Cats , Dangerous Game

Species:Black Lechwe , Cookson's Wildebeest , Eland (common) , Kafue Lechwe , Lichtenburg Hartebeest , Lion

Hunt Preferences:Accessible Hunts (Disability Friendly) , Family Friendly , Gun Rental

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt:x1 Hunter x1 Dangerous Game PH

Booking Season:2025/2026

Destinations:Zambia

Languages Spoken:English

Hunting Methods:Baiting , Bow hunting , Crossbow hunting , Rifle hunting

Hunt Difficult:Difficult

$99800 for 21 days
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