Hunting The Red Lechwe

Targeting Red Lechwe on a Hunting Safari in Africa

The red lechwe (Kobus leche leche), also known as the common lechwe, is a medium-sized antelope found in the wetlands of south and central Africa. A red lechwe hunting safari in South Africa is viable, with large herds in the Eastern Cape, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal targeted during a game hunting safari. Their conservation status with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is of “least concern.”

Red lechwe are native to Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Angola. Although not native to South Africa, they have been introduced, and their populations are growing well. Their preferred habitat is the flood plain that borders swamps, water meadows and light woodlands, as they are close to food and water. Additionally, they also use the water for protection from numerous predators.

The red lechwe follows seasonal floods to stay close to the water, with large herds of more than 1000 animals. Herds are either male or female herds that only mix during mating. The males tend to venture further away from the flood plain, while the females, their offspring, and the juveniles, stay closer to the water.

They mate from November to February, during the rainy season. The female has a gestation period of 7-8 months, with one single calf born between July and September. The calf is born in a dry, sheltered spot and kept hidden for the first 2-3 weeks of life. It then joins the herd after which it is weaned at 5-6 months.

The red lechwe is herbivorous and consumes the rich, nutritious grasses which grow in the marshes. During the cooler weather, they don’t need to drink much, but should it become hotter, they drink several times a day.

The main predators of the red lechwe are lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, Cape hunting dogs, Nile crocodiles, and pythons.

AT A GLANCE

Name:
Kobus Leche Leche

Weight:
150-260 pounds

Shoulder Height:
35-39 inches

Horns:
Only males grow horns

Range:
South and Central Africa

Gestation Period:
7-8 months

Life span:
10-14 years

Hunting Red Lechwe

The Red Lechwe Provide a New Level of Challenges for Hunters Looking for a New Walk-and-Stalk Hunting Adventure.

Size and Appearance 

When game hunting in Africa, look for a medium-sized, golden-brown antelope with a white belly. The males are darker in color and have horns that measure roughly 18-35 inches in length. Males are larger than their female counterparts, weighing 150-260 pounds and standing 35-39 inches at the shoulder. Females weigh about 154 pounds and stand 35 inches at the shoulder. Their hind legs are longer than their front ones. This allows them to run through the wet, soggy marshland to escape predators with ease. Their fur has a special waterproof coating that enables them to run or even swim.

Challenges and Rewards 

A medium-sized African plains game trophy, the red lechwe is a great example of some of the remarkable specimens targeted when big game hunting in Africa. One of the most challenging aspects of the game hunting safari is choosing a good set of horns from the hundreds of sets you will see when hunting the red lechwe in Africa. A good set of horns starts with a thick base and turns sideways and upwards. The horns flare out as it starts curving forward. In terms of length, the horns can reach up to 26 inches.

MASTERING SHOT PLACEMENT FOR MEDIUM ANTELOPE

Available Red Lechwe hunts

Embark on your hunting journey with confidence, guided by Game Hunting Safaris – where every adventure is a story waiting to be written, and every hunt is an experience like no other.