Hunting The Red Lechwe

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.