2025 USA Show Schedule

Hunting Topi In Africa

The Topi is One of the Fastest Antelope Worldwide

The topi (Damaliscus lunatus) is an antelope often overlooked when considering African plains game hunting. This antelope is considered one of the fastest animals worldwide and is known to show extreme sociability, even to other species. Their conservation status is listed as “vulnerable” with numbers decreasing.

These African plains game call the semi-desert, savannah, and seasonal floodplains of sub–Saharan African countries like Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania their home. The largest population of topi is in Southern Sudan and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park.

Topi is known for adopting a sentry approach to security with a lone figure standing atop a termite mound surveying for predators or other signs of danger. Adult males mark territories by spraying urine, dropping dung piles, digging up soil with their horns, and smearing secretions from a gland in front of the eye.

Family herds usually revolve around one male and contain 18–20 females and young. Young males, once run out of the herd, form bachelor groups, and during migration herds will group in the thousands. Males will fight between themselves for dominance while sparring and lunging with their horns.

The topi will happily mingle with other migratory animals like zebra, gazelle, and wildebeest. Predators of the adult topi, like other African big game animals, include the lion and spotted hyena, while jackals are the main threat to calves.

Female topi reaches sexual maturity from around 18 months, and males from 3 years. Gestation lasts 7.5–8 months, and a single calf is birthed, with calves weaned from 4 months of age. The topi birth season depends on the area but usually occurs from July–December.

AT A GLANCE

Name:
Damaliscus Lunatus

Weight:
350 pounds

Shoulder Height:
50 inches

Range:
Southern and East Africa

Life span:
12–15 years

Hunting The Topi

The Topi is a Plains Game Antelope That may be Overlooked, yet Provides Hunters with a Great Challenge.

Size and Appearance

The topi antelopes are known for their rich chestnut to red-brown color coats and thick ridged horns reaching up to over 15 inches, depending on gender. On your hunting safari, look for an antelope with black mask–like markings on the face, dark patches on the upper side of both front and hind legs, and white bellies. Males tend to be larger, with a shoulder height of 50 inches, and females stand at 46 inches. Males reach 350 pounds, with females tipping the scales at lower digits. Topi’s can maintain a speed of around 26 miles per hour, but if frightened or charging, reach speeds of 43 miles per hour. The topi ranks eighth out of the top ten fastest antelopes in Africa, which is quite an achievement.

Hunting Methods

Your Africa plains game hunting safari will see you stalking the topi herd from first light. The possibility of taking a long shot is high and needs consideration when choosing your rifle and ammunition.

Challenges and Rewards

Keep the topi in mind when you plan African plains game hunt in Africa. A successful hunt will reward you with a unique trophy and a memory of besting one of the world’s fastest game animals.

Rifles and Requirements

These medium-sized antelopes are tough and a worthy opponent. When hunting the topi in Africa, a minimum caliber of .270 should be used. A well-placed shot from a 30.06, .308 or a 7mm will do the job. For longer shots depending on the terrain, a 300-win mag is a good option. A .375 or .338 loaded with a solid bullet can also do the trick.