Designed by Hunters, for Hunters
The sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii), also referred to as the marshbuck, is a medium-sized amphibious antelope native to central Africa. This species of African plains game antelope is renowned for its wet, muddy, and marshy habitats.
There are three recognized subspecies of the Sitatunga antelope
The Zambezi sitatunga also referred to as the Southern sitatunga, is found in southern Africa and can be hunted in a variety of game hunting destinations including Zambia, Namibia, and Botswana.
These semi-aquatic antelopes have large hooves that are widely splayed, allowing them to walk on terrain without sinking. It also assists them in escaping from predators, such as wild dogs and leopards, by fleeing into deeper waters. They are greatly accomplished swimmers and if chased, they will enter deeper water and submerge themselves until only their nostrils are visible.
Breeding occurs throughout the year, with females giving birth to one offspring. The sitatunga is nocturnal and diurnal, although they are more active at dusk and dawn, preferring to rest in the shade of the reeds during the day.
It is listed by the International Union for the Conversation of Nature (IUCN) with a status of “least concern.”
Name:
Tragelaphus spekii selousi
Male Weight:
150-280 pounds
Male Shoulder Height:
35-49 inches
Range:
Southern Africa
Life span:
> 11 years
The Zambezi sitatunga is uniquely adapted for aquatic environments, with elongated, splayed hooves that allow it to move.
Only the male sitatunga has spiral-shaped horns that grow between 18-36 inches in length. The Zambezi sitatunga male has a dullish gray-brown coat with few white markings while the female’s coat is slightly more colorful. Their coats are long-haired and rather shaggy and have an oily, waterproof type secretion that keeps them dry in wet conditions. Males and females have two white marks between their eyes as well as white spots on their cheeks. Their tails are dark above, with light coloring below. Their hind legs are longer than the front ones, with feet and hooves specifically adapted to walk and swim in water. Their hooves are widely splayed, to allow them to easy movement within semi-aquatic areas such as in muddy swamps or water-logged vegetation. Males weigh 150-280 pounds, standing approximately 35-49 inches at the shoulder, while females are smaller and weigh 110-125 pounds, standing 30-35 inches at the shoulder.
Popular hunting methods used to target the sitatunga are from the water or ambushing the antelope from a blind. Hunters use canoes to slowly and carefully transverse rivers and marshlands. The real challenge comes when it’s time to take that perfect shot from a moving canoe, or mokoro as it’s known. As always, shot placement is critical.
Sitatunga hunting in Africa is an exciting experience, with the semi-aquatic antelope being a challenging trophy. Be prepared for a wet and extremely memorable hunting safari!
Calibers for consideration can vary from a .270 through to a 300 win-mag, or even a .7mm. Consider a fast-shooting rifle equipped with an excellent quality tactical scope as shooting ranges can vary from 100-400 yards when sitatunga hunting in Africa.
Search from our range of Hunts across various popular destinations in Africa.
Book Your Hunt
