Specialist Hunting Game In Africa: The Tiny Ten

January 18, 2024

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What is the Tiny Ten in Hunting?

The Tiny 10 antelopes comprise the following species:

Steenbok
Common Duiker
Oribi
Cape Grysbok
Sharpe’s Grysbok
Damara Dik-Dik
Suni
Red Duiker
Blue Duiker
Klipspringer

Challenges Hunting the Tiny Ten in Africa

When hunting the Tiny 10, these antelopes can be a more challenging hunt than some of the “big 5” team members! These animals are extremely small, shy, mostly nocturnal, and “vanish” in their habitats without a trace. They are usually found in thick bush, forests and areas which are difficult to access. The largest member of the Tiny 10 game species weighs less than 50 pounds, and all team members are known for their agility and speed. To achieve success, stealth, and patience will be the name of the game to track these elusive creatures.

Tips for Tiny 10 Hunting in Africa

Practice your shooting skills and develop the load.
Accuracy is critical, and the target is small. A game hunting safari is not the time to practice your skills.
Make sure you pack the legal amount of ammunition and check limits when crossing African borders.
It would also be advisable to make use of a caliber that is available in the African countries. It would be a pity to have only two species of the Tiny 10 left and run out of ammunition.
Be Patient. Everything in Africa happens at its own pace. Trying to rush a situation is only going to lead to disappointment.
Hunting the Tiny Ten is a challenge requiring persistence and patience. Waiting can take many hours as these Tiny Ten antelopes are masters of camouflage and know their habitats better than the hunter.
Be Alert. These animals are quick and ever-alert when it comes to potential threats. Your moment may only be a few seconds. If you lose this opportunity, you will be looking at booking another game hunting safari to complete your collection.

Where can the Tiny 10 be hunted?

Damara Dik – Dik can be hunted in Namibia.
In Mozambique, the Suni can be hunted.
The rest of the Tiny Ten game antelopes are hunted throughout Southern Africa.

Is it possible to hunt the Tiny 10 on one game hunting safari?

Anything is possible! When planning your game hunting safari and wanting to complete the Tiny Ten collections during one safari, the hunter will need to allocate plenty of time and financial resources. Hunting the Tiny Ten will take the hunter through at least three countries, a southern African one of their choice, Namibia, and Mozambique.

Careful logistics would be required, including a detailed travel itinerary and entry/exit firearm permits. While the majority of the Tiny Ten can be hunted in one country, for example, South Africa, the hunter will require local travel as species are widely distributed.

Is Game Hunting Legal in South Africa?

Yes, game hunting is legal in South Africa. South Africa is one of the top hunting destinations in Africa.

What is South Africa’s smallest antelope?

The Blue Duiker is the smallest antelope species in South Africa

When is the best time for Tiny 10 hunting in Africa?

The best time for Tiny 10 hunting in Africa is during the dry season, from early May to the end of August. The bush is thinner, and visibility will increase, giving the hunter a better chance of spotting the antelopes. Hunting the Tiny Ten in the dry season also means that the antelopes are actively searching for food, making them easier to track.

How can I prepare for Tiny Ten Hunting in Africa?

When preparing for a Tiny 10 hunting trip, the hunter prepares physically and mentally. Good physical shape to travel miles hiking and mentally prepared to spend many hours waiting for the perfect shot.
When planning and packing for your game hunting safari, ensure that nothing is forgotten. A dream African safari can be ruined by forgetting medical supplies, paperwork, and key safari items. Hunting game in Africa can take the hunter to the most remote and scenic places where, unfortunately, retail outlets are not within arm’s reach.
Another item for consideration is a satellite phone, as not all of Africa has cell and data reception.
Work with only top-rating outfitters and guides, and ensure that you obtain references before confirming and paying deposits. A game hunting safari broker can be consulted with.

What is the best caliber for the Tiny Ten?

The best caliber of rifle to use when hunting Tiny Ten in Africa is a much-debated subject between game hunters.
It depends on the hunter’s preference. A small caliber like a point .22 can work well. A big caliber like a .375 or a .458 loaded with solids can also work to punch the projectile through a thick bush. I have spoken with hunters pursuing the Tiny Ten who only believe in using a 500NE with solids or even a shotgun.

While trophy prices may vary between outfitters, the chart below indicates the average prices when writing this article.

How much does it cost to hunt Tiny Ten Game Antelope in Africa?

While trophy prices may vary between outfitters, the chart below indicates the average prices when writing this article.

Tiny Ten Trophy Fees per Species:

Blue Duiker – US $2,100
Red Duiker – US $2,500
Common Duiker – US $500
Grysbuck (Cape) – US $2,100
Suni – US $3,400
Steenbok – US $700
Oribi – US $2,900
Klipspringer – US $1,800
Damara dik-dik – US $3,500
Grysbok (Sharpe’s) – US $3,900

Can the Tiny Ten be hunted on a game hunting safari when hunting dangerous game?

Yes, you can add Tiny Ten antelopes to a dangerous game hunting safari in Africa. Many times when the hunter is on an African safari hunting nocturnal species like lion, leopard, and hyena, the hunter spends his days checking baits or enjoying the African hospitality.

A suggestion is to hunt these African plains game a distance from the baited area, as they share the same habitat as the larger game animals.

How do you measure the minimum Safari Club International score?

Safari Club International established benchmarks serving as a testament to hunting achievements while promoting ethical hunting practices and conservation. To calculate the SCI score when measuring for the African plains game Tiny 10, the hunter needs to add the length of each horn and the circumferences of both bases to give a total size measured in inches.

Shot Placement Tiny Ten Antelope

These small African plains game animals get shot the same way as any big antelope: One-third of the way up on the shoulder. Head and neck shots are to be avoided as this will certainly ruin a trophy. When using a larger caliber with solid bullet tips, the hunter can aim just behind the shoulder and damage all the vitals.

Facts about the Tiny Ten game in Africa

Blue Duiker (Philantomba Monticola)

Blue Duiker, Hunting the Tiny 10 — The Blue Duiker

The Blue Duiker is the world’s smallest antelope after The Royal Antelope, found in the forests of Ghana to Sierra Leone.
Blue Duikers are listed as a species of “least concern” by the IUCN.
Their body length varies ranges from between 21-31 inches.
Females are larger than males and weigh up to a whopping 10 pounds.
Blue duikers, being browsers, forage on leaves but will also eat fruit, berries, flowers, and sometimes even insects.
Blue Duikers inhabit the central, eastern, and southern regions of Africa.
Blue Duikers are hunted from blinds, artificial waterholes, and spot and stalk.
The Safari Club International minimum for a Blue Duiker is four and ¼ inches.
Blue Duiker got their name from the Afrikaans words “duiker” which means to dive. They are one of the only tiny ten antelopes known to eat carrion.

Red Duiker (Cephalophus Natalensis)

Also known as the Natal Red Duiker and is larger than the Blue Duiker. It has a body length of 27-31 inches. Female red duikers tend to be smaller than their male counterparts.
Horns have heavily ringed bases, with both sexes being tawny red.
The Red Duiker is almost exclusively diurnal with activity peaking just after dawn and before sunset.
Red Duikers are usually solitary antelope feeding on leaves, fruits, seeds, and flowers and can inhabit the coastal forests of Southern Africa.
The Safari Club International minimum for a red duiker is eight inches.
Red Duikers supplement their diets with meat.

Red duiker hunting in Africa — The Red Duiker

Common Duiker (Sylvicapra Grimmia)

Hunting Common Duiker in Africa, Small Antelope Hunting — The Common Duiker

Only the males (rams) have small, short horns and their habitat is widely distributed in Southern Africa except for the desert regions.
Common Duikers avoid open grassland where there is no shelter from predators.
Common Duikers are the most common African plains game.
There are sixteen different subspecies recorded throughout Africa.
Males can weigh up to forty-five pounds and fight when their territory is invaded.
The Safari Club International minimum for a common duiker is eleven inches.
They are also known as Gray Duiker or Bush Duiker and are the only members of the genus Sylvicapra.
Common Duiker, following in the traditions of their blue and red “cousins,” supplement their diet with meat.

Grysbuck (Cape) (Raphicerus Melanotis)

The Cape Grysbuck, also known as the Southern Grysbuck inhabits the Western Cape region of South Africa.
The Grysbuck is endemic to the Fynbos Biome.
When on a game hunting safari for this Tiny Ten antelope, schedule a time to visit Table Mountain and the Cape Winelands. South Africa has a history of wine-making dating back to 1659, with the first bottle produced by its founder and Governor, Jan van Riebeek.
The Cape Grysbuck is regarded by wine farmers as a problem animal as they cause extensive damage to grape vines.
Cape Grysbuck are often illegally hunted using hounds.
Only males have horns with a slight curve to the front. Both sexes are shy, nocturnal, and very rarely seen.
Game hunting a Cape grysbuck at night using lights.
The Safari Club International minimum for a Grysbuck (Cape) is 5 inches.
These small antelope are extremely aggressive and will defend their territories against intruders.

Hunting Small Antelope Grysbok in Africa — The Cape Grysbuck

Suni (Nesotragus Moschatus)

The beautiful suni antelope lives in the south-eastern parts of Africa in dense underbrush.
They barely need water, are browsers, and feed on flowers, fruits, and fungi.
Suni are reddish brown with darker colors on their backs.
Suni can weigh up to a whopping 9.5 pounds with a body length of 22.4-24.2 inches. Only the males have short, spike-like horns set wide on the skull.
Suni are nocturnal but do spend time during daylight hours in heavily shaded areas.
They regularly use pathways that run through their territories, and sleeping spots are frequently reused.
The Safari Club International minimum for a suni is nine inches.
Males mark their home ranges with dung middens and secretions from large pre-orbital glands.
Suni tends to freeze in a set position if a threat is detected.

Steenbok (Raphicerus Campestris)

Steenboks are the most abundant members of the Tiny Ten antelopes and are found across southern Africa, from semi-deserts to woodlands and thickets.
Steenboks are members of the dwarf antelope family.
I absolutely love their huge ears. They are petite antelope with an upright stance.
Steenbok lay down in the long grasses to avoid being spotted and can run off at great speed
Should a Steenbok “spook,” the hunter needs to follow the antelope through his sights, as often the antelope will stop and quickly glance back. This will be the hunter’s last chance to take a shot before it literally disappears into the vegetation.
Only the males have horns and can weigh up to 35 pounds.
The Safari Club International minimum for a Steenbok is eight inches.
This antelope derives its name from Afrikaans word “steen” meaning stone due to its brick-red colouration. The steenbok is adored worldwide because it is so cute and small.

Hunting Steenbok in Africa — The Steenbok

Oribi (Ourebia Ourebi)

Hunting Oribi Antelope in Africa — Oribi

The Oribi is the sole member of its genus, placed under the family Bovidae, and is a dwarf antelope.
They have long and lean necks with a light rust-brown coloring.
Only the males have horns which are spiky and slightly curved horns to the front.
The Oribi is widely distributed in southern Africa and found in many countries such as South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique, and Namibia.
They can run off at speeds in a zig-zag pattern of up to 25-30 miles per hour.
The Oribi are highly inquisitive and after running a distance, will often stop and look back.
Oribi may stop, and then walk back, making them an easy antelope to hunt. Oribi can weigh anything from 26-48 pounds.
The Safari Club International minimum for an Oribi is 13 inches.
The Oribi are water-independent. It gains sufficient water from all the leaves, grass and flowers that it consumes.

Klipspringer (Oreotragus Oreotragus)

Klipspringer are found in the eastern, northern, and southern parts of the African continent and are also known as “klipbok,” meaning “rock jumper” in English.
Klipspringers are water-independent and can weigh up to 40 pounds.
Their preferred habitats are mountainous and rocky areas.
They are rare and are often mistaken for baby antelope.
Adults form monogamous pairs and are never more than 6 yards apart.
The ewes are slightly larger than the rams, and only the rams have horns.
Klipspringers have a short neck, large hindquarters, and hair filled with air, and fascinatingly enough, the Klipspringer has the ability to stand on its tiptoes.
Klipspringers are most active in the hours of the early morning and late afternoon.
The Safari Club International minimum for a Klipspringer is 10 inches.
When it comes to a Klipspringers hoof, they are only the size of a dime. These delicate little hooves are adapted for traction on rocky surfaces and designed with a slight suction-cup effect.

Hunting Small Antelope, Klipspringer — The Klipspringer

Damara Dik-dik (Madoqua Kirkii)

The Damara dik-dik is endemic to Namibia and is also known as the Kirk’s dik-dik. Luckily for plains game hunters, Namibia is a top international hunting destination.
The Damara dik-dik is also a dwarf antelope, tiny and adorable and weighs only eleven pounds.
Their small size makes them easy picking for predators, and they get their name from the sound they make when alarmed.
Damara dik-diks are also ruminants and “chew their cud.” They inhabit many semi-desert lands and are also water-independent.
Males are smaller and lighter than females, and like in so many other Tiny Ten game species, only the males have horns.
Damara dik-diks live in pairs in small territories with established game trails and runways.
The Safari Club International the minimum for a Damara dik-dik is eight inches.
Interesting Facts about a Damara dik-dik: These antelope use a tar like substance from their eye glands to mark their territory.

Grysbok (Sharpe's) (Raphicerus sharpie)

The Sharpe’s grysbok is a shy, secretive, and solitary member of the Tiny Ten found from tropical to south-eastern Africa.
Only the males have short stubby horns which are widely placed on the skull. Large males can weigh 25 pounds.
Sharpe’s grysbok are nocturnal feeders and may spend time during the day in protective tall grass or shrubs.
Hunting Sharpe’s grysbok will be done at night, but the hunter may have a chance during the early hours of daybreak if they are already in position before the sun rises.
Sharpe’s grysbok is an extremely timid antelope and will run at the first sign of anything unusual. They will be gone from the hunter’s view in an instant.
Their habitat is rocky hill country, but they prefer woodland areas with low-growing scrub.
The Safari Club International minimum for a Sharpe’s grysbok is five inches.
Interesting Facts about a Sharpes Grysbok: They often hide from predators in aardvark burrows (one of the four species of hyena).

Sharpe’s Grysbok Hunting Safaris in Africa — Sharpe's Grysbok

So, what have we learnt about specialist hunting game in Africa?

Hunting the Tiny Ten antelope is a challenge, not all big game or African plains game hunters set out to achieve this. These little antelopes are elusive, widely spread and have all the skills to stay alive in harsh African conditions.
Hunters pursuing the Tiny Ten require a high level of skill, persistence, patience, and intimate knowledge that will result in success and unforgettable game hunting safaris throughout Africa.

Are you ready to take on specialist hunting game in Africa? The Tiny 10 Antelopes await you! Interested in reading more about African plains game hunting in Africa? For more information about Tiny 10 hunting in Africa, click here.

Author: Pierre van Wyk

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