When considering your first African hunt, the challenge is which species to target on this game hunting safari! Think about it: You may have traveled halfway across the world to enjoy a hunt in Africa, but the big question remains: How to choose between the varied species available for an African plains game safari?

Which species to choose and why? Which are the most popular species to hunt, and why? Which species will challenge your skills, and test your courage and perseverance, while providing exceptional rewards? If you’re finding this a challenging scenario and are having difficulty deciding, perhaps this blog will assist you in making your decision.

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Key Takeaways

• Hunters are spoilt for choice with an array of African plains game species available to hunt.
• Some species may test patience, while a hunter’s perseverance is challenged by another, but each species provides a unique hunting experience.
• Ten prominent and popular game hunting species were chosen for the blog, to highlight what the hunter can expect when targeting each.
• Impala and Springboks are two of the most popular species to target on an African hunting safari.
• If you are looking for a challenging hunting experience, the Kudu is a spiral-horned antelope renowned for its exceptional camouflaging skills.
• The iconic gemsbok, nyala, and wildebeest are challenging hunts for even experienced hunters.
• Warthogs provide hunters with a quick and fast-paced action hunting adventure.
• Giraffe hunting is available in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.
• The beautiful zebra is often hunted for its meat or exquisite hide.
• Whichever African plains game species you decide upon, your hunting safari is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

Iconic Species to Hunt in Africa

Please note that while many more notable species can definitely crack a nod and join this list, I have concentrated on the most popular, sought-after, and iconic species that are well-known both in Africa and abroad as being exceptional game hunting trophies.

Impala

Often included in African plains game hunting safaris throughout Africa, the impala is a medium-sized brown antelope easily identified by the dark-colored “M” on its backside. Known as the McDonald’s of the bush, simply because there are some around each corner, an impala hunt in Africa is usually the first species that many hunters gravitate towards, as they are one of the easier antelopes to target during a game hunting safari.

Impala hunting in Africa is available across a great deal of southern and eastern Africa, with popular destinations to target this majestic antelope including South Africa, Namibia, and Tanzania.

Kudu

No African hunt is complete without targeting the kudu, a large antelope that is found in southern and eastern Africa. Kudu hunting in Africa is legendary and hunters often return year after year to target this elusive antelope.

There are two types of kudu to hunt in Africa, namely the Greater kudu that is found in southern and eastern Africa, in countries such as South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Mozambique, Kenya, and Ethiopia, as well as the Lesser kudu that is found in eastern Africa and inhabits Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda.

Known as “King of the Spiral-horned antelopes” the Greater kudu is a large antelope, reaching up to 600 pounds, while the Lesser kudu tips the scales at around 230 pounds. These African plains game species are targeted for their beautiful coats and exquisite horns (only the males have horns) and are one of the most challenging African antelopes to hunt. They are renowned for their excellent camouflage skills and being able to seamlessly blend into the environment, which has earned them the nickname of “Africa’s gray ghost.”

Kudu hunting in Africa is a testing adventure, as these elusive creatures tend to stick to thick vegetation habitats such as woodlands, shrubs, bush, and thickets, making the walk-and-stalk approach very difficult to complete without being detected by this wary antelope.

South Africa’s Eastern Cape region, as well as the famous Limpopo province, are renowned for their exceptionally good kudu trophies.

Read more about a recent African hunting safari featuring Africa’s Gray Ghost, where the hunter shares firsthand experience of what it takes to target this majestic antelope in the blog entitled: Kudu Hunting in South Africa: Targeting the Gray Ghost.

Springbok

Apart from being the name of South Africa’s current World Cup Rugby Team, the springbok is also the country’s national animal. A medium-sized antelope that can reach speeds of up to 55 miles per hour, this iconic antelope inhabits Southern African countries and can be hunted in Botswana, South Africa, and Namibia.

This popular African plains game species is targeted as a game hunting trophy, as well as for their horns, skin, and tasty venison that is often spiced and dried to make delectable biltong treats.

For those wanting a unique game hunting trophy, perhaps consider targeting one of the three Springbok color variants that have been bred in South Africa, namely the black, copper, or white springbok. These trophies are certainly not a common sight and will be a unique talking point for years to come in any hunting trophy room!

Gemsbok

When one thinks of an exceptional antelope hunt in Africa, it would have to be the majestic gemsbok or oryx. This is not only due to their looks, but also the hunting challenge that they set hunters looking for a new antelope trophy. A successful oryx hunt requires patience, persistence, and strategic hunting tactics to harvest this tough, adaptable, and alert antelope.

These striking antelopes must surely be one of the most beautiful antelopes in Africa, or even worldwide, sporting long horns that can reach more than 40 inches in length. These horns are not just for display but are used in defense as well as attack and prove to be deadly weapons.

The gemsbok is targeted as game hunting trophies, for their beautiful horns, striking coats, as well as meat. You will search far to find another such stunning and striking African plains game antelope.

Nyala

Another beautiful medium to large-sized antelope is the striking spiral-horned nyala. Native to South Africa, one of the best destinations to target Nyala is in the country’s premier game hunting destination, the Limpopo province.

Nyala hunts can be a great test of a hunter’s skills and ability, as this antelope makes the hunter work for his trophy! This antelope is extremely elusive and tends to hide in thick vegetation, where it seamlessly blends in with its surroundings. This, together with their exceptional senses and alert nature makes for a challenging stalk.

The unusual pattern on their hide, together with the male nyala’s stunning horns, make it a sought-after trophy on an African hunting safari.

Wildebeest

Wildebeest hunting is a thrilling game hunting adventure that is sure to challenge even the most experienced hunter! They are found throughout southern and eastern Africa, with game hunting opportunities available in many countries, including South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Botswana.

There are two species of wildebeest, namely the Blue wildebeest and the Black wildebeest.

Wildebeest hunting in Africa is an exciting and enthralling hunting adventure, where the hunter faces off against a stubborn, alert, curious, and tough antelope. Wildebeest are renowned for their never-say-die attitude and are often compared to buffalo in terms of how tough they are. Their alert nature makes hunting them a real test of wits, patience, and hunting skills, while their unusual looks and large size make them a popular target to hunt in Africa.

Giraffe

There are not many African plans game species that are more iconic than a giraffe. Giraffe hunting in Africa is a popular African plains game safari, with giraffes being available to hunt in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. Although this long-necked herbivore may seem quite docile, they can and will defend themselves and their offspring. One well-placed kick from a giraffe can down a lion – permanently!

Giraffe hunting may sound straightforward…I mean you can spot them from miles away, right…they are the world’s tallest living terrestrial animal! But then again, if you can spot them, they can spot you too, ensuring that completing a walk-and-stalk without getting seen is a very difficult process.

Giraffes are hunted for numerous reasons, including being a unique and exciting hunting safari, an exceptional game hunting trophy to add to a hunter’s trophy room, and for their hides.

Warthogs

While you may think that a warthog hunt is a bit boring, ask any game hunting enthusiast who has ever targeted one – Warthog hunting is fun! A wiry and fast adversary, the warthog is found throughout southern and eastern Africa.

Warthogs are usually targeted on an African hunt for their tusks, and are often an opportunistic hunt, with the warthog simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time as the hunter passes through. Warthogs are exceptionally quick, making a chance meeting a real test of the hunter’s fast reactions, which could result in an unusual African plains game trophy.

Zebra

The zebra is a sought-after African plains game trophy, and an excellent option for any trophy room. Zebras are hunted for their beautiful black and white hides, while in some areas they are still hunted for meat.

Zebra hunting is a physically challenging hunt, offering hunters the opportunity to target this exquisite species in various ways.  Their stunning striped coat helps them camouflage themselves against predators, and while they may look like docile creatures, they do have a mean kick if you venture within range and are known to give a nasty bite.

Zebras can be hunted throughout southern Africa, including countries such as South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Tanzania. Speak to your local African outfitter to confirm local requirements and required permits.  

Frequently Asked Questions?

What is the Gemsbok also known as?

The gemsbok (Oryx gazella) is also known as the South African oryx. This majestic antelope inhabits and survives in some of the most arid regions on earth, including the Namib and Kalahari Deserts.

Do Female Gemsbok Have Horns?

Yes, both male and female gemsbok have horns. The female gemsbok has the longer horns out of the two, with their horns being longer and thinner than the male gemsbok whose horns are shorter and thicker.

Can you hunt springbok in Namibia?

Yes, springbok hunting in Namibia is a popular hunting safari. The country’s arid areas provide a harsh and unpredictable environment in which this medium-sized antelope thrives.  

Is a wildebeest hunt in Africa a challenging affair?

Wildebeest hunting in Africa is indeed very challenging, do not underestimate this strange-looking antelope! The fact that they are often referred to as the “poor man’s buffalo” will give you an idea of how tough this antelope is! Many hunters will agree that the wildebeest is known to “eat lead” and is seen as a difficult antelope to kill, providing hunters with a challenging, yet extremely rewarding, African plains game hunting safari.

How many subspecies of blue wildebeest are there?

There are two species of wildebeest, the blue wildebeest and the black wildebeest.

The blue wildebeest has five further subspecies:

• Blue or common wildebeest,
• Western White-Bearded Wildebeest,
• the Nyasaland Wildebeest (also known as Johnston’s wildebeest),
• Eastern White-Bearded Wildebeest,
• Cookson’s Wildebeest.

These wildebeest differ in size, shape, color, and distribution.

Are Giraffes easy to hunt?

No giraffes can be quite difficult to hunt. A giraffe hunt is quite challenging, as it pushes the hunter to carefully plan and consider all aspects of the hunt while engaging in long-range shooting (with shot placement being spot on) as the mammal is targeted from a distance due to its size as well as the problem of approaching it undetected. While they provide the hunter with a great test of their game hunting skills, the reward when successfully harvested is large – both literally and figurately!

Spoilt for Choice

An African hunting safari featuring an array of African plains game species is the perfect opportunity to test your skills and challenge yourself, with the most spectacular range of species available as a trophy reward. Hunters remain spoilt for choice and can pick and choose what suits their pocket, budget, and hunting objectives, with the sky being the limit!

Find out more about African hunting safaris available, visit our Hunts section to book your game hunting safari.