When it comes to hunting in Africa, there are few species as iconic as the springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis). The springbok, also spelt springbuck, is a medium-sized antelope found in southern Africa, and a popular option on African plains game hunts.

The springbok gets their name from the Afrikaans words “spring,” meaning jump, and “bok” meaning antelope. The name is very fitting since a springbok has the amazing ability to jump straight up in the air, reaching up to 10 feet!

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Key Takeaways

• The springbok, also spelt springbuck, is an elegant medium-sized African antelope.
• Popular game hunting destinations to target springboks include South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia.
• These medium-sized antelopes are not only fast, reaching more than 50 miles per hour, but they are also known for their exceptional jumping and pronking abilities.
• Springboks can be challenging to hunt, as they tend to bunch together when scared or nervous, making it difficult for a hunter to get a clear shot.
• The IUCN lists their conservations status as “least concern.”
• There are four color variants of springboks, namely the Common Springbok, White Springbok, Black Springbok, and Copper Springbok.
• Hunting these four together is known as the Springbok Grand Slam and is a sought-after practice with hunters collecting rare and unusual trophies.
• Springbok hunts are challenging, with hunters often targeting the antelope from a distance away.
• Ensure that your shot placement is correct during your hunting safari, with the best possible shot to take being one third of the way up on the shoulder while the springbok is standing broadside to the hunter.
• A variety of calibers can be utilized on a springbok hunt, including .243 or a .270, as well as larger caliber rifles such as a 30.06, .308 and 300-Win Mags.
• Springbok meat, known as venison, is a flavorsome meat that can be enjoyed in a variety of methods, with one of the most popular being biltong.

The Springbok at a Glance

Name:                                Antidorcas marsupialis

Male Weight:                    72-105 pounds        

Male Shoulder height: 27-35 inches

Range:                                Southern Africa

Life span:                          7-9 years

Apart from being South Africa’s national emblem, as well as the name of the country’s popular and world-renowned winning rugby team, springboks are striking, medium-sized antelopes with a white face and a dark stripe running from the eyes to the mouth. This graceful species has a light brown coat with a darker reddish-brown stripe running across the lower third of its body and a white rump. Both sexes have horns, with the male’s horns being thicker than the females.

Springbok Color Variants

Just when you thought that the thrill of springbok hunting couldn’t get any better, springbok color variants appeared! These colored springboks are not a subspecies, but rather color variants that have been bred on Namibian and South African game farms employing selective breeding methods.

There are three color variants of springboks, apart from the Common Springbok which was described above:

Black Springbok

The black springbok is characterized by its dark brown or blackish-brown coat, a striking difference from the springbok’s usual coloring of a light brown and tan coat.

Copper Springbok

The copper springbuck has a prominent copper-red coat, making it a prominent sight when on a hunting safari and certainly a rare and unusual game hunting trophy.

White Springbok

With its solid white coat and sporting dark patches around its eyes, this white springbok color variant is a unique sight on the African savanna.

These springboks are highly sought-after in game hunting circles, with many hunters wanting to complete what is known as a “Springbok Grand Slam.” This refers to successfully hunting all four springbok color variants, namely the Common Springbok, Black Springbok, White Springbok, and the Copper Springbok.

Achieving this Springbok Gland Slam is considered a significant accomplishment among game hunting enthusiasts due to the rarity and diversity of these antelopes. Imagine too what unique and exceptional trophies they would make in a trophy room!

Springbok Hunting Destinations

When considering a springbok hunting safari, there are three main countries where springbok hunts are conducted, namely South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana.

South Africa

South Africa is the most popular springbok hunting destination, offering hunters a choice of regions within the country, as well as various packages and hunting opportunities. Springboks prefer a habitat consisting of arid and semi-arid regions, with vegetation including sparse bush and shrub regions of treeless plains and open veld.

When on a game hunting safari targeting springbok in South Africa, some of the best hunting takes place in the Eastern Cape (Karoo area) and Kalahari regions, as well as the Free State and Northern Cape provinces.

Botswana

Botswana’s Kalahari Desert is the perfect backdrop for hunting this graceful species that prefers drier regions for its chosen habitat.

Namibia

Namibia’s private land and conservancies are the perfect areas for hunting, with landscapes such as open plains, savannas and semi-desert regions providing a habitat for this elegant antelope.

Popular regions within Namibia to enjoy a springbok hunting safari include the Erongo region, as well as the Khomas Highlands.

Springbok Hunting Methods

When hunting springbok, it usually occurs on open plains, making stalking a challenge for hunters to get close enough for a decent shot. Springbok hunts are generally undertaken using the spot and stalk method from a vehicle, after which the walk and stalk method is utilized.

Stalking this antelope is quite a challenge, as they tend to stay within their herd, ensuring that more eyes and ears are on alert to spot danger. This results in the hunter being more likely to take long-distance shots on his African hunting safari.

Choosing the Right Caliber for Your Springbok Hunting Safari

When springbok hunting, it open includes shooting in open areas with long ranges, and a rifle with a flat trajectory would be a good choice here. While recommended calibers may include a .243 or a .270, larger caliber rifles such as a 30.06, .308 and 300-Win Mag will also ensure a quick and humane kill on the hunt.

Shot Placement on a Springbok Hunt

When it comes to shot placement when springbuck hunting, the best possible shot to take this antelope on would be the shoulder while it is standing broadside to the hunter. The aim should be a third of the way up the front shoulder, allowing for a quick and humane death.

A headshot is not advised, except during culling, as any hope of a decent springbuck game hunting trophy will be ruined.

Springbok: Tasty and Delectable!  

Springbok is one of the most delicious game meats available and is a popular choice with South Africans, when available. Ask your chef to prepare some springbok carpaccio for you, you will not be disappointed!

While the most popular option to use this game meat would be biltong, other ways of preparing this game meat include the ever-enjoyable South Africa braai for some springbok steaks, roasted, or even stewed for some delectable springbok venison pies or stews.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best place to hunt springbok?

Springbok hunting is a popular pastime in the semi-arid regions of southern Africa, with popular hunting destinations including South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia.

What is the best rifle to use for springbok hunting in Africa?

Choose a flat shooting rifle with a minimum caliber of 25 caliber (i.e., 243 or .270) for a springbok hunting safari. If meat damage is not a concern, a 308, 7mm, or 300 win-mag is a suitable choice for the trophy springbok.

Where do you find Springboks?

Springboks are found in the more arid regions of southern Africa, with areas such as South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana having perfect habitats for this agile antelope.

What is the lifespan of a springbok?

Springboks generally live for between 7 and 9 years.

Where is the best place in South Africa to hunt?

While South Africa’s Limpopo province is seen as the country’s premier game hunting destination, other popular game hunting regions include the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Free State and Northern Cape.

What are the predators of the springbok?

As a medium-sized antelope, the springbok is the targeted prey of many predators, including lions, cheetahs, leopards, wild dogs, pythons, and spotted hyenas. Juvenile springbok antelopes are preyed on by smaller carnivores, including black-backed jackals, raptors, and African wildcats.

How fast can a springbok run?

Springboks can reach impressive speeds of up to 55 miles per hour.

Can a springbok jump?

Yes, springboks can jump, reaching up to 10 feet straight up. They have the ability to jump and up down, while stretching their front and back legs simultaneously, bending their head at the same time. This is known as pronking.

Conclusion

Springbok hunting in Africa is a thrilling hunting adventure, and surely not one to miss out on! If you are interested in hunting African plains game, be sure to add this nimble antelope to your bucket list. They are often included as part of an African plains game package, with other species such as sable, kudu, impala, blesbok, warthog, gemsbok, and gemsbok making up the packages.

Interested in booking a springbok hunting safari? See our available springbok hunts.

Author: B. Hershensohnn