Exportable Trophy Elephant Hunt in Namibia Caprivi Strip
Booking Season: 2026
Hunt Difficulty: Difficult
Designed by Hunters, for Hunters
The Waterbuck is an antelope with large ringed horns that arch backward. It has a shaggy brownish-gray coat with a distinctive white marking on its rump. This large African antelope is water-dependent and prefers habitats inclusive of water, such as rivers, marshes, wetlands, and lakes.
The Waterbuck has two subspecies, namely the Common Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus ellipsiprymnus) and the Defassa Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus defassa). While the Common Waterbuck is widely distributed across Southern and Eastern Africa, the Defassa Waterbuck is found in East and Central African regions. The Common Waterbuck has an oval-shaped ring on its rump, whereas the Defassa Waterbuck has a solid marking and is also slightly smaller in stature.
When it comes to Waterbuck hunts, hunters have a distinct advantage over their prey, knowing that these water-dependent animals are most likely going to be found around water sources, making this walk-and-stalk safari just slightly less challenging.
Medium to large caliber rifles (.270 to 30-caliber rifles) are recommended for this safari.
Waterbuck hunts often form part of an African plains game safari, with numerous other species also harvested on the hunt. Hunts can take from 3-4 full hunting days or more, but when other plains game species are added, they generally have 7-10 hunting days.
When considering a Waterbuck hunt, hunters need to decide which species of Waterbuck they wish to target, as this would narrow down the country of choice for the hunting safari.
The Common Waterbuck is found in South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia, with many of these regions offering Waterbuck hunting packages. The Defassa Waterbuck inhabits many African regions, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Sudan, Zambia, Chad, Angola, the Republic of Congo, Gabon, Senegal, the Central African Republic, Uganda, and Cameroon.
These large, prized antelopes are hunted in various African regions, with popular hunting destinations including:
South Africa: The Limpopo province, which is renowned for its array of African plains game species, as well as the Midlands in KwaZulu-Natal
Namibia: The lush Caprivi region, with its ample water supply, provides the perfect habitat for the Waterbuck
Zambia: The Luangwa Valley is a popular destination for Waterbuck hunting in this African destination
Botswana: The water-rich Okavango Delta and surrounding floodplains are a popular Waterbuck hunting location
Mozambique: Mozambique’s Matetsi region, Niassa Reserve, and Zambezi Valley are popular hunting areas
Tanzania: Both species of Waterbuck inhabit Tanzania, with the Common Waterbuck hunted in the Selous and Maasailand regions, while the Defassa Waterbuck is hunted in the North of the country.
Some African hunting destinations, like South Africa and Zimbabwe, permit hunting year-round, while others have specific hunting seasons. However, the peak time to hunt Waterbuck is during the dry season, when the vegetation is shorter and tracking is easier.
Waterbuck hunting is best undertaken early morning or late afternoon when these antelopes are more active and more likely to be found around water holes as they graze and drink during these cooler times of the day.
When it comes to hunting in Africa, many hunters are after unusual trophies to display back home in their trophy rooms, and the Waterbuck is a great antelope to have on display. A large-sized antelope with striking ringed horns and a shaggy coat, the markings on its rump make it a unique and sought-after trophy to hunt.
African hunts need some adventure and challenge for game hunting enthusiasts, and a Waterbuck hunt ticks both boxes. On these safaris, hunters set off across diverse and rugged terrain, with dense vegetation at times, tracking and stalking a wary and alert antelope across bodies of water and through wet conditions, resulting in the ultimate hunting trophy when harvested.
A hunter’s skills are tested, with exceptional stalking skills required, with patience and perseverance needed to harvest this trophy.
A standard African plains game safari will include the basic service offerings such as accommodation, meals, drinks, a professional hunter, camp staff, trackers, on-territory transport, and field preparation of the trophy.
Exclusions and optional extras when Waterbuck hunting in Africa:
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