Hunts in South Africa
Hunt with our Friends - Hunts in South Africa
Are you looking for species not available with our BC guided hunts? Hunt with our friends in South Africa.
Hunts in South Africa offer an unparalleled hunting experience, attracting enthusiasts from around the world with its diverse wildlife and well-managed conservation practices. The South African hunting season typically runs from March to October, with peak months being May to September, providing ample opportunities for hunters to pursue their desired game.
South Africa’s huntable game includes a wide variety of species, with some of the most popular being kudu, impala, springbok, and wildebeest. For those seeking more challenging pursuits, South Africa also offers big game hunting opportunities, including members of the famous “Big Five” such as Cape buffalo, elephant, lion and leopard.
The country’s commitment to sustainable hunting practices is evident in its strict regulations. All hunting must be conducted under the supervision of registered professional hunters, ensuring ethical and responsible practices. South Africa’s provincial authorities oversee the issuance of hunting permits and enforce quotas to maintain healthy wildlife populations.
South African hunting locations vary from private game farms to vast conservancies. Popular areas include the Eastern Cape, known for its diverse terrain and abundance of plains game, and the Limpopo Province, famous for its dense bushveld and opportunities for dangerous game hunting.
For bow hunters, South Africa offers specialized opportunities, with certain areas registered specifically for this purpose. However, it’s important to note that specific regulations apply to bow hunting, including minimum draw weights and arrow specifications for different game categories.
South Africa’s hunting industry not only provides thrilling experiences for hunters but also plays a crucial role in conservation efforts and local community development. By participating in regulated hunting programs, visitors contribute to the protection of wildlife habitats and support rural economies.
Whether pursuing plains game like springbok and impala, or seeking the thrill of dangerous game such as Cape buffalo, South Africa continues to be a top destination for those seeking an authentic African hunting safari, combining adventure with responsible wildlife management.
To connect with us about our hunts in South Africa, design your custom hunt and let us know your interest
Cape Buffalo Hunt
The Cape Buffalo is one of the most prized trophies for hunts in South Africa, known for its challenging and dangerous hunts.
Specs: Dark brown to black coat, massive curved horns forming a protective boss, and powerful build.
Size: Bulls weigh between 1,500 and 2,000 lbs and stand 5 to 5 1/2 feet tall at the shoulder. Cows weigh between 1,000 and 1,500 lbs and stand 4 to 5 feet tall.
Season: Hunting is available year-round, but the dry winter months (May to September) are ideal.
Locations: Commonly hunted in the Limpopo Province and other private reserves in South Africa.
About the hunt: Often involves tracking on foot, using spot-and-stalk techniques. The animal’s tough skin and unpredictable behaviour make it a challenging hunt. Hunters typically use rifles with a minimum caliber of .375.
Behaviours: Highly social, forming herds of up to a few thousand individuals. They exhibit mobbing behaviour to protect calves and are known for their unpredictable and aggressive nature when threatened.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Primarily graze on tall grasses. During the dry season, they may consume shrubs and roots. They require daily access to water and adjust their range based on water availability.
Management: Conservation efforts include strict hunting regulations, disease-free breeding programs, and habitat restoration. Private reserves play a significant role in sustainable management in South Africa.
Lion Hunt
The African Lion is a highly sought-after trophy for big game hunts in South Africa, offering an unparalleled hunting experience.
Specs: Muscular, broad-chested body, short rounded head, tufted tail. Yellow-gold coat, with males sporting shaggy manes ranging from blond to black.
Size: Males weigh 330-570 lbs and stand about 4 ft tall at the shoulder; females weigh 270-400 lbs and are slightly shorter.
Season: Year-round, with winter months (May to August) being preferred due to cooler temperatures.
Locations: Commonly hunted in the North West and Limpopo provinces of South Africa.
About the hunt: Often employs baiting techniques, where large prey like buffalo or zebra is used to attract lions. Spot-and-stalk methods are also used. Hunters often use rifles, bows, or crossbows, and hunts are guided by professional hunters.
Behaviours: Social animals living in prides. Females hunt cooperatively, while males defend territory. They communicate through roars and exhibit Behaviours like infanticide when new males take over a pride.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Primarily prey on medium to large ungulates like buffalo and zebra. Their diet varies seasonally, with a preference for grazers in the dry season. They adapt their range based on prey availability and water sources.
Management: Conservation efforts include creating safe havens, mitigating human-lion conflicts, and regulating hunting practices. Protected areas and community programs are key to lion conservation in South Africa.
Leopard Hunt
The elusive Leopard is one of the most challenging and rewarding trophies for hunts in South Africa.
Specs: Pale yellowish to dark golden fur adorned with dark rosettes, muscular body, relatively short legs, and a long tail.
Size: Males typically weigh between 70-160 lbs, females 45-95 lbs. Shoulder height is 24-28 inches.
Season: Leopard hunting season in South Africa runs from March to October, with peak season from May to September.
Locations: Commonly hunted in Limpopo province, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.
About the hunt: Often involves baiting and using blinds. Bait is placed in trees, and hunters wait in blinds during dusk or dawn. Leopards are elusive and require patience and strategic placement of baits.
Behaviours: Solitary and territorial. Males’ ranges overlap with several females. They are nocturnal and ambush predators, adapting their behaviour to avoid larger predators.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Carnivores, feeding on prey like antelopes, primates, and rodents. Their range shifts seasonally, with males moving out of core areas in winter.
Management: Conservation includes adaptive management frameworks, monitoring through camera traps, and initiatives like the Cape Leopard Trust’s non-lethal predator management strategies in South Africa.
Kudu Hunt
The Greater Kudu is a majestic antelope species highly prized for hunts in South Africa.
Specs: Slender yet robust build with a deep chest and sloping back. Sleek, short coat ranging from reddish-brown to greyish-brown, adorned with vertical white stripes. Males have long, spiral horns up to 6 feet in length.
Size: Males weigh between 420-600 lbs and stand up to 5 feet tall at the shoulder. Females are smaller, weighing around 370 lbs and standing about 4 feet tall.
Season: Best hunting season is during the dry winter months, from May to August, although hunting is open year-round in enclosed areas.
Locations: Commonly hunted in the Limpopo Province, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal regions of South Africa.
About the hunt: Challenging due to their exceptional senses and elusive nature. Common methods include spot-and-stalk and ambush techniques, often near watering holes or feeding areas. Early mornings and late evenings are preferred times for hunting.
Behaviours: Shy and elusive, often hiding in dense vegetation. Social animals, with females and young forming groups, while males are more solitary. Known for their agility and ability to jump high fences when threatened.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Browsers, feeding on leaves, shoots, and fruits. During the dry season, they rely on evergreen vegetation and fruits for moisture. They inhabit areas with dense bush and thickets, moving closer to water sources during dry periods.
Management: Conservation efforts include habitat protection, anti-poaching measures, and sustainable hunting practices. Community involvement and private game reserves play a significant role in kudu conservation in South Africa.
Impala Hunt
The Impala is one of the most common and sustainable game species for hunts in South Africa.
Specs: Sleek, two-toned coat with a tan underbelly and a red-brown saddle. Males have wide, lyre-shaped horns that are heavily ridged and grow 18-37 inches long. Black markings include stripes on the tail, thighs, and ear tips.
Size: 90-165 lbs and 28-39 inches tall at the shoulder.
Season: Year-round, but the best time is during the drier season from May to August in South Africa.
Locations: Limpopo and Eastern Cape provinces, as well as other bushveld regions in South Africa.
About the hunt: Hunting methods include spot and stalk, hunting from a blind near water sources, and still hunting. Impalas are alert and have keen senses, making them challenging to hunt. They are most active during cooler parts of the day.
Behaviours: Gregarious, forming three social groups: territorial males, bachelor herds, and female herds. They are diurnal and known for their leaping ability as an anti-predator strategy. Males are territorial during the rutting season.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Mixed feeders, grazing on grass during the wet season and browsing on leaves, shoots, and seedpods during the dry season. They prefer habitats near water and adapt their diet based on seasonal availability.
Management: Conservation practices include habitat management to prevent overgrazing and hybridization risks. Impalas are managed on private lands and game reserves in South Africa, with efforts to maintain genetic diversity and control predator populations.
Springbok Hunt
The Springbok is a popular trophy for hunts in South Africa, known for its speed and unique pronking behaviour.
Specs: Distinctive white face with dark brown stripes, light brown coat with white underparts, and a fold of skin on the back that opens to display a crest of white hair during pronking.
Size: 65-100 lbs, standing 28-35 inches at the shoulder.
Season: Year-round in South Africa, but best during the dry winter months (May to August).
Locations: Commonly hunted in the Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, and Free State provinces of South Africa.
About the hunt: Spot-and-stalk is the preferred method. Challenging due to their speed and alertness. Hunters often use rifles in the .243 to .30-06 range.
Behaviours: Known for “pronking” – a stiff-legged jumping display. Form large herds during the rainy season and smaller groups in dry periods. Most active during dawn and dusk.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Mixed feeders, grazing on grasses and browsing on shrubs. Adaptable to arid conditions, obtaining moisture from their food. Range varies with rainfall patterns.
Management: Sustainable hunting practices and habitat conservation are key. Many are raised on game farms in South Africa, contributing to conservation efforts.
Warthog Hunt
The Warthog is a unique and challenging trophy for hunts in South Africa.
Specs: Dark grey skin, sparse hair, distinctive tusks, and facial warts. Four large tusks grow from the upper and lower jaws.
Size: 100-330 lbs, standing 25-33 inches at the shoulder.
Season: Year-round in South Africa, but best during the dry season (May to October) when vegetation is sparse.
Locations: Widely distributed across South Africa, common in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.
About the hunt: Spot-and-stalk or ambush near waterholes. Challenging due to their excellent sense of smell and hearing. Rifles in .270 to .30-06 calibers are typically used.
Behaviours: Diurnal, often seen kneeling on their front legs while feeding. Live in small family groups. Use abandoned aardvark holes for shelter.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Omnivorous, primarily grazing on grasses but also eating roots, tubers, and occasionally carrion. Range expands during wet seasons and contracts near water sources in dry periods.
Management: Population control through hunting helps manage their numbers in South Africa. Conservation efforts focus on habitat preservation and sustainable use.
Blue Wildebeest Hunt
The Blue Wildebeest is a popular trophy animal for hunts in South Africa, known for its distinctive appearance and challenging hunt.
Specs: Dark grey to blue-grey coat, black mane, beard, and tail. Both sexes have curved horns.
Size: 350-600 lbs, standing 45-57 inches at the shoulder.
Season: Year-round in South Africa, but best during the dry winter months (May to August).
Locations: Common in Limpopo, North West, and Northern Cape provinces of South Africa.
About the hunt: Spot-and-stalk or ambush near waterholes. Challenging due to their keen senses and herd behaviour. Rifles in .270 to .300 calibers are typically used.
Behaviours: Highly gregarious, forming large herds. Known for their annual migrations in some areas. Most active during early morning and late afternoon.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Primarily grazers, feeding on short grasses. Dependent on water, so their range is influenced by water availability. Seasonal movements are common in search of fresh grazing.
Management: Sustainable hunting practices and habitat conservation are key in South Africa. Many are managed on private game reserves, contributing to conservation efforts.
Eland Hunt
The Common Eland is a prized trophy for hunts in South Africa, known for its large size and spiraled horns.
Specs: Fawn-coloured coat with vertical white stripes, spiral horns in both sexes, and a prominent dewlap.
Size: 1,000-2,000 lbs, standing 54-72 inches at the shoulder, making it the largest antelope in South Africa.
Season: Year-round in South Africa, but best during the dry winter months (May to August).
Locations: Found in various provinces, including Limpopo, Eastern Cape, and Free State.
About the hunt: Spot-and-stalk is common, often requiring long stalks due to the eland’s wariness. Large caliber rifles (.300 magnums and up) are recommended due to their size.
Behaviours: Generally calm but can be surprisingly agile. Form herds of up to 500 in open areas, smaller groups in bushveld. Known for their ability to jump high fences.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Mixed feeders, browsing on leaves, fruits, and pods, and grazing when good grass is available. Can survive without drinking water for long periods, obtaining moisture from their food.
Management: Sustainable hunting practices and habitat conservation are crucial in South Africa. Many are managed on private game reserves, contributing to conservation efforts.
Nyala Hunt
The Nyala is a highly sought-after trophy for hunts in South Africa, known for its striking appearance and challenging hunt.
Specs: Males have dark brown to slate-grey coats with white vertical stripes and spots, spiral horns, and a long fringe on throat and underparts. Females are reddish-brown with stripes.
Size: Males weigh 220-275 lbs, females 120-175 lbs. Males stand 42-48 inches at the shoulder, females 35-39 inches.
Season: Year-round in South Africa, but best during the dry winter months (May to August).
Locations: Primarily found in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo provinces of South Africa.
About the hunt: Spot-and-stalk or ambush near waterholes. Challenging due to their shy nature and preference for dense bush. Rifles in .270 to .30-06 calibers are typically used.
Behaviours: Generally shy and elusive. Males are usually solitary, while females and young form small groups. Most active during early morning and late afternoon.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Browsers, feeding on leaves, fruits, and grass. Their range is limited to areas with dense vegetation near water sources.
Management: Sustainable hunting practices and habitat conservation are key in South Africa. Many are managed on private game reserves, contributing to conservation efforts and maintaining genetic diversity.
Elephant Hunt
The African Elephant is one of the most challenging and prestigious trophies for hunts in South Africa.
Specs: Largest land mammal, characterized by large ears, long trunk, and curved tusks.
Size: Bulls weigh 10,000-13,000 lbs, standing 10-13 feet at the shoulder.
Season: Limited season, typically during the dry winter months (May to September) in South Africa.
Locations: Primarily hunted in the Limpopo Province and other designated areas in South Africa.
About the hunt: Extremely challenging and dangerous. Involves tracking on foot, often over long distances. Requires heavy caliber rifles (.375 H&H minimum) due to the elephant’s size.
Behaviours: Highly intelligent and social animals. Live in matriarchal herds, with bulls often solitary or in small groups. Known for their complex Behaviours and emotional intelligence.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Herbivores consuming up to 600 lbs of vegetation daily. Range widely in search of food and water, but movements are increasingly restricted due to habitat fragmentation.
Management: Strictly regulated with limited permits issued annually. Hunting supports conservation efforts in South Africa. Management focuses on reducing human-elephant conflict and habitat preservation.
Zebra Hunt
The Plains Zebra offers a unique trophy for hunts in South Africa, known for its distinctive striped coat.
Specs: Horse-like build with black and white striped coat. Each zebra’s stripe pattern is unique, like a fingerprint.
Size: 550-1,000 lbs, standing 3 1/2 – 5 feet at the shoulder.
Season: Year-round in South Africa, but best during the dry winter months (May to September).
Locations: Found in various provinces, including Limpopo, North West, and Eastern Cape.
About the hunt: Often hunted using spot-and-stalk methods. Challenging due to their keen eyesight and tendency to mingle with other game species. Rifles in .270 to .30-06 calibers are typically used.
Behaviours: Highly social, living in family groups or small herds. Known for their distinctive “barking” call. Most active during early morning and late afternoon.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Primarily grazers, feeding on a variety of grasses. Their range is influenced by the availability of grass and water, with some populations undertaking seasonal migrations.
Management: Sustainable hunting practices and habitat conservation are key in South Africa. Many zebras are managed on private game reserves, contributing to conservation efforts and maintaining genetic diversity.
To connect with us about hunts in South Africa, submit our contact form and let us know your interest
5% of every hunt goes towards
conservation initiatives in the Chilcotin Ark
