Search Animals
Encyclopedia of African Huntable Animals
Plains Game
Black Wildebeest- Blesbok
- Blue Wildebeest
- Bontebok
- Bushbuck
- Eland (Common)
- Fallow Deer
- Gemsbok
- Giraffe
- Impala
- Kudu (Greater)
- Nyala (Common)
- Red Hatebeest
- Reedbuck (Common)
- Springbok
- Warthog
- Waterbuck (Common)
- Zebra
Plains Game Hunting in Africa
Plains game hunting in Africa is one of the greatest hunting experiences on the planet. The sheer number of huntable species is mind numbing to the first-time African hunter. There are over 170 huntable species in Africa, and every few years it seems like a new color variation of some species emerges. Hunting plains game in Africa can be a lifelong pursuit for many hunters and those that are unable to participate are surely dreaming about it!
African plains game hunting is the most popular hunt in today’s Africa, primarily due to its affordability. A first-time hunter to Africa will normally book a plains game hunt ranging in duration from 7 – 14 days. The average initial safari is 10 days, and the first-time hunter will usually take from 6-10 trophy animals on this safari. The cost of an African plains game hunting safari is comparable to the cost of a quality guided elk hunt in the western United States.
There are many countries for hunting plains game in Africa. The country that receives the largest share of plains game hunters is South Africa, followed by Namibia. South Africa is a primary plains game hunting destination for several reasons.
First, South Africa is a relatively stable country featuring first-world infrastructure. Featuring well developed road systems and first class medical facilities and doctors, South Africa is a relatively safe and convenient destination for hunting plains game.
Second, South Africa has a well-developed internal air link system that is served by South African Air and its affiliates. This makes getting to one’s destination fairly convenient. Many of the best hunting locations are reachable by vehicle from Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport, thereby eliminating the need for layovers and additional flights.
Finally, South Africa has the largest plains game populations and species variety in all of Africa. Many concessions that offer plains game hunting boast of having 25 -30 species available to hunt. Between daytime and nighttime hunting, a wide array of trophies are available to grace your trophy room. There are millions upon millions of plains game animals in South Africa. Between the varied terrains to hunt in, the wide variety of species available and the sheer numbers of animals, South Africa is the greatest country to hunt plains game in all of Africa!
Namibia has world class plains game hunting and is a great destination for many of the same reasons that make South Africa a prime destination for hunting plains game in Africa. Other countries that support viable plains game hunting operations include Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe (in certain areas), Mozambique and Botswana (on private land).
The African plains game species available to be hunted range from the tiny Royal Antelope to the 2,500 pound Eland. The vast array of available plains game trophies is incredible and one can literally spend a career pursuing the taking of all the various species and sub-species of plains game. Specialty quests have evolved within the plains game arena. Some of these quests include the 9-animal spiral horned antelopes of Africa, the 4-animal South Africa spiral horned slam, the tiny ten small antelopes, the small cats of Africa and others. Organizations such as SCI offer awards and recognition for hunters that achieve these hunting milestones.
Plains game hunting in Africa provides a great opportunity to bring along your family, parents, hunting buddies or friends to share in the adventure. Even non-hunters can enjoy a week or two in the African bushveld. A great time can be had by all while enjoying the great levels of service, food and acommodations that typically accompany plains game hunting in Africa.
Your battery for African plains game hunting should include your favorite .30 caliber rifle and two to three boxes of quality soft point ammunition. When offered in different weights, it is best to opt for the heavier grained bullets. It is also good to bring a few solids, if available, for taking those small trophies that you do not want to damage because of too much bullet expansion or velocity.
Black Wildebeest
The black wildebeest is the smaller of the wildebeest and was once restricted to the grasslands of South Africa's highveld. It has been reintroduced widely, and is now huntable in South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland and Namibia. Black and blue wildebeest will interbreed, so are usually kept on seperate concessions. Black wildebeest are mainly grazers and in the past were known to migrate seasonally in vast herds. Blesbok
Blesbok are mainly found in South Africa, although a huntable population of blesbok has been introduced to Namibia. At one time, vast herds roamed the plains of south-western South Africa, but today those movements have been restricted by fences. The blesbok may be differentiated from its cousin the bontebok, by the white fronts to its horns. The bontebok's horns are black on the front. Blesbok, which are predominately grazers, feed mostly during the cooler hours of the day. Blue Wildebeest
THe blue wildebeest is the most widely distributed of the five wildebeest subspecies. The southern blue wildebeest is distinguished by its black throat mane Bulls are territorial and defend their group of females, not the territory. Large migrations of wildebeest still occur in Tanzania and Kenya. Blue wildebeest were once extinct in Namibia, but have been widely reintroduced by game ranching. Wildebeest are a favorite of African hunters, and have been referred to as "poor man's buffalo". Bontebok
Bontebok were nearly extinct at the end of the 19th century. They were saved by a handful of farmers in the Western Cape of South Africa and now about 3,000 bontebok exist in National Parks, provincial reserves and private game ranches. Limited hunting is available in South Africa and Namibia. They are a CITES 1 animal and require both an export and import permit. Bushbuck
Bushbuck are the most widely distributed of Africa's spiral-horned antelopes. The bushbuck is a medium-sized antelope and is distinguished by its unique markings. There are 29 recognized subspecies of bushbuck. The most common subspecies that are taken by African hunters are the Cape bushbuck, the Limpopo Bushbuck and the Chobe bushbuck. Bushbuck are solitary animals except in breeding season. Bushbuck prefer to stay in or near heavy riverine bush cover and a hunter should be ready for a quick shot should they spot one feeding in a small opening. Eland (Common)
The common eland consists of three subspecies. The Cape eland, Livingstone's eland and the East African Eland. Older bulls develop a dewlap on the throat and most have a mat of coarse dark hair on the forehead. Bull's coats usually turn blue-grey as they age. They are the largest member of the spiral-horned antelopes of Africa. Sometimes topping out at over 2,000 pounds, they are indeed an impressive trophy. Fallow Deer
The fallow deer is not a native of Southern Africa, but has been introduced onto a number of farms in South Africa's central plateau, the Great Karoo, Kwazulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. Fallow deer favor low scrub cover and woodland edges where enough grass and browse exists. In agricultural areas the can be considered a pest. Mature stags feature impressive palmated antlers, making them a favorite target of visiting hunters. Gemsbok
The gemsbok is one of Africa's most beautiful animals. Sporting a long straight set of black horms, this native desert animal is secially adapted to live in areas of low rainfall. Gemsbok have been introduced to many areas they are not native to by game ranchers in southern Africa. Many of the largest trophies come from their native habitat in South Africa and Namibia's Kalahari Desert. The open areas of the desert can call for some long accurate shots when hunting gemsbok in Africa. Giraffe
Giraffe are the world's tallest mamal. Their long legs and necks along with their patterned hides give them a unique look unrivaled in the animal kingdom. When you see a giraffe, you think Africa! Giraffes have a unique way of spreading their legs to lower themselves when drinking. Giraffes are hunted for their hides and meat. Bagging a giraffe is not an easy feat, as the giraffe's vision is phenomenal and they will see predators (including man) coming from a long way off. Impala
Impala have been referred to as the McDonalds of Africa. Everybody eats there and a meal is always available. While it is true that many predators feed on impala when they can, a mature male impala makes a impressive trophy due to its long lyrate deeply ringed horns. The impala is common to southern and eastern Africa and has been widely introduced outside of its natural range to include South Africa and Namibia. Kudu (Greater)
The greater kudu is one of Africa's iconic trophies. The kudu is a member of the spiral-horned Antelopes of Africa and is a must hunt for all hunters traveling to Africa, The kudu's horns feature deep spirals that elevate out of the skull to lengths that occasionally run into the 60 inch range. The 60 inch kudu is every African hunter's dream and the ability of this big antelope to quickly disappear into the bush has justifiably earned the Greater kudu the nickname "the grey ghost". Nyala (Common)
The nyala is one of the most beautiful of Africa's spiral-horned antelopes. The nyala is offered as a trophy primarily in South Africa and Mozambique. In South Africa, it has been widely introduced outside of its natural range via game ranching. There are some small populations in Namibia, Botswana and south-eastern Zimbabwe. Red Hartebeest
The red hartebeest is the most familiar and most abundant of the six races of recognized hartebeest. Red hartebeest are found in southern Africa and their range has been expanded beyond their historical range via game ranching. The red hartebeest is currently huntable in South Africa, Namibia and portions of Zimbabwe. The red hartebeest is a grazer and prefers open savanna and wooded grasslands. Reedbuck (Common)
Common reedbuck are a medium sized antelope that are found in areas with reedbeds and tall grasses near water. They are huntable in Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Approximately half of the population of common reedbuck are found in eastern South Africa. Kwazulu-Natal has a good population of these long forward curved horned antelope. Springbok
Springbok are the only gazelle species occurring in southern Africa. They are huntable in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. Springbok favor arid, open plains with grass and low scrub brush. They usually live in small herds, but at times can form gatherings numbering from the hundreds into the thousands. They are known for a patch of hair on their backs that raises when they are alarmed and for their stotting spring-like jumps when alarmed and running. Warthog
The warthog is an African safari favorite. Considered a pest by most farmers, and constantly digging under exterior fences, warthog hunting plays an important part of the modern-day safari. Most of the breakfast sausage that hits the table at breakfast is warthog based. The boars carry some impressive ivory tusks that are treasured by knife handle makers. The warthog is huntable as a trophy in 14 African countries. Waterbuck (Common)
Waterbuck bulls are known for their long heavily ridged forward sweptping horns, the bullseye on their rump and the long shaggy coarse hair that gives off a unique smell. Waterbuck are present in at least 40 African countries. They have been widely reintroduced to game farms in southern Africa. Waterbuck habitat is usually associated with water, although it sometmes encompasses woodlands and grasslands also.