Plains Game Hunting in Africa: A Comprehensive Guide

Hunting in Africa is an unforgettable experience, but success isn’t just about tracking game-it’s about precision. Every hunter should strive for ethical and effective shot placement to ensure a quick, humane kill. A well-placed shot is not just about success-it’s about respect for the wildlife and the conservation efforts that make African game hunting safaris possible.

Are you ready for your next hunting adventure? If you are looking for information about an African plains game hunting safari, then read on to learn all about our African plains game hunting safaris.

Hunt plains game with Super Safaris, South Africa

The vast majority of all hunts in Africa are plains game hunting safaris. Southern Africa has an incredible variety and density of wild game that is unmatched by any other place in the world. This incredibly abundance of game, particularly antelope, makes that part of the world a paradise for hunters.

Plains game refers broadly to antelope species in sub-Saharan Africa. While the name comes from the many antelope that inhabit Africa’s open plains and savannas, some species-like the nyala-are more at home in dense brush. Plains game excludes the ‘Big Five’ and ‘Dangerous Game‘ animals.

The Big Five describes the most spectacular African animals. The big five and a few other animals, such as crocodiles, hyenas, and hippopotamuses, are described or classified as Dangerous Game. Plains Game includes larger species such as Eland, Kudu, Gemsbok, and Wildebeest.

Read also: Uganda Safari Lodge Review

The term “plains game” is an all-encompassing phrase that generally refers to the many species of antelope that inhabit the plains and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. However, basically any species of game that is not considered a member of the Big 5 or another species of dangerous game is generally considered plains game.

Fortunately, an African plains game hunting safari is incredibly reasonably priced. A hunter can go to Africa to hunt 5-6 (or more) species of plains game while staying in very comfortable accommodations at a price comparable to (or less than) a guided elk hunt in the United States.

Plains Game Hunting Packages

For example, our two most popular plains game hunting packages are listed below. Both packages include all costs associated with the hunt, to include the trophy fees for the listed animals, all food, beverages, and accommodations for the duration of the hunt, and airport pickup and drop-off at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. For more information on these packages, and to see the other plains game hunting packages we offer, check out our Africa hunting packages page.

First Timer’s Adventure

  • 8 Days (7 Nights) Accommodation
  • Blue Wildebeest, Blesbok, Impala, & Warthog
  • $5,695 Per Hunter (1×1)
  • $5,420 Per Hunter (2×1)
  • $1,700 per Non-Hunter

Bushveld Adventure

  • 11 Days (10 Nights) Accommodation
  • Kudu, Blue Wildebeest, Impala, & Warthog
  • $9,170 Per Hunter (1×1)
  • $8,700 Per Hunter (2×1)
  • $2,215 Per Non-Hunter

Read also: Unforgettable Safari Experience

As you can see, our plains game hunting safaris are not limited to just wealthy hunters and you can have a high quality hunt for a very reasonable price.

Hunting Areas and Species

Our plains game hunting safaris are conducted in a wide variety of areas. Depending on the animal being hunted and the exact location of the hunt, the hunting areas can range from densely wooded bushveld to wide open grasslands on the highveld.

Below are the different species that we offer on African plains game hunting safaris.

Black Wildebeest

Hunting Areas: Free State Province

Black Wildebeest are very plentiful in grasslands of the highveld on our hunting area in Free State Province and we routinely take some excellent Black Wildebeest trophies each year. Though they are slightly smaller than their cousin, the Blue Wildebeest, they are still very tough and can be quite difficult to bring down.

Read also: Guide to African Game Animals

Blesbok

Hunting Areas: Limpopo & Free State Provinces

Blesbok typically inhabit the grasslands of the highveld and we have a very large population of Blesbok on our hunting area in Free State Province. Because they live in open areas with little cover, shots of 200+ yards are often required when hunting Blesbok.

Blue Wildebeest

Hunting Areas: Limpopo & Free State Provinces

Also known as “the poor man’s buffalo”, Blue Wildebeest are one of the toughest species of plains game. They are also extremely popular among hunters and are a cornerstone of any African plains game hunting safari.

Bushbuck

Hunting Areas: Limpopo Province

The diminutive Bushbuck is the smallest species of spiral-horned antelope in South Africa. They are very shy and elusive animals and can be very difficult to hunt. Even though they are small, they can be very aggressive when wounded and are perhaps the most dangerous species of plains game in Africa.

Bushpig

Hunting Areas: Limpopo & Free State Provinces

The Bushpig is one of the most challenging species of plains game that may be hunted in South Africa. Primarily nocturnal, they must be hunted over a bait from a blind or using hounds to flush them from the areas where they bed down during the day. Either way, they are an incredibly difficult, yet satisfying species to hunt.

Duiker

Hunting Areas: Limpopo Province

Don’t let the Duiker’s small stature fool you: this animal is a worthy adversary in the bush. They are very common, but aren’t easy to hunt because of their skittish nature. Indeed, they got their name from the fact that they appear to “dive” into cover.

Eland

Hunting Areas: Limpopo & Free State Provinces

The Eland is the largest species of antelope in the world. A big bull can weigh as much as 2,200 pounds. That’s even bigger than a Cape Buffalo bull! They are another species of spiral horned antelope that may be hunted in South Africa.

Gemsbok

Hunting Areas: Limpopo & Free State Provinces

Gemsbok are desert animals and do not actually need to drink any water to survive. They get all the water they need from the plants they eat. For this reason, they are also very tolerant of drought conditions.

Impala

Hunting Areas: Limpopo & Free State Provinces

Impala are a very common species of antelope that is found all over Africa. We have outstanding Impala hunting on all of our hunting areas, particularly in Limpopo Province. No African plains game hunting safari is complete without an Impala.

Klipspringer

Hunting Areas: Limpopo Province

Klipspringer translates literally to “cliff jumper”, which is a good description of these small and nimble animals. They inhabit rocky mountainsides, so be prepared to do some climbing if you want to hunt Klipspringer.

Kudu

Hunting Areas: Limpopo & Free State Provinces

Because of their long, beautifully spiraling horns, the Kudu is perhaps the most impressive trophy that can be taken in Africa. For this reason, they are one of the most popular species of plains game. Fortunately, they are relatively common and we have some outstanding Kudu hunting on our hunting areas in Free State and Limpopo Provinces.

Mountain Reedbuck

Hunting Areas: Free State Province

They are challenging to hunt, have a beautiful hide, and taste delicious. We have some outstanding trophy quality Mountain Reedbuck on our hunting area in Free State Province. Consider adding one to your next plains game hunting safari.

Ostrich

Hunting Areas: Limpopo Province

The Ostrich is both the largest and has the fastest land speed of any bird in the world. The Ostrich has extremely tasty meat and makes a very unique trophy.

Nyala

Hunting Areas: Free State & Limpopo Provinces

Nyala are another member of the spiral horned antelope family that may be hunted in South Africa. We hunt these magnificent animals on our hunting areas in Limpopo & Free State Provinces.

Springbok

Hunting Areas: Free State Province

The Springbok is a very common species of plains game and is also the national animal of South Africa. They are plentiful on our hunting area in Free State Province. However, they are typically found on the open grasslands where they are difficult to approach closely. For this reason, longer range shots are usually required when hunting Springbok.

Steenbok

Hunting Areas: Limpopo Province

The Steenbok is another common, yet small and underrated antelope that inhabits the bushveld. Like the Duiker, the Steenbok is another great addition to many plains game hunting safaris and are typically taken by chance when hunting something else.

Tsessebe

Hunting Areas: Free State Province

The Tsessebe is actually the fastest antelope in Africa. Similar in appearance to Red Hartebeest, they are a strange looking animal because their shoulders are higher than their hips.

Warthog

Hunting Areas: Limpopo & Free State Provinces

The Warthog is another one of Africa’s best known species of game. These animals are also extremely popular among hunters and are a cornerstone of any African plains game hunting safari.

Waterbuck

Hunting Areas: Limpopo & Free State Provinces

The Waterbuck is a very underrated species that is often overlooked by hunters in Africa. This is a shame because they are truly a magnificent animal and we have some of the best Waterbuck hunting in all of Africa on our hunting areas.

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