First Hunting Safari to South Africa in June -- What Should be on the Hunt List?

[WIDuckHunter]

I will be taking my first hunting safari to Limpopo province in South Africa in June, with my 16 year old son. Somewhat bought the hunt by "accident" at an SCI banquet last winter. We will be doing 8 days of hunting with Thaba Mmoyo. It is a 1X1 hunt for 2 hunters and includes $2000 of trophy fees each.

So, now the dilemma -- what do we put on the list? Thinking kudu, impala, blesbok and warthog for each of us. I'd probably have to add another $1500-2000 each to the trophy fees, if we each took one of each of those, and I'd probably add some more if necessary. Wondering if anyone has thoughts regarding if we each should be looking at hunting different animals (versus each going for the same thing), other animals we should consider putting on the list, etc.?

Our outfitter is very flexible about trying to put us on what we want to take, but now that I'm getting down to crunch time, I'm starting to question myself about how we should approach the hunt in terms of what we put on our list. This will be the hunt of a lifetime for us, so I'm trying not to screw it up (though I'm guessing if it's as great as I expect it won't be the last one for me (and hopefully my son will be paying for his own the next time)!

 

[Hunter101]

I would check into taking a zebra makes a great rug and Blue wildebeest. These two are icons of Africa. just relax and enjoy taking in all the sounds and sights from birds signing in the morning is one of my favorites

 

[Bruce]

Blue wildebeest for sure... Zebra if you can get it all in the budget.

 

[IvW]

Go for different animals/same on some were preferred(kudu, impala, warthog). Drop the blesbuck, not there natural area, unless they can find you a good one. Rather look at blue wildebeest, bushbuck, duiker, zebra, steinbuck, bushpig.

Also go with a open mind and see what the bush gives you.

 

[Ayaan Jakhura]

It sounds like a good hunt but don’t forget most places where you hunt in South Africa are fenced. If you want to hunt proper free range I would suggest hunting somewhere like zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe or Tanzania. For the Limpopo I would suggest since you are going on your first safari not to shoot any dangerous game unless you are completely confident. I would suggest taking kudu, bushbuck, zebra, wildebeest, zebra, warthog, duiker, impala (for your first shot, as licences aren’t as expensive for them in case you mess up though you probably won’t) and maybe try for an eland.

 

[cpr0312]

Kudu no doubt for both of you. Warthog, zebra, blue wildebeest, and maybe look at bushbuck in that area. Also impala and maybe duiker/steenbok.

 

[johnnyblues]

This will all depend on your pocketbook and personal taste. For ME kudu for sure, zebra, bushbuck and I prefer the black wildebeest over the blue. I would definitely pass on blesbuck. Also Nyala! Beautiful animal.

 

[Therack]

Impala is an African icon, is fun to hunt and doesn’t break the budget. Warthogs are fun and are another inexpensive animal to fill out a hunt. Definitely Kudu for a “high end” animal. You wouldn’t regret either zebra or wildebeest.
Does your son have a “must have animal”?

 

[Shootist43]

When my sons and I went in 2016 with "identical" packages we each gave up one for something different. The agreement ahead of time was that we would get the best of each species mounted. That way we got 9 animals instead of 6.

 

[billc]

First time hunter in the Limpopo area and wanting a fun list to hunt. I would say kudu,bushbuck,blue wildebeest, impala and warthog. If you wanted to mix it up a zebra or nyala. If you have the time maybe good to pick one that you know you want and spend a day or two looking around to see what you may like after seeing them alive in the bush.


Many of list have changed once someone sees animals in the bush for the first time. Have your budget in mind because that may decide what your last few animals maybe in the end.

 

[Daga Boy]

If hunting in the Limpopo bush you need to be flexible as opportunities sometimes present and sometimes it can be very very hard to find what you are after (big kudu and eland bulls for instance often walk alone and can be like ghosts).
That having been said, top trophies/species in that region include Eland, Kudu (iconic) , Nyala, Waterbuck, Bushbuck, Blue Wildebeest, Red Hartebeest, Impala, Sable (usually sold by the inch), Gemsbuck (not common),Giraffe, Zebra, Warthog and Bushpig . On some reserves you can also get hyena (spotted and brown). Also buffalo if you want, but they are pricey (bulls go for around USD 10000.00 in that region). So, as you can see, you have a big menu to choose from.

 

[Daga Boy]

A nice zebra skin makes an excellent trophy. If you don't fancy it whole then you can make a great ottoman out of it.

 

[Av8or]

We are going to mpumalanga province in may. My list is kudu, waterbuck, zebra, blue wildebeest, bushbuck, warthog, impala, and a surprise (or 2).

 

[inkedspot]

Surprises happen. We went for 6 animals and came back with 10. But when your wife who is indulging you decides she would really like a giraffe . . . you get a giraffe!

 

[Mekaniks]

You can drive yourself crazy overthinking this. I suggest you go with one or two priority animals each, and then take whatever Africa gives. Talk to the outfitter about which animals he has available but wait until you get there and start hunting. Things change and you never know what might be around the corner, or over the next hill. Have fun!!!

 

[Rolf_T]

And the outfitter may offer you some very good deals when you’re down there - good to have som extra money available for these opportunities...

 

[WIDuckHunter]

Thanks everyone for all the great thoughts/suggestions. I like the idea of going with one or two priority animals and then take what Africa gives you, so thanks for that Mekaniks! I think we'll put Kudu and warthog on the top of the list (we both seem to agree that those are our top choices), and then make it up from there until I hit my trophy fee pain threshold. Good info from a couple of you on the blesbok as well, I think those will probably come off the list. Thanks, again to all of you!

 

[buffybr]

You can drive yourself crazy overthinking this. I suggest you go with one or two priority animals each, and then take whatever Africa gives. Talk to the outfitter about which animals he has available but wait until you get there and start hunting. Things change and you never know what might be around the corner, or over the next hill. Have fun!!!

^^^^^This^^^^^
Like others have posted, most properties in South Africa have a limited number of species. Your outfitter will tell you what species they have on their property, and may be able to take you to other properties for specific animals. On all of my South African hunts I had a list of animals that I wanted to hunt and we traveled around to properties that had those animals.

Be open to an animal of chance, so if your PH says "that is a really good ____ , you should take him." I didn't do that on my first safari on a Red Hartebeest, and that animal was on the top of my list on my second trip.

On my first hunt I wanted a Kudu, Impala, Waterbuck, and Bushbuck, and also shot a Blue Wildebeest, Gemsbok, and a Blesbok. The two properties that I hunted were about 1 1/2 hours apart.

 

[seattlesetters]

Dad:

Kudu
Impala
Bushbuck
Blue Wildebeest

Son:

Kudu
Impala
Zebra
Warthog

Now, if you’ve got some money to spend.....

Dad:

Kudu
Nyala
Bushbuck
Impala
Duiker

Son:

Kudu
Blue Wildebeest
Zebra
Gemsbok
Steenbok

 

[Nosler guy]

I would be tempted to create slightly different lists for each hunter, that way at the end of the week its like 7 or 8 different hunts and experiences, with 7 or 8 different trophies. Nothing wrong with doubling up either - seems like every first time hunter thinks he needs a kudu - but if you plan on going back, why not switch one kudu, for a waterbuck (trophy fees usually comparable and most of the Limpopo has very good trophy quality and waterbuck is a great hunt for an interesting animal)

I wouldn't be taking two Blesbok, maybe one - for myself they are one of the least impressive trophies and for comparable money there are other options.

Limpopo has good Bushbuck - usually a very challenging hunt. Nyala are interesting and a great hunt - but considerably pricier. Like a lot of other posts mentioned, Blue Wildebeest, Zebra and Red Hartebeest, Impala are all iconic African trophies and fun to hunt without outrageous trophy fees.

It's fun to hunt with a short list - maybe just a couple animals and leave a few openings - once you are there and actually see the critters, something might really tickle your fancy, or hunt by chance and see what comes along.

Most of all, have fun and enjoy the experience - should be a great time