Limpopo versus Karoo Hunting

[Andrew Short]

All,
I have crunched every number more times than I can count, looked at thousands of photos, played out every scenario in my head and spent hours on the phone with outfitters.
I have narrowed down my safari to two outfitters which hunt in drastically different locations.
If anyone has experience in hunting both regions please give me your opinion on this because I’m having the most difficulty deciding.
Thanks!!!

 

[BWH]

What species are you looking or wanting to hunt?

 

[Andrew Short]

What species are you looking or wanting to hunt?

Gemsbok, Kudu, Bushbuck are my target animals with the rest a la carte.

 

[BeeMaa]

@Andrew Short
It also depends on how long your safari is planned for.

We hunted 4 different areas of South Africa on our 10 day safari.
Two were in Free State and the others in Limpopo.
The reason being is that the same animal had a better trophy quality in a different place.
Same price for us, but a better trophy...which is a good thing.

Don't be afraid to hunt multiple lodges on a single hunt with the same outfitter.
My wife and I have a minimum 10-day African safari requirement.
One week would simply not be enough for us.

 

[Andrew Short]

@BeeMaa My safari is 7 days with 2 travel days for a total of 9 days.

We would be traveling to different locations if we hunted the outfitter from the East Cape. It would be Karoo and coastal areas for different species. I like the idea of this as I get to see more country.

 

[cls]

I have had the opportunity to hunt both areas and if you are looking to hunt a large kudu you probably want to hunt Limpopo as they have the greater kudu and the Eastern cape has the cape kudu which are usually smaller in horn size, I managed to shoot both. The bush bucks are also different but tend to be of equal horn length. Not sure on gemsbuck but I did manage to shoot a hog in Limpopo. I enjoyed both areas but the Eastern Cape seemed to offer more varied terrain to hunt. Either way you will come home addicted so you can go back and hunt the other area next time.

 

[Andrew Short]

I have had the opportunity to hunt both areas and if you are looking to hunt a large kudu you probably want to hunt Limpopo as they have the greater kudu and the Eastern cape has the cape kudu which are usually smaller in horn size, I managed to shoot both. The bush bucks are also different but tend to be of equal horn length. Not sure on gemsbuck but I did manage to shoot a hog in Limpopo. I enjoyed both areas but the Eastern Cape seemed to offer more varied terrain to hunt. Either way you will come home addicted so you can go back and hunt the other area next time.

Yes the Cape Kudu and Bushbuck will be the species I hunt in the East Cape. It’s a little more money to hunt the GS in the Limpopo. I really couldn’t care less about shooting a 50+ inch Kudu but do want a quality representative of the species.
I just want tot experience the country and have a great time.

 

[375Fox]

My vote goes to eastern cape, much less development, much less fencing, and larger properties. I liked being able to use binoculars and glass animals at long distance and plan a stalk to get them opposed to bumping into animals in Limpopo at closer ranges in brush and mainly flat land.

 

[Andrew Short]

My vote goes to eastern cape, much less development, much less fencing, and larger properties. I liked being able to use binoculars and glass animals at long distance and plan a stalk to get them opposed to bumping into animals in Limpopo at closer ranges in brush and mainly flat land.

excellent point. Keep it coming guys!

 

[Smitty]

Either way you will come home addicted so you can go back and hunt the other area next time.

Awesome! And so true. I went once and have been planning my second trip since halfway through the first one!

 

[Andrew Short]

Im hunting plains game on this trip but planning for buffalo in 2023!

 

[ActionBob]

Yes the Cape Kudu and Bushbuck will be the species I hunt in the East Cape. It’s a little more money to hunt the GS in the Limpopo. I really couldn’t care less about shooting a 50+ inch Kudu but do want a quality representative of the species.
I just want tot experience the country and have a great time.

From that description, hands down you want to go to the East Cape and the Karoo! Absolutely stunning landscape compared to the predominantly bushveld in Limpopo. Now you can get into some mountains and Limpopo is dear to my heart for many reasons. But I've been to both a couple times. You want to go to the Karroo.

However you must probably take bushbuck off the list or realize you will get that more likely in the wetter regions of the EC like the Cowey. And realize you need both Cape bushbuck and Limpopo bushbuck. Very different looks.

But definitely add springbok, or better yet, several! The Karoo is much better for gemsbok as it's a desert critter. And be ready to take a steenbok. Tell your ph you want one as your likely to see them, cheaper than a good dinner out with your family so eat at home and add it to the list! And jackal. Take at a minimum a really good flashlight, high power spotlighting type, and a Predator mouth call. Go out at night and call. Tons of fun! Free or cheap just let your PH know you will tip him for the extra effort.

 

[Hank2211]

I've hunted both and both are excellent choices. My 2 cents (note I'm speaking in generalities here):

1. The Karoo is, in my opinion, a very special place. Huge landscapes, few trees (although this varies), mountains, and sky which goes on forever. I imagine this must have been a very difficult land to tame when the first settlers arrived. Hunting here is more difficult than it is in the Limpopo, and I have very fond memories of chasing Vaal Rhebok in these mountains. Hunting the Karoo does something for my soul which the Limpopo does not, and I look forward to hunting it again one day.

2. The hunting is easier and I think, "better," in the Limpopo. It's more typical country, with more typical hunting cover. The game ranches support, I believe, a higher density and diversity of game due to better cover, and more abundant food and water. Hunting here can be very enjoyable and the diversity of game will mean you are never at a loss for something interesting to see or take.

An alternative would be to hunt the Karoo and the Eastern Cape towards the coast, where the cover can be very thick, and the views can be as impressive as, but quite different from, the Karoo. I have hunted along the Indian Ocean coast, and, again, the scenery is spectacular. These two areas are much closer together than the Karoo and the Limpopo.

 

[Red Leg]

Did you look at Namibia's central ranch country? Few game fences, and the best native range Kudu and Gemsbok in Africa. Most places in Namibia you also won't be paying by the inch for your kudu.

 

[Cam Moon]

I have enjoyed hunting both the East Cape and Limpopo. From what you said about just wanting a nice representative of the species and enjoying the country and the hunt, I will pretty much guarantee you that you will have a phenomenal time in either area. Go and enjoy yourself and every aspect of your trip. You WILL want to return. And there will be no shortage of animals that will catch your attention and be added to your future aspirations!

 

[Cam Moon]

But definitely add springbok, or better yet, several!

I couldn't agree more! When I hunted the East Cape I hadn't planned on it, but I certainly don't regret it! They can be a VERY fun hunt!!!
(I did a hunt report if you're interested in reading it)

 

[Philip De Bruyn]

Yes the Cape Kudu and Bushbuck will be the species I hunt in the East Cape. It’s a little more money to hunt the GS in the Limpopo. I really couldn’t care less about shooting a 50+ inch Kudu but do want a quality representative of the species.
I just want tot experience the country and have a great time.

If that is what you are looking for there is very few places better than John X Safaris with hunting taking place both in the Eastern Cape and Karoo

 

[Andrew Short]

From that description, hands down you want to go to the East Cape and the Karoo! Absolutely stunning landscape compared to the predominantly bushveld in Limpopo. Now you can get into some mountains and Limpopo is dear to my heart for many reasons. But I've been to both a couple times. You want to go to the Karroo.

However you must probably take bushbuck off the list or realize you will get that more likely in the wetter regions of the EC like the Cowey. And realize you need both Cape bushbuck and Limpopo bushbuck. Very different looks.

But definitely add springbok, or better yet, several! The Karoo is much better for gemsbok as it's a desert critter. And be ready to take a steenbok. Tell your ph you want one as your likely to see them, cheaper than a good dinner out with your family so eat at home and add it to the list! And jackal. Take at a minimum a really good flashlight, high power spotlighting type, and a Predator mouth call. Go out at night and call. Tons of fun! Free or cheap just let your PH know you will tip him for the extra effort.

The East Cape/Karoo is vastly different than than Limpopo landscape. Especially near the coast! I do want both bush bucks and he has sent me several photos of nice bushbucks he has seen/taken.

I also hadn’t considered Steenbok or Springbok but I will ask about that today. I’m open to taking anything to specially animals unique to that area.

I never considered calling predators at all in Africa. Looks like it could he fast and fun!

 

[Andrew Short]

Did you look at Namibia's central ranch country? Few game fences, and the best native range Kudu and Gemsbok in Africa. Most places in Namibia you also won't be paying by the inch for your kudu.

Ive never looked at hunting Namibia but I will check it out. I’ve looked at RSA exclusively for my first hunt.

 

[Andrew Short]

I've hunted both and both are excellent choices. My 2 cents (note I'm speaking in generalities here):

1. The Karoo is, in my opinion, a very special place. Huge landscapes, few trees (although this varies), mountains, and sky which goes on forever. I imagine this must have been a very difficult land to tame when the first settlers arrived. Hunting here is more difficult than it is in the Limpopo, and I have very fond memories of chasing Vaal Rhebok in these mountains. Hunting the Karoo does something for my soul which the Limpopo does not, and I look forward to hunting it again one day.

2. The hunting is easier and I think, "better," in the Limpopo. It's more typical country, with more typical hunting cover. The game ranches support, I believe, a higher density and diversity of game due to better cover, and more abundant food and water. Hunting here can be very enjoyable and the diversity of game will mean you are never at a loss for something interesting to see or take.

An alternative would be to hunt the Karoo and the Eastern Cape towards the coast, where the cover can be very thick, and the views can be as impressive as, but quite different from, the Karoo. I have hunted along the Indian Ocean coast, and, again, the scenery is spectacular. These two areas are much closer together than the Karoo and the Limpopo.

The way he has explained it to me is we will hunt the Karoo for a few days and then go to the coast for the remainder of the hunt.
The scenery is absolutely gorgeous in both places but not what my mental picture of “Africa” is. The Limpopo seems to be close to what I imagine Africa to be like.
I agree that the game may come easier in the Limpopo.