Nyala or Kudu - Which is your favourite?

[Drenalin33]

I was lucky enough to take both Kudu and Nyala while I was in South Africa July of 2008. I had no intention of shooting a Nyala until I seen one and then I had to have one. I think they are one of the most beautiful looking animals in Africa.

 

[buffybr]

To me a nyala is simply a shaggy beast with orange legs.

Oh, Bill, no, no, no, no, no.

With shades of browns, black, white, and orange legs, and trimmed with long hair on the top of his back and the front of his neck, and his lyre shaped curling black horns, the Nyala is the most beautiful antelope in Africa.

I too have been fortunate enough to shoot a Southern Greater Kudu in the Limpopo and a Cape Kudu in the Eastern Cape, several Gemsbok, 3 species of Bushbuck, and a Cape Eland (I really like spiral horned antelope!), but my favorite antelope is the Nyala that I shot in Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Kudu are very majestic with their long spiral horns much like a big 6 point Bull Elk here at home. And Gemsbok are very impressive with their black and white face and their long knobby black horns.

Sable are definitely a beautiful and regal antelope. I have seen Sable in South Africa and Zimbabwe, but I have not shot a Sable yet.. It is at the top of my wish list for my next African hunt, and when that happens, I might change my mind and consider it the most beautiful African antelope.

 

[billrquimby]

Buffybr:

I've also taken kudus, gemboks, three subspecies of bushbucks, an eland and an nyala, along with all of the other large antelopes of southern Africa. I'm not a gambler, but if I were I would bet that you will agree when you walk up to your first bull sable that it is by far the most beautiful of all the continent's antelopes.

Bill Quimby

 

[buffybr]

Buffybr:

I've also taken kudus, gemboks, three subspecies of bushbucks, an eland and an nyala, along with all of the other large antelopes of southern Africa. I'm not a gambler, but if I were I would bet that you will agree when you walk up to your first bull sable that it is by far the most beautiful of all the continent's antelopes.

Bill Quimby

Bill, I hope that someday I can prove you right.raying:

 

[Karamojo Bill]

Grand slam

How about a spiral horn grand slam!:tongue:

 

[1/2 slam]

I've shot 1 Kudu and 1 Nyala. I'm going back for both again. If it could only be 1 it would be Nyala. In my opinion they are beautiful.

 

[LouisB]

Has to be Kudu for me!

 

[Bluefin]

For the thrill of the hunt - Nyala
For the beauty - Kudu

I love hunting. I love the thrill of the chase and the more difficult the better (which is why my first love is anything in the mountains).
My limited African experience has been that once Kudu were found it was nothing to get on them. But with Nyala, you better have some good running shoes.

 

[Cleathorn]

This thread has been very interesting. I will be hunting in southern Zimbabwe where they have a good population of Nyala. It was originally offerred to me as part of the hunt and I did not give it much attention, being focused on the DG on the license.

But after seeing this discussion (I already knew both were magnificent looking) I have added Nyala to my lisy and hopefully bushbuck as well. I simply added 4 days to my safari for some PG hunting (the Nyala & Bushbuck).

I have not taken either so I am very excited and to answr the question, given the chioce of only 1, I took the nyala.

On a different day in a different place I will pursue Kudu as well. I am waiting until my children get older and I can take them to Africa with me, in which case I will probably hunt in Namibia and target Kudu, Gemsbuck and Mountain Zebra - and let the kids start their big game hunting with targets of opprotunity that present them with very good shooting positions.

 

[Arild Iversen]

Jerome, that "dance" was absolutly beautiful!

I got my Nyala in Limpopo, but the stalking was as demanding as I could hope for.
Not that big, but he gave me a challenging day in the bushveldt that I will remember for ever.

The Kudu is also a most regal animal, both to watch and to stalk

So far Nyala and Bushbuck, Eland and Kudu to go for the four spiralhorns

 

[ctulpa]

Spiral Horn Antelpes!!!!

There are a lot of Spiral Horned animals to hunt!! And it can take a lifetime! Every one of them are beautiful animals and to take them is a great accomplishment!

Does anyone here have the all???


For SCI, here is the current list of Spiral Horned Antelopes in Africa:

ELIGIBLE CATEGORIES
Central African giant eland
Cape eland
Livingstone eland
East African eland

Western bongo
Kenya bongo (closed)

Southern greater kudu
Eastern Cape greater kudu
East African greater kudu
Abyssinian greater kudu
Western greater kudu
Lesser kudu

Mountain nyala
Common nyala

Zambezi sitatunga
Forest sitatunga
East African sitatunga
Sesse Islands sitatunga

Harnessed bushbuck
Nile bushbuck
Abyssinian bushbuck
Menelik bushbuck
East African bushbuck
Chobe bushbuck
Limpopo bushbuck
Cape bushbuck

 

[enysse]

For you antelope addicts out there, I thought I'd move it to the front of the forum.

 

[seattlesetters]

I have no African experience so can only go on what I've seen in pictures and in taxidermy mounts and on what I've read of hunting these animals.

Both are in my top five to hunt, but I'd have to say both nyala and bushbuck are just a bit higher up on my wish list than kudu. While I do love the big, regal bearing of the kudu, I prefer the coloring and beauty of the two smaller antelope as well as consider them both worthy trophies in their own right, as each could be the centerpiece of a magnificent safari for anyone.

I also like the fact their is some inherent danger in hunting bushbuck.

 

[sestoppelman]

Have taken 3 kudu and one nyala. Nyala are the more exotic looking especially the hide, mane and different colors. Kudu have the more impressive horns but its a close call, would have to say Nyala is a bit more desirable as they are not nearly as widespread as kudu.

 

[Nyati]

That s a hard choice you are proposing, to me they are definitely the most beautiful antelopes.

 

[chemarq]

I confess i am in love with old kudu bulls...
Those spiral horns makes me crazy !!!

 

[sestoppelman]

Agree with you Jose, The spirals are the best. I think the nyala is the prettiest of all of them, especially with its unique coloring on the legs, its stripes, spots and mane etc. Took one in RSA, not big, but gives incentive to do it again. Taken 3 kudu bulls, last my best size wise, but my smallest is the best looking. Bushbuck also very nice. Would love to hunt bongo someday.

 

[Diamondhitch]

I have not taken any yet but woud like to take them all. Nyala is #1 on my hunt this june followed closely by bushbuck. Kudu will be another safari or may be taken if a big bull is sighted by chance.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Ses, Diamond and Jose the Nyala is on the top of my list too.
I see those full body mounts and want to find room for it somewhere. I just showed the picture to my wife and she said "I wonder what they taste like?"
I hope to give her the chance to find out in July.

 

[sestoppelman]

Brickburn, Like most African game, nyala are great table fare! Gemsbuck may be my favorite. Kudu steaks off an open fire is hard to beat.