Planning My first African plains game hunt

[robgab53au]

Hi everyone
Hope you can help me plan my first ever hunt to Africa.
I'm looking to Hunt in Namibia and south Africa as a second opinion.
I'm looking to Hunt the medium to large species of antelope.
I'm looking at 2026 for the hunt so have heaps of time to plan and save.
I forgot to add that I'm from Australia so any hunters from the land down under that has information specific to Australia would be wonderful.
I will be using my own rifle also which I'm going to acquire so any suggestions On calibre would be helpful.
I do have some thoughts on this but I'm interested in what other people think also
Thank you in advance for all your assistance
Robert

 

[dchum]

Sounds great! SA and Namibia are both awesome places by the looks of it.
I hunted in Namibia for the first time and it was great hunting for me.

Based on what you said you will take “the medium to large antelopes”
I would not be so selective as many experienced African hunters will say the same.

Warthog, duiker, steenbok and many other very cool critters such Caracal cats, Dik Dik in Namibia, blue duiker in SA. These are all great trophy’s and if your PH says wow look at that - Then you should listen.

I think most people would have a better first experience if it was a more open minded hunt!

That my 2 cents! Do as your heart desires but think about it!

With all that said you came to the right place and there are so many great people that offer help here. Many great outfitters too! Have fun

 

[Ryan]

In the beginning....

I'm sure everyone will throw something in. Sounds like you're after the basic first time plains game hunt I'd guess the majority of us do. Mine was to Namibia, 5 species that turned into 7. Smallest was warthog, largest aside from the less than normal giraffe was kudu. I still know my first outfitter, owners of their own "farm" they hunt on and can pass along info if interested PM me. Very personable and reasonable. Anyway, the next up in my books is of course South Africa. Lots of great outfitters here. Marius with @KMG Hunting Safaris would be my suggestion there without batting an eye.

As for rifle caliber. Well, the shortest answer is what are you comfortable shooting well. When I got serious, looking and talking every place I chatted with at sportsmans shows said something along the lines of "Do you have a 308 (or) 30-06, bring it." They want accuracy not over the top firepower. My 30-06 did the trick without issue. The bread and butter 30 cals with 165 or 180 grain monometal bullets like Barnes TTSX, or a good 180 gr bonded bullet will do all what you need to do with little fan fare. You can go lighter into 270 or 7mms and heavier into the 300 Win Mag, 338, 350 or even 375s if you like and own them. But do not get one because you think you need it.

 

[EXECUTIVE HUNT AFRICA]

Good day, Robert!
You're now entering the best part of your hunt, the planning!
If you need any info on hunting in South Africa, please feel welcome to contact me. I'll send you a PM.
Best regards!
Johan

 

[McKenzie Sims]

Nothing matches a first safari from the planning and preparation to the first morning as the sun rises. You only get one first so soak it all in. You would love Namibia such a great country. I’ve been fortunate to do two safaris there, and enjoyed both very much.

I’m not a super big ballistics nut as many people are these days for me if you’re looking to do medium to large size game you couldn’t go wrong with a 300-caliber rifle whether that’s win mag or H&H. I have used a 300 for a variety of plains game over the years but have primarily taken my 7mm rem mag on a majority of plains game safaris and have yet to have any issue with that as well.



Look forward to following along on the planning stages of your hunt.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

30-06 is the answer. This one has been killing things since WWII.

 

[DIVAN SAFARIS]

Hi everyone
Hope you can help me plan my first ever hunt to Africa.
I'm looking to Hunt in Namibia and south Africa as a second opinion.
I'm looking to Hunt the medium to large species of antelope.
I'm looking at 2026 for the hunt so have heaps of time to plan and save.
I forgot to add that I'm from Australia so any hunters from the land down under that has information specific to Australia would be wonderful.
I will be using my own rifle also which I'm going to acquire so any suggestions On calibre would be helpful.
I do have some thoughts on this but I'm interested in what other people think also
Thank you in advance for all your assistance
Robert

Good day Robert

Trust you are doing well.

We are a family operation based in central Namibia and hunt on more than 50 000 acres. We operate in both plains game and dangerous all over Namibia and can help you.

It is our goal to offer the best fair chase, bespoke and personalized hunting experience and never commercialized. Your hunt your camp.
I have a good friend in Australia you more than welcome to contact as reference.

Please have a look at my website www.divansafaris.com or WhatsApp +264 81 365 0211
Email huntingdivan@gmail.com

Yours truly.

 

[robgab53au]

Sounds great! SA and Namibia are both awesome places by the looks of it.
I hunted in Namibia for the first time and it was great hunting for me.

Based on what you said you will take “the medium to large antelopes”
I would not be so selective as many experienced African hunters will say the same.

Warthog, duiker, steenbok and many other very cool critters such Caracal cats, Dik Dik in Namibia, blue duiker in SA. These are all great trophy’s and if your PH says wow look at that - Then you should listen.

I think most people would have a better first experience if it was a more open minded hunt!

That my 2 cents! Do as your heart desires but think about it!

With all that said you came to the right place and there are so many great people that offer help here. Many great outfitters too! Have fun

You are correct in what you say and as planning continues I'll have a min list of animals that I want to hunt and have fund's put aside to take extra
Thank you

 

[robgab53au]

In the beginning....

I'm sure everyone will throw something in. Sounds like you're after the basic first time plains game hunt I'd guess the majority of us do. Mine was to Namibia, 5 species that turned into 7. Smallest was warthog, largest aside from the less than normal giraffe was kudu. I still know my first outfitter, owners of their own "farm" they hunt on and can pass along info if interested PM me. Very personable and reasonable. Anyway, the next up in my books is of course South Africa. Lots of great outfitters here. Marius with @KMG Hunting Safaris would be my suggestion there without batting an eye.

As for rifle caliber. Well, the shortest answer is what are you comfortable shooting well. When I got serious, looking and talking every place I chatted with at sportsmans shows said something along the lines of "Do you have a 308 (or) 30-06, bring it." They want accuracy not over the top firepower. My 30-06 did the trick without issue. The bread and butter 30 cals with 165 or 180 grain monometal bullets like Barnes TTSX, or a good 180 gr bonded bullet will do all what you need to do with little fan fare. You can go lighter into 270 or 7mms and heavier into the 300 Win Mag, 338, 350 or even 375s if you like and own them. But do not get one because you think you need it.

30 06 was first On the list as a around calibre that I can use Here in Australia and overseas for most non dangerous game.
Why I said that I'm buying a new rifle is that I was living in New Zealand for nearly 20 years and had to sell my firearms before I moved back to Australia.
My other choice is the 9.3x62 as a Just because I've always wanted one and was born to Hunt Africa lol

 

[robgab53au]

30-06 is the answer. This one has been killing things since WWII.
View attachment 622916

Love your pic and I agree with the 3006

 

[robgab53au]

Just another question
Would you recommend a game ranch or free range as a first safari
I'm open to both as long as the game isn't planted so to speak which ive read can happen
Thank you

 

[DERIAN KOEKEMOER SAFARIS]

Hi everyone
Hope you can help me plan my first ever hunt to Africa.
I'm looking to Hunt in Namibia and south Africa as a second opinion.
I'm looking to Hunt the medium to large species of antelope.
I'm looking at 2026 for the hunt so have heaps of time to plan and save.
I forgot to add that I'm from Australia so any hunters from the land down under that has information specific to Australia would be wonderful.
I will be using my own rifle also which I'm going to acquire so any suggestions On calibre would be helpful.
I do have some thoughts on this but I'm interested in what other people think also
Thank you in advance for all your assistance
Robert

Good morning mr Robert.
I would be able to assist you in South Africa.
I have a group of Australian clients coming in next week, so I would be happy to put you in contact with them as well.

Will send you a private message.
Regards
Derian

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Just another question
Would you recommend a game ranch or free range as a first safari
I'm open to both as long as the game isn't planted so to speak which ive read can happen
Thank you

They are called farms over there. Smallest acreage I have hunted was 3600 to cull a cow buffalo. I really wasn't excited about it but my lodge owner very much wanted me to do the job and price was ridiculous cheap so what the heck. Turned out to be very exciting. I made a good shot (actually a long shot) and the herd bull charged three times. Then he went after the truck when it came out to load up the carcass. I shot several animals on one farm of 167K acres and I'd estimate only a third of it was accessible. As a rule most PHs/owners don't want hunting in inaccessible areas. Risks losing meat to spoilage. The meat is processed for market.

I have spent a lifetime hunting free roaming big game on public land in North America and the animals I hunted on farms in South Africa were just as wild. Some species perhaps less so. Sable for instance. But over here you can experience that with mule deer too. I think it is more important to find an outfitter or property owner who does not allow shooting from the vehicle. That can really ruin the hunting. Animals take off running even if they hear the sound of a vehicle in the distance.

You may experience places where the management desires a certain ram or bull (or, as above, even a cow) harvested. This can actually be quite challenging. Last time I was tasked with shooting a particular cow buffalo with a green tag in her left ear. Getting a shot at that one animal in a herd of 40+ in thick cover was indeed challenging. Three days and only once close enough for a running shot but a calf was in the way. Oh well. It was fun hunting them. On the same property where I shot the above impala the objective was to cull a fantastic old bull waterbuck. New bulls with new genes had been introduced and this old boy needed to be removed as he was starting to breed his own progeny. We hunted two days but never could find that particular bull. In the meantime I took a fine impala and a very respectable rogue common springbuck ram the manager wanted removed because he was breeding for the black variety springbuck. We spent an entire day chasing after that ram. Finally lucked out and spotted him as we were leaving in the truck. He bolted but the herd held back and the ram stopped just long enough for me to get out, run to a knoll, and shoot him from sitting position. Just over two hundred yards. I should add that because it was the end of the season and these animals still needed to be harvested, the lodge owner was able to work some good deals with the owners.

You will find hunting farms very rewarding. It always amazes me how guys who park their butt in a blind to shoot bears over bait or out of tree with dogs on this side of the pond will look down their nose at stalking game on a RSA farm. Also, you'll usually get to meet the property owners. Wonderful people. Often I'm treated to lunch at the house or a beer after the hunt when paperwork is settled up. I think I enjoy that as much as the hunt ... and I'm usually not a particularly sociable type.

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

Welcome welcome welcome

Any info you may require feel free to ask

 

[Elkeater]

Welcome to AH! And good luck planning your first safari. We went this year for our first time and will absolutely be going back. We hunted Limpopo, South Africa which was certainly a wonderful experience.

My advice would be look at what animals you think you want to take and then look for an area and outfitter that can help you take those species. No sense trying to find a cape kudu in Namibia as a very obvious example. The the fun part is once get there don’t worry too terribly much about sticking to your list. We added multiple species on our safari including common duiker, Nyala, steenbok, and blesbok.

For the record we shot everything from steenbok to kudu with a .308 Winchester loaded with 180gr partitions.

 

[Doug3006]

I don’t think you can go wrong with any reputable Namibian outfitter. Several of the best are members of this forum. If you have a 30 caliber rifle that shoots well, bring it. If you’re planning on hunting Eland, then you might consider taking something larger. A 338 Winchester Magnum or 375 H&H would be perfect on the Eland, and of course would handle anything else you might chase. Good luck!

 

[Philip Glass]

Hi everyone
Hope you can help me plan my first ever hunt to Africa.
I'm looking to Hunt in Namibia and south Africa as a second opinion.
I'm looking to Hunt the medium to large species of antelope.
I'm looking at 2026 for the hunt so have heaps of time to plan and save.
I forgot to add that I'm from Australia so any hunters from the land down under that has information specific to Australia would be wonderful.
I will be using my own rifle also which I'm going to acquire so any suggestions On calibre would be helpful.
I do have some thoughts on this but I'm interested in what other people think also
Thank you in advance for all your assistance
Robert

It will be fun to plan for sure and you will get some good advice here on AH. I would plan on a 7mm Mag or .300 to have all the bases covered for a great safari. I have some Safari planning videos here and on YouTube to help you make the most of your first safari.

 

[chashardy]

Since you are planning 2 years in advance, you might want to consider coming to the US in 2025 for the Dallas Safari Club Convention--which will be held in Atlanta next year due to reconstruction of the Dallas venue. You would be able to interview dozens of outfitters from South Africa and Namibia. I've hunted both countries. I highly recommend Quagga Safaris in the Limpopo area of South Africa. I've hunted with them 4 times and they have a great lodge and food, 57000 acres of hunting reserve and some of the best plains game in Africa. Check out their website.
As for rifle, I have used a Mode70 300 winmag on plains game from steinbok up to eland. It's all you need for any antelope.
Good luck!