NORTHERN CAPE SPECIES
PLAINS GAME
HUNTING PLAINS GAME IN NORTHERN CAPE
Hunting plains game in the Northern Cape offers a thrilling adventure in one of South Africa’s most remote and untamed landscapes. This vast region is home to a diverse range of species, including gemsbok, springbok, eland, and red hartebeest, each providing a unique challenge for hunters. With its mix of open plains, rolling dunes, and rugged koppies, the Northern Cape is ideal for spot-and-stalk hunting, demanding skill and patience. Whether tracking a herd of springbok across the vast Karoo or pursuing a majestic gemsbok through the red sands of the Kalahari, hunters can expect an unforgettable safari in this wild and unspoiled terrain.
Known as the “Grey Ghost of Africa,” the kudu is one of the most sought-after plains game species. It is famous for its majestic spiral horns, excellent camouflage, and elusive nature. With a graceful build and a grayish-brown coat marked by white stripes, the kudu thrives in Limpopo’s bushveld. It is a challenging hunt due to its keen senses and ability to disappear silently into dense cover.
KUDU
TRAGELAPHUS STREPSICEROS
Often called the “poor man’s buffalo,” the wildebeest is a tough and resilient antelope known for its stocky build, shaggy mane, and distinctive curved horns. With a dark grayish-brown coat and faint vertical stripes, this hardy species thrives in the open plains and arid savannahs of the Northern Cape. Wildebeest are notorious for their stamina and ability to absorb well-placed shots, making them a challenging and rewarding hunt. Their unpredictable nature and strong herding instincts add to the excitement, ensuring a true test of skill for any hunter.
WILDEBEEST
Connochaetes
One of the most abundant and popular plains game species in Limpopo, the impala is a graceful, medium-sized antelope with a reddish-brown coat, white underbelly, and distinctive black markings on its tail and legs. The males have lyre-shaped horns, making them a prized trophy. Known for their agility and speed, impalas are a challenging hunt, often found in herds across savannahs and woodlands.
IMPALA
AEPYCEROS MELAMPUS
A distinctive and iconic plains game species, the zebra is known for its black-and-white striped coat, which provides excellent camouflage in the bush. Strong and resilient, zebras are highly alert and difficult to stalk, often found in herds on open plains and grasslands. Their tough hide and durable build make them a challenging and rewarding hunt, with their unique pelts being highly prized as trophies.
ZEBRA
EQUUS QUAGGA
A large and robust antelope known for its shaggy coat and distinctive white ring around its rump. Typically found near water sources, waterbucks rely on these areas for survival. Males have impressive, forward-curving horns, making them a sought-after trophy. Their thick, oily hide produces a strong scent, which acts as a natural predator deterrent. Waterbuck are alert and challenging to hunt due to their wariness and preference for dense cover.
WATERBUCK
KOBUS ELLIPSIPRYMNUS
The largest antelope species, eland are known for their impressive size, thick necks, and spiral horns. Despite their bulk, they are surprisingly agile and can jump great heights. Their tan-colored coat often darkens with age, and mature bulls develop a prominent dewlap and tuft of hair on their foreheads. Eland are highly elusive and cautious, making them a challenging but rewarding hunt. Their meat is considered among the best of all game species.
ELAND
TAUROTRAGUS ORYX
A medium-sized antelope native to South Africa’s open grasslands, the blesbuck is easily recognized by its distinctive white blaze on its face and reddish-brown coat. Both males and females have strong, ridged horns. Blesbuck are social animals, often found in large herds, and they rely on their keen eyesight and speed to evade predators. Their tendency to run in circles when startled makes for a unique and exciting hunt.
BLESBUCK
DAMALISCUS PYGARUS PHILLIPSI
A strikingly beautiful antelope with a unique blend of dark brown and white markings, the nyala is known for its elegant appearance. Males have spiral horns and a pronounced mane, while females are hornless and more slender. Preferring dense bush and woodlands, nyalas are elusive and often remain in thick cover, making them a challenging and rewarding hunt. Their distinctive markings and graceful nature make them a prized trophy for hunters.
NYALA
TRAGELAPHUS ANGASII
A distinctive and hardy wild pig, the warthog is easily recognized by its large, curved tusks and prominent facial “warts”, which are actually thickened skin. Found in open savannahs and grasslands, warthogs are known for their speed and agility, often running in a straight line when startled. Their combative nature and ability to dig for food make them a tough and exciting hunt, especially due to their keen senses and tendency to seek refuge in burrows when threatened.
WARTHOG
PHACOCHOERUS
A rugged and surefooted mountain dweller, the Barbary sheep is known for its impressive curved horns and thick, flowing mane. Native to arid, rocky regions, these hardy animals are built for steep and unforgiving terrain. Their keen eyesight, agility, and natural camouflage make them a challenging quarry, as they can quickly disappear into the cliffs and crags. Highly adaptable and resilient, Barbary sheep require patience and skill to hunt, offering a rewarding pursuit for those seeking a true test of marksmanship and endurance.
BARBARY SHEEP
Ammotragus lervia
A striking and graceful antelope, the bontebok is known for its sleek, dark brown coat contrasted by a distinctive white blaze on its face. Once on the brink of extinction, this species has made a remarkable recovery and now thrives in South Africa’s grasslands and fynbos regions. Highly alert and fast, bontebok are challenging to hunt, relying on their keen eyesight and speed to evade predators. Their strong herding instinct and preference for open terrain make them a unique and rewarding quarry for hunters seeking a true test of skill and patience.
BONTEBOK
Damaliscus pygargus
A small and elusive antelope, the grey duiker is known for its compact build and subtle grey-brown coat. Typically found in woodlands and scrublands, they rely on dense vegetation for cover. Males have short, sharp horns, making them a modest but valued trophy. Their solitary nature and keen instincts help them evade predators with ease. Grey duikers are swift and challenging to hunt due to their alertness and preference for thick brush.
GREY DUIKER
Sylvicapra grimmia
A powerful and resilient antelope, the gemsbok is known for its striking horns, bold markings, and ability to thrive in harsh environments. Found in arid deserts and open plains, they are built for endurance and can go long periods without water. With keen awareness and formidable speed, they are challenging to pursue and will aggressively defend themselves when threatened. Highly sought after for their impressive horns and striking hides, they are one of Africa’s most prized plains game species.
GEMSBUCK
ORYX GAZELLA
A towering and graceful mammal, the giraffe is known for its long neck and distinctive patchy coat. Typically found in savannas and open woodlands, they rely on acacia trees for food. Males have robust ossicones, which they use in dominance battles. Their height and keen eyesight help them detect predators from a distance. Giraffes are cautious and challenging to hunt due to their vigilance and ability to flee across vast terrain.
GIRAFFE
Giraffa
One of Africa’s most formidable and dangerous game species, the Cape buffalo is known for its massive build, thick horns, and aggressive temperament. Often seen in large herds, buffaloes are highly intelligent and unpredictable, making them a challenging and thrilling hunt. Their horns form a continuous “boss” across their foreheads, a key identifying feature. Revered as part of Africa’s Big Five, the Cape buffalo is a prized trophy, known for its strength and resilience in the wild.
CAPE BUFFALO
SYNCERUS CAFFER
A striking and powerful antelope, the red hartebeest is known for its slender body, long legs, and distinctive backward-curving horns. Typically found in open savannas and grasslands, they rely on speed and stamina to escape predators. Males have impressive, arching horns, making them a prized trophy. Their sharp eyesight and agility help them detect threats from a distance. Red hartebeests are alert and challenging to hunt due to their wariness and ability to cover vast distances quickly.
RED HARTEBEEST
Alcelaphus buselaphus caama
A large and powerful antelope, the roan is known for its reddish-brown coat and striking facial markings. Typically found in open woodlands and savannas, they thrive in areas with tall grass for cover. Males boast impressive, backward-curving horns, making them a prized trophy. Highly territorial and aggressive when threatened, they are known to stand their ground against predators. Roan are elusive and challenging to hunt due to their keen senses and preference for remote habitats.
ROAN
HIPPOTRAGUS EQUINUS
A medium-sized antelope, the common reedbuck is known for its sleek coat and the distinctive white markings on its rump. Typically found in tall grasslands and near water sources, they rely on these areas for both food and shelter. Males have slender, gently curved horns, making them a modest yet prized trophy. Their keen senses and ability to blend into their grassy surroundings help protect them from predators. Reedbucks are wary and challenging to hunt due to their agility and preference for dense, grassy cover.
COMMON REEDBUCK
Redunca arundinum
A striking and powerful antelope, the sable is known for its glossy black coat and bold white facial markings. Typically found in woodlands and savannas, they favor areas with tall grass and water sources. Males possess majestic, backward-curving horns, making them a highly prized trophy. Their muscular build and aggressive nature allow them to defend against predators when cornered. Sable are elusive and challenging to hunt due to their keen senses and preference for dense cover.
SABLE
HIPPOTRAGUS NIGER
A small but elusive antelope, the steenbok is known for its sleek build, sharp senses, and agility. Found in open plains and bushveld, they rely on keen eyesight and speed to evade predators. Despite their delicate appearance, they are resilient and require little water to survive. Highly regarded as a prized trophy, they test the skill and patience of hunters pursuing Africa’s smaller, more elusive game.
STEENBUCK
RAPHICERUS CAMPESTRIS
A fast and agile antelope, the tsessebe is known for its slender body, sleek coat, and striking facial markings. Typically found in open savannas and grasslands, they rely on their speed to outrun predators. Males have sharp, lyre-shaped horns, making them a prized trophy. Their keen eyesight and alertness help them detect danger from a distance. Tsessebe are challenging to hunt due to their swift movements and preference for wide, open spaces where they can quickly flee from threats.
TSSESEBE
Damaliscus lunatus lunatus
A striking and resilient antelope, the scimitar oryx is known for its pale, sandy coat and dramatic, curved horns. Adapted to arid desert environments, this species thrives in open plains and dry scrublands. Both males and females boast impressive, sweeping horns, making them a highly sought-after trophy. Their endurance and ability to survive harsh conditions make them a symbol of strength and adaptability. Scimitar oryx are alert and fast, relying on their keen senses and speed to evade predators, making them a challenging and rewarding hunt in open terrain.
SCIMTAR ORYX
Oryx dammah
A graceful and agile antelope, the lechwe is known for its rich reddish-brown coat and striking white underbelly. Typically found in wetlands and floodplains, they thrive in areas with abundant water sources and tall grasses. Males possess long, slender horns that curve backward, making them a sought-after trophy. Their strong, muscular build and impressive stamina allow them to navigate swampy terrain with ease, evading predators. Lechwe are elusive and challenging to hunt, relying on their speed and agility in the water to stay one step ahead of danger.
LECHWE
Kobus leche
A lively and agile antelope, the springbok is known for its striking golden-brown coat and distinctive white belly, which contrasts beautifully with its dark, slender legs. Found predominantly in the open plains and grasslands of southern Africa, they thrive in areas with ample vegetation and seasonal rains. Males sport graceful, curved horns, making them a prized trophy for hunters. Known for their impressive speed and remarkable ability to leap high into the air, springbok are challenging to hunt due to their keen eyesight and quick reflexes, making them a thrilling and rewarding target in the wild.
SPRINGBUCK
Antidorcas marsupialis