FACTS

NAME: BLACK WILDEBEEST / WHITE TAILED GNU
SCIENTIFIC NAME: CONNOCHAETES GNOU
WEIGHT MALE: 180 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 155 KG
SHOULDER HEIGHT MALE: 120 CM
SHOULDER HEIGHT FEMALE: 108 CM
MATING SEASON: MARCH / APRIL MAY DIFFER FROM AREA TO AREA

Weights & shoulder heights are averages

At first glance, hunting black wildebeest may seem rather easy, as on the open plains where he is often found, he will be relatively easy to locate. However, closing the distance on him may be an entirely different matter; his excellent senses and herd instinct make hunting black wildebeest quite a challenge. This member of the antelope family is an ox-like animal with unusual horns, a beard, and hair on his nose. He is dark brown in colour with a horse-like tail, which is almost pure white. As such, he is sometimes referred to as the white-tailed gnu.

These strange looking “beasts” occur naturally only in South Africa. With both sexes carrying horns, it sometimes takes quite a bit of patience to distinguish the bulls from the cows. Hunting black wildebeest is most likely best pursued during the morning or late afternoon while the herd is grazing. During cool weather, they will graze anytime, but when it is warm, they tend to rest during the hottest part of the day.

Caution is the “watch word” when hunting black wildebeest, as he can be very aggressive when mating, disturbed, or wounded. This ‘clown of the plains’, as he is often referred to, will often be seen trotting in circles and chasing other members of the herd.

FACTS

NAME: BLESBOK
SCIENTIFIC: DAMALISCUS DORCAS PHILLIPSI
WEIGHT MALE: 70 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 61 KG
SHOULDER HEIGHT MALE: 95 CM
SHOULDER HEIGHT FEMALE: 95 CM
MATING SEASON: APRIL / MAY

Weights & shoulder heights are averages

The blesbok lives on the open plains of the South African highveld. Primarily grazers, they form herds consisting of females (ewes) and juveniles, while the males (rams) tend to be solitary. The neck and top of the back is brown, darker on the flanks with a white belly. A small white blaze on the forehead and a larger blaze below is usually divided between the eyes. With both sexes carrying horns, care must be taken when hunting blesbok to ensure that you take the animal of choice. The best time for hunting blesbok is while they are grazing in the morning or late afternoon. Like many other species, they tend to lay-up during the hottest part of the afternoon.

Hunting blesbok on the plains of the Free State can be challenging, as your shots may need to be quite long. The blesbok shares a common behavioral characteristic with his cousin the Bontebok – that of standing together with heads facing toward the sun and faces low to the ground. He sometimes shakes his head violently, stamps and runs in a complete circle only to resume his original place. As available water is essential to this specie, hunting blesbok near  water holes can prove productive.

This once near-extinct antelope has been reintroduced on the game farms of Southern Africa and boasts a population somewhere in the hundreds of thousands.

FACTS

NAME: BLUE WILDEBEEST
SCIENTIFIC NAME: CONNOCHAETES TAURINUS
WEIGHT MALE: 250 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 180 KG
SHOULDER HEIGHT MALE: 150 CM
SHOULDER HEIGHT FEMALE: 135 CM
MATING SEASON: MARCH, APRIL & MAY

Weights & shoulder heights are averages

Hunting blue wildebeest, or the brindled gnu, as he is also known, can be most exciting. This large, bearded antelope, native to the acacia savanna and short grass plains is often referred to as the ‘poor man’s’ buffalo. His numbers have dwindled somewhat in many of his old habitats, but he is as plentiful as ever on the Serengeti ecosystem where his numbers may well exceed one million. The game ranches of Southern Africa maintain managed populations of this ‘beest’, which offer wonderful opportunities for hunting blue wildebeest. As both sexes carry horns and are of similar body size and color, sorting out the bulls from the cows can sometimes be difficult. Look for heavier muscled individuals with thicker horn bases and more droop.

Older bulls will usually appear darker in color with wider stripes. Mature bulls can weigh as much as 600 pounds. On the open plains, the wildebeest is easy to locate from a distance, however, hunting blue wildebeest in the bushveld is quite another story. In the bush, he can be elusive and shy; a good technique is to walk slowly into a suspected resting area or across the wind glancing well ahead for movement. This is one tough antelope.

FACTS

NAME: CAPE BUFFALO
SCIENTIFIC NAME: SYNCERUS CAFFER
WEIGHT MALE: 800 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 750 KG
SHOULDER HEIGHT MALE: 140 CM
SHOULDER HEIGHT FEMALE: 132 CM
MATING SEASON: APRIL, MAY

Weights & shoulder heights are averages

The Cape Buffalo is considered by some to be the most dangerous of all of the Big Five. While he seems docile enough when viewed undisturbed in the herd, when agitated or wounded this bovine can be extremely aggressive, vindictive, and cunning. Found all over Southern Africa in herds of various sizes, the buffalo can weigh up to 1800 pounds. He is primarily a grazer but an occasional browser who must drink every day. They favor the thick bushveld during the day, leisurely moving and grazing as they go. At night they tend to herd up to protect the young from their archenemy, the lion. Both sexes carry horns, however, the horns of a bull can be quite spectacular in spread, with a deep curl and a solid boss covering the forehead. Cows lack the boss, but can have a very wide spread; in fact, the wƒorld record buffalo on file in the Roland Ward record book is a cow with a spread of some 62 inches.

FACTS

NAME: BUSHBUCK
SCIENTIFIC NAME: TRAGELAPHUS SCRIPTUS
WEIGHT MALE: 42 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 28 KG
SHOULDER HEIGHT MALE: 79 CM
SHOULDER HEIGHT FEMALE: 69 CM
MATING SEASON: APRIL, MAY

Weights & shoulder heights are averages

The bushbuck is the smallest member of the spiral-horned antelope. He is medium-sized and dark reddish-brown with white spots on the rump, against the legs, at the base of the neck, and just below the throat. Hunting the bushbuck can be a real challenge, as he is shy and extremely elusive. For the most part solitary, he prefers riverine forest and dense thickets always near a water source, as he must drink on a daily basis. Primarily a browser, he feeds during the night or early morning and late afternoon on leaves, grass, branches, flowers and fruit.

Weighing in at between 80 to 140 pounds, only the males carry horns and mature bucks are considerably larger and usually darker in color than the female of the species. When spooked, his alarm signal is a loud, hoarse, dog-like bark.

FACTS

NAME: BUSHPIG
SCIENTIFIC NAME: POTAMOCHOEUS PORCUS
WEIGHT MALE: 62 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 60 KG
SHOULDER HEIGHT MALE: 76 CM
SHOULDER HEIGHT FEMALE: 65 CM
MATING SEASON: THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Weights & shoulder heights are averages

The bushpig is the African equivalent of the European wild boar. He also bears similarities to the feral hogs common in many areas of the US. While he tends to be somewhat smaller than both his European or North American counterparts, he shares the same nasty disposition and aggressive behavior common to most wild members of the swine family. The bushpig is an extremely hairy animal which resembles the domestic hog. His color varies from grey-brown to dark brown which becomes even darker as he ages.

His sharp tusks are relatively short as compared to his cousin the warthog, and he lacks the facial warts. In addition, his snout is much more narrow and his ears more pointed. Males tend to be slightly larger than females and they reside in groups of 6 to 12 with a dominant male and female and several other females and juveniles.

FACTS

NAME: AFRICAN CIVET
SCIENTIFIC NAME: CIVETTICTIS CIVETTA
WEIGHT MALE: 18 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 12 KG
SHOULDER HEIGHT MALE: 40 CM
SHOULDER HEIGHT FEMALE: 35 CM
MATING SEASON: MAY /JUNE

The African civet is the largest representative of the African Viverridae.
They are primarily nocturnal and spend the day sleeping in dense vegetation. During the night, when they are the most active, they can be found in a wide variety of habitat consisting of thick forest to open country.The African civet is a solitary mammal that is easily recognizable by its unique coloration; the black and white stripes and blotches covering the coarse pelage of the animal are extremely variable and allow it to be cryptic. The black bands surrounding the African civet’s eyes closely resemble those of the raccoon. Other distinguishing features of the African civet are its disproportionately large hindquarters and its erectile dorsal crest.
The African civet is an omnivorous generalist, taking small vertebrates, invertebrates, eggs, carrion, and vegetable matter. It is capable of taking on poisonous invertebrates and snakes. Prey is primarily detected by smell and sound rather than by sight.

The African civet has long, curved, semi-retractile claws. Its feet are compact and unsuitable for digging or climbing and the soles of the feet are hairless. African Civets have a modified synapsid skull which is heavy-built and is the longest of any viverrid. Like many mammals, the African civet has two types of fur – under fur and guard hairs. The pelage of the African civet is coarse and wiry. The coatis unique to each individual, just like a human fingerprint.

Mating occurs in the warm and wet summer months from August to January. This time is favored because of the large populations of insects. Females create a nest which is normally in dense vegetation and commonly in a hole dug by another animal.

FACTS

NAME: COMMON DUIKER / GREY DUIKER
SCIENTIFIC NAME: SYLVICAPRA GRIMMIA
WEIGHT MALE: 18.7 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 20.7 KG
SHOULDER HEIGHT MALE: 50 CM
SHOULDER HEIGHT FEMALE: 52 CM
MATING SEASON: THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Weights & shoulder heights are averages

The grey duiker may be a medium-sized duiker, still much smaller than most of the other antelope species. You can think of him as modified for life in the savanna woodlands. His legs are longer and better developed, while his back is less rounded than the forest duikers. Unlike most of the other duikers, only the male carries horns, which stand fairly upright. The name ‘duiker’ is derived from the Dutch ‘duik’, meaning, ‘to dive’, descriptive of their low, scooting style of running. The duiker is mostly a browser, and most active during the late afternoon and early evening. A solitary antelope, he will most often be encountered alone.

This member of the pygmy antelope clan can survive in close proximity to man. He is independent of water as is able to get sufficient moisture from browsing. When hunting duiker, trophy evaluation can be difficult, as most often only fleeting glances will be offered. Horn tips level with the top of the ears are about 4 inches in length; if the horns extend beyond the ear tips by an inch or more, you are looking at a fairly high scoring trophy. Hunting Duiker can be extremely difficult; this mini-antelope has extremely refined senses, small size, camouflaged coloring, and a habit of staying in or close to the long grass and thick brush.

FACTS

NAME: ELAND
SCIENTIFIC NAME: TAUROTRAGUS ORYX
WEIGHT MALE: 700 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 460 KG
SHOULDER HEIGHT MALE: 1.7 M
SHOULDER HEIGHT FEMALE: 1.5 M
MATING SEASON: THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Weights & shoulder heights are averages

The Cape eland is Southern Africa’s largest antelope. He can weigh in at over 2 000 pounds. The largest of the spiral-horned antelope, this ox-like bovid develops the thick neck, hump, and dewlap characteristics of the Brahma bull. Color is grayish-brown with older males developing a bluish-gray around the neck. Some specimens exhibit faint, vertical stripes down the flanks. Both bulls and cows carry horns, the bull’s horns being noticeably shorter but heavier. Hunting eland can be a challenge, as he tends to be a bit nervous, taking flight at the first sign of danger. The eland is typically found in herds of 8 to 12 animals however, very large herds are not uncommon. He prefers the open woodlands and the scrubby flat veld where he grazes during the day.

For his size, he is a remarkable jumper, easily clearing obstacles in excess of 6 or 7 feet.

FACTS

NAME: GEMSBOK
SCIENTIFIC NAME: ORYX GAZELLA
WEIGHT MALE: 240 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 210 KG
SHOULDER HEIGHT MALE: 1.2 M
SHOULDER HEIGHT FEMALE: 1.1 M
MATING SEASON: THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Weights & shoulder heights are averages

The giant oryx or Gemsbok, as he is more commonly known, is a magnificent animal. He inhabits the open country and can survive in the harshest of conditions. A native of the Kalahari, he can go without surface water for months, absorbing moisture from what he eats. A social herd animal, he is primarily a grazer but will occasionally browse if necessary.

Extremely aggressive and very dangerous when injured, cornered, or threatened, both sexes carry very long spear-like horns. The female (cow) of the specie tends to be slightly smaller in body. However her horns, though more slender, are most often longer than those of the male (bull). The cow’s horns tend to curve slightly backward, while the bull’s horns are thicker and straighter. In assessing the trophy, remember that the cow’s horns tend to be longer and will often out-score the bull.

FACTS

NAME: GIRAFFE
SCIENTIFIC NAME: GIRAFFA CAMELOPORDALIS
WEIGHT MALE: 1200 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 800 KG
SHOULDER HEIGHT MALE: 5 M
SHOULDER HEIGHT FEMALE: 4.5 M
MATING SEASON: THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Weights & shoulder heights are averages

The giraffe is the largest ruminant and the tallest mammal on the planet. This tall ‘drink of water’ can top out at nearly 18 feet in the largest of males. Horns are of solid bone and carried by both cows and bulls; they are skin-covered, tufted and thin on the female and thick and bald on top for the male. This stately beast inhabits a variety of plant habitats, from the dry woodlands to the fairly dense low shrubveld. Always present will be the thorn trees on which he feeds throughout the year. The giraffe is neither water dependent nor territorial and tends to avoid the very dense bush. He feeds on a 6-foot band of browse, not accessible to all other animals except the elephant. Browsing mainly during the day, they never lie flat on the ground and rarely sleep.

These gentle giants are docile by nature, but will defend themselves if attacked using their front feet. Man and lion are their only real predators and, due to shear size, the lion risks being kicked to death if he chooses to attack. When hunting giraffe, the approach can be very difficult due the terrain in which they are found. This animal has exceptionally keen eyesight, acute hearing, and a very cautious disposition – all of this, combined with his height, definitely give the advantage to him and not the hunter.

FACTS

NAME: HONEY BADGER
SCIENTIFIC NAME: MELLIVORA CAPENSIS
WEIGHT MALE: 14 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 8 KG
SHOULDER HEIGHT MALE: 26 CM
SHOULDER HEIGHT FEMALE: 20CM
MATING SEASON: APRIL/MAY

The Honey badger or ratel is a tenacious small carnivore that has a reputation for being, pound for pound, Africa’s most fearless animal despite its small size. It is even listed as the “most fearless animal in the world” in the Guinness Book of Records.

Despite its name, the honey badger does not closely resemble other badger species; instead, it bears more anatomical similarities to weasels. It is primarily a carnivorous species and has few natural predators because of its thick skin and ferocious defensive abilities.
The honey badger has a fairly long body, but is distinctly thick-set and broad across the back. Its skin is remarkably loose, and allows it to turn and twist freely within it. The honey badger has short and sturdy legs, with five toes on each foot. The feet are armed with very strong claws, which are short on the hind legs and remarkably long on the forelimbs.

Although mostly solitary, honey badgers may hunt together in pairs.Honey badgers live alone in self-dug holes. They are skilled diggers, able to dig tunnels into hard ground in 10 minutes. These burrows usually only have one passage and a nesting chamber.
Honey badgers are intelligent animals and are one of a few species known to be capable of using tools.

honey badgers are notorious for their strength, ferocity and toughness. They have been known to savagely and fearlessly attack almost any kind of animal when escape is impossible, reportedly even repelling much larger predators such as lions. Bee stings, porcupine quills, and animal bites rarely penetrate their skin.
The honey badger has the least specialised diet of the weasel family. Honey badgers favor bee honey, and will often search for beehives to get it, which earns them their name. They are also carnivorous and will eat insects, frogs, tortoises, rodents, turtles, lizards, snakes, eggs, and birds. Honey badgers have even been known to chase away young lions and take their kills. They will eat fruit and vegetables such as berries, roots and bulbs.They kill and eat snakes, even highly venomous or large ones such ascobras.They devour all parts of their prey, including skin, hair, feathers, flesh and bones, holding their food down with their forepaws.

FACTS

NAME: BROWN HYENA
SCIENTIFIC NAME: HYAENA BRUNNEA
WEIGHT MALE: 42 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 38 KG
SHOULDER HEIGHT MALE: 80 CM
SHOULDER HEIGHT FEMALE: 70 CM
MATING SEASON: MAY – AUGUST

Unlike the larger spotted hyena, there are no sizable differences between the sexes,though males may be slightly larger than the females.
The coat is long and shaggy, particularly on the tail and back.The general fur color is dark brown, while the head is gray, the upper body tawny and the legs grey with dark horizontal stripes.
Brown hyenas have powerful jaws: young animals can crack the leg bones of springboks within five minutes of birth, though this ability deteriorates with age as their teeth gradually wear.

Brown hyenas have social hierarchy comparable to those of wolves, with an alpha male and alpha female. They are social animals that may live in clans consisting of one adult of each gender and associated young, though there are reports of clans composed of four males and six females. It is thought that in the latter situation, there is at least one dominant male. Brown hyenas maintain a stable clan hierarchy through ritualized aggressive displays and mock fights. They typically forage alone, and do not maintain a territory, instead using common hunting paths. Emigration is common in brown hyena clans, particularly among young males, which will join other groups upon reaching adulthood.

Female brown hyenas are polyestrous and typically produce their first litter when they are two years old. Female brown hyenas mate with nomadic males or the dominant male member of their own clan. Clan males display no resistance, and will assist the females in raising their cubs. Females give birth in dens, which are hidden in remote sand dunes far from the territories of spotted hyenas and lions. Mothers generally produce one litter every 20 months. Usually, only the dominant female breeds, but if two litters are born in the same clan, the mothers will nurse each other’s cubs, though favoring their own. Litters usually consist of 1-5 cubs.

Brown hyenas are primarily scavengers, the bulk of their diet consisting of carcasses killed by larger predators, though they may supplement their diet with rodents, insects, eggs, fruit and fungi. However, brown hyenas are aggressive scavengers, frequently appropriating the kills of black-backed jackals, cheetahs, and leopards, including adult male leopards.Single brown hyenas will charge leopards at kills with jaws held wide open and have treed adult male leopards; sometimes, brown hyenas have been observed treeing leopards even when no kill was in contention. Brown hyenas will cache excess food in shrubs or holes and recover it within 24 hours. Brown hyenas are poor hunters, and live prey makes up only a small proportion of their diet.

FACTS

NAME: IMPALA
SCIENTIFIC NAME: AEPYCEROS MELAMPUS
WEIGHT MALE: 50 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 40 KG
SHOULDER HEIGHT MALE: 90 C M
SHOULDER HEIGHT FEMALE: 80 CM
MATING SEASON: APRIL / MAY

Weights & shoulder heights are averages

Hunting impala is on the agenda for just about every hunter who sets foot on the ‘dark continent’. The rooibok (red buck), as he is known in Afrikaans, is the bread and butter antelope of Southern Africa. He is commonly used for camp meat, bait for leopard, and just to ‘cut the teeth’ of the new African hunter. This graceful, medium-sized antelope is a sociable herd animal that frequents open woodlands, the bushveld, and the mopane scrub. Both a browser and a grazer, he will never venture far from water, as he must drink daily. The lyre-shaped horns are only carried by the rams, but the herd’s propensity to bunch together in the dense brush can make it easy to make a mistake.

Hunting impala is best accomplished in the autumn rut when the best rams are usually found within the breeding herds. Be aware of the rooibok’s keen sense of hearing and smell, not to mention his superb eyesight which all account for the need to make cautious and calculated stalks if you intend to “close the deal” on this quarry. A couple more tips regarding hunting Impala: he is most active during the cooler times of the day (early morning and later in the afternoon). Consider an ambush near known feeding areas. Exercise great caution when hunting impala, as when alarmed, they will tend to herd tightly together, making it easy to shoot more that one with a single shot. A sub-species, the black-faced impala is easily identified by the black blaze on the nose and face and can be found mostly in the northern reaches of Namibia and Angola.

FACTS

NAME: KLIPSPRINGER
SCIENTIFIC NAME: OREOTRAGUS OREOTRAGUS
WEIGHT MALE: 10-18 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 8-12 KG
SHOULDER HEIGHT MALE: 58 CM
SHOULDER HEIGHT FEMALE: 50CM
MATING SEASON: SEPT – JAN

The short coat is made of hollow, brittle hairs that range in colour from gray, brown, and yellow to olive green, giving the coat a grizzled appearance.  The belly and insides of the ears are white.  The ears have a conspicuous black border.  The nose is black, as are the large preorbital glands.  The body is sturdy and the hindquarters are overdeveloped.  The hooves look like vertical cylinders.  The horns, found in males (and sometimes females in east African), are wide-set on the forehead and rise vertically as short spikes.  Ridged at the base, they grow up to 15 cm / 6 inches long

The Klipspringer is mainly active during the early morning and late afternoon, resting during the hottest part of the day among rocks or beneath overhangs.  Their remarkable agility among the steep rocks of native kopjes can be attributed to a set of unique feet.  The klipspringer stands on the very tips of its almost circular hooves, each with the diameter of about a dime.  The strong back legs can project the klipspringer up a smooth wall, and they can jump onto a projection the size of a silver dollar with all four feet.  Pairs have exclusive territories of 8-49 hectares in size, which they defend fiercely, and rarely leave.  Both sexes are involved in marking with their preorbital glands.  A sentinel, or watcher, is posted at all times within the group, and this animal is responsible for the safety of the group.  When alarmed, the sentinel emits a shrill whistle to alert the other animals, at which they head for cover.

Klipspringers are herbivores, eating plants growing in mountainous habitats and rocky terrain. They never need to drink, since the succulents they consume provide them with enough water to survive.

Klipspringers form breeding pairs rather than herds. The pairs mate for life and will spend most of their lives in close proximity to each other. When one klipspringer is eating, the other will assume lookout duty, helping to keep the pair aware of any predators.

FACTS

NAME: KUDU
SCIENTIFIC NAME: TRAGELAPHUS STREPSICEROS
WEIGHT MALE: 227 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 157 KG
SHOULDER HEIGHT MALE: 1.4 M
SHOULDER HEIGHT FEMALE: 1.25 M
MATING SEASON: APRIL / MAY

Weights & shoulder heights are averages

Hunting kudu remains on top of the list for just about every hunter who comes to Africa. He is probably second only to the impala as Africa’s most sought-after plains game trophy. The kudu is a big antelope with a stately bearing. He is strikingly beautiful, with long spiral horns that set him apart from all other of the antelope species. The ‘grey ghost’, as he has been nicknamed, sports a coat of pale-grey to brownish-grey with white vertical stripes down the flank. He has a distinctive white chevron marking between his eyes, which set off the very long spiral horns carried only by the bulls. Kudu cows look very similar to the males and, while they lack horns, their ears are quite prominent and beautiful. Both sexes display white beneath the tail and have a conspicuous hump on the shoulder. Hunting kudu is best accomplished in the bushveld, where leaves, fresh sprouts, seedpods, and fresh grass are abundant.

The kudu tends to browse in the early morning and late afternoon, usually resting during the heat of the day. Like many of the antelope species, this majestic giant tends to form family groups of 6 to 12 individuals; mostly cows and calves, with the bulls only joining the herd during mating season. The bulls form bachelor herds or become solitary. This is a graceful animal in flight and extremely athletic; he can jump remarkably high for his size. In spite of those long horns, the bulls can travel at great speeds through the bush by laying their horns low along their backs. Hunting Kudu can be extremely challenging, as the ‘ghost’ is very sly and extremely elusive with exceptional senses. Look for spoor around pans and water holes as he drinks regularly and will never be far from water. Because the depth of the curl of individual bulls’ horns can vary so much, trophy assessment can be difficult.

Horn lengths in the low 50’s are fairly common; 55 inches and over can be considered a really good trophy; and 60 inches and over is exceptional.

FACTS

NAME: LEOPARD
SCIENTIFIC NAME: PANTHERA PARDUS
WEIGHT MALE: 60 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 32 KG
SHOULDER HEIGHT MALE: 60 CM
SHOULDER HEIGHT FEMALE: 60 CM
MATING SEASON: THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Weights & shoulder heights are averages

The leopard is the smallest of the Big Five, but do not underestimate this cat! He can be most dangerous when wounded and is probably the animal most likely to charge. This feline is a shy, solitary, nocturnal animal, widely distributed across the African continent. The leopard can live without water by extracting it from his prey, however, he will drink regularly if water is available. The mature ‘Tom’ weighs between 120 and 180 pounds with individuals sometimes pushing the 200 mark. Females range from 70 to 130 pounds and generally appear more slender in stature. Mature animals can consume about 20 percent of their body weight in a single feeding. They carry their prey up into the trees to protect it from the larger predators. It is amazing to watch them carry prey weighing easily as much as their own weight into the tree tops.

They feed on virtually all meat sources, including scavenged rotten meat. Impala is often considered their favorite meal. This cat is strongly territorial and a ruthless killer. The leopard has exceptional eyesight and hearing. Give this member of the Big Five the utmost respect if you are forced to track a wounded cat into the bush; he is a master of stealth and camouflage and can come for you seemingly from nowhere. Life expectancy is about 12 to 15 years.

FACTS

NAME: LION
SCIENTIFIC NAME: PANTHERA LEO
WEIGHT MALE: 220 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 160 KG
SHOULDER HEIGHT MALE: 1.2 M
SHOULDER HEIGHT FEMALE: 1 M
MATING SEASON: THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Weights & shoulder heights are averages

The African lion may not live up to his erroneous reputation as ‘King of the Jungle’, but he is without question the King of all African predators! While in many circles, the buffalo is considered the most dangerous of African game, the ion is probably the best known, most respected, and feared member of the Big Five. He is the largest of the African cats, weighing in at between 400 and 500 pounds. He stands nearly 4 feet at the shoulder and measures about 10 feet from muzzle to tail. The

lioness is somewhat smaller in stature, but what she lacks in size she makes up for in ‘mean’. The lioness is often much more aggressive than the male of the specie, and she does most of the hunting. A lioness with cubs can be extremely dangerous. Mature lions exhibit little fear of man, and can be especially bold during the hours of darkness. They have exceptional night vision and possess very large talon-like retractable claws, which they use to hold prey while biting down on the throat to suffocate their quarry. These large felines prey on virtually all of Africa’s species.

The lion is the only member of the cat family to live in social groups called prides. The pride consists of a matriarch, several of her sisters, their cubs, and a dominant male. These large cats have very large appetites and can consume up to 25 percent of their own body weight in a single feeding. Only the males have manes, which develop between 2 to 3 years of age. Some males remain maneless, but their size and muscle structure distinguish them from the females.

Both the lion and lioness can make for extremely exciting hunts. This member of the Big Five deserves your utmost respect. He is extremely nimble and fast, able to cover 100 yards in 3 to 4 seconds. Unpredictable as a house cat and extremely vindictive, he will finish what he starts and is well-equipped to make short work of a man. An ambush predator, if he is hurt and he knows what has hurt him, he will be intent on doing something about it!

FACTS

NAME: MOUNTAIN REEDBUCK
SCIENTIFIC NAME: REDUNCA FULVORUFULA
WEIGHT MALE: 30 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 28 KG
SHOULDER HEIGHT MALE: 75 CM
SHOULDER HEIGHT FEMALE: 73 CM
MATING SEASON: THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Weights & shoulder heights are averages

As his name implies, the medium-sized antelope is found in mountainous areas, on dry rocky slopes and hills where sufficient grass and shelter is readily available. The mountain reedbuck will usually avoid open areas and peaks, staying close to the rocks, trees, and scrub which he uses for cover. If you are interested in hunting mountain reedbuck, expect to do a bit of climbing. The ewes tend to be smaller than the rams and carry no horns.

The mountain reedbuck’s horns tend to be shorter than those of the common reedbuck, but still exhibit the characteristics curve forward at the tips. Just about any set that exceeds the ear lengths will constitute a good trophy. This mountain dweller lives in herds of 3 to 6 animals usually consisting of females and juveniles. The rams form bachelor herds or are often encountered alone; they join the herd only to mate. These guys are wary, but often inquisitive – a trait that the hunter can use to his advantage.

They graze and drink early in the morning and during late afternoon or even at night, usually resting in the shady spaces of their habitat during midday.

FACTS

NAME: NYALA
SCIENTIFIC NAME: TRAGELAPHUS ANGASII
WEIGHT MALE: 108 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 62 KG
SHOULDER HEIGHT MALE: 112 CM
SHOULDER HEIGHT FEMALE: 97 CM
MATING SEASON: THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Weights & shoulder heights are averages

This elegant, slender member of the spiral horned tribe is native to Zululand. His name translates in the Zulu language to “shifty one”, descriptive of his elusive nature. An interesting note here: the nyala marks the dividing line between the large and smaller species of antelope. While the sexes are distinguished as bulls and cows for the larger species and the smaller varieties use the terms ram and ewe, the Nyala male is referred to as a bull while the female is called a ewe. Closely related to the bushbuck, the nyala bull is significantly larger and has a characteristic white chevron between the eyes, a white mane, yellow socks and hanging body hair. The female is a very prominent orange-brown color with white strips on the flanks.

Only the males carry the lyre-shaped spiral horns, which are often set off with ivory tips. The nyala frequents the thickets of the dense woodlands where cover is good and ventures onto the plains only when the grass sprouts. Water dependent, the nyala drinks daily. This majestic antelope forms temporary herds of various structures, i.e. family herds, female herds, bachelor herds etc. They tend to graze during the cool hours and even at night, resting during the heat of the day.

FACTS

NAME: OSTRICH
SCIENTIFIC NAME: STRUTHIO CAMELUS
WEIGHT MALE: 155 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 145 KG
SHOULDER HEIGHT MALE: 1.7 M
SHOULDER HEIGHT FEMALE: 1.73 CM
MATING SEASON: THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Weights & shoulder heights are averages

The ostrich is the planet’s largest living bird. He is flightless and characterized by soft, drooping feathers. Found widespread over much of southern Africa, he has only two toes, a very long neck and very long legs. His neck and head are covered with fine bristles, while his legs are bare. Males are black in color, accented with white on the wings and tail. The female is predominantly grey. Eggs are laid on the ground and parental care is the duty of both sexes. Because of his black color, the male takes his turn at night.

This “Big Bird” inhabits the bushveld, as well as the more arid desert areas, and occurs in flocks of 30 to 40 individuals when not breeding. Very large concentrations have been sighted at water holes in the desert regions. Males perform elaborate courtship ‘dances’ when breeding. The ostrich tends to dine on grass, berries and seeds, newly sprouted plants, small reptiles and insects. Hunting ostrich is pursued largely for the hide and meat. The hide of the ostrich is widely used as an exotic leather, very popular in western boots and belts. The meat of the ostrich is taken mostly from the upper legs and the neck and is considered extremely delicious by some.

FACTS

NAME: PORCUPINE
SCIENTIFIC NAME: HYSTRIX AFRICAEAUSTRALIS
WEIGHT MALE: 19 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 14KG
LENGTH: 80 CM
MATING SEASON: THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Porcupines are rodents with a coat of sharp spines, or quills, that defend them from predators. Porcupines are the third largest of the rodents.The common porcupine is an herbivore. It eats leaves, herbs, twigs and green plants like clover and in the winter it may eat bark.The African porcupine is not a climber and forages on the ground. It is mostly nocturnal, but will sometimes forage for food in the day.
A male porcupine urinates on a female porcupine prior to mating, spraying the urine at high velocity.

Porcupines’ quills, or spines, take on various forms, depending on the species, but all are modified hairs coated with thick plates of keratin, and they are embedded in the skin musculature.
Quills are released by contact with them, or they may drop out when the porcupine shakes its body. New quills grow to replace lost ones. From ancient times, it was believed that porcupines could throw their quills at an enemy, but this has long been refuted.

FACTS

NAME: RED HARTEBEEST
SCIENTIFIC NAME: ALCELAPHUS BUSELAHPUS
WEIGHT MALE: 150 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 1115 KG
SHOULDER HEIGHT MALE: 1.37 M
SHOULDER HEIGHT FEMALE: 1.20 M
MATING SEASON: MARCH/APRIL

FACTS

NAME: ROAN ANTELOPE
SCIENTIFIC NAME: HIPPOTRAGUS EQUINUS
WEIGHT MALE: 280 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 250 KG
SHOULDER HEIGHT MALE: 1.4 M
SHOULDER HEIGHT FEMALE: 1.3 M
MATING SEASON: THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Weights & shoulder heights are averages

This fairly large antelope is indigenous to the more northern reaches of Southern Africa. However, game ranching has made him available in many place where he was he not previously found. The “roan” in his name refers to his coloring, which shows a strawberry tint when the light is right. The black and white pattern on his face may remind you of the gemsbok and thus his Afrikaans name: bastergemsbok (bastard gemsbok). In reality, this magnificent and regal antelope is more reminiscent of the sable (in this hunter’s opinion). This rather large member of the ‘horse antelope clan’ is surpassed in size only by the eland, and is much more graceful than that lumbering old ox-like creature. Both bulls and cows carry horns, those of the female being more slender and somewhat shorter.

Find the roan in small herds of 5 to 12 individuals. Larger herds, however, are not uncommon. The herd is quite stable, with associations lasting years. Dominant bulls defend the cows from the attentions of any bulls challenging their right to the herd. These challenges are met with high intensity horn clashing, as well as pushing and shoving from a kneeling position. While these contests can appear to be in earnest, serious injury rarely results and the bout terminates when one or the other yields. These are very powerful and dangerous animals and some contests can end in a fatality if neither bull chooses to yield. When hunting roan antelope, the hunter can be subjected to serious injury if he gets too close to the backward sweep of the roan’s powerful horns.

Predominantly grazers, the roan prefers savanna with wide, open grassy areas where they tend to scatter and feed. When grass becomes scarce, they revert readily to browsing, a habit not shared by their cousin the sable. They thus seem to stay in better shape than the sable during hard times. Normally water dependent, unlike his brother gemsbok, he will most likely be found near a water source.

FACTS

NAME: SABLE ANTELOPE
SCIENTIFIC NAME: HIPPOTRAGUS NIGER
WEIGHT MALE: 235 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 210 KG
SHOULDER HEIGHT MALE: 1.35 M
SHOULDER HEIGHT FEMALE: 1.25 M
MATING SEASON: THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Weights & shoulder heights are averages

The sable antelope is another of the Hippotragus (horse) tribe antelope. As is the case of the roan, his Afrikaans name (Swartwitpens) meaning black white belly, is rather undignified when applied to this most regal and strikingly beautiful animal. The sable really stands out in his home on the plains, especially during winter when the veld takes on its beige mantle. The name ‘sable’ is indicative of this beast’s color. Only the bulls display the shiny black coat, while the female of the species and young display a dark reddish brown. Belly and facial markings are of pure white in vivid contrast to the rest of his body. A bit smaller and more slender than his brother the roan, he is none the less one of the most majestic of the antelope species.

Both sexes carry horns. The horns of the sable bull are exceptional and the longest of any African antelope, excepting the kudu. Dependant on water, they prefer open and sparse woodland area in close proximity to the grasslands. Normally living in herds of up to 30, larger herds are not uncommon. Like the roan, sable bulls can be very territorial and the challenging interloper is in for a serious encounter if he does not retreat. Combat is usually done kneeling with rapid sweeps of their sharp and powerful horns, which can sometimes result in the death of one of the combatants. Hunters, too, must give this guy a wide berth, as the sable can be very aggressive and will not hesitate to charge if wounded, cornered, or simply feels threatened. Hunting sable is best during the early morning hours and late afternoon when he grazes in or near the open grasslands. A daily drinker, ambush the approaches to water. When hunting sable in the herd, look for the bull to be somewhere on the periphery. The sable bull is a proud animal and appears to remain aloof; this rather cocky attitude makes him not all that difficult to approach.

FACTS

NAME: SPRINGBOK
SCIENTIFIC NAME: ANTIDORCAS MARSUPIALIS
WEIGHT MALE: 41 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 37 KG
SHOULDER HEIGHT MALE: 75 CM
SHOULDER HEIGHT FEMALE: 75 CM
MATING SEASON: THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Weights & shoulder heights are averages

The springbok is probably the only true gazelle found in the sub-region of Southern Africa. Some maintain that the impala is also a gazelle, but most put him in a clan all by himself. These beautiful little antelope inhabit the more western reaches of Southern Africa. Once their numbers were in the millions, however, today they are confined mostly to the game reserves and game ranches. Both the males and females of this unmistakable little gazelle carry horns, the ewe’s horns being somewhat shorter and more slender.

The national animal of South Africa, his name means “jump buck”, an accurate description of his pogo-stick style of jumping when alarmed. This social herd animal is at home on dry, semi-desert, open grasslands, including the Kalahari. He is both a grazer and a browser and not dependant on water, although he will drink daily if water is available. When hunting springbok, trophy evaluation can be very difficult; as mentioned, both rams and ewes carry horns, and herds can be very large and thus hard to approach with all those eyes and ears trained on the hunter. Because of his phenomenal eyesight and his natural paranoia with regard to being approached, if you try to walk and stalk this little antelope, be prepared to do some crawling while hunting springbok.

FACTS

NAME: STEENBOK
SCIENTIFIC NAME: RAPHICERUS CAMPESTRIS
WEIGHT MALE: 7 – 16 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 5 – 10 KG
SHOULDER HEIGHT MALE: 45–60CM
SHOULDER HEIGHT FEMALE: 35- 50CM
MATING SEASON: THOUGHOUT THE YEAR 

Steenbok are petite antelope, with long legs and an upright stance. The coat is a light golden-brown color, although there is some variation among individuals with some being quite reddish and others more gray. The undersides are white. Steenbok have few distinctive markings: the large eyes are ringed by a fine circle of white hairs, and there is a slender black triangle which starts at the nose and tapers upwards. The ears are extremely large. The horns, found only in males, are straight, sharp, and very upright. They will grow 7-19 cm long.

Steenbok tend to be most active during the day, although when temperatures peak at midday they may seek refuge in shade. This species appears to live in monogamous pairs which share a territory some 4-100 hectares in size – however, the two animals are usually found apart and only come together to breed. The territory is marked by both sexes by using dung heaps. When threatened, steenbok will hide by lying on the ground and freezing in order to avoid the danger. If the threat continues to approach, they will rocket away for a short distance and then try to hide again. Aardvark burrows may be used as refuges.

Solitary, although a stable pair (which meets up solely for breeding) shares one territory.

Diet: Mostly leaves from shrubs and trees, but also fruits and grasses.

Main Predators: All major predators, including wild cats (both large and small) and pythons. Infants may be hunted by smaller predators such as jackals, raptors, monitor lizards, and baboons.

Steenbok are found in open grassland with light tree cover across most of southern Africa. Another population lives in the stonier acacia grasslands of east Africa.

FACTS

NAME: WARTHOG
SCIENTIFIC: PHACOCHOERUS AETHIOPICUS
WEIGHT MALE: 100 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 70 KG
SHOULDER HEIGHT MALE: 70 CM
SHOULDER HEIGHT FEMALE: 60 CM
MATING SEASON: APRIL/ MAY

Weights & shoulder heights are averages

The warthog is a rather common member of the wild pig clan. A distant cousin of the European boar, he is a popular trophy with many safari clients. He favors open ground, grasslands, water holes and pans, and will often be seen in the open woodlands. He especially likes to graze on the newly sprouted grass of a burned out area. The name comes from the wart-like protrusions on his face; two on the female and four on the male. Tusks vary in size, but can become very long on the female and often curve high over the snout. The constant meshing of the upper and lower tusks against each other keep them razor sharp, making the warthog a dangerous adversary.

They live most often in deserted antbear dens which they dig out with their hoofs and clear out with their shovel-like snouts. Piglets enter the den head first while the adults back into the burrow. Not dependent on water, the warthog will drink if it is available. Wallowing in the mud is his favorite pastime. The goal for hunting warthog ranges from the trophy tusks and hide to delicious meat and bait for hunting the leopard. One of the toughest of African game, the adult can weigh in at over 250 pounds. This unique member of the swine family is almost an exclusive grazer; not at all territorial, he wanders wherever he pleases. Found in small family groups called “sounders”, mother and piglets stay together for some time (up to 3 years); the boar joins the group for mating.

FACTS

NAME: WATERBUCK
SCIENTIFIC NAME: KOBUS ELLIPSIPRYMNUS
WEIGHT MALE: 250 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 180 KG
SHOULDER HEIGHT MALE: 1.3 M
SHOULDER HEIGHT FEMALE: 1 M
MATING SEASON: THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Weights & shoulder heights are averages

The waterbuck is one of the larger antelope species and, just as his name implies, he is never found very far from water. Normally found in small herds of about 12 animals, this rather large antelope is for the most part a grazer. Similar in appearance to a donkey, only the bulls carry horns; both sexes are characterized by the large white ring on the rump. This stately beast is shunned by predators where game is plentiful due to its tough, stringy, and foul-smelling meat. Sweat glands located all over the body, but concentrated on the flanks provide a rather foul-smelling secretion, which waterproofs the coat but taints the flesh. Territorial by nature, bulls demonstrate their dominance by swinging their necks from side to side. If this fails to deter the intruder, fierce combat can ensue, which usually results in the death of one of the participants.

FACTS

NAME: BURCHELL’S ZEBRA
SCIENTIFIC NAME: EQUUS BURCHELLI
WEIGHT MALE: 313 KG
WEIGHT FEMALE: 302 KG
SHOULDER HEIGHT MALE: 136 CM
SHOULDER HEIGHT FEMALE: 134 CM
MATING SEASON: THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Weights & shoulder heights are averages

The Burchell’s zebra is distinguished from the other zebra species by several pattern features. First and foremost are the shadow stripes, which occur within the broad white stripes found on the hindquarters; he lacks the grid-iron pattern and the dewlap, which is typical on the other species. Sex determination can be very difficult; males will generally be slightly larger and have more developed necks, but more than one professional hunter has shot a stallion that instantly became a mare once downed. Glass carefully when hunting zebra; if alerted, the stallion will most often trail the herd as they withdraw – this may be your best and only indication.

The Burchell’s favors the open woodlands and grassy savanna; he avoids the thick bushveld and the desert if possible. Always found where water is abundant, he drinks regularly and cannot take advantage of even the most lush grazing if water is not available. The zebra forms small herds, usually 8 to 10 in number, consisting of a stallion, several mares and their foals. Surplus males are ejected from the herd and form bachelor herds.

Their main enemy is the lion and they will actively defend the herd, kicking violently and ganging up on the attacker. When hunting zebra, sex is often not specified on the permits, as sex determination is difficult. As already mentioned, in flight, the herd will be led away by one of the mares, with the stallion as rear guard; he will often stop and look back – there is your shot. When approaching water, the stallion will most often be in the lead, and when grazing, he will usually stay on the outskirts of the herd. These habits may be useful when hunting zebra.