Southern Africa's Premier Hunt Concierge
The plains game safari is where most serious hunters begin their African story. Extraordinary species variety, world-class private concessions, and professional hunters who understand what a well-run safari looks like. South Africa does this better than anywhere on the continent.
The Hunt
A plains game safari targets the non-dangerous species of Southern Africa's open bushveld — kudu, impala, wildebeest, zebra, warthog, gemsbok, blesbok, and dozens more. It is the most accessible form of African hunting for international hunters: no dangerous game license required, no minimum calibre restrictions, and a species list broad enough to satisfy any hunting goal.
What separates a good plains game safari from a great one is the outfitter. The right PHASA-registered professional hunter, the right concession, and the right trophy quality. South Africa's private game farming industry is the most developed in Africa — which means more options and more variation in quality than anywhere else. We've done the filtering.
A single Limpopo concession can carry 20 or more huntable species. Kudu with 55-inch spirals. Warthog boars with ivory that sweeps past their ears. Gemsbok standing motionless at 200 metres. The plains game list gives every hunt its own character — no two safaris are the same.
For hunters coming to Africa for the first time, a plains game safari sets the foundation. You learn to judge distance in open bushveld, work with a professional hunter and tracker, understand African shot placement, and experience the rhythm of a hunting day in the field. Every serious dangerous game hunter has a plains game safari somewhere in their history.
A well-structured plains game package on a quality Limpopo concession offers more hunting per dollar than almost any comparable experience in the world. Seven days, eight species, exceptional hospitality — the economics of South African hunting are genuinely hard to argue with.
Species
South Africa's plains game list runs deep. Below are the most sought-after trophy species across our outfitter network. Most 7-day packages target 5–8 species — your professional hunter will advise on trophy quality and availability for your specific concession and dates.
Where We Hunt
The majority of South Africa's premier plains game concessions are in Limpopo Province — South Africa's northernmost province, bordering Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Mozambique. Limpopo's mixed bushveld carries the widest species variety of any South African province and the highest concentration of PHASA-registered professional hunters.
The Waterberg, Limpopo Valley, and Mokopane areas carry the full plains game list with exceptional kudu and warthog populations. Most hunters base out of Limpopo for their first South African safari.
Malaria-free plains game hunting in temperate conditions. Nyala, bushbuck, and kudu alongside open grassland species. Popular with hunters travelling with families or non-hunting partners.
Open semi-arid landscape ideal for gemsbok, springbok, and blesbok. Longer shot distances and dramatic scenery. The Kalahari fringe produces exceptional gemsbok trophy quality.
Nyala heartland. Coastal bushveld with a distinctive species mix — nyala, bushbuck, impala, and warthog. Smaller concessions but exceptional trophy quality on targeted species.
How It Works
Which species are non-negotiable? What's your budget and preferred dates? First time in Africa or returning hunter? The more detail, the better the outfitter match.
We identify the right professional hunter and concession for your specific species goals and budget — not just availability.
Trophy fee list, daily rates, dates, and logistics locked in. We assist with firearm import permits and pre-hunt preparation.
You arrive. First light on day one, you're in the field. Everything else has been handled.
Common Questions
A plains game safari in South Africa typically costs between $5,000 and $20,000 USD depending on duration, species selection, and outfitter. A standard 7-day package targeting 5–8 species on a private Limpopo concession ranges from $8,000 to $15,000 USD. This generally includes your professional hunter, trackers, field preparation, accommodation, and meals. International flights, taxidermy, and trophy export shipping are additional costs.
South Africa's plains game species list is extensive. The most popular trophy species include greater kudu, impala, warthog, blue wildebeest, zebra, blesbok, gemsbok, springbok, waterbuck, nyala, bushbuck, eland, and red hartebeest. Most 7-day packages allow a hunter to take 5–8 species. Your professional hunter will advise on trophy quality and species availability for the specific concession.
A 7-day plains game safari is the most common package length and allows a comfortable hunt for 5–8 species without feeling rushed. First-time African hunters often benefit from a 10-day package, which allows time to settle in, focus on shot placement, and hunt at a measured pace. Hunters targeting a larger species list or combining plains game with Cape Buffalo hunting should plan for 10–14 days.
The South African dry season — May through September — is the prime plains game hunting window. Vegetation thins significantly, animals concentrate around water sources, and visibility is excellent. April and October offer good hunting with slightly more vegetation. The summer months of November through March bring dense bush and high rainfall and are generally avoided for hunting.
For plains game hunting in South Africa, calibres between .270 and .30-06 are popular and effective for most species. A .300 Win Mag or 7mm Rem Mag offers versatility across the full plains game list including larger species like eland and zebra. Shot distances on open bushveld concessions typically range from 100 to 250 metres. Your professional hunter will advise on specific requirements.
Yes — combination packages are very popular and excellent value. A typical combination hunt pairs a Cape Buffalo bull with 5–8 plains game species over 10–14 days on the same Limpopo concession. This maximises field time and reduces the per-day cost of your safari. We arrange combination packages across all our outfitter partners.
Request a Package
Fill in your details and we'll match you with the right outfitter, concession, and package within 24 hours.
We match your species goals and budget to the right outfitter — not just the first available one.
All outfitters are PHASA-registered and CITES compliant. Trophy export assistance included.
Group packages welcome. We've arranged hunts for parties of 2 to 12 across multiple countries.
Thank you — we'll review your hunt requirements and be in touch within 24 hours with outfitter matches and package options.