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African Hunting

Mastering Kudu Hunting: The Ultimate Guide to Hunting Kudu

Author Nick Bowker

Summary

Kudu Hunting is readily available in South Africa. Indigenous to the Eastern Cape, South Africa, and Kudu occur in significant numbers.

There are no seasonal restrictions on kudu hunts in designated conservancies in South Africa.

Nick Bowker hunts Kudu year-round.

We offer genuine free-range kudu hunting.

Kudu is always one of the first trophies on any hunter’s list—a graceful and beautiful trophy for any African hunting safari.

South Africa offers the best big Kudu safaris on the African continent.

Shot placement should be on the bottom third of the shoulder for Kudu hunting
Shot placement for Kudu hunting
Africa hunting safari for kudu.
Kudu Hunting

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Kudu Trophy Fees in South Africa – 2025

The average price of a standalone kudu trophy is $1800. South African hunting packages often include a Kudu.

Our fee for 2025 is $1800.

All-Inclusive $4500 Starter Kudu Hunt Package for seven trophies and eight days hunting. (Inclusive of a Kudu.)

  • Kudu
  • Impala
  • Springbok
  • Wildebeest
  • Blesbok
  • Warthog
  • Mountain Reedbuck

The kudu safari includes a licensed hunting guide, a hunting license, and all game permits. Book your trophy kudu safaris with Nick Bowker.

Trophy shot with Nick Bowker.
Hunt Kudu with Nick Bowker
Kudu trophy shoulder mounts hunted in Africa.
Kudu Trophy Shoulder Mounts

Kudu Hunting in the Eastern Cape

Vital organs showing the position of the heart and lungs.
Kudu vital organs for shot placement.

Shot placement must be in the bottom third of the animal directly above the front shoulder. This will ensure a heart or lung shot. Avoid head and neck shots, which are high-risk.

Monster Eastern Cape Kudu bull

Your kudu bull trophy should have an average shoulder height of around 54 inches, weigh about 340 pounds, and have a Horn Length of approximately 43 – 47 inches.

The minimum score under Safari Club International for an East Cape kudu is 98. Add the length of each horn and the circumference of the bases to get your SCI score.

The East Cape Kudu has smaller horns than their cousin, the Southern Greater Kudu. The lesser kudu species is only found in Central Africa.

The minimum SCI score for a Greater kudu is 121.

Always one of the first animals on any hunter’s list. A graceful and beautiful trophy hunted safari style.

Big bulls can be challenging to hunt throughout the year. Be prepared for long spot and stalk hunting.

South African Kudu safari with Nick Bowker.
Trophy Hunting Kudu

Kudu hunting in South Africa

Kudus have fantastic eyesight, and the nickname “Grey Ghost” is for a good reason; a kudu can vanish into thin air.

It’s rare for a hunter to shoot a kudu on the first stalk.

You may have to take a more extended shot to get your kudu.

Kudu is indigenous to the Eastern Cape, South Africa, and occurs in significant numbers.

They browse in the early morning and late afternoon, usually resting during the day’s heat.

Like many species, these majestic antelope form family groups of approximately ten individuals, primarily cows, calves, and young bulls.

Mature bulls only join the herd during the mating season. Hunting often involves stalking a lone bull.

Nick Bowker
Kudu Hunted with Nick Bowker

Trophy Judgement and Rifle Calibre for Kudu Hunts

Kudu Rifle Calibre

Kudu trophy. The Eastern Cape Kudu has smaller horns than, the Greater Kudu.

Hunting kudu with anything less than 7mm caliber is not recommended.

For those hunters who wish to avoid going through the red tape of bringing a rifle into South Africa, Nick Bowker Hunting has 300 Winchester Magnums fitted with suppressors.

Mounted on the rifles are high-quality Swarovski tactical optics.

We have hand-loaded Hornady ELD-X 200-grain ammunition.

The rifle, including ammunition, is available as part of all hunting packages free of charge.

Like most African antelope, shot placement is always in the bottom third of the shoulder. 

Kudu hunts are best in the early mornings and late evenings and are spotted from vantage points in the thick brush and then stalked.

Kudu has excellent eyesight, and stalks can be challenging.

Hunters use ambush techniques at watering holes or as they move back to cover from feeding.

Kudu hunting safari style with Nick Bowker in Africa.

Judging your dream Kudu

Big kudu hunting with Nick Bowker in the Eastern Cape.

Southern Greater Kudu is available in fenced areas in the Eastern Cape but costs substantially more.

Eastern Cape Kudu boasts a much darker and blacker coat than its cousin, the Southern Greater Kudu, and at times, the males will carry an imposing, impressive beard running down the length of the kudu’s neck.

From late March to June or even July, bulls will lose the fear of open country and travel great distances searching for females during the rut.

Judging the trophy quality of kudu bulls can be very difficult at times.

Always ensure the shapes of the horns are wide and symmetrical with white tips.

Consider the depth of the curls, as this is where the real hidden length lies.

Any mature Kudu is an impressive trophy and the pride of many hunters worldwide who have visited southern Africa on safari.

Please take a look at the information about our ranch and lodge.

Africa hunting kudu with Nick Bowker.

Difference Between Male and Female

The difference between a male and female kudu is that the female does not have horns and is smaller and lighter than the male, with very prominent ears. They also have no beard or nose markings.

Males drinking at a waterhole during the dry season.
Kudu Males or Kudu Bulls drinking water during the dry season
Females drinking at a waterhole during the dry season. Females do not have horns.
Kudu females or cows drinking water

Interesting Facts About Kudu for Hunts

African Kudu Hunting with Nick Bowker.
  • The kudu or koodoo is the Khoisan name given to this antelope.
  • The kudu can jump six-foot-high fences from a standing position, and when fleeing from danger, they can clear obstacles as high as 10 feet.
  • When two bulls are equally matched, a fight may ensue.
  • Fights would take the form of lunging, horn clashes, and wrestling with locked horns, and the latter may result in the death of both when their horns become locked together in the battle.
  • There are twice as many adult female kudu than males.
  • This is due to significant predation of the bulls and deaths at the end of the breeding season caused by exhaustion and injury.
Kudu Safari hunt with Nick Bowker.
Kudu hunting safari style in Africa with Nick Bowker
  • If a kudu is frightened by a predator or during kudu hunting, breaking cover, it will run and then turn to see the threat and freeze, allowing its camouflage to take effect.
  • Although bulls become sexually mature at three years old, they can’t compete with the older males to access the females until they are 6 to 8 years old.
  • Kudu is notoriously alert and hard to approach and can point ears individually in different directions to help detect threats that may be nearby.
  • Some plants, notably acacias, will increase the amount of bitter-tasting tannin in their leaves within 15 minutes of when animals browse them, resulting in kudu moving on to the next plant after only a short time.
  • Kudu gives a hoarse alarm bark when they flee from danger or are disturbed.
  • The East Cape Kudu is considered a subspecies of the Greater Kudu.
Kudu safari hunting in South Africa for big eastern cape kudu.

About the Kudu for the Safari Hunter

Hunting big kudu in the Eastern Cape safari style.

Like many other antelope, male Kudu can be found in bachelor groups but are more likely to be solitary.

On infrequent occasions, Wounded bulls have been known to charge the attacker. They hit the attacker with their sturdy horn base rather than stabbing it.

Wounded Kudu can keep running for many miles without stopping or resting.

Bulls are much larger than females.

The bulls also have large manes running along the underside of their necks. The long spiral horns straightened would reach an average length of 45 inches. 

Hunting big Eastern Cape kudu safari style.
African Hunting Packages

The Kudu is a browser and feeds on various leaves of trees and shrubs indigenous to South Africa.

They also seasonal feeders and feed on various fruits, pods, and creepers during different seasons and succulents such as spekboom or bacon trees and aloes. 

New-born calves aged 4-6 weeks old are hidden away and nursed by their mothers, who visit them for nursing.

Kudu usually is active in the morning and late afternoon. In developed habitats or under pressure from hunting, Kudu has evolved to become nocturnal to avoid humans. Kudu needs to drink water regularly.

Kudu safari style hunt with Nick Bowker.
Africa Kudu hunting with Nick Bowker.
Africa kudu hunting with Nick Bowker.

Hunting Kudu – Frequently Asked Questions

Africa Kudu hunt with Nick Bowker

How much does it cost to hunt a Kudu?

Cape kudu hunt.

Trophy fees as a standalone Kudu hunt are between $1500$2500, depending on the size of the trophy. Daily rates vary between $250 and $500 per day.

Included in the trophy fee is a licensed guide. As well as a hunting license and all permits.

A Kudu trophy is often included in a plains game package. Package prices vary from $3,000 to $10,000, depending on location and trophies. Packages include 5 – 7 trophy animals accommodation, meals, and daily rates.

How to hunt a Kudu?

Africa kudu hunt in 2023.

Hunting is in the early mornings and late evenings and spotted from an elevated vantage point in the thick brush and then stalked. Kudu has excellent eyesight, and stalks can be challenging. Alternatively, hunters use ambush techniques at watering holes or as they move back to cover from feeding.

Where do you shoot a Kudu?

African safari hunt cost

Shot placement must be in the bottom third of the animal directly above the front shoulder. This will ensure a heart or lung shot. Avoid head and neck shots which are high-risk.

What is a trophy Kudu?

Nick Bowker

Eastern Cape kudu trophies have a Horn Length of approximately 43 – 47 inches. The Eastern Cape Kudu has smaller horns than the Southern Greater Kudu, which should have a Horn Length of around 50 inches or more.

The minimum qualification score under Safari Club International for an Eastern Cape kudu is 98, and for the Southern Greater Kudu, 121. Add the length of each horn and the circumference of the bases to get your SCI score.

Kudu hunted in 2023.

Seasonal Animal Restrictions for Hunting Kudu in South Africa

When can you hunt Kudu in South Africa?

Kudu hunting safari style in Africa with Nick Bowker

There are no seasonal restrictions on kudu in designated conservancies in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.

How do you judge a Kudu trophy?

Health insurance while hunting in South Africa.

Always ensure the shapes of the horns are wide and symmetrical with white tips. Consider the depth of the curls. This is where the hidden length lies.

Kudu harvested in 2023.

What Caliber is Recommended for Kudu Hunts?

Kudu gemsbok plains game package.

We recommend the flat shooting 300 Winchester or 7mm magnums with high-quality tactical scopes and a suppressor.

Kudu Antelope in Infographics

How kudu deal with threats during the stalk.
Kudu spiral horn development over the life time of the kudu.
Kudu local names in African languages.
Growth chart for Kudu bulls over the life span of the kudu.
Some of the best kudu hunting methods include stalking their feeding areas early in the morning.
Social structure of kudu herds
Kudu predators include the big cats.
Hunting the Eastern Cape Kudu
Kudu cow and calf.
Kudu distribution in South Africa.