Limpopo Bushbuck Hunting in South Africa

Bushbuck are the little spiral-horn ghost of Africa's rivers — solitary, fine-featured, quick to bark and gone. A mature Limpopo bushbuck ram with heavy horns and a chestnut spotted coat is one of the most quietly satisfying trophies on the continent, precisely because he was never easy. At Marula Game we hunt free-range bushbuck along the Matlabas river on 24,700 malaria-free acres of Limpopo Bushveld, fair chase on foot with a licensed PHASA Professional Hunter. Trophy fees start at USD $1,850.

The little spiral-horn ghost

Everything about a bushbuck rewards patience. He lives alone, feeds in the pockets of thick riverine bush the rest of the herd animals avoid, and moves at first light and last colour. When he does step out — dark chestnut back, spotted flanks, twin ivory-tipped spirals — you have seconds. Take one in the Matlabas jesse and you've earned a proper African trophy.

Why hunt bushbuck at Marula

• The Matlabas river frontage. Kilometres of natural riverine bush — genuine bushbuck country, not stocked bushland.
• Free-range on our own ground. Wild rams hunted on foot across 24,700 acres — no put-and-take.
• Your own farm and camp. Our farms are separate, each with its own private camp — your party hunts its own ground with a dedicated PH.
• Owner-hosted since 1997. Every safari is personally hosted by outfitter Chris Burger — PHASA Executive Committee member and WRSA Game Farmer & Game Breeder of the Year.
• Malaria-free. The Waterberg / Limpopo Valley is one of the few African hunting destinations you can safely bring family into without prophylaxis.

The hunt itself

Bushbuck hunting at Marula is a first-light and last-light game. You walk quiet river paths through the jesse and reed on foot with the PH and tracker, stopping every few steps to glass gaps for the flick of a white throat patch or the black tip of a horn. Shots are close — often 30 to 80 metres — and taken quickly off sticks or freehand. A .270 or .30-06 with a soft, expanding bullet is ideal. Placement is tight behind the shoulder; there is rarely a second chance.

Bushbuck hunt price (USD)

The bushbuck hunt price at Marula starts at USD $1,850 trophy fee for a representative mature ram, with exceptional trophies priced on application. Trophy fees are payable only on animals taken (or wounded). Daily rates are two-tier and all-inclusive — plains-game hunts USD $400–$500 per hunter per day (Tents on Antwerp $400, Leadwood/Haakdoring $450, Marula Lodge $500). Bushbuck is a fine complement to a wider plains-game safari alongside kudu, nyala and waterbuck.

What's included

• ✓ Exclusive-use luxury lodge or tented camp
• ✓ All meals and beverages (in moderation)
• ✓ Licensed PHASA Professional Hunter, tracker & skinner
• ✓ 4×4 hunting vehicle, field prep and delivery to taxidermist
• ✓ Airport transfers from Johannesburg (JNB) or Polokwane
• ✓ Firearm import assistance and all hunting permits

Bushbuck hunting FAQs