Impala Hunting in South Africa

Impala is the quintessential first African animal — elegant, abundant and unmistakably of the bushveld. A mature ram with tall, lyre-shaped horns and a russet flank is one of the most beautiful antelope on the continent, and the meat is arguably the best on the veld. At Marula Game we hunt free-range common and black impala on 24,700 malaria-free acres of Limpopo Bushveld, fair chase on foot with a licensed PHASA Professional Hunter. Trophy fees start at USD $550 for common impala; black impala are USD $2,200.

The quintessential first African animal

Ask any Professional Hunter what a first-timer should take on day one and the answer is almost always impala. They're everywhere on the veld, they hold well for a stalk, and a good ram with tall lyre horns and deep black tips is a genuinely handsome trophy. Take one on the opening morning and the safari has begun — the meat is on the coals that night and the confidence for kudu, sable or buffalo is built.

Why hunt impala at Marula

• Free-range on our own ground. Wild impala herds hunted on foot across 24,700 acres — no put-and-take.
• Common and black impala. Both variants on the same property — take one of each for the contrast.
• 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

Impala hunting at Marula is classic walk-and-stalk — glassing herds in the cool of morning and late afternoon, picking a mature ram out of the group and closing to sticks range through the mopane and combretum. Shots run 80 to 200 metres. A .243 or .270 with a good soft-point is plenty of rifle. Placement is tight behind the shoulder — impala are not tough animals, but they are alert, and one bad shot puts the whole herd on high alert for the rest of the morning.

Impala hunt price (USD)

The impala hunt price at Marula starts at USD $550 trophy fee for a representative common impala ram; black impala are USD $2,200. Exceptional trophies (25"+ horns) are 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). Impala is the perfect first animal on any wider plains-game safari.

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

Impala hunting FAQs