Plains Game
Limpopo Plains Game Hunting
Limpopo is South Africa's classic plains-game country, and Marula Game sits in the middle of it — 24,700 acres of unspoilt Bushveld near Steenbokpan, hunted by a family-owned outfitter for nearly three decades. Spiral-horned kudu, gemsbok, impala, wildebeest, zebra, warthog and more move naturally through mopane, marula and acacia. You hunt them on foot, fair chase, with a licensed Professional Hunter and a tracker who knows this ground.
Species on offer
Greater kudu — the "grey ghost" of the Bushveld — is our flagship plains-game trophy. Beyond kudu, a typical safari can include gemsbok, blue wildebeest, impala, warthog, Burchell's zebra, waterbuck, nyala, eland, red hartebeest, blesbok and springbok. Premium species such as Sable and Roan are available — see Sable & Roan hunting, or our dedicated roan antelope hunting page for own-bred roan bulls on very limited quota.
Safari packages
Our plains game safari packages are built for the hunter making a first trip to Africa, and for the seasoned traveller coming back for more. Daily rates include luxury lodge accommodation, all meals, licensed Professional Hunter, tracker and skinner, 4×4 hunting vehicle, airport transfers, field preparation and CITES/hunting permits where applicable. Trophy fees are charged per animal taken or wounded.
Trophy fees
Full plains-game trophy fees in USD are listed on the Hunting overview.
Plains game or dangerous game?
Many guests combine the two: a few days on plains game to settle in, then the main event — a Cape buffalo. Plains game is the more accessible, lower-pressure introduction to African hunting; dangerous game asks more of you and rewards it. We're happy to build a combination safari that does both.
When to come
The South African hunting season runs broadly through the cooler, drier winter months (April to September), when bush is thinner and animals concentrate near water — prime conditions for spotting and stalking. We hunt outside these months too; tell us your dates and we'll advise.
What a plains-game day at Marula looks like
Mornings begin early and cool. With your professional hunter and tracker you glass from high ground, then close the distance on foot through mopane, marula and acacia — spot-and-stalk hunting the way it's meant to be done. Shots typically come between 100 and 250 yards, and a good morning can offer chances at several species. There's no rush and no crowd: across 24,700 acres you hunt your own ground, at your own pace, and gather back at the fire each evening to retell the day. It's relaxed, genuine, fair-chase hunting — and it's why so many first-time visitors to Africa start here.
The trophies, animal by animal
A Marula plains-game safari can include some of Africa's most sought-after antelope. A few of the favourites:
Rifles and gear for plains game
You don't need a cannon for plains game. A flat-shooting .270, .30-06, 7mm Remington Magnum or .300 with quality expanding bullets handles everything here comfortably. Bring good optics, broken-in boots, and layered clothing — Bushveld winter mornings are cold and the afternoons warm. If you'd rather travel light, ask us about rifle hire.
Your first African safari?
Plains game is the perfect introduction to hunting Africa, and you're in experienced hands from the moment you land. Your professional hunter and tracker do the hard reading of the bush; you focus on the stalk and the shot. A typical seven-day plains-game safari yields a varied bag of trophies, and we tailor the pace to your fitness and experience — relaxed enough for a first-timer, challenging enough for a veteran. Tell us what you'd like on the wall and we'll build the hunt around it.
Plains game hunting FAQs
What plains game species can I hunt in Limpopo?
Marula's Limpopo plains game list includes greater kudu, gemsbok, impala, blue wildebeest, Burchell's zebra, warthog, nyala, waterbuck, eland, red hartebeest, blesbok and springbok. Premium Sable and Roan are also available — see Sable & Roan hunting.
How much does a plains game hunt in South Africa cost?
Daily-rate packages are all-inclusive, covering your lodge, meals, Professional Hunter, tracker, 4×4 hunting vehicle, airport transfers and field preparation. Trophy fees vary by species — entry-level animals like impala start around $550, while kudu, gemsbok and zebra are higher. A typical seven-day safari with a few selected animals is one of the most accessible ways to hunt Africa.
How many animals can I take in a week?
It depends on your package and the species you want. Most seven-day plains-game safaris take a varied handful of trophies, and we'll set clear expectations on numbers and species when we quote.
How fit do I need to be?
Moderately. Expect walking and some stalking over uneven ground, but the pace is yours and the terrain is forgiving.
Do you offer management or cull plains game?
Yes — management and cull animals are a more affordable way to hunt and to fill the freezer, while helping us keep the herds in balance.
Can non-hunters come along?
Of course. Partners and family can join on game drives, photographic hides and conservation experiences.
Recent plains game hunts at Marula
A few recent moments from the veld — kudu, gemsbok, red hartebeest, blue wildebeest and warthog taken fair chase across Marula Game.
