Red Hartebeest Hunting in South Africa

Red hartebeest is one of the most visually striking plains-game trophies in Africa — deep russet coat, long serious face and heavy bracket horns that curl inwards from a common boss. They're fast, wary and love the open country where a stalk becomes a proper test. At Marula Game we hunt free-range red hartebeest on 24,700 malaria-free acres of Limpopo Bushveld, fair chase on foot with a licensed PHASA Professional Hunter. Trophy fees start at USD $1,750.

Fast, wary and unmistakable

Nothing else on the veld looks quite like a hartebeest. The tall shoulder, sloping back and long serious face are unmistakable, and in good light the russet coat glows almost copper. They're also one of the faster antelope in Africa — a spooked herd will string out across the plain and be a kilometre away before you can lift the binos again. Getting inside 250 metres of a mature bull is a proper stalk.

Why hunt red hartebeest at Marula

• Free-range on our own ground. Wild red hartebeest 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.
• Mature bulls only. Old bulls with heavy bosses and worn-down horn tips, aged and selected on foot with the 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

Red hartebeest hunting at Marula is glass-and-stalk across open flats and short-grass plains. Once a mature bull is picked out of a herd — dark face, heavy boss, thick base — the stalk uses termite mounds, low bush and every fold of ground to close the distance. Shots run 150 to 300 metres from sticks. Use enough rifle: .270 minimum with a premium bonded soft-point, .30-06 or .300 preferred. Placement is tight behind the shoulder on the lower third — hartebeest run hard on marginal hits.

Red hartebeest hunt price (USD)

The red hartebeest hunt price at Marula starts at USD $1,750 trophy fee for a representative mature bull, 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). Red hartebeest pairs well with a wider plains-game safari alongside gemsbok, zebra, blue wildebeest and kudu.

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

Red hartebeest hunting FAQs