Sable Antelope Hunting in South Africa

Sable antelope hunting is, for many hunters, the trophy of a lifetime. Jet-black, white-faced, with heavy scimitar horns sweeping back over the shoulders, a mature sable bull is one of the most striking animals on the continent. At Marula Game we hunt sable from our own breeding herd on 24,700 acres of mixed Bushveld in malaria-free Limpopo — fair chase on foot with a licensed PHASA Professional Hunter. Trophy fees start at USD $5,850 for a mature bull.

Limpopo is widely regarded as the best sable region in South Africa, and because we breed our own sable on this ground the quality is consistent — not what bought-in operations can match. Our owner, Chris Burger, was named WRSA Game Farmer & Game Breeder of the Year, and that expertise shows in the bulls on the property. Most mature Marula bulls measure 40–44 inches, with exceptional bulls beyond that.

Why sable is a trophy of a lifetime

Few animals carry the presence of a mature sable herd bull. He is heavy-shouldered and horse-like, blacker than anything else in the Bushveld, with a bold white face and long, curved horns fierce enough to face down a lion. Sable are herd animals but the truly big bulls are solitary and wary — they hold thick country, move on the wind, and do not tolerate pressure. That is what makes a fair-chase sable hunt so satisfying: it is quiet, patient work, and the animal at the end of it is genuinely earned.

Our sable breeding programme & trophy quality

Consistent trophy quality is no accident — it comes from decades of breeding. Marula's sable herd is managed year-round from top genetics, and our owner Chris Burger is a member of Classic Game Breeders and was named WRSA Game Farmer & Game Breeder of the Year. The result is a resident population of mature bulls in the 40–44 inch class, with exceptional bulls beyond 44 inches available on application. Because our bulls are born and raised on this land, they are wild, wary and hunted honestly — not bought in and released.

Fair chase, your own farm and your own camp

Every sable hunt at Marula is fair chase on foot — glassing from vantage points at first light, cutting sign in the sandy drainage lines, then a careful stalk into range on a herd bull. Your party has its own farm and camp — one group per farm, no strangers on your ground and no shared vehicles. The tracking team has spent years on this ground and knows where the bulls water, where they lie up in the heat, and how they move through the Bushveld between seasons. Plan on 3 to 4 hunting days per animal.

Charter helicopter fly-in

The property is about four hours by road from O.R. Tambo International in Johannesburg, and we include the ground transfer in the safari. Many guests prefer to skip the road entirely and fly in by private charter helicopter — from Wonderboom or Grand Central straight to the farm — safer, faster, and an unforgettable way to arrive. Ask us for a quote with your dates.

Add a sable bull to a buffalo or plains-game safari

Most hunters add a sable to a longer safari rather than travel for one alone. A 7-day plains-game safari comfortably accommodates a sable bull plus two or three plains-game trophies. Our flagship 10-day dangerous-game safari pairs a Cape buffalo bull with sable, roan and greater kudu at discounted trophy fees — see the Cape Buffalo & Sable combo package. Sable hunters often add a roan bull on the same safari; see our dedicated roan antelope hunting page for roan quota and pricing.

Sable antelope hunt price (USD)

The sable antelope hunt price at Marula starts at USD $5,850 trophy fee for a mature bull under 42 inches, and USD $7,350 for a record-class 42–44 inch bull. Exceptional bulls over 44 inches 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 from the standard lodges (Tents on Antwerp $400, Leadwood/Haakdoring $450, Marula Lodge $500), and Cape buffalo hunted 1×1 from the sole-occupancy Buffalo Tented Camp at USD $1,000 per hunter per day. All daily rates cover accommodation, meals, licensed PH, tracker & skinner, 4×4, airport transfers and field prep.

What's included

• ✓ Exclusive-use luxury lodge or tented camp on your own farm
• ✓ 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

Sable antelope hunting FAQs