Eastern Cape kudu cow ban — latest update and what it means for planned hunts
Here is what you need to know for the current season.
Season: April–September in most provinces. Check your specific province's proclamation on the SA Hunters (sahunters.co.za) or PHASA (phasa.co.za) website — dates and quotas vary by province and can change year to year.
Best destination: Limpopo or Eastern Cape. Abundant populations and a well-established hunting industry with reputable operators.
Calibre: .308 Win or 30-06. At typical bush distances of 80–150m, this is entirely adequate with the right bullet. I use Nosler Partition or Barnes TTSX — penetration and weight retention are consistent even at steep angles. The calibre debate on forums goes on forever but honestly, bullet placement matters far more than calibre for all plains game.
Cost: Trophy fees for this species run around R7404 on most reputable farms. Add R1103/day for accommodation and meals if you are going full package. Day hunt options exist from R683/day plus trophy fees if you are self-catering nearby.
Landowner permission: Written letter, your ID number, farm details, and the species you are licensed for. A WhatsApp message does not satisfy the legal requirement. The nature conservation officers do check.
The Eastern Cape has restricted kudu cow hunting — check the current provincial proclamation before booking. The rut in May–June makes bulls easier to locate.
Any questions about specific areas or farms — I hunt Limpopo or Eastern Cape every season and know most of the reputable operations.
5 Replies
The kudu rut in May–June is genuinely the best time to hunt them. Bulls are vocal, territorial, and moving during daylight hours. The rest of the year you are hunting on spoor and patience. If your schedule allows it, plan for May or early June.
Cost breakdown is useful — too many people budget only for the trophy fee and forget daily rates, skinning, caping, travel, and ammunition. I budget R27,000 all-in for a week's plains game hunting in Limpopo including trophy fees for 2-3 animals. That is the realistic number.
Cost breakdown is useful — too many people budget only for the trophy fee and forget daily rates, skinning, caping, travel, and ammunition. I budget R34,000 all-in for a week's plains game hunting in Limpopo including trophy fees for 2-3 animals. That is the realistic number.
Cost breakdown is useful — too many people budget only for the trophy fee and forget daily rates, skinning, caping, travel, and ammunition. I budget R18,000 all-in for a week's plains game hunting in Limpopo including trophy fees for 2-3 animals. That is the realistic number.
Cost breakdown is useful — too many people budget only for the trophy fee and forget daily rates, skinning, caping, travel, and ammunition. I budget R34,000 all-in for a week's plains game hunting in Limpopo including trophy fees for 2-3 animals. That is the realistic number.
— steef_pretorius
On the landowner permission letter — I found a good template on the SA Hunters website. Print it, get the landowner to sign and stamp it, keep a copy on your phone and one in your vehicle. The conservation officers have become stricter about the format recently.