Green Lighted for Kudu - Where To?

So, on the travel home from Limpopo and our first trip the wife and I discussed our subsequent plans. There are a few non-hunting trips she wants to take, and she wants to go back to Limpopo and maybe tie in a trip to the East Cape and Kruger in 2028 - but has decided that for 2027 I should go off on my own. If I were to say the one species that I'd prioritize above all else - it is a Kudu. I saw several bulls on my trip, and one nice one another guy took, and I'm utterly smitten. The only thing I'm not sold on is the idea of hunting them in the bushveldt brush of most of Limpopo - I'm thinking about hills or at least more varied terrain.

Which means I feel like a kid in a candy store, and I get a little more control on where I'd like to hunt, and how. For various scheduling reasons it will be mid-late June 2027 as a target time. So I'm now looking at my options pretty closely, as I really want the focus of the trip to be hunting hard for a nice animal - I like stalking, getting off the beaten track and really picking over animals. I'm also open to Namibia or maybe even Botswana as I'd like to try something different, but I've also heardgreat things about the east cape, and at least got to see a little of terrain like that country. I'm guessing that for some places availability is going to be a limiting factor having talked to a couple of AH sponsors. Depending on where I go, I'll probably look at having a couple of other native to region species but I'm flexible there. So I'm curious - where was your best Kudu hunting experience?

@KAROO WILD Safaris They have a lot of kudu and the terrain you are looking for. I have hunted with them twice and it was great.

CloudySkies said:

I'm also open to Namibia or maybe even Botswana as I'd like to try something different

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I think that’s a good idea. You will enjoy hunting low fence and bigger properties. I think you find better value getting away form Limpopo. Not a dig, just what I see.

I took a great kudu with @KHOMAS HIGHLAND HUNTING SAFARIS and my friend @TexianHussar just took an insane kudu with them this year. I really enjoy my time hunting there. The terrain is rocky and has some steep country to hike in. You have to earn a big bull in the Khomas region of Namibia imo.

Botswana ranches produce crazy big kudus and they seem to have them in better numbers than Namibia. But not as much terrain. But just giant kudu from reports I’ve seen and friends I’ve talked to.
Tholo safaris ranch property seems awesome in bots.

Good luck on your search!

My 54” ranch bull from central Namib.

Here’s a nice bull my friend took, probs a few inches under 50” but nice and heavy

Here is @TexianHussar 52” just stunner of a bull. Has it all


Here some terrain of the Khomas highlands

If I wanted to prioritize Kudu outside SA-

@DALTON & YORK SAFARIS. They have been hunting some fantastic trophies the last couple of years

@KHOMAS HIGHLAND HUNTING SAFARIS can provide wheat your looking for in Namibia

@NKWE SAFARIS in Botswana also

Best kudu I’ve taken was in Sengwe Research area, Zimbabwe. Mokore. I think D & Y have the rights there now

Most kudu I’ve seen was in Botswana. Low fence area with Tholo.

Most enjoyable kudu hunting for me was Umkomaas valley in KZN. Free range. Crusader safaris would fill the bill there.

If I had to choose based on my experience, I’m picking KZN cause I like that style of hunting

There. I’m sure that cleared everything up for you.

My view, as I type and watch the Astros

I would recommend Tsala Hunting Safaris, they have taken some fantastic Kudu in South Africa and Mozambique.

Flipper Dude said:

Best kudu I’ve taken was in Sengwe Research area, Zimbabwe. Mokore. I think D & Y have the rights there now

Most kudu I’ve seen was in Botswana. Low fence area with Tholo.

Most enjoyable kudu hunting for me was Umkomaas valley in KZN. Free range. Crusader safaris would fill the bill there.

If I had to choose based on my experience, I’m picking KZN cause I like that style of hunting

There. I’m sure that cleared everything up for you.

My view, as I type and watch the Astros

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Ya seems like KZN kudu just have amazing genetics. Those great deep curls and that last half turn that looks so good.

I think Eastern Cape is a really great hunting experience. The terrain allows proper glassing plus really great bushbuck. Just be aware they are the eastern cape subspecies and the horns are smaller than southern greater kudu on average. @KMG Hunting Safaris takes some exceptional bulls.

I really enjoy hunting Namibia it’s a different experience than South Africa. Much larger properties and more low fence hunting. I’d combine kudu with Hartmann zebra and gemsbok. Here’s my most recent kudu from Namibia with Jamy Traut Safaris. We spotted at base of big hill and made a stalk in. Big 60,000 acre cattle farm.

Mekaniks said:

If I wanted to prioritize Kudu outside SA-

@DALTON & YORK SAFARIS. They have been hunting some fantastic trophies the last couple of years

@KHOMAS HIGHLAND HUNTING SAFARIS can provide wheat your looking for in Namibia

@NKWE SAFARIS in Botswana also

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I’ve taken my best kudu in Zimbabwe but I don’t think many outfitters will organize a dedicated plains game hunt on most concessions or guarantee opportunity on a kudu. Usually the DG quota like buffalo will exceed the individual PG quota for species like kudu so they are added on to buffalo hunt for trophy fee rather than sold as separate hunts.

375Fox said:

I think Eastern Cape is a really great hunting experience. The terrain allows proper glassing plus really great bushbuck. Just be aware they are the eastern cape subspecies and the horns are smaller than southern greater kudu on average. @KMG Hunting Safaris takes some exceptional bulls.

I really enjoy hunting Namibia it’s a different experience than South Africa. Much larger properties and more low fence hunting. I’d combine kudu with Hartmann zebra and gemsbok. Here’s my most recent kudu from Namibia with Jamy Traut Safaris. We spotted at base of big hill and made a stalk in. Big 60,000 acre cattle farm.
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KMG does seem to get some nice ones. I did talk to Marius, and he was really helpful but unfortunately he's booked out for the window I can do at least next year. I have him on my list to ask about the following year.

Well…. I’ve taken a LOT of kudu and some incredible ones too in numerous Countries and areas.
I love hunting them.
I can tell you unequivocally that I would go to Botswana and Tholo or Nkwe.
I’ve hunted Tholo twice…here are some ( not all ) from just Tholo

Tholo in Botswana has tons of kudu. They killed a 60 incher before I got there and after I left.

Also. Crusader in the eastern cape has the hills and relief to glass them. Smaller cape kudu bulls though

@GAME 4 AFRICA SAFARIS , Eastern Cape... loads of Kudu!

One of my 3 from there...

I’m booked in to hunt kudu with game 4 Africa in the Eastern Cape in March 2027, having hunted other species with them earlier in 2026 I know I will have a great time hunting kudu! The bush is thick and very hilly/mountainous which makes for incredible hunting! They are also very reasonably priced too!

kpoynter said:

Well…. I’ve taken a LOT of kudu and some incredible ones too in numerous Countries and areas.
I love hunting them.
I can tell you unequivocally that I would go to Botswana and Tholo or Nkwe.
I’ve hunted Tholo twice…here are some ( not all ) from just TholoView attachment 786302View attachment 786303View attachment 786304View attachment 786305View attachment 786306View attachment 786307View attachment 786308View attachment 786309View attachment 786310View attachment 786311

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Just amazing specimens. Beautiful! I’ve got a weird idea in my head that involves kudu. Congratulations on such exceptional animals.

I’ve got nothing to offer the OP except my best wishes and a little observation about kudu hunting; it’s an addiction worse than nicotine.

Tholo for sure!

For eastern cape @KMG Hunting Safaris or blaauwkrantz safari. I have hunted with both and would recommend them highly.

In Limpopo @MATTANJA HUNTING SAFARIS

In Namibia Ekuja safaris.

Another vote for Game-4-Africa Safaris. You will earn your kudu in those mountains. Be prepared to glass and long shots.

I'm addicted to Kudus and I've shot 3 with G4A.

@kpoynter you're clearly the greater kudu whisperer. You def paid your dues before you took that crazy bull in Tanzania.

Limpopo will have Greater Kudu, whereas East Cape will have the Cape Kudu sub species which are a touch smaller but still make great trophies.