Input on a trip for giant kudu

[K_C_O]

All,
I’ve lurked and consumed Africahunting.com for years but I’m finally in a position to start hunting Africa.

Im looking to book a 2027 trip for my Dad and I with the main priority being an opportunity at a 55” + kudu. Based on research that puts me in the Kalahari in Botswana in May/June.

I have emailed one of the most popular and highly recommended sponsors on this forum but the excessive delay between responses has me uncomfortable.

I do not require luxurious amenities or accommodations and we are fine with a bush camp. If you wanted a 55”+ bull and were willing to put 7-8 days in its pursuit, who would you hunt with?

Thanks much in advance for your thoughts.

 

[samson7x]

The delays in communication could be due to preparation for all the hunt shows this time of year if that particular outfitter is attending.

I can’t help with your specific question, just wanted to point that out.

 

[eyedok]

Nkwe, Thollo, or Bokamoso Safaris

 

[ftrovato]

Inches are great but for me it's more about the adventure. The devil is not in the inches but the experience.

There are several good outfits that advertise and have proven track records on this site. Find one that you like their communication style and enjoy the adventure.

 

[dogcat1]

Tholo in Botswana, hands down....

 

[Anbessa Gedai]

Hands down . . . Nkwe Safaris in Botswana! You'll find lots of glowing reports here on the forum, and I can add my most positive recommendation. PH & owner Jaco, staff, camp, the habitat, game, etc., all EXCELLENT. I hunted in March, possibly the worst time of the year as the bush was very thick . . . passed up 7 shooter bulls, before taking this one on the 7th day.

 

[Albert GRANT]

As others have mentioned, it is show season so don't be worried about communication delay during this time. If they are a sponsor here and you can find several positive hunt reports, you are good to go. A couple things about the hunt in general, I would suggest. First, if you are going to go through all the trouble of the travel on both end of the hunt to get there (will eat up 3-4 days total, at least), stay long enough to make it worth it. My personal opinion is that if I go to Africa, I'm going to be there for a minimum of 2 weeks, preferably 3. It doesn't all have to be hunting time, there are plenty of side excursions to places well worth seeing and experiencing all over the continent. Second, as someone else mentioned again, go hoping for that 55"+ bull but also go with the idea that it is the experience of the hunt that really matters and don't hold out for the biggest bull you can possibly find or you may come home empty handed, with regrets. If you absolutely must have it and don't care if you come home empty handed, then by all means wait for the 60"+ and enjoy the hunt. I made the decision to go with no expectations and to just enjoy being there and had the hunt of my life. Take what Africa gives, soak it in, and just enjoy that magical place!

 

[uplander01]

We saw at least 6-8 mid 50" kudu bulls in Namibia on an 8 day hunt with Burchell Wolf in Sept of 25. I would say you could be successful there. Be aware, its rough country and tough walking. If I hadn't already put 3- 54.5-57" bulls on the wall over the course of the last 15 years I would have been pulling the trigger on one during that trip. I'm out of the kudu business unless I see one someday/somewhere pushing 60".

 

[MontanaPat]

The Botswana outfitters mentioned here are probably all good options, I hunted with NKWE Safaris in 2024 and took a nice 58” bull. I know a few people that have hunted with Jaco and taken bulls over 60” and one 63” bull. I don’t know how good Jaco is with email responses but Matt Egan serves as a US rep for him and maybe the best person to communicate with for setting up a hunt. I will try to find Matt’s contact info and PM you

 

[Green Chile]

For the best odds, get with a well known outfitter in Bots. Several are mentioned here. I hope to check that out personally in a few years after finishing some other goals.

 

[BAYLY SIPPEL SAFARIS]

If you are looking for free range in SA or a reserve hunt these two hunts are definitely an option! We also only do 1 hunt in each area per year. Super limited quota results in super bulls!! We are also able to hunt them both for a few days on the same safari should we need to. The Soutpansberg and Blouberg mountains are notorious for holding some of SA's biggest bulls. Nothing is guaranteed but the chance of something incredible is there! Plus you will have an assortment of other cool species to chase!



Thread 'Epic Free-Range Kudu Rut Hunting In The Mountains Of Limpopo!' https://www.africahunting.com/threa...ut-hunting-in-the-mountains-of-limpopo.98341/

Thread 'Blouberg Mountain Kudu Rut Safari 2026 (only 1 spot available!)' https://www.africahunting.com/threa...-rut-safari-2026-only-1-spot-available.97766/

 

[coreydb]

Don't worry about untimely responses. The PHs are out in the veld or other concessions with clients on their safaris. They respond when they return.

 

[Klamaers]

All,
I’ve lurked and consumed Africahunting.com for years but I’m finally in a position to start hunting Africa.

Im looking to book a 2027 trip for my Dad and I with the main priority being an opportunity at a 55” + kudu. Based on research that puts me in the Kalahari in Botswana in May/June.

I have emailed one of the most popular and highly recommended sponsors on this forum but the excessive delay between responses has me uncomfortable.

I do not require luxurious amenities or accommodations and we are fine with a bush camp. If you wanted a 55”+ bull and were willing to put 7-8 days in its pursuit, who would you hunt with?

Thanks much in advance for your thoughts.














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Welcome, and congratulations on being in a position to plan such a special hunt with your dad. You’re right that the Kalahari in Botswana during May/June is a solid choice for a true 55”+ kudu, but patience and the right outfitter are key. Slow communication from an outfitter can be a red flag, especially for a hunt that far out. I’d focus on operators with proven Kalahari track records, low hunting pressure, and a willingness to be upfront about realistic expectations. A no-frills bush camp and 7–8 dedicated days on one bull is absolutely the right mindset for that class of kudu.

 

[BRICKBURN]

If you go through hunt reports on AH you will see 55 inch Kudu have been successfully hunted in many places.
I have seen and hunted this class of trophy in the following localities.

There is one property in the Eastern Cape that I know of. Marius at KMG knows it.
KZN has opportunities, Free range and some large CAE properties.
Limpopo has some great large properties that produce this quality of trophy.
Namibia has produced some great trophies in that class.
Botswana; Is hunted less intensely than RSA and there are several outfitters that have access to large Kalahari properties with good opportunities to get your 55+
Mozambique has produced some as well. Typically, Kudu is not the focus on trophy hunters heading here.

Watch out for Boma hunts.

Here is a nice selection from 52 to 64 inches that are on auction.

Good luck with your search.
As others have noted:
It is show season.
How many time zones are they away from you?

 

[DE KLERK SAFARIS]

Hello K_C_O
We will be able to help you.
We are in the Kalahari desert right on the Botswana border but just on the RSA (Republic of South Africa) side.
If you come in May and spend 6 or 7 days just on kudu I can guarantee you will find a 55 inch plus bull.
You should see about 20 to 30 bulls every day during this time as it is the rut.
June and July is also good time but then the rut is over and you will see about 10 to 20 bulls a day.
Botswana has got zero hunting pressure which allow the kudu to get very old and to grow past the 55 inch mark.
The border fence between us and Botswana is only a 4 foot fence so the kudu jump back and forth between my property and Botswana all the time.
There is about the same kudu density on both sides of the border.
One afternoon when we drove from the Botswana border to our lodge we counted over 200 kudu.
One group was 23 bulls together.
Send an e-mail if interested.

Sincerely
Hans de Klerk

 

[MontanaPat]

Hello K_C_O
We will be able to help you.
We are in the Kalahari desert right on the Botswana border but just on the RSA (Republic of South Africa) side.
If you come in May and spend 6 or 7 days just on kudu I can guarantee you will find a 55 inch plus bull.
You should see about 20 to 30 bulls every day during this time as it is the rut.
June and July is also good time but then the rut is over and you will see about 10 to 20 bulls a day.
Botswana has got zero hunting pressure which allow the kudu to get very old and to grow past the 55 inch mark.
The border fence between us and Botswana is only a 4 foot fence so the kudu jump back and forth between my property and Botswana all the time.
There is about the same kudu density on both sides of the border.
One afternoon when we drove from the Botswana border to our lodge we counted over 200 kudu.
One group was 23 bulls together.
Send an e-mail if interested.

Sincerely
Hans de Klerk

@K_C_O as a follow up to our phone conversation, you should check into what Hans de Klerk has to offer. I get the sense they are pretty well respected outfitter / sponsor on AH. This would fit in with my comments today that you should also look into RSA outfitters in the Kalahari along the Botswana border as they would have similar genetics for big kudu bulls as NKWE and others have available. The big advantage is a possible savings in money and time getting your trophies exported straight from South Africa without having to work thru a Botswana dip and pack and the export permits from Bots to RSA and then reexporting for shipment which gets costly and takes several months in my experience.

 

[eyedok]

Tsala’s Mozambique area has 60+” kudu as well, i think they took 3 over 60” this year, and it will only improve w their anti-poaching and water projects

 

[LIMPOPO NORTH SAFARIS]

All,
I’ve lurked and consumed Africahunting.com for years but I’m finally in a position to start hunting Africa.

Im looking to book a 2027 trip for my Dad and I with the main priority being an opportunity at a 55” + kudu. Based on research that puts me in the Kalahari in Botswana in May/June.

I have emailed one of the most popular and highly recommended sponsors on this forum but the excessive delay between responses has me uncomfortable.

I do not require luxurious amenities or accommodations and we are fine with a bush camp. If you wanted a 55”+ bull and were willing to put 7-8 days in its pursuit, who would you hunt with?

Thanks much in advance for your thoughts.

Dear @K_C_O Zulu land offers some of the best Kudu hunting in my opinion we constantly harvest monster bulls in our area some of which are Free range speaking volumes about the sheer quality and quantity of the bulls in our areas.
Below are too of the recent bulls we harvested 62 and 58 respectively.

will send you a DM sir.

Regards
Sampie

 

[K_C_O]

Thank you to everyone who has reached out via this post, DM and via telephone.
Y’all are fantastic and I appreciate all of you.