Is the Gemsbok coming back to Limpopo?

[HTK Safaris]

Good day @migrabill

I see a lot of great replies. There is a lot of Game Ranches in Limpopo with Gemsbok although the numbers are still quite low I think over time it will pick up as there will be more and more animals adapting to the Hartwater Tick that cause most of the problems. I believe the cattle ranches in the area also plays a big role in the amount of ticks around. I now some ranches have good success stories with numbers growing and some of the other Ranches are struggling to keep the numbers the same. I would say it's only fair for them to charge more for Gemsbok in Limpopo because of the risks they take and to cover some of the losses they've had over the years.

I'm from the Kalahari/Molopo area in South Africa. We are privileged to have great numbers of Gemsbok and we hunted a lot of 40" bulls over the years, mainly because they are native from this area, well adapted and I think we just have good genetics as well. So this will be a great area to hunt nice Old Gemsbok and Springbok.

Kind regards
Brendan Jonker

 

[Philip Glass]

Go to Namibia and hunt them free range in their native environment - A great affordable experience. Shooting one on a game ranch in the Limpopo is a bit like collecting one from the Hill Country of Texas.

Well said.

 

[cgdemakis]

If I may ask, was the trophy fee way higher than usual?

I have seen a number of pricelists in Limpopo as well as other areas and the price was inline with most outfitters. I was there in 2023 as well and the price hadn't changed.

 

[revturbo9967]

Reading some of these responses I really think something is lost not hunting gemsbok where they are native and do well. I’ve taken 6 from Namibia. I don’t think I’ve ever looked at less than 100 prior to taking one usually more. I don’t see the appeal of hunting a small managed herd in Limpopo. I also don’t see the appeal of taking an animal like a nyala or red lechwe on a ranch in Namibia. I like hunting game where it’s native and usually the trophy fee price reflects that too. $600-$800 in Namibia for a gemsbok vs $1500 in Limpopo.

That is exactly what I'm doing when hunting Namibia in 2026. Hunt only native species and only free range.