Kudu Pricing?

[Rare Breed]

Wow call me naive!!! I would just never think of doing something like that but I see your point although for just me I would never do that. I have only won one raffle auction with Wintershoek for a dart rhino. I shot one fairly priced blue wildebeest trophy and five cull animals at fair prices and had an amazing time and have also paid back the outfitter on sharing what an incredible actual sleep dart versus no thank you vita dart rhino hunt I had

 

[samson7x]

have also paid back the outfitter on sharing what an incredible actual sleep dart versus no thank you vita dart rhino hunt I had

Off topic, but what exactly is the difference? That’s a hunt I’d be interested in the future. I have no desire to kill a rhino but would enjoy the dart experience.

 

[Rare Breed]

The sleep dart puts the animal to sleep at least in my mind more similar to a bullet versus a vita dart does not even phase them only an irritation. Just me it makes a difference

 

[fourfive8]

By “vita dart” I assume is meant a dart that provides some needed vaccine or substance beneficial to the rhino? A tranquilizer dart that disables is always hard on the animal. But may be necessary for medical check, treatment, surgery, tagging, micro chipping, horn removal, transport, etc. Tranquillizing one, realizing that the chemical and process is hard on the animal, for the primary purpose of trophy pics with a hunter paying for the stunt, is using the rhino as a hunting prostitute.

 

[Hunt anything]

To my understanding, the rhino must be due for a physical or a necessary medical treatment before they can be darted anymore and I think Namibia has stipulated that a licensed vet has to shoot the sleeping dart and the client only shoots a vitamin filled dart.
I would think that some unscrupulous outfitters fudge on this from time to time.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Off topic, but what exactly is the difference? That’s a hunt I’d be interested in the future. I have no desire to kill a rhino but would enjoy the dart experience.

Vita Dart is a dart that contains nutrients but doesn’t tranquillize or immobilize the animal. Essentially what was happening was there were Outfitters who were darting the same Rhinos over and over without reason to generate revenue. The idea being that only a licensed veterinarian (has the animals best interest at heart) can administer the tranquilizer and they were less likely to repeatedly dart the same rhino weekly, monthly, or even a couple times per year compared to the outfitter/landowner. Lots of outfitters with 1-5 Rhinos on their property were offering or doing several “dart hunts” per month or year with no real need other than to “hunt” one.

As stated above a tranquilizer can be hard on the animals especially if it’s done repeatedly and for no reason. Other things to think about are what if they give too much or to little of the Tranquilizer? What if the rhino (a rather large animal) doesn’t go down in a good position? Think about all that weight resting on their legs. How is the tranquilizer affecting their breathing while they’re down/under?

It’s also a way to try and ensure the dollars are going back to rhino conservation and not to just to line an outfitter or landowners pocket at the expense of the animal.

 

[Rare Breed]

By “vita dart” I assume is meant a dart that provides some needed vaccine or substance beneficial to the rhino? A tranquilizer dart that disables is always hard on the animal. But may be necessary for medical check, treatment, surgery, tagging, micro chipping, horn removal, transport, etc. Tranquillizing one, realizing that the chemical and process is hard on the animal, for the primary purpose of trophy pics with a hunter paying for the stunt, is using the rhino as a hunting prostitute.

Once my rhino was down from my sleeping dart the vets gave vaccinations and anti parasite drugs before waking him up so it helped the animal. No vita darts have just that vitamins no anti anything. only when the animal is actually asleep are medications of any kind are given. On vita dart hunts the vet shoots the sleeping dart versus yourself. I researched this thoroughly and as said before chose to shoot the sleep dart myself

 

[Rare Breed]

Vita Dart is a dart that contains nutrients but doesn’t tranquillize or immobilize the animal. Essentially what was happening was there were Outfitters who were darting the same Rhinos over and over without reason to generate revenue. The idea being that only a licensed veterinarian (has the animals best interest at heart) can administer the tranquilizer and they were less likely to repeatedly dart the same rhino weekly, monthly, or even a couple times per year compared to the outfitter/landowner. Lots of outfitters with 1-5 Rhinos on their property were offering or doing several “dart hunts” per month or year with no real need other than to “hunt” one.

As stated above a tranquilizer can be hard on the animals especially if it’s done repeatedly and for no reason. Other things to think about are what if they give too much or to little of the Tranquilizer? What if the rhino (a rather large animal) doesn’t go down in a good position? Think about all that weight resting on their legs. How is the tranquilizer affecting their breathing while they’re down/under?

It’s also a way to try and ensure the dollars are going back to rhino conservation and not to just to line an outfitter or landowners pocket at the expense of the animal.

This is correct. My outfitter has over 22 rhino with both he and his wife being vets. He limits each animal to two dart hunts each year ensuring the animals get all their medications while yes he makes money. Let’s be clear no one gets rich off these type hunts and twice per year ensures healthy rhinos. My recommendation is to research before you go. Mine was every bit as exciting as a kill hunt

 

[CoElkHunter]

Smaller yes, relatively, from what I understand. My first was 50". Zero complaints from me.

View attachment 751934

And you took it with your lever action. Congrats!

 

[BGGMKLR]

Very interesting thread.
Now waxing nostalgic about the
sunny slopes of yesterday.
Enjoy
Spike

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Very interesting thread.
Now waxing nostalgic about the
sunny slopes of yesterday.
Enjoy
Spike

If those prices still existed today I’d have gotten in some serious trouble this past trip

 

[BGGMKLR]

If those prices still existed today I’d have gotten in some serious trouble this past trip

In full disclosure, I got in a bit of a bind with the wife de jour myself.
The plan was Buff, Sable, Kudu, and hopefully Leopard.
Sadly, self-control has never been my long suit.
Looking back, even with that daily rate and those trophy fees, it SURE felt awfully expensive at that time.
Cheers
Spike

 

[FB1416]

2,000 in 2021, June 2026 is going to 2,600. No size restrictions or pay by inch.

 

[Finprof]

I took a kudu as an add-on during a Zimbabwe buffalo hunt. It was $1600.
No fence concession area.

Forgot to mention that it was July 2025 and not a long time ago. It was also a nice kudu.

 

[Osama Mahdi]

I went to Rosedale Safaris (East Cape) in 2024. My Kudu cost me $1700 and I see this year 2026 they are $1900. Part of the cost increase is the value of US Dollar.

Sent you a follow-up question via PM.
Thanks

 

[Osama Mahdi]

I paid $1,500 for my first kudu in 2021. The second kudu was a gift from my PH in 2023. I have been following a few outfitters in South Africa and reviewing their prices. The price of kudu has increased significantly with some of these outfitters—rising from $1,500 to $3,200 in just a few years. There is no way I would pay such high fees.