Kudu Pricing?

[Islandlaker]

Curious what those have paid in South Africa for Greater Kudu? The outfitter we are going with likely in 2028 has them on the price list from 4800 to 5800 seems like that maybe high compared to others. Not to be cliche but we bid on the classic hunt auction at DU and "won" for 4200 4 guys "5 full days of hunting" 2:1 PH with Blesbok or Impala, Warthog, Wilderbeast and Managment animal. Did find out Impala is no longer on that list 2026 and later after the fact which was a disappointment that was one of my hitlist but Impala is a fair add on at 600 and they let you drop the management animal for a 200 dollar credit. I want to hunt a Kudu and i probably wont go back to africa again until my kids turn 16 so they can hunt also which will be 2036. Part of me just wants to pay the add on for the Kudu but if the price is crazy high compared to others I don't want to be a chump.

Basically just curious what others have paid for greater Kudu in 2024 and onwards.

 

[Rumrunner]

I paid $3800 in August 2024 with, I expect, the same outfitter. In Limpopo.

 

[jomw10]

An impala was $350, kudu around $1,500 I think.

You can hunt a kudu, zebra, wildebeest, impala and blesbuck 1:1 all in for $4,500 with games4africa. 7 days all inclusive

 

[Hedge774]

Agreed. Even stand alone with daily fees should be around $2500 to $3000. I'd look for a couple of smaller trophy animals to fill that gap. Each trophy animal has its own unique appeal. A trophy warthog or duiker is an amazing accomplishment in my book as well!

 

[375Fox]

There seems to be a huge range of pricing. Anything above $3500 I’d have very specific expectations of the properties and the hunting experience they’d provide.

I think you know it already, but you didn’t really “win” anything. It’s a marketing strategy by the outfitter. If this is the outfitter I suspect it is, you’ll get a much better value and better experience elsewhere. I’d get quotes from different outfitters to compare. Many outfitters would give you an exclusive camp for your group for 4 guys. Compare camp environment, the properties they have access to, how many PHs and how long they’ve worked there, how many hunters per year, and other questions and I think you’ll see what separates outfitters. A cheap hunt becomes expensive when you factor in flights and the costs to get your trophies home also becomes very expensive with kudu starting at $4800.

 

[375Fox]

An impala was $350, kudu around $1,500 I think.

You can hunt a kudu, zebra, wildebeest, impala and blesbuck 1:1 all in for $4,500 with games4africa. 7 days all inclusive

Not saying it’s not a great value or hunt, but that’s a cape kudu not a southern greater kudu. Greater kudu are larger on average and higher pricing.

 

[Islandlaker]

Thanks for the input guys. I am very excited and we got a good deal for what is included I think plus a couple of the guys wouldn't be able to go if my dad didn't buy it as a auction and share it with us. We are a group of 4 that go elk and mule deer hunting every year together and I think he wanted to share this with us. That being said I will keep the pricing in mind and maybe convince myself to do a second trip sooner and go after the expensive stuff later and just enjoy having a fun time shooting some cool animals with my buddies. I will probably just add on a Impala thats only 600 and seems fair in price, plus a shoulder mount impala and blesbok together I bet would look awesome.

 

[Sabre]

Thanks for the input guys. I am very excited and we got a good deal for what is included I think plus a couple of the guys wouldn't be able to go if my dad didn't buy it as a auction and share it with us. We are a group of 4 that go elk and mule deer hunting every year together and I think he wanted to share this with us. That being said I will keep the pricing in mind and maybe convince myself to do a second trip sooner and go after the expensive stuff later and just enjoy having a fun time shooting some cool animals with my buddies. I will probably just add on a Impala thats only 600 and seems fair in price, plus a shoulder mount impala and blesbok together I bet would look awesome.

If you just want to do it with your dad and buddies to have the experience together, and you know what you are getting yourself into, you will most likely still have a good time. Just go into it with your eyes wide open, check/compare other outfitters prices to get an idea what is a fair price. Hunt a couple animals that are interesting to you and fairly priced. I would definitely plan a second trip to go after a Kudu with another outfitter that you research a bit around here and other places.

At $4800-5800 I would strongly recommend keeping your desire in check on the hunt and don't get swept up in the moment at that price. However, I would recommend you also clarify with the outfitter if it is for a Southern Greater Kudu or a Cape Kudu. I have seen a few times where the words "greater kudu" are used just to differentiate it from the lesser kudu. Cape Kudu is typically cheaper than Southern Greater Kudu.

 

[Corylax18]

I won an auction hunt last year and I was surprised at how expensive some of the outfitters trophy fees were. They're Charging from $3,750 to $8,500 for a Greater Kudu, depending on size. They want $3,500 for an Eastern. Its the first animal on my list as well, so I'm torn as well.

 

[Sailfish9453]

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.

 

[Islandlaker]

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.

They look legit nice

 

[Adam Stevens]

I won an auction hunt last year and I was surprised at how expensive some of the outfitters trophy fees were. They're Charging from $3,750 to $8,500 for a Greater Kudu, depending on size. They want $3,500 for an Eastern. Its the first animal on my list as well, so I'm torn as well.

Unfortunately that seems to be a common story on auction hunts.

 

[Islandlaker]

Unfortunately that seems to be a common story on auction hunts.

makes me wonder if the auction places have 2 separate price lists . I am going to enjoy the hunt with what we have and not add on any high end stuff unless once i am there offer fair pricing for the add ons.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

An impala was $350, kudu around $1,500 I think.

You can hunt a kudu, zebra, wildebeest, impala and blesbuck 1:1 all in for $4,500 with games4africa. 7 days all inclusive

I had this as well. A kudu in 2023 was $1200.

 

[Hunt anything]

makes me wonder if the auction places have 2 separate price lists . I am going to enjoy the hunt with what we have and not add on any high end stuff unless once i am there offer fair pricing for the add ons.

I’ve done a couple of auction hunts, I took extra animals off of their published price lists on their websites. I wouldn’t pay extra just because it’s an auction hunt but I made it clear I would most likely spend $5000 or so on extra animals which I did.
If you’re going to the Limpopo province, they seem to have a higher price on kudu but with that being said they also have some of the biggest. Kudu are one animal along with a few others (buffalo, sable and roan come to mind) that often have a sliding pay scale, so you’ll have to decide if a couple of extra inches of horn is worth the extra cost.

As said earlier the Eastern Cape kudu are smaller but more affordable and as @jomw10 and @Tundra Tiger stated earlier @GAME 4 AFRICA SAFARIS is a great place to get one.

No matter what you decide go and have the hunt of a lifetime.

 

[MarkB]

I suggest doing a little research on site sponsors websites and gaining "real world" trophy fee prices. This will give you a baseline. I see no reason to pay $4800-$5800 for TF on an add on species when many outfitters will provide a 5-7 day hunt and TF for a kudu hunt.

@375Fox is correct, from many posts on this and other sites, auction hunts are priced OK if you only keep with what's offered/included. Deviate and rip-offs start immediately. There is always barter room if you are informed. Also talk to your outfitter long before you go, be honest, tell them what you want and can/are willing to pay, most should accommodate reasonable numbers.

MB

 

[hoytcanon]

I would never pay that for a kudu. I paid $1800 for the first and $2400 for the second one on two precious hunts. I would also not hunt with an outfitter charging sliding scale rates for horn length. The problem with auction hunts is that often the Outfitter will try to "make back" their money by upselling you on high ticket animals. I would recommend that you just go, have fun and stick to the package animals, or maybe add one or two of the cheapest from his list. If he starts pushing you to shoot a $5800 Kudu or $8500 Sable... DON'T FALL FOR IT!

 

[buck wild]

I was quoted $7k for a 60"+ should we see one on about as "free range" as the Limpopo area offers these days. That was from an outfit I have hunted with previously. He knew I almost choked and was slightly embarrassed to even say the amount, but that was what the local landowners were asking based on market prices for a bull that big, given their limited quantities. Thank goodness I didn't see one over 52"

 

[skydiver386]

That price for a Kudu is beyond what most would consider reasonable, but it seems more people are willing to pay for a big Kudu, especially anything over 55". Then there are those in the eternal search for a 60", and it's not hard to see why some think they can ask these prices.

 

[Frederik]

My take from a local South African this year is that the big boys the ones who wheel and deal with game on auctions are inflating rates at the moment on the market.
We have had plenty rain good grazing last 2-3 years so no lack of grazing.
Demand, yes there is a demand from hunters and trophy hunter numbers seem to rise but to replenish stock and blood line it has become expensive buying from auctions this year.

We will see after this season with the FOOT and MOUTH outbreak which is going to stop a lot of local hunters to go hunting as meat will not be allowed to move freely back home.
There are good deals to be found one just has to shop around.

My budget is not playing along very well with this year's rate but I do have a hunt lined up and it might be the only hunt this year will see what comes to pass.