Most Coveted Animal in Africa?

[FlyGuy]

Sititunga closely followed by mountain nyala. Bongo is also up high but I'm not sure I want to go where they live. I already have LDE and the dangerous 7 so that narrows that down a bit. Nice to see the varied answers on here. If I'm on a regular plains game safari I have a hard time passing on a kudu.

Bagging a good Sitatunga in the swamps of Zambia is a very worthwhile pursuit.
Add Black and Kafue lechwe, as well as a Puku to the list and you’ve got an awesome safari experience.
To top it off, seeing a Shoebill stork.

 

[FlyGuy]

I've been researching that approach as well. I feel like sitatunga hunts are the antelope version of a leopard bait hunt but in the daylight. I don't know of an antelope hunt that requires more prep work than a sitatunga. From what I can tell they are about 1/2 the cost of a bongo.

You won’t be sorry….

 

[Nosler guy]

A little late to the party here ...

Short of selling the farm, my financial situation will never allow me to hunt Lord Derby, Bongo, Mountain Nyala, or most of the big 5 (buffalo excluded), so I've moved past all that - living vicariously through your guys reports (thanks for that)

The critters that have my attention right now, are a full bag safari of Tanzanian plains critters - Grant's, Thompsons, Lesser Kudu and Eastern Impala - but believe it or not, the one at the top of the list, that intrigues me the most is a big Gerenuk

 

[Siennacoyote]

This is an easy one.

South Africa

Charlize Theron


View attachment 756213

I was gonna say Christina Hendricks glad someone gave the smarts Answer

 

[Graham Hunter]

Bongo without question!

 

[LWPhunt]

Oof, this is hard, you guys have already qualified, so many factors, age, money, desire, availability. I guess now an exportable elephant would be it. Leopard a close second.

 

[kpoynter]

For me it would be a huge Bull elephant. Perhaps even the pursuit of a 100 pounder.
It’s hard to argue that isn’t the ultimate trophy..period…
After that you have a Huge Wild Lion with Full Mane or maybe a 200 pound Leopard
Plains game….its LDE or Bongo. This may sound weird but I kind of rule out bongo because unless you can do a Full Body mount then don’t do it (IMO). Also not sure about the whole jungle thing and the bugs and heat lol
The Mountain Nyla never blew too much wind up my skirt….
A 50 inch wild Sable would be incredible

 

[Wildwillalaska]

I big mature elephant has been my #1 coveted african animal for as long as I can remember. Hopefully some day soon, I will have it scratched off and maybe on to another or a wild, tracked lion if I can bring myself to accept the cost and still enjoy the hunt.

I cannot think of a single trophy on that continent I would take over a wild tracked buffalo though. I do not see me tiring of chasing those old brutes.

 

[375Fox]

I’ve been very lucky to take some of my most coveted animals. I took lord derby eland in 2023 and grant and Thompson gazelles in 2025. A lesser kudu currently sits in my #1 spot.

 

[rwp315]

BONGO IS ON A LIST I PROBABLY WILL NOT FILL.

Have read how difficult it was to find a Bongo, but had the pleasure of see in my neighbors full Bongo mount. Pretty magnificent. The black horns were beautiful.

 

[Grandpa Moose]

My first thought is wild lion and/or leopard but my kitty Stubby might not agree lol.

 

[Rumrunner]

Buffalo and Sable scheduled for 2027. Took a Kudu in 2024.
Would love to hunt LDE, Bongo and especially a Mountain Nyala but doubt my budget will support these.

 

[Rakman]

Currently Mtn Nyala closely followed by wild lion.

I love the spiral horns.

Last year I was fortunate to take a 31” bongo and huge Forrest sitatunga which was an incredible experience. In 2022 I took a LDE on day 10/12 and it was the greatest hunt I’ve done to date. I don’t wish to repeat many hunts as I enjoy new species and locations…but I’d love to track giant eland in the Savanah again one day, sadly though I do not believe that will be an option at some point soon.

 

[Rem280]

.

Giant forest hog would be my choice, closely followed by an old, old bongo bull, closely followed by a 15" plus warthog ! That would make me a very happy hunter !

.

I agree on the Giant Forest Hog! Plus trophy warthog, Red river hog and Bush pig! YOLO!

 

[9Point3]

Elephant and wild lion because I probably will not get a chance.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

I’ve been very lucky to take some of my most coveted animals. I took lord derby eland in 2023 and grant and Thompson gazelles in 2025. A lesser kudu currently sits in my #1 spot.

Ok, a supplement to my "next" list since I hope to clear my most coveted sometime soon...if adding a plains game, Grants Gazelle for sure. I really want one, and I'd certainly take a Thompsons and lesser Kudu, just not something that I get excited about...but the Grants, there is something about them I really would like one.

And of course I have to like a single species in Tanzania Masai land...I can't like a single species somewhere I can take just one without having a license for all kinds of things I don't really desire. I keep hoping at some point I will find a hunt where I can do a buffalo (or two) and a Grants gazelle...granted (pun) it doesn't seem likely.

And I'd hunt a Bongo if they ever migrate out into the savannah. I love really roughing it and even down right suffering on a good wholesome backcountry sheep or mountain hunt...but have zero interest in hunting in swamps or jungle. I think Bongo are likely safe by me...for life. I'm not sure I would hunt one if someone else paid for the hunt. I do need to hunt Cameroon some day though, just the drier, firm ground, non-jungle area.

 

[ReddingArcher]

Cape buffalo have been at the top of my bucket list for as long as I can remember. I can remember seeing them in magazines as a teenager and the line of they look at you like you owe them money sucked me in and it’s something I have to do. I’m planning to make it happen in the next few years. I actually just picked up my buffalo rifle today. Nothing crazy, just a CZ 550 in 375.

 

[CBH Australia]

See a list of the most popular animals from a first safari and I’d bet kudu would be at the top. Maybe zebra, blue wildebeest and warthog would be close to that.

I didn’t take a Zebra but I was able to hunt the others in my first safari.

I could have, should have purchased a cheap Zebra rug at the airport. Should have listened to Bob, who would have thought.

 

[cooperjd]

I've only hunted RSA, but did manage a buffalo with my bow the second trip. If we are discussing Africa my #1 would be a giant bull ele, but unless i create a successful business that is highly unlikely to happen financially. In North america it would be a dall sheep. Very difficult to pick just 1. Big wild lion might be next, and I'd like to chase buffalo across several countries and landscapes.

 

[Safari Dave]

Elephant.
(I just e-mailed my PH today!)



wild lion
sable
waterbuck