Hunting in South and Southeast Africa
For any passionate hunter planning a safari in South Africa and Southeast Africa, one of the most critical questions is: when is the best time to hunt? The answer depends on various factors—weather, topography, vegetation, and, of course, the species being pursued. South Africa and Mozambique, both renowned for their exceptional hunting opportunities, offer different landscapes and seasonal advantages. Understanding these factors can mean the difference between a good hunt and an unforgettable Safari. In this article, we look at the hunting in South and Southeast Africa.
Graham Sales Safaris provides expertly guided, ethical hunts for an unforgettable experience. African hunting prices vary based on species and location, with Africa bow hunting offering a thrilling challenge for skilled hunters. Buffalo hunting is a top choice for those seeking adrenaline-packed adventures.
Hunting in South and Southeast Africa: When to Hunt Where
Hunting in South Africa
Thispise Nature Reserve
Thispise Nature Reserve, located in the north and northeast of South Africa, is a naturally dry region characterized by dense mopane brush. The thick foliage early in the season makes it difficult for both hunters and game to see through, reducing visibility significantly. However, as the season progresses, surface water sources dry up, and the mopane leaves drop, forcing animals to move more frequently between remaining water holes. This increased movement makes spotting and tracking game considerably easier.
The best time to hunt in Tshipise is from June to July onwards, as visibility improves, and game patterns become more predictable. However, for hunters targeting Kudu, April and May offer an excellent window as this is the rutting season. Similarly, September and October, when the veld is driest, provide great hunting opportunities as animals are compelled to stay close to scarce water sources.
For those considering the lunar cycle, the dark of the moon may be preferable, especially in areas with thick mopane brush, as it can sometimes provide an advantage as game tend to move only during the day – or more during the day than at night.
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Timbavati, part of the Greater Kruger Area, offers year-round hunting due to the vast movement of wildlife between the Greater National Park and the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. This unrestricted movement ensures a continuous presence of game species, making it an exceptional hunting destination.
For Buffalo hunting, the prime time is July, August,September and October. During these months, as surface water in the Greater Park area dries up, Buffalo herds migrate into the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, creating excellent opportunities to track and hunt.
However, due to the reserve’s immense size—spanning 125,000 acres—many Buffalo remain within the Timbavati throughout the year, making it a reliable destination for Buffalo hunting regardless of the season. Over the years, successful hunts have been conducted in January through December, proving that a well-planned Safari can yield excellent results at any time.
Songimvelo Nature Reserve
Situated within the Songimvelo-Malolotja Transfrontier Conservation Area, Songimvelo nature reserve offers diverse hunting terrains, including mountains, rolling hills, open plains, and forested ravines. This habitat diversity supports an impressive range of wildlife, making it a favored hunting destination.
Hunting season runs from April to October, but early in the season, tall grass can make spotting certain species more challenging. However, the Kudu rut occurs in April and May (Beginning of June), making this an excellent time to hunt trophy Kudu bulls. Later in the season, from June onwards, visibility improves dramatically as the grass dries out and controlled burns take place, allowing for clearer sightlines up to 500–800 yards. This period is particularly good for species such as Red hartebeest and especially Mountain reedbuck, which thrive in open mountainous landscapes.
For Buffalo hunters, while Songimvelo offers year-round opportunities, the best time is from June onwards, as the grass is shorter and more suitable for spotting and tracking. However, the diverse terrain means that Buffalo always finds their preferred areas, making it possible to spot and track them successfully at any time. Since Buffalo hunts here require significant walking, the warmer temperatures later in the season should be considered when planning a Buffalo Safari.
Hunting in Mozambique
Coutada deMarangira, Niassa Province
In northern Mozambique, the Coutada de Marangira, situated in the breathtaking Niassa Province, spans just under one million acres of pristine wilderness. This remote hunting paradise is one of the last truly wild regions in Africa, offering a challenging yet rewarding experience for those seeking adventure.
Leopard, Buffalo, Hyena and plains game are the primary targets in this area. However, early in the season, tall grass and thick bush make hunting difficult. The rainy season leaves the landscape lush and dense, reducing visibility and making tracking more complicated. To counteract this, controlled burns are conducted between July and September, allowing for clearer visibility and better tracking conditions.
From August onwards, Buffalo hunting reaches its peak. This is when the dagga boys—grizzled old bulls in groups of two, three and up to ten and twelve – become more vulnerable. At the same time, larger buffalo herds of several hundred are common can also be seen. Given the terrain and expansive hunting grounds, tracking is the preferred method here, and shorter grass significantly improves success rates.
Mozambique also offers an exciting array of plains game species, including Roosevelt’s sable, Lichtensteins hartebeest, Livingstones eland, Crawshays zebra, Johnstones impala, and Niassa wildebeest. These species are best hunted during the drier months, from August to October, when visibility is improved, and animals are more concentrated around remaining water sources.
Hunting in Southeast Africa is an experience shaped by nature’s rhythms, where understanding seasonal changes can make all the difference between a challenging pursuit and a truly exceptional Safari. Whether you are tracking a massive Kudu in Thispise, pursuing Buffalo in Timbavati, navigating the rugged terrain of Songimvelo, or embarking on an adventure in Mozambique’s untamed wilderness, choosing the right time ensures the best possible experience.
By aligning your hunt with the natural cycles of these landscapes, you ensure a rewarding, ethical, and unforgettable hunting Safari in some of Africa’s most spectacular wild spaces.
