The plains game is generally used to describe any type of antelope or gazelle that inhabits open grasslands and savanna habitats throughout sub-Saharan Africa. These animals range in size from the feisty impala, warthog and duiker up to the massive kudu, hartebeest, blue wildebeest and zebra. They live in a variety of terrain including tree and shrub savannahs, thorn bush in various degrees of thickness, and even mountain stretches that can feature treeless areas.

Encountering Plains Game: The Thrill of the Hunt

A hunter can look forward to a vast selection of antelope and gazelle species when hunting on a reputable African safari outfitter. Popular spiral horn antelopes like the kudu and the sable are high on most hunters’ lists, along with the endemic klipspringer and diminutive bushbuck. In addition to these larger antelope, there is the dashing springbok and the regal gemsbok. The elusive tsessebe and the solitary steenbok also make the list of many hunters, as do the feisty warthog and the shy duiker.

These animals not only offer a variety of trophy possibilities but they are vital to the overall health of the ecosystem. Their grazing and browsing activities promote biodiversity by maintaining a balance in the density of plant growth. They also facilitate nutrient cycling by returning essential nutrients to the soil through their waste products.