Outdoors International matches you with vetted plains game outfitters across southern Africa, at no extra cost to you compared to booking direct.
A plains game safari lives or dies on the area you hunt and the professional hunter beside you. Two safaris can carry the same species list and deliver completely different weeks — the difference is the ground, the game density, and whether your PH is genuinely hunting or just filling a list. That is not something a website tells you.
We have hunted southern Africa ourselves and we know which operations deliver. Our consultants match you to the right country, concession and PH based on your species goals, your days, your budget and how hard you want to work — at no extra cost to you compared to booking direct.
Plains game covers Africa’s non-dangerous savanna species — the spiral-horned antelope, the oryx and hartebeest tribe, the smaller bushveld species, and the plains oddities that make a species list interesting. It is the backbone of African hunting and the reason most hunters fall in love with the continent on their first trip. The dangerous species sit in their own category: see African dangerous game for buffalo, leopard, hippo and croc.
Each of these has its own page with the hunts we currently offer, the countries they run in, and what to expect: Kudu hunting, Nyala hunting, Sable hunting, Roan hunting, Gemsbok hunting, Impala hunting, Blesbok hunting, Lechwe hunting, Giraffe hunting, Baboon hunting.
Most safaris combine several of them. A typical first trip might pair kudu and gemsbok with impala and blesbok; a returning hunter might come back specifically for sable or roan. Build the list with your consultant rather than off a menu — what is realistic depends heavily on the area and the season.
Our plains game network runs across southern Africa: South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe. South Africa carries the widest species variety and the most developed infrastructure, which makes it the easiest first safari. Namibia offers big free-range country and excellent gemsbok and kudu hunting. Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe run wilder, less-managed areas — more remote, more adventure, and often better for a returning hunter who wants a different feel.
Within each country the character varies enormously. Low-fence and free-range properties hunt very differently from intensively managed ones, and both have their place depending on what you are after. We will tell you plainly which is which.
Days start early. You hunt with a professional hunter and a tracker, usually driving to cut sign and then stalking on foot. Shots tend to come between 100 and 250 yards, often from sticks. Midday is for lunch and rest at camp, then you hunt again into the evening. Lodges are generally comfortable — hot water, good food, and someone dealing with your laundry.
Plan on seven to ten days for a solid plains game list, longer if you are adding a difficult species or combining with dangerous game. Travel is straightforward: most routes run through Johannesburg or Windhoek with one connection to camp.
Ready to start? Talk to a consultant about the species you want and the season you have in mind. There is no obligation, and it costs you nothing to ask.
You can also browse every African plains game hunt we currently offer.
Plains game is the collective term for Africa’s non-dangerous antelope and savanna species — kudu, gemsbok, impala, blesbok, nyala, sable, roan and their relatives. It is distinct from dangerous game, which covers buffalo, leopard, hippo, croc and elephant. Most first African safaris are plains game safaris.
Most hunters take somewhere between three and eight animals on a first safari. Your consultant will help you build a realistic species list around the days you have, the area you hunt, and what you actually want on the wall — rather than a list that looks good on paper.
The southern African season generally runs from about April through October, in their winter. Cooler weather, thinner bush and animals concentrating near water all make for better hunting and easier spotting. Early and late season each have their advantages, and we will tell you which suits your goals.
Less than most mountain hunts. Expect walking and stalking over flat to rolling terrain, often several miles a day in warm weather. If you can walk comfortably for a few hours, you can hunt plains game. Some areas and species are more demanding than others — we will match you to terrain you will enjoy.
A .30-06, .300 magnum or 7mm is plenty for the vast majority of plains game, with premium bullets in the heavier weights for the larger species like eland, kudu and gemsbok. Your outfitter will confirm what works best for the specific area, and we help with the firearm permit paperwork.
Africa does not use a draw system the way western states do. Your species are arranged as part of the safari, and the outfitter handles local licensing. You will need travel documents, a firearm permit if you bring your own rifle, and CITES paperwork for certain species — we walk you through all of it.
Yes, and many hunters do. Cape buffalo in particular pairs naturally with a plains game list. Combination safaris need more days and a different class of area, so tell your consultant early and we will scope it properly.
Your outfitter’s staff handles field prep and delivery to a taxidermist or dip-and-pack facility. From there a shipping agent moves them to your taxidermist at home. It is a routine process, but the timeline runs months rather than weeks — we set expectations up front and stay involved.
It is the best first Africa hunt. The infrastructure is comfortable, travel is straightforward, the hunting is active without being punishing, and the variety means you see and learn a great deal in a short trip. A large share of our clients come back for a second one.
Absolutely, and southern Africa is one of the easiest places to bring them. Most lodges accommodate non-hunting guests comfortably, with photographic game viewing, day trips and downtime at camp. Mention it when you reach out and we will factor it into where you go.
We have either hunted with them or personally evaluated them. We look at the quality of the area, the professional hunters on staff, how they handle trophies and logistics, and how they treat clients when something goes wrong. Outfitters that stop meeting that standard stop getting our clients.
Popular areas and prime season dates book a year or more out, and the best professional hunters fill first. If you have a target season in mind, start the conversation early — there is no obligation in asking, and it costs you nothing.
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We were thankful that Outdoors International hooked us up with a great outfitter because they were able to find us an acceptable alternate on short notice. Overall the two year process to get this float in was seamless and worry free. Just like it should be.
The lodge was out of this world! Our rooms, the delicious food, the incredible wildlife and the scenery were amazing. Our photo safari guide was truly exceptional and had us on animals almost constantly. We saw over 30 different species and had some incredible up close experiences. Africa is amazing!
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