Last March, I hunted the Gras Ranch in Namibia for a variety of PG. I killed kudu, gemsbok, zebra, red hartebeest, blue wildebeest, black wildebeest, warthog, springbok and others. It was my first African hunt and I really enjoyed myself. Everything and everyone was great. They do offer both eland and waterbuck but both appear to be on the pricey side. I'd love to hunt with Errol again but am wondering if Gras is the place to go for eland and waterbuck. Any suggestions?

Bobby B.

There are a gazillion places in RSA that will have Common Waterbuck and Cape Eland and others in Namibia.

For a little more money (on average) you could jump up into Zim and hunt Common Waterbuck and Livingstone's Eland in the Save. There you would likely have encounters with several members of the big 5. You would also encounter some species that you'd not had the opportunity to hunt in Namibia. Depending on where you went, these might include: nyala (very ltd quota), duiker, grysbok, klipspringer, bushbuck, bushpig, hyena, baboon, etc.

My $.02.

I echo Will's comments. The Save produces big herds of Eland........many nice. The Waterbuck are plentiful as well. I was fortunate to take a 31+ heavy horned bull last summer. I hunted with Brooklands;I believe Will hunted with Zambezi, both fine choices. Jim

Zimbabwe's lowveldt with someone like Roger Whittall safaris or Mbalabala safaris.

Cheap is where the animals are plentiful. I know where Waterbuck are cheap and plentiful; I also know where Eland are cheap and plentiful; I just don't know a place where both are cheap and plentiful. That's because these two species don't naturally thrive in the same habitat. Waterbuck like riverine bush, decent rainfall areas; Eland like semi-arid areas although they are found in some strange places like up in the foothills of the Drakensberg and to some extent in the lowveld as well. So I suggest you don't try to combine the two of them, unless you are willing to pay a premium on one of them. Usually, when you find them together, one or both is "introduced" and that means you pay. Here's a thought: for this trip, take your Waterbuck and a Bushbuck, I can put you in an A+ location for these species. Here you will also find plenty of Impala (not on your Namibia list) as well as Klipspringer and Baboons. You may luck into an Eland but I can't promise that, they are not super plentiful. Then, next trip, Eland and Leopard. Another A+ hunt, trophy quality is tops.

You can't miss in Coutada 10 Mozambique either with Saaiman Safaris or Bahati Adventures. Literally herds of waterbuck bulls with many over 30 up to 34 or 35 inches. They have big eland, as well, but in limited numbers.

Jim

Plenty of places throughout southern Africa and you could also add the Tuli block Botswana to the list.

+1 for Roger Whittall Safaris. His Humani area on the Save is full of Waterbuck and Eland. Its an amazing place to hunt. Im going in July next year.

Mike

Another good option if you want to Safari in "wild" Africa is www.kambakosafaris.com

In 2006 I got very good eland and waterbuck in Matetsi Unit 2 (not too far from Victoria Falls).

If you like Namibia, and want to go back, here is an outfit that has pretty reasonable TFs on waterbuk and eland.

http://www.huntatrophy.com/pricing.html

I want to stress that I have not hunted with them. You would need to do a search, and check references.

Also, Tholo safaris, in Botswana have reasonable trophy fees on both. They are represented by both Wendell Reich, and Mark Young, here on AR. Just suggestions.

Mad Dog

Northern Cameroon

Nuanesti ranch in the Zimbabwe Lowveld. I had a concession there in 2003 and was plenty of both. I dont know who hunt there now. Maybe Nixon?

quote:

Originally posted by SG Olds:
Northern Cameroon

I wondered when someone would play the Lord Derby Eland and Sing Sing Waterbuck card.

quote:

Where to go for eland and waterbuck?

With me to the Tuli Block in Botswana...

TF's:

Waterbuck - $1,700
Eland - $1,500

30,000 acres, tented camp, good food, good company and excellent trophy quality.

Regards,

Chris

Without a doubt , The Save Valley Conservancy is one of your best choies. Waterbuck and Eland are common and reach good sizes. You would also be able to look at Nyala, Sable, Bushbuck etc. There are a number of properties that would offer these. Shangaan Hunters, Forever African Safaris, Roger Whittal Safaris, Mokore Safaris, etc...All have web sites and are extremely good operators and PHs. Let me know if you have any other questions

www.AfricanBarefootSafaris.co.za

Reon von Tonden has some great properties to hunt in Limpopo Province in RSA.
I got a nice Waterbuck with him last month, and (regretfully) passed on a Big Eland the last night at hunting lodge. Lots of game on the place we started at.

Rich
DRSS

Has the Tuli Block opened for waterbuck? A friend has several properties along the Limpopo and the last time I visited there (in 2002), I was told waterbuck and klipspringer were protected. I assumed the closure included the entire Tuli Block.

Bill Quimby

Bill,

Waterbuck have been on the menu again for at least 5 years or so and probably a fair bit more.... I can't remember how long. Klipspringer are still not legal game though.

RSA is probably going to be your best bet for both in the same place. Shiawela in the Limpopo, by far, has some of the biggest Waterbuck I've ever seen. They consistently shoot big bulls over 33", and the last group I took there shot one that was 34.5" in December. Out of 4 hunters in December, 4 waterbuck were taken, all over 30". Large eland are also prevalent in the area.
Good Luck.

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:
Bill,

Waterbuck have been on the menu again for at least 5 years or so and probably a fair bit more.... I can't remember how long. Klipspringer are still not legal game though.

Thanks, Steve:

There should be some really big waterbuck in the Tuli. I saw lots of them in 2002, including a herd of at least a dozen mature bulls and every one was a keeper.

Bill Quimby

Posted 20 May 2010 01:45 Hide Post
RSA is probably going to be your best bet for both in the same place. Shiawela in the Limpopo, by far, has some of the biggest Waterbuck I've ever seen. They consistently shoot big bulls over 33", and the last group I took there shot one that was 34.5" in December. Out of 4 hunters in December, 4 waterbuck were taken, all over 30". Large eland are also prevalent in the area.
Good Luck.

"Sleep When You're Dead!"


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I second Stephen on the recommendation for Shiawela. Went down there last year and shot a 34 inch Waterbuck, it ended up scoring 83 on the SCI Scale. The amazing thing is that I had passed up atleast 2 shots before that on larger waterbucks because it wasnt on my list at that time. Every day I was down there I saw 28+ inch waterbucks. Great place for large trophy animals and even better hosts, Ken and Jo are great!

Also, saw a couple herds of Eland.