Looking for a nyala hunt, I saw ther'are some interesting offers in this Zululand provincial reserve. Seems is bigger of the normal small farms in the area and rich of big Nyala bulls.
Someone have experience there?

Mario,

I hunted Nyala several years ago on the shores of Pongola lake. There were lots of nyala, with good horn development. Probably the best I have seen anywhere. I believe this was 2002, so cannot speak to any recent trends. It does have the proper gene pool, howeever.

Bill

I took my last Nyala not far from Pongola. We hunted both fenced and unfenced land , but in the end took him on an unfenced property. Good bull, nice lyre shaped horns.

- mike

I also took my nyala on a private ranch near Pongola. The area appears to be filthy with nyala and you should have an excellent chance at a nice specimen.

Mario,

The Pongola-Mkuze area is excellent for nyala. The ranchers do specialize in them as these animals do well in that climate area.

Just study as many as you can and go for one with the proper horn shape. You want one with a good bell and one that is not too young. Some areas do not have good genetics.

I took this nyala bull near Pongola.



He isn't the biggest nyala out there (27 inches) but he was a mature, dominant bull and has the correct shape and good mass. He was in rut and had a huge, muscular neck full of scars from fighting.

Some nyala have a narrow look or the horn tips are not turned out. Those are not what you want. Well, I should say it is not what I would shoot. It's your hunt and you should shoot what YOU like.

If you want a good outfit, I have one.

Ann, the ivory tips on your nyala are awesome. Were these retained on the finished mount?

Bill,

I don't have him back yet.....

But I hope so!

He was the best one I have ever seen in my travels.

I've hunted the Pongola Port Nature Reserve on the shore of Lake Jozini. The nyala are great but the wart hog are unbelievable. Have a great hunt.

Mario,

Good topic and I am anxious to see the responses as this is a trip I would like to make someday, possibly the next planned hunt to RSA.

pongola is fenced or unfenced? is like a park ? Ther'are meny outfitters there, or only one?

I would like to know also. We are heading to Pongola in early July. Overall, what is the trophy caliber of the animals?

Folks,

I'm hunting again with Garry Kelly this year for a couple of weeks. Along with a big kudu, vaal rhebok, waterbuck, and eland we are going to Mkuze for a big nyala. Garry has hunted Mkuze for years and a quick look at the record book will show his clients have done very well there taking the current #1,4,5 and 10 as well as many other top record book nyala trophies. If you'd like to know details on Mkuze or any hunt with Garry contact me anytime.

Mark

Most of RSA, including KZN is fenced. Nyala bulls seem to be pretty territorial and while this is my opinion, I don't think you should be concerned about fencing.

Nyala are an expensive trophy, they will not get cheaper as time goes on. Fencing is often there to protect the game from poaching.

I have some very good properties in KZN and one with some monster nyala on a Limpopo property. That's where I will be going when I am ready to arrow one!