Gemsbok Hunts

Gemsbok Hunts

The Gemsbok is the largest antelope of the genus Oryx and is endemic to Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana. Also known as the South African Oryx, this iconic African antelope is renowned for both its beauty and toughness.

It is a striking antelope and an iconic African plains game species, featuring large, spear-like black horns. In most antelope species the male’s horns are usually larger, but in the case of the Gemsbok, the females’ horns are larger reaching up to 48 inches compared to the males that reach 33-38 inches. Not only is the Gemsbok a beautiful trophy, but tough and dangerous too – it will defend itself against attackers or another Gemsbok when fighting.

The Gemsbok is well adapted to its arid and semi-arid habitats, thriving in areas such as Namibia’s Kalahari and Namib Desert and the Kalahari region in Botswana.

A Gemsbok hunt challenges a hunter’s patience, endurance and precision, with this iconic antelope requiting accurate shot placement to not ruin the exceptional trophy. Approaching the Gemsbok is a tough task, as they are renowned for their wary nature and well-developed sense of hearing, sight, and smell. Stalking should be a slow, patient affair and rushing it can result in losing your trophy as it speeds away, reaching speeds of up to 38 miles per hour. These antelopes are not only intelligent, but very tough, and a wounded Gemsbok can travel far distances over days, making tracking them very difficult.

Gemsbok hunts generally form part of a larger African plains game safari, which can start anywhere from 7-days or more, depending on other species being hunted, location, and so forth.