Hosted on approved ground
Eland Hunting in South Africa
A hosted eland hunt in South Africa runs Roughly $4,500–$7,500 for a hosted eland-focused hunt (5–7 days) before international flights: ~$2,500–$3,500 outfitter cost (daily rate + one eland trophy fee) plus Huntica's 20–40% hosting fee plus on-the-ground extras (license, trackers, field prep, transfers). A typical real reference is the BookYourHunt Northern Cape 6-day all-in at $7,500 covering eland + 3 other species with a host layered on top. all-in over 5–7 days for an eland-focused hunt; 7–10 days if combined with other plains game (kudu, gemsbok, springbok), which is the more common booking on this ground., best hunted may–september with a 90%+ success rate. Free-range plains game across the Northern Cape Karoo, hosted on approved ground. A Huntica host is on the ground for every day of it.
Daily rate
$350–$450/day for plains-game observer/daily rate; some Northern Cape operators run $400–$600/day. Eland-inclusive package days on the Kimberley/Magersfontein ground typically priced inside an all-in rather than a bare daily.
Trophy fee
$1,600–$2,200 for a representative Cape/Livingstone bull at mid-tier Northern Cape outfitters; premium/larger-horned bulls run $2,500–$4,250. Management/cull eland (non-trophy) where offered run lower, roughly $1,400–$1,800.
All-in (typical)
Roughly $4,500–$7,500 for a hosted eland-focused hunt (5–7 days) before international flights: ~$2,500–$3,500 outfitter cost (daily rate + one eland trophy fee) plus Huntica's 20–40% hosting fee plus on-the-ground extras (license, trackers, field prep, transfers). A typical real reference is the BookYourHunt Northern Cape 6-day all-in at $7,500 covering eland + 3 other species with a host layered on top.
BookYourHunt Cape-eland and Northern Cape listings (daily $350–$450; Northern Cape 6-day 4-species all-in $7,500, Tour 41733); Big Game Hunting Adventures 2026 eland trophy fee $4,250; multiple 2026 SA price lists (Gaspare Spanio, JW African Outfitters, Hunters Hill) putting Cape eland trophy fees $1,600–$2,500. Huntica all-in adds its stated 20–40% hosting fee on outfitter cost.
Best months
May–September
Typical length
5–7 days for an eland-focused hunt; 7–10 days if combined with other plains game (kudu, gemsbok, springbok), which is the more common booking on this ground.
Success rate
90%+
What’s included
- ✓Professional hunter (PH) guiding
- ✓Huntica host present on the ground for the full hunt
- ✓Trackers and skinners
- ✓Daily rate / accommodation in camp
- ✓All meals, soft drinks, laundry, housekeeping
- ✓Field trophy preparation (skinning, salting, dipping prep)
- ✓Airport transfers (Kimberley or OR Tambo)
- ✓Hunting license and on-territory transport
- ✓One eland trophy fee (within the quoted package on this ground)
Usually separate
- —International airfare (e.g. to OR Tambo / Kimberley)
- —Trophy dipping, packing, taxidermy and international shipping
- —Rifle/ammunition rental if own firearm not brought (or SAPS 520 firearm-import handling fees)
- —Gratuities for PH, trackers and camp staff
- —Additional animals taken beyond the package species
- —Travel/medical insurance and pre/post-hunt accommodation
- —Alcohol (where not specified)
Permits, trophies & logistics
- Eland is NOT CITES-listed (classified as ordinary plains game in South Africa) — no CITES export or import permit is required for an eland trophy.
- Trophy export from South Africa needs standard provincial/veterinary export documentation: a registered taxidermist/dip-and-pack facility issues the dip certificate plus veterinary health certificate; no CITES paperwork for eland.
- US import: USFWS clearance applies on arrival but eland (non-CITES, non-ESA) imports as a general wildlife trophy — no USFWS import permit required, declared via Form 3-177 through a designated port.
- EU import: trophy clears through a designated Border Inspection Post with the original SA veterinary health certificate and dip certificate; no CITES import permit needed for eland.
- Firearm temporary import: hunter submits SAPS 520 temporary import permit (valid up to 6 months) at the port of entry (OR Tambo) or via the Central Firearms Register; original firearm licence, proof of ownership, and invitation/booking letter required.
Eland in South Africa, at a glance
- ◈Cape/Livingstone eland trophy fees at Northern Cape outfitters run $1,600–$2,200 for a representative bull, rising to $2,500–$4,250 for premium or larger-horned bulls (2026 SA price lists).
- ◈Plains-game daily rates in South Africa are $350–$450/day, with some Northern Cape operators at $400–$600/day (BookYourHunt, 2026).
- ◈Eland is the largest African plains-game antelope, with mature bulls weighing up to ~900 kg (~2,000 lb).
- ◈Recommended minimum caliber for eland is .30-06 with 180gr controlled-expansion bullets; .300/.338 Win Mag, 9.3x62 and .375 H&H are preferred (Big Game Hunting Adventures).
- ◈Success rates on managed/free-range Northern Cape eland hunts exceed 90% over a 5–7 day hunt.
- ◈Best season is the May–September dry winter; a representative Northern Cape outfitter lists its season as roughly March 1–September 30.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a eland hunt in South Africa cost?
A hosted eland hunt in South Africa typically runs Roughly $4,500–$7,500 for a hosted eland-focused hunt (5–7 days) before international flights: ~$2,500–$3,500 outfitter cost (daily rate + one eland trophy fee) plus Huntica's 20–40% hosting fee plus on-the-ground extras (license, trackers, field prep, transfers). A typical real reference is the BookYourHunt Northern Cape 6-day all-in at $7,500 covering eland + 3 other species with a host layered on top. all-in for a 5–7 days for an eland-focused hunt; 7–10 days if combined with other plains game (kudu, gemsbok, springbok), which is the more common booking on this ground. hunt — daily rates of $350–$450/day for plains-game observer/daily rate; some Northern Cape operators run $400–$600/day. Eland-inclusive package days on the Kimberley/Magersfontein ground typically priced inside an all-in rather than a bare daily. plus a $1,600–$2,200 for a representative Cape/Livingstone bull at mid-tier Northern Cape outfitters; premium/larger-horned bulls run $2,500–$4,250. Management/cull eland (non-trophy) where offered run lower, roughly $1,400–$1,800. trophy fee, with a Huntica host present throughout. BookYourHunt Cape-eland and Northern Cape listings (daily $350–$450; Northern Cape 6-day 4-species all-in $7,500, Tour 41733); Big Game Hunting Adventures 2026 eland trophy fee $4,250; multiple 2026 SA price lists (Gaspare Spanio, JW African Outfitters, Hunters Hill) putting Cape eland trophy fees $1,600–$2,500. Huntica all-in adds its stated 20–40% hosting fee on outfitter cost.
When is the best time to hunt eland in South Africa?
May–September (Southern Hemisphere winter / dry season): grass is down, animals concentrate on water and feed, visibility and stalking conditions are best. The Northern Cape Magersfontein ground hunts well across this window; cooler June–August are prime. The referenced Northern Cape outfitter… A typical hunt runs 5–7 days for an eland-focused hunt; 7–10 days if combined with other plains game (kudu, gemsbok, springbok), which is the more common booking on this ground..
What is the success rate on a eland hunt?
90%+ on managed/free-range Northern Cape ground over a 5–7 day hunt (Big Game Hunting Adventures cites 90%+ on its eland safaris). Eland are large, herd-living, and reliably located; the challenge is closing on a mature bull, not finding eland, so the realistic ceiling for a representative bull is…
What is included in a hosted eland hunt?
Typically included: Professional hunter (PH) guiding, Huntica host present on the ground for the full hunt, Trackers and skinners, Daily rate / accommodation in camp, All meals, soft drinks, laundry, housekeeping, Field trophy preparation (skinning, salting, dipping prep), Airport transfers (Kimberley or OR Tambo), Hunting license and on-territory transport, One eland trophy fee (within the quoted package on this ground). Usually excluded: International airfare (e.g. to OR Tambo / Kimberley), Trophy dipping, packing, taxidermy and international shipping, Rifle/ammunition rental if own firearm not brought (or SAPS 520 firearm-import handling fees), Gratuities for PH, trackers and camp staff, Additional animals taken beyond the package species, Travel/medical insurance and pre/post-hunt accommodation, Alcohol (where not specified).
What regulations apply to a eland hunt and trophy?
Eland is NOT CITES-listed (classified as ordinary plains game in South Africa) — no CITES export or import permit is required for an eland trophy. Trophy export from South Africa needs standard provincial/veterinary export documentation: a registered taxidermist/dip-and-pack facility issues the dip certificate plus veterinary health certificate; no CITES paperwork for eland. US import: USFWS clearance applies on arrival but eland (non-CITES, non-ESA) imports as a general wildlife trophy — no USFWS import permit required, declared via Form 3-177 through a designated port. EU import: trophy clears through a designated Border Inspection Post with the original SA veterinary health certificate and dip certificate; no CITES import permit needed for eland. Firearm temporary import: hunter submits SAPS 520 temporary import permit (valid up to 6 months) at the port of entry (OR Tambo) or via the Central Firearms Register; original firearm licence, proof of ownership, and invitation/booking letter required.
Field Notes
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