Hosted on approved ground
Gemsbok Hunting in South Africa
A hosted gemsbok hunt in South Africa runs $7,000–$11,000 for a hosted 7–10 day gemsbok-focused hunt (outfitter daily rate + gemsbok fee + dip-and-pack, plus the Huntica 20–40% hosting fee; lower end on a tighter 5–7 day single-species hunt, higher with a Huntica host present and a 2–3 species add) all-in over 7–10 days (gemsbok is commonly taken on a 5–7 day single-species window or rolled into a 2–4 species plains-game hunt), best hunted may–aug with a 85–95% 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
$335–$450/day (2x1 to 1x1); BookYourHunt all-in packages run $270–$500/day
Trophy fee
$1,500–$1,850 (2026 outfitter lists cluster $1,650–$1,850)
All-in (typical)
$7,000–$11,000 for a hosted 7–10 day gemsbok-focused hunt (outfitter daily rate + gemsbok fee + dip-and-pack, plus the Huntica 20–40% hosting fee; lower end on a tighter 5–7 day single-species hunt, higher with a Huntica host present and a 2–3 species add)
African Sky Hunting 2026/27 price list: gemsbok trophy $1,850, daily $435 (1x1) / $335 (2x1). Gaspar Espanio Safaris 2026: gemsbok ~$1,650, daily from $350. Karoo Wild Safaris (Northern Cape/Karoo): gemsbok $1,800, 8-day Kudu package $6,350 incl. gemsbok. BookYourHunt 2026 listings: SA plains-game packages $3,150–$7,000 / 7–10 days at $270–$500/day all-in; gemsbok trips 'from $1,200'. Huntica hosting fee (20–40% on outfitter cost) layered on top per Huntica model.
Best months
May–Aug
Typical length
7–10 days (gemsbok is commonly taken on a 5–7 day single-species window or rolled into a 2–4 species plains-game hunt)
Success rate
85–95%
What’s included
- ✓A Huntica host physically present for the full trip
- ✓Professional Hunter (PH) and trackers
- ✓Lodge accommodation and all meals
- ✓Daily hunting vehicle and fuel
- ✓Field preparation of the trophy (skinning, salting)
- ✓Airport transfers (typically Kimberley or Johannesburg)
- ✓Gemsbok trophy fee on a successful, recovered animal
Usually separate
- —International flights to/from South Africa
- —Dip-and-pack (export prep of the trophy)
- —Taxidermy work and trophy shipping/freight
- —SAPS 520 firearm temporary-import handling and rifle hire if needed
- —Gratuities for PH/trackers/staff
- —Additional species taken beyond the gemsbok
- —Travel insurance and pre-/post-hunt nights
Permits, trophies & logistics
- Gemsbok (Oryx gazella) is NOT CITES-listed — no CITES permit needed to export from South Africa or import to the US/EU
- US hunters: trophy must be declared and clears USFWS / US Customs on arrival (USFWS Form 3-177); no ESA/CITES restriction for gemsbok
- EU hunters: plains-game trophies like gemsbok import freely (no EU import permit for non-CITES species); raw game MEAT may not be imported into the EU/US
- Firearm temporary import: SAPS 520 permit issued on arrival — up to 4 rifles (max one per caliber, no fully-auto/military), up to ~200 rounds per firearm; complete in triplicate, sign only before the SAPS officer
- Dip-and-pack at a registered facility is required before any trophy leaves South Africa
Gemsbok in South Africa, at a glance
- ◈2026 gemsbok trophy fees in South Africa range about $1,500–$1,850 (African Sky 2026/27 lists $1,850; Gaspar Espanio ~$1,650; Karoo Wild $1,800)
- ◈2026 daily rates run roughly $335/day for 2x1 and $435/day for 1x1 (African Sky 2026/27); BookYourHunt all-inclusive plains-game packages average $270–$500/day
- ◈Gemsbok (Oryx gazella) carries no CITES listing, so no CITES permit is required for US or EU trophy import
- ◈Gemsbok are native and widespread across the Northern Cape (Karoo and Kalahari) — Magersfontein near Kimberley sits inside this core range
- ◈Best hunting window is the cool dry winter, May–August, with July–September the peak; thinned bush concentrates game on water
- ◈South Africa's SAPS 520 temporary firearm import permit allows up to 4 rifles (one per caliber) and about 200 rounds per firearm, valid up to 90 days
Frequently asked questions
How much does a gemsbok hunt in South Africa cost?
A hosted gemsbok hunt in South Africa typically runs $7,000–$11,000 for a hosted 7–10 day gemsbok-focused hunt (outfitter daily rate + gemsbok fee + dip-and-pack, plus the Huntica 20–40% hosting fee; lower end on a tighter 5–7 day single-species hunt, higher with a Huntica host present and a 2–3 species add) all-in for a 7–10 days (gemsbok is commonly taken on a 5–7 day single-species window or rolled into a 2–4 species plains-game hunt) hunt — daily rates of $335–$450/day (2x1 to 1x1); BookYourHunt all-in packages run $270–$500/day plus a $1,500–$1,850 (2026 outfitter lists cluster $1,650–$1,850) trophy fee, with a Huntica host present throughout. African Sky Hunting 2026/27 price list: gemsbok trophy $1,850, daily $435 (1x1) / $335 (2x1). Gaspar Espanio Safaris 2026: gemsbok ~$1,650, daily from $350. Karoo Wild Safaris (Northern Cape/Karoo): gemsbok $1,800, 8-day Kudu package $6,350 incl. gemsbok. BookYourHunt 2026 listings: SA plains-game packages $3,150–$7,000 / 7–10 days at $270–$500/day all-in; gemsbok trips 'from $1,200'. Huntica hosting fee (20–40% on outfitter cost) layered on top per Huntica model.
When is the best time to hunt gemsbok in South Africa?
May–Aug (cool dry winter: thinned bushveld, game concentrated on water, prime hide quality); peak Jul–Sep A typical hunt runs 7–10 days (gemsbok is commonly taken on a 5–7 day single-species window or rolled into a 2–4 species plains-game hunt).
What is the success rate on a gemsbok hunt?
85–95% on free-range/low-fence Northern Cape ground — gemsbok are abundant and native to the Karoo/Kalahari, taken by spot-and-stalk; basis: outfitter listings citing gemsbok as 'abundant/widespread' in the Northern Cape (Karoo Wild, EWT/SANBI distribution) and standard plains-game close rates
What is included in a hosted gemsbok hunt?
Typically included: A Huntica host physically present for the full trip, Professional Hunter (PH) and trackers, Lodge accommodation and all meals, Daily hunting vehicle and fuel, Field preparation of the trophy (skinning, salting), Airport transfers (typically Kimberley or Johannesburg), Gemsbok trophy fee on a successful, recovered animal. Usually excluded: International flights to/from South Africa, Dip-and-pack (export prep of the trophy), Taxidermy work and trophy shipping/freight, SAPS 520 firearm temporary-import handling and rifle hire if needed, Gratuities for PH/trackers/staff, Additional species taken beyond the gemsbok, Travel insurance and pre-/post-hunt nights.
What regulations apply to a gemsbok hunt and trophy?
Gemsbok (Oryx gazella) is NOT CITES-listed — no CITES permit needed to export from South Africa or import to the US/EU US hunters: trophy must be declared and clears USFWS / US Customs on arrival (USFWS Form 3-177); no ESA/CITES restriction for gemsbok EU hunters: plains-game trophies like gemsbok import freely (no EU import permit for non-CITES species); raw game MEAT may not be imported into the EU/US Firearm temporary import: SAPS 520 permit issued on arrival — up to 4 rifles (max one per caliber, no fully-auto/military), up to ~200 rounds per firearm; complete in triplicate, sign only before the SAPS officer Dip-and-pack at a registered facility is required before any trophy leaves South Africa
Field Notes
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