Hunting Seasons in South Africa 2026
| Species / Season | Open Season | Night Hunting | Methods | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plains Game South Africa | 04/01 – 10/31 | no | rifle, bow | Best time May–September (dry season) · Professional Hunter (PH) required, SAPS 520 |
| Warthog South Africa | year-round | no | rifle, bow | Year-round on most farms · PH required for foreign hunters |
| Springbok Season South Africa | year-round | no | rifle, bow | Year-round, best during dry season · Hunting license and outfitter accompaniment |
| Kudu Season South Africa | year-round | no | rifle, bow | Year-round, best hunting May–September · Professional hunting guide required |
| Elephant (Bull) | 04/01 – 10/31 | no | rifle | CITES permit and special license required · Only on registered game ranches |
| African Buffalo | 03/01 – 10/31 | no | rifle | Minimum .375 caliber required |
| Lion (Male) | year-round | no | rifle | Strictly limited permits on private concessions · TOPS permit required |
| Leopard | year-round | no | rifle | CITES quota, dogs allowed in some provinces · CITES and TOPS permit required |
| White Rhinoceros | year-round | no | rifle | Extremely limited, only on private farms · CITES/TOPS permit, minimum .375 caliber |
| Hippopotamus | year-round | no | rifle | Permit required, usually near waterways |
| Nile Crocodile | year-round | no | rifle | Permit required |
| Eland | 02/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | On registered game ranches |
| Greater Kudu | 02/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | On registered game ranches |
| Sable Antelope | 02/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | On registered game ranches |
| Gemsbok | 02/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | On registered game ranches |
| Waterbuck | 02/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | On registered game ranches |
| Red Hartebeest | 02/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | On registered game ranches |
| Tsessebe | 02/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | On registered game ranches |
| Blue Wildebeest | 02/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | On registered game ranches |
| Black Wildebeest | 02/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | On registered game ranches |
| Nyala | 02/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | On registered game ranches |
| Bushbuck | 02/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | On registered game ranches |
| Impala | 02/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | On registered game ranches |
| Blesbok | 02/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | On registered game ranches |
| Bontebok | 02/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | On registered game ranches |
| Reedbuck | 02/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | On registered game ranches |
| Oribi | 02/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | On registered game ranches |
| Steenbok | 02/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | On registered game ranches |
| Klipspringer | 02/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | On registered game ranches |
| Duiker | 02/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | On registered game ranches |
| Bushpig | 02/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | On registered game ranches |
| Giraffe | 02/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | On registered game ranches |
| Plains Zebra | 02/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | On registered game ranches |
| Mountain Zebra | 02/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | On registered game ranches |
| Spotted Hyena | year-round | no | rifle | Year-round as problem animal |
| Cheetah | year-round | no | rifle | Year-round as problem animal |
| Caracal | year-round | no | rifle | Year-round as problem animal |
| Black-backed Jackal | year-round | no | rifle | Year-round as problem animal |
| Baboon | year-round | no | rifle | Year-round as problem animal |
| Vervet Monkey | year-round | no | rifle | Year-round as problem animal |
| Ostrich | 03/01 – 09/30 | no | rifle | |
| Helmeted Guineafowl | 05/01 – 08/31 | no | shotgun, rifle | Popular small game |
| Francolins (various species) | 05/01 – 08/31 | no | shotgun | Swainson's, Natal, Crested etc. |
| Cape Turtle Dove | year-round | no | shotgun | Year-round hunting |
| Sandgrouse (various) | 05/01 – 08/31 | no | shotgun | |
| Egyptian Goose | year-round | no | shotgun | Year-round as problem bird |
| Spur-winged Goose | 05/01 – 08/31 | no | shotgun | |
| Yellow-billed Duck | 05/01 – 08/31 | no | shotgun |
Note: Summary from the HuntKit hunting seasons database (as of 2026-08-02). Seasons may vary regionally and change at short notice — the official regulations of the respective country/state prevail. Not legal advice.
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