The First of the Big Five, the African Cape Buffalo, needs no introduction. To many hunters who have visited the Dark Continent, it is known as the most dangerous of the big game species when hunted. Being one of the more affordable big game species, the so-called ‘Black Death’ is one of the most sought after animals to hunt in Africa.

Cape buffalo herds often number thousands and finding oneself in the middle of such an intimidating environment will surely get any hunter’s heart racing.

Tracking old dagga bulls which form small bachelor herds, is surely one of the most nerve wracking and rewarding experiences any hunter can encounter in Africa.

Unknown to most, the big game species responsible for most deaths in Africa is the Hippopotamus, which therefore truly deserves to form part of a ‘Big Six’ alongside the already famed Big Five.

Anyone who has been in a tiny boat on one of Namibia’s northern water systems will know the dreaded feeling of having to pass a pod of hippos.

Hunting Hippo on land is something that every avid hunter should experience, as these animals rarely leave the safety of the water during the day. Finding a suitable trophy can only be done using local knowledge and some luck, but the reward of hunting one of Africa’s iconic big game species makes it all worth it.

The second member of the Big Five and the most hotly debated species on the planet, is the African Rhino. Namibia has the highest population of Black Rhino in the world as well as healthy populations of White Rhino.

The constant threat of poaching has highlighted the plight of this species, however Namibia, although battling with this serious threat is managing to control it to a certain extent and with prison sentences of up to life being muted in parliament, it is clear that this country takes the conservation of all our species seriously.

With that being said, Namibia has recognized that part of the battle to save this iconic mammal includes the trophy hunting of old male bulls who no longer contribute to the genetic pool and which bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars for the fight against poachers, directly contributing to the conservation of this species.

The largest land mammal on earth and the third member of the Big Five, with bulls weighing up to six tons and reaching a shoulder height of up to 4 metres, the African Elephant surely must be regarded as the holy grail of hunting for anyone privileged enough to hunt one.

Tracking this enormous animal for miles upon miles and then experiencing the thrill of facing it at only a few yards is nothing for the faint-hearted. Bagging a good, old trophy bull elephant requires a lot of determination, stamina, some local knowledge and a bit of luck.

In Namibia, Elephant hunts play a crucial role in conserving the species by providing local communities who live among them with much needed funds for development and meat, giving them in turn a reason to protect this iconic species.

The Leopard: an elegantly, powerfully built cat with a beautifully spotted coat and the fourth member of the Big Five, has the fastest charging speed of any big game animal. Anyone who has hunted this cat will surely tell you to shoot it well the first time.

There is probably no more nerve-wracking a feeling than following a wounded Leopard on foot and not knowing where it is hiding. With a potential charge waiting behind every bush; the hunter will have to be at his most alert to not become the hunted.

The largest cat in Africa and the last member of the Big Five is the famous Lion. With mature males possessing impressive dark manes, they are easily distinguishable from the smaller females which have no manes.

Hunting Lion has become an incredibly sensitive topic, with a lot of media coverage showing the plight of this iconic species. It is true that in certain parts of Africa, Lion have been exploited in un-sustainable cruel ways, with canned hunting being at the forefront of this. However, most avid hunters are completely against the non-fair chase trade, and Kou Kuas Adventures is no exception.

We believe that through the sustainable hunting of old, mature, non-breeding male lions, which in itself can only be described as an incredibly privileged experience, will the species survive in wild areas where humans currently exist in conflict with them. Huge amounts of funds generated from lion hunts are poured directly into communities living with these animals, which gives them the incentive to protect this otherwise very damaging species which is often responsible for hundreds of livestock losses.

The fastest land mammal on earth is the tall and elegant cheetah. This spotted cat is virtually extinct in most countries where it naturally occurred, however due to Namibia’s excellent conservation record, this country has the highest cheetah population in the world.

Very rarely hunted, it would take an extremely lucky and opportunistic hunter to hunt this incredibly elusive cat. Often causing major damage to stock farms, cheetahs are rarely tolerated by farmers and are thus incredibly skittish and rarely seen.

A robustly built cat, the Caracal is reddish-brown in colour with its prey ranging from birds to small antelope. Using extreme agility, it stalks its prey up to very close distances before pouncing in one swift motion.

Hunting Caracal can be tricky due to its mostly nocturnal nature and targeting one specifically is next to impossible. With a good number on Kou Kuas ranch, and with a bit of luck and some perseverance, one may find oneself bagging a nice trophy.

The Spotted Hyena is generally depicted as a cowardly scavenger, but make no mistake, these animals are extremely successful hunters and incredibly intelligent as well. When hunting in packs they regularly take down large animals such as zebra and wildebeest.

Spotted Hyena are predominantly nocturnal but do occasionally visit waterholes to cool down during the day. With their ranges limited in Namibia, hunting one is a rare and lucky experience.

The brown hyena is a large, shaggy, dog- like carnivore with long pointed ears and a mantle of long brown hair with black stripes, yellow brown legs, a straw colored mane with shorter hair on the chest and a big broad head. Although a successful predator it scavenges a lot. With one of the most forceful bites it is possible for the brown hyena to break and crack big bones and feed on the bone marrow on the inside. It is a rare and elusive predator with makes hunting one a difficult undertaking.

Mostly nocturnal they are seldom encountered during the day and baiting is the preferred way of bagging one. Strictly controlled and limited hunting permits make it possible for only the privileged hunter to obtain this special trophy.

The Black-backed Jackal is a slender, dog- like animal and one of the most successful predators in the African bush. With its distinct saddle of black and silver hair on the back and its reddish brown coat and black tail, it makes a handsome trophy for the African hunter.

Although often regarded as vermin, due its predation on small stock and new born animals, it scavenges a lot and forms a vital part of the ecosystem. The cunning and sly Jackal is mostly nocturnal but often encountered by chance on early mornings or evenings at last shooting light.

The Nile crocodile is a prehistoric coldblooded predator which can reach lengths of up to 6m. This feared reptile lives in most of the major rivers in Africa and claims the lives of countless people on the continent. Lot of superstition comes with the crocodile and some tribes believe them to be cursed. Big specimens reach a very old age and can be close to a hundred years old, which makes them extremely cunning and secretive.

Being one of the more unusual trophies in Africa it is hunted for its skin and makes for a challenging hunt with many long hours of patiently waiting for a big crocodile to show itself during day light hours on a bait site. It presents a difficult target and should only be considered by a good shot, if the trophy is not to be lost.

The Greater Kudu is a large majestic antelope with impressive long spiraled horns and is probably the most sought after trophy on the African Continent.

Due to their elusive nature and their ability to vanish into the bush, they are often referred to as the Grey Ghost and bagging a very old, mature male trophy on foot is regarded as a great achievement.

The eland, being the largest living antelope, reaching weights of up to 900kg, may appear to be an easy attainable trophy, but do not be fooled.

Bagging this animal may be one of the most challenging hunts one can experience in the African bush.

With long days and many kilometers of hard tracking being the norm, it is no wonder that to many hunters, this is one of the most prized trophies in Africa.

An extremely shy browser and closely related to the Kudu, the Nyala- with its slightly spiraled horns and magnificent mane of hair- is a spectacular species in its own right.

Nyala only occur naturally in the far eastern part of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique but because of dwindling numbers in most of these parts of Africa, private game ranch owners have introduced and successfully bred with this unique species and it is now possible to hunt them in all kinds of habitats.

After the Eland, the Roan Antelope is the second largest antelope species in Africa. Unfortunately this rare and endangered species suffered greatly during the bush wars of the 80’s and most had been wiped out.

However extensive private breeding programs brought on by private game ranch owners have enabled this species to recover to such levels that they can now be sustainably hunted in certain parts of Namibia. Bagging one is not only a huge accomplishment but also an amazing privilege that only a select few get to experience.

The magnificent Sable, shiny black with sharply contrasting white belly and sweeping backward curved horns has unfortunately suffered the same fate as its cousin, the roan, in the past and populations were down.

However, due again to great conservation practices it is once again sustainable to chase after this rare and sought after specimen. Being fortunate enough though to bag one is regarded a great privilege and achievement.

The Oryx is a perfect example of African hardiness; with its ability to survive in the most extreme conditions, this desert adapted species provides the hunter with a great challenge to effectively bring one of these to the ground.

With its long javelin like horns, they will defend themselves viciously and even large predators will stay clear of its sharp ends.

Waterbuck are large, robust antelope with coarse and long shaggy coats. Only the bulls have long, heavily ringed horns which curve backwards and then forwards towards the tips.

Its most distinct feature being a broad, white band which encircles the rump, this water dependent antelope possesses its own unique challenge to the hunter.

The second most water loving antelope after the Sitatunga and being great swimmers, Lechwe will readily take to water to feed and when threatened.

What it lacks in size and mass to its cousin, the waterbuck, it makes up in its beauty and grace.

Sometimes numbering in their hundreds, they form huge herds on the floodplains of the great rivers. Due to their limited habitat and distribution, Lechwe are regarded as a special trophy when hunting the Dark Continent.

The Common Reedbuck is a graceful antelope species found across sub-Saharan Africa, named after its preference for reed beds and dense vegetation near water sources. Males possess short, heavily ridged horns while both sexes have distinctive white rings around their eyes and a prominent black scent gland below their ears. They are active during the day, grazing on grasses, herbs, and shrubs, and are known for their agility and speed.

The Black Wildebeest is locally called the ‘Clown of the Savannah’ because of its grotesque, horse-like appearance, long white tail and strange gallop when disturbed.

Their horns bend steeply downward, forward and upward with an impressive boss forming in old, mature trophy bulls.

Finding safety in numbers in large herds on vast open plains makes this species incredibly difficult to stalk and a challenge for any hunter.

The Blue Wildebeest is often referred to as the ‘Poor Man’s Buffalo’. With its impressive horns, hardy nature and aggressive demeanor when cornered, it is no wonder it’s considered Africa’s toughest plains game species.

Also called the Gnu, this antelope species is made famous due to its much publicized incredible migration, where millions undertake a journey through Kenya and Tanzania in search of new grazing.

Rather awkward looking in appearance, the Red Hartebeest, with its strangely curved horns which are heavily twisted in the back, presents the hunter with a truly unique African trophy.

When startled, these antelope take off at incredible speed making any follow- up near impossible and almost always fruitless. With the safety of the herd, stalking them in bushveld very similar in color to themselves and where stealth is imperative, many hunters have tried and failed at bagging a prize hartebeest trophy.

The only Hartebeest-like antelope with white on its face is the Blesbok, very closely related to the Bontebok. Originally from South Africa, Blesbok did not occur naturally in Namibia, but unlike Bontebok which does not feature here, they were introduced a few decades ago and are now widely distributed throughout the country.

On hot days Blesbok herds characteristically orientate towards the sun with heads bowed and this gives the patient hunter a chance to stalk and hunt these otherwise extremely alert antelopes.

This rare, dark reddish-brown antelope with a slopping back and long, black face closely resembles its cousin, the Red Hartebeest. Sparsely distributed, natural herds only occur in the north- eastern part of Namibia; however some game ranches have introduced this species successfully into other areas.

As with the hartebeest, this antelope is incredibly quick to move when startled and is regarded the fastest antelope in Southern Africa.

This species is not for the everyday hunter due to its rarity and limited availability, but it is indeed a special trophy for the seasoned African hunter.

Impala rams are one of the most vocal and territorial antelope species in Africa; growling, snorting and roaring to keep competitors at bay, whilst often coming to blows resulting in injury and even death. Strangely, this only occurs during the mating season and the rest of the year is spent in bachelor groups of males living in complete harmony.

This medium- sized antelope, with its very large beautiful horns, is common throughout Namibia and many a hunter has gone home with a good representative trophy.

The smallest antelope in Namibia with its pointy, snout- like nose and blue hindquarters, the Damara Dik-Dik is another of northern Namibia’s endemic species.

Forming breeding pairs, they tend to stick to very thick brush and are incredibly difficult to spot. Not on everyone’s list, this antelope is for the avid collector coming to Namibia.

A small, elegant, large eyed animal normally rufous brown in colour, the Steenbok belongs to Namibia’s dwarf antelopes. Mostly solitary, but sometimes occurring in pairs, they tend to stick to thick shrub.

A male with horns rising above the ears is considered a great representative trophy and although not hunted often, the Steenbok is a great addition to any hunter visiting Africa.

The Common Duiker, also known as the grey duiker, is a small antelope species found throughout sub-Saharan Africa. They are known for their distinctively short, spiky horns and their reddish-brown coat, which helps them blend in with their environment. These shy and elusive animals are mostly nocturnal and prefer to live in dense woodland and bushy areas. Their diet consists of a variety of vegetation, including leaves, flowers, and fruits.

Hartman's Mountain Zebra, named after the German explorer and naturalist Gustav Hartmann, is a subspecies of mountain zebra found in the mountains and hills of Namibia and Angola. They are known for their striking black and white striped coat, which is unique to each individual. Their habitat consists of rocky hills and mountains, and they are able to survive in harsh, arid environments. Unlike other zebras, Hartman's Mountain Zebras do not form large herds and instead live in small family groups of one male, several females, and their young.

Burchell's Zebra, also known as the plains zebra, is a well-known and easily recognizable species of zebra found throughout eastern and southern Africa. With their distinctive black and white stripes, they are a favorite of many wildlife enthusiasts. These social animals can be found in herds of up to several hundred individuals and have a unique vocalization system that allows them to communicate with each other over long distances. Burchell's Zebra are grazers and feed mainly on grasses, as well as some leaves and stems. Despite their popularity, they face threats from habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as poaching for their skins and meat.

Warthogs are a wild member of the pig family found in Africa. They are easily recognized by their large head with distinctive facial warts and tusks, which they use for digging and self-defense. Despite their fierce appearance, warthogs are mainly grazers, feeding on a variety of grasses and occasionally roots, fruits and insects. They are able to run at impressive speeds, making them a difficult prey for predators such as lions and leopards. Warthogs are highly adaptable and can survive in a range of environments, from savannahs and grasslands to woodlands and even deserts.

The tallest animal in the world, and with its long neck and legs, the giraffe is unmistakable. A beautiful lattice pattern consisting of large, irregularly shaded patches separated by networks of lightly coloured bands covers the whole body. Old bulls are often very dark.

Giraffe are normally hunted for management purposes where animals mostly old bulls are removed from a population where no natural predators occur and where their numbers need to be controlled as when mature are nearly impossible to transport live.