Hunting the Nyala

The nyala bull is the best-dressed animal in Africa — slate body, rust legs in white stockings, a mane he raises like a sail when he means business. A thicket specialist of KwaZulu-Natal and the Lowveld, nyala are hunted slowly along riverine edges at dawn, and a lyre-horned bull stepping out of shadow is one of the continent's great sights. The spiral-horn collector's staple alongside kudu and bushbuck.

Judging a trophy nyala

The benchmark is 27–30 inches of open lyre with ivory tips; look for the deep curl and heavy bases of an old bull, plus the full mane and ragged ears age brings.

Method, rifle and season

Still-hunting thick riverine cover early and late; shots are close (50–150 m) and often quick — a handy .270–.30-06 with good bullets is ideal. Year-round in the subtropics; winter thins the foliage.

What a nyala hunt costs

Where to hunt nyala

Farms offering nyala now

Live from the Bush Telegraph

Welcome to Safari Hunts, Okangawa Hunting Safaris — Central Namibia, the Omatako Mountains on the skyline, and a family that has farmed Thor…Safari Hunts HQ · 6 Nov 2026Welcome to Safari Hunts, African Sun Adventures — The Eastern Cape is where the thicket, the mountains and the coast meet, and Larno Rens ha…Safari Hunts HQ · 25 Sept 2026Welcome to Safari Hunts, Summers Pride Safaris — A third-generation family farm in the Eastern Cape coastal thicket, and the first outfitter…Safari Hunts HQ · 4 Sept 2026

Members posting real nyala hunts as they happen — see all nyala posts on the Telegraph.

Frequently asked

Where do nyala occur naturally?

The subtropical east — KwaZulu-Natal, the Lowveld and southern Mozambique. Many Limpopo farms now hold quality bulls as well.

Before you book

Planning a first African hunt · rifles and calibres · best time of year · getting trophies home. All of it in the hunting guides.