Shaggy, bull-necked and wearing the famous white target ring, a waterbuck bull looks half-stag, half-bear and entirely magnificent against winter riverine bush. They hold close to permanent water, which anchors the hunt: work the drainage lines at first light, glass the reedbeds, and be ready when a heavy-horned bull stands out of the grey. The sweeping forward-curved horns make one of the classic African shoulder mounts.
Look for horns that rise back, then sweep forward past the nose-line — 28 inches and up is a mature bull, with heavy ridging low on the horn.
Riverine still-hunting and ambush of travel routes; .300-class rifles fit the big-bodied bulls. Dry months hold them tight to water.
Live trophy-fee range across 5 active Safari Hunts listings — updates automatically as farms change their prices.
Full cost breakdown: Common Waterbuck hunting cost · All African hunt prices.
Members posting real common waterbuck hunts as they happen — see all common waterbuck posts on the Telegraph.
Planning a first African hunt · rifles and calibres · best time of year · getting trophies home. All of it in the hunting guides.