Best area to hunt Nyala?

[grayghost]

I get this question often, as Nyala are considered by many to be the most majestic and colorful of Africa's spiral horned Antelope. They are, in my opinion, one of the most secretive, and finest trophies of the lot. Finding one is usually limited to early morning or late evening, just as the Sun is setting. However, your odds are increased if you pick the prime locations: southern Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Kwa-Zulu Natal, or Natal as it is usually referred to. My pick is Natal if your looking for quality AND volume. First, Nyala (pronounced: N-ya-la) are indigenous to Zululand (Natal). They are not transplants. It is their native area. Secondly, they obviously found this large area to be suitable for their secretive habits and diet. In other words, they grow big there. They are medium antelopes weighing in the 225-250 pounds range, have spiraling horns that can grow 30+ inches in length and offer a beautiful pattern that blends well in forest or lowlands vegetation. Nyala are also one of the most delicious wild game meals you will find. If prepared by a competent chef, the venison of Nyala will rival all other antelope of Africa.
Nyala can be hunted successfully with a variety of "deer cartridges" but my foremost recommendation is to use a rifle that YOU shoot well and is accurate out to 300 yards. Mind you, the average shot is 135 yards, but I've seen many times where a 300 yard shot would put a fine trophy in the salt, but the hunter didn't have the ability or was unsure of the shot. It's always best to pass than risk wounding any animal. Besides, if wounded and lost, the trophy fee is required upon completion of your safari. My personal choice for Nyala is the faithful .280 Remington pushing 160 grain bullet of quality construction. Nosler Accubond/Partition, Barnes X/TSX, Swift A-Frame, etc. Other good calibers would be the 7mm mag, 30-06, .308, and most of the 300 mags. Going much above that could be a factor on longer ranges, although many have been taken with the 375 H&H guns. This is due to being an all around big bore caliber for plains game and dangerous game. And there's always the possibility that you may be staring at an Nyala at 40 yards, as they do live in thick cover.
Often I will book hunters that only want a few animals. Usually that will be an Nyala, Bushbuck, Kudu and Eland. Those four comprise a nice collection of the spiral horn's, from the medium/small Bushbuck to the largest: Eland. If you have questions or want to know more about hunting Nyala, just send me an email and I'll get back to you ASAP.
Good hunting,
grayghost

[tim416]

Grayghost,
Nice piece on the Nyala. This is one of the trophies that should be on everyones African want list.

[grayghost]

Pic of a trophy class bull from Natal