
Summary
Warthog hunting makes for an excellent hunt; a big boar is not an everyday occurrence.
Boars are often double the size of sows in body weight, display two dominant warts on both sides of the head, and weigh 250 pounds.
There are no seasonal restrictions on hunting Warthogs in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.
Nick Bowker Hunting offers African Trophy Warthog year-round. The hunter to South Africa should always consider a big boar as a hunting option, and this animal can be added to any of our hunting packages. Warthogs are among the most affordable animals to hunt in Africa, making them a great option for budget-conscious hunters.
Warthog hunts in South Africa are popular and a local favorite pastime.
Warthogs are often included in package deals as one of the most affordable animals available. Our packages are designed to accommodate hunters of all age and experience levels, ensuring accessibility for everyone. Nick Bowker Hunting can accommodate hunters by offering a variety of hunting methods tailoring each hunt to individual preferences and skills.
Safaris are conducted from Hopewell Hunt Lodge in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The Limpopo province is also a premier destination for trophy warthog hunting, known for its excellent habitat and high population density.


Table of Contents
Introduction to Warthog Hunts
Warthog hunting is one of Africa’s most thrilling and accessible adventures, drawing hunters from around the world to the vast landscapes of sub-Saharan Africa. As a member of the pig family, the warthog stands out for its rugged appearance, impressive tusks, and challenging nature, making it a highly sought-after trophy species. Whether you’re planning your first hunt or are a seasoned hunter looking for a new challenge, a warthog hunt offers the perfect blend of excitement and skill.

Warthogs are found throughout Africa, with South Africa being a top destination for warthog hunts thanks to its diverse hunting areas and abundance of outfitters. When you set out to hunt warthog, you’re not just pursuing an animal—you’re embracing a tradition that connects hunters to the wild heart of Africa. Use key terms like “hunt warthog,” “hunting warthog,” and “warthog hunt” when searching for reputable outfitters and guides to ensure you find the best opportunities for your next African hunting adventure.

Planning the Hunt
When it comes to planning your warthog hunt, preparation is key to a successful and enjoyable experience. In South Africa, hunting warthogs is possible year-round due to the absence of seasonal restrictions, giving hunters the flexibility to choose the timing that best suits their schedule. However, the prime months for hunting warthog are typically from April to October, when the grass is shorter and water sources are limited, making it easier to spot warthogs as they come out to feed and drink.

Consider the terrain and habitat—warthogs thrive in open grasslands, thick brush, and savanna, so understanding their environment will help you select the right hunting areas. Look for outfitters that specialize in warthog safaris and offer trophy warthog hunts, as these professionals know how to maximize your chances of success. Before booking, always check that your chosen outfitter complies with all local regulations and has the necessary permits. By focusing on reputable warthog hunts and trophy opportunities, you’ll be well on your way to an unforgettable African hunting experience.

Hunting Warthogs with a Guide
Teaming up with a professional guide is one of the best ways to ensure a successful and memorable warthog hunt. Experienced guides, like those at Nick Bowker Hunting, bring invaluable knowledge of warthog behavior, preferred habitats, and the best hunting warthog ranges. They can advise you on everything from optimal shot placement to the most effective rifle caliber for hunting warthogs, ensuring you’re fully prepared for the challenge. Clear communication with your guide about your goals, experience level, and any special requirements will help tailor the hunt to your needs.

Professional hunters are skilled at reading the land and tracking warthogs, increasing your chances of harvesting a trophy warthog. Whether you’re new to hunting or a seasoned hunter, relying on expert guidance allows you to focus on the excitement of the hunt while learning valuable techniques and safety practices. For the best results, choose guides with a proven track record in hunting warthogs and a deep understanding of the local terrain.

Warthog Hunting Trophy Fees in South Africa – 2025
The average price for hunting a Warthog is $450. South African hunting packages often include a Warthog.
Our trophy fee for 2025 is $450.
All-Inclusive $5000 Starter African Safari Package for seven trophies and eight days hunting. (Inclusive of a Warthog)
- Gemsbok
- Impala
- Black Wildebeest safari hunt
- Springbok
- Blesbok safari hunt
- Warthog
- Mountain Reedbuck safari hunt
The African Warthog hunt package includes a licensed hunting guide, a hunting license, and all permits.
Hunting Warthog in South Africa

Vital organs of Warthog for shot placement. The recommended shot placement for warthogs is a high heart shot from the side or a frontal brain shot.
Shot placement must be in the bottom third of the animal of the animal directly above the front shoulder. This will ensure a heart or lung shot. Unlike deer, the vital areas on a warthog are positioned differently due to anatomical differences, so understanding these distinctions is crucial for accurate and successful hunting.
However, a frontal brain shot, aimed between the eyes, can be an effective and humane option for experienced hunters targeting warthogs.

Your warthog boar trophy should have an average shoulder height of around 25 inches, weigh about 180 pounds, and have a Tusk Length of approximately 10 inches.
The Safari Club International minimum score for a warthog is 29. The trophy is measured by adding the length of each tusk and the circumference of the tusks.
Only the upper tusks are considered for the trophy measurement.
Warthogs in South Africa are great hunting, and a big boar is not an everyday occurrence.
Although the warthog is now one of the most widely spread animals in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, high-quality boars are still challenging to find.
Sheep and cattle fences are little or no impediment to freedom of movement when hunting. Warthog is found in all provinces, including Limpopo.


The goal for hunting warthog ranges from trophy tusks and hide to delicious meat. The adult boar, one of the most challenging African games, can weigh over 250 pounds.
They are not territorial, and he wanders all over the show. Big boars will not flee from dogs but rather turn and fight. The bottom tusks can be lethal for the dog. Hunting methods are mainly spot and stalk.
Warthogs are found in small family groups called “sounders,” where the mother and piglets stay together for up to three years. The boar will only join the group for mating.
A Warthogs’s favorite pastime is wallowing in the mud, which aids in skin protection.
Warthog is included in nearly all our big game hunting offers. They can be a real nuisance when hunting other species, such as eland, due to getting up in front of hunters during a stalk and spooking the intended quarry.

Trophy Judgement and Rifle Caliber for Warthog Hunts

Hunt Warthog with 7 mm and 30 calibers works well for Warthog hunts. For those hunters who wish to avoid going through the red tape of bringing a rifle into South Africa, Nick Bowker has 300 Magnums fitted with suppressors.
Mounted on the rifles are Swarovski Z8 tactical scopes. Also, we have hand-loaded Hornady ELD-X ammunition.
The rifle, including ammunition, is free of charge as part of all South African hunting offers.
The warthogs’ natural skin color is gray but can appear reddish or yellow due to their constant mud bathing activities.
The snout is broader than a domestic pig’s, and long canine teeth (tusks) curl over the snout.
Tails are upright and erect when they are on the move.


Always approach from downwind when game hunting Warthog. The Warthog has poor eyesight but a good sense of smell and hearing; thus, warthogs are often shot at close distances.
Boars are often double the size of sows in body weight, displaying two dominant warts on both sides of the head, while sows have much smaller warts.
Judging the trophy quality from a distance can be difficult as the tusks are not always easy to see.
Boars will display darkened skin below their eyes due to scent glands leaking a secretion that stains the skin, making boar identification more straightforward.
Consider at least 2-3 inches of tusk inside the lip while hunting. Warthogs occur in all provinces of South Africa and all types of terrain. Join us at our hunt lodge, Hopewell.

Difference Between a Male and Female
The male Warthog is more significant, with more prominent tusks, and has two sets of warts. In contrast, the female Warthog has one set of warts and invariably has a brood of young following her around.


Interesting Facts for Hunting

- Their name comes from the warts or protrusions on their face; these protrusions combine bone and cartilage. It protects their face when they fight.
- Warthog sleeps underground at night or in burrows when it is cold. Warthog and other animals like the steenbok take over these burrows from other animals, such as the aardvark or anteater in English.
- Warthogs mainly eat grass but dig for roots and bulbs, especially when dry. They also scavenge meat as they are omnivorous.
- They like to roll in the mud to protect their skin from the sun and parasites.
- Looking for Warthog around water is a good strategy. A Warthogs’s favorite pastime is wallowing in the mud, which aids in skin protection. Warthogs prefer areas with access to water sources for drinking and wallowing.
- Surprisingly, warthog can live for up to 17 years of age. They have tusks like elephants on their upper and lower jaws. Warthogs use these to fight and defend themselves against predators.


- These game animals have a litter of two to four piglets; however, their mortality rate is relatively high due to predators.
- Warthogs are found in small family groups called “sounders,” where the mother and piglets stay together for up to three years.
- The boar will only join the group for mating. Warthogs are commonly found in family groups called ‘sounders.’
- Warthog let their young go into their burrows first, then back into the burrow themselves so they can protect them if any threat comes.
- When dry and the ground is hard, they can kneel on their writs and use their snouts and tusks to lift the soil to extract roots and bulbs.
- The warthogs’ natural skin color is gray but can appear reddish or yellow due to their constant mud bathing activities.
- The Warthog’s body is covered in black or brown bristly hair, and it has a long tail.

About the Warthog
Description of Warthog for your hunt

The Warthog is the only pig species adapted to grazing in savanna habitats.
Warthog has calloused pads that protect the wrists. These pads are from quite early in the fetus’s development. While feeding, they often kneel and move around on their wrists. Warthogs can be found in grasslands, savannas, woodlands, and even semi-desert areas.
Although they can dig their burrows, they commonly occupy abandoned burrows of aardvarks and other animals. The Warthog reverses into burrows, ready to burst out and defend if necessary.
Warthogs love to wallow in mud to cope with high temperatures and protect themselves from biting flies and insects.
They also huddle together to share heat in low temperatures.

Information for hunting Warthogs

The Warthog is a medium-sized species, with shoulder height from 20 to 30 inches. At 100 to 150 pounds, females are typically slightly smaller and lighter than males, that weigh 130 to 250 pounds. Female warthogs will give birth to a litter of 1-8 piglets after a gestation period of around 5-6 months.
A warthog has two pairs of tusks protruding from the mouth and curving upwards. The shorter lower pair gets sharpened by friction against the upper pair when the Warthog is feeding. Warthogs are omnivorous animals that eat grasses, roots, berries, insects, eggs, and other fruits and small meats.
The upper canine teeth can grow to 10 inches long and have a broad elliptical cross-section. A tusk will curve 90° or more from the root and will not lie flat on a table, as it bends somewhat backward as it grows.
In addition to finding food, the tusks are also used for defense against predators.

Conclusion and Next Steps
Warthog hunting in Africa is an adventure that combines skill, strategy, and the thrill of the chase. By carefully planning your hunt, choosing the right time and location, and working with professional hunters, you can maximize your chances of success and enjoy a safe, rewarding experience. Remember to research local laws and ensure your outfitter is fully compliant with all regulations. Whether you’re after trophy tusks, delicious meat, or simply the excitement of the hunt, warthog hunts in the Eastern Cape and across South Africa offer something for every hunter.
Use key search terms like “warthog hunts,” “trophy warthog,” and “hunting warthogs” to find the best outfitters and hunting packages. Consider exploring options at Hopewell Hunt Lodge, where you can combine your warthog hunt with other species like blue wildebeest, impala, and kudu. With the right preparation and guidance, you’ll be ready to stalk through thick brush, track small family groups called sounders, and take your shot at one of Africa’s most affordable and exciting hunting options. Start planning your next warthog safari today and experience the adventure of a lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions about a Warthog Hunt
How much does it cost to hunt a Warthog?

The trophy fee for a standalone Warthog hunt is between $400 and $600. Daily rates vary between $250 and $500 per day.
Included in the Warthog trophy fee is a licensed guide. As well as a hunting license and all permits.
A Warthog is often included in a plains game offer. Package prices vary from $ 3,000 to $10,000, depending on location and size. Packages include 5 – 7 trophy animals, accommodation, meals, and daily rates.
How to hunt a Warthog?

In the early mornings and late evenings, Warthog is spotted from an elevated vantage point in the thick brush and then stalked. Alternatively, hunters use ambush techniques at watering holes or as they move back to cover from feeding.
Where do you shoot a Warthog?

Shot placement must be in the bottom third of the animal directly above the front shoulder. This will ensure a heart or lung shot. Avoid head and neck shots, which are high-risk.
What is a trophy Warthog?

Warthog trophies have a Tusk Length of approximately 9 – 11 inches. The minimum qualification score under Safari Club International for a Warthog is 29. Add the length of each tusk and the circumference of the bases to get your SCI score.
How do you judge a Warthog trophy?

Boars will display darkened skin below their eyes due to scent glands leaking a secretion that stains the skin, making boar identification more straightforward.
On most occasions, one must always consider that there are at least 2-3 inches of tusk inside the lip.
Seasonal Restrictions
When can you hunt Warthog in South Africa?

There are no seasonal restrictions on warthog hunting in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.
The Warthog in pictures











