Black Impala hunting in Namibia

Black Impala have been specifically bred by South African game ranchers and have now been introduced to Namibia. They are not recognised as an Impala subspecies but are a melanistic colour phase of the Southern Impala. Limited Black Impala are now available for hunting in Namibia. In general, the trophy quality is not great but huge strides are being made to improve the genetic quality and horn length of these animals. Demand from hunters to hunt this species remains low with numerous hunting associations discouraging their members from hunting this species for ethical reasons and their interest in preventing contamination of the purebred species' bloodlines. Numerous other colour phases and new colour phases are being promoted and introduced to Namibia by outfitters and only time will tell how popular these colour phase animals will become. Black Impala can be hunted during the Namibian hunting season and are classified as a Southern Impala and exported under the same conditions. No special or export permits are required to hunt this species.