The Tiny 10 of Africa

When hunters think of Africa, they often picture the Big Five or the wide variety of plains game that roam the continent’s savannahs. But for those seeking a different kind of challenge, there’s another collection that has become a true test of skill and patience – the Tiny 10.

The Tiny 10 are Africa’s smallest antelope species. Also known as pygmy antelope. They may be diminutive in size, but they are every bit as challenging — and for many hunters, even more rewarding — than their larger counterparts. Pursuing these elusive animals requires patience, precision, and a willingness to adapt to vastly different habitats, from dense coastal forests to rugged mountain cliffs.

At Bayly Sippel Safaris, we specialise in guiding hunters after 8 of the Tiny 10 right here in South Africa. With Suni and Dik Dik requiring us to visit our neighbors Mozambique and Namibia respectively. For serious collectors and passionate sportsmen, this pursuit has become the “modern-day Big Five” of plains game hunting.

What Are the Tiny 10?

The Tiny 10 are made up of the following species:

Blue Duiker – A small forest antelope, fast and elusive, typically pursued in dense thickets.
Red Duiker – Found in sand forests or thick jungle areas, shy and often solitary.
Common Duiker – Widespread across Southern Africa, quick to vanish into cover and often nocturnal.
Oribi – Graceful, alert antelope that prefer open grasslands where they can spot danger for miles around.
Steenbuck – Small, agile antelope commonly encountered in scrub and savannah.
Klipspringer – Known as the “rock jumper,” they thrive on rocky cliffs above 5,000 feet.
Cape Grysbuck – Rare and secretive, inhabiting thick coastal bush. Nocturnal in almost all areas.
Sharp’s Grysbuck – Native to a few African countries, this is another elusive species rarely shot in the daytime.
Livingstone’s Suni – Tiny, shy antelope found most commonly in Mozambique’s forests.
Dik-Dik – Native to Namibia and East Africa, among the smallest antelope in the world.They have a unique nose almost resembling an elephant’s trunk.

Together, these ten species represent one of Africa’s greatest species collector challenges.

Hunting the Tiny 10 in South Africa

The Eastern Cape and Limpopo are some of the best destinations for hunters seeking to start — or even nearly complete — their Tiny 10 collection. On a single safari with Bayly Sippel Safaris, it’s possible to pursue 8 of the 10 species.

Blue Duiker, Klipspringer, Cape Grysbok, Grey Duiker, Steenbok and Oribi – These can all be found in the Eastern Cape province.
Klipspringer, Grey Duiker, Red Duiker Steenbok, Sharpes Grysbok, and Steenbok – These can all be hunted in the Limpopo province.

This diversity of landscapes they all inhabit means a Tiny 10 safari is never repetitive. In a single trip, hunters may move multiple times from forested valleys to open grasslands to mountain ridges, all in pursuit of some of Africa’s smallest yet most challenging game.

Pursuing the Remaining Species

To complete the full Tiny 10, hunters must travel beyond South Africa:

Dik-Dik – Found in Namibia, usually in dry, scrubby terrain.
Livingstone’s Suni – Hunted in the sand forests of Mozambique, where patience and precision are key.

Many hunters also choose to include the Vaal Rhebuck into their list of the tiny 10. A high-altitude species that offers its own unique challenge. While not one of the official Tiny 10, the Vaal Rhebuck is a highly respected addition to any collection.

Why Tiny 10 Hunts Are So Challenging

Don’t let their size fool you — the Tiny 10 are not easy trophies.

Size: Many of these antelope stand less than 50 cm high at the shoulder, making them difficult to spot and an even smaller target to shoot.
Keen senses: These species are incredibly alert. They rely on speed, stealth, and cover to survive, vanishing in an instant when disturbed.
Habitat: From dense forests to rocky cliffs, their environments add to the difficulty. Hunting a Blue Duiker in the thickets or a Klipspringer high on a cliff requires different tactics and perseverance.
Specialised techniques: Blue Duiker often require dogs to flush them; Klipspringer demand careful glassing of cliffs; Steenbuck and Common Duiker are typically taken in fleeting encounters requiring quick reflexes.

The result? Each hunt is highly specialised, demanding patience, precision, and versatility.

Why Hunters Pursue the Tiny 10

So why do hunters dedicate years — and often multiple safaris — to completing the Tiny 10?

Collector’s Appeal: Like the Big Five, the Tiny 10 has become a recognised benchmark in African hunting. Completing the set is a prestigious achievement.
Diversity of Experience: Pursuing these species requires hunting across multiple countries, habitats, and styles — a journey as rewarding as the trophies themselves.
Challenge: The difficulty of locating, tracking, and harvesting these small, elusive animals makes every success deeply satisfying.
Recognition of the Overlooked: These antelope may be small, but they represent Africa’s biodiversity just as much as larger species. Hunting them builds appreciation for the full spectrum of wildlife.

For many hunters, completing the Tiny 10 is about more than a collection of mounts — it’s about mastering one of Africa’s most underrated and fascinating challenges.

Tiny 10 Hunting FAQs

What are the Tiny 10 in African hunting?
They are Africa’s smallest antelope species: Blue Duiker, Red Duiker, Common Duiker, Oribi, Steenbuck, Klipspringer, Cape Grysbuck, Sharp’s Grysbuck, Livingstone’s Suni, and Dik-Dik.

How many can you hunt in South Africa?
Officially you can hunt 9 of the tiny 10 just in South Africa. We prefer however to hunt the elusive Suni in Mozambique as a pose to South Africa..

Why are Tiny 10 hunts considered so difficult?
Because of their small size, alert nature, and challenging habitats. They require patience, precision, and different strategies for each species.

Where do you hunt the others?
Dik-Dik in Namibia and Suni in Mozambique.

Why pursue the Tiny 10?
For the challenge, the diversity of hunts, and the collector’s appeal of completing a rare and respected achievement.

Final Word

The Tiny 10 may be small in size, but they represent one of the biggest challenges in African hunting. Completing this collection is about more than trophies — it’s about patience, skill, and respect for some of Africa’s most overlooked species.

At Bayly Sippel Safaris, we give hunters the opportunity to pursue 8 of the Tiny 10 in South Africa, and the remaining 2 in our neighboring countries. With access to world class areas, diverse habitats and our expert guidance. Whether you’re just starting your collection or aiming to complete it, this pursuit promises an adventure unlike any other.

Ready to begin your Tiny 10 journey? Explore our Plains Game Packages or contact Bayly Sippel Safaris today to start planning.