Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa African taxidermy costs?

About how much would it cost to get a zebra skin processed into a rug in south Africa? How much for a European mounted bushbok? How much to ship to US? Captdavid

A felt backed rug is generally $500-1000 depending on who does it. Bushbuck skull mount will be less than $250. There is a large number of taxidermists in RSA and prices( and quality) vary widely, but are still cheaper than the US. Shipping costs includes packing and will be maybe $300-400 plus a customers brokers fee on this end of $150-200 unless you are able to clear the shipment yourself( actually quite easy for those 2 species if you live near a port of entry)..

Are you shooting the Zebra to make into a rug? If so, it might be easier to have the skin tanned in RSA and have the felt backing attached in the USA.

Just to let you know, you can pick up a zebra skin cheaper then you can shoot one at some of the stores in RSA, if you just want a rug.

My suggestion would be if you want to shoot a Zebra, have it made into a pedestal mount and have the back skins tanned in RSA to make into pillows, and buy a full zebra for the rug, budget allowing of course.

Check on the shipping costs as it can off set any savings. Last time it was over $2K for dipping and shipping and then they tried to add a $200 a day storage fee while they were waiting to get clearance.

Now I will eat as much game as I can and only bring back what I can fit in my luggage.

I see Zebra rugs for sale for less than the taxidermy costs would be both here and SA.

Doubling the cost of the trip to get ones trophies back is just ludicrous.

Here is a list of 2017 pricing from a fairly well known SA taxidermist. Sorry for the formatting.


. Shoulder, euro, tanned skin
Impala 601, 88, 68
wildebeest 830, 108, 171
warthog 732, 114, 115
kudo 984, 91, 198
gemsbuck 872, 105, 171
bushbuck 598, 92, 58
duiker 507, 63, 58
eland 1333, 113, 286
grysbuck 507, 52, 45
klipspringer 536, 50, 63
nyala 805, 105, 151
hartebeest 805, 111, 171
steenbuck 507, 42, 50
waterbuck 970, 99, 171
zebra 970, 108, 279
Sable 970, 119, 171

With an 8 to 10 animal safari, pack and dip, ship and Taxidermy here almost always about he same as the hunt.

My next time over will be nothing but photos. Same the money and go again.

If you want a zebra skin rug---I'd check e-bay.

Can one buy a rug there and bring it back on the plane? Captdavid

Yes, if you have a large, empty, carry on bag and buy it in the airport- or buy it elawhere, keep the receipt, and put it in a checked bag

Yes, you can. Best would be to buy it from the taxidermist, as compared to lets say Out of Africa at the airport. The price is about half. They will issue you with an invoice and a certificate to say that the skin has already been processed and clear of any bugs etc.