ZIMBABWE: DANGEROUS GAME & BIG 5 HUNTING SAFARIS

While technically open year-round, the preferred season for Big 5 hunting in Zimbabwe spans from March - October. Winter in the southern hemisphere is May - Sept, which is a cool and dry season, and the most popular time to hunt in Zimbabwe.

These are dangerous game wilderness hunts, and nothing is left to chance. Each Big 5 species hunt is 7+ days, using quality boats or vehicles. Each hunter is with an experienced PH, tracker, driver, and recovery team.

Croc & Hippo – These hunts in Zimbabwe are conducted by land cruiser or boat. Drive to various good riverside glassing areas to spot game, or cruise the lake by boat carefully checking strategic bays or sections of shoreline. Short stalks and precision shooting are often required for success. While on the water, free BONUS fishing can always be made available, for species such as Tiger Fish, Bream, and Vundu, which are huge catfish!

Elephant & Buffalo – These Zimbabwe hunting safaris start by vehicle, looking for fresh signs in the sandy soil along any road or waterways. Once located, proceed on foot slowly with trackers. Dangerous game hunting is meticulous work, but ultimately a high success, close-range, and adrenalizing experience! In the late season when more vegetation is down, glassing from vantage points is also an effective strategy.

Plains Game – Being wild Africa, the quality and quantity of Plains game is not comparable to hunting estates in South Africa, for example. When hunting in Zimbabwe for Plains Game, these concessions still offer roughly 20 species, but nothing can be guaranteed, and plains game are generally taken as targets of opportunity.

Big 5 hunting in Zimbabwe calls for the right tools. Some clients bring their personal firearms from home, which is a simple enough process. But many choose to rent the outfitters’ proven and high-end bolt action or double rifles. The minimum caliber is .375 H&H, and a very popular option is the proven 416 Ruger.

Bowhunting in Zimbabwe is not permitted on big, thick-skinned animals such as Elephant, Hippo, Croc, and Buffalo. This does not include Leopards or Plains Game, for those seeking a true challenge while Big 5 hunting.

This is a very remote, rugged country. The topography can be hilly and comes with many valleys and natural springs. The terrain can vary from high rocky outcrops, to open savannahs or dense continuous forests, depending on the region. Concessions for Big 5 hunting in Zimbabwe also offer many miles of lake or river frontage, both with broad sandbar flats, or thick bushveld in low-lying areas. Perfect habitat for dangerous game animals! Other Big 5 hunting areas in Zimbabwe occur on indigenous old-growth forest conservation programs. In all, a variety of habitat types are offered among the various expansive hunting concessions, with a rich diversity of both flora and fauna. This is the untamed African wilderness!

Zimbabwe hunting safaris occur from March to October, which represents the dryer and cooler portion of the year. Intense heat becomes a consideration after October, leading into the wet season shortly thereafter. Rains subside in March and the vegetation begins to wither come May as temperatures begin to cool. While hunting in Zimbabwe, the middays can be warm and sunny, with conditions and seasonal temperatures quite pleasant and comfortable between roughly mid-April and mid-September.

All our camps in Zimbabwe are equipped with limited Wi-Fi, generator-powered electricity, running water, and hot showers, complete with catered meals, daily laundry, and maid service. Hunters enjoy private sleeping cabins with en-suite bathrooms, as well as a large main building with a thatched common lounge, bar, dining area, and fire pits. In the Chete & Sijarira National Parks for Crocodiles and Hippos, there are two lodges directly on the shores of Lake Kariba. Enjoy the lake-side sunsets and bonus fishing!

In the Matetsi Concessions and Ngamo-Sikumi Forestry areas for Elephants and Buffalo, enjoy permanent colonial-style camps, and private thatched sleeping cabins with en-suite bathrooms leading to an open communal lounge and dining area. These lodges are very comfortable, offering privacy, all creature comforts, and delicious local cuisine.

All efforts are made to ensure that meals are delicious, local, and hearty during all Zimbabwe hunting safaris - an important part of any trip. Breakfasts are usually quick and light with all the cornerstone items such as coffee, tea, and juice, along with eggs, toast, cereal, yogurt, or fruit to get hunters out the door for dawn. Upon returning from the morning’s hunt, be greeted by a hearty brunch line-up, or enjoy a classy field picnic featuring interesting and delicious menu items. Game meat is very prominently used, and typically part of every meal. Enjoy local Plains game species such as Eland, Kudu, Impala, or even Giraffe! Also served are Tiger fish or Bream from the surrounding lakes and rivers. A selection of wines, chutneys, and mustards accompany medleys of mixed vegetables, rice, fruits, fresh breads, salads, and desserts.

Destination City: The primary destination cities for hunters coming to Zimbabwe would be Victoria Falls or Bulawayo. Round-trip airport shuttles are included for our priority elephant hunting areas within 2 hours of Victoria Falls. Remaining Croc, Hippo, and Buffalo hunts are 4-5 hours from the airports, and round-trip shuttles are not included but can be organized for clients on a flat-rate fee.

Travel Suggestions: Most flights arriving to Victoria Falls or Bulawayo, Zimbabwe must first connect through Johannesburg, South Africa. Connections however are generally quick and inexpensive.

The export process is similar to South Africa. Detailed field preparation of trophies is included, with careful caping, labeling, salting, and drying on site. Trophies are then delivered to a capable local taxidermist, who usually just dips and packs them at the client’s request. The taxidermist also makes arrangements for permitting and delivery to a shipping agent for international export. The general turnaround time is 8-12 months.

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