Elephant Hunt in Zimbabwe

Trip length

14 days

Difficulty

Price

On request

Hunting season

No date set

I'm interested

Information

Embark on an exhilarating 9-day adventure hunting elephants in the Gwayi area of Zimbabwe, near Hwange National Park. This safari offers an unforgettable experience in the heart of Africa's wilderness.

Hunting Season

February - May; September - November

Event Duration

9 days / 7 hunting days

Destination

Zimbabwe - Gwayi area (near Hwange National Park)

Game Species

Primary game: Elephant with tusks up to 50 lbs

Secondary option: Elephant without tusks (7 hunting days)

Additional Hunting Opportunities

Cape Buffalo, Hippopotamus, Crocodile, Leopard, Lion, various Antelope species, Warthog, and others

Transportation

Fly to Victoria Falls (with one layover in Ethiopia), transfer by car from the airport to the camp

Weapons

Firearms available for rent

Accommodation

Hunting camp in the center of the hunting area

Meals

All-day meals prepared by a private chef

Included in the Price

- State escort fee (for elephant, leopard, and lion)

- Participation of a HEMING team member (assistance, translation, and organizational services)

- CITES permit

- Pre-baiting & scouting (for leopard and lion hunts)

- Organization of Elephant hunt over 10 hunting days

- 8 nights accommodation in the camp with all-day meals, including a wide selection of non-alcoholic and reasonable amounts of alcoholic beverages

- Transport from the airport to the camp and back

- Daily laundry, ironing, and room cleaning

- Work of trackers and drivers of off-road vehicles

- Work of professional hunters and guides

- Travel agency insolvency insurance

- Firearm rental

- Basic trophy processing on-site and export permit

Not Included in the Price

- Costs associated with firearm transport

- Gratuities for trackers and service staff

- Comprehensive travel insurance and trip cancellation insurance (available on request)

- Costs for transporting trophies to the place of residence (dip & pack, transport, customs, tax)

- Anything not listed in the price

Hunting Information

All hunts, except for hippopotamus and crocodile, are conducted in unit 6, Matetsi, one of the best areas in Zimbabwe. Hippopotamus and crocodile hunts are organized near the village of Binga on the shores of Lake Kariba. These hunts start from a camp by the lake. In the morning, you board a boat and search for hippos and crocodiles along the shore. This well-managed area is known for its abundant game. Once a trophy animal is spotted, you can either shoot from the boat (usually a last resort) or get to shore and walk a few hundred meters to find a shooting position. Since hippos need to breathe above water, they can be hunted all day. The same goes for crocodiles, which need to bask in the sun, so we hunt them by walking along sandy beaches during the day. The biggest challenge is retrieving a hippo after it's shot, as it sinks and can take hours to resurface.

Hunting in beautiful Zimbabwe is incomparable to hunting on farms in South Africa or Namibia. The wild nature, where you can observe elephants, lions, and especially large herds of Cape buffalo, provides the true essence of an African safari.

Travel Details

The best way to travel to the country is by air to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, with Ethiopian Airlines, with a layover in Addis Ababa. After arriving at Victoria Falls, hunters will be picked up by car and transferred to the hunting camp in Gwayi. The journey takes approximately 2.5 hours. A valid passport is required for entry, valid for at least 6 months after return. A visa is required for foreigners, which can be obtained directly at the airport in Victoria Falls.

Accommodation

The camp is located in the heart of the hunting area, eliminating the need for long transfers. It is built in a hunting style with a strong hunting spirit. Electricity, hot water, and cleanliness in every room are guaranteed. Daily laundry and ironing are provided by local staff. The camp includes a large common room where hunters eat and spend time together. Most common time is spent around the outdoor fire pit, evoking the true African atmosphere in the evenings, where hunters share their experiences from the day. Meals are prepared by a private chef and are excellent and varied, including local specialties mainly from game, as well as many common European dishes such as schnitzels, roast chicken, and pasta.

Weather

During the hunting season, the weather is usually favorable, with little rain. In March and April, the weather is most pleasant, with daytime temperatures around 30-35°C and cooler mornings. In late April and May, the days are cooler (25-30°C) and the mornings can be cold, with temperatures reaching 3-5°C. Therefore, it is essential to bring both winter and summer clothing for the hunt.

Gear

- Hunting clothing with long and short sleeves

- Hunting pants, long and short

- High leather boots (not new)

- Belt

- Windproof jacket for morning and evening hunts

- Evening camp clothing

- Sunglasses

- Sunscreen and lip balm

- Nasal spray / moisturizer

- Small backpack or bag

- Flashlight (2x)

- Basic medications (antibiotics, corticosteroids, painkillers, allergy medication, insect bite treatment, anti-diarrheal, etc.)

Itinerary

All hunts, except those for hippopotamus and crocodile, take place in unit 6, i.e. MATETSI and therefore in one of the best areas in Zimbabwe ever. We organize hippo and crocodile hunting near the Binga settlement on the shores of Lake Karibu. Hunting is done from the camp, which is on the lake. In the morning you jump on a boat and start looking for hippos and crocodiles along the shores of the lake. It is a very well-managed area where we know well from experience where to look for game. The number of animals is high. When we spot trophy males, you can either try to shoot from the boat (usually only done as a last resort) or get ashore and walk a few hundred yards to get into a shooting position. Since hippos have to breathe above the surface, hunting is possible all day long. The same thing happens with crocodiles that need to bask in the sun, so during the day we will end up hunting near sandy beaches. The biggest challenge is retrieving a hippopotamus after being caught, as it sinks after being hit and the body can take several hours to resurface.

Hunting in beautiful ZIMBABWE cannot be compared to hunting on farms in South Africa or Namibia. The atmosphere of wild nature, in which you have the opportunity to observe elephants, lions, but especially large herds of Kaffir buffaloes, gives hunting the touch of a real African safari.

Dates

We will be happy to prepare a tailor-made offer and date for you.

Difficulty

For trips marked with this type of difficulty, moderate to moderate demands are placed on the hunter's physical condition. However, they are manageable for everyone who likes smaller challenges. We encounter this degree of difficulty mainly in mountain types of hunting, when hunting is mainly at the foot of slopes or in lower mountain locations.