Big Five hunting on the “Dark Continent” is a bucket list item that many game hunting enthusiasts work towards and dream of. Make your dream a reality with a dangerous game hunting safari targeting four of Africa’s Big Five species in Zimbabwe.
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Zimbabwe: Facts & Figures
Capital City: Harare
Major Cities: Chitungwiza, Bulawayo
Total Area: 150,872 mi²
Currency: ZimDollar – but US Dollars are widely accepted!
Population: 17,020,321
Language: English, Shona, Ndebele plus other 15 African languages and sign language
Zimbabwe, officially referred to as the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country nestled in southern Africa and is about three times the size of England. Sharing its borders with South Africa, Zambia, Mozambique, and Botswana, Zimbabwe is truly one of Africa’s undiscovered gems when it comes to destinations to enjoying game hunting in Africa!
The country is known for its diverse and abundant wildlife, sporting a variety of terrain to challenge any game hunting enthusiast wanting to experience Africa at its best! Zimbabwe has always been an option for travelers visiting Africa, with its rich culture, friendly people, and wide range of tourist activities – and now game hunting options have diversified this beautiful destination even further, giving people even more reason to visit the area.
Why go Hunting in Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe remains a popular African hunting safari destination. Although statistics on visitor arrivals are few and far between, the destination continues to grow as a well-recognized and admired destination amongst the hunting community.
There are a few reasons as to why hunting in Zimbabwe remains a popular pastime:
- Zimbabwe is one of the few African destinations where hunters can enjoy the feeling of a truly wild African game hunting experience.
- Zimbabwe allows hunters to enjoy the “Africa of old” with mainly free-range hunting safaris.
- The country is home to abundant wildlife, including members of the Big 5, Dangerous 7, African plains game, and specialty hunting species to enjoy when hunting in Africa.
- It is known for consistently producing excellent game hunting trophies.
- Hunting in Zimbabwe is also seen as being affordable when compared to other African game hunting destinations.
- It is also one of the only African destinations where leopards can still be hunted with hounds.
- And while rhino hunting is not permitted in Zimbabwe, the destination is home to the elephant, lion, Cape buffalo, and leopard, ensuring some exceptional Big Five hunting trips in the region!
- Zimbabwe is also home to numerous tourist attractions, making it the perfect destination to enjoy pre- or post-hunting activities with your partner or family.
- Zimbabwe is seen as a safe country to enjoy a Big Five hunting safari.
Big Five Hunting Opportunities in Zimbabwe
You will be pleased to know that Big Five hunting is alive and well in Zimbabwe! This incredibly diverse dangerous game hunting destination is home to all members of the Big Five, but only four of the Big 5 are available to hunt.
The Lion
The lion (Panthera leo), also known as the king of the jungle, or bushveld in this case, is an extremely popular and sought-after dangerous game hunting target. Hunting this apex predator is often seen as a rite of passage for game hunters and is a challenging hunting safari pitting man against beast.
These vicious beasts reach up to 570 pounds, and while they may look docile from a distance, even one swipe of a paw with its razor-sharp claws can down a man. Add to this a cunning, aggressive nature with a set of sharp pearly whites, and you have a challenge on your hands!
Lion hunting in Zimbabwe occurs throughout the year, and provides hunters with an exciting, adrenaline-filled dangerous game hunting adventure! The best time to enjoy a lion hunting safari is during the drier months, from June onwards, with safaris taking place 30 minutes before sunrise and continuing 30 minutes after sunset.
Lions are found throughout southern Africa and in abundance throughout the country, with lion hunting happening throughout the region. It must be said, however, that the Matetsi region is the destination of choice for exceptional lion hunting trophies.
Big five hunting, and in this case lion hunting, requires exceptional skill, courage, and determination, as you face off with one of the most dangerous animals worldwide. It is not for the nervous, faint-hearted, or unsure, but rather a hunter who is calm, well-prepared, and ready to place that perfect shot to humanely kill the animal.
Lion hunting in Zimbabwe uses the bait method, where bait is hung in a tree at a height just high enough for a lion to reach it. A scent trail is created before the bait is hung by a vehicle dragging the carcass across the bush. A hide is built, and the wait starts for the lion to start feeding, during which time the hunter will shoot the king of the jungle.
Lion hunting safaris are an exciting, adrenalin-filled hunting adventure aimed at experienced game hunting enthusiasts looking for a new challenge!
The African Elephant
The elephant (Loxodonta africana) is Africa’s largest land mammal and an extremely intelligent adversary. While elephants can be calm and docile, they can just as quickly become agitated and angry and will not hesitate to charge if they are injured or feel threatened.
If you are planning to enjoy elephant hunting in Zimbabwe, ensure that you are fit, as these majestic mammals are targeted on foot, with many miles walked each day. Zimbabwe is home to more than 100,000 elephants, and more than 50,000 of these are found in Hwange and the Zambezi Valley, making these areas prime elephant hunting regions.
The hunting safari will commence where some spoor has been spotted, which will be either close to a waterhole or perhaps on a known track or a road. As mentioned, be prepared to walk. With so many elephants in the region, you may well get up close and personal with the herd as you stalk your perfect game hunting trophy.
While elephant hunting is available throughout the year, with Zimbabwe not having any specific hunting season, the best time to target this dangerous game hunting species is from September to November, as the weather conditions over this time are perfect for an African hunt. A CITES permit is required for elephant hunts in Zimbabwe.
The Leopard
The leopard (Panthera pardus) is a shy, elusive, and highly dangerous member of the Big 5 and Dangerous 7. Many rate this nocturnal African cat as the most dangerous predator worldwide.
While leopard hunting in Zimbabwe happens throughout the country, two popular locations for leopard hunting are the Zambezi Valley and the Matobo mountain range. Leopards can be hunted at night on private land as well as community areas, or the hunt can take place during daylight hours, commencing 30 minutes before sunset and being completed 30 minutes after sunset.
A CITES permit and a TR2 hunting permit are required to hunt leopards in Zimbabwe. To increase the thrill of the chase, and the excitement of the hunt itself, hounds may be used should a special permit be granted, and the hunt take place on private land.
Should the leopard hunt not utilize hounds, then the baiting method is generally employed. Leopards are baited well in advance, using African plains game meat, and the area is monitored with trail cameras to ascertain and monitor the activity of these nocturnal creatures. If the leopard has taken the bait and is visiting the area, a temporary blind will be erected, and it will be hunted from there. Leopards are known to spook easily and with their excellent eyesight and hearing, hunters will need to be extremely quiet and still to capture this predator.
The Cape Buffalo
While elephants have their sheer size and leopards and lions their claws and razor-sharp teeth, this member of the Big 5 and Dangerous 7 not only has sharp horns that can do immense damage but also a bad attitude to match. Aggressive, highly intelligent, totally unpredictable, and downright grumpy, the Cape buffalo is a formidable force with which to be reckoned on a Zimbabwe hunting safari.
The Cape Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is seen as one of the most dangerous animals worldwide to hunt. This wall of muscle can reach up to 2,000 pounds, does not back down, and will charge at a moment’s notice, making this hunting adventure an adrenaline-filled one, full of action! When targeting Africa’s Black Death, hunters require patience, courage, perseverance, and exceptional hunting skills. Do you have what it takes?
While Cape buffalo hunting in Zimbabwe offers numerous destinations from which to choose for the hunt, the most popular areas include the Matetsi and Gonarezhai regions. In terms of price and trophy quality, buffalo hunting in Zimbabwe rates highly.
The Rhino
While there are both black and white rhinos in Zimbabwe, these are not available to hunt.
Rhino hunting is highly regulated, and they are only available to hunt in Namibia and South Africa, under extremely stringent conditions.
Hunting Methods for a Big Five Hunting Trip
Hunting in Zimbabwe is mostly safari-style with a vehicle being used to cover large distances and to target the chosen trophy. Once tracks are spotted, they are then followed on a walk-and-stalk basis.
The exception to this is, of course, the leopard and lion. Both are hunted using the baiting method, while the leopard is also targeted using hounds.
Consider a Combination Hunt
Consider adding another species to your Big Five hunting adventure, to compliment the hunt. Zimbabwe is also renowned for its large range of African plains game species, including eland, kudu, sable, bushbuck, and zebra. Speak to your African outfitter about options, you won’t be disappointed!
FAQs
Can I use my bow to hunt dangerous game in Zimbabwe?
Yes, dangerous game can be hunted with a bow.
What caliber rifle is required for Dangerous Game Hunting in Zimbabwe?
The minimum legal requirement is a .375 with a 300-grain bullet.
Can you hunt all the Big 5 in Zimbabwe?
While all members of the Big 5 are available to view, only four of the Big Five can be hunted. The rhino may not be targeted on a dangerous game hunting safari, while the remainder of the animals (Cape buffalo, leopard, lion, and elephant) can be hunted.
What are the Big 5 and Dangerous 7?
Africa’s Big 5 and Dangerous 7 are the most dangerous and challenging animals to hunt. The Big 5 consists of the elephant, lion, leopard, Cape buffalo, and rhino, with the Nile crocodile and hippo added to comprise the Dangerous 7.
These animals each present a hunter with a unique set of challenges in terms of hunting them, but they are all rated as some of the most dangerous animals worldwide to hunt. They are known to be aggressive, unpredictable, territorial, and exceptionally cunning, making targeting them an adrenaline-filled hunting experience reserved for the experienced hunter looking for something different on a dangerous game hunting safari.
What is Zimbabwe’s hunting season?
While Zimbabwe has no specific hunting season, hunting is allowed 365 days a year. There are times when hunting conditions are better for a specific species or territory, but generally the most popular time for hunting in Zimbabwe is during the cooler months of June to August.
What can I enjoy as a tourist post-hunt while in Zimbabwe?
There are numerous and varied tourist attractions to enjoy while in Zimbabwe, whether you prefer heritage, culture, adventure, or wildlife tourist attractions.
Some popular tourist attractions include:
- Victoria Falls: These breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls are located on the Zambezi River and form a border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. They are 5,500 feet wide and over 350 feet high, making them one of the largest waterfalls worldwide and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Lake Kariba: Staying with all things water, a visit to the world’s largest manmade lake and reservoir is a must! It offers visitors spectacular views, a beautiful setting, and a variety of water activities to enjoy, including fishing and boating activities.
- Hwange National Park: This is Zimbabwe’s largest national park, offering visitors a wonderful experience of African game drives and game viewing.
- Harare: Explore the nation’s capital city! From lion parks and eco-resorts to wildlife sanctuaries and museums, Zimbabwe’s capital city is a culture-rich city well worth a visit.
- Mana Pools National Park: Situated in the north of the country, this wildlife conservation area forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Bulawayo: For those interested, enjoy a visit to the local Bulawayo Transport Museum or the Natural History Museum, while a visit to the Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage will see you eye-to-eye with some of the most vulnerable wild animals there are, with little hope of survival in the wild.
Dangerous Game Hunting at Its Best!
Zimbabwe proves itself time and again as an extraordinary dangerous game hunting destination! It ticks all the boxes in terms of species, hunting methods, terrain, skills needed, as well as pricing. Add to that the opportunity to travel with a partner, family, or friends to explore some diverse tourist attractions, and you have a winning African safari!
Read more about free-range Cape buffalo hunts, or tips and techniques for elephant hunting in Zimbabwe
Author: B. Hershensohnn