Crocodile Hunts

When to Hunt Crocodile

The best time to hunt Nile crocodile depends on the destination and local water conditions. The dry season is often favoured in established hunting areas, as falling water levels expose riverbanks, sandbars and basking sites, making it easier to locate and assess mature animals.

In several southern African hunting destinations, the more favourable period often falls between May and October, although this is not a universal crocodile hunting season. Water levels, temperatures and the particular hunting area can make a difference, so hunters should confirm the recommended months with their outfitter before choosing safari dates.

Time of day can be just as important as time of year. Crocodiles regularly leave the water to bask and regulate their body temperature, and the Professional Hunter will plan glassing and hunting activity around local conditions and known basking areas. Weather, temperature and recent disturbance can all influence whether a mature crocodile appears. 

What Makes a Trophy Crocodile?

Judging the size of a Nile crocodile in the field is more difficult than simply looking at its length. Crocodiles are often observed from a considerable distance, and part of the animal may be hidden by water, vegetation or the shape of the riverbank. Without a clear reference for scale, even experienced hunters can find it difficult to estimate the true size of an animal.

Professional Hunters look at several characteristics when assessing a potential trophy. The size and width of the head, the thickness of the neck and body, and the overall proportions of the animal can all provide clues to maturity. A big old crocodile often carries considerably more mass than a younger animal, with a heavy head and thick body that can be just as impressive as its overall length.

As a general guide, a Nile crocodile measuring around 12 feet can represent a good trophy in many hunting areas, while animals exceeding 14 feet are exceptional and less common. These are not guarantees or universal standards. Trophy expectations should always be based on the particular water system, recent hunting results and the judgement of the Professional Hunter.

An area that regularly produces mature 11- or 12-foot crocodiles is not necessarily the right choice for someone determined to pursue a 14-foot-plus animal. The difference between finding a good mature crocodile and finding an exceptional trophy is one of the most important considerations when selecting a hunting area. 

Rifle Choice and Shot Placement for Crocodile Hunting

Crocodile hunting requires more precision than most hunters expect. Although the .375 H&H is a popular choice, particularly when crocodile forms part of a safari involving buffalo or hippo, carrying a large-calibre rifle is no substitute for being able to place a shot accurately. The target area is relatively small, and the rifle must be one the hunter can handle confidently from the shooting position and distance presented.

The Professional Hunter will advise on bullet selection and the intended aiming point, taking account of the crocodile's position, shooting distance and the type of shot being considered. A poorly placed shot can allow the animal to reach deep water, making recovery difficult. Hunters should discuss shot placement with their PH beforehand and practise accordingly. Our detailed Crocodile Shot Placement Guide covers the anatomy, shot angles and considerations involved.

Many outfitters can provide a suitable camp rifle, so hunters who prefer not to travel with their own should confirm the calibre, ammunition and any rental fee before booking. Legal minimum calibre requirements also vary between destinations and should be checked with the outfitter.

What Is Included in a Crocodile Hunting Safari?

What is included in a crocodile hunting safari depends on the destination, outfitter and type of package booked. Most organised hunts provide accommodation, meals, the services of a Professional Hunter and hunting staff, as well as transport within the hunting area. Boats and other specialised equipment may also be provided where required, but hunters should check the inclusions of the particular safari rather than assume every package is the same.

An important distinction is whether the advertised package includes the crocodile trophy fee or only the daily hunting rate. Hunters should also confirm the number of full hunting days, airport transfers, permits and any additional charges that apply to the particular hunting area. These details should be clear in the written quotation before a deposit is paid.

Crocodile trophies require careful preparation, particularly when the hunter intends to export the hide and skull. Confirm whether field preparation, salting and transport to the taxidermist or dip-and-pack facility are included, and where the outfitter's responsibility ends. Crocodile skins entering international trade are subject to CITES tagging requirements, so establish who arranges the appropriate tag and export documentation. Incorrect or missing tagging can delay or prevent the trophy from reaching its destination. Taxidermy and international shipping may be charged separately.  

How Much Does a Crocodile Hunt Cost?

The cost of a crocodile hunt in Africa depends on the destination, trophy size, exportability and whether the safari is offered as a dedicated crocodile hunt or combined with other species. Current crocodile hunting opportunities, including advertised prices and safari durations, are displayed above and can be opened individually to compare the details of each hunt.

As a broad guide, African crocodile hunts start at around US$7,000 for some shorter safaris, while dedicated trophy hunts and longer combinations involving hippo or other dangerous game can cost US$15,000–US$25,000 or more. These are indicative figures rather than fixed prices. Trophy size, exportability, hunting duration and the species included can all influence the final cost.

One of the biggest price differences is between exportable and non-exportable crocodiles. A non-exportable hunt may be considerably less expensive, but the hunter cannot take the trophy home. For an international hunter who wants a mounted crocodile or skin, confirming export eligibility and the requirements for importing the trophy into their home country is essential before booking.

For American hunters, a crocodile trophy being legally exportable from an African country does not automatically mean it can be imported into the United States. Import eligibility depends on the country of origin, the applicable CITES requirements and current U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service regulations. Confirm that the particular trophy can legally be exported and imported before paying a deposit.

Some outfitters offer fixed packages that include the hunting days and crocodile trophy fee, while others charge daily rates and trophy fees separately. Trophy fees may also depend on the crocodile's measured length, with larger animals attracting additional charges. Hunters should establish exactly which size category is included, whether upgrades apply and how the final measurement is determined.

The advertised safari price may not include airport transfers, government charges, permits, dip and pack, taxidermy or international trophy shipping. Our guide to African Hunting Safari Prices explains how these costs can affect the overall safari budget.

When comparing the crocodile hunts listed above, look at the total expected cost, the number of full hunting days, the trophy category included and the hunting area itself. A cheaper safari is not necessarily the better choice if its trophy expectations or conditions do not match what you want from your hunt.

Choosing the Right Crocodile Hunt

The first decision is whether crocodile will be the main objective of your safari or one of several species you intend to hunt. A dedicated crocodile hunt allows the Professional Hunter to concentrate on finding a suitable animal and working around its movements. On a combination safari involving hippo, buffalo or plains game, hunting time must be divided between species, particularly when conditions favour one opportunity over another.

The number of hunting days deserves careful consideration. A dedicated crocodile safari of five to seven hunting days may be suitable where the outfitter knows the movements of mature animals and has reliable access to productive water. Hunters combining crocodile with other species, or hoping for an exceptional 14-foot-plus trophy, should discuss whether a longer safari would provide sufficient flexibility. Finding a good crocodile and finding a particular class of trophy are two different objectives. 

Before booking, ask what size of crocodile is realistically available in the hunting area and how recently comparable animals have been taken. An area with plenty of crocodiles does not necessarily offer good prospects for an exceptional trophy. The number of genuinely mature animals, recent hunting results, hunting pressure and the outfitter's knowledge of the water system matter more than population numbers alone. A record crocodile taken years ago tells you far less about your chances than recent results from the same area.

Crocodile hunting also requires a particular kind of patience. Hunters who enjoy tracking game over long distances and being constantly on the move may find spending hours watching riverbanks and waiting for a suitable animal less appealing. Understanding how the hunt is conducted before booking is just as important as choosing the right destination or trophy size.

How Crocodile Hunting Works in Africa

Crocodile hunting usually begins with identifying the water systems where mature animals regularly feed and bask. Rivers, lakes and exposed sandbanks may be glassed from considerable distances, allowing the Professional Hunter to study individual crocodiles without disturbing them.

Once a suitable trophy has been identified, the challenge becomes getting into a position for an accurate shot. Depending on the terrain, this may involve a careful stalk using vegetation and the contours of the riverbank for cover, or setting up a blind overlooking an area the crocodile regularly uses. Crocodiles are sensitive to movement and disturbance, and an approach detected too early can end an opportunity before it begins.

Baiting is another method used in some crocodile hunting areas. Where local regulations and the outfitter's approach permit it, bait may be placed near the water's edge, with hunters observing from a concealed position. Smaller crocodiles may arrive before the larger animals, and it can take patience to identify and wait for the particular crocodile being sought. Not every destination or hunting area uses this method, so hunters should establish how their proposed safari will actually be conducted.

Much of the hunt therefore takes place before the rifle is ever raised. The PH must judge the animal, study its position relative to the water, determine the available shooting angle and consider how the crocodile will be recovered. When everything comes together, the shooting opportunity may be brief, and the hunter needs to be settled and ready to follow the PH's instructions.

Before booking, ask how the outfitter handles crocodile recovery and what happens to the trophy fee if an animal is wounded but not recovered. Proper skinning, salting and preparation of the hide are equally important, as damage can affect the quality of the finished trophy.

We've experienced this firsthand while hunting Nile crocodiles on Mozambique's Lake Cahora Bassa, where our expeditions produced exceptional animals measuring 14.9 and 15.1 feet. Those hunts reinforced the importance of choosing the right hunting area, judging crocodiles carefully and working with a Professional Hunter who knows the water. You can read more about these experiences in our Lake Cahora Bassa crocodile hunting expedition.

Planning Your Crocodile Hunting Safari

Before booking a crocodile hunt, establish what size of trophy is realistically available in the hunting area, whether the crocodile is exportable and what is included in the advertised price. The number of full hunting days, hunting methods and opportunities to combine crocodile with hippo, buffalo or other species should also influence your decision.

If you're considering a crocodile safari, contact Game Hunting Safaris with your preferred dates, approximate budget, the size of crocodile you're hoping for and whether you'd like to include other species. We'll help you compare suitable hunts and confirm the important details before you book.

You can also explore our wider selection of African hunting trips if you're still comparing safari opportunities across Africa. 

Our Crocodile & Other African Hunting Expeditions 

Our crocodile hunting experiences on Mozambique's Lake Cahora Bassa have given us firsthand insight into the patience, local knowledge and careful judgement involved in pursuing mature Nile crocodiles. 

Explore our African hunting expeditions below for firsthand accounts, photographs and a closer look at the hunting areas, animals and experiences behind the safaris we offer.