Dangerous Game Hunts in Africa

Prices swing with country, concession quality, quota, and logistics. These ranges help you plan; your exact quote will show dates, area, inclusions, and permits.

• Cape Buffalo (7–10 days)
  South Africa: $12,000–$22,000  ·  Zimbabwe / Mozambique / Zambia: $16,000–$32,000  ·  Tanzania (classic blocks): $28,000–$45,000+
• Leopard (12–14 days; where legal and quota available)
  Hounds (area-specific) or baited blinds: $28,000–$45,000+ — Success hinges on block history, strategy, and patience.
• Elephant (10–14 days; quota/status vary)
  $30,000–$55,000+ depending on area, permit class, and export rules.
• Hippo & Crocodile (5–7 days or combo)
  $7,500–$16,000 — River systems and floodplains; paperwork simple but precise.
• Lion (where legal, quota-controlled)
  POA — We present only legal, current avenues with permits and conditions listed line by line.

Final invoices reflect daily rates + trophy fees or a bundled package. We’ll spell out what’s included (PH, vehicle, trackers, meals, field prep, transfers) and what isn’t (flights, gratuities, dip & ship, brokerage, CITES/permits).

• South Africa — Reliable buffalo on quality concessions; strong logistics; ideal for first-time DG with steady mentorship.
• Zimbabwe — Classic buffalo/elephant heritage areas; excellent tracking teams; traditional wild feel.
• Tanzania — Large, remote concessions for buffalo and leopard; premium pricing, premium experience.
• Mozambique — River deltas/coastal forests with buffalo, croc/hippo; rugged and rewarding.
• Zambia — River systems with solid hippo/croc and buffalo in select blocks.
• Namibia — Leopard (where legal/available) and select DG opportunities; clean travel and operations.

Cape Buffalo — The Track and the Truth

Spoorfinding, wind, and a tracker who reads sand like a book. Early starts, patient tracking, controlled closing distances.

• Sweet spot: 7–10 days  ·  Shot: closer, high consequence—placement is everything
• Why South Africa first? Steady logistics, strong herds, excellent mentorship

Leopard — Patience and Process

Baited blinds or (where legal) hounds. Success = concession history + daily discipline (baits set right, tracks read correctly, sits respected).

• Sweet spot: 12–14 days  ·  Expectation: long sits; take the first clean opportunity

Elephant — Miles, Wind, and Judgement

Measured and ethical. Track for hours, read sign, gauge legality/ivory class, and pass when it’s not right.

• Sweet spot: 10–14 days  ·  Reality: shot placement and restraint within strict legal frameworks

Crocodile — Angles and Seconds

Water access, bank angles, and a stable rest define success; judge size carefully and wait for the exact presentation.

Hippo — Big Water, Big Respect

River/lake hunts with precise safety protocols from entry angles to recovery plans; often paired with croc.

Lion — Scarce, Serious, Quota-Controlled

Where legal, lion hunts demand unimpeachable paperwork and an outfitter that treats risk and ethics as non-negotiable. We present only legal, current avenues.

• Licensed PH & team: Only proven DG professionals with experienced trackers.
• Daily briefings: approach plans, backstops, shot calls, hand signals.
• Shot discipline: clean, ethical angles; PH veto when conditions aren’t right.
• Follow-up protocol: rehearsed beforehand—who moves, who covers, when to stop.
• Legal compliance: seasons, permits, quotas; full CITES/export clarity before you commit.

• Caliber floor: .375 H&H (or equivalent) for buffalo/hippo; heavier is fine if you shoot it well.
• Bullets: bonded/monolithic for penetration; bring softs and solids per PH guidance.
• Zero & practice: confirm at home and again in-country; practice from sticks and offhand.
• Optics: low-power variable (1–6x/1–8x) or rugged fixed; speed beats max magnification.

For leopard/croc, we’ll match rifle/bullet to the shot model—accuracy and angles matter more than horsepower.

• 1x1: maximum focus, faster decisions, tailored pace—ideal for first-time DG or tight windows.
• 2x1: cost-effective and social; best for hippo/croc or paired buffalo where the concession supports two quality opportunities.

We propose 2x1 only when the area and quota truly support it.

• Common inclusions: lodging, meals, licensed PH, tracker team, hunting vehicle, field prep, daily laundry, airport transfers.
• Common extras: flights, gratuities, dip & ship/taxidermy, U.S. import brokerage, CITES/permits, ammo/rifle rental, hotel overnights on travel legs.

• Buffalo: strong through cool/dry months; country-specific.
• Leopard: bait, moon, and quota; outfitter history matters more than the calendar.
• Elephant: dry months favor track visibility and access.
• Hippo/Croc: water levels and clarity drive timing.
• Lion: strictly quota/permit-driven windows.

Tell us your exact weeks; we’ll steer you to blocks where those dates sing.

• Airports: JNB (South Africa), Harare/Vic Falls (Zim), Dar/Arusha (TZ), Maputo/Beira/Tete (Moz), Windhoek (Nam), Lusaka/Livingstone (Zam).
• Firearms: CBP 4457 (U.S.) + country permits (e.g., SAPS 520 in SA).
• Trophies: dip & ship vs full taxidermy; brokered import via USFWS port — we coordinate each handoff.
• Rental rifles: available at many concessions; we confirm calibers and ammo before you decide.

• D0: arrive, road transfer, rifle check, safety brief.
• D1–3: track, glass, evaluate herds; pass marginal angles; learn the block.
• D4–6: commit to a mature bull with the right wind; shoot only when it’s clean; execute rehearsed follow-up.
• D7–8: recovery, photos, paperwork; add a plains species or croc (if the block allows).
• D9: buffer day or second opportunity if needed.
• D10: depart; PH assists at the airport firearm office.

• Shoulder weeks: better value outside peak moon/pressure cycles.
• 2x1 selective: share costs where two quality chances are realistic.
• Build a ladder: run a Plains Game week first, then buffalo or leopard the next season.

What’s the real buffalo hunt price in South Africa?
$12,000–$22,000 depending on area and class, plus extras like taxidermy/export and tips.

Is .375 H&H mandatory?
For buffalo/hippo, yes in most areas. Shoot what you handle well with proper bullets.

How risky is DG, really?
Risk is managed. With a disciplined PH and a hunter who listens, DG is serious—but safe.

Can I combine hippo and croc?
Often yes—efficient where water access is good and paperwork is straightforward.

Leopard with hounds or baits—what’s better?
Area-dependent. We recommend based on legal method, block history, and your tolerance for sits vs movement.

Browse live Dangerous Game listings on the African Hunts hub. Narrow by country: South Africa • Zimbabwe • Tanzania • Mozambique • Namibia. Want a skills warm-up first? Tap Plains Game and we’ll stage a laddered plan. Or send your species (ranked), your dates, and a ground budget range—we’ll reply with two to three cape buffalo hunt packages or species-specific options with real dates, area notes, and clean inclusions/exclusions.