Exploring Zimbabwe's Matetsi, Gwayi & ECA Hunting Areas

ABOUT THE EXPEDITION

Our recent expedition took us through some of Zimbabwe's best-known hunting regions, including Matetsi, the ECA community hunting areas and Gwayi. Spending time in the field remains one of the best ways to understand what makes Hunting in Zimbabwe so highly regarded by international hunters, while also allowing us to meet with Professional Hunters, evaluate concessions and experience these hunting areas firsthand.

Hunters visiting these concessions should be prepared for long road transfers and challenging road conditions. The journey forms part of the adventure, with elephant, buffalo and other wildlife regularly encountered while travelling between hunting areas. Zimbabwe still feels wonderfully wild, and that becomes obvious long before the hunt even begins.

Matetsi and the surrounding ECA community hunting areas remain particularly well suited to hunters pursuing Elephant Hunts. Trophy quality naturally varies from season to season, but hunters can realistically expect mature bulls in the 35-pound class during a good safari. These areas also offer traditional Cape Buffalo Hunts, where success depends on finding fresh spoor and spending long hours tracking old bulls through vast unfenced wilderness with experienced Professional Hunters and trackers.

Hunters seeking larger elephant trophies often focus on Matetsi Unit 3. The area has earned an outstanding reputation for producing mature bulls exceeding 50 pounds, although these safaris generally come at a higher cost than many other Zimbabwean concessions. The combination of exceptional habitat, extensive unfenced wilderness and careful wildlife management continues to make Unit 3 one of Zimbabwe's premier elephant hunting areas.

One lesson reinforced throughout our visit was that not every hunting area in Zimbabwe offers the same safari. Wildlife populations, habitat, concession size and management objectives all differ, meaning hunters should choose an area that matches the species and trophy quality they hope to pursue. Understanding those differences before booking is one of the most important parts of planning a successful safari.

We also visited the Gwayi hunting area, where private properties blend with neighbouring community land to create a diverse hunting landscape. Gwayi is particularly well suited to Plains Game Hunts, offering excellent opportunities for Kudu Hunts, Bushbuck Hunts, Waterbuck Hunts and giraffe. Hunters interested in Wildebeest Hunts will also encounter healthy populations of blue wildebeest, while buffalo and elephant move naturally through the area. Those looking for Hyena Hunts will also find healthy populations of spotted hyena throughout the region.

Lion and leopard are also present in Gwayi, although hunters planning these safaris should understand the local baiting regulations before arriving. Domestic animals such as cattle and donkeys cannot legally be used for bait, meaning outfitters generally rely on suitable wild game species, including giraffe where legal and appropriate. Understanding these practical considerations before the safari helps ensure realistic expectations and proper planning.

One aspect that stood out throughout our visit was the traditional nature of hunting in Zimbabwe. Success depends on finding fresh spoor before daylight, covering long distances on foot and allowing experienced trackers and Professional Hunters to work together. It is demanding, old-school hunting that rewards patience, fitness and determination rather than simply waiting for opportunities to appear.

Every expedition helps us better understand the destinations we recommend. Spending time in the field, meeting with Professional Hunters and experiencing these hunting areas firsthand ensures that our advice is based on genuine knowledge rather than brochures or second-hand information.

Whether we are hunting ourselves or simply exploring a destination, every trip strengthens our understanding of Africa's hunting areas and helps us recommend the right Hunting Trips for hunters planning their next safari.