More About Gabon Hippo Hunting

Hippos are listed as “vulnerable” by the IUCN and no special permits are required when hippo hunting in Gabon, but a minimum of a 21-day hunting license must be obtained. No bows may be used in dangerous game hunting. On your African hunt, look for a mature hippo bull that sports two bumps next to its nostrils. These bumps are the lower tusks of the hippo bulls pushing against the mouth when it is closed. When the hippos are submerged in water, it may be difficult to differentiate between the sexes. Look for a hippo with the largest head, neck, and tusks, along with the two bumps at the nostrils.

Shot Placement while Hippo Hunting in Gabon

Hippo hunting in Gabon is not for the faint-hearted. This is a dangerous game hunting adventure with a capital “D,” testing a hunter’s skills, perseverance, and patience to the max! These water horses, as they are known, are ferocious and kill more than 500 Africans a year, making them one of the most vicious and blood-thirsty members of the Dangerous 7. Hippo hunting safaris in Gabon use two main hunting methods. Firstly, the walk-and-stalk will see you creep up upon and stalk your hunting trophy. This could start using a traditional canoe called a mokoro until the herds are spotted. The second option is the target the hippo on land, as it exits the water to feed around dusk or on its way back to the water later that night or early the next morning. This too, is a perilous option, as a hippo will not stop and will take out anything in its path to return to the water safely.

When hippo hunting in Gabon, there are a couple of options available in terms of shot placement, and which is chosen, will all depend on numerous factors, including the hunting conditions, as well as the hunter’s position to the trophy. The shot placement options include the frontal brain shot, the frontal heart shot, the broadside brain shot with the hippo in the water, the headshot with the hippo facing away from the hunter, as well as the fleeing shot, the neck shot, and lastly, the heart and lung shot. The bottom with regards to shot placement when targeting big game during your African hunt is accurate, precise shot placement. It is non-negotiable and if you are unsure of the shot, don’t take it.

What Caliber Rifle is used when Hunting Hippo in Gabon?

A guideline to remember when hippo hunting in Gabon, is that these big game hunting adventures target huge hippos and that there is no such thing as too much gun during a hippo hunt. The minimum requirement when targeting dangerous game is a .375 caliber, together with the minimum of a 300-grain bullet. A suggestion would be to use solid bullets, as this trophy is exceptionally difficult to kill. Should the hippo be out of the water, with the hunter close and standing broadside, then a suggested rifle would be a .416 Rigby or 500NE, to enter the heart for an accurate kill shot, quick death, and humane kill.