The Zambezi Region of Namibia is wild and remote. Formally known as The Caprivi Strip, it is home to thousands of hippos, a perfect dangerous specimen for any big game hunting safari.
An African hippo hunt is high on the list of many dream game hunting safaris and is becoming more popular every year. Hunters are beginning to realize that besides an African hippo hunt being affordable, these animals, when provoked are exceptionally dangerous, making for a perfect challenging hunting adventure.
The hippo, one of Africa’s Dangerous 7, is capable of biting a full-grown male lion in half, not an animal to be messed with, and who is often underestimated.
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Key Takeaways
- The hippo is an aggressive member of the Dangerous 7 and is available to hunt in Namibia’s Zambezi region (formerly known as the Caprivi Strip).
- Hippos are responsible for many human deaths, even more so than elephants.
- Hippos are hunted in two ways: Either in the water or on land, with both options having pros and cons.
- Excellent and precise shot placement on the hippo hunt remains paramount.
- The Zambezi region is home to top African outfitters who ensure that your dream African hunting safari is an exceptional experience, with superb accommodation, excellent meals, and friendly, accommodating staff.
- While hippos require a minimum of a .375 when hunting, bow hunting of a hippo is illegal in Namibia.
- Should you have the time and budget, consider getting a crocodile tag, as these two species share the same habitat.
Out of all the dangerous 7 in Africa, hippos are responsible for the most human deaths. It is estimated that hippos annually kill more than 3,000 people! On average, elephants kill between 100 and 500 people every year, a substantial difference that certainly gets one thinking.
Hippo Hunting in Namibia: The Various Options
An African hippo hunt can present the hunter with various options in terms of strategy. There are many factors which play a critical role in determining the exact plan of action, namely:
- How high are the water levels? Water levels affect Hippo distribution. Hippos, in the wetter seasons, can be spread over miles in the waterways, or in the dry season be concentrated in numbers in mud pools.
- What is the condition of the foliage? Reed banks can cover many miles of the swamps and estuaries affecting visibility and creating a certain amount of cover.
- What is the best way to reach the hippo hunting grounds based on the conditions? i.e. on foot, by vehicle, or by Mokoro.
Hippo hunting in Namibia is all about strategy and the risks that the hunter is prepared to take. Of course, the hunter also needs to be realistic in terms of their own unique skill set. The hunter must consider the below options and decide which one is best, or which one they will feel most comfortable with.
In 2022, when hippo hunting in the Zambezi Region, I had a plan in advance and was prepared to execute that plan as I was comfortable with it. On the game hunting safari, not one opportunity to take a hippo bull in line with my strategy presented itself!
Different strategies may also have an impact on the choice of rifle. If pinpoint shot accuracy is required for the likes of a brain shot, a .375 loaded with a 300-grain monolithic will do the job. If the hunter is going for a heart shot, a bigger caliber such as a .459 Lott, 416 Rigby, or a double rifle may be the preferred option.
Hippo Hunts in Water
In this scenario, there are various options that the hunter will carefully have to consider. While glassing from the river banks, a bull hippo may be spotted. The hunter will have the opportunity to stalk to about 40-60 yards from the embankment under the cover of the reeds.
The hippo will only present two options, namely:
- A frontal brain shot where the hunter will have to place the bullet between the eyes.
- A side brain shot, into the brain, point of entry between the ear and the eye.
While the hunter may have time to “line up” and consider the shot, emphasis needs to be on the fact that the target is mobile, and the target area is small and protected by a thick skull. Take your time, the hippo is not permanently on the move. When considering trophy hippo prices, along with the fact that a miss will result in the hippo disappearing into the water, the amount of stress on the hunter is exponential. You need to be 100% sure and comfortable when taking either of these two brain shot options.
Taking this shot on a hippo is just as stressful as when crocodile hunting. In this instance, a first choice would be .375 caber rifle fitted with good optics, and shooting a solid or monolithic tip will get the job done. A solid shooting rest would be a definite requirement.
Hippo Hunts with Head and Shoulders out the Water
In this instance, we are going to assume that the brain shot is not an option. Neither from the front nor from the side.
As the heart and lungs will not be visible, the only other option would be to deliver a well-placed bullet into the spine to anchor the animal.
Approaching the hippo will be the same as before, spot and stalk while seeking camouflage in the reeds and scrub. This is an exceptionally difficult shot. An adult hippo bull has a very thick neck making it difficult to judge exactly where the spine is.
Again, the target may possibly be a moving one, as the hippo twists and turns his head from side to side. While the hunter may have the comfort of time and a “dead rest” executing the shot is going to be tricky. A miss to the spine area will result in “meat damage” and the shot will not be lethal. Goodbye, trophy hippo! A good rifle of choice would be the same as mentioned above.
Hippo Hunts in Thick Marshes and Swamplands
When hippo hunting and big bulls cannot be found in the main rivers or estuaries, there is a very good chance they will be lurking in the “thick stuff.”
There are two basic options, namely:
- If there is access from land, the hunter may slowly walk through the thick reeds and see if a bull can be spooked. This is dangerous work as visibility through the reeds is minimal. Out of desperation, we tried this move in 2022, instead of a bull hippo we encountered a mother and her calf. It took self-control to refrain from bolting out of there, but instead, we managed to keep our wits and slowly backed up to the safety of drier land. Shooting a hippo cow or calf by accident will result in many weeks of administration, explanations, and paperwork.
- For those who are even braver (or as some indicate, just not that bright), a Mokoro can be utilized. Areas of the waterways are covered with thick reeds that seem to float and stand many feet tall. Using this method on the hippo hunt will mean that the mokoro is slowly pushed through the reeds using a very long pole, trying to either spook up a trophy hippo bull or find fresh hippo tracks of flattened reeds and follow. As visibility is terrible, the shooting distance would be approximately 10 feet and shot placement would tricky. Hunters when conducting hippo hunts on this basis should be equipped with high-powered rifles such as .458, 426 Rigby, or even better, a large caliber double rifle. This work is up close and personal.
Remember when hunting hippo on this basis, also to be aware and prepared for crocodiles. Crocodiles in this region easily grow past 15 feet and will not hesitate to turn the hunter into a quick snack.
Hippo Hunts in the Water, using a moving Mokoro
This is also a possibility that the hunter may be presented with during the wet season. As the Caprivi is full to the brim, there is just water everywhere! This allows the hippos room to move and reduces the number of trophy bulls per square mile of water.
In this instance, a mokoro is used, as it is almost impossible to walk and cross streams and hippo hunting grounds cannot be entered with a vehicle.
Should the hunter spot a hippo in the water and be presented with a brain shot, it could also be a consideration.
The reality is that while the hippo is moving around in the water, so is the flimsy Mokoro. It is almost impossible to get a clear and calculated shot into the brain. As ethical hunting is about humanely and instantly killing the animal, this is most certainly not something I would recommend. Maybe I just know my own shooting limitations. However, it is rather interesting just to try and see if you can get the sights to remain still for more than a millisecond!
In this instance, the hippo would continually move underwater, and then resurface many yards up or down river. A suitable rifle would be a .375 loaded with solids and superb optics.
Hippo Hunts on Dry Land
After walking and glassing (and following this process over and over for a good many times!), the hunter may be lucky enough to find a hippo grazing out of the water during his game hunting safari.
After a stalk, while in ambush, the hunter may have a few options, namely:
- Take your time, set up on sticks or a solid dead rest, and take a headshot if so presented.
- Stalk nearer the Hippo to roughly 30-40 yards and take the broadside shot into the vitals. The hunter would need to aim for the heart, but if the heart is slightly missed, the bullet would still penetrate the lungs.
Now comes crunch time depending on what the Hippo decides to do, which will either be:
.1) The hippo will run for the safety of the water: In this instance, you can try the fleeing shot which will be at the junction of the tail to the spine, hoping to break the spine or the leg joint.
.2) The hippo will charge: In this instance, the hunter and or outfitter will have no choice but to place a bullet into the brain, this will be the only option available.
When considering a rifle choice when the hippo is on land, the hunter needs two rifles available, one for precise shooting and two, the right caliber with sufficient stopping power.
Closing Comments on Hippo Hunting Options
From the viewpoint of the hunter, remember that some hunters will opt to test their marksmanship with precision shooting into the brain from an ambush position. Others will want to stalk up close and personal and stare into the hippo’s eyes at 30 yards. If a trophy hippo bull hunt in Namibia is your desire, be comfortable with as many of the options as possible.But whatever you decide, shot placement remains critical. Ensure that you are well-versed in the various options available.
Personally, I believe that we are seeing an increase in the demand for hippo hunts, as hunters not familiar with this dangerous 7 animal have historically believed that hippo hunts are easy, or not that challenging. These fat and lazy animals do nothing but float around in the water all day, where is the adrenaline rush in that?
If you have never been hippo hunting in Namibia, it is strongly advised and certainly a great way to see the Zambezi Region. Once your trophy hippo bull is harvested, be sure to spend a few hours on water drives. As game animals migrate from the south, the area is filled with Cape buffalo, Elephants, and a wide variety of African plains game. The evenings and sunsets are spectacular, especially when knowing your hippo is waiting for you “in the salt.”
Lodgings and Service while Hippo Hunting in Namibia
Hippo hunts in the Zambezi are managed by top African Outfitters who go the extra mile to ensure a dream African game hunting safari.
In the remote areas, luxury tents are made use of, and furniture and fittings are all sourced from Windhoek or South Africa. The accommodations are sparkling clean, the beer exceptionally cold and the cuisine superb. Ask the chef to prepare a flame-grilled hippo steak!
The Zambezi is such a unique African destination. If possible, take your partner to enjoy the special moments with you. Once the hippo was harvested, the hunting safari for me became more of a vacation and second honeymoon.
In fact, we have a booking for later in 2024 to go back to the Caprivi Strip to hunt non-trophy hippo and Cape buffalo. My trophy room cannot hold another hippo…
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to hunt hippos?
Hippos can be hunted in many African countries, such as Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Where in Namibia can I hunt hippos?
In Namibia, the best place to hunt hippos is in the Zambezi region (formerly known as the Caprivi Strip).
What caliber is used in Namibia hunting?
As hippos are seen as a dangerous game species, the minimum legal requirement for a hippo hunt is a .375.
Is hippo meat edible?
Yes, you can eat hippo meat. Meat harvested and processed from a hippo hunt is allocated and apportioned between the villages under the supervision of the local chiefs.
Why do people hunt hippos?
Traditionally hippos were hunted for ivory, while modern game hunting enthusiasts also enjoy a hippo hunt that challenges their hunting skills. As one of Africa’s most aggressive and dangerous animals, the hippo is a member of the Dangerous 7, and a sought-after game hunting trophy.
What kills hippos in the wild?
While not many animals are willing to take on a fully grown, aggressive hippo, their offspring do fall prey to crocodiles, lions, and hyenas.
Do lions ever hunt hippos?
While it is rare for a lion to take on a full-grown adult hippo, they are known to try and kill the hippo calves. Unfortunately for them, the hippo cow is an aggressive and exceptionally good mother and is very protective of her offspring. She will fight for and protect her offspring against predators, including lions, hyenas, and crocodiles.
Hippo Hunts and Bows: Is Bow Hunting Hippo in Namibia Legal?
No, hippo in Namibia cannot be hunted with a bow. The same applies to elephants, crocodiles, Cape buffalo, lions, and leopards. When cheetah hunting in Namibia, a bow may legally be made use of.
How Much will a Dream Hippo Hunting Safari Cost?
A seven-day hunting safari for a trophy and fully exportable hippo bull will cost an average of about US $ 10,000. It is recommended that if the game hunting safari is only for hippos, be sure to go crocodile hunting and request a tag. Crocodiles in Namibia are huge, and tags/permits cannot be sourced while on the hippo hunting safari (I did try!).
In a nutshell, hippo hunts are just awesome, affordable, and make the best memories. It really is just that simple.
Read more about my 2022 hippo hunting adventure in Namibia.
Author: PC van Wyk