Preparing for an African game hunting adventure takes a lot of time in terms of research, preparation, the best time to hunt per destination, the specific targeted destinations’ hunting seasons, species available, and so forth. This can be quite daunting, especially if it’s your first trip to experience game hunting in Africa.
Let’s take a look at each destination and give a quick overview of prime African game hunting destinations, hunting seasons per area, as well as the best species to target when game hunting in Africa.
[DYNAMIC-BLOGTABLEOFCONTENT]
South Africa
South Africa is seen as the pinnacle destination for game hunting safaris, offering an array of wildlife, from dangerous game, Africa plains game, to specialty animals, that are all available in this rainbow nation’s backyard. The country’s beauty, and landscape, as well as immense and differing hunting safari opportunities, annually attract thousands of game hunting enthusiasts.
Being in the southern hemisphere, winter falls in June, July, and August, with most of the country experiencing summer rainfall, except for the Western Cape, which has a wet winter.
When is South Africa’s Game Hunting Season?
South Africa has no set hunting season, but it must be noted that the best time to enjoy a game hunting safari in South Africa is between April to August, during the autumn and winter months.
The reasoning behind this is quite simple:
- You are in autumn or winter, so the temperatures are much cooler, allowing for a more comfortable hunting adventure.
- There are fewer insects about, ready to bite and annoy you.
- The grass is shorter, allowing for easier visibility while on your hunting safari.
Does South Africa have Dangerous Game Hunting Options Available?
Yes, South Africa is home to the Big 5, with four of the Big 5 available for thrilling hunting adventures. If you are looking for an adrenaline rush, then dangerous game hunting is the way to go! In South Africa, you can hunt lions, elephants, Cape buffalo, and rhinos. Although there are leopards in South Africa that can be viewed in many different game reserves, the government has not issued any tags and therefore they are not available for hunting safaris.
Nile crocodiles and hippos are also available, so ensure you bring your A-game when hunting in South Africa!
Which Popular Species are available for Game Hunting Adventures in South Africa?
South Africa is home to a wide array of wildlife, allowing game hunting enthusiasts worldwide to enjoy a thrilling game hunting adventure. From African plains game animals, such as zebra, giraffe, gemsbok, kudu, springbok, impala, and bontebok, to specialty animals like baboons, porcupines, various mongooses, honey badgers, and hyenas, to the notorious Big 5 and Dangerous 7 game species, South Africa’s plentiful wildlife provides the perfect combination of plains game versus big game hunting, in beautiful, safe surroundings.
Namibia
Namibia is often referred to as the land of contrasts, offering hunters the opportunity to enjoy an action-packed game hunting adventure in the drier, arid regions of the country, or to head to their renowned oasis in the north, namely the Caprivi Strip. Either option gives hunters an enthralling hunting safari experience, with hunting packages available to suit African plains game, specialty game, and, of course, dangerous and big game hunting.
When is Namibia’s Game Hunting Season?
Namibia’s game hunting season runs annually from February to November, with no game hunting opportunities available during December and January.
The best time for hunting in Namibia targeting hippos and crocodiles, would be in the dry season, when there is less water in the Caprivi Strip, ensuring that their habitat is reduced significantly. A smaller habitat means more animals in a smaller area, thereby creating better hunting opportunities for those seeking a dangerous game hunting trophy.
Does Namibia have Dangerous Game Hunting Options Available?
Yes, there are definitely dangerous game options available, with all of the Big 5 game hunting species available to enjoy on adrenaline-pumping action game hunting adventures! The African elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, and Cape buffalo can be targeted when hunting in Namibia.
To add to this, Namibia is also the only country where cheetahs are available on African hunting trips. It must be stressed, however, that quotas for cheetah hunting in Namibia have been put in place and are strictly monitored and adhered to.
Which Popular Species Are Available for Game Hunting Adventures in Namibia?
Namibia’s game hunting opportunities are diverse, just as the species that occupy the country. From targeting the mystical oryx on an African plains game hunt, going on an adventure for the endemic black-faced impala, or even targeting the diminutive Damara Dik-Dik on your hunt, there are many species to consider.
Namibia also ticks the boxes when we consider dangerous game hunting. The Caprivi Strip is home to many dangerous game animals, including elephants, the Cape buffalo, lion, leopard, hyena, cheetah, hippo, and Nile crocodile.
Other popular game species in the area are, amongst others, zebra, giraffe, and wildebeest.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in southern Africa, sharing its borders with South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, and Botswana.
When is Zimbabwe’s Game Hunting Season?
Zimbabwe’s hunting season runs from March to November, allowing game hunters a fine variety of game hunting species to target.
The country is a popular destination for dangerous game hunting, but is rich in wildlife ensuring that African plains game and specialty game hunting opportunities are also available.
Does Zimbabwe have Dangerous Game Hunting Options Available?
Dangerous game hunting safaris in the country are popular, with four of the Big 5 being able for adrenaline-filled hunting adventures, namely the elephant, leopard, lion, and Cape buffalo. The other dangerous seven members that are available include the hippo and Nile crocodile, which form a great combination hunting package.
Zimbabwe is also home to more than 100,000 elephants!
Which Popular Species Are Available for Game Hunting Adventures in Zimbabwe?
Apart from the hair-raising hunting adventures you can count on while targeting the available members of the Big 5 and Dangerous 7, Zimbabwe is home to specialty animals including honey badgers, hyenas, jackals, and porcupines, amongst others. Popular African plains game species include the oribi, nyala, steenbok, impala, red hartebeest, tsessebe, common reedbuck, kudu, klipspringer, sable, and giraffe. Many members of the African cat family are found in Zimbabwe, such as the civet, serval, caracal, African wild cat, and genet.
Zambia
Zambia is a landlocked African country, sharing its borders with the DRC, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and Angola.
The most popular areas for hunting in Zambia include the Luangwa Valley, Kafue Flats, Zambezi Valley, and Bangweulu Swamps. The Zambian Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) has made it a key focus area over the last years to improve game management which is the cornerstone of a country’s leisure visitor and hunting market.
When is Zambia’s Game Hunting Season?
Zambia’s hunting season runs from May to November, with the prime hunting season being from May to August.
Does Zambia have Dangerous Game Hunting Options Available?
Yes, Zambia can hunt dangerous game hunting safaris featuring members of both the Big 5 and Dangerous 7, including the lion, leopard, Cape buffalo, elephant, Nile crocodile, and hippo.
Which Popular Species are available for Game Hunting Adventures in Zambia?
The hunter has many choices available for his game hunting safari, which include, kafue lechwe, nyala, black wildebeest, blesbok, impala, kudu, zebra, bushbuck, roan, sitatunga, common eland, puku, and waterbuck, to name but a few popular choices.
Tanzania
Tanzania is a prized and popular African safari hunting destination, offering prized game hunting trophies of big game, dangerous game, as well as African plains game options.
When is Tanzania’s Game Hunting Season?
Tanzania’s hunting season runs annually from 1st July to 31st December.
Does Tanzania have Dangerous Game Hunting Options Available?
Yes, for hunters seeking a hunting safari with a difference, Tanzania is home to four of the Big 5 African game animals and they are available to hunt. Step close for an adrenaline-filled hunting adventure featuring lions, elephants, leopards, Cape buffalo, as well as the two members of the Dangerous 7, namely the hippo and Nile crocodile.
Which Popular Species are available for Game Hunting Adventures in Tanzania?
Tanzania is renowned as having some of the best African plains game species worldwide, with excellent hunting conditions and opportunities. Popular African plains game species often targeted on African hunts include both the greater and lesser kudu, gerenuk, topi, sable, roan, sitatunga, and steenbok.
Botswana
This landlocked country offers a wide range of game hunting opportunities for you to enjoy. Botswana offers hunters diverse habitats in Africa with river delta, desert, savannah, and grassland regions catering to an equally diverse range of animal and plant life. This diversity ensures you’ll be spoilt for choice when trophy hunting in Botswana.
When is Botswana’s Game Hunting Season?
Botswana’s game hunting season runs annually from the beginning of April until the end of September.
Does Botswana have Dangerous Game Hunting Options Available?
Yes, four of the Big 5 African game animals are available to target on a game hunting safari. Together with two members of the Dangerous 7, the African elephant, lion, leopard, and Cape buffalo will supply all the thrills hunters seek when dangerous game hunting in Africa!
Which Popular Species are available for Game Hunting Adventures in Botswana?
Apart from the Big 5 and Dangerous 7 species, other popular species targeted on hunting adventures in the country include the zebra, giraffe, impala, kudu, eland, warthog, wildebeest, steenbok, and hyena.
Mozambique
Mozambique provides the backdrop for an array of game hunting adventures, from the Big 5 and Dangerous 7 to African plains game and specialty hunts.
Hunting in Mozambique is conducted in concessions known as coutadas, which are areas specifically set aside for sport hunting. Coutadas are known as concession areas in the rest of Africa.
The protected areas of Mozambique, known as conservation areas, are categorized as national parks, national reserves, forest reserves, community conservation areas, wildlife utilization areas known as coutadas, and a few private game hunting farms. There are 6 national parks, 8 reserves, and 13 coutadas.
When is Mozambique’s Game Hunting Season?
The game hunting season for Mozambique is from 1st April to 30th November.
Does Mozambique have Dangerous Game Hunting Options Available?
Apart from the rhino, Mozambique offers a full package of African Big 5 and Dangerous 7 species, including the lion, leopard, elephant, Cape buffalo, Nile crocodile, and hippo.
Which Popular Species are available for Game Hunting Adventures in Mozambique?
Popular species for African hunts in Mozambique are the red duiker, oribi, zebra, eland, waterbuck, grysbok, kudu, spotted hyena, baboon, bushpig, and impala.
…Don’t Forget To Pack For The Expected Weather And Hunting Terrain!
Many of the beautiful destinations offer a range of terrain, from savannas and grasslands, to marshes, swamps, and waterways.
Be sure to pack the correct clothing and protection for each of the terrain. Read more about tips for what to pack on an Africa hunting safari trip, as well as more about each fascinating game hunting destination.
Author: B. Hershensohnn