Lion Hunting in South Africa

More About South Africa Lion Hunting

Shot Placement while Lion Hunting in South Africa

Lion hunting in South Africa may involve baiting and hunting from a blind or tracking the animal on foot, depending on the hunting area and how the safari is conducted. Whichever method is used, the most important moment comes when the hunter has an opportunity to take the first shot.

Accurate Lion Shot Placement is particularly important when hunting dangerous game. A poorly placed first shot can result in a wounded lion that must be followed into cover, considerably increasing the risk to the hunting team. Hunters should understand the lion's vital area and discuss the preferred shot with their Professional Hunter before entering the field. 

What Caliber Rifle is Used for Lion Hunting in South Africa?

A minimum legal requirement of a .375 is stipulated when lion hunting in South Africa. Many hunters enjoying a lion hunting safari may prefer a .416 Rigby or a double rifle like a 470NE or 500NE. Other rifle options for hunting lion in South Africa include a .458 or a .458 Lott.

What Type of Lion Hunt Are You Booking in South Africa?

Not every lion hunt offered in South Africa is the same. Before comparing prices or choosing an outfitter, a hunter should understand the hunting area, how the lion is managed and the conditions under which the hunt will take place.

South Africa offers lion hunting across privately managed hunting areas that can differ in size, terrain and the way the safari is conducted. Some hunts involve tracking lions through large areas of bush, while others use different methods depending on the property and circumstances of the hunt. Simply seeing two packages advertised as lion hunts does not mean they offer the same type of safari.

This is why hunters comparing Lion hunts should ask questions before booking. How large is the hunting area? How will the lion be hunted? How much time is allocated to the safari? What is included in the price? What happens if the lion is not taken? These details tell a hunter considerably more about the safari than the trophy fee alone.

South Africa can offer a different lion hunt from countries such as Zimbabwe, Zambia or Tanzania. The important thing is not pretending those hunts are identical. It is understanding what South Africa offers and deciding whether that is the type of lion safari you want.

Is Lion Hunting Legal in South Africa?

Yes. Lion hunting remains legal in South Africa when conducted in accordance with national and provincial wildlife regulations and with the required permits in place. Lions are regulated under South Africa's threatened or protected species framework, and hunting is treated as a restricted activity requiring the appropriate authorization.

Legal lion hunting should not be confused with simply releasing an animal into a small area for an immediate hunt. South Africa's national regulations prohibit hunting a lion in a controlled environment, and additional requirements may apply depending on the province and circumstances of the hunt.

For an international hunter, this makes the outfitter and Professional Hunter important. Before booking, the hunter should establish that the hunt can be legally conducted in the particular hunting area, that the necessary permits will be obtained and that the trophy can be legally exported and imported into the hunter's home country.

U.S. hunters also need to consider trophy import requirements before booking. A lion hunt being legal in South Africa does not automatically mean the trophy can be imported into the United States. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service authorization is required for the import of a sport-hunted lion trophy, and the hunt must satisfy the requirements applied to that permit. Hunters should therefore confirm import eligibility before committing to a particular lion hunt

Regulations surrounding lions in South Africa have also continued to develop, particularly around captive breeding and the management of captive lions. Hunters planning a safari should therefore confirm the current requirements with their outfitter rather than relying on information from an older hunt or assuming that the same rules apply throughout the country.

What Does a Lion Hunt in South Africa Cost?

The cost of a lion hunt in South Africa can vary depending on the lion being hunted, the hunting area, the number of hunting days and what is included in the safari. Male lion hunts cost more than lioness hunts, while the size and characteristics of a mature male can also influence the trophy fee or package price.

Hunters comparing prices should look at the complete safari rather than the advertised trophy fee alone. Daily rates, accommodation, Professional Hunter services, permits, transfers, trophy preparation and other costs may either be included in the package or charged separately. Our African Hunting Safari Prices guide explains how these costs are normally structured when budgeting for a safari.

South Africa often provides a wider range of lion hunting options and price points than some of Africa's traditional free-range lion destinations. That does not mean the cheapest hunt represents the best value. The hunting area, how the hunt will be conducted and exactly what the quoted price includes should be understood before a deposit is paid.

Current lion hunts available through Game Hunting Safaris are displayed on this page, allowing hunters to compare actual opportunities rather than relying on a general price estimate.

What Does a South African Lion Hunt Actually Look Like?

A South African lion hunt can be more traditional than some hunters expect. In large hunting areas, the first objective is to establish where the lion has been moving. Roads and tracks around different blocks may be checked early in the morning, looking for fresh spoor that crossed. 

Once good tracks are found, the hunt changes quickly. The vehicle is left behind and the trackers, Professional Hunter and hunter continue on foot. From that point, progress depends on the age of the spoor, the terrain and how the lion has been moving. Tracks may lead through thick bush where visibility becomes limited as the distance closes.

Tamlyn van Wyk, co-founder of Game Hunting Safaris, experienced exactly this during her own lion hunt in South Africa's Kalahari. The hunt took place across an approximately 18,000-acre hunting area, with fresh spoor eventually providing the opportunity to leave the vehicle and follow the lion on foot.

This type of tracking can result in a considerably closer encounter than a hunter may have imagined before arriving in Africa. The lion may be located in thick cover, and the final shooting distance can be relatively short. There may also be very little time between first seeing the animal clearly and being given an opportunity to shoot.

That is why the work done before the shot matters. Finding fresh tracks, deciding whether they are worth following and staying on them through the bush can account for most of the hunt. The final encounter may last only minutes after hours have been spent getting there.

What Should You Ask Before Booking a Lion Hunt in South Africa?

Before paying a deposit, a hunter should have a clear picture of exactly what the lion hunt includes and how it will be conducted. The trophy fee is important, but it is only one part of deciding whether a particular safari is right for you.

Ask about the size and type of hunting area, how the lion will be hunted and how many hunting days are included. Establish whether the quoted price covers permits, accommodation, transfers and trophy preparation, and ask what additional costs may be payable after the hunt.

Permits deserve particular attention. Do not assume that because a lion hunt has been booked, the necessary hunting permit has automatically been secured. Confirm with the outfitter before travelling that the required permit is available and has been obtained for the hunt. A hunter arriving in South Africa only to discover that the necessary authorization is not in place can face a problem that should have been resolved long before he boarded the aircraft.

The outfitter should also be able to explain the status of the lion being hunted and the regulations applying to that particular safari. For an international hunter, especially one travelling from the United States, trophy export and import eligibility should be confirmed before the hunt is booked rather than after the lion has been taken.

Lion remains one of the most recognizable animals associated with Big Five Hunting, but the reputation of the species should not distract from the practical details of booking the safari. The hunting area, permits, hunt structure and terms should all be clear before money changes hands.

Finally, ask what happens if the hunt is unsuccessful. Lion hunts do not all use the same pricing structure or terms, and the hunter should understand what happens to the trophy fee and any other charges if a lion is not taken.

A good lion hunt should not require the hunter to arrive in South Africa still wondering what he has actually bought.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lion Hunting in South Africa

How long does a lion hunt in South Africa take?

The number of hunting days will depend on the hunting area, method used and the particular safari booked. Finding fresh spoor may happen quickly, but locating tracks does not mean the lion will be taken that day. Following spoor through bush can take hours, and tracks may be lost or prove too old to continue. Hunters should allow enough time for the hunt to be conducted properly rather than trying to fit a lion hunt into an unnecessarily short safari.

What is the best time of year to hunt lion in South Africa?

Lion hunts can take place at different times of the South African hunting season, depending on the province, hunting area and available permits. The cooler and drier winter months are popular because vegetation is generally thinner and daytime temperatures are more comfortable for tracking on foot. The best timing should ultimately be discussed with the outfitter managing the particular hunting area.

Can U.S. hunters bring a lion trophy home from South Africa?

A legal lion hunt in South Africa does not automatically guarantee that the trophy can be imported into the United States. U.S. hunters need to meet current U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requirements and obtain the necessary authorization. Import eligibility should be confirmed before the safari is booked, particularly because the circumstances of the hunt and the lion being hunted can matter.

Are all lion hunts in South Africa the same?

No. Hunting conditions, property size, lion management systems and how the hunt is conducted can differ substantially between operators and hunting areas. Hunters should establish exactly how a particular safari will be conducted and what is included before comparing one lion hunt with another.

What should I practice before a lion hunt in South Africa?

Practice with the rifle and ammunition that will be used on the safari, particularly from realistic field positions rather than only from a bench. A lion encounter can happen at relatively short range and may offer limited time for the shot. The hunter should be comfortable mounting the rifle, finding the target quickly and placing the first shot accurately while following the PH's instructions.