Hunting in Tanzania, 10 x Days Plains Game in Maasailand
Booking Season: 2025
Hunt Difficulty: Moderate
Designed by Hunters, for Hunters
Hyena hunts are exciting, enthralling, and challenging, with these specialty game hunting species known as being cunning and elusive. Three types of hyenas call Tanzania home, namely the spotted hyena, the striped hyena, and the aardwolf. The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) also called the laughing hyena for obvious reasons, is the largest of the hyena species and the most widespread predator in Africa. The striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) is the smallest of the hyena species. The third hyena inhabiting Tanzania is the aardwolf (Proteles cristata), but they are only hunted in Africa’s southern countries of South Africa and Namibia. Hunts can enjoy spotted hyena hunts throughout Tanzania although the Serengeti region is very popular, while the best hyena hunting spots for the striped hyena are towards the north of the country, and these hunting safaris require a 16-day hunting license. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the striped hyena with a status of “near threatened” while the spotted hyena and aardwolf have a status of “least concern.”
Hunting methods include walk-and-stalk and hunting with bait from a blind. At times it is difficult to differentiate between the sexes, as females are often larger than males and have a mock penis. The rule of hyena hunting trophies is the larger the head, the better the trophy. Tanzania’s hunting season runs from 01 July to 31 December, with the best hunting in the area being during the dry season from July to October, when you can hunt throughout this mesmerizing hunting destination.
Shot Placement when Hyena Hunting in Tanzania
As the head is imperative when sizing your hyena hunting trophy, a brain or headshot is not advised as it will ruin the trophy. A suggestion would be to focus the shot on the shoulder if the animal is standing broadside, or just behind it to target the vital organs, resulting in a quick, humane death for the animal. If you find the hyena quartering towards or away from you as the hunter, adjust the aim to just before or behind the shoulder and take the shot. If unsure or hesitant, wait for the perfect shot, as with any game hunting safari, shot placement is paramount.
What Caliber Rifle is used on Tanzania Hyena Hunts?
Calibers for hyena hunting are quite simple, as you will find that the rifle you have with you from the African plains game safari will suffice. In fact, should you have a .375 from a dangerous game hunting safari, this will work too. Hyena hunting requires a minimum caliber rifle of 7mm, with a high-quality bullet weighing 150 grains. In the 30 caliber rifles, a .308 or 30.06 will ensure a clean kill.
There’s something different about hunting hyena in Tanzania. It’s not just another tick on a trophy list, it’s a challenge that tests patience, stealth, and grit. Whether you’re after the elusive striped hyena or the infamous spotted scavenger, Tanzania offers one of the most authentic, regulation-respecting environments to pursue this misunderstood predator.
Tanzania is one of the few African countries where hyena hunting is legally permitted under strict conservation frameworks. Here, you’re not just chasing shadows, you’re participating in a hunt that supports wildlife management and local community economies.
This isn’t just hunting, it’s predator management, ecological balance, and high-adrenaline safari adventure wrapped into one.
Hyenas are apex scavengers. They’ve got killer senses, unpredictable movements, and a deep nocturnal range. You’re not going to bump into one in broad daylight and take a clean shot. This hunt demands preparation, patience, and professional guidance.
Hyenas might not be the first predator people dream of hunting, but for experienced African hunters, they represent a real challenge and a unique addition to any predator collection.
Hyena populations are stable in Tanzania thanks to the country’s regulated hunting blocks and tight compliance protocols. Each hunt supports local employment, helps manage predator-prey ratios, and channels funds into conservation and anti-poaching projects.
You’re not just shooting for sport. You’re playing a vital role in the ecosystem while living out an unforgettable adventure.
The best months for hyena hunting in Tanzania are April through August, dry season brings better tracking conditions, longer visibility, and cooler evenings ideal for nocturnal hunts. You’ll work alongside expert trackers, PHs (professional hunters), and support teams who’ve done this hundreds of times.
And yes, night hunting is legal and often the only way to get a clean opportunity.
Most hyena hunts are packaged with other major trophies, think leopard, lion, buffalo, or plains game. If you’re already booking a 14-day leopard hunt, adding a hyena to your list is a no-brainer. It’s cost-effective, logistically simple, and adds depth to your predator experience.
Plus, hyena skulls, teeth, and pelts make for unique trophies and conversation pieces in any game room.
These hunts aren’t just about pulling the trigger, they’re about full immersion in the Tanzanian wild. From the first night call to the final track, you’ll experience predator hunting in its most authentic form.
If you’re looking for something that pushes your limits and adds true depth to your African hunting legacy, hyena hunting in Tanzania is it. Let’s craft your perfect predator safari, one that challenges you, rewards you, and gives back to conservation at the same time.
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