Dangerous game hunting in Botswana, Trophy Elephant
Booking Season: 2026
Hunt Difficulty: Difficult
Designed by Hunters, for Hunters
Accommodation is provided in a comfortable safari lodge overlooking the surrounding Botswana wilderness. Spacious en-suite rooms, modern amenities, and excellent meals provide a relaxing retreat after long days spent tracking elephant in the field.
The hunting area consists of riverine habitat, woodlands, wetlands, and open floodplain country influenced by both the Chobe ecosystem and Namibia's Zambezi Region. This diverse landscape supports healthy elephant populations and creates ideal conditions for traditional walk-and-stalk hunting.
| Fence Type: | Free-range |
| Hunting Ground Size: | 250000 ha |
| Nearest Airport Name: | Kasane International Airport (BBK), Botswana |
| Transfer From Airport: | Yes |
Botswana has long been regarded as one of Africa's premier destinations for free-range elephant hunting, offering vast wilderness areas, exceptional elephant populations, and some of the continent's most respected dangerous game concessions. Hunters researching Hunting in Botswana are often drawn by the country's commitment to wildlife conservation, limited hunting pressure, and the opportunity to pursue mature trophy bulls in genuinely wild country.
This safari takes place on approximately 500,000 acres bordering Chobe National Park and Namibia's famous Caprivi Strip, placing hunters in one of Southern Africa's most productive elephant hunting regions. For those interested in learning more about pursuing Africa's largest land mammal, our Elephant Hunts guide provides additional information on hunting methods, trophy expectations, and safari planning.
With healthy elephant numbers, experienced professional hunters, and an unfenced wilderness ecosystem where game moves naturally across international borders, this safari offers the type of traditional elephant hunting experience that has become increasingly difficult to find elsewhere in Africa.
US$ 54,000
Elephant bulls exceeding 50 lbs are available at an additional US$1,200 per pound.
Botswana has earned a reputation as one of Africa's premier destinations for free-range Elephant Hunting in Botswana, offering vast wilderness areas, healthy elephant populations, and some of the continent's most respected hunting concessions. Situated between Chobe National Park and Namibia's Caprivi Strip, this 500,000-acre concession forms part of a larger ecosystem where elephant move naturally across the landscape, creating the type of hunting experience that has become increasingly difficult to find elsewhere in Africa.
This is a traditional tracking safari built around long days on foot, experienced trackers, and careful decision-making. Success is rarely measured by the first elephant encountered. Instead, hunters spend their days evaluating spoor, assessing bulls, and following tracks through woodlands, river systems, and wetlands in search of the right trophy.
For many hunters, that challenge is exactly what makes elephant hunting so rewarding. It is not simply about harvesting a trophy, but about participating in one of Africa's most respected Dangerous Game Hunts, where patience, preparation, and fieldcraft play a significant role in the outcome of the safari.
With limited quotas, exceptional elephant habitat, and a genuine free-range hunting environment, this concession offers an authentic Botswana elephant hunting experience in one of Southern Africa's most productive wildlife regions.
This safari is designed around a traditional free-range elephant hunt in one of Botswana's premier hunting areas. Your package includes:
This safari is conducted under Botswana's regulated elephant hunting program, and elephants harvested on this hunt are eligible for export in accordance with CITES regulations.
For U.S. hunters, elephant trophy imports are regulated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Import requirements and permitting procedures can change over time, so hunters should consult their taxidermist, customs broker, or organizations such as Conservation Force before booking or traveling.
The following items are not included in the safari price:
This safari takes place on approximately 500,000 acres of free-range hunting country positioned between Botswana's renowned Chobe National Park and Namibia's Zambezi Region (formerly known as the Caprivi Strip). Few elephant hunting areas in Africa benefit from the combination of habitat, water, and wildlife movement found within this unique region.
The concession is influenced by the river systems, wetlands, woodlands, and floodplain environments associated with both Chobe and the Caprivi. These natural features support healthy wildlife populations throughout the year and create ideal conditions for elephant, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, leopard, and numerous other species.
One of the major advantages of this area is the constant movement of wildlife across a much larger ecosystem. Elephant are not confined to small hunting blocks or isolated properties. Instead, they move naturally through a vast wilderness landscape that extends across international borders, creating the type of free-range hunting experience that has become increasingly rare in modern Africa.
In addition to exceptional elephant hunting, the region is also known for quality Buffalo Hunting in Botswana, along with opportunities for Leopard Hunts and Hippo Hunts in suitable areas and seasons. This diversity of species is one of the reasons the Chobe-Caprivi region remains highly regarded among international hunters.
The area is well known for producing quality elephant bulls, with many trophies ranging between 35 and 50 pounds, while larger bulls exceeding 60 pounds are occasionally encountered. Combined with strong elephant numbers and limited hunting pressure, this has helped establish the region as one of Botswana's most respected elephant hunting destinations.
Charl and Zander lead a family-operated hunting business that has been conducting safaris across Southern Africa since 1982. With decades of experience guiding dangerous game hunts in Botswana and South Africa, they have built a reputation for professional service, ethical hunting practices, and a deep respect for the wildlife and wild places that make African hunting so special.
Their approach remains firmly rooted in traditional fair-chase hunting principles. Every safari is conducted with respect for the animal, the hunting area, local regulations, and the conservation responsibilities that accompany modern hunting. Supported by experienced professional hunters, trackers, skinners, and camp staff, the team is committed to delivering an authentic African hunting experience from arrival to departure.
For Charl and Zander, hunting is more than the pursuit of a trophy. It is a responsibility that combines conservation, sustainable wildlife management, and the preservation of Africa's hunting heritage for future generations.
Elephant hunting is unlike most other hunting experiences. Opportunities often develop at close range, sometimes after hours of tracking on foot, and hunters must be prepared to make calm, confident decisions when the moment finally arrives.
Because of the size and anatomy of an elephant, shot placement is one of the most important aspects of the hunt. Hunters are strongly encouraged to review our Elephant Shot Placement Guide before arriving in camp to better understand the angles, anatomy, and considerations involved in making an effective and ethical shot.
Good preparation, clear communication with your professional hunter, and confidence in your equipment all contribute to a successful elephant safari. When the right bull finally presents an opportunity, being prepared can make all the difference.
International hunters typically fly into Kasane International Airport, Botswana's primary gateway to the Chobe region. Most travelers connect through OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg before taking a short regional flight to Kasane with airlines such as Airlink, Air Botswana, or CemAir.
Upon arrival, Charl or a member of his team will meet you at the airport and assist with the transfer to camp. The drive passes through some of Botswana's most productive wildlife country, offering hunters an early introduction to the landscapes and wildlife that make this region so well known.
Accommodation is provided in a comfortable safari lodge overlooking the surrounding Botswana wilderness. Spacious en-suite rooms, modern amenities, excellent meals, and views across the bushveld provide a relaxing base between days spent tracking elephant in the field.
The lodge combines the atmosphere of a traditional African safari with the comfort expected on a premium dangerous game hunt, allowing hunters to unwind and prepare for the next day's adventure.
Elephant hunting in Botswana takes place during the cooler months, generally from April through September. These conditions are not only more comfortable for hunters covering long distances on foot, but also provide excellent tracking conditions as wildlife becomes more concentrated around reliable water sources throughout the region.
What makes this concession particularly interesting is the direct connection between hunting, conservation, and the local communities that share the landscape with wildlife. Each season, a limited quota of elephant and buffalo is allocated to the concession under Botswana's regulated wildlife management system. These quotas are carefully controlled and form part of a broader conservation model designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of both wildlife populations and rural communities.
Following a successful hunt, the meat from harvested animals is distributed among the surrounding villages. For many families living in remote areas, this provides a valuable source of protein and a tangible benefit from wildlife conservation. The result is a system where local communities have a vested interest in maintaining healthy wildlife populations and preserving the habitat that supports them.
Planning an elephant safari in Botswana is relatively straightforward, but a few preparations before departure can make the experience considerably smoother. International hunters should ensure that passports, firearm documentation, travel insurance, and any required medical precautions are addressed well in advance of the safari.
Botswana requires temporary firearm import permits for hunters bringing their own rifles. The outfitter will assist with the application process and provide guidance regarding the necessary documentation before arrival. Hunters traveling through South Africa should also ensure that any transit firearm requirements are completed before departure.
For elephant hunting, Botswana's minimum legal caliber is .375. Many hunters choose larger calibers such as a .416 Rigby, .458 Lott, .450 double rifle, or similar options capable of delivering reliable performance on dangerous game. Regardless of caliber, familiarity with the rifle and confidence in shot placement remain far more important than raw power alone.
Following a successful hunt, trophies are professionally field prepared before being transferred to the appropriate taxidermy and export specialists. The outfitter will assist with the process and provide guidance regarding shipping, export documentation, and trophy handling requirements.
Few elephant hunting destinations can offer the combination of free-range hunting, strong elephant populations, limited quotas, and vast wilderness found in this corner of Botswana. For hunters seeking a traditional elephant safari built around tracking, patience, and authentic hunting experiences, this concession offers exactly that.
Hunters traveling with spouses or observers can also take advantage of Botswana's world-famous wildlife attractions, including Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta, before or after the safari. If a genuine free-range elephant hunt is what you are looking for, this safari is well worth considering.
If you would like to learn more about this Botswana elephant hunting safari, current availability, trophy expectations, or travel logistics, contact the team at Game Hunting Safaris.
Please note that terms, conditions and price are subject to change without notice and rates at the time of the hunt will apply
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