Dangerous game hunting in Botswana, Trophy Elephant

1 x Hunter 1 x Professional Hunter US$ 54 000

100% Free Range Elephant Hunting, hunt 500 000 acres bordering Chobe National Park and Caprivi Strip 

10 x Days and 11 x Nights  Hunting Exportable Elephant in Botswana 

**** Observers welcome at US$ 400 per day (Including government VAT)

**** Rifle Rental available at US$ 60/hunting day (ammunition at cost)

The price of US$ 54 000 includes an Elephant up to 50 pounds, bigger are available and would cost US$ 1200 per pound!!

Dangerous Game Hunting in Botswana

A Elephant hunting safari in Botswana is one of the most exclusive and unique experiences in Africa. Famously known for its large populations of Elephant, this sought after dangerous game hunting destination offers international hunters unparalleled access to some of Africa’s finest game. 

Botswana is a premier hunting destination in Africa, due to the large expanses of untouched wilderness and effective wildlife conservation management policies. Botswana, roughly the size of the state of Texas in the United States is dominated by the semi-arid landscape of the Kalahari Desert which covers the majority of the country. This remarkable landscape is a first choice for hunters searching for exceptional  Elephant, Leopard and Cape Buffalo trophies hunted “free-range”.  

The Okavango Delta, having one of the worlds most extraordinary ecosystems comprising of floodplains and lagoons provides hunters with opportunities for some of the best Elephant hunting in Botswana producing large bulls that inhabit the wetlands. Whether hunting the banks of the Chobe River or the semi-desert of the Kalahari, Botswana offers hunters a world-class hunting adventure.

Elephant Hunting in Botswana Trophy Import/Export Regulations

Under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), trophy exportable Elephants hunted in Botswana  are exportable. 

The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) regulates the import of Elephant trophies and applications are made on a “case by case” basis. Hunters will also need an ESA (Endangered Species Act). Botswana has legislation in place to effectively implement the basic requirements of CITES. 

The USFWS amended its rule to address concerns about the international trade of Elephants and increase the transparency of their permit decision making, while aligning U.S. requirements with assistance and guidance from CITES. Companies such as Conservation Force can assist with individual applications.

The Elephant Hunting Concession                         

The Elephant hunting concession is 500 000 acres and triangle shaped, with two sides bordering the Chobe National Park in Botswana and the other Namibia’s famous Caprivi Strip, now known as the Zambezi Region.

With the Caprivi Strip and Chobe sharing a border, habitat includes riverine areas, woodlands and wetlands, characterized by high rainfall. The abundance of water makes this concession a haven for a variety of wildlife species including Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Hippo and Crocodile and bird life. The area is home to hundreds of Elephants and not a day will go by without being spoiled for choice. Average Elephant ivory in this area of Botswana is thirty-five to fifty pounds, but bigger bulls at over 60 pounds have been taken. 

The African Outfitter hosting the Elephant Hunt

Charl and Zander are internationally recognized world class outfitters, who have been offering and conducting dangerous game hunting safaris in South Africa and Botswana since 1982 and are one of the “best in the business”. When hunting in Africa, this family outfit has in all covered. The team is committed, dedicated and has a history of producing exceptional big game hunting trophies. Their philosophy is to follow the hunting traditions of our forefathers,  where “fair chase & ethical hunting”  combined with for wildlife and wild places is simply part of who they are.

CODE OF CONDUCT: Honesty & integrity come first. Hunting is our right but it’s also a privilege. We respect all fauna and flora and the laws of the land.

The Dangerous Game Hunt in Botswana Includes:

• 1 x Trophy Exportable Elephant
• Luxury Accommodation
• On Territory Transport
• Guiding by Professional Hunter
• Field Trophy Preparation
• Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (and snacks)
• Hot and Cold Beverages. local Beers and Wine
• Daily Laundry Services and Housekeeping
• Services of  Trackers, Skinner and Lodge Staff.
• Trophy Handling Fees
• Drop off of trophy at taxidermist
• Company representative to assist at customs and immigration
• Transfer to and from Kasane International Airport
• Elephant Cites Tag

The Trophy Elephant Hunt in Botswana

Botswana is very well-known as a prime hunting destination for Elephant hunting and tusks in this area can range from forty pounds and bigger. Botswana in fact has the highest population of Elephants compared to any other African country and you will have many trophies to choose from, but fining the “trophy” is where the work will be done. There are plenty of Elephants on this concession. A typical day of Elephant hunting will start with waking just before sunrise, having a light breakfast and then heading out early to find fresh tracks. There will be no need for long drives. Once a good fresh track is found, you and your professional hunter, along with trackers will follow on it on foot, hoping they lead to the dream Elephant trophy.

In the evening, you will enjoy dinner and drinks and plan the next day’s strategy with your professional hunter. Botswana issues limited quota for Elephant.

Elephant Shot Placement

Successfully harvesting your trophy Elephant is going to be all about shot placement.  Shooting will be at close quarters and as such, the angle between the hunter and the Elephant will need to be factored into the equation to ensure the bullet enters the brain. Head shots will be penetrating the  thick skull into the brain, either from the frontal or the side position. Be prepared for quick follow up shots. A sure sign of a direct hit into the brain will be the Elephant, immediately after the shot “sitting on its hind quarters”. 

The Hunting Safari Excludes:

• Dip & Pack of Trophies and Export of Trophies
• Taxidermy
• Any Pre and post safari Accommodation
• Gratuities to staff and professional hunter (at your discretion)
• Personal Travel Insurance
• Firearm Permits US$150

Traveling to the Hunting Concession

The main point of entry for this Elephant hunt is to fly into Kasane International Airport in Botswana. International hunters usually reach Kasane via a “regional flight” from South Africa, Oliver Tambo International Airport. 

Fights from Oliver Tambo to Kasane are offered by Airlink, Air Botswana or Cem Air. Depending on the time of your international flight into OR Tambo, staying overnight  in Johannesburg may be a requirement.  We would recommend African Sky Boutique Hotel, situated  ten minutes from Oliver Tambo International Airport. Management will assist with transfers to/from the hotel and with any firearm permits. For more information see “Affiliate Services” below. 

Traveling from Kasane to the hunting lodge is “hassle free”, being by road transfer. Charl, or a member of his team will meet you at Kasane Airport, with the transfer taking you through Chobe National Park. Here you will have the good fortune of seeing some of the best wildlife that Botswana has to offer. 

The Hunting Lodge in Botswana 

This hunting lodge in Botswana can only be described as “simple the best” and one of a kind, a modern steel structure that is elevated above ground with big glass doors and windows overlooking the beautiful Botswana savanna. From your room, you will be able to see a water hole where Africa’s big five and plains game can be seen. Each room has an on-suite bathroom, bathtub, shower and air conditioning that do both heat and cold.  

The hunting lodge is fully solar powered and fitted with a back-up generator. Breakfast will be served in the morning before heading out, lunch will be packed and served out in the field and a three-course meal every night. The Bar will be stocked to your preferences. You will be hunting Elephant in Botswana in pure luxury.

“Best time” to hunt Trophy Elephant in Botswana

The Elephant hunting season in Botswana runs from April to September, which also happen to be the cooler months. In summer, the temperatures are high, which cause an influx of critters such as insects, ticks and mosquitos. Hunting Elephant in the heat can also have side effects such as dehydration, so stick to the cooler months as there will be a considerable amount of walking every day. The best time to hunt Elephant will be in the cooler months, early may to late August.

Dangerous Game Hunting  and Community Dependency

Each season, a quote of 15 elephant and 15 buffalo are allocated to this concession, home to five villages. After each Elephant has been successfully hunted, the trophy is skinned and field prepped to your client requirements.

The Elephant carcass is then loaded on a truck where it will be delivered to one of the villages in the area. Conservation through utilization, this carcass feeds countless families in these villages, where they are riddled in poverty. 40% of the population in Botswana is classified as poor.

In the game hunting season,  each of these five villages receives three Elephants and three Buffalo to feed the whole community, relieving the villagers from the everyday struggles of life, even if only for a moment. The reality is that without the contributions and generosity of big game hunters, the local resident would not survive.

Health when hunting in Botswana

• Make sure your vaccinations are up to date which includes the likes of Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and rabies
• Elephant hunting in Botswana will take you to high-risk areas of Malaria, so ask your physician for suitable preventative measures
• Drink only bottled water to prevent unpleasant experiences such as diarrhea
• Ensuring your tetanus shot (every 10 years) is also recommended

Trophy Care and Shipping

Trophy care will always be of utmost importance and Charl is geared for Elephant field preparation. Once the Elephant hunt is successfully concluded, a separate recovery team will be dispatched to the site, lifting and removing the entire carcass, reducing the risk of any contamination.

The  Elephant will be skinned and the trophy prepared, and under the guidance of the local “chief,” the meat and other parts will be distributed to the community who rely heavily on the contributions of big game hunters. You will not only be hunting an Elephant in Botswana, but you will be proud and humbled that you have in fact hundreds of Africans who are in desperate need.

Elephant Hunting, Rifles and Equipment

When dangerous game hunting in Botswana, .375 caliber is the minimum legal requirement. When hunting Elephant, larger calibers such as a .458 or .450 Lott,  500 Jeffery, 416 Rigby or any good quality double rifle is recommended. As a rule, use the largest caliber possible, with which you can shoot comfortably and accurately. A rifle with “stopping power” is a necessity. 

Firearms and Permits for Sport Hunting in Botswana

• Application for firearm permits will be done at least two months before commencement of the Elephant hunt so that they can be ready for collection at the airport on arrival
• Applications will be made on the hunter’s behalf by the outfitter
• A maximum, of two rifles and one shotgun are allowed per hunter, with a maximum of 100 rounds of ammunition per firearm
• Handguns, semi-automatic or military style firearms are prohibited.
• If hunters are traveling via South Africa, complete SAPS 520

Application Documents (Botswana)

• Botswana Firearm Application Form 6
• Copy of passport and details page
• Copy of proof of ownership/license. For US citizens, customs form 4457

On arrival in Botswana, hunters will be required to pay an import tax on ammunition only, in Botswana Pula, the local currency.

Activities following the Elephant Hunt

Botswana’s tremendous diversity in terms of wildlife and habitats offers a wide variety of non-hunting activities, which include: While in Botswana, we would suggest extending the trip a few days and “build” onto your hunting safari.

• Photographic Safaris
• Bush Walks and Guided Drives
• Fishing and Bird Watching
• Makoro (Canoe Trips)
• Luxurious Spa Treatments
• Visit the cultural villages of the San Bushman

Trips to the Chobe National Park, or the famous Okavango Delta can be arranged.

If any further information is required relating to this Elephant hunting safari in Botswana, contact the team at Game Hunting Safaris, or message Charl directly using the quick message icons provided. To check availability, insert preferred dates in “Request to Book” and the team will revert.