Discounted Crocodile Hunt in Matetsi ECA, Zimbabwe
Booking Season: 2025
Hunt Difficulty: Moderate
Designed by Hunters, for Hunters
Comfortable safari camp accommodation in Zimbabwe, with daily meals, laundry service, housekeeping, and support from experienced camp staff. Accommodation details may vary by hunting area and should be confirmed with the outfitter before booking.
Free-range hunting area in Zimbabwe, suitable for elephant hunting and other dangerous game. The terrain may include thick bush, river systems, open woodland, and tracking areas depending on the final concession. Hunting is conducted with licensed professional hunters, trackers, and camp staff.
| Fence Type: | Free-range |
| Nearest Airport Name: | Harare International Airport |
| Nearest Airport Distance: | Confirm with outfitter |
| Nearest Town Name: | Harare |
| Nearest Town Distance: | Confirm with outfitter |
| Transfer From Airport: | Yes |
This Matetsi trophy elephant safari offers American and international hunters the chance to pursue a 60lb-plus tusker in one of Zimbabwe’s most respected elephant regions. Set in the Matetsi Extended Conservation Area near Victoria Falls, this is a proper free-range dangerous game hunt built around tracking, patience and close-range elephant hunting.
Zimbabwe has long been known for exceptional Elephant hunts, and Matetsi remains one of the standout areas for big-bodied bulls and heavy ivory. This safari also forms part of Zimbabwe’s proud dangerous game tradition, making it a strong choice for hunters looking at Hunting in Zimbabwe in a classic safari region with proven trophy quality.
12 Full Hunting Days / 13 Nights
US$ 44,000
1 x Hunter / 1 x Dangerous Game Professional Hunter
A Matetsi trophy elephant safari focused on a 60lb-plus bull in one of Zimbabwe’s most respected elephant hunting areas.
Observers welcome: US$ 250 per person/night
This safari offers more than the pursuit of a trophy elephant. A portion of the income generated from the hunt supports the ASA Foundation, also known as Adopt Schools in Africa, which assists with education and community development projects in Zimbabwe.
By taking part in this hunt, clients contribute directly to local upliftment while experiencing one of Zimbabwe’s most respected elephant hunting areas..
The Matetsi Extended Conservation Area is one of Zimbabwe’s respected safari hunting areas, covering more than 50,000 acres of free-range terrain. The ECA was formed by combining several open and unfenced game ranches, creating a larger hunting area beyond the original Matetsi Units.
Matetsi is well known for Big Five hunting and has a long-standing reputation for Elephant Hunting in Zimbabwe, particularly for mature bulls and heavy ivory. The area is also home to strong sable populations and a wide variety of plains game.
The Matetsi River flows through the southern section of the hunting area and gives the region its name. Habitat includes open plains, rolling hills, riverine vegetation and albida trees, which provide important food for giraffe, kudu, impala, zebra and other herbivores.
The nearest airport to River Range Camp is Victoria Falls International Airport, making travel to the hunting area straightforward. Road transfers from the airport to camp take approximately 30 minutes, so hunters can arrive in Zimbabwe and be in camp the same day.
For international hunters, the most common route is to fly into OR Tambo International Airport in South Africa and connect onward to Victoria Falls. Airlink offers regular regional flights, with the flight from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls taking roughly two hours. Return flights generally range between US$280 and US$450, depending on season and availability.
It is well worth adding a day or two before or after the safari to visit Victoria Falls, one of Africa’s most iconic natural attractions. Combining a Matetsi elephant hunting safari with a short stay at Victoria Falls makes this a practical and memorable trip for American and international hunters.
When is the best season to Hunt Elephant in Zimbabwe?
Elephant safaris in Zimbabwe can generally be conducted throughout the year, but the cooler, drier months from April to late October are usually preferred. During this period, temperatures are more comfortable, visibility improves and elephant movement around water sources becomes easier to read.
The warmer months can still produce good hunting, but heat, humidity and insect activity increase. Pepper ticks and thick summer vegetation can make long days in the bush less pleasant, especially when following fresh tracks on foot.
Matetsi ECA carries strong elephant numbers and remains one of the few areas where big tuskers are still hunted in proper free-range terrain. For serious hunters planning Elephant Hunting in Zimbabwe, this region offers the right combination of trophy quality, habitat and old-style tracking.
Matetsi is a malaria area, so hunters should speak to their medical practitioner about suitable anti-malarial medication before travelling. It is also wise to pack insect repellent and light long-sleeved clothing for evenings and early mornings.
River Range Camp offers comfortable brick chalets with en-suite bathrooms, outdoor showers, safes, electricity and in-room fridges. The camp has a central dining and entertainment area, with mobile signal and internet available.
It has the feel of a traditional Zimbabwe safari camp without being too basic, giving hunters a comfortable place to return to after long days tracking elephant in Matetsi. Evenings are spent around the fire, with good food, cold drinks and the sounds of the bush carrying through camp.
Rates, terms and conditions may change without notice. Final rates at the time of the hunt will apply.
The day usually starts before sunrise with coffee, a light breakfast and a discussion with your professional hunter about the plan for the day. From there, the team heads out to check waterholes, roads and known crossing points for fresh elephant tracks.
A good track tells a story. Size, freshness, direction and the condition of the spoor all help the PH and trackers decide whether to follow. Local scouts may also have knowledge of mature bulls moving through the concession, which can make all the difference on a big tusker hunt in Zimbabwe.
Once a suitable track is found, the hunt continues on foot. Depending on distance, heat and the day’s strategy, lunch may be taken in the field or back at camp before picking up the tracks again later in the day.
By sunset, most days end back at camp with dinner and a few well-earned cold drinks. That said, when you are tracking elephant in Matetsi, fresh spoor from a heavy bull has a habit of changing the schedule.
Elephant hunting is close-range dangerous game hunting, often in thick brush where shots may be taken between 15 and 50 feet. At that distance there is very little room for error, and the first shot must count.
The rifle should be the largest calibre the hunter can shoot accurately and confidently. Penetration is critical, as the bullet must pass through heavy bone before reaching the brain or vitals. A poor shot on elephant can become dangerous very quickly, especially when hunting in thick cover or near a herd.
Before the safari, hunters should study Elephant Shot Placement carefully. Your professional hunter may recommend a frontal brain shot or side brain shot, depending on the elephant’s position. The correct point of aim changes constantly with distance, angle and head position, as the brain sits deep in the skull.
After the first shot, immediate follow-up shots may be required. Stay focused, listen to your PH and be ready to shoot again if instructed.
If time allows after the elephant hunt, selected Plains Game hunts may be added at the listed trophy fees. Matetsi is well known for strong plains game numbers, with species such as sable, Livingstone eland, waterbuck, Chobe bushbuck, giraffe, zebra, impala and warthog available in the area.
A few favourites in Matetsi include:
Sable — US$5,900
Livingstone Eland — US$2,400
Waterbuck — US$2,400
Warthog — US$400
Chapman’s Zebra — US$1,300
Chobe Bushbuck — US$1,200
Giraffe — US$2,400
Impala — US$400
Matetsi ECA produces exceptional elephant, and with trophy bulls of this quality, quota is limited. This is the kind of safari where the elephant remains the focus, but a few carefully selected additional trophies can round off the hunt very nicely.
Should any further information be required regarding this Zimbabwe hunting safaris, contact the team at Game Hunting Safaris, or message Marco directly using the icons provided. To check availability, select preferred dates in “Request to Book”. Marco will revert.
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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