10-Day Plains Game Extravaganza Hunting in South Africa
Booking Season: 2025
Hunt Difficulty: Moderate
Designed by Hunters, for Hunters
in Zimbabwe’s wild Sijarira region. Characterized by massive open water, flooded estuaries, thick shoreline vegetation, rugged hills, and isolated bays, the area provides ideal habitat for large bull Hippo and giant Nile Crocodiles. The hunting terrain is diverse and physically demanding, with hunts conducted by boat and on foot along muddy shorelines, narrow inlets, and reed-lined channels where Hippo spend much of their day submerged in the water. Lake Kariba itself stretches for more than 135 miles and supports thousands of Hippo and Crocodiles, making it one of Africa’s most productive aquatic dangerous game hunting environments.
| Fence Type: | Free-range |
| Nearest Airport Name: | Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) — Zimbabwe |
This trophy hippo hunting in Zimbabwe safari takes place on the legendary waters of Lake Kariba, one of Africa’s premier destinations for dangerous game hunting safaris. Located in the remote Sijarira region, this free-range hunt offers hunters the opportunity to pursue old bull hippo in a truly wild aquatic environment known for producing exceptional trophies and consistent success rates.
For hunters seeking authentic Zimbabwe hunting safaris, few experiences compare to stalking trophy hippo along the shorelines and estuaries of Lake Kariba. Guided by experienced professional hunters who know the waterways intimately, this safari combines adventure, danger, and breathtaking scenery in one of Southern Africa’s last untamed wilderness areas.
*** Observers are welcome at US$ 250 per day per person
For hunters seeking authentic Zimbabwe hunting safaris, few destinations in Africa rival the country’s reputation for producing exceptional free-range dangerous game trophies. Zimbabwe has long been regarded as one of Africa’s premier safari destinations, attracting professional hunters, explorers, and adventurers for generations. Early explorers such as Doctor David Livingstone travelled extensively through the region documenting its wildlife, landscapes, and remote wilderness areas, many of which remain largely untouched today.
Zimbabwe continues to produce world-class trophies, particularly for hunters pursuing dangerous game species such as Elephant, Leopard, Lion, Cape Buffalo, Crocodile, and Hippo. The country is especially respected for its traditional safari approach, where hunts are conducted in vast unfenced concessions under true fair-chase conditions. For international hunters looking for genuine dangerous game hunting safaris, Zimbabwe remains one of the most respected hunting destinations on the continent.
Whether hunting the Zambezi Valley, Lake Kariba, Save Valley Conservancy, or the Hwange region, each area offers a completely different safari experience and terrain. The Lake Kariba and Gache Gache areas are particularly famous for exceptional Hippo and giant Crocodile hunting, where specialized hunting methods, boat-based stalks, and close-range encounters create one of Africa’s most exciting aquatic dangerous game safaris.
For many dangerous game hunters, successfully hunting Africa’s “Dangerous 7” represents the ultimate safari achievement. Beyond the traditional Big Five, species such as Hippo and Crocodile add an entirely different dimension to African dangerous game hunting, combining unpredictability, close-range encounters, and genuine danger in challenging environments.
Most hunters do not begin their African safari journey with a Hippo hunt, but many eventually pursue one later in their hunting careers after realizing just how exciting and dangerous Hippo hunting can be. Despite their calm appearance while resting in the water, Hippos are regarded as one of Africa’s most aggressive and territorial animals, responsible for more than five hundred human fatalities annually across the continent — significantly more than Lions.
Hippo hunting in Zimbabwe is exceptionally dangerous, whether pursuing a bull in the water or on land along the shoreline. Bull Hippos are highly territorial and are well-known for attacking fishing boats, canoes, and people who unknowingly move too close or place themselves between the Hippo and the safety of deep water. Their massive jaws and razor-sharp ivory tusks are capable of inflicting devastating injuries in an instant.
For hunters seeking authentic dangerous game hunting safaris, few experiences compare to stalking old bull Hippo along the waterways of Lake Kariba under true free-range conditions.
Lake Kariba is the world’s largest man-made lake by volume and remains one of Africa’s most remarkable wilderness destinations. Filled between 1958 and 1963, the lake stretches for more than 135 miles in length and exceeds 25 miles in width in certain areas, creating an immense inland water system that often feels more like an ocean than a lake. Kariba is scattered with islands such as Maaze, Mashape, and Chete, while also supplying hydroelectric power to both Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Often referred to as Zimbabwe’s “undiscovered Riviera,” Lake Kariba is famous for its spectacular sunsets, warm climate, breathtaking scenery, and exceptional aquatic dangerous game huntings. Temperatures remain warm throughout most of the year, although the summer months between December and February can become extremely hot.
The lake is teeming with birdlife, including African Fish Eagles and Cormorants, while the shorelines are frequented by Elephant, Lion, and Cape Buffalo moving through the thick vegetation surrounding the waterways. Zimbabwe is internationally respected for exceptional leopard hunting in Zimbabwe, while traditional cape buffalo hunts conducted in the Zambezi Valley and Lake Kariba regions remain amongst Africa’s most authentic dangerous game experiences.
Lake Kariba is also renowned for its exceptional fishing, particularly for hard-fighting Tigerfish that thrive on the Kapenta introduced into the ecosystem decades ago.
The waterways of Kariba support enormous populations of both Crocodile and Hippo, with estimates suggesting more than 10,000 Nile Crocodiles and between 5,000 and 6,000 Hippo inhabit the lake system. For hunters pursuing trophy Hippo, Lake Kariba consistently produces old bulls covered in battle scars, heavy ivory tusks, and the unmistakable character that defines a true dangerous game trophy.
The Sijarira hunting area is a remote wilderness concession bordering the shorelines of Lake Kariba and represents the kind of untamed Africa that has changed little over the last century. Characterized by rugged hills, thick vegetation, remote waterways, and limited infrastructure, Sijarira offers hunters an authentic free-range safari experience far removed from modern development and high-pressure hunting areas.
Hunting within the concession is conducted by boat, vehicle, and on foot depending on conditions and the location of the Hippo. The terrain can be physically demanding, with steep hills, rough tracks, and isolated shoreline systems all forming part of the adventure. Due to the remote nature of the area, road infrastructure remains limited, further adding to the wild and untouched atmosphere that defines the safari.
Sijarira supports exceptional numbers of dangerous game and has developed an outstanding reputation for producing trophy Hippo. Bordering Lake Kariba for more than twenty-five miles, the concession provides ideal habitat for old bull Hippo, giant Crocodiles, and a variety of other dangerous game species moving through the region.
For hunters wanting a true trophy Hippo displayed in the trophy room — an old bull with heavy ivory tusks, battle scars, and real character — Sijarira remains one of the finest and most competitively priced Hippo hunting destinations in Africa.
Hippo hunts on Lake Kariba are primarily conducted by boat, allowing hunters to navigate the vast shorelines, estuaries, and shallow waterways where old bull Hippo spend much of their time. Once a suitable trophy Hippo has been identified, the stalk is typically carried out on foot along the shoreline under the guidance of an experienced dangerous game professional hunter who understands the behavior of Hippo and the complexities of hunting within Kariba’s aquatic environment.
As a trophy Hippo may be taken either on land or while partially submerged in the water, a thorough understanding of proper Hippo Shot Placement is absolutely critical. A precise brain shot ensures a quick and ethical harvest, often resulting in the Hippo quietly slipping beneath the surface. Due to the density of the animal and the conditions of the hunt, hunters must then patiently wait for decomposition gases within the stomach cavity to bring the Hippo back to the surface for recovery. Depending on water temperature and conditions, this process may take anywhere between one and four hours.
The Sijarira concession consistently produces exceptional trophy Hippo and is widely regarded as one of the finest Hippo hunting destinations in Africa. Due to the quality of the hunting and limited quota availability, safaris in this area are highly sought after.
International hunters traveling to Zimbabwe will typically arrive via OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, South Africa. From Johannesburg, daily regional flights operate to Victoria Falls International Airport, with Airlink being one of the preferred carriers due to its reliability, competitive pricing, and consistent service. Flight time from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls is approximately two hours.
Return airfare between Johannesburg and Victoria Falls generally ranges between US$ 300 and US$ 450 depending on the season and flight availability. On arrival at Victoria Falls International Airport, hunters will be met and transferred to the Sijarira hunting area located along the shores of Lake Kariba. The road transfer covers just over 120 miles, although travel times can vary depending on weather conditions and the state of the roads in these remote wilderness areas.
Zimbabwe offers visitors a wide variety of exceptional tourist attractions and outdoor activities, making it well worthwhile extending your safari before or after the hunt. Lake Kariba and the Zambezi River are famous for world-class fishing adventures, particularly for Tigerfish, while sunset cruises and river excursions provide the opportunity to experience the beauty of the waterways and surrounding wildlife from a completely different perspective.
A visit to Victoria Falls, one of the “Natural Wonders of the World,” is highly recommended for hunters and observers alike, with activities ranging from scenic helicopter flights and photographic safaris to cultural village tours and guided nature experiences. Zimbabwe is also renowned for excellent bird watching, diverse wildlife viewing, and authentic cultural experiences that showcase the country’s rich history and traditions.
For hunters seeking authentic hippo hunting in Zimbabwe, few destinations compare to the remote wilderness of Lake Kariba and the legendary Sijarira concession. Combining true free-range dangerous game hunting, experienced professional hunters, exceptional trophy quality, and one of Africa’s most breathtaking aquatic safari environments, this trophy Hippo hunt offers an unforgettable African hunting experience for serious dangerous game hunters.
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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