Lake Kariba Hippo & Giant Crocodile Safari
Booking Season: 2026
Hunt Difficulty: Difficult
Designed by Hunters, for Hunters
Comfortable river camp accommodation in the Omay concession, with permanent en-suite suites or rooms, daily meals, laundry service, housekeeping, Wi-Fi, and access to the Ume River or South Omay hunting areas depending on camp allocation. Ume Camp can accommodate up to eight guests, while Chifudzi Camp offers a smaller, more private setup for up to six guests.
Free-range hunting area in the Omay concession of Zimbabwe’s Zambezi Valley, with roughly two million acres of unfenced habitat and more than 150 miles of Lake Kariba shoreline. The area offers strong habitat for hippo, Nile crocodile, elephant, Cape buffalo, lion, leopard, sable, and plains game. Hunting is conducted with experienced PHs in a wild communal concession where quota is limited and strictly regulated.
| Fence Type: | Free-range |
| Nearest Airport Name: | Harare International Airport |
| Nearest Airport Distance: | Road transfer or charter flight required |
| Nearest Town Name: | Kariba |
| Nearest Town Distance: | Varies depending on camp allocation |
| Transfer From Airport: | Yes |
This 7-day Lake Kariba safari gives hunters the choice of a trophy bull hippo, a giant Nile crocodile, or both on the Omay concession in Zimbabwe’s Zambezi Valley. Both trophies are exportable, and there is no crocodile size limit, making this a flexible aquatic dangerous game safari for hunters who want a focused hunt without committing to a full big game package.
Designed for American and international hunters, this safari offers a clear structure, exportable trophies, experienced PHs, and support with travel logistics, rifle permits, and trophy handling.
Lake Kariba suits hippo hunts because of its deep water, quiet shoreline, and strong river habitat. The Omay concession is just as well placed for crocodile hunts, with long stretches of productive bank where large Nile crocodiles are regularly seen.
Unlike traditional Big Game Hunting safaris that revolve around tracking animals through thick bushveld, an aquatic safari on Lake Kariba presents a completely different challenge. Every hunting day is shaped by the movements of the water, with mornings spent glassing shorelines, riverbanks, and secluded bays where hippo and Nile crocodiles spend much of their time. Success depends on patience, careful observation, and precise shot placement rather than covering long distances on foot.
The combination of deep water, extensive shoreline, and experienced local Professional Hunters has made the Omay concession one of Zimbabwe's most respected destinations for aquatic dangerous game. Whether pursuing a mature bull hippo, a giant Nile crocodile, or both species during the same safari, hunters can expect an authentic free-range hunt in one of Africa's most iconic wilderness settings.
Daily Rate: US$7,200 per Hunter (1×1)
Duration: 7 Hunting Days / 8 Nights
Location: Omay, Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe
Hunting Style: Free-range hippo and/or Nile crocodile safari
Observers: US$350 per person, per day
Bull Hippopotamus
Nile Crocodile
Hunters may pursue a Bull Hippopotamus, a Nile Crocodile, or both species during the same safari.
Hunting in Zimbabwe is especially strong in the Zambezi Valley, where large unfenced concessions, long stretches of shoreline, and experienced PHs create proper free-range hunting. Lake Kariba is a natural setting for hippo hunting in Zimbabwe, with deep water, quiet bays, and river systems where mature bulls hold territory.
Crocodile hunting in Zimbabwe also fits this area well, with long banks and warm basking spots where large Nile crocodiles are regularly seen.
The Zambezi Valley is one of Zimbabwe’s great big game areas, known for elephant, Cape buffalo, lion, leopard, hippo, crocodile, sable, and a wide range of plains game. It is wild, unfenced country, and that is exactly why hunters keep coming back.
The Omay concession covers roughly two million acres, with more than 150 miles of Lake Kariba shoreline. That amount of water and wild country makes it a natural area for hippo and crocodile safaris, while still offering the possibility of broader dangerous game hunts and full-bag combinations.
This is classic Zambezi Valley hunting: big country, close encounters, and animals that have not read the brochure. Elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, hippo, crocodile, sable, and plains game can all be found in the same concession, which is what makes Omay such a strong all-round safari area.
The concession is also a communal area, with local communities living within the wider hunting block. Trophy fees and hunting revenue help support schools, clinics, boreholes, and other community needs. No animal is wasted, and the meat is used locally.
Hippo and crocodile quota is limited and strictly regulated, so availability should be confirmed before dates are planned.
Hunters will fly into Harare International Airport, Zimbabwe’s main international gateway. Flights are available through major routes including Johannesburg, Addis Ababa, and Doha. Depending on arrival times, it is often sensible to allow one night in Harare before and after the safari.
If travelling through Johannesburg, hunters may need to overnight near O.R. Tambo International Airport before connecting to Harare. Airlink is a good option for the Johannesburg–Harare route and can assist with rifle transport if arranged in advance. African Sky Boutique Hotel near O.R. Tambo can assist with airport transfers and firearm permits.
From Harare, hunters can reach the Omay concession by road transfer or charter flight, depending on preference, budget, and availability. The charter is the easier option, while the road transfer gives a better feel for the country, although “scenic” can start to feel optimistic after a few hours on African roads.
Dalton and his team have been hunting Zimbabwe, Cameroon, and Mozambique for more than a decade, with Zimbabwe remaining one of their main focus areas. The Zambezi Valley is unpredictable country, with big game, changing terrain, and enough surprises to keep every day interesting.
The team is hands-on with planning, camp logistics, and the hunt itself. Their aim is simple: give each hunter a well-run safari, good opportunities, and the kind of experience that feels earned rather than manufactured.
Ume Camp is set on the banks of the Ume River in the North Omay region, close to Matusadona National Park. The camp has four permanent en-suite suites and can accommodate up to eight guests.
Meals are served in the shared dining area, and there is a bar, swimming pool, and reliable Wi-Fi. Boat trips and fishing can also be arranged, which makes the camp a good option for observers or family joining the safari.
Wildlife is often seen from camp, and at night it is common to hear hippo, lion, hyena, and elephant in the distance.
Chifudzi Camp is in the South Omay region and offers a quieter, more private camp setting. It has three permanent rooms with private bathrooms and can accommodate up to six guests.
Meals and drinks are served in camp, with views over a valley and nearby water pan. Plains game, buffalo, and elephant are often seen in the area, making this a good camp for hunters who prefer a smaller, more secluded setup.
Hippo and crocodile hunting on Lake Kariba is a game of patience, timing, and very precise shooting. Both animals spend much of their time in or near water, which makes recovery difficult if the first shot is not right.
Big crocodiles can lie motionless on the bank for hours, often looking more like a half-burnt log than a dangerous predator. A successful crocodile hunt depends on a calm approach and proper crocodile shot placement, usually into the brain or spine, to anchor the animal before it reaches deep water.
Hippo hunting brings a different kind of pressure. Bulls are often seen with only the eyes, ears, and nostrils above the surface, and when they are on land, they can move faster than their size suggests. Before any hippo hunt, hunters should understand hippo shot placement, especially when the only clear shot may be to the head.
This is not a hunt that rewards rushing. A good aquatic hunting safari in Zimbabwe comes down to reading the water, waiting for the right angle, and trusting the PH when he says, “not yet.” That little phrase can save a lot of paperwork later.
Hunting safaris in Zimbabwe can take place throughout the year, but the cooler, drier months from April to October are generally preferred. During this period, temperatures are more comfortable, vegetation is thinner, and game movement around water becomes easier to read.
The warmer months can still produce good hunting, but conditions are tougher. Heat, mosquitoes, pepper ticks, and dehydration all become bigger factors, especially when walking through thick bush or spending long hours near water.
For a Lake Kariba hippo and crocodile safari, the dry season is usually the most practical time to hunt. Water levels, visibility, and animal movement can all affect the hunt, so final timing should be discussed with the outfitter before booking dates.
Hunters may import firearms into Zimbabwe for hunting purposes, but all rifles must be declared and cleared through the correct temporary firearm import permit for Zimbabwe process on arrival.
Automatic and semi-automatic rifles are not permitted for hunting. Semi-automatic shotguns may be allowed for bird hunting, and black powder rifles are permitted with a minimum calibre of .40.
Handguns may be used on private or communal land, but not on government concessions unless a special permit has been issued by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority. A maximum of 100 rounds of ammunition may be imported per hunting rifle. There is currently no fee for standard rifle permits for hunting in Zimbabwe, and the application can usually be completed at the port of entry.
For dangerous game hunting, the minimum calibre is generally .375, with many hunters preferring heavier calibres for hippo, crocodile, buffalo, and elephant. For this type of aquatic safari, a suitable hippo hunting calibre and reliable crocodile hunting rifle matter far more than trying to be clever with marginal equipment.
This safari is ideal for hunters looking for something different from a traditional dangerous game hunt. Rather than spending every day tracking through thick bush, you'll hunt one of Africa's great waterways where patience, precise shot placement, and reading the movements of hippo and Nile crocodile are the keys to success.
It is particularly well suited to hunters who want the flexibility of pursuing a trophy bull hippo, a giant Nile crocodile, or both species during the same safari, while enjoying the remote wilderness of Zimbabwe's legendary Zambezi Valley. With experienced Professional Hunters, comfortable riverside camps, and exportable trophies, this hunt offers an outstanding introduction to Africa's unique aquatic dangerous game.
If you're comparing Hunting Trips across Africa, or would like to understand how this safari compares with other dangerous game packages, our guide to African Hunting Safari Prices explains the factors that influence safari costs in different countries, helping you choose the hunt that best suits your budget and hunting goals.
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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