Zimbabwe Tuskless Elephant Hunt | Hammond Save Valley

Why Hunt Tuskless Elephant?

Many hunters initially assume that a tuskless elephant hunt is somehow a lesser experience than pursuing a trophy bull. Those who have hunted both often hold a very different opinion.

Tuskless elephants are typically mature cows that live within family groups and are renowned for their alertness, intelligence, and unpredictable behavior. Unlike solitary bulls, these hunts often take place around multiple elephants, requiring hunters and professional hunters to remain constantly aware of their surroundings while carefully selecting the correct animal from within the herd.

Because tuskless elephants are rarely alone, close-range encounters can be particularly intense. A hunter may find themselves within a short distance of several elephants at once, where patience, discipline, and precise shot placement become absolutely critical. Many dangerous game hunters consider tuskless elephant safaris to be among the most exciting and challenging elephant hunts available in Africa.

Tuskless hunting also plays an important wildlife management role. The absence of tusks is a genetic trait that can be passed through elephant populations. In areas where wildlife authorities and conservation managers identify the need to control these genetics, carefully regulated tuskless elephant hunts form part of a broader conservation and management strategy.

For hunters seeking a genuine dangerous game experience rather than simply measuring ivory, a tuskless elephant hunt in Zimbabwe's Save Valley Conservancy offers all the excitement, challenge, and adrenaline that elephant hunting is famous for.

Hunt Tuskless Elephant in Zimbabwe 

This exciting dangerous game safari takes place in Zimbabwe's renowned Save Valley Conservancy and offers hunters the opportunity to pursue a free-range tuskless elephant under the guidance of an experienced professional hunter. For many hunters, a tuskless elephant safari represents one of the most challenging and adrenaline-filled dangerous game hunts available in Africa.

Safari Highlights

• 10 Hunting Days / 11 Nights
• 1 Tuskless Elephant Included
• Hammond Hunting Area
• Approximately 750,000 Acres of Free-Range Wilderness
• One Hunter, One Professional Huntei
• Government Levies Included
• Ground Transfers Included
• Opportunity to Add Cape Buffalo Hunts
• Observers Welcome

Safari Price : US$ 15,105

This all-inclusive safari package includes the daily rates, trophy fee, applicable government levies, accommodation taxes, and return road transfers between Bulawayo and the hunting concession.

Observer Rates

Observers are welcome to accompany the safari at:

US$ 250 per person per day

Rifle Rental

Hunters who prefer not to travel with their own firearm may rent a suitable rifle in camp.

• Rifle Rental: US$ 40 per day
• Ammunition: At Cost

This safari provides an exceptional opportunity to experience authentic elephant hunting in one of Zimbabwe's premier free-range hunting areas while pursuing one of Africa's most exciting dangerous game species.

Why Hunt Tuskless Elephant in Save Valley?

The Save Valley Conservancy is one of Zimbabwe's largest and most respected wildlife areas, covering approximately 750,000 acres of unfenced wilderness. While its reputation has been built on exceptional populations of dangerous game, many hunters regard Save Valley as one of the finest places in Africa to experience a truly traditional elephant hunt.

Unlike many hunting areas where game movements are limited by fences or smaller concessions, elephants in Save Valley are free to roam vast tracts of natural habitat. This creates a genuine tracking safari where success depends on locating fresh spoor, reading sign correctly, and following the herd through varied terrain that can include mopane woodland, river systems, open grasslands, and dense thickets.

Tuskless elephant hunting presents its own unique challenges. Rather than pursuing a solitary bull, hunters are often tracking family groups containing multiple elephants. Selecting the correct animal, maintaining awareness of surrounding elephants, and approaching within effective shooting range requires patience, discipline, and teamwork between the hunter, professional hunter, trackers, and game scouts.

Experienced dangerous game hunters believe tuskless elephant can be every bit as challenging as trophy bull elephant hunting. Herd animals are often highly alert and protective of one another, and encounters frequently take place at very close range. The ability to remain calm and make good decisions under pressure is often far more important than physical endurance alone.

The Hammond area of Save Valley is also well known for its exceptional Cape buffalo hunting. Many hunters choose to combine a tuskless elephant safari with one of the area's renowned cape buffalo hunts, creating a classic African dangerous game safari that includes two of the continent's most respected species. The combination of free-range elephant and buffalo hunting has made this region a long-time favourite among dangerous game enthusiasts.

For hunters seeking a genuine dangerous game experience rather than simply pursuing ivory, a tuskless elephant safari in Save Valley offers all the challenge, excitement, and authenticity that have made Zimbabwe famous among African hunters.

Hunting Methods & Shot Placement

Tuskless elephant hunting in Save Valley is conducted as a traditional tracking safari. Each day begins with professional hunters, trackers, and game scouts searching for fresh spoor before setting out on foot to locate a suitable herd. Once the elephants are found, the challenge becomes identifying the correct animal and carefully closing the distance for a safe and ethical shot.

Unlike many other dangerous game hunts, elephant are often encountered at very close range. This requires patience, discipline, and absolute confidence in shot placement. Hunters should familiarize themselves with proper elephant shot placement before arriving in camp, as a well-placed first shot is critical to a successful and ethical hunt.

As with all dangerous game hunting in Zimbabwe, the minimum legal caliber requirement is a .375 using a 300-grain bullet. Many professional hunters prefer larger calibers such as the .416 Rigby, .458 Winchester Magnum, or .458 Lott, while double rifles in calibers such as .470 Nitro Express remain a popular choice among experienced elephant hunters.

Only premium-quality solid bullets should be used when hunting elephant. Your professional hunter will discuss rifle selection, ammunition, and shot opportunities throughout the safari to ensure you are properly prepared when the moment arrives.

Traveling to the Hunting Area

Hunters may arrive via either Harare or Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's two primary international gateways. Most hunters choose to overnight in the arrival city before departing for the hunting concession the following morning.

Road transfers to the Hammond area of Save Valley take approximately six hours from either city, depending on road conditions and seasonal factors. For hunters wishing to reduce travel time, charter flights can be arranged from Harare, Bulawayo, or Johannesburg, South Africa. Charter flights typically land at Buffalo Range, followed by a short road transfer to camp.

The hunting team will assist with travel logistics, airport transfers, and firearm import procedures to ensure a smooth arrival and transfer to the concession.T

Accommodation & Cuisine

Accommodation is provided in comfortable safari chalets overlooking the bushveld near the Nyerezi River. The camp offers a traditional Zimbabwe hunting safari atmosphere where hunters can relax after a day in the field while enjoying comfortable beds, hot showers, and all the essentials required for an enjoyable stay.

Meals are hearty, practical, and prepared with hunters in mind. Breakfasts are served before first light, field lunches are available when required, and evenings are spent enjoying home-cooked meals in camp. Fresh venison often features on the menu, while the boma and outdoor dining areas provide the perfect setting to share stories from the day's hunt.

Why Hunt in Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe has earned a reputation as one of Africa's premier hunting destinations and remains one of the few countries where hunters can still experience vast free-range concessions, abundant wildlife, and the feeling of hunting the "Africa of old." For hunters considering hunting in Zimbabwe, few destinations offer the same combination of wilderness, game numbers, and authentic safari experiences.

The country supports healthy populations of dangerous game, plains game, and specialty species while consistently producing excellent trophies across a wide range of hunts. Combined with experienced professional hunters, strong wildlife management practices, and a long hunting tradition, Zimbabwe continues to attract hunters from around the world.

For many international hunters, Zimbabwe represents the perfect combination of authentic hunting experiences, exceptional game numbers, and genuine wilderness. Whether pursuing elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion hunts, or plains game, few destinations offer the same diversity of hunting opportunities within a single country.

Why Consider This Hunt?

This safari offers far more than simply the opportunity to hunt a tuskless elephant. It is a chance to experience one of Zimbabwe's most respected wildlife conservancies while participating in a genuine free-range dangerous game hunt.

The combination of vast hunting areas, experienced professional hunters, healthy elephant populations, and the unique challenge of pursuing a tuskless elephant creates an experience unlike most traditional elephant safaris. Many hunters are surprised to discover that hunting tuskless elephant can be every bit as exciting, demanding, and rewarding as pursuing a trophy bull.

The Hammond area of Save Valley is also renowned for its exceptional buffalo hunting, providing hunters with the opportunity to combine two of Africa's most respected dangerous game species during a single safari. Add in the area's conservation success, diverse wildlife, and authentic wilderness setting, and it becomes easy to understand why Save Valley remains one of Zimbabwe's premier hunting destinations.

For hunters seeking a challenging, ethical, and truly memorable African hunting adventure, this tuskless elephant safari deserves serious consideration.

If you would like to learn more about this tuskless elephant hunting safari in Zimbabwe, discuss available hunting dates, or determine whether this Save Valley hunt is the right fit for your hunting goals, please contact the Game Hunting Safaris team.