Non-Exportable Crocodile Hunt in Namibia’s Caprivi Strip
Booking Season: 2026
Hunt Difficulty: Moderate, Difficult
Designed by Hunters, for Hunters
Hunters stay in comfortable en-suite safari tents that blend authentic bush atmosphere with modern comforts. After a day in the field, relax around the campfire, enjoy hearty meals, and take in the sights and sounds of the African wilderness.
The Caprivi is characterized by open floodplains, river systems, reed-lined waterways, and relatively flat terrain that makes for comfortable hunting conditions. The abundance of water and fertile habitat supports exceptional wildlife densities throughout the region.
| Fence Type: | Free-range |
| Nearest Airport Name: | Katima Mulilo Airport |
| Transfer From Airport: | Yes |
Situated within Namibia's wildlife-rich Zambezi Region, the Kabulabula Conservancy is one of the country's most productive areas for hippo hunting. Influenced by the Chobe and Zambezi river systems, the conservancy consists of floodplains, wetlands, reed-lined waterways, and riverine woodland that provide ideal habitat for large hippo populations and a variety of other dangerous game species.
This fully exportable trophy hippo hunt offers hunters the opportunity to pursue one of Africa's most respected dangerous game animals in a true wilderness setting. For hunters researching both hippo hunting in Namibia and dangerous game hunting in Namibia, few areas combine the wildlife diversity, scenery, and hunting opportunities found within the greater Caprivi Strip.
The Kabulabula Conservancy is also well known for its populations of Cape buffalo, Nile crocodile, elephant, and a variety of plains game species, making it one of the most wildlife-rich hunting regions in Southern Africa. Combined with experienced professional hunters and limited annual quotas, the area continues to attract hunters seeking a traditional African safari in a genuinely wild environment.
5-Day Exportable Hippo Hunt in Namibia | US$12,550 All-Inclusive
The Kabulabula Conservancy is also well known for its exceptional dangerous game populations. Large herds of Cape buffalo regularly move through the region, with animals often crossing from neighboring Botswana along the Chobe River system. These movements contribute to the area's reputation as one of Namibia's premier destinations for Cape buffalo hunts, while also creating exciting encounters for hunters pursuing other species.
The waterways and floodplains support healthy populations of Nile crocodile, elephant, and a wide variety of plains game, ensuring there is never a shortage of wildlife activity. Even when focused on a hippo hunt, hunters are likely to encounter some of Africa's most iconic game species while exploring this remarkable corner of Southern Africa.
Rifle Hire Available: US$30 per day (ammunition charged at cost)
Observer Included in the Safari Package
This exportable trophy hippo hunt takes place in Namibia's renowned Caprivi Strip (Zambezi Region), an area widely respected for its healthy hippo populations, productive river systems, and outstanding dangerous game hunting opportunities.
Having personally hunted hippo, Cape buffalo, and elephant in this region with Pieter and his team, we have first-hand experience of both the quality of the hunting and the professionalism of the operation. Hunters can expect a well-organized safari conducted in one of Southern Africa's most wildlife-rich wilderness areas.
With limited annual quotas and regulated trophy tags, opportunities to hunt exportable hippo in the Caprivi remain highly sought after.
Located in Namibia's wildlife-rich Zambezi Region, the Caprivi Strip is one of Southern Africa's premier destinations for both dangerous game hunting and hippo hunting in Namibia. The region's network of rivers, floodplains, wetlands, and reed-lined waterways creates ideal habitat for large hippo populations, while also supporting Cape buffalo, elephant, crocodile, and a variety of plains game species.
Most international hunters fly into Windhoek's Hosea Kutako International Airport before connecting to Katima Mulilo in the Caprivi. From there, your outfitter will meet you and transfer you to the hunting area. An alternative option is to fly into Kasane Airport in Botswana and enter the Caprivi via the Chobe River region.
The best time to hunt hippo is generally during the dry season. As water levels recede, hippos become easier to locate and evaluate, while access throughout the hunting area improves significantly. Lower water levels also increase the chances of encountering hippos on land, providing additional hunting opportunities and often simplifying trophy recovery.
The Caprivi Strip is one of the few places in Africa where a hunter can spend the morning tracking hippo along a reed-lined riverbank, only to encounter elephant, buffalo, and crocodile before returning to camp. Wildlife densities in the region are remarkable, and every day in the field feels unpredictable.
Large elephant bulls regularly move through the area, while substantial buffalo herds cross between Botswana and Namibia along the Chobe River system. The waterways are also home to healthy crocodile populations, making the region a natural choice for hunters interested in combining a hippo safari with elephant hunting in Namibia or crocodile hunts.
This is what makes the Caprivi different. The hunt is not confined to a single species. It is an opportunity to experience one of Southern Africa's last truly wild dangerous game regions, where every track in the sand and every bend in the river may reveal something unexpected.
Hippos are exceptionally tough animals, and accurate shot placement is critical to a safe, ethical, and successful hunt. While many hunters focus on the animal's size, the vital target area is considerably smaller than most people expect, particularly when only the head is visible above the water.
When hunting hippo in the water, the preferred shot is typically a brain shot. Although a hippo's head appears large, the actual target area is relatively small and constantly moving as the animal surfaces and submerges. This is one of the reasons hippo hunting is often more challenging than many first-time hunters anticipate.
When a hippo is encountered on land, a broadside shot into the heart and lungs may present an excellent opportunity. Hunters should familiarize themselves with the various shot angles before arriving in camp. For a detailed guide, see our Hippo Shot Placement resource.
A hippo hunt in the Caprivi Strip contributes to far more than the pursuit of a trophy animal. Hunting revenues help support conservation initiatives throughout the region, including habitat management, infrastructure improvements, water development projects, and anti-poaching efforts.
The benefits also extend directly to local communities. Professional hunting creates employment opportunities for trackers, skinners, camp staff, drivers, and other support personnel, while meat from harvested animals is distributed within surrounding communities. These tangible benefits help create local support for wildlife conservation and ensure that both wildlife and wild places retain economic value for future generations.
In regions such as the Caprivi, where people and wildlife live side by side, successful conservation depends on local communities seeing real benefits from the wildlife around them. Regulated hunting continues to play an important role in achieving that balance.
Hunters stay in a comfortable tented safari camp equipped with en-suite bathrooms, electricity, laundry services, and a traditional lapa area for dining and relaxation. The camp provides an authentic bush atmosphere while offering the comforts needed after a day spent hunting the waterways and floodplains of the Caprivi Strip.
The Caprivi Strip offers far more than exceptional hippo hunting. During the safari, it is common to encounter large herds of elephant, Cape buffalo, crocodile, and a variety of plains game species, highlighting the region's remarkable wildlife diversity.
For hunters traveling with observers or family members, the location also provides easy access to additional activities including tiger fishing, river cruises, birdwatching, and cultural village visits. Victoria Falls is situated within easy reach of the Caprivi and remains one of Africa's most iconic attractions, making it a popular addition before or after the hunt.
Hippo hunting is not for every hunter. It requires patience, discipline, accurate shot placement, and a willingness to spend long hours glassing waterways and waiting for the right opportunity. For many hunters, however, that challenge is exactly what makes a hippo safari so rewarding.
The Caprivi Strip offers a unique combination of productive hippo habitat, experienced professional hunters, and genuinely wild surroundings. Add in the possibility of encountering elephant, buffalo, crocodile, and a host of other African wildlife, and the result is a safari that delivers far more than a single trophy animal.
For hunters seeking a traditional hippo hunting safari in Namibia, this hunt provides an opportunity to pursue one of Africa's most respected dangerous game species in one of the continent's last great wilderness regions.
Contact the Game Hunting Safaris team to discuss availability, travel arrangements, observer options, and custom safari extensions. You can also contact Pieter directly using the quick message icons on this page.
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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