Hunt in Africa Exportable Elephant 15 x Nights in Botswana

Elephant Trophy, Minimum 55 Pounds / Max 70 Pounds

Fully Exportable Under CITES

US$ 74,000 Including Elephant Trophy Fee & Hunting License

1 x Hunter 1 x Professional Hunter

14 x Days and 15 x Nights Hunting Elephant in Botswana, with a Craig Boddington endorsed African outfitter !!

*** Observers welcome at US$ 400 per person per day

*** Rifle Rental available at US$ 60/hunting day (ammunition at cost)

*** Trophy elephant hunting in Botswana is highly regulated by the Government. Limited permits available ***

Hunting in Botswana

A hunting safari in Botswana is one of the most exclusive and unique experiences in Africa. Famously known for its large populations of Elephant, the sought after game hunting destination of Botswana offers international hunters unparalleled access to some of Africa’s finest game. 

Botswana is a premier hunting destination in Africa due to the large expanses of untouched wilderness and effective wildlife conservation management policies. Botswana, roughly the size of the state of Texas in the United States is dominated by the semi-arid landscape of the Kalahari Desert which covers the majority of the country. This remarkable landscape is a first choice for hunters searching for exceptional large Desert Elephant, Leopard and Cape Buffalo trophies hunted “free-range”.  

The Okavango Delta, having one of the worlds most extraordinary ecosystems comprising of floodplains and lagoons provides hunters with opportunities for some of the best Elephant hunting in Botswana producing large bulls that inhabit the wetlands. Whether hunting the banks of the Chobe River or the semi-desert of the Kalahari, Botswana offers hunters a world-class hunting adventure.

The Internationally accredited African outfitter on this Elephant Hunt  

• Jaco is a leader in the international hunting community and is Craig Boddington endorsed.
• This team operates from 15 various territories throughout Africa, from Cameroon to Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and Tanzania.
• To top off their record of success, Jaco can be proud to have won Dallas Safari Club Outfitter of the year award (2008) plus SCI Outstanding International Hunter of the year award in 2020.
• This team is committed to honesty, integrity and the pursuance at all times of client satisfaction, this is their commitment.

The Elephant Hunting Concession in Botswana

This exportable trophy Elephant hunt will take place in the NG4 and NG5 hunting concessions. These two adjacent areas are situated in the heart of the famous big game hunting area, “Bushmanland”. These concessions are famous for producing big Elephants. The hunting concessions are situated east of Namibia and are on the Elephant migration routes to/from from Namibia. 

Topography in the hunting area is mostly flat, with poor sand soil quality, making any sort of commercial agriculture not viable. The Gcwihaba Valley is also located in NG4 which boasts a fossil river with six independent hills. Rocky outcrops are spread throughout the hunting concession along with natural pans that fill with water lasting the duration of the dry season. The terrain is 90% flat and 10% hills.

Elephant hunting in Botswana commenced in 2019 after years of being banned due to pressure from international “greenies.” Due to Elephant populations, and under pressure from citizens, the Botswana government had no option but to reinstate controlled and regulated Elephant hunts.

You will see hundreds of Elephants on this hunting safari. Botswana has the highest population of Elephants in all of Africa, with the Chobe Reserve being home to more than 50,000 Elephants, with another 80 000 plus being spread throughout the country. 

Included in the Botswana Hunting Safari

• 1 x Exportable Trophy Elephant Max 70 Pounds
• Luxury Accommodation 
• On Territory Transport
• Guiding by the Professional Hunter
• Hunting License (US$ 6,000)
• Elephant Trophy Fee (US$ 27,000)
• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Snacks
• Daily Laundry Service & Housekeeping
• Hot/Cold Beverages and Drinks, Local Beer and Wine
• Services of camp staff, trackers and skinners
• Field Preparation of the Elephant Trophy

Traveling for the Hunting Safari in Botswana

To reach the NG4 & NG5 concessions, the point of entry into Botswana is Maun International Airport. It is recommended to fly directly to Oliver Tambo International Airport in South Africa. Flights from Oliver Tambo to Maun are offered by Airlink, Air Botswana or Cem Air. Depending on the time of your international flight into OR Tambo, overnighting in Johannesburg may be a requirement.  We would recommend African Sky Boutique Hotel, situated  ten minutes from Oliver Tambo International Airport. Management will assist with transfers to/from the hotel and with any firearm permits. For more information see “Affiliate Services” below. 

From Maun, hunters will have the choice of either road transport provided by the outfitter which will take approximately 4 hours and costs US$ 1300 (round trip), or take a private charter plane which will take an hour and costs US$ 5200 (prices do fluctuate).

The town of Maun is a mix of modern buildings and native huts and is the 3^rd largest city in Botswana. The city is the tourist capital of Botswana, the administrative center of Ngamiland and headquarters for many safari and air-charter operations. Maun International Airport was opened in 1996 and is a also a gateway into Namibia with flights to the town of Katima Mulilo. The name Maun was derived from the San word “maung”, translated to “the place of short reads”. Maun is also the gateway to for tourists visiting the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve.  

Excluded in this African Hunt

• Dip & Pack of Trophy (Done by Taxidermist)
• International Shipping Costs of Elephant/other Trophies
• International Flight Costs and Pre-post safari accommodation
• Gratuities to staff and professional hunter (at your discretion)
• CITES Elephant export Tag
• Road/Charter costs to the concession from Maun
• Any Bank Transfer/Convenience Fees

The Hunting Lodge in Botswana  

On this Elephant hunt, accommodations are typical “old style” luxury safari tents with en-suite bathrooms and all the comforts of “home.” Tents are spacious, serviced daily, and clean. You can expect fabulous dining served by your  “private chef.” Central entertainment areas are typical African “Lapa” lodges with large “fire pits” , African ambiance and a bar to enjoy a cold sun downer.

A Typical Day Elephant Hunting

The day commences with an early wake-up, just before sunrise.  You can enjoy a light breakfast with your professional hunter. You will then plan the hunting strategy for the day and decide on the “plan of action.” Thereafter, you will head out either on foot or in the safari vehicle looking for fresh tracks and sign of Elephant.  As the hunting concession is just so large, a truck may be used to traverse larger areas within the hunting grounds.

As the hunting lodge is within the hunting concession, Elephant hunting will begin the minute you leave camp. A big tusker could be a few hundred yards out at the nearest watering hole. Once fresh elephant tracks or sign of activity have been found, you will take the “spoor” and head after the elephant, hoping to meet up with your trophy elephant bull. Be prepared to hunt these Elephants on foot. It is often said it’s a mile of walking for every pound of ivory.

Depending on the day’s activities, lunch may be held in the vast wilderness of Botswana, or you may head back to the hunting lodge.

Elephant Shot Placement 

This Elephant hunt will be “up close and personal” and understanding Elephant anatomy is critical. Legendary  hunters such as Selous and Bell spent years mastering elephant shot placement and hunting techniques. Shooting distance can be from as little as ten yards to thirty yards. The preferred Elephant shot placement will be a bullet into the brain, from the front or side, anchoring the Elephant.

The most important consideration will be judging the distance and angle between the shooter and the Elephant as this will affect the point of entry into the brain. From the broadside, a well-placed bullet into the heart and vitals will ensure a quick, humane, and ethical kill. If the Elephant is fleeing from you after the first shot, try to put a bullet into the joint of the back legs, or into spine.

Rifles and Calibers when Hunting Elephant

In the majority of African countries, the legal minimum for a dangerous game hunt is a .375 with a 300-grain bullet. For an elephant, you would use a “solid” when going for a brain shot to penetrate the skull. On this Elephant hunt, just like a Cape buffalo hunt, you are going to need stopping power and penetration. There will be no such thing as “too much gun”.

Larger calibers such as a 416 Rigby, 458 or 458 Lott, or any 500NE double would be recommended. Bigger calibers such as a 500 Jeffery or 600 to 700 NE will also work, providing you have confidence in handling such a large firearm. Botswana’s dangerous game hunting regulations stipulate that all calibers have to be .375 H&H or larger.

Importing Firearms and Permits when Hunting in Botswana

• Application for firearm permits will be done at least two months before commencement of the Elephant hunt so that they can be ready for collection at the airport on arrival
• Applications will be made on the hunter’s behalf by the outfitter
• A maximum, of two rifles and one shotgun are allowed per hunter, with a maximum of 100 rounds of ammunition per firearm
• Handguns, semi-automatic or military style firearms are prohibited.
• If hunters are traveling via South Africa, complete SAPS 520

Application Documents (Botswana)

• Botswana Firearm Application Form 6
• Copy of passport and details page
• Copy of proof of ownership/license. For US citizens, customs form 4457

On arrival in Botswana, hunters will be required to pay an import tax on ammunition only, in Botswana Pula, the local currency.

Best time to hunt Elephant in Botswana

The hunting season in Botswana runs from April through to September. For this Elephant hunt, we would recommend late April to August. The summer months can be extremely hot, which is a consideration there will be lots of walking. In hot conditions, the possibility of heatstroke and dehydration is real. The cool dry months without rain allows for the bush to thin, thus increasing visibility.

Trophy Care and Shipping

Trophy care will always be of utmost importance and the outfitter is geared for Elephant field preparation. Once the Elephant hunt is successfully concluded, a separate recovery team will be dispatched to the site, lifting and removing the entire carcass, reducing the risk of any contamination.

Once the Elephant has been skinned and the trophy prepared, under the guidance of the local “chief,” the meat and other parts will be distributed to the community who rely heavily on the contributions of big game hunters.

You will not only be hunting an Elephant in Botswana, but you will be proud and humbled that you have in fact fed hundreds of Africans who are in desperate need.

Health when Hunting in Botswana

• Make sure your vaccinations are up to date which includes the likes of Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and rabies
• Elephant hunting in Botswana will take you to high-risk areas of Malaria, so ask your physician for suitable preventative measures
• Drink only bottled water to prevent unpleasant experiences such as diarrhea
• Ensuring your tetanus shot (every 10 years) is also recommended
• For lady hunters/companions, please remember the elephant hunting areas are remote, and you will need to pack accordingly

Extra Activities following a Elephant Hunt in Botswana

Botswana’s tremendous diversity in terms of wildlife and habitats offers a wide variety of non-hunting activities, which include:

• Photographic Safaris
• Bush Walks and Guided Drives
• Fishing and Bird Watching
• Makoro (Canoe Trips)
• Luxurious Spa Treatments
• Visit the cultural villages of the San Bushman

Trips to the Chobe or the famous Okavango Delta can also be arranged.

If any further information is required relating to this trophy Elephant hunting safari in Botswana, contact the team at Game Hunting Safaris, or message Jaco   directly using the quick message icons provided. To check availability, insert preferred dates in “Request to Book” and the team will revert.