Hunt Hippo, Croc & Plains Game in Chiawa GMA, Zambia
Booking Season: 2026
Hunt Difficulty: Moderate
Designed by Hunters, for Hunters
| Animal | Fee |
| Chobe Bushbuck | 1500 |
| Zebra | 2500 |
| African Crocodile | 6000 |
| Defassa Waterbuck | 3000 |
| Sable | 8000 |
| Common Reedbuck | 1500 |
| Impala | 650 |
| Lichtenstein Hartebeest | 3000 |
| Puku | 1500 |
| Blue Duiker | 1500 |
| Gray Duiker | 1000 |
| Oribi | 1500 |
| Bushpig | 1000 |
| Spotted Hyena | 1250 |
| Warthog | 1000 |
| Yellow Baboon | 250 |
Lunga Luswishi is home to two camps, firstly the main camp called Kaungashi. This flagship camp is nestled on the high banks of the Lunga river. As it is situated in one of the prime hunting areas, it provides the perfect location for a base camp when hunting the majority of the species in the area. Expect all the comforts of home with comfortable beds, warm showers, 24 hour solar power, Wifi, as well as daily laundry services. Enjoy simple yet fresh, tasty meals enjoyed with good South African wines, as you settle around the fire pit and enjoy the uninterrupted views. The second accommodation is the Jipeta fly camp, largely used with hunting Sitatunga in the area. It may well also be used when hunting Lion, Leopard, and Sable. While more rustic than the flagship accommodation, it holds essential items that are needed when out exploring and tracking in the remote region of the concession. It still offers great tasty meals with South African wines and local beers, as well as daily laundry. Also available are solar refrigeration, solar and batter power supply and WiFi.
These hunting grounds provide the perfect backdrop for a Zambian safari, whether you are an experienced hunter or still a novice. The prime hunting season for this sought-after hunting concession is from September to November. This area is renowned for its majestic Sable and Sitatunga trophies, as well as large numbers of general plains game and dangerous game including black-maned lions, and leopards. Lunga Luswishi GMA has access to over 60 miles of the East Lunga river as well as over 30 miles of Kafue River front, resulting in endless exceptional riverine habitat for a large variety of huntable species, such as the Nile crocodile and Hippo. Lunga Luswishi’s large size results in impressive habitat diversity, which in turn results in a large list of available species for plains game and dangerous game hunters.
| Fence Type: | Free-range |
| Hunting Ground Size: | 683000 ha |
| Language Spoken By Staff: | English |
| Nearest Airport Name: | Kenneth Kaunda International Airport |
| Nearest Airport Distance: | 6-7 hours drive, 90 min charter flight |
| Transfer From Airport: | Yes |
| Air Charter Available: | Yes |
Northern Zambia remains one of Africa's least pressured hunting destinations, offering vast free-range concessions, healthy wildlife populations, and the kind of authentic safari experience that has become increasingly difficult to find elsewhere. Located within the renowned Lunga Luswishi Game Management Area, this safari combines exceptional Nile crocodile hunting with the opportunity to pursue quality sable and a variety of plains game species in truly wild country.
For hunters seeking a traditional African adventure, few destinations compare to hunting in Zambia. The extensive river systems of the Lunga Luswishi region provide ideal habitat for mature Nile crocodiles, while the surrounding woodlands and floodplains support sable, kudu, waterbuck, impala, warthog, and numerous other species. The result is a well-rounded safari that offers far more than a single trophy hunt, delivering the variety and unpredictability that make African hunting so rewarding.
Package Price: US$18,000 per hunter
Excluding trophy fees
Set in the renowned Lunga Luswishi region of Northern Zambia, this safari combines the pursuit of a mature Nile crocodile with one of Africa's most sought-after plains game trophies, the magnificent sable. Hunters also have the opportunity to add a variety of additional plains game species during the safari.
Trophy Fees
Nile Crocodile — US$6,000 Trophy Fee
Sable — US$8,000 Trophy Fee
Safari Details
Duration: 10 Hunting Days
Professional Hunter: 1 Hunter × 1 Professional Hunter
Observers: US$350 per day
Rifle Rental: US$50 per day plus US$10 per round
The Lunga Luswishi Game Management Area is one of Northern Zambia's most respected hunting regions, offering vast tracts of unfenced wilderness and exceptionally low hunting pressure. Unlike many safari destinations where wildlife is concentrated into smaller areas, the game here moves freely across an expansive landscape of rivers, floodplains, woodland, and natural water sources.
For hunters interested in Nile Crocodile Hunts, the area's greatest asset is its extensive river network. With more than 90 miles of river frontage, the concession provides exceptional habitat for mature crocodiles and consistently produces quality trophies. Days are spent glassing riverbanks, studying basking crocodiles, and waiting patiently for the right opportunity on an old, mature bull.
Beyond the rivers, the surrounding habitat supports excellent Sable Hunts together with a wide variety of Plains Game Hunts. Hunters regularly encounter kudu, waterbuck, impala, warthog, common duiker, and other species throughout the concession, making this an ideal safari for those looking to combine dangerous game with a rewarding plains game experience.
The combination of outstanding crocodile habitat, quality sable, and diverse plains game opportunities allows hunters to enjoy a complete Zambian safari rather than focusing on a single trophy animal.
Zambia has long been regarded as one of Africa's most authentic safari destinations. While some countries are known for high game densities or shorter hunts, Zambia has built its reputation on vast wilderness areas, traditional tracking, and exceptional Dangerous Game Hunts. Many of the hunting concessions are enormous, creating the feeling of a genuine African expedition rather than simply arriving at a hunting property.
The country is particularly respected for its free-range Elephant Hunts in Zambia, where hunters often spend long days tracking through remote river systems and miombo woodlands. Zambia has also earned a strong reputation for Lion Hunts, Leopard Hunts, and remarkable cape buffalo hunts, making it one of the continent's most complete dangerous game destinations.
Another feature that sets Zambia apart is the diversity of habitats found within a single safari area. River systems, floodplains, miombo woodland, and open grasslands can often be encountered during the same hunt, supporting an impressive variety of wildlife and creating opportunities for both dangerous game and plains game hunters.
For hunters, however, the greatest attraction is the sense of wildness. Days are often spent covering large areas, tracking game, glassing distant riverbanks, and exploring country where encounters with wildlife feel natural and unpredictable. It is this combination of freedom, adventure, and genuine wilderness that continues to draw hunters back to Zambia year after year.
One of the advantages of hunting Northern Zambia is the sheer variety of game that may be encountered during the safari. While the Nile crocodile and sable are the primary focus of this package, hunters frequently have opportunities to pursue additional species as the hunt unfolds.
The river systems and surrounding woodlands support healthy populations of kudu, impala, warthog, common duiker, yellow baboon, and the impressive Defassa Waterbuck. Recognised by many hunters as one of Africa's most attractive antelope species, the Defassa is larger and darker than its southern relatives and is considered a highly desirable trophy by collectors interested in regional subspecies. Hunters interested in pursuing this magnificent antelope can learn more about Waterbuck Hunts and the different waterbuck subspecies found across Africa.
Depending on annual quota allocations, additional species such as roan, zebra, and hartebeest may also be available. If there are specific species you would like to include in your safari, we recommend discussing these requirements with the outfitter well in advance to confirm availability.
One of the advantages of this safari is the experience behind it. Professional Hunter and outfitter Russell has spent most of his life hunting Africa, beginning in Zimbabwe before guiding hunters across Zambia, Uganda, Botswana, and other premier safari destinations. A passionate tracker and accomplished bow hunter, he is known for his practical approach to hunting and his commitment to delivering an authentic African safari experience.
Together with his experienced team of professional hunters, trackers, skinners, and camp staff, Russell oversees every aspect of the safari. From the moment you arrive in Zambia until your departure, the team assists with logistics, trophy handling, camp operations, and the day-to-day details that allow hunters to focus entirely on the experience.
International hunters arrive via Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, Zambia, where they are met and assisted with onward travel to the concession. From Lusaka, hunters may choose between a road transfer to camp or a charter flight directly into the hunting area.
Travel Options
Road Transfer (6–7 hours each way): US$1,500 return
Charter Flight (approximately 90 minutes): US$5,500 return
Whether arriving by road or air, the journey into the Lunga Luswishi region offers a glimpse of the vast wilderness and remote landscapes that make Northern Zambia one of Africa's most rewarding hunting destinations.
Few African safaris combine two hunting experiences as different as Nile crocodile and sable. Success on this hunt requires patience, careful observation, and the ability to adapt to changing conditions throughout the safari.
Crocodile hunting is often a game of discipline. Hours may be spent studying riverbanks, evaluating basking crocodiles, and waiting for a mature trophy to present the correct shot opportunity. Unlike many other species, precise shot placement is absolutely critical when hunting crocodiles. Hunters unfamiliar with crocodile anatomy are strongly encouraged to review our guide to Crocodile Shot Placement before arriving in camp.
Sable present an entirely different challenge. Often regarded as one of Africa's most beautiful antelope species, mature bulls are alert, intelligent, and surprisingly elusive in large hunting areas. Successful sable hunts frequently involve covering significant ground, glassing from distance, and carefully assessing multiple bulls before committing to a stalk. Patience is often rewarded, as mature bulls can vary considerably in horn length, symmetry, and overall trophy quality.
For both species, your professional hunter will advise on suitable calibres and shot placement. While the legal minimum for Nile crocodile is a .375 calibre rifle, the most important factor is using a rifle that you shoot confidently and accurately. In the end, careful shot placement will always be more important than raw calibre.
This safari is best suited to hunters looking for a genuine wilderness experience rather than a fast-paced, high-volume hunt. The Lunga Luswishi region is vast, wild, and lightly developed, which means success often comes through patience, persistence, and embracing the unpredictability that makes African hunting so rewarding.
If pursuing a mature Nile crocodile has been on your bucket list, the extensive river systems and quality crocodile habitat found here make this one of Zambia's most attractive safari options. The addition of sable and other plains game species also creates the opportunity for a more varied and complete hunting experience than many dedicated crocodile hunts can offer.
That said, this may not be the ideal safari for every hunter. Those looking for shorter travel times, smaller hunting areas, or highly structured hunting environments may find other destinations more suitable. Zambia remains one of Africa's last truly wild hunting destinations, and that sense of adventure is very much part of the experience.
For hunters who appreciate free-range hunting, experienced professional hunters, and the opportunity to pursue exceptional trophies in remote country, this safari offers the type of African adventure that becomes increasingly difficult to find in the modern world.
If this Northern Zambia safari appeals to you, we would be happy to discuss the hunt in greater detail and help determine whether it is the right fit for your goals, budget, and expectations. Not every safari suits every hunter, and our role is to help you make an informed decision based on honest advice and firsthand knowledge of African hunting destinations.
Contact the Game Hunting Safaris team to discuss availability, trophy fees, travel arrangements, additional species, or custom safari options. We are always happy to answer questions and help you compare this hunt against other opportunities across Africa before making your final decision.
Please note that terms, conditions and price are subject to change without notice and rates at the time of the hunt will apply
Needing assistance with firearm permits and international travel services, or good taxidermists? View our affiliated companies
View Affiliated Services
