Few dangerous game safaris feel quite like hunting the river systems of Zimbabwe’s Save Valley. Here, deep pools, sandbanks and thick riverine cover hold two of Africa’s most powerful aquatic species, creating a safari built around patience, observation and precise shot placement. This eight-day hunt combines a trophy Hippo Hunting opportunity with a large Nile Crocodile Hunting safari in one of Zimbabwe’s most respected free-range hunting areas.

Unlike a traditional walking safari, this hunt is shaped by water. Mornings may be spent glassing sandbanks for a mature crocodile before shifting to deep pools where an old hippo bull surfaces only briefly between long periods underwater. Every opportunity must be judged carefully, because on both species the first shot is critical and recovery planning begins before the rifle is ever raised.

Set inside the renowned Save Valley, this safari offers far more than two exceptional trophies. The surrounding wilderness is home to the Big Five, strong plains game populations and some of Zimbabwe’s most important wildlife conservation areas, giving hunters the feeling of pursuing two river giants in a landscape that still carries the weight and atmosphere of wild Africa.

Safari Particulars

Price: US$22,000 per hunter (All Inclusive)

Duration: 7 Hunting Days and 8 Nights

Hunter Ratio: 1 Hunter : 1 Professional Hunter

Species Included: Hippo • Nile Crocodile

Crocodile Trophy: No Size Limit

Trophies: Fully Exportable (CITES Included)

Observers: US$300 per person, per day

Rifle Rental: US$65 per day (.375 ammunition US$25 per round)

Safari Includes

• Hippo trophy fee
• Nile crocodile trophy fee
• Services of one Professional Hunter
• Hunting vehicles and all transport within the concession
• Professional trackers, skinners and camp staff
• Dip & Pack for both trophies
• CITES permits and government trophy levies
• Park ranger fees
• Return road transfers from Harare

Safari Excludes

• Pre- and post-safari accommodation
• International flights
• Taxidermy and international shipping
• Zimbabwe rifle import permit (US$30)

Additional Hunting Opportunities

While this safari is built around hippo and Nile crocodile, the Save Valley also offers excellent Plains Game Hunting and a selection of additional dangerous game and speciality species that can be added to your safari for the applicable trophy fee.

Popular additions include:

• Greater Kudu – US$1,800
• Spotted Hyena – US$600
• Bushbuck – US$1,000
• Bushpig – US$600
• Giraffe – US$2,500
• Waterbuck – US$1,800

The concession also offers rewarding night hunting for species such as civet and jackal, while hunters interested in smaller game can pursue duiker, grysbok and klipspringer. Seasonal bird hunting opportunities are available for ducks, francolin, geese, pigeons and doves, allowing hunters to further customise their Zimbabwe safari. 

Two River Giants. Two Completely Different Challenges

Although hippo and Nile crocodile share the same rivers and waterways, hunting them requires two completely different approaches. One rewards patience while waiting for the perfect moment as a mature bull briefly surfaces from deep water. The other demands careful observation, judging distance, angle and trophy size as a giant crocodile basks quietly along the riverbank.

Unlike traditional tracking safaris that follow fresh spoor across miles of bushveld, success on the river depends on reading the water itself. Wind direction, changing light, water levels and the daily behaviour of both species influence every decision. Hours may pass without an opportunity before everything suddenly comes together in a matter of seconds, demanding complete concentration and confidence behind the rifle.

The challenge extends well beyond pulling the trigger. Both species require precise shot placement, careful recovery planning and experienced professional hunters who understand the unique demands of hunting around deep water. It is this combination of patience, preparation and accuracy that makes pursuing hippo and Nile crocodile one of Africa's most distinctive Big Game Hunting adventures.

Every Bend Tells a Different Story

No two stretches of the Save River are ever quite the same. Deep pools where mature hippo spend the heat of the day give way to shallow crossings, reed-lined channels and open sandbanks where giant Nile crocodiles bask in the morning sun. Every bend presents a new set of conditions, requiring your professional hunter to constantly adapt the day's approach as opportunities develop.

Success depends on understanding far more than the animals themselves. Wind direction, water levels, changing light and even the position of the sun influence where crocodiles leave the water or where hippo choose to surface. Some days involve quietly glassing the river for hours, while others require covering considerable distances in search of fresh activity. Patience remains the constant throughout the safari, but no two hunting days ever feel the same.

It is this ever-changing environment that makes the Save Valley one of Zimbabwe's most rewarding destinations for river hunting. Rather than following a fixed routine, hunters learn to work with the river itself, allowing its changing conditions to dictate the pace of each day's adventure. For hunters seeking authentic wilderness and unforgettable river safaris, Hunting in Zimbabwe continues to offer some of Africa's finest free-range hunting opportunities.

Two River Giants. Two Completely Different Challenges

Although hippo and Nile crocodile share the same rivers and waterways, hunting them requires two completely different approaches. A Hippo Hunting in Zimbabwe safari rewards patience while waiting for the perfect moment as a mature bull briefly surfaces from deep water. Crocodile Hunting in Zimbabwe demands careful observation, judging distance, angle and trophy size as a giant Nile crocodile basks quietly along the riverbank.

Unlike traditional tracking safaris that follow fresh spoor across miles of bushveld, success on the river depends on reading the water itself. Wind direction, changing light, water levels and the daily behaviour of both species influence every decision. Hours may pass without an opportunity before everything suddenly comes together in a matter of seconds, demanding complete concentration and confidence behind the rifle.

The challenge extends well beyond pulling the trigger. Both species require patience, careful planning and experienced professional hunters who understand the unique demands of hunting around deep water. It is this combination of preparation, precision and adaptability that makes pursuing hippo and Nile crocodile one of Africa's most distinctive Big Game Hunting adventures.

Hunting That Supports Conservation and Local Communities

A safari in Zimbabwe's Save Valley delivers far more than two exceptional trophies. Regulated hunting plays an important role in conserving vast wildlife areas while creating long-term benefits for the communities that live alongside them. Revenue generated through licensed hunting helps support anti-poaching initiatives, wildlife management, local employment and essential community projects throughout the region.

The impact extends well beyond conservation. Professional hunters, trackers, skinners, camp staff and their families all benefit directly from visiting international hunters, while meat from harvested animals is distributed to surrounding communities, providing a valuable source of protein where alternative food supplies are often limited.

Knowing that a safari contributes to both wildlife conservation and local livelihoods adds another level of meaning to the hunt. It is one of the reasons Zimbabwe continues to be recognised as one of Africa's leading destinations for ethical, sustainable Big Game Hunting, where conservation, local communities and world-class hunting work hand in hand.

From Harare to the Save River

Your Zimbabwe adventure begins with an international flight into Harare International Airport (HRE), where your professional hunter will meet you before the scenic road transfer south to the Save Valley. The journey takes approximately five hours, gradually leaving busy towns behind as the landscape opens into one of Zimbabwe's largest and most celebrated wildlife conservancies. Hunters arriving later in the afternoon may choose to overnight in Harare before travelling to camp the following morning.

The safari takes place during Zimbabwe's cooler dry season, from late April through September, when comfortable daytime temperatures and lower water levels create ideal conditions for both hippo and Nile crocodile hunting. As the rivers slowly recede, crocodiles spend more time basking along exposed sandbanks while hippo become easier to observe around the remaining deep pools, providing excellent hunting opportunities throughout the season.

At camp, comfortable en-suite safari tents provide the perfect balance between wilderness and comfort. After each day's hunt, hunters return to hot showers, hearty home-cooked meals and relaxed evenings around the campfire, sharing stories from the river while preparing for the following day's adventure. It is a classic Zimbabwean safari camp where the emphasis remains on great hunting, good company and the unforgettable atmosphere of Africa's wild places.

Where the River Leaves Its Mark

Some hunting safaris are remembered for a single trophy. Others are remembered for the places they take you. Days spent watching giant crocodiles bask along quiet sandbanks, waiting for a mature hippo to surface from deep water and following the rhythm of the Save River create memories that stay with hunters long after the safari has ended.

This is a hunt that rewards patience, careful observation and an appreciation for Africa's wild waterways. Every bend in the river offers a new possibility, every day unfolds differently, and every successful trophy is earned rather than simply taken. It is a safari that combines two iconic aquatic species with the atmosphere of one of Zimbabwe's last great wilderness areas.

For hunters exploring other Hunting Trips across Africa, Game Hunting Safaris offers carefully selected safaris that showcase the continent's extraordinary diversity. If the thought of hunting two legendary river giants in true free-range country appeals to you, the Save Valley remains one of Africa's finest destinations to make that ambition a reality.