Hunting in Tanzania: Two Cape Buffalo Trophies in the Selous

Hunting in Tanzania remains a dream for many American hunters seeking a true free-range dangerous game safari, and few destinations still offer the raw wilderness and authentic hunting experience found in the Selous. This classic 10-day safari in the Iluma Wildlife Management Area gives hunters the opportunity to pursue two mature Cape Buffalo bulls in one of East Africa’s most respected dangerous game regions.

Known for its vast unfenced concessions, thick miombo woodland, winding river systems, and challenging buffalo hunting conditions, the Selous delivers the kind of traditional safari experience that has drawn hunters to Tanzania for generations. Long days tracking spoor through dense cover, close encounters in thick bush, and evenings around camp overlooking the Kilombero River all form part of this unforgettable Cape Buffalo hunting safari in Tanzania.

For hunters looking to combine dangerous game with additional plains game hunts, the concession also supports species such as Eland, Bushbuck, Sable, Puku, Zebra, and Kirk’s Dik-dik. Whether this is your first African buffalo safari or another chapter in a lifetime of dangerous game hunting, the Selous remains one of the last truly wild hunting areas left in Africa. 

US$ 26,000 (Incl. Trophy Fees)

10-Day Dangerous Game Safari in Tanzania

*1 x Hunter 1 x Professional Hunter

** Observers welcome at US$ 400 per night
*** Rifle Rental available: .375 at US$ 60 per hunting day. Ammunition at Cost

The Hunting Safari Includes: 
• 2 x Cape Buffalo

The Hunting Concession

The Iluma Wildlife Management Area forms part of the legendary Selous ecosystem in southern Tanzania and spans more than 127,000 acres of untamed free-range wilderness. Widely regarded as one of East Africa’s premier dangerous game regions, the concession offers hunters an authentic safari experience in true buffalo country, with hunting taking place between July and December during the dry season.

This vast concession consists of dense miombo woodland, floodplain grasslands, winding river systems, and thick riverine vegetation that create ideal habitat for mature Cape Buffalo bulls and other dangerous game species. Long days tracking spoor through thick cover are all part of what makes these Cape Buffalo hunts in Tanzania so respected among dangerous game hunters worldwide.

In addition to buffalo, the concession supports healthy populations of Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Hyena, Wild Dog, and a variety of plains game hunts, including Eland, Bushbuck, Puku, Sable, Zebra, and Kirk’s Dik-dik.

The Kilombero River flows through the hunting block and attracts abundant wildlife throughout the year, while the safari camp itself is positioned along the riverbanks, offering excellent game viewing and an authentic East African wilderness atmosphere. 

The Outfitter 

Born and raised in the Selous region of southern Tanzania, Hasheem developed a deep respect for wildlife, conservation, and the African wilderness from an early age. Years spent living and working in one of East Africa’s most iconic safari regions have given him extensive local knowledge of the terrain, wildlife behavior, and the unique challenges that come with dangerous game hunting in Tanzania.

Today, together with his experienced safari team, Hasheem operates authentic free-range hunting safaris focused on professionalism, hard hunting, and genuine East African hospitality. From assisting with firearm import permits and travel arrangements to guiding hunters throughout the safari itself, the team is committed to providing a smooth, well-organized, and memorable hunting experience from arrival in Tanzania to the final day in camp. 

Included in this Hunt:

*** Two Cape Buffalo Including Trophy Fees

• Meet and greet by the team on arrival in Dar es Salaam
• All necessary Hunting Licenses and Permits (10-day regular license)
• Conservation Fees per hunter
• Services of PH, Trackers, Skinners, Chef, and Camp Staff
• Field Preparation of Trophies and delivery to Dar es Salaam
• Accommodation with full board (Breakfast, lunch, supper, and snacks)
• Daily laundry service
• Soft drinks and water
• Safari Tented Accommodation
• On Territory Transport (4 x 4 Vehicle)
• One Gun Import Permit

This Safari Excludes:

• Trophy fees for any additional animal killed, wounded, and/or lost.
• Firearm Import Licenses (One gun import fee – US$ 300)
• Import fee on ammo (Max 100 cartridges per caliber)
• Any pre- or post-safari accommodation
• Dip and Pack of Trophies @ US$ 1500
• Trophy Shipping Costs
• Hunting VISA (point of entry into Tanzania) US$ 50
• Trophy Export Permit (US$ 200)
• Observers @US$ 400 per day
• Gratuities / Tips for Staff (At Hunter’s Discretion)
• Wine, beer, and any other alcoholic drinks
• Return road transfer from Dar es Salaam to Iluma Concession in Selous (8hr) at US$ 3,000 OR return transfer from Morogoro to Iluma Concession (US$ 1,200). Please note that hunters will still need to take an electric train from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro for US$ 410 (return). The train journey lasts 1.5 hours, with the road transfer from Morogoro to the Selous concession then shortened to 3 hours.
• One Rifle  import fee (US$ 300) per rifle
• Transport by road to/from hunting is (US$ 500 per journey)
• Extra car by client request / including driver and fuel: US $400 per day.

Additional Trophies

The Selous ecosystem supports an exceptional variety of wildlife, giving hunters the opportunity to combine their Cape Buffalo safari with a range of additional dangerous game and plains game hunts in one of East Africa’s last truly wild hunting areas. Beyond buffalo, the concession is well known for healthy populations of antelope and other sought-after safari species that thrive throughout the miombo woodland, floodplains, and river systems of southern Tanzania.

Hunters looking to add more trophies to the safari often pursue Greater and Lessor Kudu hunts, East African Impala, Waterbuck, Zebra, Warthog, Puku, Eland, Bushbuck, and Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest, while smaller species such as Kirk’s Dik-dik and Steenbok are also available within the concession. The Selous is particularly respected for the quality and diversity of its free-range game, making it an excellent option for hunters wanting to experience both dangerous game and classic East African plains game hunting during the same safari. 

Additional Species Available in the Iluma WMA, Selous:

Traveling to the Selous

Hunters traveling to the Selous will need to fly into Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s main international gateway. From Dar es Salaam, hunters may either take an 8-hour road transfer directly to camp at a return cost of US$ 3,000, or travel by electric train to Morogoro, a comfortable 1.5-hour journey costing US$ 410 return, after which the drive to camp is shortened to approximately 3 hours at a return cost of US$ 1,200. For hunters preferring quicker access into the Selous, charter flights to the concession area can also be arranged at an additional cost.

Hunting Lodge in Tanzania

Set along the banks of the Kilombero River, the safari camp offers an authentic East African wilderness atmosphere in the heart of the Selous. Hunters are accommodated in comfortable en-suite safari tents overlooking the river and surrounding bush, with the camp regularly attracting wildlife to the nearby riverbanks throughout the day.

Meals are enjoyed in a communal thatched dining and lounge area where hunters can relax after the day’s safari and share stories around the fire. Cuisine is fresh, hearty, and prepared daily using local ingredients, fresh produce, and traditional safari-style cooking, with venison from recent hunts often featured on the menu alongside classic African braai meals. 

Health Requirements

Hunters traveling to Tanzania should ensure that their routine vaccinations are up to date before departure. A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is only required if you are arriving from, or transiting through for more than 12–24 hours, a country with a high risk of Yellow Fever transmission. Hunters traveling directly from the United States or Europe generally do not require a Yellow Fever certificate for entry into Tanzania.

In addition to routine vaccinations, hunters are encouraged to consult their doctor or travel clinic regarding recommended vaccinations and preventative medication for East Africa. Common recommendations may include Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Rabies, Polio, Meningitis, Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis), as well as malaria prophylaxis depending on the season and travel regions within Tanzania. 

Why Hunt in the Selous?

The Selous remains one of Africa’s last truly wild hunting destinations, offering vast unfenced wilderness areas, exceptional wildlife populations, and an authentic East African safari experience that has changed little over generations. From dense miombo woodland and riverine forests to floodplains, swamps, and open grasslands, the region provides challenging and rewarding hunting across a wide variety of terrain.

Widely respected for its outstanding dangerous game hunts, the Selous is home to mature Cape Buffalo bulls as well as Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Hippo, and Crocodile, while also supporting an impressive diversity of plains game species throughout the concession. Strict quota systems, conservation programs, and anti-poaching initiatives help preserve the region and ensure sustainable hunting for future generations.

For many hunters, the appeal of the Selous lies not only in the quality of the trophies, but also in the atmosphere of hunting genuinely wild country. Long days on foot, traditional tented safari camps, and the feeling of experiencing Africa much as the early safari hunters once did all combine to make the Selous one of Tanzania’s true bucket-list hunting destinations. 

If any further information is required regarding this hunt in Tanzania, or you are seeking a custom hunting safari including additional hunters, please contact our team at Game Hunting Safaris or message Hasheem  directly.