Free-Range Elephant & Buffalo Hunt in Botswana
Booking Season: 2026
Hunt Difficulty: Difficult
Designed by Hunters, for Hunters
Relax in a comfortable safari camp designed for hunters, offering spacious en-suite chalets or luxury safari tents, excellent home-cooked meals and genuine Botswana hospitality. After each day's pursuit, unwind around the campfire with your professional hunter, Bushman trackers and dog handlers as the stories of the day's chase continue long into the evening.
The Kalahari's vast red sands, scattered camel thorn trees and open thornveld create one of Africa's finest environments for tracking leopard with hounds. Soft sandy soils preserve fresh spoor with exceptional clarity, while the open terrain allows hunters, Bushman trackers and hounds to work together across country that has remained largely unchanged for generations.
| Fence Type: | Free-range |
| Nearest Airport Name: | Oliver Tambo International Airport (JNB) ⬇️ Maun International Airport (MUB) |
Mountain lion hunting behind hounds has long been part of North American hunting tradition. Leopard hunting with hounds follows the same philosophy, replacing snow-covered ridges with the golden sands of Botswana's Kalahari, where experienced Bushman trackers and highly trained dogs work together to follow the fresh spoor of one of Africa's most elusive predators.
Unlike traditional leopard hunts that rely on baited blinds and long hours of waiting, this safari is active from the moment fresh tracks are found. Every morning begins with experienced trackers reading the sand, every mile brings the possibility of cutting a mature tom's spoor, and every distant bark from the hounds signals that the chase has entered a new chapter.
For hunters searching for one of Africa's most exciting Leopard Hunts, this ten-night safari combines traditional Bushman tracking, legal hound hunting and the vast open country of the Kalahari to deliver a leopard hunting experience unlike any other.
Harvesting a mature leopard has long been regarded as one of hunting's greatest accomplishments. Intelligent, secretive and almost entirely nocturnal, leopard consistently test a hunter's patience, judgement and ability to perform under pressure. Adding trained hounds to the equation transforms the hunt into an active pursuit, where every fresh track and every decision made by the tracking team becomes part of the day's outcome.
For hunters working towards completing Africa's Big Five Hunting challenge, leopard remains one of the most respected and rewarding trophies on the continent. This Botswana safari offers a rare opportunity to pursue that goal using one of Africa's oldest and most traditional hunting methods.
Price: US$ 46,000 per hunter (All-In, Trophy Fee Included)
Duration: 10 Hunting Days / 11 Nights
Hunter Ratio: 1 Hunter : 1 Dangerous Game Professional Hunter
Hunting Method: Traditional Bushman Tracking with Hounds
Observers: US$450 per person, per night
Additional Hunting Opportunities: Add a selection of Plains Game Hunts by paying trophy fees only.
Legal Status: Leopard hunting with hounds is 100% legal in Botswana.
Every successful hound hunt begins long before the dogs are released. At first light, experienced Bushman trackers begin searching the soft Kalahari sand for the fresh spoor of a mature tom. Years of experience allow them to judge the age, direction and confidence of a track, often determining within moments whether the leopard is worth pursuing.
Once the right track is found, the hunt changes pace. The dogs are brought forward and introduced to the fresh scent, beginning a pursuit that can cover several miles across open Kalahari country. Communication between the Bushmen, dog handlers and your professional hunter becomes critical, with every member of the team working together as the chase unfolds.
Then comes the moment every houndsman waits for. The dogs' voices suddenly change, their pace quickens, and everyone in the hunting party knows the leopard is no longer just a possibility, it is somewhere ahead.
Few Dangerous Game Hunts demand the same combination of teamwork, patience and split-second decision-making, making legal leopard hunting with hounds one of Africa's most exciting hunting methods.
Unlike traditional baited hunts, there is very little waiting. Every fresh track presents a new challenge, every decision influences the outcome of the day, and every successful leopard is earned through teamwork, experience and generations of traditional Bushman tracking skills.
The Kalahari's open bush, sandy soils and scattered thornveld create ideal conditions for tracking leopard on foot. Fresh spoor remains visible for longer than in heavier vegetation, while the lower brush allows hunters, experienced Bushman trackers and hounds to move efficiently across the landscape without constantly losing the trail.
These natural advantages are one of the reasons Hunting in Botswana has earned such a respected reputation among dangerous game hunters. Combined with healthy leopard populations, highly skilled Bushman trackers and one of the few places in Africa where legal hound hunting is permitted, the Kalahari offers conditions that few other leopard hunting destinations can match.
Leopard hunting with hounds in Botswana takes place from April through September, when cooler temperatures create ideal conditions for both trackers and dogs. Crisp mornings make it easier to locate fresh spoor in the Kalahari's soft sand, while the cooler climate allows the hounds to work more comfortably throughout the day.
As the dry season progresses, vegetation becomes less dense and natural water sources begin to shrink, making wildlife movements more predictable. Combined with excellent visibility across the open thornveld, these conditions create an ideal environment for traditional Bushman tracking and one of Africa's most exciting leopard hunting methods.
While every safari is different, the early mornings often provide the best opportunity to find fresh tracks before the rising sun begins to soften the spoor. Starting each day at first light allows the hunting team to make the most of the cooler conditions and maximise the chances of a successful pursuit.
our safari begins at Maun International Airport, the gateway to Botswana's legendary hunting country. Here you'll be welcomed by Clive or a member of his team before setting off towards the vast Kalahari, leaving busy towns and paved roads behind as the landscape gradually opens into one of Africa's last great wilderness areas.
The drive itself becomes part of the adventure. Acacia woodland, endless sandy tracks and open thornveld replace modern civilisation, while wildlife sightings often begin long before reaching camp. It is here that Leopard Hunting in Botswana takes on its unique character, combining traditional Bushman tracking, highly trained hounds and vast open country to create one of Africa's most distinctive dangerous game safaris.
Depending on your international travel arrangements, an overnight stay in Johannesburg before connecting to Maun may be required. The Game Hunting Safaris team will gladly assist with travel planning, firearm import requirements and recommendations to ensure your journey to Botswana is as straightforward as possible.
Every successful leopard hunt leaves hunters with a new story to tell. As the Kalahari sun sinks below the horizon, Bushman trackers, dog handlers and hunters gather around the campfire to relive the day's pursuit. Fresh spoor discovered at first light, the moment the hounds changed from quiet searching to full cry, and every decision made throughout the chase become part of the evening's conversation while plans are already being made for tomorrow's hunt.
Comfortable safari accommodation provides the perfect place to unwind after a demanding day in the field. Spacious en-suite chalets or luxury safari tents, excellent home-cooked meals and genuine Botswana hospitality ensure every hunter is well rested before another dawn spent following fresh tracks across the Kalahari. Long after the leopard has been photographed and the rifles cleaned, it is often these evenings around the fire that remain some of the safari's most enduring memories.
The Kalahari is unlike any other leopard hunting destination in Africa. Its soft red sands preserve fresh spoor with remarkable clarity, while open thornveld, scattered camel thorn trees and wide natural clearings allow Bushman trackers, hounds and hunters to work together across country that has changed little for generations.
Unlike dense riverine forests where visibility is limited, the Kalahari rewards patience, observation and the ability to read the smallest details. Every track in the sand, broken blade of grass and change in direction tells part of the story, turning the landscape itself into one of the hunt's greatest advantages. It is this unique terrain that has helped make Botswana one of Africa's finest destinations for traditional leopard hunting with hounds.
Unlike many dangerous game hunts where a second opportunity may present itself, leopard hunting often allows only a brief moment to make the right decision. Once the chase comes to an end and the professional hunter positions you for the shot, there is rarely time for hesitation. Remaining calm, trusting your guide and waiting for the right presentation are every bit as important as the rifle you carry.
A mature leopard is an exceptionally agile and powerful animal. While the excitement of the chase naturally raises adrenaline levels, disciplined hunters understand that patience wins every time. Your professional hunter will guide you through the final moments, ensuring the shot is taken only when the opportunity is right.
Before travelling to Botswana, we recommend becoming familiar with our Leopard Shot Placement Guide. Understanding the animal's anatomy and knowing exactly where to place the first shot gives every hunter the confidence to perform when that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity finally arrives.
One of the advantages of hunting in Botswana is the opportunity to tailor your safari around more than a single species. While leopard remains the primary objective, many hunters choose to extend their stay by adding exceptional Plains Game Hunts or combining their safari with one of Botswana's renowned Cape Buffalo Hunts, creating an unforgettable African hunting adventure.
Observers are equally well catered for, with outstanding photographic opportunities, remarkable birdlife and the chance to experience the Kalahari's unique wildlife and culture alongside the hunt. Whether your goal is a single trophy leopard or a broader dangerous game safari, the flexibility of this area allows every itinerary to be tailored to your hunting ambitions.
Not every hunter dreams of sitting over bait waiting for darkness to fall. Some dream of following fresh spoor across the Kalahari at first light, trusting generations of Bushman knowledge and listening for the moment the hounds change from quiet searching to full cry. Those are the hunts that stay with you long after you've returned home.
Yes. Leopard hunting with hounds is legal in Botswana when conducted under the country's wildlife regulations and licensing system. Every hunt is accompanied by the necessary permits, and a government wildlife officer may be present during the safari. This traditional hunting method has become one of Botswana's most distinctive and closely managed dangerous game experiences.
Neither method is better—they simply offer very different hunting experiences. Hunting over bait often involves careful planning and extended periods of waiting, while hunting with hounds is an active pursuit built around tracking fresh spoor with experienced Bushman trackers and trained dogs. Hunters looking for a physically engaging safari often prefer the excitement and teamwork involved in hound hunting.
Hunters should expect to spend long hours on foot following fresh tracks through the Kalahari. The terrain is generally open and relatively easy to walk compared with many African hunting areas, but the pace can change quickly once the hounds are released. A reasonable level of fitness will help hunters enjoy every stage of the pursuit.
Yes. Many hunters choose to extend their safari by adding a variety of Plains Game Hunts available within the concession. Depending on availability and season, Botswana also offers outstanding Cape Buffalo Hunts, allowing hunters to build a truly memorable African hunting safari around their leopard hunt.
For hunters searching for unforgettable African Hunting Trips, few safaris combine tradition, teamwork and excitement quite like legal leopard hunting with hounds in Botswana. Long after the trophy has been measured and the photographs have been framed, it is the sound of the hounds finding fresh spoor across the Kalahari that hunters remember most.
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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