Trophy Hunting in Zimbabwe, Plains Game in Matetsi Unit 2
Booking Season: 2026
Hunt Difficulty: Moderate
Designed by Hunters, for Hunters
The lodge is set on a small hill overlooking a classic Matetsi valley, with wide views across the surrounding bush. Accommodation is in three thatched rondavels, each with an en-suite bathroom and air conditioning. Wi-Fi is available in camp.The lodge has 220V electricity with a backup generator. A separate thatched area includes the bar, dining space, and fire pit,
Matetsi Unit 2 is an 80,000-acre free-range concession near Victoria Falls, renowned for exceptional leopard, elephant, Cape buffalo, and black-maned lion hunting. It is also one of only two areas in Zimbabwe where Roan antelope permits may be obtained.
| Fence Type: | Free-range |
| Nearest Airport Name: | Victoria Falls International Airport |
| Transfer From Airport: | Yes |
Matetsi Unit 2 is proper leopard country, and this 14-day safari is built for hunters who understand that leopard hunts are not rushed. The hunt takes place in a large free-range concession in one of Zimbabwe’s respected hunting areas, with baiting, tracks, trail cameras, and long hours in the blind all part of the process.
For hunters planning on hunting in Zimbabwe, this is a focused leopard hunting in Zimbabwe package with the time and setup needed to do the hunt properly.
Matetsi Safari Areas
Matetsi is one of Zimbabwe’s most respected hunting areas, and not without reason. These concessions hold strong populations of lion, elephant, Cape buffalo, and leopard, making the area well suited to dangerous game hunts as well as focused leopard safaris. There is also good plains game and several specialty species, with sable being a major draw here — and yes, the “Prince of Africa” title is not handed out for nothing.
The wider Matetsi Safari Area is made up of seven separate concessions, covering more than 1,200 square miles of hunting country. The blocks stretch from Hwange National Park in the south toward the Zambezi River in the north, with the Matetsi River running through the southern sections.
Total Cost of the Leopard Hunt US$ 30 965
Matetsi Unit 2 is an 80,000-acre free-range concession in western Zimbabwe, offering proper fair-chase hunting in varied country. The lodge is only about two hours from Victoria Falls, with Botswana, Unit 1, Unit 4, and Kazuma Forest forming part of the surrounding boundaries.
The habitat changes throughout the concession, from open valleys and mopane woodland to river lines, natural springs, flat-topped hills, and thick teak forest on the Gusu Ridge. The Matetsi River runs through the concession, with the Tshabolisa, Tsankaruka, and Guyu Rivers helping provide year-round water for wildlife.
Matetsi Unit 2 is known for strong trophy quality, especially leopard, elephant, Cape buffalo, and big black-maned lions. It is also one of only two areas in Zimbabwe where a permit may be obtained for roan hunts, making it a valuable option for hunters wanting to add something a little more unusual to their safari.
Beyond the Big Five, Matetsi supports a wide range of wildlife, including giraffe, kudu, zebra, sable, eland, and wildebeest. The area also has its share of smaller and mostly nocturnal species, including African wildcat, serval, genet, honey badger, and spotted hyena. African wild dogs are also known to move through the concessions.
The birdlife is excellent, with more than 350 recorded species, and the rivers support hippo, crocodile, monitor lizards, and a wide variety of fish. The mix of river systems, woodland, and open country gives Matetsi a rich natural feel — and plenty to look at between leopard baits.
Leopard Blind outside view
Leopard hunting in Zimbabwe is usually done by baiting, one of the most common leopard hunting methods used on free-range safaris. Several suitable areas are selected across the concession, and baits are placed where there is good leopard movement. These sites are checked daily for tracks, feeding signs, and other activity.
Trail cameras are used to help identify which cats are visiting the bait. Only mature toms may be hunted, so the PH will carefully assess the leopard before any decision is made. Once the right cat is identified, a temporary blind is set up — and then the waiting starts. This is where patience becomes less of a virtue and more of a job requirement
• Leopard hunting requires patience. A lot of it.
• Shot placement for African cats is critical, so hunters should understand the anatomy before arriving in camp.
• Avoid shooting when the leopard is reaching for the bait, lying down, or facing you directly.
• Be aware of other predators moving through the area.
• Plan the safari around the moon phase where possible, as many outfitters prefer the dark moon period.
• Use good-quality optics.
| Species | Trophy Fee (US$) | Species | Trophy Fee (US$) |
| African Wild Cat | 300 | Baboon | 150 |
| Cape Buffalo | 6500 | Bushbuck | 850 |
| Civet | 300 | Common Duiker | 250 |
| Livingston Eland | 3000 | Genet | 300 |
| Sharpes Grysbok | 750 | Spotted Hyena | 600 |
| Impala | 300 | Jackal | 350 |
| Klipspringer | 1000 | Greater Kudu | 2000 |
| Porcupine | 400 | Roan (permit needed) | 7000 |
| Serval | 400 | Steenbok | 350 |
| Warthog | 450 | Waterbuck | 2200 |
| Burchell's Zebra | 1400 |
Dean was born and raised in Zimbabwe and has been guiding and offering hunting safaris for more than 20 years. His experience covers buffalo, elephant, lion, and leopard, with a strong understanding of Zimbabwe’s hunting areas and conditions.
He has also hunted in South Africa, Namibia, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Benin, and Mozambique, bringing a wide range of field experience to this Matetsi leopard hunt. Dean’s approach is not only about the trophy, but about the full safari experience — good hunting, good stories, and the kind of memories that usually improve slightly around the campfire.
Hunting Accommodation
The lodge is set on a small hill overlooking a classic Matetsi valley, with wide views across the surrounding bush. Accommodation is in three thatched rondavels, each with an en-suite bathroom and air conditioning. Wi-Fi is available in camp.
The lodge has 220V electricity with a backup generator. A separate thatched area includes the bar, dining space, and fire pit, facing west for those proper African sunsets, the kind that make everyone reach for a camera before they reach for their drink.
For hunters comparing dates, the best time for leopard hunting in Zimbabwe is usually during the cooler, drier months, when bait activity is easier to monitor and conditions are generally more comfortable in the blind. However, Leopard hunting safaris in Zimbabwe can be conducted year-round, but the cooler, drier months from early April to late October are generally preferred. During the warmer months, insects become more active, including pepper ticks, mosquitoes, and other small pests that seem personally committed to testing your patience. Higher temperatures also increase the risk of dehydration, so staying properly hydrated becomes even more important.
That said, a leopard hunt in Zimbabwe is a privilege at any time of year, some months are just a little kinder on the hunter.
There is a limit of 3 firearms a hunter may import in Zimbabwe for game hunting purposes.
For this Matetsi leopard hunt, hunters should fly into Victoria Falls International Airport, one of Zimbabwe’s main international gateways. From there, the road transfer to camp takes about two hours.
Depending on flight times, you may need to overnight in Johannesburg when routing through OR Tambo. Airlink is a good option for flights to and from Victoria Falls, and they also have rifle-transfer facilities in place. The fact that they serve adult beverages is not the main reason to use them, but it certainly does not hurt.
If an overnight stay in Johannesburg is needed, African Sky Boutique Hotel near OR Tambo is a practical option. Their team can assist with airport transfers and firearm permits where required.
A .375 loaded with quality ammunition is the very sensible minimum caliber.
Larger rifles such as .404, .458, .458 Lott will get the job done. Double rifles such as a .470, .500 or 600 Nitro Express are perfect for back-up shots. As a rule, hunt Leopard with a rifle that you are comfortable with and can shoot accurately.
Zimbabwe is a great destination for hunters who want to add a few non-hunting days before or after their safari. The country offers excellent wildlife areas, dramatic landscapes, and some serious history, not a bad way to keep the non-hunters happy either. Popular options include:
• Victoria Falls
• Lake Kariba
• Hwange National Park
• Mana Pools
• The Matobo Hills
With day fees, leopard trophy fee, transfers, and government costs included, this package gives hunters a clear view of the leopard hunt cost before any additional animals are added.This safari offers a proper free-range hunt in one of Zimbabwe’s most respected hunting areas, the kind of African safari that is hard to forget.
If any further information is required re this Leopard hunt in Zimbabwe, contact our team at Game Hunting Safaris.
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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