Hunt Cape Buffalo in Tanzania’s Lunda Nkwambi GCA
Booking Season: 2026
Hunt Difficulty: Difficult
Designed by Hunters, for Hunters
Comfortable luxury tented safari camp with en-suite bathrooms, hot and cold running water, 220V electricity, Wi-Fi, laundry service, and solar/generator power. The camp includes a dining and living area, fire pit, and a waterhole view where wildlife is often seen.
Private free-range hunting concession in Matabeleland, Zimbabwe, approximately 40 miles from Bulawayo. The area has a strong history of producing quality leopard and plains game trophies, with varied bushveld terrain and good supporting game. Hunting is conducted on fair-chase principles, with leopard hunted by baiting and plains game hunted mainly on foot.
| Fence Type: | Free-range |
| Nearest Airport Name: | Bulawayo Airport |
| Nearest Airport Distance: | Approximately 40 miles / 1 hour by road |
| Nearest Town Name: | Bulawayo |
| Nearest Town Distance: | Approximately 40 miles / 1 hour by road |
| Transfer From Airport: | Yes |
The main focus is leopard hunting in Zimbabwe, with mature toms hunted by baiting and only taken when the PH is satisfied the cat is suitable. The plains game side of the package keeps the days active while the baits are being worked — which helps, because leopard do enjoy testing everyone’s patience. Included is a giraffe hunt which add a unique plains game trophy to the safari and can also help provide bait where needed. The Patterson Eland hunt bring a different challenge, with hunters pursuing one of Africa’s largest antelope on foot. The package also includes kudu, impala, warthog, zebra, and blue wildebeest, giving hunters a well-rounded plains game safari alongside the leopard hunt.
Zimbabwe has a way of getting under a hunter’s skin. It has good game, experienced outfitters, proper hunting terrain, and that old safari feel that is getting harder to find. For this kind of leopard and plains game safari in Zimbabwe, hunters get a solid mix of wild terrain, comfortable camps, and enough variety to keep every day interesting.
The landscape also changes as you move through the country. From the Zambezi River in the north to the Limpopo River in the south, Zimbabwe has granite kopjes, river systems, bushveld, mountains, forests, and open savanna. In other words, plenty of terrain for both the hunter and the boots to get properly tested.
Zimbabwe offers good variety for trophy hunting, with safaris taking place on private ranches, community land, and government concessions. Some hunting areas cover hundreds of thousands of acres, giving hunters plenty of room to work with.
Zimbabwe does not have one fixed hunting season, but the dry months from mid-April to October are generally preferred. Late May to early August is often a strong time for a trophy hunt, with cooler weather and better hunting conditions. The summer months, from December to February, can be very hot, humid, and wet — not always ideal unless you enjoy sweating for sport.
Plains game hunting is usually done on foot, following fair-chase principles. Vehicles may be used to cover ground where concessions are especially large. A trophy leopard hunt in Zimbabwe is normally conducted using the baiting method, with baits checked regularly and only mature cats considered.
This wilderness area in Matabele land has a history of producing some of the finest Leopard and plains game trophies in Zimbabwe and is a true hunting paradise. The hunting concession is privately owned by fourth generation Zimbabweans who have been hunting the area for more than 40 years. Client care and trophy delivery is the forefront of the safari experience. The ranch is perfect for families or groups and offers exciting challenges for experienced and beginner hunters alike, creating a truly unique and customized experience. The ranch is a true piece of African paradise.
Nocturnal hunts for other species are also available and Serval, Civet, Black Backed Jackal, Honey Badgers, and Porcupine are in abundance.
Giles promotes family friendly hunts, and this is the ideal location for children to explore and enjoy the African landscape. As the sign at the entrance of the wildlife ranch says, “Welcome to Paradise”. This dedicated team of professionals knows how to conduct the perfect hunting safari. Giles also conducts dangerous game hunts in Zimbabwe, as well as " full bag safaris" Tanzania. Giles offers a established legacy of adventurous safaris hosted across Eastern and Southern Africa.
International hunters usually fly into Bulawayo, one of Zimbabwe’s main entry points for this safari. Depending on flight times, you may need to overnight in Johannesburg when routing through OR Tambo.
Airlink is a practical option for the Bulawayo flight, with rifle transport facilities in place. If an overnight stay in Johannesburg is needed, African Sky Boutique Hotel near OR Tambo is a good option. Their team can assist with airport transfers and firearm permits.
From Bulawayo, the road transfer to the hunting ranch takes about one hour, with the ranch situated roughly 40 miles from the city.
Zimbabwe offers some of the finest leopard hunting in Africa, and only mature cats may legally be hunted. Leopard hunts are usually conducted using the baiting method, with baits placed in suitable areas and checked daily for activity.
During daylight hours, plains game hunting continues, with some of the meat used for leopard bait where appropriate. Once a bait is hit and the right mature tom is identified, a temporary blind is set up and the waiting begins. That is the part of the hunt where patience stops being a nice idea and becomes part of the job.
Shot placement for African cats is critical, especially with leopard. These cats are powerful, fast, and dangerous when wounded, so hunters should understand the anatomy before arriving in camp. Leopards are classified as vulnerable by the IUCN, and a CITES permit must be arranged in advance.
Like with most dangerous game hunts in Africa, a .375 is the minimum caliber. A Leopard is classified as a “soft animal”, but make use of high quality expanding tips. When tracking a wounded Leopard, big stopping power will be required. Any double rifle, or .458 Lott and the like of a 500 Jeffery will work. Your professional hunter will be ready for this worst-case scenario.
The tented camp is set on a rocky hillside with green lawns, shaded tents, and a swimming pool. A wooden deck overlooks a waterhole where animals often come in to drink, so there is still plenty to see even when you are back in camp.
The Meru-style tents are spacious and comfortable, with private bathrooms, hot water, flushing toilets, extra-length beds, 220V electricity, multi-way adapters, hair dryers, and 110V shaver plugs.
The main lodge has a large dining and living area, with a fire pit for the evenings. Bushbuck, warthog, kudu, and mongoose are often seen around the gardens.
Meals are generous and well prepared. Venison from the hunt is often cooked over open coals, along with dishes such as duck, lamb, and pork.
Zimbabwe is well worth a few extra days before or after the hunt. From Victoria Falls and Lake Kariba to Hwange National Park, Mana Pools, and the Matobo Hills, there is plenty for hunters and non-hunters to enjoy. It is a good way to turn the safari into a fuller trip — and keep the family happy if they have been politely pretending to enjoy leopard bait discussions all week.
Giles is also the captain of Virpra One, a Luhrs 342 Tournament boat offering sport fishing charters off the East Coast of Africa. If time allows after the hunt, this safari can be extended to include fishing for marlin and other deep-sea game fish.
This Zimbabwe leopard and plains game safari offers a strong mix of hunting, comfort, and optional add-on experiences — a proper African trip with more than one story to take home.
If you have any queries re this trophy hunt in Zimbabwe, feel free to contact the team at Game Hunting Safaris or message Giles directly using the icons provided. Should you wish to check availability, insert preferred in "Request to Book", and Giles will revert.
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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