Discounted Crocodile Hunt in Matetsi ECA, Zimbabwe
Booking Season: 2025
Hunt Difficulty: Moderate
Designed by Hunters, for Hunters
This renown Big 5 African outfitter has tailor made and this Spotted Hyena hunt in order to allow first time night hunters, or those who are just addicted to night hunting, the opportunity to enjoy this unique hunting experience at a highly discounted rate.
This free-range hunt for Spotted Hyena will take place in Matetsi, on a game hunting concession of 200 000 acres of unfenced African wilderness within the KAZA TFCA region, 30 minutes by road travel from the world-famous Victoria Falls.
*** Observers are welcome at US$ 250 per night
This Spotted Hyena hunt is more than an extraordinary experience, it is a chance to make a difference. A portion of income from your safari supports the ASA Foundation (Adopt Schools is Africa), funding education and development of local communities, contributing to a brighter future in Zimbabwe.
Marc and Shingi, your outfitters, proudly boast a success rate of 100% for Spotted Hyena hunts. Having been on two Hyena hunts in 2024 in Limpopo, South Africa (Brown and Spotted Hyena), we at Game hunting Safaris can confirm this is a remarkable achievement.
There is nothing more soul destroying that spending night after night, traversing hunting areas or sitting in a blind, only to leave without the desired trophy.
The Matetsi ECA area in Zimbabwe is one of the largest game hunting complexes and covers an area of more than 50 000 acres, 250 square miles.The Matetsi Extended Conservation Area (ECA) is was formed by merging several game ranches that were open and unfenced to each other, creating a larger safari hunting area beyond the boundaries of the original Matetsi Units.
The Matetsi was named after the Matetsi River (named for the blue-green algae found on the rocks) which flows through the southern hunting area. Concessions in this area are famous for Big Five hunts and are also well known for the large populations of Sable.
The Flora is characterized by diverse trees like the Albida which provides food for plains game animals such as Giraffe, Kudu, Impala, Zebra, and other herbivores. Topography is 60% plains and 20% rolling hills.
The nearest airport to the hunting lodge, named the River Range Camp is the Victoria Falls International Airport. When booking this hunt, it is well worth adding a day or two before or after the hunting safari to visit the iconic Victoria Falls. There are many additional non-hunting activities to enjoy, from river cruises, game fishing to helicopter flips over the mighty Zambezi River.
Victoria Falls International can be reached by flying directly to OR Tambo International Airport in South Africa. Airlink is a preferred airline, affordable and on time and the flight takes two hours. This African regional flight (return) will cozy between US$ 280 and US$ 450 depending on the season. Road transfers from the airport to the River Range camp will take approximately thirty minutes.
While there is not a specific hunting season for Spotted Hyena and other nighttime critters as Zimbabwe can be hunted all year round, the cooler and drier months from early April to late October are preferred.
In the warmer months, insect, and reptile activity increases, such as pepper ticks and snakes, which can make the consequences of walking through the brush or sitting in a blind most unpleasant. In months such as December and January, these months are the birthing season for antelope such as Impala and Blue Wildebeest. As such, Spotted Hyena will have a variety of choice during these months of plenty.
Is Matetsi a Malaria area? Yes, these hunting concessions are Malaria areas, and the hunter needs to take anti-malarial medication before commencement of the hunting safari. Your local physician can be consulted in this regard.
This classic safari camp has all the necessary amenities while retaining its rustic charm as a hunting camp. Independent brick lodges each have ensuite bathrooms, safes, outdoor showers, electricity, and a fridge. The lodge, with central dining and entertainment areas has mobile network coverage and internet.
At River Range, you will bask in the glow of the endless stars around the bonfire and listen to the roars of Lions at daybreak.
Before commencement of the safari, pre-baiting is recommended. Baits will be strategically placed throughout the hyena hunting area. These baits will be checked daily for signs of activity and Spotted Hyena spoor is easily identifiable.
Spotted Hyena can cover many miles in an evening and the bait with the most activity is where you will start your nocturnal hunting adventure. Hunting methods are diverse and can also include calling, waiting in a blind at the bait site and spotlighting.
On this hunt, you can be sure your outfitter will operate at 110% until your trophy Spotted Hyena is in the salt.
If night hunting is your passion; it is recommended that you equip your rifle with your own set of night vision or thermal optics. Having completed two nights critter hunts, there is nothing more frustrating than using equipment that you are not familiar with or not having your own.
Sitting in total darkness, without a handheld thermal scope, not being able to see a thing that is going on around you, can be most frustrating, especially when there is no full moon. Plus, it makes it far more difficult to stay awake. Be prepared to sit in a blind, or hunt from just before sunset, to approximately 04h00 depending on the weather and the cycle of the moon.
Depending on your ability to function and operate with little sleep, or if success is high and you harvest your trophy Spotted Hyena early into the safari, additional plains game species are available as per the below additional trophy costs (plus government levies): A few of the favourites in Matetsi hunting area are:
The outfitter also has other night critters available such as Porcupine, Civet Cats, Serval and Striped Jackal.
If any further information is required, please contact the team at Game Hunting Safaris, or message Marco directly via the icons provided. To check availability, please insert the preferred dates in “Request to Book”, Marco 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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