Cape Buffalo & Plains Game Hunting Safari in Zimbabwe
Booking Season: 2026
Hunt Difficulty: Difficult
Designed by Hunters, for Hunters
Accommodation is provided in a comfortable, well-equipped safari lodge offering all the essentials needed after a day of hunting. Spacious rooms, quality meals, hot showers, and attentive camp staff ensure a relaxing and authentic Zimbabwe safari experience.
This safari takes place in Zimbabwe’s renowned Gwayi ECA and Sikumi hunting areas bordering Hwange National Park. These large unfenced concessions form part of a vast free-range ecosystem where wildlife moves naturally between the National Park and surrounding safari areas. The terrain varies throughout the concessions and includes thick teak forests, Mopane woodland, dry river systems, open plains, and dense bushveld. Some areas allow for longer spotting opportunities, while others require careful tracking and close-range stalking through heavy cover. During the dry season, natural water sources, pans, and riverbeds become key game movement areas, with well-worn elephant and buffalo trails cutting through the bush. Gwayi generally offers a mix of thicker bushveld and more open country, while Sikumi East is known for denser forest terrain and classic dangerous game habitat. Together, these concessions provide hunters with a traditional African safari environment shaped by natural game movement, spoor, wind, and terrain rather than fences or artificial boundaries.
| Fence Type: | Free-range |
| Hunting Ground Size: | 100000 ha |
| Nearest Airport Name: | Victoria Falls |
| Transfer From Airport: | Yes |
For hunters seeking authentic Zimbabwe hunting safaris, few experiences compare to pursuing a mature tom leopard in the free-range hunting areas bordering Hwange National Park. Conducted in the renowned Gwayi ECA and Sikumi concessions, this safari offers hunters the opportunity to hunt one of Africa’s most intelligent and elusive predators in truly wild country.
Hunters interested in specialized leopard hunting in Zimbabwe can expect a traditional baited hunt conducted in free-range concessions bordering Hwange National Park, with experienced professional hunters and trackers monitoring spoor, bait activity, and trail camera images throughout the hunt.
This safari appeals to American and international hunters looking for a classic dangerous game experience with quality accommodations, experienced PHs, and free-range hunting concessions known for strong leopard populations and mature trophy toms.
Total Safari Cost: US$29,500
Includes:
The Gwayi ECA and Sikumi East hunting blocks are widely respected for producing quality leopard trophies in true free-range conditions. This safari offers hunters the opportunity to pursue one of Africa's most elusive and intelligent predators while enjoying a classic Zimbabwe dangerous game hunting experience.
Zimbabwe has long been regarded as one of Africa's premier hunting destinations, particularly for dangerous game. Vast unfenced concessions, strong wildlife populations, and traditional hunting methods continue to attract sportsmen seeking a classic African safari experience.
The country is renowned for species such as leopard, Cape buffalo, elephant, lion, hippo, and Nile crocodile, with many hunting areas bordering National Parks and wilderness regions. This creates the type of free-range environment where wildlife moves naturally across large landscapes and every hunt unfolds on the animal's terms.
Whether sitting over bait for a mature leopard, tracking buffalo through thick bushveld, or pursuing plains game across open country, Zimbabwe offers the variety, challenge, and wilderness experience that have earned it a respected place among Africa's leading hunting destinations
Hunters looking to expand the safari can add a trophy Cape buffalo hunt to create a classic African dangerous game experience. Known for their unpredictable nature, toughness, and willingness to stand their ground when wounded, Cape buffalo remain one of the continent’s most respected and challenging dangerous game animals.
Adding buffalo to the safari offers hunters the opportunity to combine leopard hunting with demanding walk-and-stalk hunting in Zimbabwe’s free-range concessions bordering Hwange National Park.
Cape buffalo trophy fee: US$ 6,000
Government levy: Additional 4% on trophy fee.
Hunters wanting a more diverse safari can also include a range of African plains game hunts during their stay. Species such as kudu, sable, zebra, waterbuck, impala, bushbuck, and giraffe are available throughout the region, allowing hunters to tailor the safari around their preferred trophies and available hunting days.
Trophy Fees: Annexure A (2026) (Excluding Gov Levies at 4%)
Tiaan, Keenan, and their team of professional hunters have built a strong reputation for conducting authentic dangerous game hunts across Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Namibia. With years of experience guiding international hunters in free-range concessions, the team focuses on delivering traditional African safaris centered around quality trophies, experienced field guidance, and well-managed hunting areas.
The outfit works closely with local communities, conservation programs, and concession owners to help ensure sustainable hunting practices and the long-term protection of wildlife habitat across the regions in which they operate.
Safaris are conducted in a range of hunting areas, from remote wilderness concessions bordering National Parks to large private conservancies known for exceptional dangerous game and plains game hunting. Backed by experienced trackers, camp staff, and professional hunters, clients can expect a professionally managed safari experience from arrival through to departure.
Traveling for Hunt
Hunters will need to fly into Victoria Falls Airport, readily accessible through a 1h45 flight from OR Tambo International in South Africa. Various regional airlines are available, such as Safair, Cemair, Airlink, and South African Airways. Tiaan and his team will meet you upon arrival, after which a 2h30 journey will see you arriving at the Zimbabwe hunting grounds, bordering Hwange National Park
The Free Range Hunting Concessions
This hunting safari in Zimbabwe takes place in two main areas, allowing hunters more than 100,000 acres of free-range hunting!
Gwayi ECA
This is a prime area for dangerous game hunting, with popular trophies including the Cape Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Hippo, and Nile Crocodile, along with the Sable and other African plains game. It's a large expanse of land situated adjacent to the Hwange National Park. The area is unfenced, allowing free movement of wildlife species between Hwange and the conservancy. The varied terrain in the region includes valley, rivers, open plains, thickets and Mopani forests.
Sikumi East
Situated on the eastern border of the Hwange National Park, the Sikumi East region is part of the Ngamo-Sikumi Forest block and at approximately 420,000 acres, and a popular hunting area for species such as Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Sable, and Cape Buffalo. The terrain is mostly dense forest, and the area is renowned for its predator populations.
The Hunting Lodge
Hunters can expect the luxuries of a home-away-from-home at this high-end hunting lodge. From comfortable beds, warm showers, and all the comforts of home, they can relax and unwind after a busy day hunting.
A resident chef prepares tasty fare and be sure to try some game meat (venison) that is sure to appear on the menu at some point! Families are also taken into consideration, with a range of activities to enthral and entertain non-hunting guests.
Traditional leopard hunts in Zimbabwe are primarily conducted over bait, with professional hunters and trackers establishing bait sites in areas known for mature tom activity. Throughout the safari, these bait sites are carefully monitored using spoor, feeding patterns, and trail camera images before a blind is finally set for the hunt.
Leopard are highly intelligent, cautious predators and hunting them successfully often requires patience, attention to wind direction, and the ability to remain calm in low-light conditions when a mature tom finally approaches the bait.
In terms of rifle calibers, leopard are considered soft-skinned game and most professional hunters recommend accurate medium calibers capable of delivering controlled expansion and reliable penetration. More important than caliber selection, however, is precise shot placement, as opportunities for immediate follow-up shots are not always possible when hunting leopard in thick bushveld conditions.
Hunters preparing for the safari can review this Leopard Shot Placement Guide before arriving in camp.
There are numerous and varied tourist attractions to enjoy while in Zimbabwe. Whether you prefer heritage, culture, adventure, or wildlife attractions, the choice is yours:
Leopard hunting remains one of Africa's most demanding and rewarding hunting challenges. Unlike many dangerous game hunts that involve covering long distances on foot, successful leopard hunting depends on patience, preparation, and attention to detail. Every spoor track, trail camera image, and bait site forms part of a carefully managed process aimed at locating a mature trophy tom.
This safari takes place in the renowned Gwayi ECA and Sikumi East hunting blocks, two free-range concessions bordering Hwange National Park. These unfenced areas allow wildlife to move naturally across vast tracts of wilderness, creating the type of authentic hunting environment serious leopard hunters seek.
With more than 100,000 acres of hunting ground available, experienced professional hunters, and strong leopard populations, hunters benefit from a traditional Zimbabwe leopard safari conducted in true wilderness conditions. The hunt also offers the flexibility to add Cape buffalo or a range of sought-after plains game species, allowing hunters to create a broader African safari experience if desired.
For American and international hunters seeking a classic free-range leopard hunt in Zimbabwe, this safari combines respected hunting areas, experienced PHs, quality accommodations, and one of Africa's most iconic dangerous game species into a single unforgettable adventure.
Interested in this leopard hunt?
Contact the Game Hunting Safaris team to discuss availability, travel arrangements, additional species, and custom safari options. We'll help you plan a Zimbabwe hunting safari tailored to your objectives and hunting preferences.
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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