Cape Buffalo & Plains Game Hunting Safari in Zimbabwe
Booking Season: 2026
Hunt Difficulty: Difficult
Designed by Hunters, for Hunters
This safari takes place in the Gwayi ECA and Sikumi East concessions bordering Hwange National Park in northwestern Zimbabwe. These large unfenced hunting areas form part of a free-range ecosystem where wildlife moves naturally across the landscape between the National Park and surrounding safari concessions. The terrain varies throughout the area and includes Mopane woodland, thick bushveld, dry river systems, open plains, and teak forests. Combined with traditional walk-and-stalk hunting conditions and vast wilderness areas, these concessions provide an authentic Zimbabwe hunting experience in truly wild country.
| Fence Type: | Free-range |
| Hunting Ground Size: | 100000 ha |
| Nearest Airport Name: | Victoria Falls International |
| Transfer From Airport: | Yes |
Zimbabwe hunting safaris continue to attract hunters from around the world seeking authentic free-range dangerous game hunting in wild African country. Conducted in the renowned Gwayi ECA and Sikumi concessions bordering Hwange National Park, this safari offers clients the opportunity to pursue mature elephant bulls on foot in one of Africa’s most respected elephant hunting regions.
Long days tracking fresh spoor through Mopane woodland, dry river systems, and thick bushveld are all part of these traditional elephant hunts, with experienced professional hunters and trackers guiding the safari through large unfenced concessions where wildlife moves naturally across the landscape.
Pursue Africa's largest land mammal on a traditional free-range elephant hunting safari in Zimbabwe's renowned Gwayi ECA and Sikumi hunting concessions. Bordering the world-famous Hwange National Park, these vast unfenced hunting areas offer hunters the opportunity to track mature trophy bulls through authentic African wilderness alongside experienced professional hunters and skilled local trackers.
This all-inclusive elephant hunting safari includes accommodation, trophy fees, road transfers, CITES documentation, professional hunter services, and all hunting activities as specified within the package.
This safari combines traditional elephant tracking, exceptional dangerous game country, and some of Zimbabwe's most respected hunting concessions, creating an authentic African elephant hunting experience for serious hunters seeking a true free-range safari.
Hunters looking to expand the safari can add a trophy Cape buffalo hunt to create a classic African dangerous game experience. Known for their toughness, unpredictable nature, and willingness to stand their ground when wounded, Cape buffalo remain one of the continent’s most respected dangerous game animals.
A second buffalo can also be added to the safari, allowing hunters the opportunity to pursue multiple mature bulls during their time in Zimbabwe’s free-range hunting concessions.
Cape buffalo trophy fee: US$6,000
Second Cape buffalo trophy fee: US$5,800
Government levy: Additional 4% on trophy fees.
Hunters wanting a more varied safari can also include a range of African plains game hunts during their stay, with species such as kudu, sable, zebra, waterbuck, impala, bushbuck, and giraffe available throughout the region.
Trophy Fees 2026 (Excluding Gov Levies at 4%)
Traveling to the Concession
Hunters will fly into Victoria Falls Airport, with regular regional connections available from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. Airlines servicing the route include Airlink, Cemair, Safair, and South African Airways, making travel to the hunting areas relatively straightforward for both American and international hunters.
Upon arrival in Victoria Falls, Tiaan and his team will meet clients before the approximately 2½-hour road transfer to the hunting concessions bordering Hwange National Park. The drive into camp passes through classic Zimbabwean bushveld and rural safari country, offering hunters an early introduction to the landscape and terrain they will experience during the safari.
This safari takes place in the renowned Gwayi ECA and Sikumi East hunting areas bordering Hwange National Park in northwestern Zimbabwe. These large unfenced concessions form part of a vast free-range ecosystem where wildlife moves naturally between the National Park and surrounding safari areas, creating an authentic African hunting environment.
The terrain across the concessions varies from thick Mopane woodland and dense bushveld to dry river systems, open plains, scattered acacia flats, and teak forests. Certain areas allow for longer spotting opportunities, while others require careful tracking and close-range stalking through heavy cover.
Gwayi ECA offers a combination of more open country and thicker bushveld, while Sikumi East, forming part of the greater Ngamo-Sikumi Forest region, is generally denser and heavily wooded. Together, these areas provide ideal habitat for elephant, buffalo, leopard, sable, and a wide range of African plains game species, while also delivering the type of traditional free-range hunting conditions many hunters travel to Zimbabwe to experience.
The Hunting Lodge
After long days in the field, hunters return to a comfortable safari lodge set within the Zimbabwean bushveld. The camp offers comfortable accommodations, hot showers, daily laundry service, and a relaxed atmosphere where clients can unwind after the day’s hunt.
Meals are prepared daily by the camp chef, with a mix of traditional safari cuisine and hearty home-style meals often served around the fire in the evenings. Fresh game meat from the safari frequently features on the menu, adding to the overall African hunting camp experience.
The lodge is also well suited to non-hunting guests and observers, with a comfortable camp environment and nearby attractions around Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park available during the safari.
Traditional elephant hunting in Zimbabwe is conducted on foot, with hunts often beginning once fresh spoor has been located along roads, riverbeds, or near active water sources frequented by elephant herds. From there, hunters and trackers may spend hours following tracks through Mopane woodland, thick bushveld, and dry river systems while carefully closing the distance on mature bulls.
Patience and communication with your professional hunter are an important part of the safari, particularly when approaching elephant at close range in heavy cover. Wind direction, herd movement, terrain, and shot angles all play a major role during the final approach.
Accurate shot placement is critical on any elephant safari, especially when hunting free-range bulls in thick country where immediate follow-up opportunities may be limited. Hunters preparing for the safari are encouraged to familiarize themselves with proper elephant shot placement before arriving in camp.
Post-Safari Tourist Activities
There are numerous and varied tourist attractions to enjoy while in Zimbabwe, whether you prefer heritage, culture, adventure, or wildlife tourist attractions, the choice is yours:
Few dangerous game hunting experiences compare to tracking a mature free-range elephant bull on foot through Zimbabwe's renowned Gwayi ECA and Sikumi hunting concessions. Bordering Hwange National Park and forming part of a vast unfenced ecosystem, these hunting areas offer the type of authentic elephant hunting experience that has attracted dangerous game hunters to Zimbabwe for generations.
This safari combines traditional elephant tracking, experienced professional hunters, healthy elephant populations, and the opportunity to hunt in genuinely wild African country where wildlife moves naturally across the landscape. The absence of size restrictions further adds to the appeal, allowing hunters to focus on finding the right mature bull rather than hunting to a minimum measurement.
Hunters also have the opportunity to add Cape buffalo and a variety of plains game species, creating a classic African dangerous game safari tailored to their individual goals. For those seeking a true free-range elephant hunt in one of Africa's most respected hunting destinations, few opportunities compare to Zimbabwe's famed Hwange region.
If you would like additional information regarding this free-range elephant hunting safari in Zimbabwe, discuss available hunting dates, or build a custom dangerous game safari including additional hunters or species, please contact the Game Hunting Safaris team.
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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