Free-Range Elephant & Buffalo Hunt in Botswana
Booking Season: 2026
Hunt Difficulty: Difficult
Designed by Hunters, for Hunters
The hunting blocks range from Kalahari sandveld and open grass plains to mopane woodland and seasonal floodplain habitat on the fringes of the Okavango Delta.
| Fence Type: | Free-range |
| Transfer From Airport: | Yes |
Botswana remains one of Africa’s premier destinations for authentic free-range dangerous game safaris, offering hunters the opportunity to pursue mature trophy bulls across vast unfenced wilderness areas. This professionally guided safari combines exceptional elephant hunts and cape buffalo hunts in some of the country’s most respected hunting concessions, with experienced professional hunters and traditional San Bushman trackers contributing to a truly unforgettable African hunting experience.
For hunters researching hunting in Botswana, few destinations can rival the scale of Botswana’s wilderness, healthy wildlife populations, and traditional safari atmosphere. Hunters interested in learning more about regional opportunities can also explore our dedicated guide to hunting elephant in Botswana before planning their safari.
1 Hunter × 1 Professional Hunter
13 Nights in Camp
US$ 94,000 (Trophy Fees Included)
This safari combines exceptional dangerous game hunting with one of Botswana's most unique advantages—the opportunity to track game alongside San Bushmen, whose traditional tracking skills are respected throughout Africa. For many hunters, watching these master trackers work the bush is every bit as memorable as the hunt itself.
Observer Rate: US$ 515 per person per day (Government Taxes Included).
For decades, Botswana has been regarded as one of Africa’s premier dangerous game hunting destinations, renowned for its vast wilderness areas and exceptional populations of free-range Elephant, Leopard, Lion, and Cape Buffalo. From the waterways of the Okavango Delta to the remote expanses of the Kalahari Desert, Botswana offers hunters a truly wild and traditional African safari experience, together with a diverse variety of sought-after plains game species.
Following the reopening of regulated hunting concessions in recent years, Botswana has once again emerged as one of the continent’s leading destinations for free-range Elephant hunting. The country is home to Africa’s largest Elephant population, while strict quota systems and limited annual CITES allocations continue to preserve the exclusivity and quality of Botswana’s dangerous game safaris.
Clive and his daughter Kim have been conducting dangerous game hunting safaris in Botswana since 1992, building a respected reputation for professionally managed and ethical African hunting experiences. Working closely with local communities and concession partners throughout the country, they operate in some of Botswana’s most sought-after hunting areas for Elephant, Leopard, and Cape Buffalo.
The hunting concessions range from the open Kalahari landscape to the game-rich fringes of the Okavango Delta, with safari locations selected according to seasonal wildlife movements and hunting conditions. This family-owned operation works closely with local San Bushman communities and remains committed to conservation, sustainable hunting practices, and preserving Botswana’s authentic safari heritage.
The hunting season in Botswana typically runs from April through September, during the cooler and drier months of the year. These conditions provide far more comfortable hunting temperatures and generally improve tracking conditions for dangerous game safaris.
During the warmer summer months, high temperatures and seasonal rainfall can bring increased insect activity, including mosquitoes and ticks, while long days on foot in extreme heat can make dangerous game hunting considerably more demanding. For this reason, most experienced hunters prefer the cooler winter season when conditions are better suited to tracking Elephant and Cape Buffalo across Botswana’s wilderness areas.
Resource Utilization: Elephant (Incl. License Fee): US$ 37 224
Elephant License Fee: Botswana Government: US$ 7000
Buffalo Licence Fee: Botswana Government US$ 2500
Trophy Fee: Cape Buffalo: US$ 2 500 Trophy Fee: Elephant: US$ 20 000 Total Safari Cost: US $ 94 000As hunting concessions will vary depending on seasons and species, hunters will either fly into Maun or Kasane. When booking the hunt and considering the preferred months, the location will be determined based on migratory patterns.
For hunts at CH8 Buffalo Camp, CT5 Ivory Camp or CH12 Bottlepan Camp: Kasane please fly into Kasane, Botswana. Kasane to CH8 Buffalo Camp is about a one and half hours’ drive. Kasane to CH12 Bottlepan Camp is about a two hours’ drive. Kasane to CT5 Ivory camp is about a three hours’ drive. For hunts in the Kalahari, NG8, NG9 or NG3 please fly to Maun, Botswana.
Both Maun and Kasane can be reached by regional flight from Oliver Tambo International Airport, flying from South Africa. This flight is approximately two hours in duration and really is just a “quick hop” across the border. For flights from Oliver Tambo to Botswana, we would recommend Airlink. The flights are on time, affordable and the food is great. Should hunters need to stay overnight in Johannesburg, we would recommend making use of Africa Sky Boutique Hotel, who offer transfers to/from Oliver Tambo and can assist with firearm permits into South Africa (SAPS 520).
Should you wish to charter a Helicopter or light aircraft to any of the camps it will be easier to arrange the charter from Maun, this is where most of the charter companies are based.
When planning your African hunt in Botswana, prioritize health by consulting your doctor about recommended vaccinations (Hepatitis A, Rabies and Typhoid) and Malaria Prophylaxis. Malaria can be a significant risk in Botswana, especially in the northern areas such as the Okavango Delta. While Clive and Kim have medical kits on standby, packing a personal kit including your necessary medical provisions is essential (sunblock, contact lens solution, etc.)
When importing a rifle into Botswana for sport hunting, you must apply for a permit in advance, and as one would expect, also pay a fee. The rifle import fee will typically cost +- US$ 150. You can only bring two rifles and one shotgun, and a maximum of 100 rounds of ammunition per firearm.
The permit application process will include: (Clive and support staff will be assist)
Botswana is home to substantial populations of free-range Cape Buffalo, particularly across the Chobe region, Okavango Delta, and surrounding wilderness areas. While population estimates have fluctuated over the years due to factors such as poaching and historical hunting restrictions, Botswana continues to support healthy and stable Buffalo numbers within its vast unfenced ecosystems.
These Buffalo roam freely across enormous wilderness concessions and natural migration corridors, often moving in large herds through the Chobe, Caprivi, and Okavango regions. For hunters seeking an authentic free-range Cape Buffalo safari, Botswana remains one of Africa’s most respected dangerous game destinations.
Cape Buffalo hunting in Botswana follows traditional fair-chase principles, with hunters spending long hours on foot tracking fresh spoor through remote wilderness areas. A typical hunting day begins early in the morning, with trackers and professional hunters searching for signs of Buffalo movement before deciding whether to follow a particular herd or mature bull.
Most encounters with Cape Buffalo occur at close range, often between twenty and fifty yards, requiring calm decision-making and accurate shooting under pressure. Botswana’s vast unfenced wilderness areas support healthy free-range Buffalo populations, providing hunters with an authentic and challenging dangerous game hunting experience. Hunters preparing for the safari are encouraged to review our guide to Buffalo Shot Placement before arriving in camp.
Botswana is home to Africa’s largest population of free-range Elephants, with vast wilderness areas such as the Chobe region and Okavango Delta supporting enormous migratory herds throughout the country. These unfenced ecosystems provide one of the last truly wild Elephant hunting experiences remaining in Africa.
Elephants in Botswana move across large natural migration corridors in search of food and water, which is why hunting concessions and safari areas often vary according to seasonal movements and conditions. As Elephant populations continue to increase, so too do human-wildlife conflicts in rural communities, creating ongoing challenges relating to crop damage, infrastructure destruction, and threats to local livelihoods.
Despite Botswana’s large Elephant population, trophy hunting remains tightly regulated, with only a limited number of licenses issued annually under strict conservation and quota management systems.
The hunt itself is conducted on foot using traditional fair-chase hunting methods, often requiring long days of tracking through remote wilderness terrain before an opportunity presents itself at close range. Hunters preparing for the safari are encouraged to review our professional guide to Elephant Shot Placement before arriving in camp.
Botswana’s tremendous diversity in terms of wildlife and habitats offers a wide variety of non-hunting activities, which include:
If any further information is required relating to this trophy hunt in Botswana, please contact the 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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