Discounted Crocodile Hunt in Matetsi ECA, Zimbabwe
Booking Season: 2025
Hunt Difficulty: Moderate
Designed by Hunters, for Hunters
Comfortable safari facilities include ensuite brick chalets with outdoor showers, electricity, refrigeration, secure storage, central dining and entertainment areas, together with mobile network coverage and internet access within camp.
The Matetsi ECA is characterized by classic Zimbabwean safari terrain including mopane woodland, open vleis, riverine thickets, scattered teak forests, and rolling bushveld hills. Seasonal rivers, dry riverbeds, and dense natural cover combine to create a vast unfenced wilderness environment typical of southern Africa’s great safari regions.
| Fence Type: | Free-range |
| Hunting Ground Size: | 50000 ha |
| Nearest Airport Name: | Victoria Falls International Airport |
For hunters specifically researching lion hunting in Zimbabwe, the Matetsi remains one of the continent’s most respected dangerous game concessions, renowned for exceptional free-range lion, leopard, elephant, and Cape Buffalo safaris.
The Matetsi ECA in Zimbabwe has a long history of producing exceptional free-range lion trophies and remains one of southern Africa’s most respected areas for traditional lion hunts. This dangerous game safari takes place across more than 50 000 acres of unfenced African wilderness within the renowned KAZA TFCA ecosystem, an area famous for its healthy populations of lion, leopard, elephant, and Cape Buffalo.
Observers welcome at US$ 250 per night
Lion permits in Zimbabwe are limited and this cancellation hunt ticks all the necessary boxes for a well-priced adrenaline packed safari.
This Lion hunt is CITES eligible. While lions hunted in Zimbabwe are currently not importable into countries such as France, Australia, and The Netherlands, trophies may still be considered for import into the United States on a case-by-case basis by the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). Hunters will generally need to demonstrate “enhancement” as part of the permit application process, with organizations such as Conservation Force able to assist with enhancement findings and US import permit applications.
1 x Hunter 1 x Dangerous Game Professional Hunter
1 x Male Lion Trophy Fee
With limited lion permits available in Zimbabwe and free-range Matetsi safaris becoming increasingly sought after by international hunters, opportunities such as this rarely remain on the market for long. For hunters dreaming of a traditional African lion safari, this dangerous game hunt offers exceptional value in one of the continent’s premier lion hunting regions.
This Lion hunt is more than simply a world-class dangerous game safari, it also contributes directly to conservation and rural community development in Zimbabwe. A portion of the income generated from this safari supports the ASA Foundation (Adopt Schools in Africa), helping fund education, infrastructure, and development projects within local communities surrounding the hunting areas.
With Botswana having closed lion hunting and increasing restrictions placed on the import of captive-bred lions from South Africa, demand for authentic free-range lion hunting safaris in countries such as Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, and Tanzania continues to increase. As a result, opportunities to hunt truly wild lions in large unfenced ecosystems such as the Matetsi are becoming increasingly limited and valuable.
The Matetsi Extended Conservation Area (ECA) in Zimbabwe is one of southern Africa’s best-known free-range dangerous game hunting regions, covering more than 50 000 acres (approximately 250 square miles) of unfenced African wilderness within the greater KAZA Transfrontier ecosystem. The Matetsi ECA was formed through the consolidation of several adjoining safari areas and game ranches, creating a vast continuous hunting concession supporting exceptional populations of lion, leopard, elephant, Cape Buffalo, and a wide variety of plains game species.
Named after the Matetsi River, which flows through the southern sections of the concession, the area is characterized by classic Zimbabwean safari terrain including mopane woodland, open vleis, riverine habitat, rolling hills, and scattered teak forests. Diverse vegetation supports abundant wildlife populations, with species such as giraffe, kudu, impala, zebra, sable, and other antelope frequently encountered on traditional plains game hunts conducted throughout the region.
The Matetsi remains internationally respected for free-range Big Five hunting, particularly for mature black-maned lions, large-bodied cape buffalo hunts, exceptional leopard trophies, and elephant bulls regularly producing tusks exceeding 65 pounds. With minimal hunting pressure across vast unfenced country, the area continues to offer one of the most authentic dangerous game safari experiences available in Africa today.
International hunters traveling for this safari will typically arrive via Victoria Falls International Airport, the nearest major gateway to the Matetsi hunting concessions and River Range Camp. For hunters planning a safari in Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls also provides the opportunity to experience one of Africa’s most iconic tourism destinations before or after the safari.
Most international routes connect through OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg before continuing onward to Victoria Falls. Airlink is commonly used by international hunters traveling with rifles and ammunition and offers reliable regional connections into Zimbabwe.
The road transfer from Victoria Falls International Airport to the Matetsi hunting area takes approximately thirty minutes through remote bushveld bordering the greater Hwange and KAZA Transfrontier ecosystem.
Lion hunting safaris in Zimbabwe may be conducted throughout the year, although the cooler and drier months from early April through late October are generally considered the preferred period for dangerous game hunting. During these winter months, vegetation becomes thinner, tracking conditions improve, and wildlife concentrates more consistently around permanent water sources.
With this cancellation safari, the hunt must take place before the end of December. Having said that, hunters planning a hunt in Zimbabwe quickly discover there is rarely a “bad” time to experience a traditional African lion safari in the Matetsi.
The Matetsi hunting concessions are located within a malaria area and hunters should consult their medical practitioner regarding anti-malarial medication prior to traveling to Zimbabwe.
The River Range Camp offers comfortable safari accommodation while still retaining the authentic atmosphere of a traditional African hunting camp. Independent brick chalets feature ensuite bathrooms, outdoor showers, electricity, refrigeration, and secure storage facilities, while the central lodge includes dining, entertainment, mobile network coverage, and internet access.
Evenings in camp are spent around the fire beneath the African night sky, listening to the distant calls of hyena and lion moving through the surrounding Matetsi wilderness.
While the Matetsi is renowned for producing exceptional black-maned lions, accurate lion shot placement is absolutely critical when pursuing these dangerous cats in thick African bushveld.
A wounded lion is extremely dangerous and capable of charging at speeds exceeding fifty miles per hour. While your professional hunter will be highly experienced in handling these situations, hunters must remain calm and disciplined should a charge occur, focusing on accurate chest placement to reach the vital organs from the front.
This safari is a true dangerous game hunting experience and hunters will need to remain focused and prepared throughout the hunt in the Matetsi wilderness.
Depending on the number of hunting days remaining following the Lion safari, hunters may add a variety of additional plains game species to the hunt at standard trophy fee rates. The Matetsi region is particularly well known for exceptional sable hunts and mature kudu bulls, with traditional kudu hunts in the area often producing impressive spiral-horned trophies in classic Zimbabwean bushveld terrain.
Other popular plains game species available in the Matetsi include Livingston Eland (US$ 2400), Waterbuck (US$ 2400), Chapman’s Zebra (US$ 1300), Chobe Bushbuck (US$ 1200), Giraffe (US$ 2400), Warthog (US$ 400), and Impala (US$ 400). Sable remain one of the most sought-after specialty antelope in the region at US$ 5900, while trophy kudu are available at US$ 1600.
Hunters may also add a Cape buffalo to the safari for a trophy fee of US$ 6000, excluding applicable government levies and taxes.
If any further information is required re this Lion hunt in Zimbabwe, contact the team at Game Hunting Safaris, or message Marco directly using teh quick links provided.
To check availability, submit 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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