ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

Our previous Hippo hunting expedition on the same concession was conducted during the wet season, meaning that the majority of Caprivi Strip was covered in water. With so much water, Hippo hunts are exceptionally challenging, and the reality is that your trophy Hippo can easily be lost. Makoro’s which are dugout canoes made from woods such as Teak are used to traverse the reed beds and waterways.

For this specific African hunt, we decided to experience the beauty of Namibia during the dry season. The change in terrain is so dramatic that it is “like pulling out a bath plug”.

This Hippo hunt took place during an extreme drought which due to the poor rainfall in 2023/2024, has been the worst drought in over 100 years.

After a few days covering many miles, we came across a Hippo bull and cow in an estuary which was estimated at being a few meters deep in the middle channels and roughly a mile long.

Tamlyn and her professional hunter were ideally wanting the Hippo Bull out of the water, but only a few “head shots” were presented. It is exceptionally difficult to take the “perfect” shot on a Hippo.

Hippo hunting is challenging as only a small part of the head is visible for a few seconds, and every time the Hippo surfaces, it is in a different location. Patience and precision shooting, with a high velocity bullet being designed to penetrate the thick bones of the head into the brain. The decision to shoot or not has to be made quickly.

Making the Hippo hunt even more of a challenge is being able to distinguish between the bull and the cow, given that only a small portion of the head presents itself. This is when having done your research pays off and of course it helps if you have an experienced and knowledgeable PH.

After spending a few hours in very hot conditions, Tamlyn made a superb shot at roughly 60 yards anchoring the bull.

When Hippo hunting, the dry season is highly recommended.