The name Zambia, originates from the mighty Zambezi River, rising in the north-west corner of the country and forming its southern border. While Zambia is a landlocked country, the water in this beautiful country is plentiful during the wet season, quenching the thirst of many species of animals hunted on Zambia’s hunting safaris.
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Is Hunting Banned In Zambia?
No, hunting is not banned in Zambia.
In fact, Zambia is one the best destinations for an African big game hunting safari. Zambia offers the hunter four of the Big Five species, namely:
Rhino hunting is forbidden in Zambia and can only be hunted in South Africa and Namibia.
The Dangerous Seven in Africa, which includes the Big Five as mentioned, adds the Nile crocodile and hippo to this dangerous game category. Both the hippo and crocodile are readily available for hunting in Zambia.
In the mid-1970s, Zambia created Game Management Areas (GMA) located around Zambia’s national parks. Hunting in Zambia is permitted within these GMA areas, as well as on privately held land and certain conservancies. Zambia hunting safaris make for spectacular game hunting safaris as, unlike South Africa, none of the game hunting areas are fenced or closed off.
African Plains Game Hunting in Zambia
Zambia offers some of the best African plains game available to international hunters including exotic plains game such as Sable, Zambian Sitatunga, yellow-back duiker, and Puku.
More traditional African plains game species include Kudu, Livingston Eland, Common Reedbuck, Blue Wildebeest, Sharpe’s Grysbok, and Cobe Bushbuck.
Antelope Endemic to Zambia
Zambia hunting safaris are often planned with the focus purely on hunting plains game antelope species endemic to Zambia. These antelopes are on the top of many game hunter’s lists, but they can come at a substantial price.
These antelope species do present a challenge when game hunting, based purely on the remoteness and the habitat they occupy:
- The Crawshays’s Defassa Waterbuck (also referred to as the Rhodesian Defassa Waterbuck) is found in the Kafue Plateau of Zambia.
- Cookson’s Wildebeest on found only in the Luangwa Valley.
- The Puku and the Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest are also found only in the Luangwa valley.
Specialty Game Hunting in Zambia
A favorite African plains game hunt in Zambia is for the ever-illusive sitatunga. This hunt normally takes place in the Kafue region of Zambia. A black lechwe and tsessebe trophy are normally included as they occur in the same habitat. A combination hunt for these three targeted species usually takes place over 7 days and this specialty game hunting safari will come at a cost of approximately US $15,000.
What Are The Best Areas For A Zambia Hunting Safari?
The best areas in Zambia for big game and African plains game hunting are the Kafue plateau region of the Luangwa Valley and the Bangweula Swamp (famous for trophies sitatunga and black lechwe).
Hunting In Zambia: Travel Logistics
- Zambia is an enormous country covering an area of more than 470,000 square miles.
- International flights will land at either Livingston International Airport (situated next to the famous Victoria Falls) or at Lusaka International Airport.
- These main points of entry into Zambia are quite a distance from the safari camps.
- Zambia hunting outfitters are some of the best in Africa. Many outfitters have gravel landing strips and charter planes can be arranged from the internal airports directly to the game hunting concession.
- Transfers will also take place using suitably equipped 4×4 trucks built for Zambia’s rugged terrain.
When Is The Best Time To Book A Hunting Safari In Zambia?
Zambia does not have a regulated hunting season. This means that big game hunting can take place throughout the year. The months of December. January and February are the summer months. In these months, temperatures are hot and humid, with rain being plentiful.
The best months to hunt in Zambia are from April to August.
Zambia Hunting Safaris: Hunting Licenses
When planning an African safari hunting trip with Zambia as the destination of choice, the hunter needs to be aware that hunting licenses are strictly controlled and come in a variety of options, capping the number of days and species per game hunting safari.
The options are as follows:
- Special Hunting License: This is a 5-to-7-day game hunting safari for lechwes and sitatunga. The costs are normally included in set packages together including the antelope trophy fees and any travel fees.
- Mini Hunting License: This game hunting safari normally includes a plains game (quota limit to seven) and one cape buffalo.
- Classical Hunting License: This game hunting safari is classified as a “full house” and or for lengthy extended periods. The classical hunt in Zambia includes all the big game animals such as leopard, lion, elephant, sable and roan.
This hunting license is normally “juggled” by the outfitters into various packages rearranging the length of the safari and the animal quotas.
Importation Of Firearms For A Hunting Trip In Zambia
When it comes to big game hunting in Africa, hunters love bringing their own firearms. This makes perfect sense as when it comes to accurate shot placement, it is always better to use a rifle you know, trust, and feel most comfortable with. Besides checking firearm travel restrictions with the airlines, hunters must be aware that a temporary import permit into Zambia is required.
The Zambian police will issue the permit and the below documents will be required before the safari commences:
- The return ticket to show that the hunter is planning on leaving Zambia again.
- A copy of the valid passport
- An invitation letter which will be sent by the outfitter.
- Firearm proof of ownership i.e., a copy of the firearm license
- A completed application form showing all necessary details.
Considering Shot Placement When Preparing For African Hunts
When packing and working on your Zambia hunting safari checklist pre-departure, doing research into shot placement is just as critical as ticking off the items going into the luggage.
If the game hunting safari is focused on plains game antelope, shot placement, whether the antelope is large or small, is relatively constant.
Below is a summary of available options:
- Broadside: Aim for the heart and lungs which make the largest target.
- Neck Shot: This is not a shot your professional hunter will advise you to take. The target is small and a miss will result in a wounded antelope and possibly a lost trophy.
- Brain Shot: The brain shot would be possible if it were not for the fact that the purpose of the game hunting safari is to harvest trophy animals.
- A headshot would ruin the mount. This shot placement would also not be recommended due to the size of the target.
- Frontal Heart and Lung Shot: This shot placement could be considered if the antelope is facing directly toward the hunter. Aim for the center of the chest. Too low will penetrate the brisket, with no certain death. Follow-up and tracking would be necessary.
- Too far left or right and the bullet will miss the vitals and travel into or along the shoulder. Again, no kill shot.
When we talk about shot placement on dangerous game when hunting Zambia, this is an entirely different matter compared to plains game antelope.
Every one of these animals is unique in their physical anatomy and behavioral patterns. Intense research needs to be done in terms of the targeted species, i.e., the way you shoot a crocodile is vastly different from a Cape Buffalo. Liaise with your booking agent for detailed information.
When hunting in Africa, we talk about ethical hunting practices. This means it is a basic requirement by any hunter to ensure that he kills his trophy animal as humanely as possible.
Read more about shot placement per animals category for your African hunting safari.
Zambia Hunting Safaris: FAQs
How Much Does It Cost To Hunt Leopards In Zambia?
The day fee applicable to leopard hunting in Zambia will cost between US $1,200 and $2,000 a day. A Leopard permit will need to be obtained which will cost another average amount of $ US 8,000.
What Are The Hunting Lodges Like In Zambia?
Accommodation is normally thatched huts or tented camps which are permanent structures.
Is There A Minimum Requirement For Bow Hunting In Zambia?
No, there is no minimum requirement when bow-hunting in Zambia. The below minimums would be suggested:
Dangerous Game Hunting 80ft./lb energy 700 grains on the arrow weight
Medium Game Antelope 70ft./lb energy 550 grains on the arrow weight
Small Game Antelope 40ft./lb energy 400 grains on the arrow weight
Is There A Minimum Rifle Caliber When Plains Game Hunting In Zambia?
No, there is not a minimum rifle caliber. It would be suggested that the hunter use at least a minimum caliber of .270. Any rifle in the .30 caliber will work well on the larger African plains game species. A 300 win-mag is of course always a good all-round rifle to pack on a hunting safari.
What Is The Preferred Method Used When Hunting In Zambia?
Hunting takes place on foot. A spot-and-stalk hunt is relatively easy as Zambia is not a country with many elevation changes.
How Much Does It Cost To Hunt A Buffalo In Zambia?
Big game hunting in Africa, while not cheap, is still affordable. A buffalo hunting safari in Zambia will cost from US $12,000 to $20,000. A suitable safari truck will only provide transport to the hunting area.
What Is The Minimum Caliber Rifle Requirement When Dangerous Game Hunting In Zambia?
A .375 caliber rifle shooting three hundred grains is the minimum legal requirement when dangerous game hunting in Zambia.
What Caliber Rifle Is Recommended For Hunting Dangerous Game In Zambia?
While a .375 is the minimal legal requirement, when on an African big game safari in Zambia which includes dangerous game such as a Cape buffalo or elephant, the below would strongly be suggested:
- .458 Caliber
- 458 Lott
- 500 Jeffery
- 505 Gibbs
- In the double rifles, any double from a .470 shooting 500 grains will work perfectly.
What Is The Best Caliber Rifle To Use When Hunting Leopards Or Lions In Zambia?
Both leopards and lions, while extremely dangerous, are classified as “soft” animals. While the .375 is the legal minimum, any well-placed bullet from a thirty-caliber loaded with 180 grains will work.
Should Foreign Currency Be Converted To Local Currency At The Port Of Entry?
Yes, foreign currency should be converted at the point of entry. Locals while earning in Kwacha love billing or begging in foreign currency i.e., Euro or US Dollars. Foreign currency is a sought-after trading commodity. It is worthwhile calculating the value of the foreign currency vs. local currency and doing a quick “McDonald’s” comparative test.
If not, your game hunting safari is going to cost the hunter above market-related prices.
When Game Hunting in Zambia, Should Staff Be Tipped, And If So, How Much?
Like any additional cost relating to service, the issue of tipping is always at the client’s discretion. When dangerous game hunting in Zambia, your life is in the hands of your professional hunter. The tracker will find your trophy animals. The chef will prepare spectacular meals and your room and clothes are always clean and washed.
The safari team has hopefully made your dream hunt a reality. How much is that worth to you? I personally disagree with some of the ridiculous amounts I have heard being classified as standard rates for tipping. Make conversation with locals at the airport and try to ascertain what locally employed residents are earning. Apply your own calculations.
When it comes to big game hunting in Africa, trophy hunting in Zambia will be a top choice.
Zambia is ready … are you?
If you enjoyed reading about Zambia, learn more about our other African big game hunting destinations.
Author: PC van Wyk