Zimbabwe style hunt

[Smitty]

I truly enjoyed my only trip to Africa. I shot plains game in the East Cape, and it was awesome. However, a few of the iconic features of a Safari were missing. So, I am hoping to find a different hunt where the experience is more important that the trophy list. I am a simple man, and not a wealthy one. Here is an idea of what I am hoping for at a reasonable price. Dates would be between the 27th of May and June 18th.

Goals for the trip. 7-10 hunting days. For myself (64) and my son (21 year old observer)

• Hunt or camp where we can see/hear hippos, crocs, maybe lions, leopards, buffalo. I would LOVE to hunt an area where we might see some of the big 5, or hear the lions, hyenas, and leopards at night.
• Watch trackers work a trail and track down an animal for a long distance. Maybe get in close on a buffalo or Elephant just one time for fun.
• See Local village and perhaps donate meat or school supplies.
• Find a native hand axe, or other crafted item.
• Maybe get one day of fishing, or see Victoria Falls.

Not Needed.

• Alcohol. I do not drink
• Luxurious accommodation, 5 star dining. A tent camp would be fine.

Animals to hunt.

• Sable
• Zebra (to replace my lost hide)
• Warthog – a really toothy one!

Animals to hunt maybe

• Baboon
• Kudu… if a MONSTER
• Buffalo (cull or cow?)
• Civet
• Jackal
• Springbuck (I really regret not taking one before).

Thoughts
ZIMBABWE Seems to be the obvious choice to me, but what part and how much more expensive is it. The reason I am not choosing a Buffalo hunt is because of the size of my wallet.

 

[Doug3006]

Practically every hunting country in Africa can provide the experience you’ve described. Some countries are a lot more remote and offer that experience in many different places. In other countries like South Africa, you’ll have to hunt around to find the kind of hunt you’re looking for. Zimbabwe is an excellent place to achieve your goals. Zambia would be another option. So would Mozambique. My advice is to reach out to operators in each of these three countries and compare their prices.

 

[CBeck]

I truly enjoyed my only trip to Africa. I shot plains game in the East Cape, and it was awesome. However, a few of the iconic features of a Safari were missing. So, I am hoping to find a different hunt where the experience is more important that the trophy list. I am a simple man, and not a wealthy one. Here is an idea of what I am hoping for at a reasonable price. Dates would be between the 27th of May and June 18th.

Goals for the trip. 7-10 hunting days. For myself (64) and my son (21 year old observer)

• Hunt or camp where we can see/hear hippos, crocs, maybe lions, leopards, buffalo. I would LOVE to hunt an area where we might see some of the big 5, or hear the lions, hyenas, and leopards at night.
• Watch trackers work a trail and track down an animal for a long distance. Maybe get in close on a buffalo or Elephant just one time for fun.
• See Local village and perhaps donate meat or school supplies.
• Find a native hand axe, or other crafted item.
• Maybe get one day of fishing, or see Victoria Falls.

Not Needed.

• Alcohol. I do not drink
• Luxurious accommodation, 5 star dining. A tent camp would be fine.

Animals to hunt.

• Sable
• Zebra (to replace my lost hide)
• Warthog – a really toothy one!

Animals to hunt maybe

• Baboon
• Kudu… if a MONSTER
• Buffalo (cull or cow?)
• Civet
• Jackal
• Springbuck (I really regret not taking one before).

Thoughts
ZIMBABWE Seems to be the obvious choice to me, but what part and how much more expensive is it. The reason I am not choosing a Buffalo hunt is because of the size of my wallet.

To save myself or others from the same fate, would you mind sharing what went wrong with your first hunt? I can infer what you wish was different, but maybe not why it happened the way it did.

 

[rookhawk]

I truly enjoyed my only trip to Africa. I shot plains game in the East Cape, and it was awesome. However, a few of the iconic features of a Safari were missing. So, I am hoping to find a different hunt where the experience is more important that the trophy list. I am a simple man, and not a wealthy one. Here is an idea of what I am hoping for at a reasonable price. Dates would be between the 27th of May and June 18th.

Goals for the trip. 7-10 hunting days. For myself (64) and my son (21 year old observer)

• Hunt or camp where we can see/hear hippos, crocs, maybe lions, leopards, buffalo. I would LOVE to hunt an area where we might see some of the big 5, or hear the lions, hyenas, and leopards at night.
• Watch trackers work a trail and track down an animal for a long distance. Maybe get in close on a buffalo or Elephant just one time for fun.
• See Local village and perhaps donate meat or school supplies.
• Find a native hand axe, or other crafted item.
• Maybe get one day of fishing, or see Victoria Falls.

Not Needed.

• Alcohol. I do not drink
• Luxurious accommodation, 5 star dining. A tent camp would be fine.

Animals to hunt.

• Sable
• Zebra (to replace my lost hide)
• Warthog – a really toothy one!

Animals to hunt maybe

• Baboon
• Kudu… if a MONSTER
• Buffalo (cull or cow?)
• Civet
• Jackal
• Springbuck (I really regret not taking one before).

Thoughts
ZIMBABWE Seems to be the obvious choice to me, but what part and how much more expensive is it. The reason I am not choosing a Buffalo hunt is because of the size of my wallet.

Your hunt sounds very expensive to me as someone that has hunted Zimbabwe many times.

The things that make it expensive are: 1.) You want 7-10 days of hunting. The costs are 90% as much for the operator for this unusual hunt than a 14-21 day hunt. Sure they’ll do your hunt, but they’re going to charge you more. From Chicago to Harare to Camp and back to home reversed, round trip, is 5 calendar days. It’s a hell of a lot of travel for 7-10 days. The jet lag wears off by your 3rd to 5th day hunting so you probably won’t remember much of the first few days but general euphoria or malaise.

The other issue is you want to hunt 3 low-dollar animals. So the incredible costs of preparing your hunt, provisions, staff, making camp, logistics, etc. needs to be absorbed into very expensive daily rates since you’re hunting a $6500 sable, a $900 zebra, and a $500 warthog.

The maybe animals are definitely tricky. Baboons are smart and shot at often, maybe you’ll get one which earns the PH $50 trophy fee. Monster Kudu as defined by an RSA size would be 58”-60” and the odds of them getting you that $1800 trophy-fee kudu is 1:100 to 1:1000. A buffalo is definitely doable, but that’s 7-10 days of hunting for that whether trophy bull or cow. Civet is just dumb luck if you’re hunting at night, but night hunting isn’t allowed everywhere and somebody hunting buffalo will be too tired to hunt at night. Jackals are just dumb luck but you have a 50/50 chance of sluicing one from the truck if you keep a .22 in the front seat. There are no Springbok in Zim.

Bottom line, your hunt sounds very complicated and these prescriptions will result in no good operator in Zim wanting your business under your terms.

Suggestion? Go with the flow. Don’t make prescriptions. Ask a different, better question: “I’m on a budget and want to have the time of my life on a 14 day safari, what’s the best hunt i can get in Zimbabwe for X-thousand dollars?”

The answer will probably be for around $15,000-$18,000 you can have a hell of a nice safari with an exportable buffalo, a nice kudu/waterbuck/bushbuck/impala/zebra/warthog thrown into the scenarios. Roughly 5-7 animals over 14 days.

 

[Smitty]

Practically every hunting country in Africa can provide the experience you’ve described. Some countries are a lot more remote and offer that experience in many different places. In other countries like South Africa, you’ll have to hunt around to find the kind of hunt you’re looking for. Zimbabwe is an excellent place to achieve your goals. Zambia would be another option. So would Mozambique. My advice is to reach out to operators in each of these three countries and compare their prices.

Thank you Doug. I didn't mention the other countries because everyone said they are all more expensive that Zim. I am certainly open to any country that could provide that type of hunt.

 

[Smitty]

Your hunt sounds very expensive to me as someone that has hunted Zimbabwe many times.

The things that make it expensive are: 1.) You want 7-10 days of hunting. The costs are 90% as much for the operator for this unusual hunt than a 14-21 day hunt. Sure they’ll do your hunt, but they’re going to charge you more. From Chicago to Harare to Camp and back to home reversed, round trip, is 5 calendar days. It’s a hell of a lot of travel for 7-10 days. The jet lag wears off by your 3rd to 5th day hunting so you probably won’t remember much of the first few days but general euphoria or malaise.

The other issue is you want to hunt 3 low-dollar animals. So the incredible costs of preparing your hunt, provisions, staff, making camp, logistics, etc. needs to be absorbed into very expensive daily rates since you’re hunting a $6500 sable, a $900 zebra, and a $500 warthog.

The maybe animals are definitely tricky. Baboons are smart and shot at often, maybe you’ll get one which earns the PH $50 trophy fee. Monster Kudu as defined by an RSA size would be 58”-60” and the odds of them getting you that $1800 trophy-fee kudu is 1:100 to 1:1000. A buffalo is definitely doable, but that’s 7-10 days of hunting for that whether trophy bull or cow. Civet is just dumb luck if you’re hunting at night, but night hunting isn’t allowed everywhere and somebody hunting buffalo will be too tired to hunt at night. Jackals are just dumb luck but you have a 50/50 chance of sluicing one from the truck if you keep a .22 in the front seat. There are no Springbok in Zim.

Bottom line, your hunt sounds very complicated and these prescriptions will result in no good operator in Zim wanting your business under your terms.

Suggestion? Go with the flow. Don’t make prescriptions. Ask a different, better question: “I’m on a budget and want to have the time of my life on a 14 day safari, what’s the best hunt i can get in Zimbabwe for X-thousand dollars?”

The answer will probably be for around $15,000-$18,000 you can have a hell of a nice safari with an exportable buffalo, a nice kudu/waterbuck/bushbuck/impala/zebra/warthog thrown into the scenarios. Roughly 5-7 animals over 14 days.

Thank you for you advice, Rookhawk. I was looking at it differently, and enjoy the fresh perspective. I was trying to keep the "ask" as little as possible by asking for fewer days and lower dollar animals. I probably should just state my budget and see what is available for that price. I am not really set on any animal, I had originally thought a buffalo cow but was told they didn't do that in Zim. I will give that some thought.
I am more concerned about the type and quality of the hunt than the trophy.
Thanks again.

 

[Smitty]

To save myself or others from the same fate, would you mind sharing what went wrong with your first hunt? I can infer what you wish was different, but maybe not why it happened the way it did.

Hi CBeck! I really wouldn't say anything was wrong, it was a great experience. It was simply different than what I am looking for now. It was my first trip to Africa, a place I had dreamed of for 40 years (literally) and never thought I would be able to go. I went to the East Cape for a 10 day hunt on a game farm. I saw lots of animals, and it was awesome. However, since it is a game farm, there were no dangerous game on the property. The only way I saw a leopard, lion, elephant, or Cape Buffalo was in a tour to a cat sanctuary and to Addo National Park. No hippos, no crocs. I have always heard about the legendary ability of trackers to follow a trail. The style of hunting there was spot and stalk. My PH was really, really good at stalking us in to the animals, so we never needed to track anything. I didn't see a local village or people living in a tribal setting. It was a different hunt with 8 animals taken and a great time, it was just different.
Here is my original hunt report:

Thread 'SOUTH AFRICA: My Once In A Lifetime Trip To Africa With Umlilo Safaris Eastern Cape'

Jun 10, 2019

My Trip To Africa

By Smitty

To begin, let me say I have hunted my entire life and since I was little, I have dreamt of Africa. I saw “Hatari” with John Wayne and was hooked. Growing up, I read many books on Africa. As expected, my favorite author was Peter H. Capstick.

I am a working man, having spent most of my life as a carpenter and in blue collar jobs. Hunting Africa always seemed something out of my reach, and although I had researched a trip many times, it was never really something I thought I would be able to afford.

The story really begins with a heart problem...

• Smitty
• Replies: 66
• Forum: Hunting reports Africa

• 

 

[375Fox]

There are buffalo cow hunts in Zimbabwe, but that quota is often used for lion hunts as bait. It costs more money up front to put on a hunt in Zimbabwe, so lower end animals are often added to a bigger hunt rather than done as an individual hunt.

I found this offer and some of the hunt reports interesting. It doesn’t seem your normal game farm from the reports I’ve seen here. I think you are really limiting your options though with such specific dates and less than 6 months away. The best outfitters and areas are booked over a year out.

Thread '2025 Buffalo Cow Reserve Hunt (44,500 Acres!!)'

Oct 28, 2024

Good day AH community!

We have just finished our 4th consecutive season at the reserve and it is simply incredible to see how the buffalo hunting improves each year. Limiting the quota every year is certainly paying dividends and we are seeing a definitive increase each year in the buffalo numbers. Specifically older bulls and cows.

Once you've hunted a cape buffalo you'll realize why its such an addictive hunt - and chasing cows is no different! The hunt for a cow is not any different in quality to a bull hunt in any way shape or form. If you could bottle the feeling of your first...

• BAYLY SIPPEL SAFARIS
• 2025 bayly sippel safaris buffalo cow buffalo cow hunt buffalo cow hunting buffalo cow hunting 2025 buffalo cow hunting south africa free range hunting
• Replies: 5
• Forum: Deals & offers

• 

 

[rookhawk]

Thank you for you advice, Rookhawk. I was looking at it differently, and enjoy the fresh perspective. I was trying to keep the "ask" as little as possible by asking for fewer days and lower dollar animals. I probably should just state my budget and see what is available for that price. I am not really set on any animal, I had originally thought a buffalo cow but was told they didn't do that in Zim. I will give that some thought.
I am more concerned about the type and quality of the hunt than the trophy.
Thanks again.

In Zimbabwe your price for a half-sized animal with its horns knocked off is the same price as the new world record. The trophy fees go to the State in large part and they couldn’t care less if it’s a good trophy. Only you and the pride of your PH cares that you’re hunting high quality, mature animals in a sporting manner.

Don’t go looking for cull deals on animals in Zim, you’re just going to pay a big daily rate for a poached-out concession. Pay the same price and hunt in a good area with a good PH.

Minimum price for a good 14 day Zim safari is going to be around $15,000, for around $25,000 you can find deals on a Ele/Buff or Ele/Leopard if you’re willing to hunt at the end of the season in Sept/Oct and they have remaining unsold quota. The trophy quality will be lower than RSA because they are wild animals not under husbandry, so once you throw in the word “monster” your odds of connecting are as slim as asking to hunt whitetail but only shooting “Boone and Crocket” or better. On many Zim safaris I shot SCI Silver Medal quality trophies, a few golds over the years, but nothing like you can buy in RSA behind high fence.

The other question I have is what is your 21 year old going to do? Zim wilderness hunting is mighty, mighty boring for a non-hunter. Hunting buffalo or elephant is a miserable, painful walk that might involve sleeping in the tracks of an elephant overnight, paying extra for hypothermia, running out of snacks and water, and generally pushing a hunter to the limit. My fanatical hunter kids wouldn’t tolerate that if they weren’t behind the gun.

Would it be more appropriate to say it’s a 2:1, two hunter, one PH combo hunt with the two of you sharing a bag of trophy animals on quota? You need to discuss and disclose that with the Operator/PH before hand, they are generous and flexible if you negotiate a father son hunt ahead of time, but they won’t take kindly to the observer becoming a hunter at observer rates if you spring that on them upon arrival.

The shorter the hunt and the more prescriptive you are, the more likely you’re going to be recommended to go to the Save or Bubye Valley Conservancy. Awesome places that can handle in-and-out in 5-7 day type hunts, but also designed for people that fly in on their own jets and can only be away from their multinational corporation for 5-7 days even if costs 4x the price of 21 days.

 

[Smitty]

There are buffalo cow hunts in Zimbabwe, but that quota is often used for lion hunts as bait. It costs more money up front to put on a hunt in Zimbabwe, so lower end animals are often added to a bigger hunt rather than done as an individual hunt.

I found this offer and some of the hunt reports interesting. It doesn’t seem your normal game farm from the reports I’ve seen here. I think you are really limiting your options though with such specific dates and less than 6 months away. The best outfitters and areas are booked over a year out.

Thread '2025 Buffalo Cow Reserve Hunt (44,500 Acres!!)'

Oct 28, 2024

Good day AH community!

We have just finished our 4th consecutive season at the reserve and it is simply incredible to see how the buffalo hunting improves each year. Limiting the quota every year is certainly paying dividends and we are seeing a definitive increase each year in the buffalo numbers. Specifically older bulls and cows.

Once you've hunted a cape buffalo you'll realize why its such an addictive hunt - and chasing cows is no different! The hunt for a cow is not any different in quality to a bull hunt in any way shape or form. If you could bottle the feeling of your first...

• BAYLY SIPPEL SAFARIS
• 2025 bayly sippel safaris buffalo cow buffalo cow hunt buffalo cow hunting buffalo cow hunting 2025 buffalo cow hunting south africa free range hunting
• Replies: 5
• Forum: Deals & offers

• 

Good point. I am sorry about the specific dates. I have to wait for my son to finish his final exams at college and return for my daughters wedding, so I have bookends on the calendar. I may have to see what's available in July, that would work as well.
Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[375Fox]

Good point. I am sorry about the specific dates. I have to wait for my son to finish his final exams at college and return for my daughters wedding, so I have bookends on the calendar. I may have to see what's available in July, that would work as well.
Thanks for the recommendation!

I’d be thinking 2026. Unfortunately the dates you are asking are very popular dates for hunting in Southern Africa as well. Many outfitters have a lot more flexibility later in season after September.

 

[rookhawk]

I’d be thinking 2026. Unfortunately the dates you are asking are very popular dates for hunting in Southern Africa as well. Many outfitters have a lot more flexibility later in season after September.

That’s exactly right. My operator is booked up solid in June-July with aristocrats, sheikhs, princes, and robber barons. That’s where he makes his money on $50k-$150k hunts.

That’s beyond my means, I bat clean-up when his staff would love a few more wages and tips before they shut down for the year. The Operator would be delighted to get something for the odd unsold quota remaining as well. But for me to have $80k quality hunts for $20k-ish dollars, I don’t call the shots on dates, I come when I’m invited to be a bit of gravy on their overall financials for the year.

In essence, I’m not a particularly good client. @Smitty you unknowingly are acting like a $150k safari client with your prescriptions but I’m sensing you’re actually a value-shopper looking for a deal.

The word July and “deal” don’t exist in the same universe. You’re asking for the peak demand week of the year at the Waldorf Astoria but you want to spend Holiday Inn prices.

I’d recommend you come out with it, spill your budget parameters so the forum members can advise you on the art of the possible.

P.S. - You asked for Sable. They are notoriously expensive in Zim, way more than trophy buffalo. Not sure you realized that. Sable is $6500-$8000 in Zim, Buffalo with hard bosses can be as low as $3800-$4500. They may not be endemic to the same areas.

 

[MarkB]

From my take on your request.

As others state I think your dates are to close for 25 to make it work at a "reasonable" cost. If 2026 was possible it may be a better option, or even later in 25.

You have a few issues/problems with your plan. 7-10 days is really to short for what you seek.

If you hunt buff your daily rates are higher for DG, PG rates are lower. Some outfitters may charge DG rates until after buff is in salt then drop to PG rates but probably not on your short hunt??

Springbuck mostly limits your countries to SA or Namibia, if you could drop or add a few days to get in SA before of after the Zim hunt that is an easy option.

Lastly you have that civet on your list, they are normally a specialized night hunt, I have done this on every hunt, also as a none drinker I would rather be on the back of a truck pit lamping each night for a few hrs than around a bar. This can be done but creates work for outfitter, both for permits and maintaining a bait station before your hunt.

I do think Zim is a great deal and has most if not all that you desire and probably at the best price. There may be places in SA that would work but ultimately all are fenced or priced high.

I took my wife as a none hunter on our 18 leopard/buff/pg hunt in Zim and she had a blast, on truck, following along or the odd camp rest day. Your son should be OK and be entertained.

I would contact Wayne @NYAMAZANA SAFARIS, he is in Zim. Tell him what you desire and want he will be straight up and tell you if he can do. I do think Zim is a great deal and has most but not all that you desire and probably at the best price. I night hunted with Wayne on my hunt, we also had a camp with leopard growling in morning while I drank coffee.

Give him a contact and start the conversation, he will not BS you. If he can do he will tell you.

MB

 

[Rare Breed]

I truly enjoyed my only trip to Africa. I shot plains game in the East Cape, and it was awesome. However, a few of the iconic features of a Safari were missing. So, I am hoping to find a different hunt where the experience is more important that the trophy list. I am a simple man, and not a wealthy one. Here is an idea of what I am hoping for at a reasonable price. Dates would be between the 27th of May and June 18th.

Goals for the trip. 7-10 hunting days. For myself (64) and my son (21 year old observer)

• Hunt or camp where we can see/hear hippos, crocs, maybe lions, leopards, buffalo. I would LOVE to hunt an area where we might see some of the big 5, or hear the lions, hyenas, and leopards at night.
• Watch trackers work a trail and track down an animal for a long distance. Maybe get in close on a buffalo or Elephant just one time for fun.
• See Local village and perhaps donate meat or school supplies.
• Find a native hand axe, or other crafted item.
• Maybe get one day of fishing, or see Victoria Falls.

Not Needed.

• Alcohol. I do not drink
• Luxurious accommodation, 5 star dining. A tent camp would be fine.

Animals to hunt.

• Sable
• Zebra (to replace my lost hide)
• Warthog – a really toothy one!

Animals to hunt maybe

• Baboon
• Kudu… if a MONSTER
• Buffalo (cull or cow?)
• Civet
• Jackal
• Springbuck (I really regret not taking one before).

Thoughts
ZIMBABWE Seems to be the obvious choice to me, but what part and how much more expensive is it. The reason I am not choosing a Buffalo hunt is because of the size of my wallet.

Dalton & York would be perfect for you. I took a hard earned cape buff with them