2026 Elephant Hunt Recommendations?

[Mtn_Infantry]

Not a hard and fast budget but based on outfitters we are considering with great reviews and seem to find success, I am seeing options from 25-35K. This is not saying I am not flexible depending on the right opportunity but as originally stated, looking for the best value for money. If money was not an object, I would already be booked in Botswana.

Cam,

Did you book yet? I was just contacted about a Botswana and Namibia cancellation this year that might be right up your alley. If you can flex to 2025. I personally lean towards the Zim recommendation. There are some great areas and PH’s, and think the cost/price structure is a little bit better value, and really want to hunt the Zambezi one of these days.

 

[Safariswestcam]

Cam,

Did you book yet? I was just contacted about a Botswana and Namibia cancellation this year that might be right up your alley. If you can flex to 2025. I personally lean towards the Zim recommendation. There are some great areas and PH’s, and think the cost/price structure is a little bit better value, and really want to hunt the Zambezi one of these days.

I apologize for the delay.... was out of pocket skiing a few days with the family. I have not committed just yet but I do know that this year will 100% not work. I will be in TZ for a hunt this year and that has me pretty well covered for 25. Thank you for keeping me in mind though.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I apologize for the delay.... was out of pocket skiing a few days with the family. I have not committed just yet but I do know that this year will 100% not work. I will be in TZ for a hunt this year and that has me pretty well covered for 25. Thank you for keeping me in mind though.

Glad to hear. I hope you videotape the hunt again and post another awesome write-up. Your self-filmed and edited hunt video from KNS was IMO better than 80% of the videos I’ve seen made by a contracted or paid videographer. If you didn’t already have a successful career, I’d suggest you get into filming and editing people’s hunts.

Keep an eye out for 2026, I get those types of WhatsApp messages every year around June/July from multiple outfitters in different countries (RSA, Namibia, Botswana, Zim, and Zambia) that someone had to cancel/postpone a hunt, or they got an extra permit, etc. They seemed to start a little earlier this year, I’m sure there will be more next year.

If you PM me, I can give you the name of a great outfitter in Zim. I’ve personally hunted with him, and there’s at least 4 or 5 members on this forum who have as well. He will be who I book my Leopard hunt with in the near future, despite the 1st attempt being unsuccessful (leopard wasn’t the primary target and wasn’t the best time of the year but I knew going in). He’s very flexible and I can assure you would work with you on a 2026 hunt.

Good luck in Tanzania and hope the family enjoyed your skiing trip

 

[Rare Breed]

Glad to hear. I hope you videotape the hunt again and post another awesome write-up. Your self-filmed and edited hunt video from KNS was IMO better than 80% of the videos I’ve seen made by a contracted or paid videographer. If you didn’t already have a successful career, I’d suggest you get into filming and editing people’s hunts.

Keep an eye out for 2026, I get those types of WhatsApp messages every year around June/July from multiple outfitters in different countries (RSA, Namibia, Botswana, Zim, and Zambia) that someone had to cancel/postpone a hunt, or they got an extra permit, etc. They seemed to start a little earlier this year, I’m sure there will be more next year.

If you PM me, I can give you the name of a great outfitter in Zim. I’ve personally hunted with him, and there’s at least 4 or 5 members on this forum who have as well. He will be who I book my Leopard hunt with in the near future, despite the 1st attempt being unsuccessful (leopard wasn’t the primary target and wasn’t the best time of the year but I knew going in). He’s very flexible and I can assure you would work with you on a 2026 hunt.

Good luck in Tanzania and hope the family enjoyed your skiing trip

I can tell you @Mtn_Infantry has so many great outfitters keeping him in the know in terms of cancelled hunts!!!

 

[rookhawk]

A few well respected members on this forum, including myself have had great success with Vaughan Wilson from Mapassa safaris in Matabeleland, Zimbabwe. +40lbs a side is not guaranteed but is feasible:
View attachment 664398

This was 44 and 48lbs.

I can share contacts in pm

I second Vaughan Whitehead Wilson for affordable, big elephants in Zim. I think he's 4 for 4 in the past couple years with forum members for elephants in the 40s and 50s pound range. I was in his skinning shed looking at a recent client's three trophies and the ivory was in the 60s (and I think one over 70?).

 

[Rockwall205]

First bull down this year at Sengwe ! Hunter shot this guy on the first day out . I don’t think I could have passed him either.
My wife and I leave in about six weeks now . Of course I will let her shoot the bigger bull!