Educate me on Zimbabwe

[uplander01]

My wife and I had the incredible experience of hunting the sengwa research area when Gary duckworth had the lease. It would be hard to imagine a more beautiful safari area and fantastic hunting. I think buzz Carlton has it now.

 

[Philip Glass]

I’ve got an itch to hunt Zimbabwe. I’m sure there are a lot of members here with lots of experience in that country. I see plenty of YouTube videos with various outfitters hunting in some of the more renowned locations like the nuanetsi , nakasanga, the Omay, the dande, and matetsi. My question is less about outfitters and more about the locations. I’d like to hear about the good and the bad. The difficulties of reaching the remote areas and the types and quality of game. Let’s hear about your experiences.

I've hunted a few areas in Zim and will be in Nyakasanga this year with my group hunting with Dalton & York. I usually take a charter plane so it doesn't matter where the Hunting area is. It is nice to have a group to defray this cost. There are differences in the hunting areas and mainly related to people. There are communal Campfire areas, Safari only areas, and some private land in Zim. I've only hunted Campfire areas thus far. Safari areas cost more but have more game and no people. The more people the fewer animals beginning with the small game. The Omay is an excellent example of a well managed communal area. Dalton & York have done a masterful job with the game there. One day we saw 40 Waterbuck bulls together in one herd and one group of 11 Kudu bulls! This is not by accident and will NOT happen normally in communal areas without careful management.
Like anything in life the better game rich areas will cost more. Keep researching and make a plan to hunt Zim soon!

 

[Philip Glass]

The biggest draw to hunting Zimbabwe to me is the skill of PH and trackers. It’s a true tracking hunt. They don’t expect to get dangerous game from truck and expect hard hunting. However, if you hunt Zimbabwe make sure you talk with recent references. Areas do change and encroachment and poaching is a problem. It doesn’t matter how good the PH is if the area doesn’t have it. There are a lot of marginal areas being offered by some outfitters for lower pricing. The private areas like nuanetsi and bubye and parts of save should have less opportunity to change. For other areas always ask how long the concession holder has the lease before booking. Also make sure you understand the difference between government safari areas, forestry areas, community, and private areas.

I agree wholeheartedly about the skill of those guys!

 

[Philip Glass]

I have a few basic questions about ZIM.

What are the average day rates? Plains Game? Dangerous Game?

Are there any company’s that provide the same kind of firearms import support like in South Africa?

Daily rates will start around $1000/day and go up depending on area and game hunted. Safari areas higher than communal areas. Buffalo trophy fee will be about $6000. Rifle permit is easy and no help is needed. You just take 3 copies filled out and do it right after getting your luggage. Our charter plane company acts as our VIP service in Harare airport and do an excellent job assisting.
Contact @DALTON & YORK SAFARIS for a current price list.

 

[Adam Stevens]

I second whats been repeated above. I would say my first draw to Zim, is the skilled PHs and trackers. highly professional, and exactly what you would expect. everyones grown up reading the old classic books, and stories of the professionals, and Zim Phs still embody that. and more then that, the majority of Zim Phs are a very high quality.

Then depending what you're looking for, the terrain. I myself for most of my life, read an article as a teenager about the zambezi valley, thick jess, true wild country and amazing buff tracking and hunting. I when i was 28 and finally saved up, I quickly stumbled upon CMS and Buzz was everything and more. What an amazing first safari in Nyakasanga I had. And planning to return to see Dande.

 

[Philip Glass]

It’s coming together!

 

[Tanks]

I quickly stumbled upon CMS and Buzz was everything and more. What an amazing first safari in Nyakasanga I had. And planning to return to see Dande.

Yep. CMS and Buzz are a First Class outfit and Nyakasanga and Dande are magical. I wanted a quick one-week buffalo hunt this year, but unfortunately, they were all sold out. Ended up booking Namibia instead to test out my Rigby Shikari.

 

[Adam Stevens]

Yep. CMS and Buzz are a First Class outfit and Nyakasanga and Dande are magical. I wanted a quick one-week buffalo hunt this year, but unfortunately, they were all sold out. Ended up booking Namibia instead to test out my Rigby Shikari.

Yes. Thats the good problem for them to have! Just unfortunate for us clients there's a reason they are well regarded, as you well known. I may be in the same boat as you if dates or hunts don't line up when it comes time to book.

 

[Tanks]

Well, it will turn out for the best, I think. I had not been to Caprivi before so that will be a change and something new. Nick Nolte Hunting Safaris came very highly recommended as well. Though, be careful Isabel Nolte is a very hard sell and persuasive, before you know you can also book a rhino etc.. I am waiting for another black rhino auction, so was able to resist.

 

[coreydb]

Contact a PH who offer hunts in Zimbabwe and ask away; that's what I did.

 

[Yukontom]

They have quota for this year only beyond that it’s undetermined.

I believe Dalton and York do have the Nyakasanga quota for the next several years. I spoke with York recently and am booked there for Buffalo and Leopard for August of 2028. I have hunted the Omay with him twice and can't recommend anyone higher. Note also that Nyakasanga is a bit more expensive than other options on both daily rate and trophy fees.

 

[375Fox]

I believe Dalton and York do have the Nyakasanga quota for the next several years. I spoke with York recently and am booked there for Buffalo and Leopard for August of 2028. I have hunted the Omay with him twice and can't recommend anyone higher. Note also that Nyakasanga is a bit more expensive than other options on both daily rate and trophy fees.

They have it for 2026 only. I’m sure they would like to get it beyond that, but there have have been some recent changes with the area. I don’t think anyone can guarantee 2027 or 2028 at the moment.

 

[DieJager]

The EU have a ban on Firearms to Zimbabwe but its only military type arms.No restrictions on hunting arms!

This is not true there is a ban and it is enforced in most of the EU countries.

That said I think it's it maybe possible with the right permits but I'm not certain. In my country you can ask a special permit for sanctioned goods besides that you need a permit for strategic goods. Etc.

In the future I'm going to asks for a test permit to see if this is a possibility.

I've learned a lot the last 7 months, that is the time it took, to get the right permits for my upcoming hunt.

 

[Adam Stevens]

This is not true there is a ban and it is enforced in most of the EU countries.

That said I think it's it maybe possible with the right permits but I'm not certain. In my country you can ask a special permit for sanctioned goods besides that you need a permit for strategic goods. Etc.

In the future I'm going to asks for a test permit to see if this is a possibility.

I've learned a lot the last 7 months, that is the time it took, to get the right permits for my upcoming hunt.

Not recommending this, just what I've read and heard before. It's the same deal with Canada and Zim arms ban. I've heard people who connect through SA or other countries just carry those flight tickets, or even go for a hunt in SA and then continue onto Zim, and you can "leave your rifles in SA" wink wink.

It's only when home or dealing with your own border guards are the only ones that care

 

[KIH]

As i se it, the best suvenir is a film team to make a hunting video, a more lasting memory than Ivory and buffalo bosses. Then you cant film Zimbabwe hunt with your own weapon.

 

[Andrew62]

I've hunted Nyakasanga, Omay 2x, Dande South, Metetsi 2x, Nuanetzi, all of them have their strengths. Some of my hunts in Zim were before the internet so I used a booking agent, today booking a hunt is completely different. I personally look on this site at hunt reports and offers, after finding an area or outfitter that interests me, I then dial in the numbers.

Last year I took a hunt in the Omay, total cost was around 20k, the same number of days and animals in Nyakasanga with a different outfitter was around 37k, so it pays to spend a bit of time sorting through the differences in areas.

I see you mention tuskless hunting, few things are more exhilarating than tuskless hunting.

 

[Rare Breed]

Definitely talk with Dave Langerman and Mokore safaris is another good one. Talk to as many as you can to get a better idea on the hunting and areas and see who you’d actually enjoy spending 10 or 14 days with. Other Zimbabwe names I see on list are Brent hein, Pete Fick, John Sharp, HHK, probably a few others sitting in someone else’s booth. Ask for price lists before the show and do some basic research on where they hunt and it will really help your conversations at booths. Write down booth numbers before show too.

Returning Exhibitor - Safari Club International Convention

Returning Exhibitors

convention.safariclub.org

If you are looking for an elephant you will not beat @Tokoloshe Safaris for a great hunt for a great price with great people I now consider as family!!! They are Binga elephants so smaller in the 15-25 pound range exportable. Right now $18k all in except tip and air. Fly into Victoria Falls in Zim then ask to hunt out of the lodge only a two hour drive from the airport

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

If you are looking for an elephant you will not beat @Tokoloshe Safaris for a great hunt for a great price with great people I now consider as family!!! They are Binga elephants so smaller in the 15-25 pound range exportable. Right now $18k all in except tip and air. Fly into Victoria Falls in Zim then ask to hunt out of the lodge only a two hour drive from the airport

I received a note from Africa Hunting sponsor @Tokoloshe Safaris last week that I will share with all,

If you want to discuss more please email us tokoloshesafaris@gmail.com
elephant price for 2026 10 days all inclusive $20000

That's a good price for all inclusive elephant hunt over 10 days!

 

[PatrickMa Ward]

I’ve got an itch to hunt Zimbabwe. I’m sure there are a lot of members here with lots of experience in that country. I see plenty of YouTube videos with various outfitters hunting in some of the more renowned locations like the nuanetsi , nakasanga, the Omay, the dande, and matetsi. My question is less about outfitters and more about the locations. I’d like to hear about the good and the bad. The difficulties of reaching the remote areas and the types and quality of game. Let’s hear about your experiences.

Do yourself a favor and look up John Sharp Safaris, I went out with him in 2021, it was outstanding.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Do yourself a favor and look up John Sharp Safaris, I went out with him in 2021, it was outstanding.

I had dinner with him the week before DSC. He’s got some great stories. Could only imagine him 1 on 1 on a hunt.