Elephant Hunting: Zimbabwe vs Mozambique

[ChasingHemingway]

My son, Noah (16), and I are starting to plan our next Africa safari. I have hunted SA 6 times and he has been with me on 2 of those trips which included multiple Buffalo and Lion. We are ready to hunt a new country and have started researching Elephant in Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Would be interested in the groups thoughts on the differences between these two countries for exportable elephant hunting from price, size of elephant to expect, and any other factors you would use to determine which country you would choose.

All My Best,

Derek

 

[Frederik]

As far as I know Elephant is not exportable from Mozambique to the USA so I suppose that leaves you with Zimbabwe with some top outfitters and some that advertise on the forum.

 

[375Fox]

Is there still quality elephant hunting in Mozambique? It was my understanding the elephant poaching was so severe it effectively ended most elephant hunting occurring there. Elephant hunting in Zimbabwe is very stable and offers some of the best PHs available for an elephant hunt. Trophies are typically modest though 25-40 lbs except for certain areas 50+ lbs. Prices are reasonable for Zimbabwe and nearly all applications from Zimbabwe are currently being approved. You might also consider the Caprivi in Namibia but I feel Zimbabwe generally offers a better elephant hunt because the areas are larger.

 

[ChasingHemingway]

As far as I know Elephant is not exportable from Mozambique to the USA so I suppose that leaves you with Zimbabwe with some top outfitters and some that advertise on the forum.

Thank you. I was unaware of that!!

 

[ChasingHemingway]

Is there still quality elephant hunting in Mozambique? It was my understanding the elephant poaching was so severe it effectively ended most elephant hunting occurring there. Elephant hunting in Zimbabwe is very stable and offers some of the best PHs available for an elephant hunt. Trophies are typically modest though 25-40 lbs except for certain areas 50+ lbs. Prices are reasonable for Zimbabwe and nearly all applications from Zimbabwe are currently being approved. You might also consider the Caprivi in Namibia but I feel Zimbabwe generally offers a better elephant hunt.

Thank you!! Very helpful.

 

[DLSJR]

As has been said previously, you cannot import ivory from Mozambique. Zimbabwe is not difficult. While there are other countries with very good elephant hunting and importable ivory, Zimbabwe provides a great combination of very good hunting with high quality PH’s at a reasonable price point.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

We just finished are 2024 season 8 for 8 on elephant.

Lon

 

[Mbalabala Safaris]

Hi Derek
I have some great area in Zimbabwe for both Non trophy bulls and trophy bulls depending on what you after.
Non trophy bulls we try take older bulls or bulls with broken tusks. It’s the same as shooting a trophy bull but half the price. (Around $18k)
I also have a good area for shooting the 30-45lbs bulls for $35k

Then I f you want an option for the bigger bulls then the price would be around $55-$70k.


Regards.

Lin Stanton
Email me for more information lindonstanton@yahoo.com

 

[ChasingHemingway]

As has been said previously, you cannot import ivory from Mozambique. Zimbabwe is not difficult. While there are other countries with very good elephant hunting and importable ivory, Zimbabwe provides a great combination of very good hunting with high quality PH’s at a reasonable price point.

Curious why the US has Mozambique as nonexportable. Thank you for the info.

 

[ChasingHemingway]

We just finished are 2024 season 8 for 8 on elephant.

Lon

Well done! I will PM you.

 

[ChasingHemingway]

Hi Derek
I have some great area in Zimbabwe for both Non trophy bulls and trophy bulls depending on what you after.
Non trophy bulls we try take older bulls or bulls with broken tusks. It’s the same as shooting a trophy bull but half the price. (Around $18k)
I also have a good area for shooting the 30-45lbs bulls for $35k

Then I f you want an option for the bigger bulls then the price would be around $55-$70k.


Regards.

Lin Stanton
Email me for more information lindonstanton@yahoo.com

Lon I will be reaching out to you! Thank you for the information.

 

[375Fox]

When you are evaluating areas I’d look at the age class of bulls taken there, the ivory size, the quantity of PG in area, and success rates. I’d also ask questions about how people area. Some community areas have much larger core areas than others. Dedicated safari areas have no people but are typically more expensive. You can have a good elephant hunt in any of them more just knowing what to expect. There are quite a few elephants offers I’d have no interest in because the bulls are too young or there is no PG in area. Hunting Zimbabwe is very different than South Africa. Choosing a hunt I’d assign priority to choosing the correct area followed closely by the right PH. I’d also only hunt with full time Zimbabwe PHs and outfitters.

 

[ChasingHemingway]

When you are evaluating areas I’d look at the age class of bulls taken there, the ivory size, the quantity of PG in area, and success rates. I’d also ask questions about how people area. Some community areas have much larger core areas than others. Dedicated safari areas have no people but are typically more expensive. You can have a good elephant hunt in any of them more just knowing what to expect. There are quite a few elephants offers I’d have no interest in because the bulls are too young or there is no PG in area. Hunting Zimbabwe is very different than South Africa. Choosing a hunt I’d assign priority to choosing the correct area followed closely by the right PH. I’d also only hunt with full time Zimbabwe PHs and outfitters.

Very helpful and I appreciate your added thought process in selection of area and outfitter. I’ll be reaching out to you for a 1:1!

 

[Hunt anything]

Curious why the US has Mozambique as nonexportable. Thank you for the info.
Mozambique doesn’t have a management plan that suits the USFWS, from what I understand they are getting close to getting approval ( as of a year or so ago) . I haven’t spent anytime there since 2014 and there was still good elephant in pockets around the country. We had to deal with a few problem elephant and there was a few fatalities to some villagers.

 

[rookhawk]

My son, Noah (16), and I are starting to plan our next Africa safari. I have hunted SA 6 times and he has been with me on 2 of those trips which included multiple Buffalo and Lion. We are ready to hunt a new country and have started researching Elephant in Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Would be interested in the groups thoughts on the differences between these two countries for exportable elephant hunting from price, size of elephant to expect, and any other factors you would use to determine which country you would choose.

All My Best,

Derek

Your question doesn’t really apply to Moz.

The question as far as trophy elephant are concerned, which is better Zimbabwe or Botswana. Lots of pros and cons on both of those, but those two would be your destination.

 

[ChasingHemingway]

Your question doesn’t really apply to Moz.

The question as far as trophy elephant are concerned, which is better Zimbabwe or Botswana. Lots of pros and cons on both of those, but those two would be your destination.

I thought about Botswana but the prices I have been quoted put it a bit out of reach. My initial research was Zim was more affordable for elephant hunting.

 

[rookhawk]

I thought about Botswana but the prices I have been quoted put it a bit out of reach. My initial research was Zim was more affordable for elephant hunting.

In a desire to be even handed, I tried not to show my bias in the response, but I find Zim to be a great value. For trophy exportable elephant in Zim, you can find very good deals on bulls in the 40-60lb range, all-in 14 day hunts in the $23,000-$30,000 price range. Those same bulls in Botswana usually cost a lot more.

In fairness to Botswana, there are far-flung areas of Botswana where you can see 20-50 elephants in a day, and by sheer volume of bulls viewed, you may find a 70 pounder or more in those herds. You could pay as much as $80,000 for such a hunt, but some of them are less than that.