7-Day Non-Exportable Elephant Bull Safari in Zimbabwe

 

2026 / 2027

 

7-Day Non-Exportable Elephant Bull Safari in Zimbabwe

 

ONLY $21,810

 

TROPHY FEE INCLUDED:

• 1 Non-Exportable African Elephant Bull Trophy Fee

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THIS SAFARI INCLUDES:

• 7 Full Hunting Days
• 1×1 Professional Hunter
• Professional Tracking Team
• 3-Star Tented Camp Accommodations
• Arrival Day Lodging
• Final Hunting Day Overnight Lodging
• All Meals
• Beer, Wine, and Spirits in Moderation
• Airport Pick-Up / Drop-Off & Road Transfers
• Necessary Hunting Permits
• Field Preparation of Trophy

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EXTRAS:

• Observer – $350 / Day
• Rifle Rental – $50 / Day
• Ammunition – $15 / Bullet
• VAT on Lodging / Daily Rates, if Applicable
• VAT on Trophy Fees, if Applicable
• VAT on Animals Not Exported, if Applicable
• Additional Trophy Animals
• Trophy Transportation to Taxidermist / Dip & Pack Agent
• Dip & Pack Services
• Taxidermy
• Trophy Shipping
• Gratuities

 

This 7-day 1×1 non-exportable Elephant Bull safari takes place in the Hwange Communal Hunting Area of northwestern Zimbabwe, within Matabeleland North. The hunting area encompasses more than one million acres of unfenced wilderness adjoining the greater Hwange ecosystem, providing the opportunity to pursue free-ranging African Elephant through traditional tracking and walk-and-stalk hunting.

The hunt centers on locating a suitable mature bull. Each day is spent working with your professional hunter and experienced tracking team to search for fresh elephant sign, follow tracks through the bush, and evaluate animals encountered along the way. This is an active dangerous-game safari where patience, walking ability, accurate shooting, and following the professional hunter’s direction are all important parts of the experience.

 

About the African Elephant

The African Elephant is the largest living land animal and one of the most iconic species associated with traditional African dangerous-game hunting. Mature bulls can reach tremendous size and are distinguished not only by their overall body mass but also by their large heads, heavy tusks, thick legs, and the considerable physical presence that separates an old bull from younger animals.

Bull elephants may travel alone, in small bachelor groups, or move through areas used by larger breeding herds. Their movements can cover substantial distances as they travel between water, feeding areas, river systems, and seasonal habitat. Despite their size, elephants can move quietly through thick bush, making fresh tracks and other signs especially important when trying to locate them in expansive hunting country.

This safari focuses on finding a suitable mature bull within the available quota rather than guaranteeing a particular ivory weight or record-book measurement. Tusk size and condition vary naturally between individual elephants, and your professional hunter will evaluate the bulls encountered to determine whether an animal is appropriate for the hunt booked.

 

 

The Elephant Hunting Area in Zimbabwe

The safari takes place in the Hwange Communal Hunting Area of Matabeleland North in northwestern Zimbabwe. The broader hunting area encompasses more than one million acres of free-range country, with the Zambezi River forming its northern boundary. There are no high fences restricting elephant movement, allowing animals to move naturally throughout the surrounding landscape and adjoining wilderness areas.

The terrain is exceptionally varied. Areas closer to Hwange National Park contain deep Kalahari sands, while other portions of the concession transition into rocky hills, kopjes, open grasslands, bushveld, seasonal river systems, and dense riverine thickets. These changing habitats create very different tracking conditions over the course of a hunt and can range from relatively open visibility to extremely thick vegetation.

Underfoot conditions can also change dramatically throughout the day. Hunters may follow elephants through soft sand, firm ground, dry riverbeds, rocky hills, and heavy bush during the same tracking session. Walking distances depend entirely on where the elephants have moved and the quality of the tracks found, so hunters should be prepared to spend extended periods on foot across varied terrain.

 

 

Elephant Hunting Methods

A typical elephant hunting day begins before sunrise with coffee and a light breakfast in camp. You will then leave with your professional hunter and tracking team in a 4×4 hunting vehicle to begin searching for fresh elephant activity. Roads, water sources, feeding areas, river systems, and other likely locations are checked for tracks and signs showing where elephants have moved during the night or early morning.

Once promising tracks are located, you and the team will continue on foot. Experienced trackers study the tracks while your professional hunter considers the wind, terrain, age of the tracks, and direction of travel. A single track may be followed for several hours through changing terrain before the elephants are located, and some tracks ultimately lead to unsuitable animals or end without a successful approach. The tracking itself is therefore one of the central parts of the safari.

When elephants are located, your professional hunter will carefully evaluate the animals to determine whether a suitable bull matching the booked hunt and available quota is present. An approach is made only when conditions allow, and you will follow your professional hunter’s instructions throughout the stalk. Lunch may be taken back at camp or in the field depending on the progress of the hunt, and the afternoon may involve continuing an existing track or moving to another portion of the hunting area to begin searching again.

Daily routines remain intentionally flexible because elephant movement, weather, track conditions, wind, and animal behavior ultimately determine how each day unfolds. Following a successful hunt, the team handles field preparation and recovery arrangements. Otherwise, the search begins the following morning again.

 

About the Outfitter

This safari is conducted by an experienced Zimbabwe dangerous-game operation with professional hunters and tracking teams familiar with the Hwange ecosystem and the movements of free-ranging Elephant throughout the region. The emphasis is on traditional tracking, careful evaluation of suitable bulls, and adapting each hunting day to current elephant activity and field conditions.

Because of the immense size of the hunting area and the natural movement of elephants through the region, each hunt develops differently. Your professional hunter and trackers will determine where to concentrate their efforts each day based on recent sign, water availability, feeding activity, and known elephant movements rather than following a predetermined hunting routine.

 

The 3-Star Zimbabwe Tented Safari Camps

Accommodation is provided in traditional 3-star tented safari camps, with the specific camp assigned according to the portion of the hunting area being used. Camp options include spacious stilted safari tents beside the Zambezi River as well as a wilderness bush camp positioned on a ridge overlooking the surrounding country.

The camps provide comfortable accommodations with solar power, backup generators, Wi-Fi, and daily laundry service. The riverside camp includes en-suite showers and toilets along with a shared lounge, bar, dining area, and swimming pool. The combination of traditional tented accommodations and modern amenities provides a comfortable place to return after long days tracking Elephant through the surrounding wilderness.

 

 

Additional Hunting Opportunities

Additional species may be available during the safari according to current quotas, season, availability, and the outfitter’s applicable trophy fee schedule. Hunters interested in adding another species should discuss available opportunities before the safari or with their professional hunter while in camp.

 

 

Trophy Handling and Care

Skinning and field preparation are included in the safari price. Following a successful hunt, the professional hunter and safari team will coordinate field preparation and recovery according to the requirements of the booked non-exportable elephant hunt.

Transportation to a taxidermist or dip-and-pack agent, dip-and-pack services, taxidermy, and shipping are not included. Any arrangements involving additional exportable trophies taken during the safari must comply with the applicable Zimbabwe export permits and the import requirements of the hunter’s destination country.

 

Taxidermy

Taxidermy, dip-and-pack services, trophy transportation, and international shipping are not included in the safari price. If additional exportable species are taken during the hunt, arrangements for delivery to an appropriate taxidermist or dip-and-pack provider can be coordinated with the outfitter.

 

Getting to Zimbabwe

You will fly into Victoria Falls International Airport in Zimbabwe, where airport pick-up, drop-off, and the road transfer to your assigned hunting camp are included. Depending on the camp and route, the northern hunting camps are approximately two hours from Victoria Falls. A charter flight is not normally required.

Your flight itinerary should be provided in advance so arrival and departure transfers can be coordinated with the hunting schedule. If traveling with your own firearm, airline carriage requirements, Zimbabwe firearm documentation, and any requirements for transit countries should be confirmed well before departure. Arrival day lodging and the overnight stay following the final hunting day are included.

Victoria Falls is also nearby, making it possible to arrange a visit before or after the safari. Any additional accommodations, sightseeing activities, or transfers associated with an extended stay are separate from the hunt package.

 

The Elephant Hunting Season

This non-exportable Elephant Bull safari is available from March through November.

 

The Best Time to Hunt

The recommended period for this hunt is generally April through October. May through August typically offers cooler hunting conditions, while September and October are hotter and drier, which can influence elephant movements and concentrate activity around available water.

 

Recommended Firearms and Rental Rifles

The outfitter recommends a reliable dangerous-game rifle chambered in .375 H&H or a suitable larger caliber that you can handle confidently and shoot accurately. Familiarity with the rifle and the ability to manage recoil are especially important on an Elephant hunt.

High-quality solid ammunition designed for dangerous game is recommended. Suitable examples provided by the outfitter include Woodleigh Hydro, Barnes, and Sledgehammer bullets. The specific bullet, load, and ammunition quantity should be confirmed with the outfitter before traveling.

Rental rifles are available for $50 per day, with ammunition charged at $15 per bullet. This outfitter uses a veriety of dangerous game calibers and should be booked in advance with your safari. 

 

Deposit Policy

A 50% deposit is required to reserve this safari. The remaining balance is due upon completion of the hunt and may be paid by cash or bank wire transfer.

 

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations made at least 180 days before the scheduled safari start date qualify for a full refund of the deposit. For cancellations made fewer than 180 days before departure, a refund is available only if the safari can be resold to another client at the full price. Every effort will be made to resell the safari, but resale cannot be guaranteed.

A $150 fee is payable directly to the booking agent for any approved rescheduled hunt. Hunts moved to a subsequent year will be subject to that year’s pricing.

 

EXCLUSIONS: Observer fees, rifle rental, ammunition, additional trophy animals, VAT on lodging or daily rates where applicable, VAT on trophy fees where applicable, VAT on animals not exported where applicable, trophy transportation to a taxidermist or dip-and-pack agent, dip & pack services, taxidermy, international trophy shipping, gratuities, airfare, additional accommodations or activities before or after the safari, and personal expenses.

 

HUNT # ZW-HSC-Non-Exportable Elephant