Big Five animals on the hunt

Most hunters associate Africa with the "Big Five" species ("Dangerous Game") and with romantic traditional tented safaris. The list of countries where one can still hunt the Big Five is dwindling, and the cost of these hunts is now beyond the reach of many. South Africa is the only country where one can take all five species legally, and then only on private land where huntable populations of Rhino have been nurtured back from the brink of extinction.

This feat may also be possible in Namibia but on an extremely limited basis with Rhino and Lion being the difficult pieces of the puzzle, but here at least some of your hunting will be on open range land. The traditional concession hunt is alive and well in Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, parts of Namibia, Mozambique and several Central and Western African countries. These hunting areas are generally well-managed by the respective governments who recognize their increasing value as a source of foreign currency (and many of these areas are in any case unsuitable for farming due to climate and tsetse flies...the hunter's best friend). In these few remaining totally natural and unspoiled areas, hunts are offered for four of the Big Five species, ie all except rhino. Lion hunts are limited, due to a feline disease that has reduced lion numbers in recent years, and the fact that lions and humans, particularly cattle farmers, do not get along well.

The same can be said for Leopard but this species is much more elusive, being mainly nocturnal, and has adapted well, even thrived, in the midst of human settlement. Leopard are found and hunted in every country in Southern Africa (Botswana has just announced a ban reflecting that country's mineral riches and strong eco-tourist industry .. in other words they don't need hunting revenues and the greens have a lot of clout with the government). Leopard hunting is done mainly in the traditional manner (from a blind over bait) but in certain areas it's possible to hunt them with trackers and/or dogs - a very exciting hunt indeed. Cape Buffalo don't get along with cattle either due to the diseases carried by the former, but they are plentiful in the hunting areas and have been reintroduced on many former cattle ranches ... a buffalo hunt fetches $10-15K whereas a cow is worth perhaps $500. Buffalo hunts are very popular and widely available and the hunting of them is as hair-raising as ever.

The African Elephant is another species that is thriving, to the point where there are far too many elephant for the remaining habitat in many Southern African countries. This is not true in the rest of Africa, particularly those countries that don't "get" the economics of big game hunting and have allowed their elephant populations to dwindle due to lack of habitat and ivory poaching. Elephant hunts are surprisingly reasonable especially in Zimbabwe, where marauding (PAC), management bull, and tuskless cow (genetically inferior) Elephant are offered at very reasonable prices, below the cost of a Cape Buffalo hunt. Zimbabwe is also a popular destination for exportable trophy bull elephant hunts. However, finding a bull with heavy ivory outside the National Parks is still a challenge though...elephants need to live beyond the 50 year mark to develop good ivory so the elephant of today reflect the management practices of the past. The picture is getting brighter though.

The best destination for big trophy Elephant is Botswana, where very large tuskers are taken each year at very large prices. A few good elephant are taken each year in Namibia. Elephant populations now exceed the carrying capacity of many national parks and concessions in Southern Africa, as a result of the decision to end culling in the late 80s (the resulting population explosion has triggered a habitat crisis and culling is about to resume in South Africa as well as Zim and possibly Botswana). Elephant are the most intelligent dangerous game species and are extremely challenging to hunt.

 For this reason some hunters graduate to hunting elephant only, and return annually for the sole purpose of hunting them. Lion are available in Zambia and Tanzania, but hunters must book lengthy hunts and pay high daily rates in addition to stiff trophy fees. Lion are also offered on a limited basis in South Africa (beware of "canned" hunts for aging circus lions!)and Botswana, although lion hunting has been permitted on an intermittent basis in recent times and is currently (2008) closed. Again, Zimbabwe provides the best value if not the highest density of Lion. Plan to spend $30 to 50K on a hunt for a mature male, and book two to three years in advance. Rhino are almost extinct in all but Namibia and South Africa, where populations have been nurtured back to huntable levels. In those countries, it has become necessary to take surplus and aging males to avoid often-mortal combat within the group. Prices are at the "if you have to ask" level, particularly for Black Rhino.

The available quota is sold out years in advance, with Asian hunters paying very high prices for all the wrong reasons.
Hippo and croc have become desirable trophies and the term "Big Five" has been expanded to "Dangerous Seven" with the inclusion of these two species. Hippo are in fact responsible for more human deaths in Africa than any other species, and the territorial dominant bulls are very aggressive indeed. Croc hunting requires the utmost in stealth and bullet placement. Both species are available wherever human habitation is curtailed and perennial water is present.

The first time hunter is tempted to rush out to buy a real "Safari Rifle" in a caliber that includes the word "Holland" or "Rigby". Before doing so, read Cartridges and Bullets for African Game Usually you are better off shooting the rifle you are most familiar with. A 30-06 is adequate for all species excluding Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino and Hippo. A 375 H&H is a fine choice for the one-rifle battery, using solids for the smaller species.

Should you go, you will experience the timeless ambience of the African bush, feel her rythms, hear her night sounds, and gaze into the embers of a fragrant fire made from one of her hardwoods, as generations of adventurous hunters before you have done. I predict that you will not regret the decision. I have yet to meet a hunter that has; many find that the call of Africa is strong, returning as often as they can in that short window of life when our physical and financial status allow us to do so.
For those who have done Africa and Alaska and are looking for new horizons, we are happy to suggest Argentina. A vast country known for wingshooting, Argentina also offers a wide variety of big game from the massive Water Buffalo all the way down to the humble Peccary. It's a long trip just for birds, so make the most of it by taking some unique big game trophies.
We can vouch for these Safari operators, having personally hunted with many of them. The list is short but the quality is high.