HUNT
ZIMBABWE
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in Africa, of 39 075 700 hectares, bordered by South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana and Zambia. Altitudes range from around 500 meters in the northern Zambezi Valley to 1500 meters in the high-veld and then slope down again to around 300 meters in the south-east Low-veld. Zimbabwe also has some of the world’s most ancient rock formations known generally as the Basement Complex. Large scale faulting in the distant past has been responsible for the creation of the Middle Zambezi Valley in the north and the Save Valley in the east.
All Zimbabwe hunting locations
Cape to Cairo Safari preferred camp locations
Zimbabwe, officially Republic of Zimbabwe, formerly (1911–64) Southern Rhodesia, (1964–79) Rhodesia, or (1979–80) Zimbabwe Rhodesia, landlocked country of southern Africa. It shares a 125-mile (200-kilometre) border on the south with the Republic of South Africa and is bounded on the southwest and west by Botswana, on the north by Zambia, and on the northeast and east by Mozambique. The capital is Harare (formerly called Salisbury). Zimbabwe achieved majority rule and internationally recognized independence in April 1980 following a long period of colonial rule and a 15-year period of white-dominated minority rule, instituted after the minority regime’s so-called Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) in 1965.
Zimbabwe, land of the mighty Zambezi River and the world renowned Zambezi Valley. Over 29 species for you to choose from and with safaris designed specifically to suit your needs we have something for everybody from the first timer to the serious trophy hunter. Zimbabwe is home to an Elephant population estimated at 100,000 animals. Lion and Leopard hunting are also allowed. Zimbabwean Leopards are well known for their size. It is worth mentioning that among the cats, Cheetah hunting is also permitted. Large herds of Buffalo can also be found in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe is also home to a large variety of antelope as well, among these, a strong population of Sable, additionally one can also hunt in Zimbabwe Roan Antelope, Cape Eland, Lesser Kudu, Forest Nyala, Blue Wildebeest, Tsessebe, Common Waterbuck, Impala, Burchell’s Zebra Reedbuck, Bushbuck, Bush pig, Warthog, Common Duiker, Steenbok and Klipspringer are abundant in most of the rivers and can also be hunted.
The hunting areas are spread out over a large part of Zimbabwe. Hunting is permitted in three different types of areas: governmental hunting areas, tribal hunting areas and private hunting areas. Each one of these hunting areas has their own hunting rules. Governmental areas and the private territories are huge and can reach hundreds of thousands of acres. All these territories are free range non-fenced and open. The vegetation of Zimbabwe consists mostly of Mopane forests, one of the more common trees of southern Africa and dry and grassy savanna broken up by areas of dense forest.
In Zimbabwe hunting is done on foot but given the vastness of the hunting areas, it is often necessary to travel by vehicle. The hunting areas are not very rugged and the actual hunting is not especially physically rigorous.
Depending upon the location of the hunting area, most are accessible by road from the country’s capital, Harare, or from a secondary city, like Victoria Falls. The roads are good and drive time averages 3 to 6 hours. But since many hunting areas have their own airstrip, transfer by chartered plane will often be possible.
HEALTH & VISAS
Please visit travel.gov.state for updated information
LANGUAGE
ELECTRICITY
220 volts and the frequency is 50 Hz.
Click for Electrical adaptor info
CURRENCY
Prices and transactions will mainly be in Zimbabwean dollars but US dollars are widely accepted. You should check before making a transaction whether the price quoted is in Zimbabwean or US dollars as the symbol for both is $
GETTING THERE
By Air: Main airports are at Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls with flights to Johannesburg, Cape Town and other regional destinations from Victoria Falls and Harare.
By Road: Surfaced highways link the capital, Harare, with Bulawayo, Hwange, Victoria Falls, Kariba, the Eastern Highlands, Mutare and the Lowveld.Travellers by road may enter Zimbabwe from South Africa through Beitbridge, from Botswana through Plumtree or Victoria Falls, from Namibia through Victoria Falls, from Zambia through Victoria Falls, Kariba or Chirundu and from Mozambique through Mutare or Nyamapanda.
- There is no limit on the number of firearms a hunter may import into Zimbabwe for hunting purposes.
- Handguns are allowed for hunting on private land and communal/tribal land but not on government concessions. A special permit is necessary from the general director of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA).
- Black powder rifles are allowed with a minimum caliber .40 for hunting purposes. Contact your safari operator well in advance about ordering black power and percussion caps for you as these items are illegal to transport on commercial airlines.
- No automatic or semi-automatic firearms are allowed, except a semi-automatic shotgun for bird hunting purposes. No military-style weapons.
- Compound bows are allowed, but no crossbows, recurves or longbows are allowed. Your operator will need to apply for a special permit for a compound bow.
- A maximum of one hundred (100) rounds of ammunition may be imported per hunting rifle. (Remember that airlines will restrict you to no more than 11 pounds or 5 kilos of ammunition. Check additional restrictions for your airlines and any country you may transit)
- Only ammunition for the specific caliber(s) you are bringing may be imported.
Fees:
- There is no fee for a firearm permit for rifles or shotguns. • The cost for a bowhunting permit is $1,500 for dangerous game; $100 for plains game.
- The cost for a handgun permit is $1,500.
Timeframe:
- Application for a temporary firearm import permit for Zimbabwe can be made on arrival at the port of entry.
- For a handgun permit, your safari operator will need to submit an application on your behalf at least two (2) months ahead of your safari.
For a bow permit, your safari operator will need to start your application process six (6) months prior to your safari.
Pack dark green clothes, not light. Also shoes to protect ankle and strong soles are recommended. Your feet are the key to your safari
There is laundry in camp. Your clothes are returned clean in 24 hours, you do not need many sets
*Military type camouflage is not permitted in most African countries, but Real-tree types are normally accepted. Laundry is done each day except for the days when you change camp and the day of departure.
The following packing list is more than sufficient for your safari, as the staff on a daily basis will do laundry. This list must include the clothes worn to and from Africa. In terms of colors, dark/olive green and brown are best for hunting.Special attention should be paid to the quietest clothing and footwear possible.
For animals hunted from a blind,absolute silence is a MUST!
- extra small toiletries kit for the fly camp 1 kit of personal toiletries (remember sunscreen!)
- pair of quality binoculars 2 cameras (to have a spare just in case)
- small flashlight with extra batteries
- sweater or sweat shirt and sweat pants to wear in the evenings
- pair of light weight gloves
- jacket 4-5 pairs of quality socks
- 4-5 pairs of underwear
- hat
- pair of old tennis shoes for hunting hippo/crocs or fishing
- pair of light, soft soled hunting shoes (well broken in!)
- 3-4 shirts (long or short sleeve or a combination)
- 3 pairs long or short pants (or a combination of longs and shorts)
CLIMATE
Zimbabwe’s climate is divided mainly into Summer and Winter. Summer is October to April when maximum temperatures average 32C and during
which rains may be expected. Winter is May to September and average temperatures during the day are 20 Celsius, but can drop much lower at night. Very little rain can be expected at this time.Although game viewing and safari activities take place year round, the game is more easily visible during Winter when the vegetation dries off.
Zimbabwe’s vegetation is covered principally by tropical woodlands and savannas interspersed with areas of grassland. On the central plateau over 1200m the dominant vegetation is savanna woodland with the predominant tree being the “Msasa”. Vleis consisting of moist grassland occur along the drainage lines in both woodland and savanna.Below 900m we have a more deciduous tree savanna with the Mopane woodlands of the hot, dry river valley systems as in the Middle Zambezi, characterised by many Baobabs. A palm savanna also occurs in more limited areas.In the eastern highlands, with the increase in rainfall and cooler temperatures, Mopane vegetation predominates and Giant Heath occurs.
Please refer to our pricelist