What PH to book an elephant hunt with?

rookhawk said:

Conservation Force is an astute team of lawyers and they charge handsomely for their services. Their intake service requires the documentation of how many poachers were arrested/prosecuted, snares confiscated, game counts for the last three years for DG and PG, community reinvestment, and ultimately how the death of the particular elephant enhances the survival of the species.

With the above info and representation, you’ll probably get that information. WITH THE ABOVE INFO.

What happens when someone books a CITES exportable hunt with an operator that just acquired/scoundreled a concession from another operator? What happens if they don’t have the stats? What happens if they didn’t do the community reinvestment.

Caveat emptor. Just because it’s exportable, doesn’t mean it’s USFWS importable. People hiring Conservation Force understand the data collection requirements and self-select for operators that have the supporting data to make it a viable application.

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The operator you recommended just recently acquired areas. How would you propose he has that data? Zimbabwe has been 100% approval with the permitting services. I would recommend anyone speak to conservation force or in adventure permits before booking a hunt to confirm the area and operator has been approved in the past, but you are making it more complicated than necessary. If an individual can afford an exportable elephant hunt they can afford the $3000 fee especially if the individual can afford business class flights, fancy European rifles, etc. it’s a choice of waiting several weeks or waiting months or years on approval.

Zimbabwe elephant imports haven’t really been an issue lately with any established Zimbabwean Outfitter. USFWS is approving most everything with regards to Elephant’s due to Zimbabwe’s country wide elephant management plan. I’ve heard of a few issues but they all seem to have stemmed from Outfitters/PH from other countries (especially South Africa) offering hunts in Zimbabwe. I know of a buffalo hunt that the client is having issues getting their trophies.

I’ve been told Cat’s from Zimbabwe are a different story. Going into my April Leopard/Elephant hunt with Vaughan I was told all cats from Zimbabwe were backlogged, but Lions were essentially delayed/backlogged for multiple years. Following the hunt Adventure Permits got a Leopard Permit approved/issued the same week it was submitted.

FWIW Vaughan sold Mapassa; lock stock and barrel, along with his farm, one of his hound packs, and control of one of his former hunting blocks to another outfitter following some personal stuff. After wrapping up the personal stuff, he started a new outfitting business for the new areas he picked up and is presently hunting. A majority of his elephant hunting no longer occurs in Western Zim where he was killing lots of the bigger bulls (including multiple over 100 pounds). He still has some quota in Western Zim for select clients who want to hunt multiple elephants on a single hunt, but he’s primarily hunting in Northern Zim up in the Valley/Escarpment areas via a really nice private camp. He’s an outfitter that will be open, honest and upfront with you. Layout your expectations and budget and he’ll shoot you straight if he can deliver on them. He has zero issues saying you’re not the right client, or this isn’t the right hunt for you and suggesting another outfitter or area that would better meet your expectations. That said, I’ve hunted with several other forum sponsors who are the same way.

I’ve learned, the more open and honest you are with yourself regarding your expectations, budget, and skill (or lack there of) including fitness level; the more transparent you’ll see an outfitter’s replies. If you’re asking the right questions and communicating your expectations it’s much easier to narrow down outfitters. The are some who I wouldn’t recommend to Vaughan and other who I wouldn’t recommend Vaughan to, or someone like Zambeze Delta Safaris. There are times where one needs to sacrifice a little on one of the above to achieve the others.

kpoynter said:

Thread 'Botswana Elephant Hunting Safari - Where Giants Still Roam Free - Not To Be Missed!!'

Jul 27, 2026

10 DAY ELEPHANT SAFARI - CH2 - BOTSWANA
LIMITED QUOTA LEFT
$49, 900/HUNTER (1X1)
$48, 000/HUNTER (2X1)

NO SIZE LIMITED

ARRIVAL CITY KASANE VIA JOHANNESBURG

Included:

Trophy fee
Accommodation, meals, beverages, daily laundry
Ph, tracker and skinner services
Trophy field preperation

Not included:
Rifle permit @ $400/hunter
Transfer to camp - $750/vehicle (roundtrip)
Dip, pack and expediting of trophies
Observer fees @ $400/day/person
Trophy fees of other game taken - Plains Game available​

...

• GAME Trackers AFRICA
• Replies: 5
• Forum: Deals & offers

• 

Mitch… take a look at this for two reasons
1) it’s a good offer from an outfitter here on AH
2) look at the map someone attached that will show you these areas.

Imagine each of these hunting blocks is issued 10 Bull Tags. Not all areas are “equal” in terms of quality or expected size of Bulls.
So when you do talk with people or outfitters you can clearly picture the area,
The CHOBE has THE MOST Elephants on Planet Earth.l. The Areas next to the National Parls and the Okavango Delta.. that’s where the monsters roam and people each year take a 100 pounder.

Like I said above.. Tholo has I don’t even know how many of the tags right now. 80-100 I think of the 300 or so total tags.

Click to expand...

Tholo is an awesome operation! Two of my friends are PH’s with Tholo. James Freeman who I spent a month hunting elephant with when he was an apprentice in NG 13 hunting for Leon and then he came to the U.S. and helped me with my hunting operation in Kansas. He now has his full license and is working for Clive presently. He sends me photos and keeps me up to date on all the hunts and so I can vouch for how awesome Tholo’s operation is although I have never hunted with them. Hardus who recently married Clive’s daughter and is an Amazing PH with a background hunting all over including Mozambique is now running a concession in Botswana for Clive and I have seen how awesome those hints have gone with photos and reports from James Freeman my dear friend! Hardus I know from the Western Soorts Expo where we both are exhibitors. Oh and by the way, solo has 131 tags if I’m not mistaken and there’s a total of 400 in the country Botswana so you could rightfully say that solo has 1/3 of all the tags. I wish I had more time to stay on AH! What an amazing place to meet and learn about Hunting destinations and meet friends that share your passion ! I’m so busy with my own Hunting I just sell them get back here on this site, but I sure intend to in the future when things slow down for me! My friend Wheels!, which is active on this site told me about this thread and so I just wanted to jump on here and put in a good word for solo where my friends are pHs and I see what’s going on and it’s impressive!

I hunted with Tholo in 2023. I dream of going back every day. Riaan was the main PH and Werner was second PH. Tholo runs a first class operation and went above and beyond for me. Can’t recommend highly enough. Someday I’ll return and hunt another elephant with them.

Jerycmeach said:

Tholo is an awesome operation! Two of my friends are PH’s with Tholo. James Freeman who I spent a month hunting elephant with when he was an apprentice in NG 13 hunting for Leon and then he came to the U.S. and helped me with my hunting operation in Kansas. He now has his full license and is working for Clive presently. He sends me photos and keeps me up to date on all the hunts and so I can vouch for how awesome Tholo’s operation is although I have never hunted with them. Hardus who recently married Clive’s daughter and is an Amazing PH with a background hunting all over including Mozambique is now running a concession in Botswana for Clive and I have seen how awesome those hints have gone with photos and reports from James Freeman my dear friend! Hardus I know from the Western Soorts Expo where we both are exhibitors. Oh and by the way, solo has 131 tags if I’m not mistaken and there’s a total of 400 in the country Botswana so you could rightfully say that solo has 1/3 of all the tags. I wish I had more time to stay on AH! What an amazing place to meet and learn about Hunting destinations and meet friends that share your passion ! I’m so busy with my own Hunting I just sell them get back here on this site, but I sure intend to in the future when things slow down for me! My friend Wheels!, which is active on this site told me about this thread and so I just wanted to jump on here and put in a good word for solo where my friends are pHs and I see what’s going on and it’s impressive!

Click to expand...

BTW James Freeman scored a bronze medal for distance swimming at the Olympics! He is a fine fellow and 3rd generation Botswana boy.

kpoynter said:

Thread 'Botswana Elephant Hunting Safari - Where Giants Still Roam Free - Not To Be Missed!!'

Jul 27, 2026

10 DAY ELEPHANT SAFARI - CH2 - BOTSWANA
LIMITED QUOTA LEFT
$49, 900/HUNTER (1X1)
$48, 000/HUNTER (2X1)

NO SIZE LIMITED

ARRIVAL CITY KASANE VIA JOHANNESBURG

Included:

Trophy fee
Accommodation, meals, beverages, daily laundry
Ph, tracker and skinner services
Trophy field preperation

Not included:
Rifle permit @ $400/hunter
Transfer to camp - $750/vehicle (roundtrip)
Dip, pack and expediting of trophies
Observer fees @ $400/day/person
Trophy fees of other game taken - Plains Game available​

...

• GAME Trackers AFRICA
• Replies: 5
• Forum: Deals & offers

• 

Mitch… take a look at this for two reasons
1) it’s a good offer from an outfitter here on AH
2) look at the map someone attached that will show you these areas.

Imagine each of these hunting blocks is issued 10 Bull Tags. Not all areas are “equal” in terms of quality or expected size of Bulls.
So when you do talk with people or outfitters you can clearly picture the area,
The CHOBE has THE MOST Elephants on Planet Earth.l. The Areas next to the National Parls and the Okavango Delta.. that’s where the monsters roam and people each year take a 100 pounder.

Like I said above.. Tholo has I don’t even know how many of the tags right now. 80-100 I think of the 300 or so total tags.

Click to expand...

John Telford said:

BTW James Freeman scored a bronze medal for distance swimming at the Olympics! He is a fine fellow and 3rd generation Botswana boy.

Click to expand...

Yes, a fine young man engaged to be married soon! James Freeman is Luke Blackbeard’s nephew! You must look for the book “the hunting Blackbeards of Botswana! James Freeman’s Grandfather as well as Luke his Uncles are legendary hunters in Botswana! Please look for the book! The book was in our camp in NG 13 with Leon and of course now that I am such good friends with James I understand so much of the family history! Truly amazing!

TSALA HUNTING SAFARIS said:

Good Day All

Wish the Op best of luck with his search.Great Outfitters with amazing areas out there and I am sure he will have great hunt.Great info from all on here , thank you.

Just a few points on hunting Elephant in Moz.We do get all the correct export permits for exporting from our area in Mozambique.US Fish and Wildlife won't import them , similar non importable into some European countries .We can legally export to countries like Russia , Mexico and some other countries including South Africa where you can send your tusks to any taxidermy to get replicas made and be stored for you.Good questions about exporting to Zim or Botswana.I will find out. Exportable Moz elephant hunts is not cheap or a cheap hunt and will rival the best Elephants hunts anywhere in Southern Africa in experience and weight of tusks.

Non Exportable elephant hunts are cheaper , but they are few and far between and dependable on a few factors.Non Exportable tusks we have to surrender to the local authorities.

Regards

Rouan

Click to expand...

Are there any Mozambique exportable elephant areas?

Safari Dave said:

I was hunting buffalo.

But, if Willie Botha were offering elephant hunts in Mozambique, I would absolutely take it.


Legadema Safaris

I saw an 80 lb +. bull while I was there...

But, couldn't hunt it, because I didn't have a permit.

Click to expand...

That would be a Zambezi Valley bull.

You are correct. The elephant was standing in Mozambique, but was very close to the Zimbabwe border on the shore of Cahora Bassa.

John Telford said:

BTW James Freeman scored a bronze medal for distance swimming at the Olympics! He is a fine fellow and 3rd generation Botswana boy.

Click to expand...

Fine young man. I hunted NG4 with Hardus and James in April/May. Made for super enjoyable camp and hunt. Can’t recommend enough. I wanted age over inches/pounds, and we found a great old bull with just shy of 25” track.

that is a big print! what was the estimated age ? Must have been a true old timer. How long were you tracking him?
Congratulations on a great hunt

Safari1 said:

Are there any Mozambique exportable elephant areas?

Click to expand...

No…. And there won’t be for many years most likely