2026 Elephant Hunt Recommendations?

[Mtn_Infantry]

Not a hard and fast budget but based on outfitters we are considering with great reviews and seem to find success, I am seeing options from 25-35K. This is not saying I am not flexible depending on the right opportunity but as originally stated, looking for the best value for money. If money was not an object, I would already be booked in Botswana.

Cam,

Did you book yet? I was just contacted about a Botswana and Namibia cancellation this year that might be right up your alley. If you can flex to 2025. I personally lean towards the Zim recommendation. There are some great areas and PH’s, and think the cost/price structure is a little bit better value, and really want to hunt the Zambezi one of these days.

 

[Safariswestcam]

Cam,

Did you book yet? I was just contacted about a Botswana and Namibia cancellation this year that might be right up your alley. If you can flex to 2025. I personally lean towards the Zim recommendation. There are some great areas and PH’s, and think the cost/price structure is a little bit better value, and really want to hunt the Zambezi one of these days.

I apologize for the delay.... was out of pocket skiing a few days with the family. I have not committed just yet but I do know that this year will 100% not work. I will be in TZ for a hunt this year and that has me pretty well covered for 25. Thank you for keeping me in mind though.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I apologize for the delay.... was out of pocket skiing a few days with the family. I have not committed just yet but I do know that this year will 100% not work. I will be in TZ for a hunt this year and that has me pretty well covered for 25. Thank you for keeping me in mind though.

Glad to hear. I hope you videotape the hunt again and post another awesome write-up. Your self-filmed and edited hunt video from KNS was IMO better than 80% of the videos I’ve seen made by a contracted or paid videographer. If you didn’t already have a successful career, I’d suggest you get into filming and editing people’s hunts.

Keep an eye out for 2026, I get those types of WhatsApp messages every year around June/July from multiple outfitters in different countries (RSA, Namibia, Botswana, Zim, and Zambia) that someone had to cancel/postpone a hunt, or they got an extra permit, etc. They seemed to start a little earlier this year, I’m sure there will be more next year.

If you PM me, I can give you the name of a great outfitter in Zim. I’ve personally hunted with him, and there’s at least 4 or 5 members on this forum who have as well. He will be who I book my Leopard hunt with in the near future, despite the 1st attempt being unsuccessful (leopard wasn’t the primary target and wasn’t the best time of the year but I knew going in). He’s very flexible and I can assure you would work with you on a 2026 hunt.

Good luck in Tanzania and hope the family enjoyed your skiing trip

 

[Rare Breed]

Glad to hear. I hope you videotape the hunt again and post another awesome write-up. Your self-filmed and edited hunt video from KNS was IMO better than 80% of the videos I’ve seen made by a contracted or paid videographer. If you didn’t already have a successful career, I’d suggest you get into filming and editing people’s hunts.

Keep an eye out for 2026, I get those types of WhatsApp messages every year around June/July from multiple outfitters in different countries (RSA, Namibia, Botswana, Zim, and Zambia) that someone had to cancel/postpone a hunt, or they got an extra permit, etc. They seemed to start a little earlier this year, I’m sure there will be more next year.

If you PM me, I can give you the name of a great outfitter in Zim. I’ve personally hunted with him, and there’s at least 4 or 5 members on this forum who have as well. He will be who I book my Leopard hunt with in the near future, despite the 1st attempt being unsuccessful (leopard wasn’t the primary target and wasn’t the best time of the year but I knew going in). He’s very flexible and I can assure you would work with you on a 2026 hunt.

Good luck in Tanzania and hope the family enjoyed your skiing trip

I can tell you @Mtn_Infantry has so many great outfitters keeping him in the know in terms of cancelled hunts!!!

 

[rookhawk]

A few well respected members on this forum, including myself have had great success with Vaughan Wilson from Mapassa safaris in Matabeleland, Zimbabwe. +40lbs a side is not guaranteed but is feasible:
View attachment 664398

This was 44 and 48lbs.

I can share contacts in pm

I second Vaughan Whitehead Wilson for affordable, big elephants in Zim. I think he's 4 for 4 in the past couple years with forum members for elephants in the 40s and 50s pound range. I was in his skinning shed looking at a recent client's three trophies and the ivory was in the 60s (and I think one over 70?).

 

[Rockwall205]

First bull down this year at Sengwe ! Hunter shot this guy on the first day out . I don’t think I could have passed him either.
My wife and I leave in about six weeks now . Of course I will let her shoot the bigger bull!

 

[Rare Breed]

First bull down this year at Sengwe ! Hunter shot this guy on the first day out . I don’t think I could have passed him either.
My wife and I leave in about six weeks now . Of course I will let her shoot the bigger bull! View attachment 673270

You are a very wise man!!!!!

 

[USN]

Following as I am also looking for an elephant hunt only requirement is exportable to US.

 

[Rockwall205]

Packing up heading back today. The fast and quick we hunted 11 days of the 14 . My wife has a real job and couldn’t stay the whole time . We were on bulls and tracks every day until my wife shot . She was on a big bull day three in that 65 to 70 pound class , she is a little slow to shoot and they caught wind of us .
I had a discussion with Zane and she wasn’t looking for the biggest bull so we decided that anything 40 pounds and up that gave us an opportunity would work.
We passed a couple more bulls until day 5 when it all came together and with encouragement to shoot quicker she did !

I have it on video but is a little choppy , one of our trackers moved in front of me while I was filming because 5 other bulls were walking right at us ! Of course one was really big but she had picked out the first bull to clear the brush and was set to shoot no time to reset they were around 30 yards and closing .
I’m very proud of her Zane was about to shout and stop their advancement when she shot ! A perfect frontal brain shot .

First tusk has been pulled and went 67 inches and estimated weight in the 40s .

I would not recommend a double elephant hunt , once my wife’s bull was down it got really quiet. Only female groups and small bull tracks after . I’m coming back next year as long as Zane secures the area it’s up for tender this year .

More to come when we get home Monday.

BTW was my best snake sighting to date 10 snakes 7 different types including Cobra Black momba and python ! May is the month to come for snakes .

 

[LIMPOPO NORTH SAFARIS]

Following as I am also looking for an elephant hunt only requirement is exportable to US.

Will send a dm sir

 

[autofire]

Check out SV Safaris. Northern Botswana. 1 million acre concession that borders 1 million acre national park. 5 star lodge. Gerhard Koch PH is outstanding, hunted with him many times. 50+ lb bulls are the standard. Good luck!

 

[Northern Shooter]

Canadian here that would love to one day hunt an exportable elephant...problem is I don't think I can any longer import one on my end.

 

[Adam Stevens]

Canadian here that would love to one day hunt an exportable elephant...problem is I don't think I can any longer import one on my end.

I wrote a few emails during the consultation process.

But since learnt that normally when it gets to that point, the govs mind is already made up and it's basically going through the motions.

Not happy with the libs