Botswana - plains game?

[UKHunter]

Eland, Gemsbok and Warthog hunt, plus a photo safari - screams Namibia to me. I did a photographic safari in Namibia 2 years ago and had an excellent time. Happy to chat about it.

 

[wildfowler.250]

Bushbuck live in the riverine bushy terrain adjoining waterways. That's why the can be found on both Botswana side and RSA of land that is contiguous to the Limpopo river or perhaps up in actual Okavango delta.

Sounds like you want to complete the Spiral Slam.... if that is the case, I would be inclined to go to a free range outfit that specializes in the Spiral Species. That is probably not Botswana, at least not Okavango.... more over East toward Zim and South toward Limpopo.

Thanks folks. Yeah I hadn’t considered that as a slam as such. Purely that eland ,(especially if tracking) would be a really cool hunt. And if I can’t afford a buffalo,(there’s about 10x eland to 1 buff in cost) then the tracking aspect of the hunt may be a close second?

Bushbuck came into it because every PH seems to rave about them which must say something.

As far as visiting chobe or okavango. I wasn’t sure how close hunting camp would have to be. I almost thought it might be a case of a 6 hour drive to either park and stay for a few days and then maybe back to hunting or similar. Obviously the less travel time between places the better but at the same time it’s worth it for good hunting in one area and a drive to see somewhere scenic at another part of the trip

 

[wildfowler.250]

Eland, Gemsbok and Warthog hunt, plus a photo safari - screams Namibia to me. I did a photographic safari in Namibia 2 years ago and had an excellent time. Happy to chat about it.

Will run it past the boss. Thanks for the help! I’ll have to tie it in with big five stuff one way or another

 

[hoytcanon]

Will run it past the boss. Thanks for the help! I’ll have to tie it in with big five stuff one way or another

You can do both in Northern Namibia, lots of operators there to chose from.

 

[375Fox]

Will run it past the boss. Thanks for the help! I’ll have to tie it in with big five stuff one way or another

What big 5 stuff would that be? The Caprivi has a huge amount of tourism occurring there. Easy to see elephant, hippo, croc, buffalo in the parks. Good numbers of lions too. Same rivers as Botswana.

 

[sgt_zim]

Thanks gents. Brilliant and honest replies! I’ll reply properly / in full when I can give them the time they deserve but essentially:

I’m planning a safari holiday with the wife mainly. This will probably come down to TZN or Bots but I don’t think I can do Tanzania hunting cost wise,(certainly not in the timeframe we’re planning).

So this is where Botswana comes in really.

Appreciate there’s good options in South Africa for safari and hunting. I’ve taken kudu, nyala, reedbuck, springbok, wildebeest and impala so covered my bucket list items really.

I’d fancied lechwe in RSA but got put off with feedback on here as far as more likely to be put and take and outwith natural environments. It’s not essential to the trip. Just appealed if it was an option on original territory - which it doesn’t sound like it is.

I’d like to do an eland tracking hunt - but would this likely take a week in itself? Gemsbok and a warthog. It’s not a long list.

Is there a reason these outfitters in Botswana don’t list/offer bushbuck? Obviously they mustn’t have them but I thought they’d be most places? That’s one other thing that appeals.

Cheers!

Chobe bushbuck aplenty in Moz. And buff, and ele.

Haven't been to Moz yet, but I expect that's where I'll go in 2028.

 

[375Fox]

Chobe bushbuck aplenty in Moz. And buff, and ele.

Haven't been to Moz yet, but I expect that's where I'll go in 2028.

Elephant have been poached really hard in a lot of areas of Mozambique. Definitely a great buffalo/PG destination but not one to take a non-hunting wife to. There also seems to be an issue every year. Political unrest, terrorists in north, airlines not flying rifles. Namibia, South Africa, Botswana are much more stabilize destinations for non-hunters.

 

[Rare Breed]

Thanks gents. Brilliant and honest replies! I’ll reply properly / in full when I can give them the time they deserve but essentially:

I’m planning a safari holiday with the wife mainly. This will probably come down to TZN or Bots but I don’t think I can do Tanzania hunting cost wise,(certainly not in the timeframe we’re planning).

So this is where Botswana comes in really.

Appreciate there’s good options in South Africa for safari and hunting. I’ve taken kudu, nyala, reedbuck, springbok, wildebeest and impala so covered my bucket list items really.

I’d fancied lechwe in RSA but got put off with feedback on here as far as more likely to be put and take and outwith natural environments. It’s not essential to the trip. Just appealed if it was an option on original territory - which it doesn’t sound like it is.

I’d like to do an eland tracking hunt - but would this likely take a week in itself? Gemsbok and a warthog. It’s not a long list.

Is there a reason these outfitters in Botswana don’t list/offer bushbuck? Obviously they mustn’t have them but I thought they’d be most places? That’s one other thing that appeals.

Cheers!

If I was taking my non hunting wife without question I would stay in SA. you can get great hunting and incredible accommodations if that is important to you. So much for her to do while you hunt. Just my experience. That way she has a great experience and wants to come back. If you and she have already been to different countries of Africa then you already know this. Sorry just thinking of my non hunting wife. She would not like anywhere I’ve hunted outside of SA except if I left her at The Vic Falls hotel in Zim while i hunted.

 

[UKHunter]

Will run it past the boss. Thanks for the help! I’ll have to tie it in with big five stuff one way or another

I saw lots of Rhino, Elephant, Lion, Cheeta, etc in Etosha.

 

[MontanaPat]

Thanks folks. Yeah I hadn’t considered that as a slam as such. Purely that eland ,(especially if tracking) would be a really cool hunt. And if I can’t afford a buffalo,(there’s about 10x eland to 1 buff in cost) then the tracking aspect of the hunt may be a close second?

Bushbuck came into it because every PH seems to rave about them which must say something.

As far as visiting chobe or okavango. I wasn’t sure how close hunting camp would have to be. I almost thought it might be a case of a 6 hour drive to either park and stay for a few days and then maybe back to hunting or similar. Obviously the less travel time between places the better but at the same time it’s worth it for good hunting in one area and a drive to see somewhere scenic at another part of the trip

If Botswana is your preferred destination then I would spend a week hunting with either NKWE, Tholo or Bokomoso and do the eland tracking hunt. I did an eland tracking hunt with NKWE and it reminded me very much of doing my buffalo hunt and much cheaper trophy fees. I got my eland on the first day tracking them with bushmen trackers over about a 6-7 mile tracking hunt, lots of fun and I’m going back to do it again in 2027. Several other plains game species to hunt also just no lechwe or bushbuck in the Kalahari area.
When hunting with one of these three outfitters you will fly into Maun from RSA to be picked up, Maun is also the main jumping off point for going into the Okavango so after the hunt the outfitter takes you back to Maun and then from there plan a few days in the Okavango at one of numerous safari lodges and do a photo safari with your spouse for some great game viewing. You will see lots of lechwe, cats and elephants in the Okavango, can also go up to Chobe from Maun if you wish since all of the lodges are basically fly in from Maun and the flight prices are not that high because they are shared charter flights. Happy to share more about my experiences in doing both of these places

 

[Lancaster]

For hunting and photographic safaris I'd say take a look at Zimbabwe. Plenty of PG areas and amazing National Parks. The wife and I went to Hwange with Imvelo Safari Lodges (ran by an ex PH) last year.

We looked at Botswana for photographic, it was twice the cost and nearly three times in the Okavango

 

[wildfowler.250]

You can do both in Northern Namibia, lots of operators there to chose from.

What big 5 stuff would that be? The Caprivi has a huge amount of tourism occurring there. Easy to see elephant, hippo, croc, buffalo in the parks. Good numbers of lions too. Same rivers as Botswana.

Chobe bushbuck aplenty in Moz. And buff, and ele.

Haven't been to Moz yet, but I expect that's where I'll go in 2028.

Elephant have been poached really hard in a lot of areas of Mozambique. Definitely a great buffalo/PG destination but not one to take a non-hunting wife to. There also seems to be an issue every year. Political unrest, terrorists in north, airlines not flying rifles. Namibia, South Africa, Botswana are much more stabilize destinations for non-hunters.

If I was taking my non hunting wife without question I would stay in SA. you can get great hunting and incredible accommodations if that is important to you. So much for her to do while you hunt. Just my experience. That way she has a great experience and wants to come back. If you and she have already been to different countries of Africa then you already know this. Sorry just thinking of my non hunting wife. She would not like anywhere I’ve hunted outside of SA except if I left her at The Vic Falls hotel in Zim while i hunted.

I saw lots of Rhino, Elephant, Lion, Cheeta, etc in Etosha.

If Botswana is your preferred destination then I would spend a week hunting with either NKWE, Tholo or Bokomoso and do the eland tracking hunt. I did an eland tracking hunt with NKWE and it reminded me very much of doing my buffalo hunt and much cheaper trophy fees. I got my eland on the first day tracking them with bushmen trackers over about a 6-7 mile tracking hunt, lots of fun and I’m going back to do it again in 2027. Several other plains game species to hunt also just no lechwe or bushbuck in the Kalahari area.
When hunting with one of these three outfitters you will fly into Maun from RSA to be picked up, Maun is also the main jumping off point for going into the Okavango so after the hunt the outfitter takes you back to Maun and then from there plan a few days in the Okavango at one of numerous safari lodges and do a photo safari with your spouse for some great game viewing. You will see lots of lechwe, cats and elephants in the Okavango, can also go up to Chobe from Maun if you wish since all of the lodges are basically fly in from Maun and the flight prices are not that high because they are shared charter flights. Happy to share more about my experiences in doing both of these places

For hunting and photographic safaris I'd say take a look at Zimbabwe. Plenty of PG areas and amazing National Parks. The wife and I went to Hwange with Imvelo Safari Lodges (ran by an ex PH) last year.

We looked at Botswana for photographic, it was twice the cost and nearly three times in the Okavango

Thanks folks! Lots of options here which is really helpful and what I want but does make it confusing as well! So general thoughts:

Yes nice accommodation for this particular trip would be important as it’s a one off. I presume from what I’m reading other countries aren’t quite as on par with South Africa for high end accommodation?

I had thought you get some really nice hunting lodges/camps outwith RSA and rates of $500 a day PG seem actually really good value vs $1k on a safari reserve.

Namibia I will look further into. I’d excluded it as I thought it was relatively dry but I don’t know enough about it.

Mozambique seems to be higher risk as a country than others - even if uncommon - so that’s probably chalked off for now.

Zimbabwe could be an option. I am toying between really saving hard and going for a Cape buffalo vs doing a few plains game like eland , sable ect which by all accounts are top hunts but a fraction of the cost. I assume a ‘trophy’ Cape buffalo will be like $20k or more? Prices do seem to vary a bit.

Thanks!

 

[sgt_zim]

Thanks folks! Lots of options here which is really helpful and what I want but does make it confusing as well! So general thoughts:

Yes nice accommodation for this particular trip would be important as it’s a one off. I presume from what I’m reading other countries aren’t quite as on par with South Africa for high end accommodation?

I had thought you get some really nice hunting lodges/camps outwith RSA and rates of $500 a day PG seem actually really good value vs $1k on a safari reserve.

Namibia I will look further into. I’d excluded it as I thought it was relatively dry but I don’t know enough about it.

Mozambique seems to be higher risk as a country than others - even if uncommon - so that’s probably chalked off for now.

Zimbabwe could be an option. I am toying between really saving hard and going for a Cape buffalo vs doing a few plains game like eland , sable ect which by all accounts are top hunts but a fraction of the cost. I assume a ‘trophy’ Cape buffalo will be like $20k or more? Prices do seem to vary a bit.

Thanks!

I think most of the issues in Moz are in Cabo Delgado (on the Tanzania border). I believe the areas along the Zambia, Zimbabwe, and ZA borders are no worse than anywhere else you might choose, but I stand to be corrected. Certainly worth investigating.

As I understand it, points north of the Limpopo River are mainly DG hunting with opportunities for PG. Namibia and ZA are mainly PG hunting with opportunities for DG. Moz apparently has a very rich mixture of both PG and DG. That's why it's my next trip after 2027.

Joseph von Benedikt took a party to Moz last summer (2025) with Mark Haldane's outfit, I'll see if I can find a link to his podcast of it. I don't recall him reporting any issues. Seems like they flew into Beira, which is well south of Cabo Delgado.

 

[Throwback]

Thanks folks! Lots of options here which is really helpful and what I want but does make it confusing as well! So general thoughts:

Yes nice accommodation for this particular trip would be important as it’s a one off. I presume from what I’m reading other countries aren’t quite as on par with South Africa for high end accommodation?

I had thought you get some really nice hunting lodges/camps outwith RSA and rates of $500 a day PG seem actually really good value vs $1k on a safari reserve.

Namibia I will look further into. I’d excluded it as I thought it was relatively dry but I don’t know enough about it.

Mozambique seems to be higher risk as a country than others - even if uncommon - so that’s probably chalked off for now.

Zimbabwe could be an option. I am toying between really saving hard and going for a Cape buffalo vs doing a few plains game like eland , sable ect which by all accounts are top hunts but a fraction of the cost. I assume a ‘trophy’ Cape buffalo will be like $20k or more? Prices do seem to vary a bit.

Thanks!

My take on what you are looking for is I think you have multiple trips in your future my friend. Yes, go for PG in likely SA or Namibia with a five star set up with the wife. Then do another trip, likely without her, for DG in Moz or Zim. That is what it sounds like to me. Just trying to help you focus it down some.

As I think most on here would agree, we just see you on the front end of multiple great Africa experiences in your future from the questions you are asking and that is a wonderful thing!

Also, Namibia is big place, bigger than Texas, yes dry in parts but varies a lot in many ways. The Caprivi is its own thing and the opposite of dry for sure. Cheers

 

[Lancaster]

Thanks folks! Lots of options here which is really helpful and what I want but does make it confusing as well! So general thoughts:

Yes nice accommodation for this particular trip would be important as it’s a one off. I presume from what I’m reading other countries aren’t quite as on par with South Africa for high end accommodation?

I had thought you get some really nice hunting lodges/camps outwith RSA and rates of $500 a day PG seem actually really good value vs $1k on a safari reserve.

Namibia I will look further into. I’d excluded it as I thought it was relatively dry but I don’t know enough about it.

Mozambique seems to be higher risk as a country than others - even if uncommon - so that’s probably chalked off for now.

Zimbabwe could be an option. I am toying between really saving hard and going for a Cape buffalo vs doing a few plains game like eland , sable ect which by all accounts are top hunts but a fraction of the cost. I assume a ‘trophy’ Cape buffalo will be like $20k or more? Prices do seem to vary a bit.

Thanks!

There are nice lodges with pools etc in other countries not just South Africa.
Eland could be $10k odd. In Zim a buffalo bull would be nearer $12 to $15k not as much as $20k. In South Africa you could shoot a buffalo cow for $5-7k
Indeed, look at Namibia too @SRvet and I are going there this year so we can take our rifles (you can't to Zim.)
@SRvet took his family to Limpopo, South Africa a couple of years ago and hunted buffalo cow
Happy to have a chat on the phone if it might help, send me a DM

 

[Doug3006]

If I was taking my non hunting wife without question I would stay in SA. you can get great hunting and incredible accommodations if that is important to you. So much for her to do while you hunt. Just my experience. That way she has a great experience and wants to come back. If you and she have already been to different countries of Africa then you already know this. Sorry just thinking of my non hunting wife. She would not like anywhere I’ve hunted outside of SA except if I left her at The Vic Falls hotel in Zim while i hunted.

Hi @Rare Breed ! I think Namibia is a close second in terms of accommodations. It’s the clear winner in terms of safety.

 

[dogcat1]

Been there twice.
I hunted with Tholo Safaris - great hunt and more kudu than I have seen anywhere. My experience is 15 safaris.

Safe, friendly, no bugs unless in Okavanga Delta area.

Go.

 

[fourfive8]

Been there twice.
I hunted with Tholo Safaris - great hunt and more kudu than I have seen anywhere. My experience is 15 safaris.

Safe, friendly, no bugs unless in Okavanga Delta area.

Go.

Agreed. But I get the impression the OP is looking for a 5 star lodge, mid-morning bakkie ride to shoot stuff, no interest local culture, then spa in the evenings. Probably some places in RSA can accommodate.

 

[Muskox]

there are multiple different safari experiences in Botswana.

The Kalahari in the Western half of the country.

The Tuli Block in the far east on the South Africa border.

A very Zimbabwe experience on that border.

The Chobe and probably quite a few more.

Depends on what you want.

Tuli and Kalahari have slightly more expensive and more wild game ranches than South Africa or Namibia.

Some of it is concession and open, but if it has big game it will be considerably more expensive.

 

[wildfowler.250]

I think most of the issues in Moz are in Cabo Delgado (on the Tanzania border). I believe the areas along the Zambia, Zimbabwe, and ZA borders are no worse than anywhere else you might choose, but I stand to be corrected. Certainly worth investigating.

As I understand it, points north of the Limpopo River are mainly DG hunting with opportunities for PG. Namibia and ZA are mainly PG hunting with opportunities for DG. Moz apparently has a very rich mixture of both PG and DG. That's why it's my next trip after 2027.

Joseph von Benedikt took a party to Moz last summer (2025) with Mark Haldane's outfit, I'll see if I can find a link to his podcast of it. I don't recall him reporting any issues. Seems like they flew into Beira, which is well south of Cabo Delgado.

Very helpful, thanks!

My take on what you are looking for is I think you have multiple trips in your future my friend. Yes, go for PG in likely SA or Namibia with a five star set up with the wife. Then do another trip, likely without her, for DG in Moz or Zim. That is what it sounds like to me. Just trying to help you focus it down some.

As I think most on here would agree, we just see you on the front end of multiple great Africa experiences in your future from the questions you are asking and that is a wonderful thing!

Also, Namibia is big place, bigger than Texas, yes dry in parts but varies a lot in many ways. The Caprivi is its own thing and the opposite of dry for sure. Cheers

That’s probably sensible although I don’t know how many times I’ll be able to afford going over. I never thought I’d manage a second time. It might make sense to do one photographic/wife trip and a proper buffalo trip in middle of nowhere another time

There are nice lodges with pools etc in other countries not just South Africa.
Eland could be $10k odd. In Zim a buffalo bull would be nearer $12 to $15k not as much as $20k. In South Africa you could shoot a buffalo cow for $5-7k
Indeed, look at Namibia too @SRvet and I are going there this year so we can take our rifles (you can't to Zim.)
@SRvet took his family to Limpopo, South Africa a couple of years ago and hunted buffalo cow
Happy to have a chat on the phone if it might help, send me a DM

Thanks! I’ve started looking into Zim following this. They do seem to be slightly cheaper there. Any reason why?

Hi @Rare Breed ! I think Namibia is a close second in terms of accommodations. It’s the clear winner in terms of safety.

Well that’s definitely something to factor in. I’ll look into some of the Namibia reserves. There’s lots of good suggestions from a hunting point of view on here for Namibia already which is handy

Been there twice.
I hunted with Tholo Safaris - great hunt and more kudu than I have seen anywhere. My experience is 15 safaris.

Safe, friendly, no bugs unless in Okavanga Delta area.

Go.

Good experiences with them? They were very tempting

Agreed. But I get the impression the OP is looking for a 5 star lodge, mid-morning bakkie ride to shoot stuff, no interest local culture, then spa in the evenings. Probably some places in RSA can accommodate.

Very good

there are multiple different safari experiences in Botswana.

The Kalahari in the Western half of the country.

The Tuli Block in the far east on the South Africa border.

A very Zimbabwe experience on that border.

The Chobe and probably quite a few more.

Depends on what you want.

Tuli and Kalahari have slightly more expensive and more wild game ranches than South Africa or Namibia.

Some of it is concession and open, but if it has big game it will be considerably more expensive.

Thanks, I’ll need to dig into this further. Basically my one snag is if I do buffalo, it has to be free range. These areas are really helpful so thanks!
It doesn’t have the same mystique but is there true free range buff around Kruger area? Doubt it has the same wilderness feel though