Botswana - plains game?

[375Fox]

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.

There were several months of political unrest in the country last year. The terrorism problems are only in far northeast, but Mozambique isn’t a stable country in comparison to others in region. You can look up a lot of other articles. Not arguing if it’s a great hunting destination or not, but I don’t think it’s a country to plan a tourist trip.

Mozambique carried out a brutal crackdown on post-election protests, Amnesty says

A leading international rights group has accused Mozambique's security forces of a brutal, three-month crackdown on protests after the country's election last year.

apnews.com

 

[Doug3006]

Very helpful, thanks!

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

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

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

Good experiences with them? They were very tempting

Very good


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

Hi waterfowler! I don’t want to overstate the safety concerns in Mozambique. Heck, I’m considering a trip there, myself! I just think it’s wise to recognize that there are areas of Africa that are as safe or safer than many places in the US. There are other places where it’s a little more sketchy. An informed traveler, who books with a reputable outfitter, is unlikely to run into trouble. But that doesn’t mean there’s a zero chance of running into trouble. Be informed and manage risks wisely.

 

[sgt_zim]

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

I paid $2K for my barren cow in 2024, it was an add-on, not the focus of the hunt. Limpopo province, about a mile or 3 east of the Limpopo river.

 

[Rare Breed]

A buff cow in SA should run no more than $3k even now

 

[hoytcanon]

A buff cow in SA should run no more than $3k even now

Discount has 7 days for two buffalo cows for $4700. You just have to be aware of what it is your going into in advance... drop the dreams of toiling for days, mile upon mile, on millions of free range acres amidst the roaring of lions and trumpeting of elephant.

 

[Rare Breed]

I have to say when I explored some outfitters I was very pleasantly surprised at the affordability

 

[hoytcanon]

I have to say when I explored some outfitters I was very pleasantly surprised at the affordability

Do the research and there are lots of excellent, affordable experiences available. I have contacted over 150 operators over the past few years. The picture becomes clear when you do this, the lowend, barnyard hunts get thrown out, the ultra highend, way out of your budget hunts, get thrown out and you sort through the middle for the best experience available at a reasonable (for you) dollar. There are still many out there. If money is no object, congrats, the world is your oyster... most of us have to be more pragmatic than that.

 

[wesheltonj]

Let me suggest one of the areas around Victoria Falls. You can make a day trip to Chobe and wife can stay in town while your hunting.

 

[Scott CWO]

All this talk about 5-star accommodations are needed for wives is overblown. I’ve been to Moz three times, Botswana, Tanzania twice, Zambia and to Zimbabwe and all the camps were very nice and enjoyed by the womenfolk. If you want to take your wife to the beach and the Ritz Carlton, you can do that in the USA. What kind of real African experience is that?? I sure as heck wouldn’t choose 5-star accommodations in South Africa on a high fence ranch over a comfy camp in the bush in the wild. Go to Africa, not a resort ranch!

 

[Rare Breed]

All this talk about 5-star accommodations are needed for wives is overblown. I’ve been to Moz three times, Botswana, Tanzania twice, Zambia and to Zimbabwe and all the camps were very nice and enjoyed by the womenfolk. If you want to take your wife to the beach and the Ritz Carlton, you can do that in the USA. What kind of real African experience is that?? I sure as heck wouldn’t choose 5-star accommodations in South Africa on a high fence ranch over a comfy camp in the bush in the wild. Go to Africa, not a resort ranch!

lol!!! Scott can I trade wives with you please?????

 

[hoytcanon]

All this talk about 5-star accommodations are needed for wives is overblown. I’ve been to Moz three times, Botswana, Tanzania twice, Zambia and to Zimbabwe and all the camps were very nice and enjoyed by the womenfolk. If you want to take your wife to the beach and the Ritz Carlton, you can do that in the USA. What kind of real African experience is that?? I sure as heck wouldn’t choose 5-star accommodations in South Africa on a high fence ranch over a comfy camp in the bush in the wild. Go to Africa, not a resort ranch!

The only thing worse than taking my wife on safari, that I can think of, is golfing with her.... we tried wallpapering together one time... it didn't end well.... it was a toss-up between homicide and suicide... or both.

 

[kpoynter]

All this talk about 5-star accommodations are needed for wives is overblown. I’ve been to Moz three times, Botswana, Tanzania twice, Zambia and to Zimbabwe and all the camps were very nice and enjoyed by the womenfolk. If you want to take your wife to the beach and the Ritz Carlton, you can do that in the USA. What kind of real African experience is that?? I sure as heck wouldn’t choose 5-star accommodations in South Africa on a high fence ranch over a comfy camp in the bush in the wild. Go to Africa, not a resort ranch!

I agree
I’ve taken my wife several times and kids twice now.
The reality is nearly all the places have very nice camps and super comfortable. As you stated….its also an integral part of the experience
Now last time I did swing over to the Vic Falls hotel after too though

 

[Lancaster]

A buff cow in SA should run no more than $3k even now

That’s good value, I should have said I was quoting with day rate based on a couple of large properties I’d had quotes from

 

[Lancaster]

Very helpful, thanks!

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

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

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

Good experiences with them? They were very tempting

Very good


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

Zim is just cheaper as it’s government and thus economy is inferior to its neighbours, also, given its history (up until early 2000s) puts people off but I have been twice now and never felt unsafe and found the people to be some of the friendliest in Southern Africa

 

[Lancaster]

Very helpful, thanks!

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

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

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

Good experiences with them? They were very tempting

Very good


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

Yes there is free range buffalo in the ANPR areas bordering the NW part of the Kruger NP including Balule, Timbavati and Klaserie reserves. Price wise the ones I have seen weren’t any cheaper than Zim or Moz. I have visited KNP twice but never hunted it. My only concern would be that if the animals are habituated to people but generally most visitors are in vehicles and I’d be interested in hearing people’s experiences who have hunted there. Certainly it would be the simplest logistics from the UK, one flight versus the 3 or 4 many other countries need.

 

[Rare Breed]

That’s good value, I should have said I was quoting with day rate based on a couple of large properties I’d had quotes from

Fair point. I did not think about day rate factored in

 

[hoytcanon]

Discount has 7 days for two buffalo cows for $4700. You just have to be aware of what it is your going into in advance... drop the dreams of toiling for days, mile upon mile, on millions of free range acres amidst the roaring of lions and trumpeting of elephant.

That was misremembering... $4900.

 

[wildfowler.250]

Thanks for the help folks. I think this thread has basically helped me realise that buffalo in Zim is far more likely what I’m after. It seems to be about £5k cheaper than say Botswana,(which is a lot really). How Zim ties in for a photographic safari I’ll have to see.. but may either do two countries,(one for hunt and one for watching) or two trips altogether.

Zim does seem relatively good value compared to the alternatives

 

[Lancaster]

Thanks for the help folks. I think this thread has basically helped me realise that buffalo in Zim is far more likely what I’m after. It seems to be about £5k cheaper than say Botswana,(which is a lot really). How Zim ties in for a photographic safari I’ll have to see.. but may either do two countries,(one for hunt and one for watching) or two trips altogether.

Zim does seem relatively good value compared to the alternatives

Lots of photographic opportunities in the Zim National Parks like Hwange and Mana Pools which are generally surrounded by hunting areas

 

[UKHunter]

Thanks for the help folks. I think this thread has basically helped me realise that buffalo in Zim is far more likely what I’m after. It seems to be about £5k cheaper than say Botswana,(which is a lot really). How Zim ties in for a photographic safari I’ll have to see.. but may either do two countries,(one for hunt and one for watching) or two trips altogether.

Zim does seem relatively good value compared to the alternatives

Mana pools in Zim is world class photo safari area