hunting the caprivi

[Ranchhand 59]

Can i get some info on what its like to hunt buff in the caprivi in namibia? Ive hunted buff in zim, moz and SA. but not caprivi. Just what to expect on the terrian and conditions etc. compared to the other countries? Thanks

 

[BryceM]

I did one buff hunt there just after COVID. I have no experience in Zim or RSA, so it's hard for me to compare. I hunted the Wuparo concession, which is between two national parks. Many years, the south half of the area is a floodplain with lightly forested "islands". When I was there, the floodplain was mostly dry, with tall grasses everywhere. The northern half of the concession was fairly dense mopane forest. Lots of elephant, reedbuck, waterbuck, LOADS of impala, red lechewe, zebra, giraffe, kudu (a few), the odd sable and roan (I didn't see any). Hippos in every bit of water. A few crocs around.

We went out looking every day for buffalo. We saw a few dugga boys, but most of the buffalo were in herds of 50-100+. We saw two or three groups like that. They move in and out of the concession semi-regularly. I shot a bull out of a very large herd at around 20-30 yards. It's tremendous fun sneaking around big herds.

It's really fun country. I think I might like to do it again for leopard and hippo maybe, but there's so many other things to try. Who knows.......

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I just did a Caprivi buff hunt in July. Excellent adventure with @ndumo SAFARIS and I want to go back. I've also hunted Zim, Zam and RSA. Terrain was flat and very dry.

BTW, use the search function and you'll find lots of info on the Caprivi.

Thread 'NAMIBIA: Cape Buffalo Hunt In The Caprivi With ndumo HUNTING SAFARIS July 16-25, 2025'

Jul 27, 2025

A short report on an even shorter hunt. I booked this hunt to follow my leopard hunt with Nick Nolte. @ndumo HUNTING SAFARIS is one of the quieter AH sponsors, but I have been talking with Karl Stumpfe for several years at DSC and thinking about doing this hunt. For me, it made a lot of sense to do the two hunts in Namibia, back to back.

The hunt is a 7 day, cape buffalo hunt. The flights from Windhoek to Katima Mulilo are only on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. My hunt is Wednesday to Wednesday, so they gave me a couple free days in camp to leave on Friday, the 25th.

After 14...

• 375 Ruger Fan
• Replies: 47
• Forum: Hunting reports Africa

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[Fatback]

I’ve hunted there twice, in 2 different concessions. One area we were hunting on island in the Kwando river. That was brushy terrain. The other area I hunted, last month, was on the Chobe river and it was wide open flood plain. Both buffalo I shot on these 2 trips were out of small bachelor herds of 5-6 bulls. It’s an awesome area to hunt.

 

[375Fox]

It really depends on the concession. The caprivi varies a lot east to west and as you move away from rivers. If I hunt buffalo in Caprivi I’d choose one of the bwabwata park concessions for buffalo numbers, age, trophy quality, and level of wild, but it’s very expensive compared to other buffalo hunts. The community concessions will vary. Some have permanent buffalo some don’t. I find Zimbabwe much more wild, but the Caprivi has better PG and you can easily combine it with PG in central Namibia. Red Lechwe in native habitat is a big draw as well.

 

[Ranchhand 59]

Is hunting the caprivi all open range hunting? Flying into Kasane, Botswana and crossing the border and be in the concession. i appreciate all the replies. still have homework to do!

 

[375Fox]

Is hunting the caprivi all open range hunting? Flying into Kasane, Botswana and crossing the border and be in the concession. i appreciate all the replies. still have homework to do!

There are no fences in the Caprivi. It is developing fast though there are paved roads and power lines.

 

[Fatback]

It’s a mixture of wild stuff, plenty of elephants, hippos, crocs, buff, etc…. and people and cattle, villages and fishermen. It’s not like a safari only area in other countries.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Is hunting the caprivi all open range hunting? Flying into Kasane, Botswana and crossing the border and be in the concession. i appreciate all the replies. still have homework to do!

If you are flying into Kasane, consider staying a few days at the Chobe Game Lodge. It's very close to the airport and is the only lodge located inside Chobe National Park. One of the best photo safari places in Africa!

Chobe Game Lodge in Chobe National Park, Botswana.

Chobe Game Lodge is an elegant and stylish home away from home and offers luxury safari accommodation in Chobe National Park in Botswana.

www.chobe.com

 

[Ranchhand 59]

thanks, will look into that!

 

[Hatchetjack]

What’s dip and pack like there ? Are they going to ruin my hippo skull ?

 

[375Fox]

What’s dip and pack like there ? Are they going to ruin my hippo skull ?

Why would you assume they are going to ruin your hippo skull? It obviously depends on taxidermy but Namibia has been the better prepared dip and pack I’ve seen. Zimbabwe and Cameroon some of the worst.

 

[Hatchetjack]

Because I’ve seen the worst , boiled to shit and cleaned many of them for Customers. I don’t want mine ruined or borderline ruined. That’s why I asked . Sorry if that struck a cord

 

[375Fox]

Because I’ve seen the worst , boiled to shit and cleaned many of them for Customers. I don’t want mine ruined or borderline ruined. That’s why I asked . Sorry if that struck a cord

Then visit the taxidermy and inspect their work before you give them your business. There are several choices. Any trophies taken north of the veterinary line will go through a quarantine period before they can be delivered to a taxidermy south of the line.

 

[Hatchetjack]

Do you know off hand how long that time period is ?

 

[375Fox]

Do you know off hand how long that time period is ?

I think it’s an additional 90 days, but usually trophies are not going to be delivered to a taxidermy on day 91. They will go once outfitter has a large enough shipment from other clients to justify taking them.

 

[Hatchetjack]

Good to know , I was tempted to shoot one in sa where I can get it macerated but the hunt won’t be the same experience I’m sure