Recommended outfitters in Zambia

[Cme1983]

Well I know the guy who posted about the issue (Dogcat1). That has nothing to do with what I said in my first post. There is something to be said about someone running their business the right way. I understand your retort saying that the wife stole the money. Is that the hunters fault? No, it’s not.

If other hunters don’t point out negative experiences then how are we helping our fellow hunters?

 

[lhook7]

Fico divorced her. Not his fault.

That is a unique way of looking at the issue. Fico took the money for the hunt, but failed to provide the hunt. How is that anyone’s fault other than his?

 

[Scott CWO]

That is a unique way of looking at the issue. Fico took the money for the hunt, but failed to provide the hunt. How is that anyone’s fault other than his?

You know this how? Fico was cleaned out as well.

 

[daawg1963]

Can anyone give a recommendation for outfitters in Zambia. Principally interested in DG hunting- Buff and Ele
Many thanks in advance!

 

[kpoynter]

You know this how? Fico was cleaned out as well.

Odd defense of a situation.
1) it’s nice you are defending someone you hold in esteem and have a good relationship with
2) the logic is bizarre. Essentially the defense is “you aren’t a victim because he was also a victim” while not even disputing the basic facts (which are true or not disputed anyway)

Both things can be true but one does not negate the other and he is still responsible for his business at the time. The defense is this….he WAS responsible, but due to horrible extenuating circumstances where his whore wife (soon to be ex wife) stole from him (and therefore Dogcat and perhaps others) Fico was left in a horrible position whereas he was unable to reimburse his business obligations. He took a huge hit both personally and professionally and thankfully was able to come out the other side (albeit apparently without ever refunding the stolen money his business was obligated to)

 

[Scott CWO]

Odd defense of a situation.
1) it’s nice you are defending someone you hold in esteem and have a good relationship with
2) the logic is bizarre. Essentially the defense is “you aren’t a victim because he was also a victim” while not even disputing the basic facts (which are true or not disputed anyway)

Both things can be true but one does not negate the other and he is still responsible for his business at the time. The defense is this….he WAS responsible, but due to horrible extenuating circumstances where his whore wife (soon to be ex wife) stole from him (and therefore Dogcat and perhaps others) Fico was left in a horrible position whereas he was unable to reimburse his business obligations. He took a huge hit both personally and professionally and thankfully was able to come out the other side (albeit apparently without ever refunding the stolen money his business was obligated to)

I’ve spoken to the agency involved. The issue happened back in the 2008 recession when times were tough and they have worked with Fico since. As a matter of fact, one of the agency owners shot a magnificent lion with Fico in 2021, the year before my hunt. Perhaps it’s time to drop it now.

 

[EPIC SAFARIS]

In reading all of this dialogue about Zambia from last year, I would be happy to have a phone conversation with anyone about hunting in Zambia. The tourism businesses that I own or am involved in employ 300 Zambians across 12 safari camps, 3 of which are hunting camps. I don't just casually know things about Zambia, I live and breathe it every day. It is a fantastic country in terms of wildlife experiences, the communities and people that you come across as a general rule of thumb, and overall value of what you get for your money - fully understanding that hunting in Zambia is expensive on a relative basis.

I understand there are lots of opinions about operators, PHs, outfitters, and the government in this country based on people's past experiences but it's such a small hunting community that for any "insider" it has become quite easy to navigate once you understand how it all works and who can be trusted or not. In short, I can help people eliminate the mistrust thru better information if asked. But doesn't this insider/outsider situation exist in most things in life? It's my position as a sponsor on this website to get anyone comfortable with booking a hunt in Zambia via our outfitting business or others by educating them on what I know about Zambia as an insider and that's why I have taken the time to become a sponsor at AH even though we may never sell a hunt thru this platform until we earn trusts from members of this community.

Regarding PHs, there are many excellent Zambian PHs and many quality younger ones that no one for the most part has heard of on this forum. They have no less training than other country's PHs and many have a vast amount of more experiences hunting all types of DG due the quantity of opportunity that exist in Zambia. PHs from other countries love to come hunt in Zambia which should be a hint about the quality of hunting experiences that one finds in Zambia. You typically don't find Zambian PHs traveling to other countries to hunt game in those countries. IMHO, that's because the hunting and hunting opportunity for the best PHs is so good in Zambia.

From the 30,000 foot view, Zambia offers some of the best open range hunting in Africa in terms of quality of trophies, number of animals available to hunt on quota, game viewing while hunting, non-hunting activities for observers, numbers of indigenous species you can hunt out of one camp, camp life experiences on the banks of iconic rivers like the Luangwa and Kafue rivers, bird hunting, and I could go on and on. Hunting the huge government concessions that buffer the iconic national parks is a real treat that I personally haven't found anything to match it in my travels across Africa, although I still have a few places I need to go check out admittedly. If you want to learn more, again, I am happy to talk to anyone on this forum or otherwise about Zambia. It is a real gem that doesn't get enough recognition on all that it offers and I am hear to try and educate folks about the truly epic experiences one can have in Zambia.

 

[Cecil Hammonds]

I went with Michael de Gre-Gejestam at @MBIZI SAFARIS last August. All around great experience. It was a Croc/Hippo hunt with a Kafue Lechwe, Chobe Bushbuck, and Spotted Hyena added on. No issues with dip and pack or trophy shipping. Bangweulu Taxidermy handled that part, and were very professional. I am going back to Zambia for Sitatunga in 2026. Happy to chat with anyone interested.

 

[1peggy]

Been twice with Johnny Duplooys, both trips couldnt have been better

Super people

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Several reasons to have concerns with Zambia.

1. The government voids and re-awards concessions at a whim. Also, non Zambians (Indians) have great sway with the government officials and then seem to end up controlling or owning concessions.

2. It is more expensive to hunt there due to charges at the airports, visas, internal transport, dip/pack fees and shipping. Options are limited for dip/pack and you will pay a premium. You will charged a fee per bullet you bring into the country as well.

3. I have hunted there twice and tried to hunt another time. In each case, there were issues over fees. On the trip that I tried to book, the operator disappeared with my money. My agent stood up and paid me for that.

4. PH's are not as well trained as in Zim. Granted, the good outfits I mentioned earlier have solid PH's, but the system of getting a PH license is rather loose these days.

5. If you go to the other African Hunting website, you will see a very long thread on a guy that was scammed out of $80,000 by an operator. The PH that sold the hunt to the hunter was banned from this previously for violation of policies. That PH is still selling hunts.

6. As I said in the first post, there are a few good ones in Zambia - DuPloy's and Kirchner. I cannot say anything about the rest. In Zim, I can name a dozen or more that will do what they say. Same for Namibia, Ethiopia, RSA and Moz. Why take a chance when you have better options?

7. As I said earlier, use an agent that will stand by all monies paid. Do not book direct.

I won't hunt in Zambia anymore for Leopard that's for sure. I've hunted there a LOT. Done well with all plains game and Buffalo. The only way someone could get me back to Zambia for a Leopard their camp would have have 100% shot opportunity at least 2 years in a row.

 

[EPIC SAFARIS]

I won't hunt in Zambia anymore for Leopard that's for sure. I've hunted there a LOT. Done well with all plains game and Buffalo. The only way someone could get me back to Zambia for a Leopard their camp would have have 100% shot opportunity at least 2 years in a row.

I am curious what hunting areas you hunted in, what time frame this took place in, and who sold you your leopard hunts. I have zero concerns about getting shot opportunities in Mumbwa West (Kafue area) or Chifunda (Luangwa Valley) hunting blocks during leopard hunts. Not all hunting areas are created equal though so just curious where you have been sent on your leopard hunts.

 

[Doug3006]

I won't hunt in Zambia anymore for Leopard that's for sure. I've hunted there a LOT. Done well with all plains game and Buffalo. The only way someone could get me back to Zambia for a Leopard their camp would have have 100% shot opportunity at least 2 years in a row.

You do realize that no outfit anywhere Leopard are hunted could make such a claim. The few who have such success would be misleading you to make a 100% guarantee.

 

[Cme1983]

The prime Luangwa areas and Niassa have to be the closest thing to guaranteed leopard hunts that you can find. Leopard are one thing that you truly get what you pay for. Save an extra year or two and go hunt in the areas with the best success rates.