Where best to hunt in October/November time frame?

[Wooster]

Have hunted Namibia (Kalihari, Kaokoland and Caprivi) and Eastern Cape in May-August time frame. But considering an Oct/Nov hunt at some point. Wondering where to go considering weather factors (rain and heat) and game quality at that time of year. Anyone have any good experiences or suggestions? I have some buddies going to Moz in November. ?? Thanks in advance!

 

[Rare Breed]

Great thread…I too have wondered about this. All my trips have been July/August. Many times I have seen awesome deals due to remaining quota during October-December

 

[Red Leg]

I did Moz in late October in the Zambezi Delta because I wanted a big Livingstone eland and the rut is the best time to get one. I should add that we were successful.

But based upon those last two weeks of October, I am not sure that I would want to experience Moz in November.

We were in daily temps around 100 and humidity in the nineties. Toss in tsetse flies, clouds of malarial mosquitoes, the occasional mamba, and a gaboon viper that may have been the most lethal looking thing I have ever seen, and let's just say it was an equatorial adventure.

Might be different in the Selous.

 

[Flipper Dude]

Hunted Zambezi Valley in October. (Suicide month). I didn’t mind so much, but it was freakin’ warm. Wife didn’t like it at all. Had some heart issues due to electrolyte imbalance. 42-43 degrees C. But it was a dry heat!

Come to think about it, kinda like home right now, except for the dry part.

 

[Jondnov]

That is hot!! Red Leg glad you were successful. Also at those temps animals would most certainly have to utilize any water around.

 

[318AE]

Tanzania - season is generally July-December (I think they changed the season some during covid years). Hunt the mountains - surprisingly cool/temperate for being at the equator.

 

[gillettehunter]

I hunted early Oct in the southern Kalahari in Northern RSA some time ago. Had a great hunt. Temperature up to 105 or so. Animals spent a lot of time around the water holes.
I was told it was the easy time for lions. They just had to hang out around water for their pick of the animals to eat. It easily a good hunt.
Bruce

 

[Scott CWO]

Early November in Maswa in Tanzania for lion and other game. The start of the “short rains” and short grass greening up attracts lots of game and migration. Later in November and December can get too wet.

 

[375Fox]

I actually really enjoy hunting in October. I’ve had great hunts in Namibia and Zimbabwe. I’d choose an outfitter with multiple camps so you can take advantage of end of season quota. Generally there are few hunters that late so several camps will be open and you can see different areas on the same hunt.

 

[Charles de Ribeau]

Have hunted Namibia (Kalihari, Kaokoland and Caprivi) and Eastern Cape in May-August time frame. But considering an Oct/Nov hunt at some point. Wondering where to go considering weather factors (rain and heat) and game quality at that time of year. Anyone have any good experiences or suggestions? I have some buddies going to Moz in November. ?? Thanks in advance!

I hunted Namibia in that time period a few years ago. Everything was fine until there was some rain. That's when the snakes started appearing. One day a puff adder and the next a spitting cobra. NO THANK YOU!

 

[Tanks]

Heading to Zimbabwe for an October 1 -15 hunt.

 

[spike.t]

Have hunted Namibia (Kalihari, Kaokoland and Caprivi) and Eastern Cape in May-August time frame. But considering an Oct/Nov hunt at some point. Wondering where to go considering weather factors (rain and heat) and game quality at that time of year. Anyone have any good experiences or suggestions? I have some buddies going to Moz in November. ?? Thanks in advance!

What you looking to hunt?

 

[Hunt anything]

I agree with RedLeg, October in Marromeu area of Mozambique is a great time to hunt, game is concentrated around any remaining water and if you want a superb nyala that would be a great choice. On a side note we almost stepped on a gaboon viper in some ankle high scrub and if my tracker hadn’t heard it hiss something bad could have happened!

 

[Wooster]

Heading to Zimbabwe for an October 1 -15 hunt.

Awesome! Please report back after!

 

[Wooster]

What you looking to hunt?

Buff and plains game. I'm a kudu addict, so that's always in the mix.

 

[spike.t]

Buff and plains game. I'm a kudu addict, so that's always in the mix.

OK...Oct will be hot here but game will be concentrated not too far from water...so good ..and I presume this is for next year?... I will send you a pm with my cell number thet has WhatsApp...easier for comms here ..cheers mike

 

[DLSJR]

Western Zambia, on the Kafue Plateau, can be very nice in October. It’s about 4,000 feet altitude IIRC, so a lot less heat than the Luangwa Valley.

 

[M Whitley]

In 2020 I hunted Rungwa in Tanzania the first half of October. Temps were not bad at all, we did get a few early rains towards the end of my safari, a moderate amount of rain would create an issue trying to hunt though.

 

[Nyati]

7 out of my 8 safaris were in Sept/Oct, all in RSA, including the Kalahari .

It is warmer, but there are less leaves in the bush, so you can see game much better.

Another advantage is there are less travelers, and flying is cheaper.

 

[singleshot]

I have hunted the eastern cape and Nambia in the beginning of October. Found the eastern cape very windy but was successful.