ZIMBABWE: Looking For Recommendation On Lalapansi Safaris Or Ben Matiwaza In Zimbabwe

[TXCO]

Hello,

My family has been in discussions with a small operator in Zimbabwe about a 2015 leopard hunt. I am looking to get any further background information. The name is Lalapanzi Safaris with Ben and Thulani Matiwaza. We have talked with a couple past clients in the States over the phone with positive reports. An additional potential PH they have told us about it Tim Shultz. We are also interested in bringing our bows along and maybe giving it a go that way.

I thank you for any potential feedback in addition to extra details on current laws and regulations/forms we should be aware of.

 

[Mike70560]

Do not know this outfit, never even heard of them. If you do a quick search on Google you may find some interesting things.

http://africanenvironmentalpolice.blogspot.com/2011/05/zimbabwe-paoching-report-part-2.html
http://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/zim-safari-operators-held-on-graft-charges-1.303946#.VQmCYyI5CUk
http://www.**NOT**PERMITTED**.com/hunting_article_details.cfm?id=1789

Again I cannot attest to the veracity of these articles.

You may also want to read this thread on Africa Hunting entitled "Shady deals in Zimbabwe - Hunters need to wise up!" started by a well respected Zimbabwean.

http://www.africahunting.com/thread...ters-need-to-wise-up.21461/page-2#post-174619

 

[BRICKBURN]

.............. We are also interested in bringing our bows along and maybe giving it a go that way.
......
I thank you for any potential feedback in addition to extra details on current laws and regulations/forms we should be aware of.

Permits being required for Bows.
http://www.africahunting.com/threads/zimbabwe-bow-permits.8656/#post-62889

Make damn certain the area you are hunting is not "owned" by one of the folks on the banned list. You do not need the hassle.

Last year government fees went up without explanation and without notice. The operators were screwed and so were some clients. Some big outfits sucked up the charge. The smaller ones could not and passed it on. This was on Elephant, etc.

Here is one for the Dictators last threats to screw with hunting in Zimbabwe.
http://www.africahunting.com/thread...perators-in-zimbabwe.21277/page-2#post-172172

 

[Wheels]

Do not know this outfit, never even heard of them. If you do a quick search on Google you may find some interesting things.

http://africanenvironmentalpolice.blogspot.com/2011/05/zimbabwe-paoching-report-part-2.html
http://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/zim-safari-operators-held-on-graft-charges-1.303946#.VQmCYyI5CUk
http://www.**NOT**PERMITTED**.com/hunting_article_details.cfm?id=1789

Again I cannot attest to the veracity of these articles.

You may also want to read this thread on Africa Hunting entitled "Shady deals in Zimbabwe - Hunters need to wise up!" started by a well respected Zimbabwean.

http://www.africahunting.com/threads/shady-deals-in-zimbabwe-hunters-need-to-wise-up.21461/page-2#post-174619

You are impressively quick with the information Mike.

 

[TXCO]

Do not know this outfit, never even heard of them. If you do a quick search on Google you may find some interesting things.

http://africanenvironmentalpolice.blogspot.com/2011/05/zimbabwe-paoching-report-part-2.html
http://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/zim-safari-operators-held-on-graft-charges-1.303946#.VQmCYyI5CUk
http://www.**NOT**PERMITTED**.com/hunting_article_details.cfm?id=1789

Again I cannot attest to the veracity of these articles.

You may also want to read this thread on Africa Hunting entitled "Shady deals in Zimbabwe - Hunters need to wise up!" started by a well respected Zimbabwean.

http://www.africahunting.com/thread...ters-need-to-wise-up.21461/page-2#post-174619

I did a fairly extensive search and saw that article. It mentioned two Phs who were employed by them but nothing specific or further. One sentence with no further info. It seemed on other outfitters . I actually struggled following along that section of the article.

Other info I have- Hes a retired general. In 2013 he was appointed to the defense force commission. In 2006 he was questioned about not bringing all safari money back into Zim. SCI has about 8 entries listed under their name. Ive also emailed the Zim tour and ph associations. Question- do all operators have to be members?

 

[BRICKBURN]

............. Question- do all operators have to be members?

There are two association in Zim (Last I heard)
I do not think membership is mandatory (Last I heard)

http://www.zphga.com
List their membership as well.

You can search on this web page. (determine if it is up to date)
http://www.soaz.net/index.php/professional-guides-and-hunters

 

[Mike70560]

Membership in Zimbabwe Professional Hunters and Guide (ZPHGA) is voluntary, the same with SOAZ. Most reputable operators are members.

If you choose to believe ( I was not there so I am not sure what happened) what is written in the article it is more than a mere mention of two PHs. They specifically alleges Lalapanzi Safaris was operating illegally in Gwayi, which is at the least an area that most hunters shun or at the worse land taken over and owned by persons on the SDN list.

From the link:

Lalapanzi Safaris, which is owned by one Brigadier Ben Matiwaza and his relative Zeph Matiwaza (who owned Zambezi Milling Company at the time) also employed professional hunters Jed Moyo and Gary Hopkins to conduct illegal hunts in the Gwayi Valley Conservacy. "This company was operating illegally within the Gwayi Valley Conservancy, concentrating its operations on Antionette Ranch , Railway Farm 35 and 31 ,Goodluck Ranch and Chimwara Ranch."

Over the years there was a lot of bad things that happened in the Gwayi (Gwaai) area. This alleged incident was over 10 years ago. Lalapanzi may be a sterling company.

I do have two questions:

1--What specific area would you be hunting?
2--More out of curiosity than anything, what factors do you use to determine what outfit you would use to hunt, especially for a specialized hunt like leopard.

The reason I ask is you read about plenty of leopard hunts becoming expensive plains game hunts. When I decided to hunt leopard I first chose the PH. While I had not hunted with him, I had spent time in camp so I new we were compatible. He also had a passion for hunting leopard, it is what he lives and breathes. That was my most important choice. The next decision was what area. The area I chose was known for dangerous game and I hunted the concession next to it previously. The PH I chose had hunted there for several years and was intimately familiar with the area. I knew the outfitter from a previous hunt but originally met him on a forum (there are several good outfitters/PHs that post here). The last consideration was money. I do not have enough money or time to make an unsuccessful hunt because I tried to save a couple of dollars. I rather do it right the first time. BTW I shot a very nice leopard about 8 days in to the hunt, during the day, after sitting in the blind for only a couple of hours. We did work extremely hard to get to that point.

Anyway, good luck with your decision and I hope you have fun.

 

[TXCO]

I completely agree that is the right approach to hunt leopard and all major hunting across the world. I shot a leopard 10 years ago in Lemco, hunting through and with a friend who was also a booking agent. He knew the area and outfitter well which is why we went with him. I generally take the stance of try to do it right the first time. I also cant control the supply and demand market which means I generally accept that hunting is getting more expensive, so I guess I'll hunt less. My father is looking for the leopard this time and was recommended this outfit by a mutual US friend who has worked with them in Zim through missionary work but not hunting. He did however tour the hunt area. This hunt is supposed to take place along Hwange NP within a couple hours of Vic Falls. My father did talk to several provided references who were successful in their hunts and brought their wives along. My father is so concerned with price and the skyrocketing costs Im worried its playing too much into the decision. I havent been involved in the research too much until now.

Im concerned about the lack of information. Of course there are plenty of small outfits all over the world who are successful but there's a lot at risk in this part of the world. My father has talked with several references and being introduced by a trusted mutual friend who spends time in Zim is the comforting factor for him. The flow of information out of that part of the world is so daunting to someone like me.

Thats why I came to a great place like this to try and learn more!

 

[Royal27]

I'll give my two cents, which is worth exactly what you paid for it TXCO. And, it isn't anything that you don't already seem to know.

BE VERY CAREFUL!!!

I hunted Zim last August and would love to go back. I'd be even more careful now though than I was then, as things seem to be deteriorating. I went with a highly refutable outfitter and all money was held here in the States until after the hunt. So at least in theory I would have had some recourse if things had messed up.

Zim is enough of a risk in and of itself that I wouldn't personally hunt with any outfit that had even a hint of issue, even if it was ten years ago, just my opinion. As you've stated, going the less expensive route can cost a lot of money....

The other thing you've mentioned, which if you're going same season is at least less likely to be a concern is the fees going up. I booked my buff hunt two years in advance and the fees were not locked. Due to the Zim price hike I paid just over 20% more for my trophy fee than it was when I signed. I knew this could happen going in, so I'm not complaining. This same fact though, along with the instability of the country, is making me drag my feet on my own leopard hunt. I'd love to hunt with the same outfit, but I'm worried about the situation honestly. And, they are good enough that there are plenty of guys willing to sign up 2-3 years in advance not knowing what it will cost. I'm not sure that I am.

Good luck with the planning!!!

 

[Mike70560]

TXCO,

Lemco!!! It does not get much better for leopard hunting anywhere in Africa.

Lalapanzi may offer a fine hunt and if he chooses them I truly wish him lots of luck.

BTW, Lalapanzi hunted Sengwa Research a few years ago. Mixed reports, nothing terrible, but seemed to sublet some if not most of the hunting.

 

[tinie kok]

TXCO
Drop me an email mjksafaris@gmail.com I will give you the information on what you need .i operate here in zimbabwe With regards to a bow hunt you need a bow permit from parks $1500 you also need a parks ranger on the hunt $140 per day