Where is the best place to go in Africa for a trophy elephant, at a reasonable price, and with which outfitter. I just got a quote from Rann Safaris in Botwanna for $60,000. That seems a bit too much. Your thoughts? Regards, AIU

Was that inclusive of the TF? Charters? Dip/Pack?

That would depend on what you deem a good hunt - Big Tusks or a challenging hunt?? An area which repeatedly produces big ivory (+60lb's) will normally attract the higher fees e.g Rann, Johan Calitz etc

There are several outfitters in Zim where the price of an Elephant hunt will be alot less ($) but the hunt just as exciting - the general reality is that you will probably harvest a Elephant in the 40lb region but with a good chance of bagging a bull over 50lb's.

You may need to refine your definition. What, exactly do you mean by "best?"
If trophy size is your criterion, probably Botswana these days.
Are you after a classic East African safari experience? Maybe Tanzania. Be prepared to pay quite a lot there, as well.
A highly competent and companionable PH and a well run camp is surely part of "best" on anyone's list.
For me, cost effectiveness is part of "best." There are quality operators in Zimbabwe who can provide a wonderful experience, conducting a quality bull hunt for perhaps half the amount you describe. Trophy expectations may not be as high, but you can go twice, and have two wonderful safaris.
My ele hunting has been done with CM Safaris in Zim, multiple tuskless in 2009, trophy bull in 2011. I'm going back in 2013, that's as high a recommendation as I can give. There are most assuredly other fine hunters of elephant, I've found what I need.

For the cost and the size of the ivory, it would be hard to beat Nixon D'Zingai of SSG Safaris who operates out of the Malapati Safari area of Zimbabwe.

quote:

Originally posted by SBT:
For the cost and the size of the ivory, it would be hard to beat Nixon D'Zingai of SSG Safaris who operates out of the Malapati Safari area of Zimbabwe.

No experence just looking what has been posted and the above for big ivory and price seem to be the ticket.

If I were spending my hard earned money I'd do

1. Look up what a "bushman land" Namibia elephant. See if Kai ue Dunker still had the consession west of Khaudum-- If that was not aval. I'd look--Karl Stumph usually has well priced elephant hunts in close to the same area.

2. Selous hunt-- Luke Samaras-- PH Paddy Curtis-- elephant and add in a lion while I was there--long pretty ivory. Classic safari!

3. Botswana-- Johan Caliz block NG 32--I'd like to hunt it before its "cameras only" but I'm sure its big$$$$$$$$$$$$$$--but.....

If I had the scratch this would be my short list on elephant.....

Ed

If I really wanted to shoot a 60lb plus Bull elephant, I would recommend 2 things.

One, research where in Zimbabwe or Botswana, I would be most likely to find such and elephant.

Second, book at least a 21 day or better, a 35 day elephant hunt. The More days the better.

I would also look at having 2 bull elephants on quota. Then early in ther hunt you see a nice one you can take it, and spend the rest of the hunt looking for one a lot bigger.

And yes it will be BIG $$$$.
But you said TROPHY, which to many means heavy Ivory.

Actually in todays Africa a 40lb elephant is a good trophy. [Especially if you shoot it up close with double rifle].
Anything over that is Icing on the Cake.

But for really heavy Ivory, consider the place, and the time, you can spend hunting.

Also, at least for me, I, do not, have not, and would not, shoot elephants at night.

That is not elephant hunting to me.

Cholotcho, Zimbabwe. Ten days are enough , minimum expectable there is 50 lbs. I took 55, and saw several the same, but it wasn't good time. If to book two week and arrive in Sept, Oct you can expect 65lbs and more. My fellow took there 100lbs several years ago.

For some areas that produce big ivory in Zim you need to also think about what type of hunt you want to experience. Some of the bigger ivory producing areas in Zim are adjacent to or near national parks and much of the shooting is done at waterholes at night when elephant leave the park. I have no problem with that if that is what you are interested in. Point is simply to make sure that you understand what type of hunt is involved, i.e., relatively open areas where you drive and spot elephant (many areas in Botswana), spot and stalk (areas like Makuti), tracking, crop raiding elephants, night hunting near waterholes. There are variety of different "types" of hunts depending on the area you hunt.

Hi AIU

If you are ever interested in hunting ELE bull in Zim you will find my new DVD-"THE ESSENCE OF ELEPHANT HUNTING"- a great help.

It covers the different areas and styles of hunting ele bulls, inparticular the differences between the North Western regions ( Matetsi and forestery areas near Wankie) and the Zambezi Valley areas. The master copy is getting burnt now and will be available Xmas or just after. Cheers Buzz

I asked this same question 3 yrs ago. I decided to go to Zim and hunt with Neil Duckworth in Sapi on a 14 day hunt. I ended up shooting a 60lb elephant on day 10.

Unbelievable hunt.

http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/5921027231

Buzz,

I hope you have the DVD in Dallas, as I would like a copy.

470Evans,

I know you had a great trip. Neil is a great hunter.

AIU,

I hunted NG41 in Bots, Borders Chobe Park. I walked up to and got a good look at 18 good sized bulls by noon day two. shot a 67 x 64. I had 14 days and should have waited. I really believe if a guy were to have the patience to wait a 70 would be a real possibility.

The difference (IMO) between Bots and Zim. you might run into a 60 in the above mentioned area's but in the good Bots area's that is a minimum expectation.

Another reason for Bots. these guys are very experienced at looking at and judging big ivory. The Zim guys hunts smaller jumbo's as a rule and just don't spend as much time in front of these big Bots elephants.

60K seems high, wait till the season starts and they will mostly have some deals. 50K all in is more reasonable and if you are flexible, you could prob get in and out for 40-45.

I would NOT use JCS again, had some significant difficulties with some personalities & those do not change. Rann or Blackbeard

quote:

Originally posted by Nganga:
AIU,

I hunted NG41 in Bots, Borders Chobe Park. I walked up to and got a good look at 18 good sized bulls by noon day two. shot a 67 x 64. I had 14 days and should have waited. I really believe if a guy were to have the patience to wait a 70 would be a real possibility.

The difference (IMO) between Bots and Zim. you might run into a 60 in the above mentioned area's but in the good Bots area's that is a minimum expectation.

Another reason for Bots. these guys are very experienced at looking at and judging big ivory. The Zim guys hunts smaller jumbo's as a rule and just don't spend as much time in front of these big Bots elephants.

60K seems high, wait till the season starts and they will mostly have some deals. 50K all in is more reasonable and if you are flexible, you could prob get in and out for 40-45.

I would NOT use JCS again, had some significant difficulties with some personalities & those do not change. Rann or Blackbeard

Steve - I don't know, I might disagree a little bit. The average elephant taken throughout Bots is still in the 50's (lbs) you can confirm that with Debbie Peake. I've hunted Bots 3 times (Delta, Chobe Enclave, and Bottlepan) seeing hundreds and hundreds of elephants, and without question I've only seen 1 bull that I can say for sure was over 60lbs. Unfortunately we saw him as we were driving into camp, the day prior to our hunt starting, and the PH's gun was still in camp! The biggest I have taken in Bots is 54lb x 58lb.

Not that I don't think or like elephant hunting in Bots, its awesome! No place has elephants, and the elephant experience like Botswana. But the question was where to hunt trophy bulls, at a "reasonable" price. Back in September 2011, I took an 82lb x 84lb bull from Malapati - Zimbabwe, and in only 4 days I saw two bulls that were definitely over 60lbs. Not to mention, my hunt cost was half of most Botswana elephant hunts.

What about the Caprivi in Namibia, something to consider? Usually a little better priced than Bots!

http://www.johancalitzsafaris...._JCS_PRICE_LISTS.pdf


Johan's operation is first class. I cannot say enough about being in NG32 before it goes to photo safaris after this season. Really unique experience hunting via boat and going from island to island looking for bulls.

Attached is his 2011 price list.

Good luck on your search.

Different hunters will have different answer for this question. I was asking this question couple of years back and my research took me to southern Tanzania. It may help you to look at the factors that contributed to my decision; overall quality of hunt, the general terrain of the area to be hunted, elephant population in the area, weight of ivory to be expected, typical shape of ivory found in the area and the cost of hunt. My expectations for the weight of ivory was above 50 lbs, which was about average for the Lukwika area that I hunted but major contributing factor for my decision was the long ivory typically found there. I got lucky and got a much heavier Ele on the third day.

So after you have given due consideration to all factors, I can tell you the most important factor for the best trophy elephant hunt in Africa is “LUCK” and I wish you good luck for your ele hunt.

quote:

Originally posted by Ahmed Sultan:
Different hunters will have different answer for this question. I was asking this question couple of years back and my research took me to southern Tanzania. It may help you to look at the factors that contributed to my decision; overall quality of hunt, the general terrain of the area to be hunted, elephant population in the area, weight of ivory to be expected, typical shape of ivory found in the area and the cost of hunt. My expectations for the weight of ivory was above 50 lbs, which was about average for the Lukwika area that I hunted but major contributing factor for my decision was the long ivory typically found there. I got lucky and got a much heavier Ele on the third day.

So after you have given due consideration to all factors, I can tell you the most important factor for the best trophy elephant hunt in Africa is “LUCK” and I wish you good luck for your ele hunt.

Ahmed - No doubt Lukwika is good, I've had a couple clients take great elephants from there too. I would have left it out, simply because of Tanzania prices, but not for lack of quality ivory.

You've said it best though, "LUCK"!!!

Aaron,
Won't argue the point at all, just saying from what I saw with my own eyes. We could have shot a 50# at ANY TIME. We had a 60# goal and achieved it. I also will stand by my assessment that the "average" Chobe region Bots bull is heavier than the "average" Malapati bull or anywhere in Zim for that matter. If they weren't why is there such a delta in price?

Again....average size, Not "Nixon shot one that was"

quote:

Originally posted by Nganga:
Aaron,
Won't argue the point at all, just saying from what I saw with my own eyes. We could have shot a 50# at ANY TIME. We had a 60# goal and achieved it. I also will stand by my assessment that the "average" Chobe region Bots bull is heavier than the "average" Malapati bull or anywhere in Zim for that matter. If they weren't why is there such a delta in price?

Again....average size, Not "Nixon shot one that was"

Steve - You're right, overall Bots is the best and it provides an elephant hunting experience that cannot be duplicated (if you can afford it). I just haven't personally had great luck there with finding a real whopper, that's all. If I did get really lucky, and If I compared the exact bull I shot in Malapati with the Botswana price list mentioned above, hunting the Delta, the bull I shot in Zim, would have cost me $72,100.00 in Botswana

The same bull in Malapati is 50% less, that's a HUGE difference! Keep in mind, Nixon shot numerous bulls over 70lbs in 2011, including a 101lb bull early in the year, not just the big one I shot. The fact does remain that the average bull coming out of Bots is in the 50's, and I believe Nixon averaged close to 70lbs in 2011! I still prefer Botswana, simply because of the experience (loads of elephants), but if cost is a concern, I'm just not sure its really justified for an average of 10 - 15lbs more of ivory (overall - Zim to Bots)

Just for another comparison - The outfitter I hunt with in Namibia (Bushmanland), had I shot an 84lb elephant with him, the price would have been $49,900.00. Expensive yes, but $23,000.00 less than Bots-Delta.

Nixon's average for 2011 was 71 pounds. I doubt that those who did not shoot a bull were included. I know of one such unlucky hunter.

quote:

Originally posted by SBT:
Nixon's average for 2011 was 71 pounds. I doubt that those who did not shoot a bull were included. I know of one such unlucky hunter.

There in lies another issue - success. No doubt you're likely gonna take at least a very nice 50lb plus bull in Botswana, where that same chance of success is not as high in Zim.

quote:

Originally posted by SBT:
Nixon's average for 2011 was 71 pounds. I doubt that those who did not shoot a bull were included. I know of one such unlucky hunter.

Are those all day time tracking hunts?

Don't know, I didn't ask.

Botswana with Johan Calitz is about as good as it gets.

Big ivory is not a cheap hunt. Elephant hunting is not cheap.

Big thick ivory Botswana. Long ivory Tanzania.

Mike

I think the price is/was pretty high, and he has no more than one year left in his area (and might even be finished already--I'm not certain), but I understand that your best shot at a truly huge elephant is/was to go with Kai Uwe Denker in Namibia's Bushmanland. Perhaps it would be worth looking into who will get his area next. Given your concern about reasonable price, Denker or his successor may not be of interest to you. On the other hand, as in leopard and lion hunting (and just about everything else), you can save money in the long run by paying more the first time.

Kai Uwe Denker in Namibia????

quote:

Originally posted by retreever:
Big ivory is not a cheap hunt. Elephant hunting is not cheap.

Big thick ivory Botswana. Long ivory Tanzania.

Mike

With Niassa, Mozambique producing big and long BUT they are few and far between and quite expensive.


There are some good options on the Ranches of the Midlands of Zimbabwe atm. Reasonably priced and not bad Ivory.

AIU

Rec'd the below from Clive Eaton/Tholo Safaris in Botswana this AM. He didn't give me any details except it was the last ele of his season and 101.5#. I asked for more info and will share that when I hear back from him.

Mark