OK you guys, in your opinion, what is the best area for a succesful hunt for both a full maned lion and an elephant of 45 pounds or better on the same hunt? We're looking at 2009 and a 21 day safari is OK, but price is also a consideration.

Zimbabwe would be worth looking into.

Zimbabwe

Success on lion in most areas in Zim is low. But it's by far the most affordable for that combo. The obvious alt. would be Botswana (very expensive). Or Tanzania (just as expensive). Ele rules out Moz and Zambia. You might be able to do it in Namibia IF you are able to get a PAC permit on lion. It can be done, but the days of cheap tuskers in Namibia are over. Final option would be SA, probably your best bet for Lion, Ele are available but neither are cheap. Good news is you don't have to book 21 days or pay $2k per day.

None of my business, but for what its worth why one hunt for these two animals? Elephant can be a tough hunt and all cat hunts can be demanding. You are creating unnecessary challenges and expenses by combining these hunts. As mentioned the best deals on elephant are in Zimbabwe. I don't think there are any deals on lion! Are you allowing yourself enough time to accomplish both of these demanding trophies? Kudude

PS: It took me 9 days of hard hunting and 10 days of the hunt (we lost a day to AirNamib) to find the right elephant in Namibia. It took me six days of very hard hunting to get my lion in Tanzania, and I got very lucky. My lion hunt was 21 days and my elephant hunt 16 days, and I used the extra time on each to full advantage. k-d

We happened on a great lion while hunting elephant in Zim but that was ten years ago. You can still get a good elephant there but a good lion is a project unto itself these days.

Kudude,
My partner and I are trying to hunt together, and maybe split a license. He for lion and me for elephant.

Hopefully by then Matabeleland North will be open again for Lion in Zim. You shouldn't have any problem doing it there. Last time I was there (2 years ago ) I could have easily taken both in the Matetsi area but Lion was closed. Took the Elephant and heard plenty of Lion in the area. Saw several NICE males with good manes. My desire is for a female though as I really don't care for male Lions. Hope to go back once more when Matabeleland opens again.

If price is not an issue, I saw some great Tuskers and took a super Lion in Lolkisale with Tanzania Bundu Safaris in July. I believe they occassionally get some elephant on quota.
Trying for the two is challenging, but with two hunters and PH's it is possible. Good luck. Opportunity for good Lion and Elephant in one area is pricey to say the least with good probability of success.
Robert

Peter Holbrow's area (Selby's Camp) in the Okavango Botswana is where I would go if I had to take both animals on the same safari. Price would be an issue.

Will it be 1:1 or 2:1? If you share a ph, one of you will be disadvantaged on a high dollar hunt for what its worth. Kudude

RobertJr and Forrest,
You both mention two of the world's classic hunting destinations. I'd love to do either, but alas, both are financially out of reach.

Kudude,

For now, 2:1 legally splitting the animals on license.

Tough combination these days, Scott, especially without knowing a good and understanding banker! For a reasonable safari, I would look at the Selous... the trip Retreever did with PVT or check with Adam or Mark at Safari Trackers. Mike's ele bull was a sod and he missed getting a lion by a whisker... no guarantees. In wild Africa, there never is...

I am biased as an outfitter in botswana , but without doubt the best country for a combination hunt of the two mentioned species is Botswana, Botswana has the best average tusk weight in Africa and the fullest mane Lions. But both are very expensive hunts - a Lion hunt will cost you about $85 000-00 and the elephant hunt between $35 000-00 and $55 000-00.
Zimbabwe is without doubt the best place for a combinaqtion of a average Lion and elephant with 30- 40 pound tusk weights and the lowest cost. Zambia like Botswana produces's full mane lions and of recent is producing heavy ivory but again cost of safari is up there with Botswana, Tanzania is great for a successful lion hunt and in some areas sexy long legal tusks. Namibia offers both species at a lower cost and lower quality , Stay away from any deal offered in South Africa - both species will in all probability be canned, there are no true free range lions.
Mozambique has good lion hunting and in Niassa fantastic elephant but the USA does not allow importation of Tusks from Mozambique.
Hope that info helps a bit and good hunting
Graeme Pollock

Although Graeme may be biased, he is nonetheless correct; Botswana is probably the best, though most expensive choice.

I hunted with SBB in 2000, and our hunter (friend of mine) shot a very nice elephant, and rebooked for a lion. Politics and personal matters have kept him from pursuing leo yet, but I am sure he will be pleased with his trophy.

Steve

you will absolutely not get better than botswana , price will be very high but you will get an excellent elephant and super lion , also of note is that your lion will be tracked rather than baited so experiencially great aswell.

if the price is too steep for a bots hunt ...zim produces good of both , expect a reasonable lion with a 'scruffy" mane and a 40 pound elephant and you may be surprised ...

There are areas in the Metetsi (Zim) that might work. Lion at this point are booking well into '09. Better get serious about booking something.

I thought Lion hunting was closed in Matetsi?

for a combo like this i'd think of tanz. because of the lion availability, but i hope you've won the lottery. Jerry I believe you're right matetsi lion is closed, which leaves veery few permits for zim

I think if you are looking for a good chance at a very good lion and a 50 lb plus elephant on the same safari you have to expect it to be expensive and perhaps very expensive. On the other hand if you book a lion/ele safari in the Zambesi valley with expectation as Ivan stated of a scruffy lion and a 40 lb ele your safari could be much cheaper. You also might find that you end up taking a 50 pounder and or a magnificent lion because they are definitely there. Check out the lions Mokore has taken in the last 2-3 years in Chewore. A couple would be great in Botswana or anywhere else. Chewore has produced some very good elephant also but you may have to walk for them.

Mark

Question for Mr. Pollock or anyone else that might know.

When one pays $85,000+ for a lion hunt of a lifetime, would the elephant combo still add another $35 to $55,000, if hunted within the same 21 or 28 days?

Just wondering.

BT

yes , if you add an elephant you add to the price ...the 80k plus is just for lion ...

Is Ethiopia a possibility for this? I would talk to someone who books there. A friend of mine took a great Elephant there about 15 years ago and said there were lion there. I don't know conditions today.

LJS,

I don't believe that ele or lion are importable from Ethopia now.

BTW there are lion there for sure, one badly mauled a PH and client last season. Rich Elliot of ERVS can fill in the detail if he's not in Ethopia right now.

Brett