Terry, I emailed with a PH (Buzz Charlton) who just completed a 14-day "exploratory hunt" on the northern shore of Caborra Bassa ("about 10km from where the Zambezi comes in", which sounds maybe farther west per the map on S&Q's website as compared to this particular "Tete" concession). He said there is hippo (shot three bulls including a 26"), very large croc (shot 14-footer), elephant...but not much in the way of plainsgame and once you get away from the water it's "pretty bleak". The hunt was priced at cost. They also shot a bushbuck and a duiker. But these are huge areas, and the hunter was not keen on doing too much exploring after they shot the ele bull on day two - so I don't know that this is a good indication or not of the area's potential.



Maybe this particular concession (Tete) has more game, given that the locals are afraid to go there and all...



I'd sure be curious to hear from others that know Mozambique, and/or to see the results of any game surveys that Mbabala has done. The "Lion Package" at what looks like $18,500 with trophy fee, gov't license and day rates ($900/d) is well under the norm, even when compared to Zim.

Terry,

you're quite right about not being able to import Mozambican Elephant trophies into the US. Mozambique failed to apply for a downgrading of their Elephant status at the last CITES meeting, hence the US F&WS refuse to issue import licences for what they see as schedule 1 animals. For some reason Europe and the UK are willing to issue licences.......of course, they may well apply for the downgrading this time.......in which case, prices will probably increase.

We started using a concession near Tete this year and they have had good results. The biggest Elephant shot there this season was 75 Lbs per side, the biggest Croc was 4.9 Metres and the biggest hippo had (I believe) about 36 inch tusks.

The game populations are generally pretty good, but the hunting, and especially the Buff hunting is very tough. Prices are reasonably good, but don't expect an easy hunt.

I believe the PH is Carl Erasmus from the Limpopo Province of RSA. I was one of Carl's first commercial clients in 2000 when he served as an appy PH during my plains game hunt with Cambridge Ranch Safaris. He is a good hunter, having grown up bow hunting his father's large private game ranch. He also has dangerous game experience having guided and hunted a private herd of cape buffalo on the same game ranch. It now appears he has been in on a few cat kills as well. In the past he was also a well known performer in RSA and when he sings he sounds exactly like Elvis. All in all a good guy, plus he has one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen for his wife.

Perry

I know they mention elephant, but I don't believe US hunters can import Mozambique elephant. Unless something has recently changed.

I Googled "Mbabala Safaris" and didn't get much.

Regards,

Terry

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Anyone know anything about these hunting areas that haven't been hunted in 25 years?

Safaris and Quilts

Regards,

Terry