I have several in my backyard, including a black leopard. Okay, a black house cat, but he's real big.

It is not really a country thing, it is where in the country that matters. The secret to cats is to go where there are an abundance of them!

Be prepared to spend big bucks.The only inexpensive lions in africa live in zimbabwe.

Try Leopard Ridge Safaris in Zambia.
My brother and I each got nice Lions with
them this July.http://www.leopard-ridge.com/
Bill

Gunny and all serious responders,

Thanks. Yeah, I am aware that 21 days in Tanzania, Zambia or Botswan is going to be very steep. However, I am going to do it as soon as I can possibly afford it. But being that it will be a high priced hunt I intend to go to the place that can offer the best odds at a big maned lion (other than a canned SA Hunt)!

I would appreciate serious insight from those that know and do not have a financial interest in booking a hunt (NO SELOUS SALESMEN, Please!).

As I see it, Zimbabwe is too dicey currently. SA hunts are primarily canned hunts. So that leaves Tanzania, Botswana and Zambia. I have heard Zambia is good, but I personally know very little about the country and what it's concessions can provide. I have heard that both the Luangwa and Kafue offer high lion populations and that Kafue has some of the best maned lion available. Tanzania offers great maned lion in Rungwa and Masailand, but I wonder what the impact has been with the new six year age restriction? Supposedly, you are only able to shoot solitary males that aren't breeding females. So, how do you bait? What has happened to the odds of success? I know good outfitters CAN produce good lions (Adam Clements and Harpret Brar can easily prove that).
As far as Botswana goes, I know it is probably the most expensive and I guess currently less proven (based on this years re-opening of lion). Has anyone heard about how lion hunters have done this year in Botswana?

Anyone here with experience with lion hunts in Zambia?

BG,

Thanks, Hugh

Hey BGHunter, I beleive my wife and I met you, and your brother at LRS right near the end of your safari in July. I didnt see your skins, but the skulls were sure impressive!

Hi Steve how are you?
I will try to post a pic of my lion
this is my fist try at posting a pic.
Bill

You didn't mention if budget was an issue, so I thought you might enjoy seeing a quote on a Botswana lion hunt that was sent to me a couple of weeks ago. I wish I could that I was interested in this hunt...

21 day @ $ 2620 per day = $ 55,020:00

Lion Trophy fee $ 17,500:00 + Lic Fee $ 5000:00 = $ 22,500:00
Elephant Trophy fee $ 17,000:00 + Lic Fee $ 5000:00 = $ 22,000:00

Govt,. Concession fee is $ 3200:00
VAT Tax is 10 % of the Daily rates = $ 5,502:00

I hunted in Northern South Africa this last June and shot a monster lion, AND IT WAS NOT A CANNED HUNT. A free ranging lion over 600 pounds with a 27 inch skull that came in from Kruger National Park. The price for a similar hunt with Brad Rolston would run you about 35-38K, and he has some others coming in from the park right now. So why pay such a ridiculous amount of money? Contact AR member Brad Rolston at 585Rolstonae@iafrica.com or send me a PM and I'll give you more information.

Hugh, I havent been in Zambia since 2000 but there were some good lion there then. The guy hunting in the same camp went home without one after 21 days of trying. That was in the Kafue area. I killed mine in Zimbabwe in 1997 and was just lucky as I stumbled on him while hunting elephant. If I was going to spend that kind of cash I would go to Tanzania as Botswana is getting to be a bidding war.Also talk to some of the outfitters in the Caprivi Strip like Fulton for a depradation permit.

Hugh,

I would look for good lion areas anddtry to see how many were shot in certain areas how many were pass up...


Mike

Hugh,

You asked about the impact of the 6 year restriction in Tz on hunting lions?

You particularly stated "Emphasis on BIG MANE". Well no wild lion under the age of 8 will have a BIG MANE - with very, very few exceptions At 6 years of age, the mane is still far from fully developed and although one can find a 6 year old male with a "good" mane, that mane WILL get much better by the age of 8 and above.

So, depending on what you mean by "BIG MANED" you might have to find an OLD male of 8 years and more to fulfill your dreams. What are the chances of that? Very low in any area - even in the best cat area if there is such a thing

In Tanzania, I would strongly suggest Greater Rungwa areas (Including Muhesi and Kizigo Game reserves) over Masaailand. Alternatively the Moyowosi ecosystem has good genes and good numbers. One of the finest areas in Tanzania for cats has to be Maswa Game Reserve on the South Western Serengeti corridor (owned by TGT, RHS and TBGS)) but these are extremely difficult to get in to as they are booked way ahead of time.

Bwanamich,

Thanks for the info. How would you rate the success differential from prior to the restrictions to now? I know I am asking for a ballpark figure. Thanks for your estimates on Tanzania areas. Hugh

Hugh,
Success rates on lion in TZ in past years mean nothing because there were no parameters with clients shooting just about any kind of lion so long as it was a male; young, old, immature.

Even today, with the new regulations, under 6 year old lions have been shot and more will be shot.

If one was to strictly follow the 6 year and older rule (Which is impossible as there is no definitive way of ageing a wild live lion) than I would say success rates will be around 20% - 30%. But then many will disagree with me

I heard various outfitters/ph's/agents refer to a 50% - 70% success rate which, IMHO, is BS.