Where is the best place in all of Africa, aside from Tanzania, to successfully hunt these two assuming 2 weeks vacation?

Post edited to remove Tanzania from contention.

That's a tough question that will generate a lot of different answers. As for me, I would suggest Maswa. Then again, it might not work with your 2-week limitation. You've knocked out all of Tanzania with that.

I think Safari Trackers allow you to put 1 cat on a 16 day but not sure. If so I would think a 16 day in Lokisale would be up there.

You can leave after two weeks if you want, you'll just have to pay the government portion of the 21 day fee in Tanzania. Check with PH's about the real possibilities for a given area. There is a least one PH who hunts on an unfenced (on the Kruger side) property who can probably do both. It might not be the conditions you are looking for however.

Does "successfully hunt" mean a kill, a fantastic trophy (per SCI or R&W), or a great trip or all of the above?

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
Does "successfully hunt" mean a kill, a fantastic trophy (per SCI or R&W), or a great trip or all of the above?

Yes. The best opportunity at all of the above.

quote:

Originally posted by Spring:
That's a tough question that will generate a lot of different answers. As for me, I would suggest Maswa. Then again, it might not work with your 2-week limitation. You've knocked out all of Tanzania with that.

I did that on purpose. I've seen those rates.

DennisHP,
I have read a lot about the Save Conservancy in Zim. You may want to contact Shaangan or Whittall or the others that are in that area.
Good luck. I am awaiting other folks answers as well...

I recently spoke to a hunter back from the Save. He said that they daily had to "back off" herds because they were near the borders of that particular concession.There were not buffalo on the concession every day. It seems that there are several ownerships and that some are not all that large. Perhaps someone in the know could lay out the different ownerships and area sizes.

I would select Dande in Zim for leopard and buff---hands down!

465H&H

What about Lemco? There were some huge cats taken out of there last year. Big buff as well.

Muchinga Adventures, along the North Luangwa River of Zambia. Operators are Johnny DuPlooy and Allistar Norton. Since Zambia re-opened, they are 32 for 32 on leopard and there are plenty of Buffalo. This can be booked through Mark Young or John Barth. This is an excellent choice.

See: https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/6321043/m/227105265

The Nyakasanga concession in the Zambezee Valley would be a good bet on a two week hunt. The area has good buff and leopard and you won't go broke hunting there.

Geronimo

Save Conservancy, hands down winner! Lots of BIG cats and plenty of buffalo. Call Shangaan Hunters.

We can offer you a very good hunt in Botswana. The buffalos are good, we are using the Idaho hounds on the leopards in either the Tuli Block or Kalahari areas. 100% on the leopards since we have been using these dogs. 14 day booking is not a problem.
Jerry

do you have just a 2 week vacation - if so you're looking to a 7-10 day hunt, cause the rest of the time will be spent traveling. You really need 3 weeks to do a 14-16 day hunt

butchloc, you are correct. I should have stated 14 hunting days. Looks like I've got a few choice choices already! Thanks

Folks,

If you leave Tanzania completely out of the picture the next best place to do a leopard/buffalo combo is the Luangwa Valley of Zambia in my opinion. The leopard numbers really are amazing. I've personally done 2 full bag safaris there and both times I've seen leopards in daylight that were not on bait. Buffalo are plentiful, of good quality and should come quite easily in the course of a 14 day safari. A bonus here is the availability of croc and hippo in the Luangwa plus the unique plains game species such as Cookson's wildebeest and puku.

A second choice for me would be the Zambesi Valley in Zimbabwe. Depending on the area the leopard success is probably not going to be quite as good here as in the Luangwa. The buffalo can be very good with trophies in the mid 40's although not common being taken every year. The bonus for some here is the ability to book a hunt in complete uninhabited wilderness.

A third choice and one offering a different kind of leopard hunt is in the lowveld of Zimbabwe. Here the hunting would be at night as opposed to the other hunts that are by daylight only but you don't have to sit up in the blind waiting for the cat. You sneak into the blind once the cat is feeding. Buffalo quality is very good and plains game hunting can be incredible. It is not as wild an experience as the others I've mentioned but you could kill a real "toad" of a leopard here. Success could run 90% on toms from 130-180 pounds and bigger have been taken.

In summary each one of these hunts offers some distinct advantages and disadvantages. Zambia is more expensive but I think the best overall choice. The Zambesi valley can offer pure wilderness at a lower price but game densities maybe lower. Zim lowveld is cheaper than Zambia and has great hunting although it may not provide the wildest of total experiences.

I'm sure others have different ideas but the above is how I see the best choices for a leopard/buffalo combo.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Folks,

If you leave Tanzania completely out of the picture the next best place to do a leopard/buffalo combo is the Luangwa Valley of Zambia in my opinion. The leopard numbers really are amazing. I've personally done 2 full bag safaris there and both times I've seen leopards in daylight that were not on bait. Buffalo are plentiful, of good quality and should come quite easily in the course of a 14 day safari. A bonus here is the availability of croc and hippo in the Luangwa plus the unique plains game species such as Cookson's wildebeest and puku.

Mark

That would be my first choice for a Combo Leopard/Buffalo hunt, and as Mark says the bonus is the PUKU, and Cookson's wildebeast!

I have never been to the Luangwa Valley that I didn't see Leopard, and the Buffalo are fine, and pleantiful as well. If your interested in Lion there are some well mained lion there as well!

Mark....you are Killin' me!!! Those 2 you mention are the 2 you sent me the info on. Guess we'll be chattin' in Reno.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer

Gary,

I look forward to seeing you in Reno.

Mark

I have to agree with Mark re the Luangwa Valley of Zambia. I hunted buffalo and plains game there 8 years ago. Twice, we had VERY nice leopards stroll across the trail within 40 yards of us, in broad daylight. Both hunters in camp #2 took real nice lion and leopard while I was there. Also, the three of us shot good buffalo, although I had to work some for mine.