Biggest Elephants - Body Size

09 March 2013, 14:37

Maximus Brutus

I'll take my first elephant in the Selous this summer, if all goes to plan. I know the Tanzanian elephant is not huge but the ivory is nice and the hunting region is just fantastic.

I'm already starting to plan planning my 2014 safari and am interested in hunting in a region that has the tallest, largest bodied elephants in Africa.

I really don't know where to start country and region wise. Should I be looking at Zimbabwe or Botswana maybe?

Any suggestions gratefully received.

09 March 2013, 14:48

Peter Barnard

Zim will have to be your option,as pretty sure Elephant hunting will be closed in Bots next year

09 March 2013, 15:34

Karl S

If body size is your only requirement, Southern Angola (not huntable) and Northern Namibia has historically the biggest body elephants of all.

Also, the Kavango region of Namibia holds superb trophies, in the last few years I would hazard a guess that it consitently produced the highest average of all areas. (excluding Mangetti park, but including West of Khaudum, Bushmanland/ Nyae Nyae, Khaudum North, and other simmelar areas, and Bwabwata National Park.)

Karl Stumpfe
Ndumo Hunting Safaris www.huntingsafaris.net
karl@huntingsafaris.net
P.O. Box 1667, Katima Mulilo, Namibia
Cell: +264 81 1285 416
Fax: +264 61 254 328
Sat. phone: +88 163 166 9264

09 March 2013, 15:37

ozhunter

The Elephant from the Wankie area of north west Zimbabwe are quite huge in size and around this area would be my recommendation for big body sized Elephant. in fact I will be hunting Jumbo not far from there this season.

09 March 2013, 17:34

cal pappas

If memory serves, the biggest bodied elephant is in a DC museum. The museum in Bulawayo has one hugh Zim elephant in it with a sign not to take photographs(?).
Cal

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09 March 2013, 17:48

505ED

quote:
Originally posted by Karl S:
If body size is your only requirement, Southern Angola (not huntable) and Northern Namibia has historically the biggest body elephants of all.

Also, the Kavango region of Namibia holds superb trophies, in the last few years I would hazard a guess that it consitently produced the highest average of all areas. (excluding Mangetti park, but including West of Khaudum, Bushmanland/ Nyae Nyae, Khaudum North, and other simmelar areas, and Bwabwata National Park.)

+1 Karl should know he hunts them!!!

09 March 2013, 17:52

Aaron Neilson

Guys, very simple answer. As Karl states, the biggest bulls (body size) available now - will be in Northern Namibia. Not even a close call.

09 March 2013, 18:39

Maximus Brutus

quote:
Originally posted by Aaron Neilson:
Guys, very simple answer. As Karl states, the biggest bulls (body size) available now - will be in Northern Namibia. Not even a close call.

Great. Thanks all.

Who operates out of northern Namibia?

09 March 2013, 18:43

gman21

quote:
Who operates out of northern Namibia?

+1 Karl should know he hunts them!!!

09 March 2013, 20:05

jdollar

Karl!

10 March 2013, 22:54

Maximus Brutus

Anyone else?

12 March 2013, 12:47

Russ B

The World Record Elephant height at the shoulder as listed in Rowland Ward comes out of Southern Angola.

That being said no one really measures Elephant body size and with migration patterns a lot of the Botswana Bulls are the same ones that are found in the Hwange National Park, Vic Falls, Matetsi Region. These Elephant share the same gene pool with the Namibian Caprivi Stip Elephant.

At the end of the day I hardly think there is a huge difference between any of these areas, They shoot some wonderful Bulls in Namibia as they do around Hwange, each year there are Bulls shot in Caprivi and Hwange/ Matetsi that are close to the 100lb class.

You will find a huge difference in the Selous Elephant body size and they typically are about the size of a big Zimbabwe cow, but their ivory is pretty, long, slender and attractive.

12 March 2013, 13:21

Maximus Brutus

Thanks Russ. I'm starting to form a clearer picture of where to hunt next year. Let me add a few more lines to my wish list.

1 - Big elephant. OK, we all want big ivory, but I am particularly interested in big, tall elephant.

2 - Lion. This may not be possible but if it is then that would be wonderful.

3 - Buffalo.

4 - Interesting topography and natural beauty. A big part of the safari experience for me. This also means as little human inhabitation as possible.

5 - A top quality camp, preferably with a good vista. A tented camp is OK but it needs to be top class. My wife will be with me and she will have experienced Alan Vincent's camp this year which I know is excellent.

Am I asking too much? I hope not.

Any comments or suggestions gratefully received.

12 March 2013, 13:30

ozhunter

Have a talk to Rob of "Buffalo Range Safaris".
Matetsi or Kazuma close to Botswana and the beautiful Zambezi and Victoria falls.
Lion and Elephant abound.

12 March 2013, 13:42

Russ B

All areas have their merits when talking about a safari of this nature.

Matetsi has a huge advantage in that not only does it have good Elephant late in the year , but in my opinion currently has the best quality Lion available anywhere in Africa.

Matetsi is an attractive area with rolling hills and large Dambos plus has a large selection of game.

Should you be interested my e mail is safcom@isat.co.za or russwrb@gmail.com

12 March 2013, 22:16

martin pieters

Russ + 1 good comments from someone who knows elephant.

13 March 2013, 00:28

Safari2

quote:
Originally posted by martin pieters:
Russ + 1 good comments from someone who knows elephant.

Mart..when do you start with elephant hunts in Tschlocho (spelling??)?

13 March 2013, 08:29

martin pieters

April 9th is my first one and I am looking forward to it, lots of movement.

13 March 2013, 12:14

Russ B

quote:
Originally posted by martin pieters:
April 9th is my first one and I am looking forward to it, lots of movement.

Good Luck Martin, on average of course Tsholotsho has prob produced the best Elephant year in year out.