Hey Folks,

I am considering a hunt to either Zimbabwe or Mozambique in the next year or two. I have hunted Zim in the past for plains game and had an awesome trip(1990). However, I have heard about Mugabe's Land Grab, the "war Veterans" (scum bag criminals), food and gas shortages and the white flight from the country. I was very sorry to hear about the Vincents losing their Matetsi concession, because Matetsi or the Zambezi Tribal areas were the most interesting areas to me. The point to my question is, does anyone have any updates on the ZIm situation? Any glimmer of hope (other than Mugabe being thrown out or into prison. Does anyone have any knowledge of the differential between Zim and MOzambique? I know that the buffalo quality and quantity are about the same but do not know about plains game (sable, Kudu) or cats? : : Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

There is still very good hunting in Zim. I book for a well reputed company that hunts the government concessions. So don't rule the option of going there to hunt out.

I had two clients come back in June that got some nice buffalo.

If you're thinking of 2005 and beyond, I would recommend that you avoid Zim. Things are bad there now and getting worse, and even if Mad Bob died tomorrow it would take some considerable time before the game populations recover....if they ever do.

Politically, it's the same story. Anyone who assumes that things will quickly get back to normal when MB pops his clogs is sadly mistaken. What was once a wonderful country has gone totally to pot, and it will take a looooong time before it gats back to operating normally.

Mozambique is (reasonably) politically stable, but be ready for a tough, but good hunt there.

Ann and Steve,
Thanks for your comments. I realize there are great PHs in Zim and that Zim is a phenomenal spot. But I am very nervous about laying down a 50% deposit on a hunt and then getting a call a week or two later that my PH has lost his concession to a buddy of Mad Bob. I feel much safer looking else where. I hate even thinking that I was supporting Mad Bob in any way, shape or form. Thanks, Hugh

Hugh,

You have a PM

mARK

African hunting is not for the faint of heart. Every country is not what it was five years ago. You need to use an outfitter that will hold your money until the last minute. Also many of the posts on this forum also represent a comitment to a specific country or ph so their view will be biased. Its like real life out there in that you must make your own decision based on the information that you have at the time. Zim aint perfect but there are lots of good people there offering lots of good hunts. Moz has good hunting that can be had if you go with the right guy. SA outfitters are trying to develop this country because its in their backyard and has all the dg oportunity lacking in their country.

I spent a week in Zim after a hunt in Namibia this year. I would love to hunt there, and have the following two thoughts:

1. If you hunt there, you support the regime in power with your money. Tourism (including hunting), along with funds from donor nations, are all that is keeping that gov'ment liquid.

2. If everybody stops hunting in Zim, those poor souls (white) that are holding on for dear life will undoubtedly be broken, and ALL of them will eventually leave.

So, you see the catch 22...from what I experienced (although I wasn't hunting) every person I had contact with (including blacks) recognize the importance of my US $, and I was treated with tremendous respect and appreciation everywhere I went.

My $.02

What about Botswana. They are probably much more stable politically and the hunting there is great. Never been there myself though.
Johan Calitz offers great packages. I've seen Tony Makaris and Ross Siefread hunt there on ESPN.

I hunted in Zimbabwe this June for 21 days. I had no problems. I was in a tribal area, the people were all very friendly. We went to several villages and over 50 natives came to the site of my elephant kills [3] to get meat.
The people, including the government workers at the airport were also very friendly.
I hunted with HHK Safaris www.hhksafaris.com
I highly recommend them.

NE 450 No.2

Thanks for the update. I have heard the tribal areas are the safest /friendliest places to go. Which concession area did you hunt with HHK? Your PH? What about cats or plains game? Congratulations on your elephants. Pics? Thanks, Hugh

I hunted with Wayne Edwards at the Manyui Camp in the OMAY.
I did not get a cat. We had no lions hit our baits. We had only female leopards hit our baits. There was a lion killed in a nearby camp and the same hunter missed shots at leopard 2 different times.
This is a very good cow elephant and other DG area. Lemco is a better plains game area. The plains game I took were good trophies You just do not see a lot of plains game. For example I only saw 3 kudu, but the one I got was a 55 incher. You can see some of my pics at www.safarivideos.com
Check out the klipspringer.

I was hunting in Zim in June, 18 days. I've hunted Zim 5 times now, 4 times in southeast private land. This was my first time up in Matetsi, Natioal Parks Unit 6. Had another great hunt, the people were very helpful no problems and never a uncomfortable moment, (well except for the Elephant charge, now that was a rush!) We took Elephant, Buffalo, Croc, Hyena, Kudu, Zebra, Impala, baboons. I already booked for Lion next year......... Prices fare

Widowmaker,

What outfitter did you use? Where do plan to hunt lion? Matetsi or SOuthEast? Who will guide you then? Thanks Hugh
PS Love to see some pics!

Hi Hugh,
I think its awesome that you are thinking about hunting in Zim. If you follow the basic rules, do your research and dont but into any "too good to be true" deals you will have a fantastic hunt in Zim.
Its true that maybe to an extent spending money in Zim benefits the govt. of the time. However something that I feel is even more important to understand than that is that whether you are hunting on a private property, a tribal area or a government hunting area you hunting dollars are doing exactly what they are meant to. That is...creating a value for wildlife. The political problems in Zim are not pleasant...but they will not be forever. Luckily enough many hunters are maintaining the value of wildlife and wild areas so far...as soon as that stops...all of us can say goodbye to some of the best african hunting areas to be found on the continent. This being my argument I think that if it comes down to a choice between Zim or Mozambique, you should go to Zim. Moz is on the way up now...people are spending time and money rehabilitating areas and managing other areas...it will come. Zim however is being forced into a downward spiral, experienced PH's are leaving to hunt in Tanzania and Botswana because of lower numbers on hunting visitors, areas are threatened by poachers, but the areas that are being maintained by the long standing operators and true hunting conservationists are still being utilised and protected by people who have a genuine passion for their lifestyles and habitats.
A discussion I often have - as I book and guide photographic safaris - is how much more supportive the hunting fraternity have been of the Zim safari industry than the piss-willy greens! I say keep this up, maintain the traditional values and ethics and support the survival of great safari areas.

I look forward to reading your hunt report from Zimbabwe in the future.

Happy Days
Andy

Live to Hunt, Fish to Live

Hugh - - - -
I hunted with "Buffalo Range safaris" My PH Brent Leesmay, I'll be hunting Lion in Matetsi, Unit 6. This is right on the Boswana border. Brent will be my PH then to. If you want any more info give me a yell. As soon as I figure out how to post a photo on here I'll get some on. We took a 15'+ croc on this hunt.
Good Hunting!!!! Widowmaker