If you want to hunt in Zambia then read this first, it's long but it is the lowdow.....

WHAT TO HUNT IN ZAMBIA

Zambia has always been a Lion or Leopard safari destination with Buffalo and other species being incidental or a prerequisite to these trips. If you are considering Zambia, rather look at the quality side of what is on offer instead of the pricing. Government related fees and operating conditions have made Zambia an expensive destination. Zambia's strong points are big trophies for Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Africa's biggest Sable along with a desirable list of endemic or hard-to-find species. Hunting here is also about choosing the correct concession or Game Management Area (GMA). A good number of the GMAs under current operation were considered DEPLETED even before the 2 year closure and this is probably your key factor to making a decision about hunting Zambia.

If you are thinking of hunting in Zambia soon or if you're bags are already packed and your finger is itching then you need to have a look at our newly released guide to Zambia's safari hunting industry: Zambia- A country Report This is not another one of those vague reminiscent accounts of someone's hunt where they remember the food they ate and what their trackers names were! This report gives you all the hard hitting facts, unbarred and in real time, written by active professional hunters and safari operators within the country. Everything you need to know about how hunting works in that country and what questions to ask before you book a safari! Seriously, this Report is well worth the money - especially looking at todays hunt prices in Zambia! MORE DETAILS......

THE CATS 

Considering the status of Lion hunting south of the equator, Zambia is a very enticing prospect for the hunter who is looking at a classical African Lion hunt. 

The closest in terms of possible quality is Tanzania, although it is certainly not what it once was and outfitters are selling based on this past glory. Zimbabwe never has had big-maned Lion (excellent Leopard but you don't often hear of monster Lion). Namibia is starting to produce decent Lion but it has to do this on a consistent basis and it has no "fair chase" track record. We all know about the South African situation so this leaves Mozambique that might produce a couple but it is not a sure thing.

The hottest hunts for 2008 will be Zambia Lion hunts especially as the results of the last 4 years reveal. Most of the 'A' grade concessions produced the typical full maned "bush Lions" AND big male Leopard. In some cases, bull headed black-maned Lion were shot in concessions not really considered Lion country. Remember, a "bush Lion" is not your classic MGM maned kitten which you see coming out of the South African breeding programs. "Bush Lion" manes are heavy on the chest but sparse on the shoulder blades, usually running up over the shoulders but not much further.

Leopard hunts are fairly expensive when compared to most other countries and you will probably shoot a cat similar in size to what you get elsewhere. But this has alot to do with the animal you are hunting, Leopard are similar all over and it's the hunting method that makes the difference. In Zambia you will do it the proper way, by going into a remote wilderness area and properly hunting your trophy from start to end - not from a game ranch or with a pack of hounds. You also get the opportunity to hunt the biggest Sable left in Africa if you choose the right GMA.

At this stage it is difficult to label a GMA "good" or "bad" for cats as there's bound to be at least one decent specimen of each species in each of the 'A' class GMAs. The following (in no particular order) have always been good for cats: KAFUE - Lunga Busanga, Mumbwa east & west. LUANGWA - Nyampala, Chikwa/lundu, Lower Lupande. Of course there are other GMAs where big Lion have been shot but these are the ones mentioned have made a name for themselves in the past as well as this year. One notable omission is the West Zambezi area - in 2000, two of the biggest Lions Zambia had seen for many years were shot. Since then the nights have been still and the Wildebeest peaceful!

Lion & Leopard hunts in Zambia

BUFFALO

Zambia has produced some of the biggest Buffalo in the book, most notable the world record about four years ago in the Kafue concession, Lunga Busanga. If you choose the right time of year and the correct GMA then you are increasing your chance crossing of paths with a "proper" Buffalo. In general you must expect 40 inches unless you are the type who just wants to shoot a mountain of attitude and muscle, the old KAKULI.

BET ON LUANGWA - Buffalo are dependent on water so if you hunt in the later months your chances are increased along with the herd sizes. The Luangwa areas from September through October yield great numbers in the good GMAs. You have the chance to hunt Hippo as well the Cookson's Wildebeest and Puku, endemic to Zambia.

BUT remember, Zambia cannot compete with Tanzania's Selous-based Buffalo packages. Simply put, outfitters with the prime GMAs don't have the quota numbers as they will be using Buffalo and Hippo as their bait animals for the Lion safaris. Don't expect a cheap Buffalo hunt with the typical more-bang-for-your-buck ring to it! Rather, expect a big Buffalo in the classical tradition.

Buffalo hunts in Zambia

THE ANTELOPES

Topping the list must be Sable, limited to the Kafue GMAs of western Zambia. Basically these areas will all produce Sable akin to the early days, some being better than others. If you hunt hard and choose a good GMA you will get 45 inches with the possibility up to 48, seriously! They are expensive though because they carry a 14-day minimum, usually at around $1500 per day and then the trophy fee as well. 

Roan are getting scarce all over, there's even talk about them being listed on CITES II, and Zambia is no exception. On a 21-day safari you may shoot a Roan, but when you book notice how vague the PH/outfitter is when questioned directly. That is not to say they are all gone, but they are in the same price bracket as Sable and it is normal for both species to be hunted as part of a longer Lion or Leopard safari.

For both Sable and Roan, hunt a good Kafue GMA: Lunga Busanga, Mumbwa, Mulobezi, Sichifulo. Roan are also found in some of the Luangwa GMAs, notably, Musalangu, Munyamadzi and Lumimba. If you want to go the cheaper easier route then look at the many game ranches which have good Sable and limited Roan. 

Zambia's other species to consider are: Lichtenstein's Hartebeest, Defassa Waterbuck, Cookson's Wildebeest, Hippo, Sharpe's Grysbok, Hyena, Oribi, Puku and the swamp species (see below). A few northern Kafue GMAs have forest species like Yellow-backed Duiker and Blue Duiker but they are likely to be very rare.

GAME RANCHES 

Hunting on the many Game ranches in Zambia offers an easy and affordable way to get sought-after species and prices with reasonable quality. At this stage there are few very large game ranches but the more established ones have excellent trophy quality for Zambia's specials on an average of 4000 acres and larger.

You won't find many ranches with Buffalo, Lion or Leopard but they have pretty much everything else, including some hard to get ones like Yellow-backed Duiker, Blue Duiker and Sitatunga.

Sable are also good quality and a quarter the price of hunting a GMA, while Roan, although scarce are sometimes available. You are virtually guaranteed a chance at a 40" plus Sable while some of the more remote properties can offer 48".

The Kafue Lechwe, Defassa Waterbuck, Lichtenstein's Hartebeest, Tssessebe, Livingstone Eland, Chobe Bushbuck, Puku and Oribi are all abundant and reasonably priced.

If you are not doing a classical or buffalo hunt then a combination of the Bangweulu swamps and time on a game ranch will be the best bet for a full list of Zambian species.