Hunt Leopard and Cape Buffalo in Zimbabwe, Save Valley

This hunt combines some of the continent’s most dangerous animals, the Cape Buffalo, together with an elusive, but HIGHLY dangerous African cat, the Leopard.

This 14 x day, 15 x night adrenaline-filled dangerous game hunt takes place in Hammand, Zimbabwe's South East Lowveld renowned for its exceptional  game and authentic African hunts. 

Hunt Free-Range on more than 32 000 acres in Save Valley 

EXPECT 40” AND OVER ON THIS CAPE BUFFALO HUNT!

Hunt Leopard and Cape Buffalo for US$ 41,470!

Observers welcome at US$250 per day

Rifle hire at US$40 per day, Ammo at Cost

Safari Hunting Cost Analysis

14 x Days and 15 x Nights US$ 25,760

Gov Levy on Daily Rates US$ 515

Gov Vat on Accommodation US$ 315

Cape Buffalo Trophy Fee (No size limit) US$ 7,000

Leopard Trophy Fee US$ 7,000

Return Transfer Hammond/Bulawayo US$ 600

Gov Levy on Trophy Fee US$ 280

Total Cost Incl Trophy Fees US$ 41,470

The Hunting Safari Inclusions:

• Meet and greet upon arrival at the airport

• Ground transfers to and from Bulawayo to Hammond

• Services of a Professional Hunter

• Safari camp accommodation

• All meals and local beverages

• Trophy Fee for Cape Buffalo

• Trophy Fee on Leopard

• Value Added Tax (VAT) on accommodation

• Government Levy on Trophy Fee

• Government Levy on Daily Rates

• Daily Laundry service

The Dangerous Game Hunt Excludes:

• International, domestic, and charter flight fees

• Any pre- or post-safari accommodation

• Dip and pack of trophies

• Gratuities to staff and PH (at own discretion)

• Any other fees not specified

• Observers @ US$250 per day

• Firearm import fee

• Trophy Shipping Costs

• Taxidermy

• Cites Tag (+-US$ 250)

• National Parks 2% Levy to be charges by Taxidermist/Processing Agent

• Park Ranger Fee at US$ 65/hunting day

• Trophy fees and government tax on any additional animals hunted

• Leopard pre-baiting (optional) at US$ 500

• Leopard and Cape Buffalo Trophy Fee Refundable if not successfully Harvested

Why is Hunting in the Save Valley Popular?

• Boasting an area of 750,000 acres, the conservancy is popular in offering authentic style African hunting experiences.

• The Save River runs through the area, offering a reliable water source that attracts a wide range of wildlife to the area.

• The Save Valley offers free-range hunting, without internal fences within a large area.

• The area is known for its abundant wildlife, along with the sheer number of species available.

• The Save Valley Conservancy is renowned for its work with endangered species, such as the Black Rhino and African wild dog.

The Hunting Lodge in Zimabwe's Save Valley 

This lodge is your home-away-from-home, offering all the comforts, along with picturesque views. The lodge is a welcoming sight after a day’s hunting in the African bush, offering warm showers in en-suite bathrooms, comfortable beds and delicious cuisine.

Sit back and relax in the boma or enjoy your hearty meals in the main dining hall or even on the deck. Good food, great company, exceptional surroundings, and a couple of cold beverages are the order of the day in this part of the world.

The Save Valley Conservancy

• Hunters can expect a challenging but rewarding experience hunting dangerous game in this privately owned and managed conservancy.

• It is situated in Zimbabwe’s South East Lowveld and is around 750,000 acres and is popular in offering authentic style African hunting experiences.

• It is located between the Save (Sabi) and Runde Rivers which offering a reliable water source that attracts a wide range of wildlife to the area.

• In terms of terrain, hunters can expect semi-arid savanna woodlands, together with open plains, grasslands, and riverine areas.

• Expect close encounters with wildlife, due to thick and dense vegetation.

• Hunters will be covering large areas on foot while tracking their trophies.

• Hunters must be able to shoot accurately at close range.

• The Save Valley offers free-range hunting, without internal fences within a large area.

• The area is known for its abundant wildlife, along with the sheer number of species available.

Traveling to the Zimbabwe Hunting Grounds

• Hunters have a choice of flying into Bulawayo, where they will overnight, and then be collected and enjoy a 6-hour road transfer to the hunting grounds.

• Hunters can also fly into Harare, where they will also spend the night. Early the following day, they will be collected and transfer to the camp, on a 6-hour road journey.

• A charter flight can also be arranged from either Harare or Bulawayo. The landing strip is around an hour by road from the camp.

• Lastly, a charter flight can be arranged from Johannesburg (South Africa) that will land at Buffalo Range. Following this flight, hunters will have an hour’s road transfer to the camp.

Visa Requirements when hunting in Zimbabwe

• US citizens require a visa to enter Zimbabwe and can be obtained at the major entry points to the country, including Harare, Victoria Falls, and some border posts.

• The tourist visa is available for 30 days and is renewable.

• The cost of the visa is around US$30

• Passports must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry required.

• This can be obtained in several ways:

  • On arrival

  • Online – This method is highly convenient and is recommended to avoid queues

Why is it challenging to hunt Leopard in the Save Conservancy?

The Save Valley is renowned as a premier destination for leopard hunting in Zimbabwe, with quality trophies and exceptional dangerous game hunting safari experiences. But it must be noted that no hunting is without risks and that most definitely includes hunting this member of Africa’s Big 5 and Dangerous 7.

• Being nocturnal, this highly dangerous and elusive animal can be difficult to spot during the hunting safari, as it is well-versed in the art of camouflage and takes to the trees for cover and refuge.

• Leopards are renowned for their intelligence and tend to avoid areas where humans frequent. Pre-baiting of the area may require several days of baiting before the leopard appears, if at all.

• To hunt leopards required much patience and perseverance, as they are known for their elusive and cautious mannerisms.

• The Save Valleys’ terrain and habitat contribute to a testing hunt, with the diverse terrain, from dense deciduous woodland savannas, with mopane forests, and even open sections of veld, making it a physically demanding, as well as a mentally challenging one for hunters, as they stalk and hunt this elusive African cat.

• A wounded Leopard is seen as one of the most dangerous animals on earth. Shot placement needs to be accurate to ensure not only a quick and humane death, but also to safeguard hunters against an aggressive and angry wounded Leopard.

Hunting Methods & Shot Placement on a Cape Buffalo Hunt

• Most Zimbabwe hunts are classified as “safari style” which works well with the wild, untamed African destination. Members of the hunting party will set out to search for the Cape buffalo and spoor. Once tracks are spotted, the tracker and team set out on foot, using the walk-and-stalk method for this Cape Buffalo hunting safari.

• The terrain is not exceptionally difficult to cover but knowing that this unpredictable beast with sharp horns and a bad attitude could turn and charge a person, ensure that your fitness rates up in the “fighting fit” category. When dangerous game hunting, you need to be prepared for anything – and you don’t want to be out in the bush, with a Cape buffalo charging, and wishing you had given your cardio workouts more attention…

• At the end of the day, it is your shot placement that remains critical. Learn all you can about shot placement for Cape buffalo and ensure that you are familiar with and comfortable with your chosen rifle.

• Accurate shot placement is critical when hunting Africa’s Black Death, these cunning animals are known to double back on the hunting party and seek revenge. Ensure that your shot placement is on target, and that you are comfortable with the weapon you choose.

• A .375 is the minimum caliber required when dangerous game hunting in Zimbabwe.

Don’t miss out on this dangerous game hunt!

If any further information is required re this Leopard and Cape Buffalo hunt in the Save Valley, please contact the team at Game Hunting Safaris or message Sean directly using the links provided.