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Big Game Hunting in the
Zambezi Valley
The
Zambezi Valley is home to some of the very best big
game hunting to be found anywhere in Africa. The
very name conjures up images of adventure. The lower
Zambezi Valley is old Africa, where lion, elephant,
buffalo and leopard still roam her remote wilderness.
This is her allure; this is why you hunt there.
But
your hunt in the Zambezi Valley may differ from your
earlier hunts in other parts of Africa, or perhaps
your mental image of what awaits you on a safari
here.
Many
clients start their safari career in South Africa
or Namibia, which is a great way to get started in
the safari game. Primarily plains game destinations,
these two countries feature high densities of well-managed
game where the more terrain allows for easier game
viewing and, in general, easier hunting.
Many,
and in some cases most of the game will be spotted
from the vehicle and a short stalk will be made in
hopes of a shot. Some outfitters even promote actually
shooting from a specially designed hunting vehicle.
Each hunter must decide for themselves what they
are comfortable with, but a growing number of clients
come to the Zambezi Valley thinking this is the ‘norm’ when
hunting in Africa. Fortunately this is ‘not’ the
case on your safari in the Zambezi Valley.
The
valley has one of the highest concentrations of predators
in all of Africa. Lion, leopard, hyena and wild dog
are all found in numbers here, and from the day they
are born, plains game as well as buffalo and young
elephant are subjected to the game of life and death
that is played out between predator and prey.
That
assures that all species that live long enough to
reach maturity and attain trophy potential are masters
at escape, avoid, and survival. They also understand
hunting pressure.
The
dense jesse bush and thick riverine cover is their
home and they know how to survive in it. Combine
this factor with the free roaming ability of the
game in the valley, unhindered by fencing, and you
have the very definition of ‘fair chase hunting’.
Tracking
is the accepted way of hunting here. It is also one
of the most enjoyable parts of the safari. Watching
a veteran tracker team unravel a track is pure magic
in most clients eyes and a highlight of their safari.
But
tracking has it’s realities that must be considered
and accepted if you plan to succeed here. Relatively
little game, especially dangerous game, will be spotted
from the vehicle and certainly none will be shot
from it, as it is unlawful to do so in Zimbabwe.
Once
fresh spoor is found, you will follow them wherever
they lead until you contact the game, spook the game,
possibly loose the track, or run out of daylight.
All are typical endings at one point or another on
a typical safari here.
And
they all are what you should mentally and physically
prepare for. You do not need to be in marathon shape
to play this game, but a sound fitness routine leading
up to your safari can sure pay off on a long track,
as each mile after the game means another mile back
to the hunting vehicle. The tsetse flies will be
happy to share the adventure, the sun will be your
companion all day, and dust, fickle winds, and the
occasional blister may be a nuisance from time to
time. Prepare mentally for them and accept them as
all part of the big game.
When
you finally come up to your big buffalo, elephant,
kudu etc… all else will be forgotten and you
will be proud that you practiced the game the way
it should be played.
