When it comes to the hunting of dangerous game nothing comes close to Africa, the dark continent has an abundance of game but none more well known that the big 5 namely Elephant, Lion, Cape buffalo, Leopard and Rhino.
Hunting the dangerous game of Africa is a dream of most experienced hunters there could be no greater challenge than to take on the likes of Cape buffalo in thick brush, stalking after a Lion in the soft sands of the Kalahari, watching a Leopard appear like a thief in the night over bait and walking up to the biggest of them all the mighty Elephant were simply standing your ground is the true test of a man’s character.
This romance between hunters and a formidable pray has attracted clients to Africa for decades there can be no greater test of a hunters skills than Africa’s dangerous game.
We use only the most experienced professional hunters with Dangerous game (open big 5) licenses as well as specialized trackers to ensure your hunting success.
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Green hunting is being promoted as "the thrill without the kill” or the big-game hunting experience without killing an animal. It has been promoted internationally, included on web sites: - "Imagine the thrill of tracking, spotting, stalking and hunting the world's greatest game animals at close range in Africa – lion, buffalo, leopard, elephant and rhinoceros – without killing any of them.”
"Catch-and-release hunting is now possible by converting a high-powered rifle to a tranquiliser dart gun.”
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BUFFALO
Africa Expectation Safaris specialize in hunting cape buffalo in the Limpopo province where they privately own prime hunting land, then additionally have access to more than 100 000 acres of surrounding concession land with cape buffalo.
More buffalo's are hunted in Africa annually than any other member of the Big Five. They are usually found in areas with densely wooded savanna where the shots can range anywhere from thirty to eighty meters. The winter months are the best time for buffalo hunting, as the leaves have fallen from most of the vegetation and they can be more easily spotted. We recommend booking your buffalo hunt between June and September.
ELEPHANT
Elephant hunting requires a lot of walking. It is important to be physically prepared for this if your elephant hunt is to be successful. Shots on elephants are never long - it is necessary to get to within twenty to forty meters to make that all-important first shot. It is very important that the hunter be comfortable with his rifle when hunting any of the Big Five, especially so with elephant because of the close proximity to the animal when making the first shot.
Elephant can be hunted in both South Africa and Zimbabwe. In South Africa we utilize the Limpopo Province with vast areas bordering either Botswana or Zimbabwe area in South Africa’s Limpopo province we have access to over 160 000 acres of land densely populated with elephant. Africa Expectation Safaris can also arrange dangrenous game hunts in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
LEOPARD
In addition to cape buffalo the Limpopo province of South Africa also boasts with being one of the densest populated areas with leopard. We have a 90% success rate on the majestic cats – Leopard and Lion.
The leopard is the most elusive of the Big Five that can be hunted in Africa. Patience is key when hunting leopard. These cats are normally hunted over bait and will require you to spend many nights sitting quietly in a blind awaiting that brief opportunity when the leopard presents a good shot. A successful leopard hunt is never a guarantee, but spending enough time in pursuit will most definitely increase the chances of a successful hunt. We recommend at least ten days, preferably fourteen.
LION
One of our hunting areas for lions are in the Kalahari on 10 000 acres with no internal fences the soft sand of the Kalahari allows our experienced trackers to track Lion up on foot.
It is said that you hunt Elephant with your feet, Buffalo with your gut and Lion with your heart. Legend further has it that a hunter is scared by a lion three times; the first time when its spoor is encountered, the second time when its mighty roar is heard and the third time when it is seen for the first time. Lion hunting is challenging, exciting and definitely one of the best African Big Five hunts on offer.
RHINO
A vita-dart opportunity involves a client shooting the rhino with a dart full of vitamins or other necessary medication. The rhino is only tranquilized by a veterinarian, and, again, only if medically necessary (to draw blood for tests or to treat an injury, for example) or for conservation (such as micro-chipping or relocating the animal). It is a legal activity, requiring a TOPS (Threatened Or Protected Species) permit issued by provincial wildlife authorities.
SCI Record Book & World Hunting Award Committee Chairman, Herb Atkinson, assured SCI members in the October Safari Times that they need not worry about taking a vita-dart hunt as long as all the legal permits are in place. He also announced that the SCI Record Book Committee is accepting vita-darted rhinos for the record book in the "Darted Rhino" category.
If you are considering one of these hunts, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, because the animal can only be tranquilized for medical and conservation purposes, the size of the horn should not be your priority. The rhino you pursue may not be "the big one," but it will be in need of attention. The vita-dart experience is about the experience of pursuing a rhino. It requires the same effort by hunter and PH as a "green" hunt and is every bit as dangerous.
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John Taylor, author of “Big Game and Big Game Rifles” and an Ivory Hunter in his own right, states clearly that when speaking of 'big game hunting on the African continent', we are speaking of hunting dangerous game. While many of the antelope species like Kudu, Wildebeest and Eland can be quite large, none can turn the tables on the hunter so quickly and as completely as the members of the Big Five. The resulting rush of adrenalin is the very essence of that which brings so many hunters to Africa.
Except for the open plains of the Free State and much of East Africa, Africa's Big Five are hunted in semi-open scrub country. With the help of a competent Professional Hunter and a good stalk, most shots can be taken within 100 to 200 yards. The heavy, thick-skinned members of the Big Five are often taken at much closer ranges.
Most countries of Southern Africa specify the use of a rifle of at least .375 calibre or greater when hunting the Big Five. Except for the big cats, quality, controlled expansion bullets or solids are a must. For the soft-skinned cats, rapid expanding bullets are a better choice. In this regard, always trust the advice of your Professional Hunter. When deciding on the battery for your particular safari, consider the largest species you intend to take and plan accordingly.
Make sure you are thoroughly familiar and comfortable with your weapon of choice. Keep in mind that, in all cases, it is much more important where your shot is placed than with what you have made the shot. So, while large calibre rifles with heavy-for-calibre bullets are the order of the day, don't overdo it!
