African Elephant Hunting

African Elephant At a Glance

Origin

Africa

Tusk Weight

50 to 100+ pounds

Hunt Type

Spot & Stalk

Weapon

Rifle

Fitness/Difficulty Level

Moderate to High

* Information may vary. Please refer to our terms and conditions page and/or call for the latest details on prices and conditions.

Located in:

Introduction to African Elephant Hunting: The Ultimate Big Game Challenge

African elephant hunting is widely regarded as the most thrilling and prestigious experience in the world of big game hunting. These majestic animals, Loxodonta africana, are the largest land mammals on earth, standing as towering giants of the African wilderness. An adult bull can weigh over 13,000 pounds (6,000 kg) and stand up to 13 feet (4 meters) tall at the shoulder, making the African elephant an imposing and awe-inspiring challenge for hunters. For many, pursuing an African elephant represents the pinnacle of dangerous game hunting, combining physical endurance, mental fortitude, and the highest degree of marksmanship.

Elephant hunting is not just about the size and strength of the animal—it’s also about the intelligence and cunning of these creatures. Elephants are known for their exceptional memory, problem-solving abilities, and strong social bonds within their herds. Tracking a mature bull elephant that is well aware of its surroundings and senses the presence of humans adds an unmatched element of difficulty. When you step into their world, you are not just hunting an animal; you are engaging in a tactical and often high-stakes encounter with one of nature’s most intelligent and potentially dangerous creatures.

A significant part of the challenge lies in the close encounters that elephant hunting entails. Unlike many other forms of big game hunting, elephant hunts often require getting within 20 to 30 yards of your target. At such distances, the stakes are incredibly high, and the margin for error is small. These hunts test a hunter’s ability to stay calm under intense pressure, as even the smallest mistake could result in an unprovoked charge from a 12,000-pound bull capable of moving silently and swiftly through the bush. A well-placed shot is critical, particularly in the head or vital areas, to ensure a quick and ethical kill.

Beyond the thrill of the hunt, African elephant hunting plays a crucial role in modern wildlife management and conservation efforts. The regulated hunting of elephants helps maintain balance within ecosystems, especially in areas like Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, where elephant populations exceed the land’s capacity to sustain them. Overpopulation of elephants can lead to significant habitat destruction, threatening biodiversity and the survival of other species. Additionally, human-elephant conflicts have become increasingly common in rural Africa, where elephants raid crops and destroy villages in search of food and water, leading to loss of human life and retaliatory poaching.

In countries where regulated hunting is allowed, the funds generated from hunting safaris directly support local communities and anti-poaching efforts. These financial resources are vital for maintaining protected areas, funding conservation projects, and providing employment opportunities for local residents. Legal, ethical elephant hunting ensures that both the species and the ecosystems they inhabit are preserved for future generations. In this way, hunting a few elephants with strict quotas serves the larger goal of protecting the many.

Hunting an African elephant is not a pursuit to be taken lightly; it is a deeply personal journey that demands respect for the animal and an appreciation for the delicate balance between conservation and human-wildlife coexistence. For those who seek the ultimate challenge, African elephant hunting offers an unparalleled experience that combines the excitement of dangerous game hunting with the knowledge that your efforts contribute to the conservation of one of the planet’s most iconic species.

Our Expertise in African Elephant Hunting: Since 1985

The Hunting Consortium has built a solid reputation as a leader in African elephant hunting since its founding in 1985. With decades of experience, we have become synonymous with excellence in dangerous game hunting, particularly when it comes to guiding successful elephant hunts. Our extensive background in this field allows us to offer clients an unparalleled level of expertise, carefully selecting the best hunting areas and working only with the most skilled professional hunters.

Over the years, our team—led by Bob Kern and Rob Kern—has personally hunted elephants in every region we offer. Rob Kern, who also serves as the President of the International Professional Hunters’ Association (IPHA), has dedicated his career to promoting ethical and sustainable hunting practices worldwide. He has spent months in Botswana gaining invaluable experience tracking and hunting elephants in one of Africa’s most challenging environments. This first-hand experience ensures that we have an intimate understanding of the landscape, animal behavior, and challenges unique to each area. Our relationships with local operators, combined with regular visits to the hunting concessions, ensure that the information we provide is always current and reliable. Whether you’re hunting in the vast wilderness of Botswana, the rugged terrain of Zimbabwe, or the diverse landscapes of Namibia and Mozambique, our expertise allows us to craft a hunt tailored specifically to your goals.

What sets us apart is our personalized approach to African elephant hunting. We recognize that every hunter has unique preferences—whether it’s the pursuit of a trophy bull with heavy ivory or the experience of tracking these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. Our safaris are custom-designed to reflect each hunter’s individual needs, ensuring a rewarding and memorable experience. No two elephant hunts are the same, and we pride ourselves on delivering outstanding results that meet or exceed client expectations.

At The Hunting Consortium, we are committed to ethical and sustainable hunting practices. We understand that African elephant hunting plays a critical role in conservation, contributing to the protection of both the species and the ecosystems they inhabit. By working with licensed and reputable operators who adhere to strict conservation guidelines, we ensure that our hunts not only deliver exceptional results but also support the long-term survival of Africa’s elephant populations.

Our support extends beyond the hunt itself. We provide comprehensive assistance in every aspect of planning your African elephant hunting safari, from securing permits and travel arrangements to offering detailed advice on equipment and preparation. Our clients benefit from the assurance that every detail has been carefully managed, allowing them to focus entirely on the hunt.

With The Hunting Consortium, you are not just booking a hunt; you are gaining access to decades of knowledge and expertise. Our legacy in African elephant hunting is built on trust, professionalism, and a deep respect for the animals we pursue. We invite you to join us in experiencing one of the most challenging and rewarding adventures in the world of big game hunting.

Why Choose African Elephant Hunting with The Hunting Consortium?

Choosing the right outfitter is crucial to ensuring a successful and rewarding African elephant hunting experience. The Hunting Consortium, founded in 1985 by Bob Kern, is recognized for its expertise, personalized service, and commitment to ethical hunting. Here’s why hunters consistently choose us for their African elephant hunts:

Extensive Experience: Since 1985, The Hunting Consortium has built a solid reputation in the hunting industry. With decades of experience organizing African elephant hunts, we bring deep knowledge of elephant behavior and the ability to navigate the challenges of hunting in remote areas, ensuring exceptional results.
Proven Track Record: Our clients enjoy consistently high success rates on African elephant hunts. We carefully select prime hunting concessions with healthy elephant populations and collaborate with the most experienced professional hunters. These experts ensure that every hunt is conducted safely and ethically while maximizing opportunities for a successful trophy.
Leadership in the Hunting Industry: The Hunting Consortium operates with the highest standards of professionalism and ethical hunting. The company has always been committed to promoting responsible hunting practices and supporting conservation efforts across Africa. This long-standing dedication reinforces our reputation in the global hunting community.
Customized Safari Experiences: Every hunter has unique objectives, whether pursuing a trophy bull with impressive ivory or relishing the challenge of tracking elephants in diverse African environments. We design personalized safaris tailored to individual preferences, ensuring each experience is meaningful and memorable.
Commitment to Conservation: African elephant hunting plays a vital role in wildlife management and conservation. Legal, regulated hunts contribute to managing elephant populations and minimizing human-wildlife conflict. When you hunt with The Hunting Consortium, you are supporting sustainable hunting practices that protect Africa’s elephant populations and their habitats.
Comprehensive Planning Support: From securing permits to arranging travel logistics, we offer full support throughout the entire process. Our team provides detailed guidance on equipment and preparation, ensuring that every detail of your safari is taken care of so you can focus on enjoying the hunt.

The Hunting Consortium offers more than just a hunt—we provide an immersive and responsible experience that connects hunters to Africa’s vast wilderness and its majestic elephants. Since 1985, we have been dedicated to conservation, ethics, and delivering the highest quality hunting adventures.

Hunting Locations and Professional Hunters

The Hunting Consortium offers African elephant hunting in some of Africa’s most renowned and well-managed hunting areas. These regions are carefully selected for their healthy elephant populations, commitment to conservation, and the expertise of the professional hunters who operate there. Each location provides a unique opportunity to experience the thrill of tracking and hunting elephants in diverse terrains, from savannas to dense bushlands.

Botswana: Botswana is widely considered one of the top destinations for African elephant hunting. Home to the largest elephant population in Africa, Botswana offers hunters the chance to pursue bulls with impressive ivory. Regions such as the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park provide vast wilderness areas, where overpopulation has created ecological challenges. Hunting here is tightly regulated and plays a vital role in managing elephant numbers and reducing habitat degradation. Professional hunters in Botswana are known for their exceptional knowledge of the terrain and elephant behavior, ensuring a safe and successful hunt.
Zimbabwe: Known for producing consistently large bulls, Zimbabwe remains a leading destination for elephant hunting. The country’s vast hunting concessions, including areas bordering Hwange National Park and Gonarezhou, offer excellent opportunities to track elephants in both open plains and thick bush. Zimbabwe’s professional hunters have decades of experience, often boasting nearly 100% success rates. Hunting operations here contribute significantly to conservation efforts by funding anti-poaching units and supporting local communities.
Namibia: Namibia’s Caprivi Strip, which borders Botswana, offers outstanding elephant hunting opportunities, particularly for thick-bodied bulls with shorter, heavier ivory. The terrain is a mix of floodplains and dense woodland, providing a challenging and rewarding experience for hunters. Professional hunters in Namibia are known for their commitment to conservation, and the revenues from hunting support local communities and protect large tracts of wilderness from agricultural development.
Zambia: Zambia’s Luangwa Valley and Lower Zambezi regions have seen a resurgence in elephant populations, providing excellent hunting opportunities. The country’s hunting quotas are carefully managed, ensuring that elephant populations remain stable while still offering hunters the chance to pursue trophy bulls. Zambia’s professional hunters are experts in tracking elephants through difficult terrain, including river valleys and dense forests.
Mozambique: Mozambique’s northern regions, particularly around the Niassa Reserve, offer some of Africa’s most remote and untamed hunting grounds. The country’s elephant population has rebounded from the devastation caused by poaching during its civil war, and hunters can now pursue bulls with ivory ranging from 55 to 65 pounds. Mozambique also offers the opportunity to combine elephant hunting with other big game species such as Cape buffalo, lion, and leopard. Professional hunters in Mozambique are well-versed in navigating the challenges of the wilderness, ensuring both a successful hunt and a deep connection to Africa’s wildest landscapes.

Each of these destinations is led by highly experienced professional hunters who are committed to ethical and sustainable practices. They bring decades of knowledge in dangerous game hunting, ensuring that your hunt is not only successful but also aligned with conservation principles. The Hunting Consortium partners exclusively with operators who adhere to strict government quotas and international conservation standards, ensuring that every hunt contributes directly to the protection of Africa’s elephant populations and their habitats.

Conservation and Population Status of African Elephants

African elephant hunting is not only a thrilling and challenging pursuit but also a critical component in the conservation of African elephants and their habitats. Legal, regulated elephant hunting serves as a vital tool for managing populations, protecting habitats, and funding essential conservation programs. The significant role that African elephant hunting plays in conservation is supported by peer-reviewed studies and recognized by conservation experts worldwide.

African Elephant Conservation

African elephants are classified as a vulnerable species due to habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. In regions where hunting is legal, it provides financial resources for conservation initiatives that protect elephant populations and their habitats. Peer-reviewed research shows that well-regulated trophy hunting, including African elephant hunting, contributes significantly to the protection of these species. A study published in Biological Conservation (Naidoo et al., 2016) concluded that revenues from hunting operations are critical for funding anti-poaching measures and managing wildlife reserves.

Population Management: In many African countries, elephant populations have rebounded due to strict management policies, which include sustainable African elephant hunting. Controlled hunting helps reduce overpopulation in areas like Botswana and Zimbabwe, where elephant numbers exceed the land’s capacity to support them. This overpopulation leads to habitat degradation, threatening other species and the health of entire ecosystems. By maintaining a balance in elephant populations, hunting plays a direct role in ensuring the long-term survival of diverse wildlife habitats.

Habitat Conservation through African Elephant Hunting

African elephant hunting also plays a pivotal role in habitat conservation. Elephants are keystone species, meaning their presence affects the survival of many other species. However, when elephant populations exceed sustainable levels, they can cause severe damage to habitats, particularly in areas where vegetation is sparse. Overgrazing and the destruction of trees and plant life can lead to a decline in biodiversity, affecting countless other animals.

Preserving Ecosystems: A peer-reviewed article in Science (Lindsey et al., 2007) highlights that in regions where African elephant hunting is permitted, the financial incentives from hunting help safeguard vast tracts of wilderness that would otherwise be lost to agriculture or development. In countries like Namibia and Mozambique, revenues from elephant hunts have been used to maintain protected areas, ensuring that these critical habitats remain intact. The protection of elephant habitats also benefits numerous other species, preserving the ecological integrity of Africa’s wilderness areas.
Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation: In many regions of Africa, elephant overpopulation has led to increased human-wildlife conflict. Elephants frequently raid crops, destroy property, and in some cases, pose a danger to human lives. African elephant hunting helps manage elephant populations in areas where this conflict is most severe, reducing the likelihood of elephants encroaching on human settlements. By controlling elephant numbers, hunting mitigates these conflicts and helps maintain a balance between wildlife and human activities. Peer-reviewed research published in Conservation Biology (Taylor et al., 2015) found that regulated hunting is an effective method for reducing human-wildlife conflict while generating funds for local communities and conservation efforts.

Funding Conservation through Hunting

Legal African elephant hunting generates substantial revenue, which is reinvested into conservation initiatives. Governments and local communities rely on these funds to finance anti-poaching units, habitat restoration projects, and conservation education programs. In countries like Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Tanzania, the income from hunting permits provides the primary financial support for maintaining protected areas and employing wildlife rangers.

Anti-Poaching Efforts: In areas where African elephant hunting is regulated, hunting revenues are used to bolster anti-poaching efforts, directly contributing to the reduction of illegal hunting and the protection of elephants. Peer-reviewed studies, such as one published in Ecological Applications (Lindsey et al., 2018), show that the presence of legal hunting operations often deters poaching, as the areas are patrolled and monitored more effectively. Without these funds, many protected areas would struggle to maintain the necessary resources to combat the illegal ivory trade.

Community Benefits and Conservation

African elephant hunting also provides critical benefits to local communities. The revenue from hunting permits often funds infrastructure, healthcare, and education in rural areas where these services are otherwise limited. In turn, local communities have a vested interest in protecting elephant populations and their habitats, as they see direct economic benefits from conservation.

Community-Led Conservation: The concept of community-based conservation, where local populations are involved in managing wildlife and receive a share of the hunting revenues, has been highly successful in countries like Namibia. Studies, such as the one published in Environmental Conservation (Naidoo et al., 2011), demonstrate how African elephant hunting can incentivize local communities to actively participate in conservation, reducing poaching and ensuring that elephant populations thrive.

By choosing to participate in African elephant hunting with The Hunting Consortium, you are not only pursuing one of the most majestic and challenging game animals but also contributing directly to the conservation of African elephants and their habitats. This form of sustainable hunting helps maintain the balance of Africa’s ecosystems, supports anti-poaching efforts, and empowers local communities, ensuring the future of both elephants and the environments they inhabit.

What to Expect on an African Elephant Hunt

An African elephant hunt is a challenging and exhilarating experience, combining the thrill of tracking one of the most intelligent and powerful animals on the planet with the need for precision and patience. Each hunt is carefully planned to ensure both safety and success, guided by expert professional hunters who are highly skilled in dangerous game hunting. Here’s what you can expect during an African elephant hunting safari:

Tracking and Stalking

The primary method of hunting elephants involves tracking and stalking bulls through diverse landscapes. The day begins early, often before sunrise, with professional hunters and local trackers searching for fresh signs of elephant activity—tracks, broken branches, and dung. Tracking can take several hours and may cover many miles, depending on the terrain and the movement of the herd. Elephants are highly mobile and can travel long distances in a single day, so patience and endurance are critical.

Once fresh tracks are found, the hunt begins in earnest, often following the trail through thick bush, open savannas, or dry riverbeds. Close encounters with an elephant bull require a high level of concentration and control. The final approach to a target is typically done on foot, sometimes within 20-30 yards of the animal, depending on the circumstances. This proximity requires nerves of steel, as elephants are highly aware of their surroundings and can react swiftly if they feel threatened.

Safety and Ethical Hunting

Safety is paramount during any African elephant hunt. Elephants are unpredictable, and even experienced hunters must always be prepared for a sudden charge. Professional hunters will guide you through each step, ensuring that every approach is measured and that ethical, clean shots are taken. Most hunts aim for a frontal or side brain shot to ensure a quick and humane harvest. Professional hunters carry large-caliber rifles (such as .416 Rigby or .470 Nitro Express) designed to stop an elephant in its tracks, should it become necessary.

Ethical hunting practices are strictly adhered to during every African elephant hunt. Only mature bulls are targeted, typically those that are past their prime breeding age or have been identified as part of a government-controlled quota. This ensures that the hunt contributes to the conservation of the species by removing older individuals that may be causing damage to their ecosystems or creating conflict with local communities.

Physical Demands

Elephant hunting is physically demanding and requires a reasonable level of fitness. Hunters may walk several miles each day across uneven terrain, sometimes in hot and humid conditions. The ability to maintain focus and energy during long tracking sessions is key to a successful hunt. Additionally, because the hunt takes place in remote areas, hunters should be prepared for variable weather conditions and potential encounters with other wildlife, including lions, buffalo, and other dangerous game.

Accommodation and Safari Experience

Most African elephant hunts are conducted from well-equipped safari camps or lodges, offering a comfortable base to return to after a long day in the field. Accommodations range from luxury safari lodges to more rustic tented camps, depending on the hunting area. All camps provide en-suite facilities, excellent meals (often prepared from local game), and a dedicated staff to ensure your comfort.

In addition to hunting, many camps offer optional activities such as game drives, birdwatching, or cultural excursions for non-hunting companions. Evenings are often spent around the campfire, discussing the day’s adventures and enjoying the serenity of the African wilderness.