ABOUT THE AREA
Botswana
CV Safaris has a long history of hunting Botswana starting with Coenraad in the early 1970’s. For several years we shared the well-known Sankuyo Concession with Calitz Safaris. We had our own camp in the northern part of the concession. Unfortunately, when hunting was terminated in 2014, we called it a day and reluctantly sold off our entire camp, vehicles and equipment. In 2019 when hunting reopened, we chose not to invest in Botswana electing instead to book our clients into concessions granted to local operators who we have worked with over the years. Botswana is a world class hunting destination.
CVS PH’s are welcomed by our partner outfitters and are encouraged to accompany our clients on their safaris if our clients request this. We know Botswana well and we know which areas to hunt and the best times to be there. Botswana is Africa’s “go to” country for elephant hunting and boasts the highest population of elephants on the continent. In addition, Botswana offers excellent hunting for Cape Buffalo, Leopard and plains game. Hunters can opt to hunt leopard the traditional way over bait, or they can choose to hunt leopard with Bushman trackers and hounds which is exhilarating to put it mildly. The hunting season is from 1 April to 30 September with a possible extension into October.
Botswana elephants are typically massive in body size and tend to carry shorter, thicker and on average heavier tusks than their East African counterparts. Botswana has the best average on ivory weight in Africa. Expect to see hundreds of elephants during your safari but please note that elephant movements (and other species like buffalo) fluctuate based on the seasons and the availability of water and food.
One must expect to do a fair amount of walking and tracking, and the days can be long and tiring. Patience is required in waiting for the right tusker to show itself but having said this, hunters must have realistic expectations based on the elephant activity and signs at the time. We advise our clients to book their elephant hunt with us a year in advance.
Buffalos are abundant in most parts of northern Botswana, especially early in the season before grazing and water starts running low in the hunting concessions. Botswana has excellent buffalo, and old bulls are either tracked or spotted from the vehicle. The quality of buffalo you take will be determined by what you’re seeing on the ground at the time of your safari.
Hunting leopard with Bushman trackers and hounds is a Botswana speciality! The arid terrain combined with the exceptional tracking skills of Bushman trackers lends itself to this style and type of hunting. Hunting leopard this way could not be more exciting, exhilarating and quite frankly dangerous. It goes without saying that most leopards are taken on the charge and straight shooting is paramount. You will be armed with a shotgun on the back of a land cruiser careering through the bush trying to keep up with the Bushmen and then the hounds. Permits are limited and booking with us a year in advance is the way to secure your hunt. Success rates on these leopard hunts is very high.
A steady hand and following your PH’s whispered instructions and then making a perfect shot will turn your dream into a reality. There is certainly something very special about hunting leopard the traditional way and every hunter relishes this amazing experience. Leopard hunting this way comes with highs and lows, sometimes you fail, sometimes you succeed. That’s hunting! Permits are extremely limited, and we strongly advise hunters to book their baited leopard safari a year or more in advance.
Kudu, Impala, Warthog, Livingstone Eland, Zebra, Gemsbok and Steenbok are the most common plains game species on quota in most of the hunting blocks. These too are limited and need to be reserved well in advance of your safari starting.
You will fly into Maun or Kasane from Johannesburg depending on which concession you are hunting, followed by either a drive or charter flight to camp. Northern Botswana (especially) is malaria country, so prophylactics are advised. Sat phones are a good item to add to your packing list. Contact us now to get you booked for a safari into spectacular Botswana, one of the finest countries to experience in Africa!
SPECIES
What to hunt in Botswana
Where you’ll stay
Each tent has its own bathroom with toilet, shower and basin with hot and cold running water provided by a propane water heater. Your tent will be furnished with quality beds and linen. Dining areas are typically tented or thatched and include a comfortable sitting/lounge area, dining table, bar and most camps provide free Wi-Fi. Friendly staff ensure that you are well looked after and provide services such as daily laundry and housekeeping. A hearty breakfast is served early in the morning before heading out with a packed lunch for the day. Lunch is normally served under a shady tree overlooking a busy waterhole. On most days you will return to camp after dark, so be prepared for long days in the field. After a few well-deserved drinks around the campfire a three-course dinner is served in the dining room after which everyone is normally ready to hit the sack unless they’re up for a nightcap around the glowing campfire. Nights and early mornings can be cold in Botswana during the winter months of June, July and August, but the days are typically warm. The months of April and early May, along with September and October can reach temperatures up to +_100F.
