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The area boasts large herds of resident buffalo and elephant. We do hunt a limited number of these elephant bulls and a much larger quota of tuskless cows. We try to concentrate on the many groups of “Dugga Boys” in the hopes of harvesting only very old Buffalo trophies. Well managed and ethical hunting techniques have ensured that high quality leopard and lion are hunted every year out of a growing population.
All hunting is conducted on foot, in an ethical manner in accordance to Zimbabwean National Parks regulations. Generally elephant and buffalo are hunted by following sizable spoor until the quarry is located. Most plainsgame is hunted by walk and stalk. Cats can be baited, but only hunted in daylight hours which has proven to be hugely successful in recent years. We conduct hippo and crocodile hunts in the many inland pans, but also with the assistance of a boat on the Zambezi to locate the hippo and crocodile before approaching them on foot. Hunting the majority of our hippo on land makes it a much more exciting hunt.
The hunting party consists of a professional hunter, client, tracker and mandatory government scout. Only high quality vehicles and equipment are used on safari.
Crocodile hunting can be conducted in two ways on the river. Baiting with a substantial piece of meat will draw a large number of crocodiles into the area and is a successful way of harvesting a big crocodile. Drifting down the Zambezi, especially in the winter months allows you to locate the territorial reptiles, sunning themselves on a sandbank and plan a careful approach on foot.
The same method can be used to hunt hippo, drifting down the Zambezi, locating a pod, getting yourself into a shooting position, selecting the bull and hopefully making a good shot. Alternatively, the many pans offer safe refuge to a number of hippo, especially bulls ousted from the river. Having a high chance of hunting these big mammals on land makes it all the more exciting.
In both cases, more importantly with crocodile, a precise shot at a relatively small target is required.
A huge resident population of +/- 2000 buffalo is also bolstered by adjacent Mana Pools and recently the now non-hunting areas of Rifa and Chirundu. “Dugga Boys” are plentiful and widespread throughout the concession. Spoor is normally located at one of the plethora of pans in the area or along the Zambezi and followed on foot until locating the quarry. We try as much as possible to concentrate on these older bulls that have left the herd and have been successful in this method of hunting.
Nyakasanga, being a unique and un-fenced area with a very high chance of success of an old hard bossed bull makes this a quality buffalo hunting destination.
There is a healthy population of elephant in the area, offering exceptional tuskless hunting all year round. Elephant bulls are fairly migratory from Mana Pools especially in the early months of the year. You can expect to see a good number of bulls on a daily basis. The hunt is generally conducted the traditional way, by checking large spoor. April and May are prime times for an elephant bull hunt.
Nyakasanga has a high number of elephant bulls, but there is also an abundance of tuskless elephant within this population. Constant interaction with elephant and the high adrenaline that comes with this makes for a truly memorable hunt.
Proactive anti-poaching efforts in the last 5 years have had a very positive impact on the population in the whole area.
Leopard hunting has always been highly successful in Nyakasanga. Well managed quotas together with plentiful food and cover, playing important part in this. Having few natural predators and no close boundary with human populations, these secretive cats thrive in the area. Baiting with impala and zebra meat has proven the most successful form of hunting them and all cats are shot during daylight hours.
Nyakasanga is home to a huge resident population of lion, with adjacent Mana Pools being a constant source of replenishment for the prides. A very small quota over the years has ensured exceptional trophy quality and success of lion hunts in the area. Lion hunts are mostly conducted by baiting, however spooring and spot and stalk methods have also proven to be fruitful. April to September have traditionally been the best months, however we have had success all year round on lion hunts.
Nyakasanga Is home to a huge volume and diversity of plainsgame. The dominant species include impala, warthog, zebra, eland, kudu, baboon and hyena. These will be seen on a daily basis. Other less common species include waterbuck, bushbuck, grysbok, duiker and small cats – all of these normally require a bit more work, but are attainable.
Nyakasanga is an area hunters can harvest a good plainsgame bag, in addition to their dangerous game. Sable and Nyala are resident in the area in small numbers, but are not currently on quota.
