There are many game animals available for hunting in southern Tanzania. In addition to several species of antelope, hunters can take a chance at baboons, crocodiles, zebras, warthogs, leopards, hippos, lions and even elephants.
Trophy hunting in southern Tanzania must occur only on specified concession lands within government-controlled game reserve areas. The main hunting zones are in the Selous Game Reserve, the Rungwa Kizigo/Muhesi Game Reserve, the Lukwika-Lumesele Game Reserve and the Kilombero Reserve.
Trophy hunting permits allow for different numbers of trophies as your official safari length increases. The minimum length of a hunting safari is set at 10 days. In many cases, you can kill more animals after 16 days or after 21 days of safari. You can, for example, kill only one zebra during the first 20 days of a safari, while a second zebra is legal after 21 days. For some animals, like elephants, lions and leopards, you may only hunt a single animal during a 21-day or longer safari. Tanzania also limits all hunting to a specific season, lasting from July 1 to December 31.
Regulations and safari company policies work to mitigate the effects of wildlife depletion in Tanzania. The number of permits issued for the hunting of certain animals, like elephants, is extremely limited in both number and permitted hunting locations. Additional regulations prohibit the hunting of female or juvenile animals.
Trophy hunting in Tanzania is extremely expensive. If you want to go trophy hunting in Tanzania, you must first consider the cost of a hunting safari, which can range from $10,000 to more than $50,000 depending on length and target animals. Hunters also need to pay a fee of $200 for each firearm, up to a limit of three rifles per person. When you kill or wound an animal, the government assesses an additional fee that depends on the specific animal. Fees range from $200 for a baboon to $7,500 for a lion to as much as $28,000 for an elephant. Additional permits, like the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES, permit may be necessary to import trophies to your home country.
Be careful to follow all regulations regarding game shooting. The limits on certain animals are strictly enforced, and you could be subject to fines or imprisonment for their violation. Some animals are completely off-limits. Rhinoceroses are sufficiently endangered that no hunting of any kind is allowed. Giraffes are the national animal of Tanzania, and no one can hunt them as a result.
