Trophy Hunting

Hunting in Africa is purely food for your soul, and you will be wanting more when you leave.

Leaving the camp at first light you will enjoy the cool crisp mornings, tracking across the plains in search of your perfect trophy.

About Trophy Hunting

The clean fresh air will refresh your body and mind, and the mind-boggling vastness of hunting areas and great numbers of species will leave you in awe.

It is hard to describe the rush and heart pumping experience when you look through your rifle scope, seconds away from pulling the trigger on your first African animal, it will feel like your very first hunt.

If hunting runs deep through your veins and has a great desire to full fill your wildest dreams of harvesting and collecting trophies from around the world.

White lion Safaris is a perfect place to start. Not only does White Lion Safaris has great deals and packages at affordable prices, but we are also known for our incredible flexibility and tailor-made hunts.

We strive to provide world-class hunting both for plains and dangerous game.

Hunting with our experienced professional hunters, you will have the perfect amount of guidance to take you right up, close and personal with your next trophy.

We as White Lion Safaris are fortunate to have our main hunting camp right in the middle of the country, where 4 of the major biomes come together.

This creates a perfectly combined habitat for the 32 predominant species of each of these areas to thrive in!

We realize that some species are more predominant in certain areas with different landscapes, vegetation and climate.

Therefore we have numerous hunting areas stretching from the Kalahari in the west to lushes and thick bushveld in the north catering to the true species-specific hunter.

All this excitement is worth capturing on HD video for your memories. We use and work closely with professional videographers for the ultimate African hunting experience.

Our Professional Hunters

Ricus De Villiers

Owner / Operator

After being introduced to hunting by my father at age 5, I had a passion for wildlife, hunting and the outdoors.

This sculpted the foundation of a dream and desire to become a conservationist and professional hunter in Africa.

In the year 2004, this dream became a reality when I founded White Lion Safaris as a hunting and photographic safari operation right here in beautiful South Africa.

Jaco Wessels

Professional Hunter

He was born and raised in a hunting family who still hunts actively for meat every year.

He loves the outdoors, wildlife, long range shooting and the company of good friends around campfires.

Started working for White Lion Safaris in 2014 and still going strong, he loves what he does and really enjoys guiding clients and showing them our beautiful diverse country, South Africa.

Ben Botha

Professional Hunter

Ben is our most experienced professional hunter at White Lion Safaris.

He has extensive experience in hunting dangerous and plains game in various African countries.

He is a humble man with a wonderful personality. His experience and skill speak for themselves and all our clients that had the privilege to hunt with Ben can attest to that.

Plains Game

Plains game hunting brings more hunters to Africa each year than all of the Big Five combined.

African plains game hunting is conducted in a variety of geographical areas which can vary widely in climate, vegetation, and topography. The hunting areas can range from densely wooded savanna to wide open grasslands.

Plains Game Species

Nyala

The lowland nyala or simply nyala, is a spiral-horned antelope native to southern Africa. It is a species of the family Bovidae and genus Tragelaphus, previously placed in genus Nyala.

Eland

A large-sized savannah and plains antelope found in East and Southern Africa. It is a species of the family Bovidae and genus Taurotragus.

Waterbuck

Large Antelope found widely in sub-Saharan Africa. Its 13 subspecies are grouped under two varieties: the Common or Ellipsiprymnus Waterbuck and the Defassa Waterbuck.

Springbok

Medium-sized antelope found mainly in south and southwest Africa. The sole member of the genus Antidorcas. Three subspecies are identified.

Blue wildebeest

Large antelope and one of the two species of wildebeest. It is placed in the genus Connochaetes and family Bovidae, and has a close taxonomic relationship with the black wildebeest.

Mountain reedbuck

The mountain reedbuck is an antelope found in mountainous areas of much of sub-Saharan Africa. can present a very challenging hunt with a lot of climbing involved.

Blue Duiker

The blue duiker is a small antelope found in central, southern and eastern Africa. It is the smallest species of duiker.

Cape grysbok

The Cape or southern grysbok is a small antelope that is endemic to the Western Cape region of South Africa between Albany and the Cederberg mountains.

Grey rhebok

The grey rhebok or gray rhebuck, locally known as the reebok in Afrikaans, is a species of antelope native to South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini. The specific name capreolus is Latin for ‘little goat’.

Black wildebeest

The black wildebeest or white-tailed gnu is one of the two closely related wildebeest species. It is a member of the genus Connochaetes and family Bovidae.

Steenbok

The steenbok is a common small antelope of southern and eastern Africa. It is sometimes known as the steinbuck or steinbok.

Bushpig

The bushpig is a member of the pig family that inhabits forests, woodland, riverine vegetation and cultivated areas in East and Southern Africa.

Gemsbok

The gemsbok or South African oryx is a large antelope in the genus Oryx. It is native to the extremely dry, arid regions of Southern Africa; notably, the Kalahari and Namib Desert.

Sable antelope

The sable antelope is a large antelope which inhabits wooded savanna in East and Southern Africa, from the south of Kenya to South Africa, with a separated population in Angola.

Southern reedbuck

The southern reedbuck, rietbok or common reedbuck is a diurnal antelope typically found in southern Africa. It is placed in the genus Redunca and family Bovidae.

Oribi

The oribi is a small antelope found in eastern, southern and western Africa. While this is the only member in the genus Ourebia, eight subspecies are identified.

Common duiker

The common duiker, also known as the gray duiker or bush duiker, is a small antelope and the only member of the genus Sylvicapra. This species is found everywhere in Africa south of the Sahara, excluding the Horn of Africa and the rainforests of the central and western parts of the continent.

Common tsessebe

The common tsessebe or sassaby is the southern, nominate subspecies of Damaliscus lunatus, although some authorities have recognised it as an independent species.

Bontebok

The bontebok is an antelope found in South Africa, Lesotho and Namibia. D. pygargus has two subspecies; the nominate subspecies, occurring naturally in the Fynbos and Renosterveld areas of the Western Cape, and the blesbok occurring in the Highveld.

Roan antelope

Large savanna-dwelling antelope found in western, central, and southern Africa. Named for its roan colour, it has lighter underbellies, white eyebrows and cheeks and black faces, lighter in females.

Harnessed bushbuck

The Northern bushbuck or harnessed bushbuck, is a medium-sized antelope, widespread in sub-Saharan-Africa.

Greater kudu

The greater kudu is a large woodland antelope, found throughout eastern and southern Africa. Despite occupying such widespread territory, they are sparsely populated in most areas due to declining habitat, deforestation, and poaching.

Lechwe

The lechwe, red lechwe, or southern lechwe is an antelope found in wetlands of south-central Africa. a wonderful trophy with sweeping lyre horns and not abundant in South Africa.

Klipspringer

The klipspringer is a small antelope found in eastern and southern Africa. Klipspringer hunting is the pinnacle of Africa hunting when referring to the Tiny Ten.

Red forest duiker

The red forest duiker, Natal duiker, or Natal red duiker is a small antelope found in central to southern Africa. It is one of 22 extant species form the subfamily Cephalophinae. While the red forest duiker is very similar to the common duiker, it is smaller in size and has a distinguishing reddish coloring.

Cape bushbuck

The Cape bushbuck, also known as imbabala is a common, medium-sized bushland-dwelling, and a widespread species of antelope in sub-Saharan Africa. It is found in a wide range of habitats, such as rain forests, montane forests, forest-savanna mosaic, savanna, bushveld, and woodland.

Mountain zebra

The mountain zebra is a zebra species in the family Equidae, native to southwestern Africa. There are two subspecies, the Cape mountain zebra found in South Africa and Hartmann’s mountain zebra found in south-western Angola and Namibia.

The Dangerous Seven Game Hunting

Hunting big game in Africa is the ultimate pursuit of blood pumping adventures. If you have what it takes and nerves of steel to take on one of Africa’s dangerous beasts we will be right by your side. We are trained and fully registered big game hunters to stay with you every step of the way. Fortunate enough to hunt the big 5 not only in beautiful South Africa but we also have access to pristine hunting areas for dangerous game animals in our neighbouring countries.

Lion

The lion is related to the jaguar, leopard and panther. After the tiger, it is the largest big cat. Unlike the other big cats, which are primarily solitary beasts, lions live in groups called prides. Male lions are easily distinguished from females by their large manes, which can vary in color from a light beige color to a very dark brown color.

Rhino

Member of any of the five extant species of odd-toed ungulates in the family Rhinocerotidae. Two of the extant species are native to Africa, and three to South and Southeast Asia.
Gestation period: White rhinoceros: 16 – 18 months, Indian rhinoceros: 15 – 16 months, Black rhinoceros: 15 – 16 months.

African Buffalo

The African, also known as cape buffalo or congo buffalo, is a large, robust animal that is part of the bovidae family. It is found throughout sub-Saharan Africa and also in parts of western Africa.
The gestation period for females is between 11 and 12 months, with one calf being the average number of young born.

Elephant

Currently the largest land animal on earth. Two species of elephants exist: Asian and African elephants. Asian elephants are smaller than their African counterparts.
African elephants have larger, fan-shaped ears, which some believe actually resemble the shape of the African continent.

Leopard

The leopard is related to the jaguar, lion and tiger, and is the smallest feline of the four. The leopard’s spotted coat allows it to blend in with the leaves of trees, which is where it spends the majority of its time. They have very long tails, longer than half their body length; which gives them an excellent sense of balance, something they require to keep them from falling out of trees.

Hippo

Hippos are primarily herbivores, although they have been known to nibble at animal carcasses. They spend an enormous amount of time in the water, around 16 hours. It exits the water at dusk and can journey several kilometers to find nutrient grasses and herbs on which to feed. It will feed all night and make its way back to the water at dawn.

Nile Crocodile

found throughout sub-Sahara Africa, parts of the Nile River and in the freshwater rivers and brackish waters. Currently, 14 species of crocodile are present, with the saltwater crocodile being the largest and most aggressive of all species. The Nile crocodile is one of the next-largest species and is notorious for its aggressive personality.

Amazing Locations

Hunting Areas

Namibia

Specifically for Leopard and Plains Game

Mozambique

Specifically for Dangerous Game

Zimbabwe

Specifically for Dangerous Game

Namibia or as known from the olden days, South West Africa, is a spectacular destination for any safari.

NAMIBIA

Accommodation

Accommodation is available in a bush camp on the banks of the Ugab River with 5 thatch roofed bungalows with en-suite bathrooms. Both indoor and outdoor barbeque areas are available in a lovely trophy room and lapa area. Excellent African Cuisine and game specialties are prepared in the kitchen and open fire. After a hard days hunt, guests can enjoy soothing drinks while the staff prepare a feast of culinary delights. The whole area is situated under majestic Acacia trees and is covered with well-maintained lawns. Nestled between the bungalows is a small swimming pool.

Namibia offers beautiful country and landscapes from the Southern border with South Africa, all the way to the North where it meets Angola along the Caprivi strip.

Namibia has a highly organized, conservation-focused hunting industry and a government that is very supportive of hunting tourism.

Although Namibia has a smaller variety of plains game, it still offers fantastic hunting for certain species.

Our favourite hunt is for leopards, especially in the more arid areas around Etosha national park and towards the edge of the Namib desert.

We have a 100% success rate on leopard hunting here and we are looking forward to entertaining you on this specialized safari.

An ethical, reasonably priced trophy hunting of the highest standard in Namibia has revealed that sustainable utilization of wildlife resources has been a major factor in protecting Namibia’s game populations.

Even depleted game species, which formerly populated areas of Namibia, have been re-introduced through effective game management based on the principle of conservation through selective hunting.

Namibia boasts a diverse selection of game animals, including some species found nowhere else...

Hunting Mozambique is like going back 1000 years in time.

MOZAMBIQUE

Accommodation

Dugong Mozambique Lodge consists of four fully equipped and air conditioned luxury houses each sleeping eight persons (3 bedrooms). Upstairs Main Bedroom with queen sized bed and private lounge, en suite bathroom and balcony, Second Bedroom with 2 x 3/4 beds and vanity.

Mozambique is a country in Southeast Africa which is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi, and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west, and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest. The capital, which is also its largest city, is Maputo.

The areas we hunt are huge open stretches of land, mostly along floodplains and swamps.

This is a fantastic area for Cape buffalo, Roosevelt Sable, Livingstone Eland and a few other species.

Small antelopes like Red Duiker and Suni are sought after and plentiful in these areas. A Safari to Mozambique will make memories for a lifetime and experience true.

Africa through the travelling and hunting in this country. Africa works in its own time here and patience and a will to embrace the full experience are needed to make this journey a success.

Safety is not a concern in our areas and one can hunt herds of thousands of buffalo in a safe environment.

Hunting in Mozambique is growing in popularity owing to its stunning land and abundance of game...

Zimbabwe offers the true ‘’old Africa’’ experience on large pieces of open land.

Zimbabwe

Accommodation

The main Lapa consists of lounge, bar and dining area with patio and splash pool.

Chalets are comfortable with en-suite bathroom facilities, hot and cold shower, basin and flush toilet.

All beds have mosquito nets.

The well equipped bush kitchen provides excellent home cooked meals.

Animals roam free with no borders or fences. This is the true hunt, this is the experience, this is Zimbabwe.

Although Zimbabwe has fallen on hard times, the hunting industry still flourishes in good areas, especially towards the North along the mighty Zambezi river.

Elephants, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Hippos and Crocodile, are the most sought-after species to hunt in this terrain. With Hippos being hunted mostly on land and foot in this area, it is a popular target species.

Plains game species are limited, but the ones that do occur here are very abundant and affluent. Impala, Waterbuck, Livingstone Eland, Grysbok, Klipspringer, Spotted Hyena, Chobe bushbuck and warthog are some of the most popular target species in the plains game category.

After a long day hunting under the African sun, a cold G&T around a campfire overlooking the banks of the mighty Zambezi, and listening to the bush come alive as the sun sets are what feeds the soul of the true hunter in the limited time available to us to roam this beautiful planet God gave us.

The area we hunt is located on Lake Kariba with 14 miles of lake frontage offering plenty of water and food for the animals that occur in this area...

Important FAQ’s

What you need to know

Planning your trip

Visas

Citizens of the USA and most European countries will only require a 90 day visa for Namibia. South Africa and Mozambique do not require visas. For Namibian visa application check the visa rules that apply to your passport type at this link: https://namibia.visahq.com

Upon Arrival

Temporary gun licence

After arrival, the hunter walks to the arrival hall to fill out an arrival form and then proceeds through Immigration. Once through Immigration, go to baggage claim and retrieve your luggage, then find the small office (back toward Immigration) with a sign that reads “Arms and Ammunition.” Here, you will identify your gun case and fill in a simple form that will serve as your temporary gun license and permit. All you need is your gun information and the address of where you will be staying, which White Lion Safaris will provide to you. After filling out your form and retrieving your gun case, proceed through Customs. Ricus, your outfitter will meet you outside the door to drive you to your hunting area.

Hunting

Clothing and Gear

Dark green or brown clothing is best, as are boots with soft soles for quiet stalking. You’ll only need a couple of changes of clothing as laundry is done daily at most camps. Bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunblock, good optics, and a jacket for cool mornings and evenings.

Rifles

Most professional hunters recommend rifles in the .300-caliber family for plains game and .375 for dangerous game, but the most important thing is to bring a rifle you are familiar with and can shoot well.

After the hunt

Tips

Tips are appreciated at most safari camps; in addition to the professional hunter, tracker(s), driver, and skinner(s), there are usually staff members at camp who handle cooking and cleaning and other chores and help to make a hunter’s stay pleasant. The professional hunter or outfitter can advise the hunter how much is appropriate to tip each staff member.

Trophy preparation

Typically, animals are skinned at the safari headquarters and all skins are cleaned and salted; skulls and horns are cleaned and buried in salt. After a couple of days, the skins are hung to dry, cleaned once more, and folded and stored in a skinning shed. Skulls will be cleaned and placed on a rack. Before leaving camp, it’s a good idea to ensure the skulls and skins are properly tagged with the hunter’s name and contact information.

Taxidermy

Once the hunter departs, or sometimes at the end of the season, trophies will be taken to a taxidermist for professional cleaning and dipping, which is required for export. The taxidermist then contacts the hunter for instructions regarding preparation and shipment, and to arrange payment for these services. The taxidermist then contacts a shipping agent, who will handle the permits and shipping to the hunter’s home country, again after contacting the hunter. Hunters should check the latest regulations in order to make arrangements in advance if they are hunting species that require CITES permits or special export or import permits from the hunter’s home country. Many export and import requirements for these species have undergone dramatic changes in the past couple of years.

Trophy Hunting

About Trophy Hunting

Plains Game

Dangerous Game

When is a good time of year to hunt?

Our Professional Hunters

Ricus De Villiers

Jaco Wessels

Ben Botha

Plains Game

Plains Game Species

The Dangerous Seven Game Hunting

Lion

Rhino

African Buffalo

Elephant

Leopard

Hippo

Nile Crocodile

Hunting Areas

Namibia

Mozambique

Zimbabwe

NAMIBIA

Accommodation

Namibia boasts a diverse selection of game animals, including some species found nowhere else...

MOZAMBIQUE

Accommodation

Hunting in Mozambique is growing in popularity owing to its stunning land and abundance of game...

Zimbabwe

Accommodation

The area we hunt is located on Lake Kariba with 14 miles of lake frontage offering plenty of water and food for the animals that occur in this area...

What you need to know

Temporary gun licence

Clothing and Gear

Rifles

Tips

Trophy preparation

Taxidermy

Get In Touch

Contact Details

Ricus De Villiers

Nelia De Villiers

Luke Gerhart

Main Location