HUNTING SAFARI IN TANZANIA

Tanzania is Africa’s premier hunting safari destination for international tourists. It has one of the largest population of big game in Africa and a greater variety of wildlife than most other countries in the world. Hunting is part of Tanzania’s wildlife conservation strategy and a requirement for its long-term survival.

Tanzania is traditionally renowned for its exceptional hunting and excellent trophy quality.

For decades until today, hunting safaris are being organized in protected areas such as game reserves and game controlled areas by licensed hunting companies. Tanzania Wildlife management Authority (TAWA) is regulating and controlling all activities related to hunting.

Hunting in Tanzania contributes significantly to the conservation of wildlife and the improvement of community livelihood. The revenue generated form trophy hunting direct support the effort of Tanzania wildlife management authority ( TAWA ) to manage the whole spectrum of wildlife (game and non game species ) in 28Games Reserves, 43 Game Controlled Areas, Open areas, and 4 Ramsar Sites.

Local communities receive 25% of the revenue accrued as a game fees, TAWAA also manage the forma Selous Game Reserve, the largest Wildlife reserve in the world and also a World Heritage Site.

Apart from trophy hunting experience, Tanzania offers a unique opportunity to visit the most outstanding spectacular attractions in the word. The world famous Serengeti National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro ( the highest free standing mount in the Africa), Ngorongoro Crater include the remains of the earliest  humans at Olduvai Gorge, the beautiful islands of Zanzibar with the historic of Stone Town, which is also a  World Heritage Site.

HUNTING REGULATIONS IN TANZANIA

Regulations

Regulations are connected with TAWA’s conservation strategy. They are set up by the Ministry Of Natural Resources And Tourism and they define e.g. types of weapons and ammunition to be used, prerequisites for application of a hunting permit and the quota for different kinds of animals updated regularly.

Animals to hunt

Tanzania is the place to see spectacular and seemingly endless herds of wildebeest, buffalo and zebra as well as elephants followed by predatory lions, leopards and hyaenas. Its bird life is unique with over 1,000 species; its lakes and rivers abound with fish; and its islands offer some of the best game fishing sites in the world.

It is TAWA’s task to determine the species to hunt according to a census assessment. So TAWA is responsible for assigning quotas for each species yearly in collaboration with a specified committee, scientific researchers and the University of Morogoro.

Clients shall only be permitted to hunt those animals for which their permit is issued (subject to quota availability). By Tanzania Law only hunting clients are permitted to hunt. Any observers who wish to hunt will result in upgrading the observer to hunting client status, which will mean adjustment of all fees, including basic safari fees and all Government fees.

  • No animal may be shot from a vehicle or chased or driven by a vehicle.
  • All hunting must be conducted within the hours of daylight (5:30 am–6.30 pm).
  • There may be no hunting of female, young or immature animals.

  • The following game to be hunted strictly on a 21 day license: Elephant; Lion; Leopard: Oryx; Greater Kudu; Eland; Gerenuk; Sable; Ostrich; Klipspringer; Hippopotamus; Puku; Roan and Porcupine.
  • Lion and Leopard may only be hunted as follows:

1 x 1 One lion and one leopard permit.

2 x 1 The clients must share one lion and one leopard permit.

2 x 2 Each client will have one lion and one leopard permit.

3 x 2 The clients will share two lion and two leopard permits. The minimum legal length for Leopard is 1.30 meters (51.2 inches) from tip of nose to base of tail.

  • Regulations for hunting elephants stipulate that the legal minimum size of the ivory should be not less than 1.70 meters (67 inches) in length or less than 17 kg (44 pounds).
  • Automatic weapons and handguns are strictly forbidden.
  • Only 3 rifles per hunter and 100 rounds per rifle may be imported.
  • When hunting dangerous game (Lion, Elephant, Buffalo) the minimum caliber is .375 (9.3mm)

Where to hunt

More than a quarter (264,600 km²) of Tanzania’s land (945,000 km²) is set aside for wildlife conservation but none of these wilderness areas are fenced and the game is free to move wherever conditions are most attractive. What is more, most of the areas that form the primary hunting concessions are so remote and pristine such that access is only feasible by private air charter.

So once on safari, you may truly fee l that the land is just there for you to enjoy your adventures.

It is TAWA’s task to select and manage the areas which are open for hunting tourism. Hunting companies can apply for a hunting block at the beginning of a year which will then be allocated to the hunting company for 5 years. After successfully applying for a hunting block, hunting companies will need to apply for a hunting license which will also include a quota.