Hippo hunting in Namibia

Hippos are claimed to be responsible for more human deaths than any other dangerous game species in Africa. These huge amphibious pachyderms with their stubby legs may look ungainly when on land but are still able to run at quite a substantial speed when on land. When out of the water grazing on land at night these animals often come into conflict with villagers living near the water’s edge who often accidently bump into them while walking around without a flashlight. Hippo hunts are limited to the rivers and swampy waterways of the Zambezi Region, formerly known as the Caprivi Strip. In a predominantly arid country only a few outfitters with concessions in the Zambezi Region are able to offer Hippo hunts in Namibia. Hippos are hunted from the shoreline. If you are fortunate to encounter some basking hippos during a walk and stalk hunt, this will make the trophy retrieval process much easier than when shooting an animal in the water. When hunting animals in the water a PH needs to draw on all his experience to make sure that the client can make their best shot to ensure a quick kill. If wounded whilst in the water, the animal may escape by using the aquatic vegetation to evade the follow up party or even get entangled and never float to the surface if it should die from its wounds. Hippos are classified as vulnerable by the IUCN and do not require any special hunting permits. However they are often sold as a combo hunt with a Crocodile which do require CITES permits.