African Hunting Safaris — The Dunhams & DGI Experience
Hunting in Africa is more than a trip. It is the realization of a dream that many hunters carry for years. With Dunhams High Caliber Ranch partnering alongside Dangerous Game Inc. (DGI), hunters gain access to carefully selected concessions across South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Cameroon. Each area is chosen for its habitat, its species diversity, and its ability to deliver a premium safari hunting experience.
Every safari is professionally guided. Licensed Professional Hunters (PHs), supported by trackers and skinners, provide the expertise that only comes with years of experience on African soil. Accommodations range from
- 5-star luxury tented camps in Northern Limpopo
- Traditional thatch lodges in the Kalahari and Bela Bela
- River lodges in Botswana’s Tuli Block
- Fly camps in Chobe
Hunters know what to expect before they arrive, with logistics, accommodations, and travel routes clearly defined.
Species availability depends on the concession:
- South Africa — Plains game such as kudu, impala, warthog, sable, and roan. Kalahari also offers gemsbok, springbok, and lion.
- Botswana (Tuli Block & Chobe) — Elephant, kudu, and eland in remote concessions requiring road or helicopter access.
- Kimberley — Sable, roan, buffalo, combined with sightseeing at the historic Big Hole.
- Bela Bela — Plains game close to Gauteng with lodge amenities suited for hunters traveling with companions.
- Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Cameroon — Dangerous game including buffalo, elephant, and leopard, plus select plains game species.
These hunts are never open-ended. Each concession operates on a quota system, meaning a fixed number of animals may be harvested per year. Once the quota is filled, licenses are closed until the next season. This ensures sustainability, protects herd health, and keeps the safari experience authentic.
Exclusivity is built into the process. When you book an African hunt with DGI through Dunhams, you are entering a program where:
- Hunts are limited by quota and concession.
- Logistics are clear from arrival to departure.
- Professionalism is guaranteed by experienced PHs and long-term staff.
This is what makes an African safari with Dunhams and DGI a premium, world-class experience.
Hunting Areas & Concessions
One of the greatest strengths of hunting with DGI and Dunhams is access to a wide range of concessions across South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Cameroon. Each area offers different terrain, species, and styles of hunting. This allows hunters to match their goals with the right concession.
South Africa
- Northern Limpopo — About 2.5 hours from Polokwane Airport. Known for kudu, impala, bushbuck, and warthog. Hunters stay in 5-star luxury tented camps that blend modern comfort with traditional safari style.
- Kalahari — Approximately 8 hours from OR Tambo (Johannesburg) or a 2-hour charter flight. Offers gemsbok, springbok, lion, and wide open red sand landscapes. Accommodations are thatched lodges and chalets.
- Kimberley — A 1-hour flight from OR Tambo followed by a 30-minute drive. Features roan, sable, and buffalo. Hunters can also visit the famous Big Hole mine for sightseeing. Lodging is high-end safari lodges with modern amenities.
- Bela Bela — Roughly 2 hours from OR Tambo. Excellent for plains game hunts close to Gauteng. Lodges and chalets include spa and pool amenities, making this a popular choice for hunters traveling with companions.
Botswana
- Tuli Block — About 2.5 hours from Polokwane, 5 hours from Gauteng, or 4 hours from Gaborone. Known for elephants, kudu, and eland. Accommodations are lodges overlooking the Limpopo River.
- Chobe Region — Requires flying into Gaborone, connecting to Maun, then a 50-minute helicopter transfer into camp. Specializes in elephant and dangerous game. Hunters stay in traditional fly camps set deep in the wilderness.
Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Cameroon
For hunters seeking dangerous game, these concessions provide opportunities for elephant, buffalo, and leopard, as well as specialized species in select areas. Camps range from rustic safari camps to river lodges, depending on location.
All concessions operate under strict quotas. This means only a certain number of animals may be harvested each year. Once filled, no further licenses are issued until the next season. This approach protects species, sustains herds, and keeps the safari experience authentic.
Premium Safari Accommodations
African safaris with Dunhams and DGI combine the wildness of the bush with the comfort of premium accommodations.
- Luxury Tented Camps (Northern Limpopo): Spacious canvas suites with en-suite bathrooms, electricity, and fine dining under canvas.
- Thatched Lodges & Chalets (Kalahari & Bela Bela): Comfortable rooms with pools, lounges, and amenities for both hunters and non-hunting companions.
- Kimberley Safari Lodges: High-end lodges with full amenities, often combined with sightseeing opportunities.
- River Lodges (Tuli Block & Zambia): Scenic locations along rivers where wildlife can be seen from camp.
- Fly Camps (Chobe): Rustic, remote camps designed for hunters who want the raw, traditional African safari feel.
No matter the camp, hunters can expect:
- Daily laundry service so clothing is always fresh.
- Housekeeping staff who maintain rooms consistently.
- Professional staff ensuring every aspect of camp runs smoothly.
Accommodations are designed to let hunters experience Africa without sacrificing comfort. You return from long days in the bush to a hot shower, a clean room, and a meal prepared with care.
Dining & Hospitality
Meals on safari are part of the experience. At Dunhams and DGI camps, hospitality is built around both quality and tradition.
- Breakfasts — Served early, often around a fire before sunrise. Fresh bread, fruit, coffee, and warm dishes prepare hunters for the day ahead.
- Lunch — Depending on the concession, lunches are served back at camp or in the field. Hot meals are common, ensuring hunters stay fueled during long days.
- Evening Dinners — Multi-course meals shared around the table at camp. Often feature local game meats, grilled over open coals, paired with wine, beer, or soft drinks.
Hospitality is delivered with traditional African warmth. Evenings often include conversations with your Professional Hunter and fellow hunters. The day is reviewed, tomorrow’s plan is discussed, and the camaraderie builds.
Moderate alcohol is included, with premium spirits available for purchase locally. The rhythm of safari meals creates both comfort and structure—sustaining hunters physically while also enriching the cultural experience of Africa.
Why Hunters Choose Dunhams & DGI
Hunters from across the world choose Dunhams and DGI not just for the chance to pursue iconic African game, but for the structure, professionalism, and continuity behind the hunts.
- Multiple Countries & Concessions — South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Cameroon provide options to match every hunter’s goal.
- Professional Hunters (PHs) — Licensed, experienced PHs guide every hunt, backed by skilled trackers and skinners.
- Species Diversity — From kudu and impala in Limpopo to elephant in Botswana and buffalo in Zimbabwe, hunters can pursue both plains and dangerous game.
- Accommodations — Options range from 5-star tented camps to traditional fly camps, with daily laundry and hospitality staff in every concession.
- Client Loyalty — Many hunters return year after year, building on their first safari with new species or different countries.
When you choose Dunhams and DGI, you are choosing a safari system built on exclusivity, professionalism, and respect for Africa’s wildlife.
Preparing for Your Safari
Preparation makes a difference on safari. Once your hunt is reserved, DGI provides a pre-trip information packet covering all logistics. Hunters are advised to prepare in the following ways:
- Travel Documents — Valid passport is required. Some countries require visas; DGI will advise on specifics. Firearm import permits are arranged before travel. For species like elephant, buffalo, and leopard, CITES documentation is required.
- Clothing — Pack neutral colors like khaki, olive, or brown. Lightweight, breathable clothing works best in the heat, with warmer layers for cool mornings and evenings.
- Footwear — Lightweight boots for walking, plus sandals for use around camp.
- Gear — Quality binoculars are essential. A rangefinder is helpful. Shooting sticks are provided in camp, though hunters may bring their own if preferred.
- Health — Vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis may be recommended depending on country. DGI will advise based on concession location.
- Mindset — Safaris are both patient and active. Some days involve long tracking sessions, others require sitting quietly for hours. Hunters should be prepared for both.
Travel & Arrival Logistics
Each concession has unique travel requirements. DGI provides clear instructions and assists with arrangements.
- Northern Limpopo, South Africa — Fly into Polokwane Airport, then a 2.5-hour road transfer.
- Kalahari, South Africa — Approximately 8 hours by road from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo Airport, or 2 hours by charter flight.
- Kimberley, South Africa — 1-hour flight from OR Tambo to Kimberley, followed by a 30-minute road transfer.
- Bela Bela, South Africa — 2 hours by road from OR Tambo.
- Tuli Block, Botswana — 2.5 hours from Polokwane, 5 hours from Gauteng, or 4 hours from Gaborone by road.
- Chobe Region, Botswana — International flight into Gaborone, connect to Maun, then a 50-minute helicopter flight directly into camp.
- Zimbabwe & Zambia — Fly into capital cities such as Harare or Lusaka, then connect to regional airstrips or drive to camp.
Zimbabwe & Zambia — Fly into capital cities such as Harare or Lusaka, then connect to regional airstrips or drive to camp.
Trophy Care, Export & Shipping
African trophies require professional handling. DGI provides:
- Field skinning and salting immediately after recovery.
- Dip & Pack services by licensed export companies.
- CITES documentation arranged for dangerous game species such as elephant, buffalo, and leopard.
- Export coordination with international shippers to deliver trophies to the hunter’s chosen taxidermist.
Export coordination with international shippers to deliver trophies to the hunter’s chosen taxidermist.
Gear & Weather Notes
Africa’s climate varies by concession, but hunters should prepare for both hot days and cool mornings.
- Clothing — Neutral colors only. Avoid bright colors or camouflage not permitted by local laws.
- Layers — Early mornings in Limpopo or Tuli Block can be chilly; pack a fleece or jacket.
- Footwear — Lightweight, quiet boots suitable for long walks.
- Headgear — Wide-brim hat or cap for sun protection.
- Optics — Binoculars are essential; spotting scopes optional.
- Firearms — Medium calibers (.30-06, .300 Win Mag) for plains game; larger calibers (.375 H&H, .416 Rigby) required for dangerous game.
What’s Included
Every African safari with DGI and Dunhams includes:
- Licensed Professional Hunter (PH) services.
- Trackers and skinners.
- Lodging (luxury tented camps, lodges, chalets, or fly camps depending on concession).
- Meals & beverages (beer/wine included in moderation).
- Daily laundry service.
- Field preparation of trophies.
- Hunting vehicles and in-concession transport.
- Full travel guidance and support before arrival.
Exclusions: International flights, taxidermy, shipping, gratuities, and optional excursions are not included.
What a Day Feels Like
An African safari doesn’t follow a script, but it does follow a rhythm.
- Pre-dawn: The camp is still. A knock on the tent flap or a call outside the chalet signals the day has begun. Coffee is ready, and breakfast is simple but satisfying. The air is cool, sometimes even crisp, as hunters gather their gear.
- The drive: The sun rises quickly in Africa. The truck bounces along sand tracks or dirt roads as your Professional Hunter and tracker point out spoor from the night before—elephant tracks in the dust, buffalo droppings still fresh, or the faint outline of leopard pads. Every sign tells a story, and every story adds direction to the plan.
- Mid-morning: Hours may be spent on foot, following tracks across open ground or weaving through mopane thickets. The tracker leads with quiet precision, reading the ground in ways that seem instinctive. The pace may quicken when sign is fresh. Then, suddenly, you slow to a crawl, hearts racing, as movement stirs ahead.
- The encounter: It might be a herd of kudu feeding along a treeline, a line of elephants crossing a dry riverbed, or a buffalo bull staring from the shadows. The scale of the animals, the vastness of the landscape, and the intensity of the moment make everything feel bigger. Shots are taken only when your PH confirms conditions are right—ethical, safe, and clear.
- Evening return: Back at camp, lanterns glow. A fire crackles in the boma. Hunters gather for dinner—freshly prepared, hearty meals often featuring game. Wine, beer, and soft drinks accompany stories of the day. Plans for tomorrow are discussed openly. The African night is alive with sound—crickets, nightjars, and sometimes the distant roar of a lion. Sleep comes quickly, carried by anticipation of what tomorrow may bring.
This is what a day on safari feels like: moments of calm, bursts of adrenaline, and memories etched permanently into your story as a hunter.
Beyond Africa: Back to Canada with Dunhams
For many hunters, Africa is the dream. For others, it’s just the beginning of a larger journey. Dunhams also operates Canada’s largest private ranch for whitetail and elk hunts in Saskatchewan. Many hunters who first join DGI in Africa return to Canada for another premium experience, confident in the professionalism and continuity that define the Dunhams.
Whether it’s chasing bulls in Saskatchewan or following elephants through Botswana’s river systems, hunters know the service and clarity will be the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
Each concession has its own travel plan. DGI provides detailed instructions. Limpopo and Bela Bela are road transfers; Kimberley is reached by commercial flight then short drive; Kalahari requires a long drive or charter; Chobe requires a helicopter from Maun.
Professional hunter, trackers, skinners, lodging, meals, beer/wine in moderation, daily laundry, hunting vehicles, and trophy field prep.
International flights, visas, taxidermy, trophy shipping, gratuities, and optional excursions.
This depends on concession. Limpopo offers kudu, impala, warthog; Kalahari includes gemsbok, springbok, and lion; Kimberley offers sable, roan, buffalo; Botswana offers elephant and plains game; Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Cameroon focus on dangerous game.
Yes. Every concession runs on a quota system. Once filled, no more licenses are issued until the following year.
Plains game: medium calibers like .30-06 or .300 Win Mag. Dangerous game: .375 H&H or larger, as required by law.
Yes, companions can join for an additional fee, depending on camp capacity. Some concessions (like Bela Bela or Kimberley) are better suited for companions due to lodge amenities.
CITES is an international permit system for transporting trophies of certain species (like elephant, buffalo, and leopard). DGI arranges the paperwork to ensure trophies are legally exported.
Depending on concession, vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis may be recommended. DGI will provide guidance. Camps have radios, vehicles, and evacuation plans as required.
South African concessions are usually 2–8 hours from airports by road or a short flight. Botswana’s Chobe requires more complex transfers (flight + helicopter). Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Cameroon require international flights to capitals and regional transfers.
Ready to Plan Your African Safari?
This is your invitation to hunt Africa with Dunhams and Dangerous Game Inc. (DGI). From plains game in South Africa to elephants in Botswana and buffalo in Zimbabwe, hunters have access to some of the most iconic concessions in the world. Accommodations range from luxury tented camps to traditional fly camps, with professional PHs, trackers, and skinners guiding every step.
Hunts are limited by quota. Once the licenses for a species are filled, no additional hunts are added until the following year. That exclusivity keeps the experience authentic and sustainable.
If you’ve been waiting for the right time to hunt Africa, this is your opportunity. Step into a system built for clarity, professionalism, and results.
“The professionalism was unmatched. My PH, trackers, and skinners worked as a seamless team. I left with trophies I will never forget and memories even more valuable.”