The Hunting Consortium

African Elephant

Elephant hunting is the most exciting form of big game hunting in the world! The African elephant is the largest game animal on earth and the undisputed leader of the African “Big Five”. Elephant are the only big-game that one is likely to shoot up at, on level ground, while standing less than 30 yards away. Fortunately, modern wildlife management has provided for the safety of this great game animal and its numbers are secure, and increasing. In fact, in several countries over-population is a real threat to ecosystems in Botswana, Zimbabwe, and in South Africa.

Wisdom From Experience

The Hunting Consortium Ltd. offers its clients unparalleled experience in Africa, having arranged safaris for more than 30 years. Bob Kern has owned safari companies in South Africa and Tanzania and personally knows every operator we recommend. Bob Kern and members of his experienced staff have personally hunted every area offered by The Hunting Consortium Ltd. Bob Kern or a member of his staff visit the hunting areas frequently to keep our information current. The Hunting Consortium is uniquely qualified to assist clients in any realistic hunting desire or aspiration in Africa.

The Hunting Consortium Ltd. offers elephant hunts in a number of countries; here are some of the better choices:

Botswana

Botswana is the most popular destination for elephant hunters and the over-population there ensures a wide selection of bulls. During the past decade this country has produced the heaviest ivory of all countries in which elephant hunting may occur. Although Botswana was never famous for 100 pound elephants in the hey-days of ivory hunting, numerous bulls can grow to old age there, an essential factor in producing large, dense, ivory. The average tusk weight taken in Botswana is now between 58 and 68 pounds (per tusk), with exceptional elephants of over 80 pounds being taken each year by the best operators. Clients are sure to see hundreds of elephants during a 10 day hunt.

Tanzania

Although Tanzania is generally regarded as the most expensive country for elephant hunting safaris, there is no equal to the beauty of East African ivory, which tends to be longer and thinner than ivory from Southern Africa, and also has a milky, fine-grained appearance found nowhere else. After disastrous poaching in the 1970's and 1980's, the elephant population in Tanzania is rapidly recovering. The best elephant hunters are now reporting consistent success at finding trophies in the 50 to 60 pound range. Occasionally elephants of up to 80 pounds are also being encountered. Elephant are only allowed on safari licenses of 21 days and longer.

Zambia

Elephant hunting was reopened in this country in 2005 after a closure of more than 20 years. The elephant population in Zambia, like that in neighboring Tanzania, was heavily damaged during the poaching of the 1970s and 1980s. Nowadays the population has recovered well and hunters report a good selection of bulls during their hunts. The harvest quotas are small and not all areas in the country produce good results.

Zimbabwe

During the last decade Zimbabwe has been the most popular destination for elephant hunters. Prices are more modest there than elsewhere and the quality of ivory, at least with the leading operators, has been remarkably uniform, safari to safari, year after year. This country continues to produce good trophy quality elephants with tusk weights between 40 and 55 pounds. The best professional hunters have constant success rates of nearly 100%.

At the moment prices in Zimbabwe are depressed due to the on-going political crisis. The large, remote tribal and government concessions where elephant hunting takes place are still safe for foreign travelers (Bob Kern, or a member of his staff, travels to Zimbabwe every year to verify that the security situation is satisfactory.)

Namibia

The reopening of government concessions in the Caprivi Strip in northern Namibia have been a great asset to elephant hunters. This area is a heavily populated with elephant, as is the northern part of neighboring Botswana. Studies of regional migrations of elephants indicate that these animals in fact move between Botswana and the Caprivi Strip on a seasonal basis. Ivory in Namibia is usually of the short, thick variety, weighing on average between 45 and 65 pounds. Several large trophies over 70 pound are taken every year. Prices in Namibia are more modest than in Botswana.

Mozambique

This country’s game numbers were heavily damaged during the civil war in the 1990s, and elephants were especially hard hit. Some areas however, were virtually untouched by the fighting and many others have now recovered. There are good numbers of elephants now in the north of the country in and around the huge Niassa Reserve. Mozambique was never famous for 100 pound elephants, but good trophies in the 55 - 65 pound range can be expected, with the occasional trophy over 80 pounds. Three elephants weighing over the magic 100 pound mark have been taken in the last three years - all of them in the northern coutadas.

Mozambique is also a good choice for buffalo, lion and leopard. It offers perhaps the best VALUE in mixed bag big game hunting today. Prices will undoubtedly rise in coming years as this country regains its former reputation and a great safari venue.

Camps

Although camps vary from place to place, clients will usually have a typical, large safari tent or bungalow made of natural materials, with en-suite toilet and shower facilities. Dinners are elegantly set up in dining areas which are set in the most beautiful of places. An experienced staff caters to your every need. Great meals are the rule, often prepared from wild game and fresh locally grown vegetables and salads. Daily laundry service is available.

Travel Arrangements

As a full service travel agency, the Hunting Consortium routinely arranges all necessary international and local flights, air charters where necessary, and hotel reservations, as well as assisting our clients in obtaining the necessary visa and firearm import permit. Our 30+ years of experience in arranging safaris and safari travel is your guarantee for a trouble-free experience.

"Bob Kern and the Hunting Consortium have arranged many highly successful and memorable hunts for me. The service is dedicated and meticulous, and the advice & insights invaluable. I can recommend them without hesitation."

-Abigail Day

I would be raw meat in a pool of sharks, without Bob’s sage direction and advice. There is no way that the businessman/hunter can even begin to navigate these convoluted and dangerous safari waters without Hunting Consortium at the tiller. I owe the Hunting Consortium team for the most wonderful and successful experiences of my hunting life! Especially during the economic recession, when outfitters and safari companies are struggling to survive and the temptation to overstate capabilities is often overwhelming, the Hunting Consortium’s experience and first hand knowledge of the operators and their areas is even more valuable and important to the planning and purchase of expensive hunts.

-Ray Paolucci

Wherever in the world my hunting dreams take me, I know that Corey and Bob will have everything well-organized. Their amazing knowledge and continuous research has put me in a position to take some truly extraordinary trophies, with the very best guides in the hunting world today. Nobody knows more about the game and the world of hunting than these guys and the travel team at the Hunting Consortium is unlike any I have ever used. They know from personal experience how to get someone into and out of the most remote places in the world and they keep up with the ever-changing regulations concerning hunting, firearms and travel options. This is the most “can-do” team I have ever worked with in hunting! They have risked their reputation and their very lives to blaze your trail. If you’re not booking with The Hunting Consortium, it’s most likely your loss and someone else’s gain. You sure can’t do any better - their word is good!

-Lary Knowlton