Based in Victoria Falls in northwest Zimbabwe, Richard Cooke Safaris offers hunting in some of the top unfenced concessions available in Zimbabwe. The two main areas we hunt are Matetsi Safari Area, and the Ngamo-Sikumi Forest block on the Eastern border of Hwange National Park. Both of these blocks are very good for big-maned lion, leopard and buffalo. Ngamo Forest is arguably the best area in Zimbabwe to hunt big elephants without having to patrol National Park boundaries. At any one time the area hosts a resident elephant population estimated at between 1000 and 4000 animals. Most bulls hunted are around the 50-pound mark, but 60, 70 and even occasionally 80 pounders are taken.

Richard Cooke Safaris is very involved with the conservation of these hunting areas, anti-poaching operations, game water supply and management, working very closely with the department of National Parks and the Forestry Commission. As a result, game populations in our blocks are very healthy and increasing. The annual quota we offer is 12 elephants, 24 buffalo, 2 lions, 5 leopard, 10 sable, plus a good selection of plains-game animal species. These quotas are very carefully monitored and controlled (and kept very conservative) by National Parks and ourselves.

The areas are within easy driving distance of Vic Falls town and the international airport.

Matetsi Unit 4 (120 000 acres unfenced) is 45 minutes’ drive

Ngamo-Sikumi Forest (420 000 acres unfenced) is three hours’ drive

A family-owned and run operation, Richard and Belinda take care to ensure the smooth running of safaris and complete satisfaction of all their hunting clients. Regular professional hunters are Richard Cooke, Tim Ellement and Dean Peel, all living in Vic Falls.