04 — Lion

Lion Hunting in Africa

Free-range lion in Zimbabwe's Deka area, late season, taken on government quota, no captive-bred, no canned.

Inquire about a hunt

Lion is hunted free-range in Deka, late in the season, strictly on the government quota Zimbabwe allocates each year. There's no put-and-take here, genuinely wild lion on genuinely wild land.

Martin Neuper, an Austrian outfitter and PH who has known Johan since the early 2000s, puts Johan's success rate on lion and leopard at close to 100%.

25+
years a licensed PH
Deka
core lion ground
On quota
free-range, government-set
METHOD

Free-range, late season, on quota

Lion hunting runs late in the season when game concentrates on water in Deka. Every lion taken is against Zimbabwe's government-set quota, free-range, no fences, no captive stock.

Where it happens

ZIMBABWE

Deka

Free-range lion country, hunted late season alongside elephant.

Season — Best in the colder months, June and July, when bait lasts longer in the heat. As with all dangerous game, check with Johan which area suits your dates.

Trophy — Mane development varies significantly by area. Johan only takes lion five years and older, in line with Zimbabwe's minimum age requirement.

From the field

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A free-range lion taken at night

Common questions about lion hunting

Is lion hunting in Zimbabwe free-range?+
Yes. Every lion Johan hunts is free-range, in Deka, taken only against Zimbabwe's government-set quota. Martin Neuper, an Austrian outfitter who has worked with Johan since the early 2000s, rates his success rate on lion and leopard at close to 100%.
What caliber do I need for lion?+
A .375 or larger is required for dangerous game. Johan's own rifles and ammunition are available to hire, properly sighted in and ready to go, if you'd rather not travel with your own.
How does trophy export work for lion?+
Field preparation is handled as part of the safari. A registered export agent then handles the CITES paperwork lion requires (a listed species) and freights the trophy to your taxidermist, a process that typically takes several months.
What age lion does Johan take?+
Only mature lion, five years and older, in line with Zimbabwe's minimum age requirement. Mane development varies significantly by area.
When's the best time to hunt lion in Zimbabwe?+
The colder months, June and July, when bait lasts longer in the heat. As with all dangerous game, check with Johan which area suits your dates.

“I have known Johan since the early 2000s, he was our main PH at Buffalo Trails and later at HHK Safaris, where he is still one of the top hunters today. In all those years we never had a bad reference out of his safaris. He is one of the best professional hunters in Africa: his knowledge is superb, and he is honest, straight, loyal and great fun in camp. His success rate on lion and leopard is close to 100%, and he knows elephant and buffalo hunting as well as anyone. So many of our clients rebooked just to hunt with him again. If you plan a safari in Zimbabwe, Johan is your PH, you will have a dream hunt.”

Martin Neuper — Outfitter & Professional Hunter · FN Hunting, Austria & Hungary · Vice-President, IPHA
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INQUIRE

Tell Johan what you want to hunt.

No price lists, no pressure, a real conversation about the lion hunt that fits you. Replies usually within a day.

Johan takes on a limited number of hunts each season, some seasons are booked out a year or two in advance.

Email JohanWhatsApp +263 71 222 1402