Tanzania remains one of Africa's premier destinations for big game hunting safaris. Professional hunter Brian Van Blerk, licensed in Tanzania since 2001, offers exclusive hunts for lion, leopard, Cape buffalo, and elephant across some of the country's finest concession blocks.
Why Tanzania for Big Game
Tanzania is the birthplace of the African safari. The country's hunting heritage stretches back to the earliest days of East African exploration, and its vast wilderness areas remain some of the most productive and exciting hunting grounds in Africa. With over 300,000 square kilometres of designated hunting blocks, Tanzania offers a scale of wilderness hunting that is unmatched anywhere on the continent.
What makes Tanzania exceptional is the combination of species diversity, trophy quality, and sheer wildness. The country holds healthy populations of lion, leopard, Cape buffalo, and elephant, alongside East African species not available in southern Africa: lesser kudu, gerenuk, topi, Grant's and Thomson's gazelle, and the East African oryx (fringe-eared). For the serious trophy hunter, Tanzania is a destination that must be experienced.
Tanzania is also one of the few remaining countries in Africa that still permits lion hunting on quota. Lion quotas are strictly managed, and the hunting of young or pride males is prohibited. Only mature lions, typically those aged six years or older as determined by dentition and mane development, are eligible for harvest. This careful management has helped maintain healthy lion populations in Tanzania's hunting blocks.
Brian Van Blerk has held a Tanzania professional hunter's licence since 2001. He has conducted numerous safaris across the country's premier hunting blocks, building relationships with operators, game scouts, and local communities that ensure every hunt runs smoothly. His experience in both Zimbabwe and Tanzania gives clients a rare advantage: a professional hunter who understands the differences in terrain, animal behaviour, and logistics between southern and East African hunting.
Species Available in Tanzania
Tanzania's hunting areas support an extraordinary diversity of game species. Brian Van Blerk's Tanzania safaris can include:
- Lion: Tanzania is one of the last strongholds for quota lion hunting in Africa. Strict age-based regulations ensure only mature males are harvested. Brian has taken 56 trophy lions across his career.
- Leopard: Hunted over bait in the same patient, methodical style Brian employs in Zimbabwe. Tanzania's leopard are often larger-bodied than their southern African counterparts.
- Cape Buffalo: Tanzania buffalo herds can be massive, sometimes numbering in the hundreds. Tracking a mature dagga boy from a large herd is one of hunting's greatest challenges.
- Elephant: Tanzania holds significant elephant populations. Hunting is conducted on foot, often requiring multiple days of tracking through remote miombo woodland.
- East African Plains Game: Lesser kudu, gerenuk, East African eland, sable, roan, oryx, Grant's gazelle, Thomson's gazelle, topi, hartebeest, and many more. Several of these species are unique to East Africa and cannot be hunted anywhere else.
Tanzania Concessions and Blocks
Tanzania's hunting areas are divided into government-allocated concession blocks, each managed by a licensed hunting operator. Blocks are allocated through a competitive bidding process overseen by the Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA). Each block has strict quotas for every species, and operators must demonstrate sustainable management practices to retain their allocations.
The best hunting blocks in Tanzania are vast, often exceeding 1,000 square kilometres of unfenced wilderness. Many are accessible only by light aircraft, which adds to the sense of remoteness and adventure. Camps are typically semi-permanent tented structures set up near water sources, with all supplies brought in by vehicle or aircraft.
Brian selects blocks based on trophy quality, wildlife density, and the integrity of the concession management. He works with operators who share his commitment to sustainable hunting and community benefit. This approach ensures that every Tanzania safari is conducted in an area with healthy, wild populations and genuine hunting conditions.
TAHOA Membership and Standards
Brian Van Blerk is a member of the Tanzania Hunting Operators Association (TAHOA), the professional body representing licensed hunting outfitters in Tanzania. TAHOA members adhere to a code of conduct that covers ethical hunting practices, conservation commitment, and client safety standards.
TAHOA works closely with the Tanzania government to ensure that hunting remains a sustainable and valuable tool for wildlife conservation. The association advocates for science-based quota setting, anti-poaching support, and community benefit programmes in hunting areas.
Best Time to Hunt Tanzania
Tanzania's hunting season runs from July to December. The best time to hunt depends on your target species and preferred conditions:
July to September (Early Season)
The bush is drying out and animals concentrate around remaining water sources. Excellent for buffalo, lion, and leopard. Temperatures are moderate and comfortable.
October to November (Mid Season)
Peak dry conditions. Animals are highly concentrated at water. Excellent for elephant and buffalo. Can be hot in low-lying areas.
December (Late Season)
Early rains begin in some areas, which can create unique opportunities as animals shift their patterns. Some blocks remain productive through December.
How to Book a Tanzania Hunting Safari
- 1Contact Brian to discuss your Tanzania hunting goals, target species, and preferred dates.
- 2Brian will recommend the best block and operator for your objectives and put together a detailed proposal.
- 3All permits, licences, charter flights, and logistics are handled by Brian's team.
- 4Fly into your concession, meet the team, and begin your East African hunting adventure.
Tanzania Hunting FAQ
Ready to Hunt Tanzania?
Contact Brian Van Blerk to plan your Tanzania hunting safari.