A must for every nature lover, a bellwether for emerging ecological issues, and the crucial role of safari in conservation
by Jay Roberts
As a hunter, I’ve always said, “there’s no reason to go on just a photo safari; you can take pictures while you’re hunting.” With that mindset, I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy a purely photographic safari.
Well, I was totally wrong. I loved it. I’ve just returned from an epic three-week stint in Africa. The first two weeks were spent hunting with my eldest son, brother, and nephew. The last week was a photographic safari through Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park with my immediate family and eighteen other family friends.
Photographic safaris are incredible—even for hunters, especially if added onto the end of a hunting safari. I learned a lot and confirmed some beliefs from my seven African safaris. First, there is an emerging ecological issue rarely discussed: overpopulation of certain endangered species in Africa. Second, safari tourism—both photographic and hunting—is vital for conservation and African communities. Third, hunting safaris remain one of the best tools for balancing economic impact, conservation, and ecology.
The Photo Safari
The photo safari was actually my favorite part of the trip. It was relaxing, filled with camaraderie, and full of unforgettable sights and experiences. Every step of the safari was handled smoothly by Imvelo Safaris staff, allowing us to relax completely. That’s why we use them at Shoshone.
We started in Victoria Falls, one of the safest and most tourist-friendly locations in Africa. Victoria Falls, located on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, is one of the largest and most famous waterfalls in the world. Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya—“The Smoke That Thunders”—it is formed by the Zambezi River plunging over a basalt cliff 108 meters (354 feet) high and stretching about a mile wide. The falls create a stunning spectacle, with massive spray, roaring sound, and ever-present rainbows. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Victoria Falls offers activities like whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, and scenic flights. Neither words nor pictures do justice to the falls, which plummet from ground level into a massive gorge.
The helicopter tour, walking tour, and dinner cruise on the Zambezi are must-dos.
After a day and a half in Victoria Falls, we headed to Hwange National Park for six days. Hwange, in northwestern Zimbabwe, is the country’s largest and oldest game reserve, covering over 14,600 square kilometers. Renowned for its diverse wildlife, Hwange is especially famous for its large elephant population—one of the largest in Africa. The park hosts more than 100 mammal species, including lions, leopards, African wild dogs, and over 400 bird species. Its mix of savanna, woodland, and semi-desert landscapes makes it a premier safari destination. Huge herds of elephants and buffalo were encountered daily. We saw the Big 5—lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, and rhino—plus cheetah.
The northern part of Hwange is thick mopane veld, while the southern portion is more open savanna. Because of exclusive concessions operated by our tour operator, you rarely encounter other people. Animals are accustomed to safari vehicles, allowing for surreal, up-close game viewing. However, the area is wild, and tour operators remain hyper-vigilant when guests exit vehicles. My family later reflected that it was the best trip we’ve ever taken. Hunters should not hesitate to add a photo safari to their itinerary—especially after a hunt with a reputable operator.
The Hwange Elephant Dilemma and Emerging Lion Issue
It didn’t take long to notice that there are a lot of elephants in Hwange—and I mean A LOT. Estimates put the population between 45,000–55,000, while ecologists suggest the park can sustainably support around 15,000. Elephants are intelligent, emotional, and destructive creatures. They eat many trees—especially mopane—and knock down trees for fun. In northern Hwange, 95% of the mopane trees have been snapped off to head height by elephants.
This overpopulation threatens ecological balance and poses issues for lions as well. Habitat degradation affects other species dependent on woodlands, including giraffe, kudu, birds, and insects. Overgrazing reduces grasses and shrubs, impacting small antelope and ground-nesting birds. Predator-prey balance is disrupted, and increasing human-wildlife conflicts occur as elephants and lions expand beyond park boundaries.
Reasons include decreased local poaching, absence of natural predators for mature elephants, artificial waterholes that prevent seasonal migration, and no culling programs within the park. Without intervention, Hwange risks reaching an ecological tipping point where habitat damage could become irreversible.
Potential solutions include culling, regulated hunting, translocation, contraception, and rewilding migration corridors. Each comes with financial, logistical, and political challenges. Hunting and culling can serve as management tools if done carefully. Translocation is costly and limited by available land. Contraception is impractical for large populations. Rewilding corridors is viable long-term but requires regional cooperation and careful management.
Lion overpopulation is also a concern, leading to scarcity of plains game. This issue extends beyond Hwange to Kruger National Park in South Africa and Chobe National Park in Botswana, where elephant populations far exceed carrying capacity.
The Critical Role of Safari for Conservation and African Economies
Safaris play a critical role in both conservation and local economies. Many rural areas in Africa have few economic alternatives. Without safari tourism, communities may turn to poaching or unsustainable farming. In places like Coutada 11, strong management allows wildlife populations to thrive while supporting local livelihoods and conservation.
Photographic safaris contribute to these efforts by supporting infrastructure, schools, jobs, and anti-poaching programs. Safari tourism creates an economic incentive to protect natural resources and sustain wildlife populations.
Hunting Remains the Best Tool for Sustainable Conservation
Regulated hunting remains the most effective tool for balancing conservation, economics, and ecological integrity. Hunting generates revenue that supports communities, protected areas, wildlife monitoring, and anti-poaching programs.
Examples include Namibia’s Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) program and Zimbabwe’s CAMPFIRE initiative, both linking hunting revenues to community development and wildlife protection. Hunting also provides food, reduces environmental impact, and manages wildlife populations sustainably. On average, one person on a hunting safari generates as much revenue as 6–10 people on a photo safari, reducing vehicles, carbon footprint, and habitat disturbance.
The next time someone criticizes legal hunting or questions its conservation value, remind them: safari tourism, especially hunting safaris, is a vital economic and ecological tool that protects wildlife, habitats, and human communities alike.
