Chapungu-Kambako Safaris is one of Southern Africa’s leading south african hunting safari operations, delivering tailor-made hunts across Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The story began in Zimbabwe in 1991 with the founding of Chapungu Safaris, before expanding into South Africa in 1999 and later joining forces with Kambako Safaris in Mozambique in 2010.Today, the operation spans more than 3.5 million acres of carefully managed wildlife concessions and offers access to more than 50 dangerous game and plains game species, including Cape buffalo, leopard, lion, elephant, sable, roan, nyala, kudu, eland and oryx.
For Jacques and the Chapungu-Kambako team, a safari is about far more than the trophy. It is about wild places, experienced people, responsible wildlife management and the kind of moments that stay with clients long after the hunting trip is over.
My connection with the African bush began during my early childhood. Growing up, I developed a deep passion for wildlife and the raw beauty of our natural habitats, which naturally led me into the hunting industry.
Today, as the owner and director of Chapungu-Kambako Safaris, I have the opportunity to turn that lifelong passion into world-class experiences for our clients.I completed a demanding professional hunting apprenticeship in Zimbabwe, where I developed the bushcraft and skills required for big game hunting. Throughout my career, I have also drawn inspiration from the stories, biographies and ethics of some of history’s most respected hunters.
When someone hunts with me, they can expect deeply ingrained bushcraft, uncompromising professionalism and a calm, steady approach, particularly in demanding situations. That commitment has helped us build lasting relationships with our clients. Around 90% return to hunt with us again, often becoming lifelong friends and hunting partners.
I have been hunting for 30 years.
My journey into hunting began with a deep love for nature and a commitment to conservation.From a young age, I was fascinated by the African bush and its wildlife. As I grew older, I came to understand that ethical hunting is not simply a pursuit. It can also be an important tool for habitat preservation, sustainable wildlife management and the support of rural communities.
That understanding led me to make the bush my life’s work as a professional hunter and outfitter.
Our journey began in Zimbabwe in 1991 with the founding of Chapungu Safaris. In 1999, we expanded our primary operations into South Africa, giving our clients access to an even greater range of landscapes and hunting opportunities.
A major milestone came in 2010 when Chapungu joined forces with Kambako Safaris in Mozambique. This partnership allowed us to combine decades of experience, bushcraft and operational resources.
Today, Chapungu-Kambako Safaris operates across five Southern African countries: Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Across these destinations, our clients have access to more than 3.5 million acres of carefully managed wildlife concessions and over 50 species of dangerous big game and plains game.
Our dangerous game opportunities include Cape buffalo, leopard, lion, elephant, crocodile and hippo. We also offer exceptional plains game hunting for species such as sable, roan, nyala, kudu, eland and oryx.
Every hunting safari is guided by our commitment to conservation through sustainable utilisation. We believe responsible hunting has an important role to play in protecting wildlife, preserving habitat and ensuring Africa’s hunting heritage continues for generations to come.
For me, the true reward of hunting and guiding is not simply the harvest. It is the journey and the profound connection with the wild. I love the challenge of fair-chase tracking, where every sense becomes heightened and you begin to move within the natural rhythm of the African bush.
As a guide, my greatest satisfaction comes from sharing that experience with others. There is nothing quite like watching someone encounter the sights, sounds and suspense of the bush for the first time.
Guiding also gives me the opportunity to mentor other hunters, encourage a deeper respect for sustainable conservation and create memories that are often shared around the campfire for many years. It is more than a profession. It is a calling to protect the wild places I call home and preserve the hunting traditions that have shaped my life.
A strong outfitter partnership is built around three essential pillars: uncompromising client service, exceptional trophy quality and deep operational experience.
Outstanding client service means anticipating each guest’s needs from the moment they make an inquiry until their trophies arrive home. Every part of the journey should feel seamless, personal and carefully considered.
Maintaining world-class trophy quality requires disciplined, sustainable concession management. This ensures hunters are consistently pursuing mature animals while supporting the long-term health of the wider population. Experience is equally important. A seasoned outfitter must provide calm leadership, absolute attention to safety and the ability to coordinate complex logistics across different properties and countries.
When those three elements come together, they create the foundation for a successful safari and a lasting hunting partnership.
The trip has been absolutely spectacular and exceeded all expectations.
I had an incredibly successful hunt and was fortunate to take several phenomenal species, including red stag, elk, Himalayan tahr and Arapawa ram.
The terrain, the tracking and the overall experience made it an unforgettable adventure.
My relationship with Venator is built on mutual loyalty, complete trust and exceptional professionalism.
Over the years, the team’s commitment to our shared goals has earned my confidence. Venator consistently operates to an incredibly high standard, with seamless execution, reliability and a structured approach to every part of the experience.
It is rare to find a team that combines this level of professional excellence with such a genuine commitment to personal relationships.
That combination makes my continued partnership with Venator a natural choice.
Jacques and the Chapungu-Kambako team share Venator’s belief that world-class hunting is built on far more than trophy quality alone.
It requires experienced people, carefully managed wildlife, exceptional hospitality and a genuine commitment to the hunters who place their trust in us.
Chapungu-Kambako Safaris represents the kind of outfitting operation we admire: experienced, considered and committed to delivering an exceptional hunting experience.
To learn more about Jacques and Chapungu-Kambako Safaris, visit chapungu-kambako.com.
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