How Many Countries in Africa Allow Lion Trophy Hunting?

Lion trophy hunting is permitted under regulated hunting frameworks in a limited number of African countries. The exact number can change because hunting seasons, quotas, concessions, export rules and national wildlife policies are periodically revised.

Countries that have historically offered regulated lion trophy hunting opportunities include Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, South Africa and Mozambique, with availability depending on the specific hunting area and current regulations.

Lion Trophy Hunting in Tanzania

Tanzania is one of Africa’s major regulated lion-hunting destinations. Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA) identifies trophy hunting as a regulated wildlife-use activity and issues hunting permits and related trophy documentation.

Tanzania’s tourist-hunting regulations specifically regulate lion hunting. Under the published regulations, a lion below six years of age may not be hunted, with penalties applying to violations.

Premium Lion Hunting Safari

A premium Tanzania lion hunt can be structured as:

• 1 Hunter × 1 Professional Hunter (1×1)
• Premium hunting license
• Dedicated 4×4 hunting vehicle
• Professional trackers and skinners
• Fully equipped hunting camp
• Full-board meals
• Laundry service
• Field trophy preparation
• Trophy measurement and documentation
• Applicable hunting permits
• Trophy export documentation

Lion Trophy Fee

1 Hunter × 1 Professional Hunter (1×1)

Trophy fees for additional species are charged separately according to the applicable official trophy-fee schedule.

Why Tanzania for Lion Hunting?

Tanzania has a particularly important role in African lion conservation and regulated hunting. TAWA describes Tanzania as having one of Africa’s largest big-game populations and ranks it first globally in lion population in its hunting-tourism information.

Lion hunting, however, is not unrestricted. Hunting must occur within authorized hunting areas under the appropriate permit, quota and applicable regulations. TAWA’s current law-and-regulations page also lists the 2024 Tourist Hunting Regulations, so current requirements should always be confirmed before a safari is sold or booked.

Important Note

Rather than advertising a fixed number of African countries as a permanent figure, it is safer to say:

“Several African countries permit regulated lion trophy hunting under national wildlife laws, quotas and hunting concessions. Tanzania is one of the continent’s principal destinations for regulated lion hunting.”