Dangerous Game
Big Five & Dangerous Game
Marula's own reserve is home to our own-bred, free-range Cape buffalo — a genuine member of the Big Five, hunted fair-chase on foot in malaria-free Limpopo. For the rest of the Big Five, we do something better than pretend: through trusted, vetted partner concessions we arrange wild lion, leopard and elephant as part of your safari — coordinated, permitted and hosted end-to-end by Marula, so you deal with one team for the whole trip.
On our own ground
The buffalo portion of your Big Five safari happens here, on Marula's own reserve. This is the real thing — our own herd, no put-and-take, no released animals, no bought-in trophies for the week.
- Cape Buffalo — own-bred, free-range, fair-chase on 24,700 malaria-free acres. Trophy bulls and cow/cull hunts run from the sole-occupancy Buffalo Tented Camp with a senior PHASA professional hunter and backup rifle. Trophy bull hunts · Cow & cull hunts.
Arranged through trusted partners
Lion, leopard and elephant are not on Marula's own ground — and we will never pretend otherwise. We arrange them for you on reputable partner concessions we know personally, with the same standards of ethics, professionalism and fair-chase we apply to our own hunts.
- Wild Lion — free-range, ethical, genuinely wild lion on reputable partner concessions only. We do not offer captive-bred or "canned" lion — ever. If an operator cannot prove the lion are truly wild, we will not send you there.
- Leopard — free-range leopard hunted over bait on CITES quota. Importable to the USA with the correct CITES permit; we handle the paperwork with our partner concession.
- Elephant — mature bulls on partner concessions with genuine, huntable populations. Honest note: US import of South African elephant trophies is currently restricted, so a US hunter may not be able to bring the trophy home. We will advise you fully on the current position before you book.
- Hippo & Crocodile — available on partner waters, arranged on request as add-ons to a buffalo or Big Five itinerary.
- Other dangerous game is available by private arrangement — contact Chris directly.
One team, one itinerary
Whatever you add to your safari, Marula coordinates it. We handle the permits, the professional hunter, transfers between concessions, licences, rifle logistics and camp arrangements — so you book, plan and pay through one trusted outfitter. You hunt the plains-game and buffalo portion here on our own ground, and we move you seamlessly to partner concessions for the rest of the Big Five.
This concierge approach is the same one we use for our exclusive-use safaris and signature packages — one team, one point of contact, one integrated itinerary.
Our ethics
Genuinely wild. Fair-chase. Always.
Everything we arrange is genuinely wild and fair-chase. We do not do canned or put-and-take hunts, and we only ever partner with operators we would hunt with ourselves. If we would not put our own name on it, we will not send you there.
Full pricelist · USD
Get the full 2026/27 pricelist
Buffalo trophy tiers, plains-game fees, daily rates and combo pricing — one PDF, straight to your inbox. Lion, leopard and elephant quoted individually on enquiry.
Big Five hunting FAQs
Are the buffalo on your own property?
Yes. The Cape buffalo you hunt at Marula are our own free-range, own-bred herd on 24,700 malaria-free acres near Steenbokpan in the Limpopo Valley. They are not bought-in or released for the hunt — this is a genuine breeding herd, hunted fair-chase on foot.
Is your lion wild or captive-bred?
Only wild, free-range lion — never captive-bred and never canned. We arrange lion hunts exclusively on vetted partner concessions with genuinely wild lion populations. If an operator cannot demonstrate that clearly, we do not work with them.
Can I import a leopard or elephant trophy to the USA?
Leopard: yes, with the correct CITES export permit and quota, US import is generally possible — we handle the permits with our partner concessions. Elephant: US import of South African elephant trophies is currently restricted, so a US hunter may not be able to bring the trophy home. We will advise you fully on the current position before you book.
Can I hunt the whole Big Five in one trip?
Yes. We coordinate Cape buffalo on our own ground and arrange wild lion, leopard and elephant on trusted partner concessions — all planned and hosted as one Marula itinerary, with one team looking after you from start to finish.
Start planning your Big Five safari
Lion, leopard and elephant quotas are limited and booked well in advance. Tell us which species you would like to add to your buffalo hunt and when you want to travel — we will build the itinerary around you and be honest about what is and isn't possible.
See also: Cape Buffalo Hunting · Buffalo Cow & Cull · Buffalo & Sable Package · Exclusive-Use Safari
Guest Reviews
What our guests say
Unedited entries from our visitors' book. Names shown as initials to protect our guests' privacy.
“Thank you so much for hosting us on this hunt. This has become my home away from home a number of times, and if you'll have me, I hope to come even more times in the future!”
“WOW — I have a new family. Every day a warm smile. I learnt so much about South Africa. Can't wait to save up to come back. Thank you Marula family!”
“Overwhelmed with daily love and accepted with open arms. Not one day without a smile. This place is like a paradise that you never want to leave.”
“Uniquely spectacular! Wow! This was truly a trip of a lifetime. We felt welcomed, cared for and definitely pampered. The rustic elegance of this setting is beyond compare. The hunting was beyond our expectations.”
“From the moment we were picked up from the airport to the very last day, we were treated like royalty. The friendships forged will last a lifetime. The memories are a gift we will cherish forever.”
“My 3rd trip here. Good honest people, awesome experience — and I never shot an animal!”