I’m an African dangerous game addict. I revel in the thrill of hunting on that continent, especially when the prey can bite back. Despite having taken 30 buffalo, 6 elephants, and various other dangerous game in Africa, my experience with crocodile hunts was limited to just two, with only one as the hunter.
Recently, I planned a trip to the renowned Kilombero Valley in Tanzania, famed for its oversized buffalo. During a conversation with PH Quintin Whitehead before the trip, he mentioned the presence of exceptionally large crocodiles in the region’s vast river systems. Given that it had been a decade since my last crocodile hunt, I decided to prioritize this on my safari.
My last croc was a massive 14-footer in Zimbabwe, and I let Quintin know that I was after a similar trophy, Body size would take precedence over length, as many large crocs have damaged tails. Quintin, who had a passion for hunting BIG crocs, was up for the challenge.
We scouted a few spots along the Mnyera River on one of the first afternoons. Although the sandbars were full of crocs, none were bigger than 12 feet. At our final stop, a small sandy island near the convergence of two rivers, we spotted a standout croc—big, dark, and bulky.
Quintin estimated it to be around 13 feet, a definite shooter for most. However, despite its impressive size and massive teeth, we agreed not to settle early. We decided to pass and return the next day.
The following day, an even bigger croc appeared but he was in the wrong position for a shot. Our patience was tested as a cat-and-mouse game ensued for several days after that. At one point, I had the croc in my sights, but a malfunction with my three-position safety allowed it to escape. Another time, my videographer’s tripod issue prevented the shot. This ancient reptile seemed to have a sixth sense.
Later, after a successful Cape buffalo hunt, we used part of the carcass as bait. The next morning, our big croc appeared but was facing away, making the shot impossible. We spent the day backing out, waiting a few hours, and sneaking back into our makeshift reed blind.
Just before dark, we put out more buffalo bait, hoping the crocs would feed at night and bask in the sun early the next morning. At 7:30 a.m., we returned to find the island empty. However, as we glassed the river, we could see eyes and partial heads in the river. Slowly, several crocs moved closer to the island.
About 150 yards downstream I thought I saw a hippo’s head moving our way. There were a lot of these big beasts in the area, so that was not unusual. As it got closer, I could see that it was actually a crocodile. I knew it must be a giant.
As it got closer, it started moving faster. The monster rushed onto the island, scattering the other crocs. It grabbed another large croc by the tail. The huge teeth and incredible power were something to behold.
I set my scope to 5x, knowing I’d need to hit the croc’s golf ball-sized brain at 60 yards. Once it let go of the other croc’s tail, I squeezed off a shot. I had placed the crosshairs of my .416 just below the “horns” at the top of his skull and it collapsed immediately. Quintin told me to hit him again, just in case, which I gladly did.
Upon reaching the island, the croc’s sheer size was awe-inspiring. Weighing over a ton and measuring 14′ 6″, it was the ancient river monster we had set out to find.
Crocodiles possess incredible senses, allowing them to age to 70+ years old. They’re apex predators and nothing short of mature hippos or elephants are safe in their waters. In fact, many elephants in the area we hunted were missing tails, bitten off by crocs when they crossed rivers.
Hunting crocs requires incredible precision. A perfect brain or spinal shot is necessary to anchor a croc on the spot, preventing it from escaping into the water. Confidence in your shot is paramount. Otherwise, do not pull the trigger.
The day after I shot my croc, my old friend Jay Cohea asked if he could borrow my rifle in case he found a big croc on the last day of our safari. Jay had never shot my rifle, but stopped in the field, set up a target, and promptly shot a bullseye. He was ready. That afternoon, he and Quintin had another large croc come to their buffalo bait on another river, and Jay anchored his prize with a perfect spinal shot.
Crocodile hunting may not receive the same attention as buffalo or leopard hunting, but targeting big and old crocs offers a unique and rewarding challenge. My two croc hunts rank among the most enjoyable and challenging experiences in my 37 trips to Africa.
