Well the Lions there certainly have much better manes than in the Selous. Each concession area is allowed to take 4 Lions per year on quota, (same for Leopard) but can normally get a further 2 on special application, there's also a certain amount of quota swapping goes in amongst neighbours. We have 2 areas side by side and I guess we average 4-6 per Lions year over the two areas. We have really good Lion populations and hear them almost every night around camp, but it is pretty rare for us to take one with a really good mane.......most are pretty tatty and we explain this to the clients and offer them the option of transferring to our Masailand area if the prefer. Some do and some don't.

Sounds like you enjoyed Zim...... it's (or at least was) a great place, and a good place for Elephant. TZ has ultra strict size and weight limitations for tusks and the penalties to the PH for taking an undersize one are horrendous.......so we all spend our Elephant hunting time creeping up to Elephants, studying them and then creeping away again!......they must wonder what the hell's going on

If you're hunting Kilombero mid November onwards for 21 days you should remember to take a good pair of waterproof boots and jacket, but I guess as you hunt where you do, you probably have them already......It might be a good idea to ask them if they have an area in Masailand as the rains arrive later there and the Masailand areas are fabulous for Lion. you could also take the northern species which are a big attraction. You would probably get much the same price as Kilombero at that time of year and you don't need a charter either.