Cape Buffalo Hunts in Africa

Cape Buffalo Hunts

Cape buffalo hunts are the most popular dangerous game hunt in modern day Africa.  With the modern day safari evolving into specialized single species safaris that target a primary animal, the affordability of Cape buffalo hunts has positioned them as an African favorite.  Most hunters begin by hunting plains game for a safari or two.  Once they have gotten their feet firmly planted on African soil, many take their first dangerous game safari by targeting the Cape buffalo.  Cape buffalo hunts are the most affordable hunt out of the big five dangerous game animal hunts.  Hunting Cape buffalo is fun, challenging and can be quite addictive.  Many hunters never tire of taking Cape buffalo hunts and return to Africa time after time seeking the thrill of  hunting Cape buffalo.

Cape buffalo are found across East Africa and most of central and southern Africa.   Also known as the southern savanna buffalo, it is estimated that there are well over 500,000 of these buffalo and that the herds are growing, even as the buffalo’s habitat is gradually being reduced due to the expansion of human populations in Africa.  Some of the largest Cape buffalo trophies come out of Tanzania, Botswana and hunting concessions next to national parks in Zimbabwe and South Africa.  Any buffalo trophy sporting a hard boss with a spread of 40” or more is considered a fine trophy.  The holy grail is a buffalo with a spread of 50” or greater.  Some buffalo cows have spreads in excess of 50”, but lack the big hard bosses that trophy hunters seek.  The world record buffalo is actually a cow.

Zimbabwe offers the most affordable Cape buffalo hunts in Africa today.  South Africa is pricier, due to the requirements for a disease-free herd.  A red line running north and south just west of Kruger National Park separates the disease-free herd from those buffalo that carry bovine diseases.  Buffalo on the disease-free side of the line must be examined by a vet and be certified to be disease free.  These precautions are taken to protect South Africa’s cattle industry.  Because of those requirements, almost all dangerous game Cape buffalo hunts that are conducted in South Africa on the disease-free side of the line occur in high fenced enclosures.

Cape Buffalo Beginnings

I had wanted to go on an African safari for many years. I had read Ruark, Hemmingway, and any other African authors I could find.  I decided I wanted to go on one of the Cape buffalo hunts in Africa, but really didn’t know what else I wanted to hunt, just something different.  But I knew for sure that a Cape buffalo hunt was high on my list.  I attended the 1995 Safari Club International convention with the idea in mind that I’d either bid on a hunt or buy one outright.  As I walked onto the convention center floor, I spotted an outfitter with a sign offering a hunt for Cape buffalo and sitatunga.  As I had absolutely zero idea as to what a sitatunga was, that sounded like the hunt I wanted.

As luck would have it, I won the hunt, and in 11 months I’d be off on a Cape buffalo hunt in Africa.  Plus a sitatunga – whatever that was.  As it turned out, I hunted the Okavango Delta in Botswana, where not only did I get my buffalo (four shots from my Remington .416), but I used a mocorro (canoe) to hunt a sitatunga – an antelope that spends most of its time near, or in, water.

Now, it’s 2019, and I have completed eight African safaris, and have been on three Cape buffalo hunts in Africa.  I’ve hunted numerous other animals, but Cape buffalo hunts in Africa have remained my favorite.  I’ve been fortunate to have taken a 40+ inch buffalo and consider that hunt my best.

Cape buffalo can be hunted in different African countries.  All have different rules and requirements, so let’s take a look at Cape buffalo hunting in Africa on a country-by-country basis.

Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is a country in western Africa that was formerly called the Kingdom of Ouagadougou, then French West Africa, and later as Upper Volga.  It received its current name in 1984.  It is populated by a wide selection of game animals including the West African savanna buffalo.  This species of buffalo isn’t as large as its cousin, the Cape buffalo, but nevertheless it’s quite exciting to hunt.  It stands about 4’6” at the shoulder and weighs 1500-1550 pounds.  The bulls have short, stocky legs, large, down-facing ears, and W-shaped horns when seen from the front.  The males are larger than the females.

They can form herds numbering in the thousands and tend to live in open woodland savanna where the grasses are plentiful.  Access to water is important.  In some areas, the savanna buffalo will be found in mountain forests, but these animals will often feed in open glades.  They are hunted by tracking a herd, or an individual animal.  They offer an identical hunting experience as Cape buffalo hunting in Africa. 

Getting to Burkina Faso is most easily done by flying to Paris via Air France, then on down to the capitol, Ouagadougou, on the same carrier.  Your outfitter will have someone meet you at customs.  Because of the prior heavy French presence in Burkina Faso, the outfitters are usually French professionals who are members of the Association des Chasseurs Professionals.  Travelling from the airport to the camp can take upwards of four hours.

Hunting is done in the safari manner which means using a safari vehicle to locate the buffalo, be it a single animal, or herd and then stalking on foot.  Temperatures can range up into the low 100s during the day, so you should dress accordingly.  Dark green or brown clothing is preferred.  You can wear camo, but it’s not advised unless you are actually hunting.  Don’t wear it in town.  As with other safaris, laundry is done on a daily basis, so no more than two or three changes of clothing are needed.

Hunting Cape buffalo in Burkina Faso will require that you take a malaria drug. You will also need a World Health Organization Yellow Fever Certificate.  Contact a travel clinic in your hometown to see what inoculations will be required. 

You will need to get all firearms paperwork to your outfitter well in advance.  There’s a fee for all firearms imported.  With buffalo on your license, the minimum caliber rifle should be a .375.  I tend to lean more towards a caliber that starts with the number four, but the main thing is to bring a gun that you are quite familiar with.

Cameroon

Cameroon is a medium–size country on the west coast of Africa, southwest of Nigeria.  It encompasses a diverse population of animals spread throughout a variety of terrain.  The south of Cameroon is mostly thick rain forest that is home to dwarf forest buffalo, and numerous other game animals.  The northern part of the country is more savanna in nature and carries a large population of West African savanna buffalo. 

Game animals are divided into groups.  Your Cameroon hunting license will allow you to take two animals from Group One, which includes buffalo.  The same license allows taking four animals from Group Two – antelopes and pigs. 

All hunters are required to obtain a visa from the Cameroon embassy.  This should be done at least two months before your scheduled hunt.  Cameroon is a malaria country and malaria prophylaxis is essential.  So is a Yellow Fever vaccination. Check with your travel clinic.  Cameroon is a hot, humid country, especially in the rain forest, and many tropical diseases are endemic.

Most flights to Cameroon arrive in Douala from Paris or Brussels.  French is the major language, and prices are in euros.  Carry a few euros for tipping whoever helps you with your baggage and firearms check-in.  Hunting areas are reached by means of a domestic flight, or vehicle. 

Hunting is conducted in large hunting blocks, supported by camps with adobe huts with thatched roofs.  It’s entirely possible that hunting buffalo in Cameroon will require a lot of walking and tracking.  The climate is hot, and the humidity must be felt to be believed, especially in the deep rain forest.  You should take three changes of clothing, and two pairs of boots, as it takes a lot of hours for boots to dry in the humidity.  The savanna areas are similar to what is found in other African countries. 

As with all dangerous game hunts, bring a serious rifle that you can shoot well - .375, or preferably larger.  Shots in the dense rain forest will be up close and personal – and quick.

Mozambique

Mozambique became independent from Portugal in 1975.  Located on the Indian Ocean to the west of Madagascar, it went through a civil war from 1977 to 1992.  During this time, most game animals suffered severe population destruction.  Tempers flared again in 2013, and continued up into 2018, but the country is stable at the time of writing.  Game animals have rebounded with such a passion that hunting is not only possible, but very popular. 

Hunting Cape buffalo in Mozambique can be a real adventure.  It is like travelling back 50 years in Africa.  You’ll be in a bush camp located a long way from anything resembling civilization. The usual method of travel is to fly to Johannesburg; overnight in a local hotel or guest lodge; then fly to Beira, Mozambique where you will then be transported to the hunting camp.  Cape buffalo hunting takes place from July to November.  The best time for hunting Cape Buffalo is from September to the end of the season in November.  By then the grass has been burned down, and visibility is much improved.

There’s a large number of buffalo in Mozambique.  Some of the best areas to hunt are in the Associated Private Nature Reserves (Klaserie and Timbavati free range reserves), where the vast number of buffalo will insure that you will be able to locate a truly large Dugga Boy.  There have been reports of buffalo herds numbering in the thousands of animals in these reserves.

Your accommodations will be traditional tented camps with most meals prepared over an open fire.  Your day will start with an early breakfast, then off to hunt in the safari truck.  Either fresh tracks will be located, or a herd will be seen.  Then you, your PH, and two trackers will go on foot to check out the animals.

South African regulations state that the minimum caliber to hunt Cape buffalo in Africa must be .375.  This writer has personally put a 500-grain bullet from a .458 Lott right through a buffalo’s heart from 35 yards.  Imagine my surprise when the buff did a 180 and started to run!  The second shot was a brain shot, and that was that.  However, you need to bring a rifle that you are totally comfortable with at short ranges and out to 100 yards.  It is recommended that prior to the safari, you practice hunting off shooting sticks, as that is most likely the method you will use in Africa.  As a side benefit, shooting off sticks is much easier on the body than bench rest shooting because your body can move with recoil.

Namibia

Namibia is one of the safest, most stable countries in Africa.  It became a German colony in 1884 and was known as German South West Africa.  During World War One, South Africa occupied the country, driving the German colonial administration out.  On June 12, 1968, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution that renamed the country Namibia.  It gained total independence from South Africa in 1990.

For the hunter, one of the main attractions of Namibia is the ethical standards maintained by the Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA) founded in 1974 with the goal to promote Namibia as a prime hunting destination. 

Buffalo hunters from the USA and most European countries do not need a tourist visa if their visit is 90 days or less.  The easiest way to travel to Namibia is by flying into Johannesburg, then taking a short flight up to Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek, Namibia.  In the airport, near Immigration, there is a small office with an “Arms and Ammunition” sign.  Here you will fill out a form and receive your rifle. Most likely your outfitter, or a representative, will meet you just outside customs, and then you will be driven to the hunting area.

Most Namibian buffalo hunts are the spot and stalk type.  The safari truck is used to locate the animals, and then a stalk is made on foot.  Depending upon the hunter’s condition, the stalk can be short, or require walking quite a distance.  Talk over your requirements with your PH.

As far as clothing goes, Namibia is similar to South Africa.  Two complete changes are sufficient.  Well-broken-in boots with soft soles will save your feet and aid in stalking.  The mornings can be a bit chilly, so dress in layers, and bring a lightweight jacket.

As stated above, bring a firearm that you are comfortable with, and practice shooting off sticks at home.  Your preference as to caliber, but it must be at least .375.

South Africa

Cape buffalo hunting in Africa is the most popular of all dangerous game hunting – plus, it’s the most addicting.  And the best country to hunt Cape buffalo is South Africa.  In South Africa, Cape buffalo hunting is done on fenced farms, or in large reserves around Kruger National Park. 

Hunters from the US and most European countries are not required to obtain a visa.  Travelling with children under the age of 18 requires special paperwork.  Most of South Africa is malaria free, but ask your hunt broker or outfitter about the areas you will be hunting in..  Most hunters travel through Johannesburg prior to flying out to their final destination.  All hunters must have a temporary import permit to bring firearms into South Africa.  This is required even if you are just transiting through overnight on your way to another country.  The correct form is called an SAPS 520, and is over 8 pages.  It should be filled out at least three months in advance.  It can be done at the South African Police office in the airport, but that’s very time consuming.  You will have to carry your permit whenever departing or arriving at a South African airport. 

Many hunting areas are within a 2-4-hour drive from the airport.  A charter flight can be arranged if the client wishes to keep travel time to a minimum.  

Nearly all South African buffalo hunts are of the spot-and-stalk type.  The safari truck is used to locate the animals, and then the stalk takes place on foot.  Sometimes it can be a long walk, so dress accordingly.  The terrain can vary from mountain to flat scrubland.  Preferred clothing is either brown or dark green.  Boots need to be well broken-in.  Check with your outfitter about insect problems.  In some areas, ticks can be a nuisance.  In other areas, tsetse fly belts exist.  (And, from what I’ve seen, the dreaded tsetse seems to feed on DEET.)

Firearms?  South Africa requires a minimum of a .375 for dangerous game.  This author prefers larger, but it’s more important to be comfortable with whatever you bring.

Tanzania

A lot of hunters think Tanzania to be the best of all African countries for successful hunting.  The country has a large game list, and a great tradition of tented camps and friendly staff.  At 365,000 square miles, it’s a large country with a vast selection of terrain. Two extensive wilderness areas are the Selous Game Reserve and the Rungwa Game Reserve.  Buffalo are well distributed throughout the country, along with plains game almost too numerous to list.

Tanzania has three classes of hunting licenses. You can choose a safari lasting 10 days, 16 days, or 21 days.  The longer licenses allow for a bigger bag of animals. On a 10-day hunt, two buffalo and a variety of plains game can be taken.  In addition to the license cost, trophy fees are added for each animal.  Other government fees get tacked on to the safari cost. 

You will need a visa, and it should be obtained well in advance of your safari.  You’ll need to apply directly to the Tanzanian Embassy in your country, and you will need to supply them with details of your hunt.  Tanzania is in a malarial zone, and it’s necessary to take antimalarial drugs.  Contact a travel clinic for further information.

Tanzania requires firearm permits, and these should be obtained well in advance, along with your hunting license. Recently, Tanzania introduced a requirement that the hunter must provide photographs of the rifle, along with a close-up of the serial number.  A hunter can bring in up to three rifles and 100 rounds of ammunition per rifle.

Zambia

About one half of Zambia is sparsely-populated.  This makes for great wild game populations.  One of the best destinations for hunting Cape buffalo in Africa is the Luangwa Valley.  The river and its vast flood plains are home to some of the largest Cape buffalo in Africa.  Zambia operates 27 game management areas (GMAs) and 19 National parks where modest quotas and tight control of its 30-year-old safari industry have made for a good success rate on dangerous game safaris. 

It’s entirely possible to take a Cape buffalo bull with over 40-inch horns on a 7-day Zambian hunt.  North Luangwa has buffalo herds numbering in the thousands.  The problem isn’t in finding a buffalo; it’s in being able to pick a good Dugga boy out of the herd.  In 2006, your author spent what felt like three days walking through a herd of buffalo, looking for a good set of horns.  Granted, they all had their heads down, and the grass was high, and it was about 30 minutes in real time, but it certainly was interesting at the time.  Later, on that hunt, we had to sit quietly in the Safari truck while a large herd passes across a dirt path in front of us.  I couldn’t quite reach out and touch them, but it was so close that a tick bird landed on our hood instead of a buffalo’s back.

Along with taking a buffalo, some Zambian hunts also allow hippo and crocodile to be hunted at the same time, which makes for a very attractive package.

Zimbabwe

Due to the economic troubles in Zimbabwe, buffalo hunt prices are declining somewhat.  Check us from time to time as some very reasonable hunts have been on offer.  We were in Zim a while back on a non-trophy elephant hunt.  We saw quite a few nice buffalo bulls in the Matetsi area near Victoria Falls, but didn’t hunt them. 

The Zambezi Valley is a major destination for hunting Cape buffalo in Africa.  It holds one of the highest concentrations of buffalo in Africa.  Zimbabwe is home to a number of private game conservancies including the Bubye Valley and Save conservancies.  In some cases, a group of farms were joined together to create large, unbroken tracts of prime hunting land.  Most of Zimbabwe’s hunting destinations are fenceless which gives the hunter a true feel for raw Africa.

You can get a visa at the airport and obtain a temporary firearm permit at the same time.  It’s a relatively easy procedure and doesn’t take much time.  Hunters usually fly to Harare or Victoria Falls, depending upon the hunting area.  It may be necessary to charter a private flight to your hunting area.

Most Zim hunts are done safari style.  Use a safari truck to get to the hunting area, then start burning shoe leather. The stalk can be long, short, or anywhere in between.  Something that hasn’t been mentioned above is sun protection.  Sun block is a necessity, and if you are sensitive to the sun, wears a hat that has a full brim, not a baseball-style hat.  I know, I know.  Your PH runs around in shorts and either no hat, or a baseball cap, but remember, he was born there, and has been chasing large animals for many years.  Getting a case of African sunburn on the first or second day of your safari will definitely put a damper on your hunting.