The Cape buffalo (Syncerus Caffer) is one of the most prized dangerous game trophies when big game hunting in Africa. Buffalo are exceptionally territorial, and protective and will charge at a speed of more than 35 miles an hour. That’s seriously impressive!
Mature bulls, also known as “dagga boys” can weigh in at over 2,200 pounds and are equipped with horns that can crush a human’s chest, gouge out your vitals, and hooves that can trample a hunter to death in a matter of seconds. Only a mature adult lion will dare to single-handedly take on a Cape buffalo.
With impressive stats such as this, who would not want to book a few Cape buffalo hunts and take on the “Widow Maker?” Are you brave enough? Or, as some say, are you crazy enough? The challenge will be to overcome your fear and face it head-on.
In Africa, it is a fact that more than 200 people are killed by Cape buffalo every year.
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Which animal kills the most people every year?
This question or discussion point is often asked and raised when investigating dangerous game hunting safaris! When we think of humans being killed by animals, we think of ferocious beasts such as great white sharks, grizzly bears, African lions, and of course serpents such as the black mamba and vipers.
In fact, the animal, or to be more specific insect, which kills more than one million people a year is a mosquito. Small, irritating, and exceptionally annoying. A few untreated mosquito bites can ruin an African big game safari. Left untreated, they can fester, blister, and be a constant irritation in hot and humid climates. Nothing like a charging Cape buffalo to take a hunter’s mind off a few itches!
Why are we mentioning deaths relating to mosquitoes when talking about Cape buffalo hunts? Big game hunting for the Cape buffalo takes the hunter to the remotest parts of “The Dark Continent,” where medical supplies are mostly not available.
Mosquitos transmit deadly diseases, the most dangerous being malaria. Malaria results in vomiting, chills, fever, and headaches and left untreated, will result in death. To prevent malaria, check the location of the hunting safari, and if classified as a malaria area, be sure to obtain a prescription for either Doxycycline or mefloquine.
Characteristics of Cape Buffalo Hunts
African buffalo hunts are always done by practicing fair chase. What is fair chase? The animal, in this case, the Cape Buffalo is afforded options in terms of “escaping” from the big game hunter. Normally, fair chase takes into account the size of the buffalo hunting concession or private game ranch.
A typical buffalo hunt is long, dangerous, eventful, and adrenaline-packed. The hunter needs to be on top of his/her game!
Let’s take a quick look at the costs of various Cape buffalo hunts
- Cape Buffalo hunts are most affordable in fenced-off ranches in South Africa. While international hunters tend to frown upon game hunting safaris taking place in fenced-off areas, South Africa remains the premier destination for an Africa hunting trip, especially for African buffalo hunts.
- Depending on the size of the trophy, a hunting safari for buffalo in South Africa can range between $9,000 and $15,000. End-of-season discount hunts can cost even lower at $7,500 to $8,000. In South Africa, buffalo cull hunts focusing on females (cows), can start at the ridiculously low cost of only $4,500. Buffalo hunting, whether for bulls or cows, is just as much fun and rewarding.
- When we move out to open concessions, free range, and government blocks in countries such as Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania, buffalo hunting safaris can increase in costs to anything from $15,000 to $25,000. This will depend on factors such as government permit costs, the location of the hunting safari, access to the hunting grounds, levies, and the need for domestic charter flights.
Cost of Cape Buffalo Hunts versus Other African Big Game Animals
Now, this is where things get interesting when we talk about Cape buffalo Hunts … and value for money. The reality is that in most instances, it is always about the money.
The below prices are quoted using average trophy sizes from 2022 to 2023
Elephant Hunting Safari: Duration, normally 21 days for US$55,000 to US$80,000.
Rhino Hunting Safari: Duration, 5 nights at US$55,000 to US$75,000 (white Rhino only).
Leopard Hunting Safari: Duration, 21 days at US$40,000 to US$55,000.
Hippo Hunting Safari: Duration, 7 nights, at US$12,000.
Crocodile Hunting Safari: Duration, 7 nights at US$11,000.
Lion Hunting Safari (Excluding canned lion hunting in South Africa), duration 14 days at $45,000 to US$55,000.
Now, if we talk about value, and include experience, adrenaline, danger, and the possibility of death, the hunter has numerous options as follows:
- Five to six Cape buffalo hunting safaris vs. one elephant hunting safari.
- The same ratios apply when comparing the average buffalo hunting safari cost to that of the White Rhino, which is five to six safaris. If we had to compare to hunting black rhino, the factor could change to 15-20 Cape buffalo per each black rhino hunting safari.
- Leopard and lion hunting safaris we can “ring fence” and display at an average factor of four times Cape buffalo hunting safaris vs, one of these cats.
- Hunting Nile crocodile, while not as dangerous is highly stressful due to the accuracy required when executing the “kill shot”. Crocodile hunting is also not as physically demanding compared to Cape buffalo hunting. These Crocodile hunting safaris vs. Cape buffalo hunting safaris are on average equal when it comes to cost.
- Hippo hunting safaris, which are just as exciting as hunting Cape Buffalo, are similar in price.
African Buffalo Hunts: Value and Affordability
Let’s be honest, every big game hunter would love to harvest the entire “full bag” of Africa’s Dangerous 7, from the African Elephant to the Nile Crocodile. Not all hunters are in a financial position where elephant hunting is affordable. The same applies to hunting safaris for lions, leopards, and rhinos.
As such, Cape Buffalo hunts are a “bang for your buck.” While the game hunting safari may not be for elephants, these dangerous game animals share the same habitat. The hunter, even while the focus may be on buffalo hunting, gets to enjoy the same scenery, meals, campsites, and African outfitters as those hunters on the more costly hunting safaris.
In South Africa as an example, the cost to hunt Cape buffalo for a mature bull, in Rands will equate to an estimated R100,000. The blue wildebeest, which is in South Africa and is also known as “the poor man’s buffalo” will cost roughly R7,000 (excluding day fees etc.). Why then hunt one Cape Buffalo, when you can hunt 12 blue wildebeest instead?
For me, it’s all about the experience, the rush, and the memories. Escaping the high walls of the corporate prisons and concrete jungles and entering the sweet savannah of a hunting safari is the first prize. I would not save a lifetime to enjoy one elephant hunt but would rather annually enjoy booking and planning my African Cape buffalo hunts.
When hunting Cape buffalo, often African plains species, in areas where a good concentration of antelope are available, will be listed as “discount hunts” adding to the already fantastic hunting adventure at an affordable price.
Interesting facts about Cape Buffalo
- Buffalo are excellent swimmers.
- The main predator of Buffalo is the African Lion. Not much scares a Lion.
- A group of buffalo is not only called a herd but an obstinacy. Rather appropriate description.
- Buffalo sexing can be done by looking at their horns. A mature bull’s horns will touch, and this rock-hard juncture is called a “boss.” Also, appropriate.
- Buffalo love mud baths. Wallowing in the mud pools kills off ticks.
- Buffalo can live for a long time, up to twenty-five years. Plenty of time to cause mayhem.
- A Buffalo is a “bulk feeder” and has a four-chambered stomach. Buffalo need large quantities of grass to sustain their body weight.
Cape Buffalo Hunts: FAQ’s
Can you eat Cape Buffalo?
Yes, buffalo is classified as “game meat” and is a sought-after source of protein in Africa.
Where is the best place to hunt Cape Buffalo?
The best place in Africa to hunt Cape Buffalo is in Limpopo province South Africa. Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe also have some incredible concessions geared for buffalo hunting.
What is the best rifle for the Cape Buffalo?
A .375 caliber is the minimum legal requirement for buffalo hunting in most African countries. Big game hunters, if they can manage the recoil, also choose .416 Rigby, .458 Lott, and many choices of suitable double rifles.
The best choice of rifle for buffalo hunting will be one that the hunter is comfortable with, as shot placement when hunting Cape buffalo is critical. Only a well-placed bullet to the brain will stop a charging buffalo. Shoot straight or suffer the consequences…
Where do you shoot a Cape Buffalo?
Shot placement on a Cape Buffalo is critical. The best shot to take is when the Cape Buffalo is standing broadside. Aim a third of the way up the front shoulder. The bullet will penetrate the heart ensuring a quick and humane death. A slight miss will result in a double lung shot, which is also deadly.
African Outfitters and Cape Buffalo Hunts
When attending international shows, and “googling” online for game hunting safaris, almost every single African Outfitter catering for big game hunting will have Cape buffalo available, such is the demand.
Cape buffalo populations are widely spread over Africa with numbers of more than 400,000. That’s plenty of buffalo! The country with the highest population of Cape buffalo is Tanzania, however, this country’s hunting safari prices are the most expensive.
Author: PC van Wyk