Cape buffalo hunts are a standard offering across Africa’s big game hunting destinations; howeve,r a buffalo hunt is a buffalo hunt, and for those wanting a change of scenery, there is a southeast African country that offers Cape buffalo hunting packages with a twist. Buffalo hunting in Mozambique can take a turn towards a more exciting safari hunting environment…
The swamps.
Swamp hunting might typically associate itself with small game and waterbuck, but when buffalo hunting in Mozambique swamps are a popular and different manner in which to experience big game hunting in Africa.
[DYNAMIC-BLOGTABLEOFCONTENT]
Cape Buffalo Hunts: Targeting Africa’s Infamous Black Death
The Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer) is a member of both Africa’s big game hunting groups, namely the Big 5 and Dangerous 7. These large and in charge bovine can reach substantial size in adulthood and both bulls and cows grow impressive horns, although only males form the distinct boss.
When looking at Cape buffalo hunting packages, it’s important to remember to remember that buffalo don’t only use their size as an advantage or weapon. They own an incredible sense of smell as well as a personality that can border on vengefulness and a wounded buffalo can turn into a thousand-odd pound battering ram, charging at the source of their injury. These big boys of safari hunting mainly fall prey to lions and crocodiles, meaning they won’t be scared to take on an unfortunate hunting party.
Safari Hunting in the Swamps
Big game hunting in a swamp environment is very different from the standard or traditional safari hunting offerings found in Africa.
The main difference is the environment and landscape. Most big game hunting takes place in grassland, savannah, woodland, or desert-type environments, whereas swamp hunting takes the hunter into deltas, marshland, and even riverside woods.
Cape buffalo hunts typically take place in savannah and grassland areas; however, due to Mozambique’s inclusion of the Zambezi River and its respective delta, as well as the winding Limpopo River, the provision for swamp hunting is one no hunter should miss out on. These Cape buffalo hunting packages are available through various outfitters and are a unique experience to be had and talked about for years to come.
Cape Buffalo Hunts in the Swamps: Expectations
Buffalo hunting in Mozambique’s swamps offers new experiences and alternative big game hunting opportunities. On these safari hunting adventures, you can expect to spend a bit more time traveling to your game hunting location. These drives (depending on your camp) can be 1.5 to 2 hours long, and this includes time spent traveling by amphibious craft. Another event to expect is the packing and repacking of vehicles that come with traveling from your camp to the swamp and then moving on to the crafts.
Given the environment you’ll find yourself in, it’s also highly likely that you will get wet and/or very muddy at some point during your hunting safari. Keep this in mind when packing as it’s advisable to pack more than one pair of boots, sufficient socks, and clothing. The swamp environment also lends itself to high humidity in the warmer months and temperate, damp days in the cooler periods.
The most practical of your expectations should surround the hunting methods you prefer or look to use as these may need to be altered or amended depending on the day’s conditions and the behavior of the herd you’re following.
Areas for Swamp Buffalo Hunting in Mozambique
Cape buffalo hunts in the swamps of Mozambique traditionally fall in regions or complexes along the main water bodies of the country, named the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers.
Mozambique’s big game hunting areas are known as coutadas, coming from a Portuguese term used to refer to “hunting area” or “concession.” Along the Zambezi River, you’ll find coutadas 10 – 14. These fall within the Morrameu Complex, a hunting concession covering over 3,000 square miles. The Morrameu has the honor of being flooded or partially flooded for around half the year, making it one of the most likely and popular choice areas for swamp buffalo hunting in Mozambique.
Methods Used to Hunt Cape Buffalo in the Swamps
These Cape buffalo hunts will follow a variation of the walk-and-stalk approach. But instead of your primary target being the big game hunting beasts, you’ll be looking for the cattle egrets. These birds are attracted to the buffalo herds as they grab up the insects disturbed from the ground by buffalo milling around, and can act as a dead giveaway to the herd’s position.
Once the herd has been located, you will need to be sure of wind direction, as buffalo have an incredible sense of smell and the egrets are effective alarm systems alerting the buffalo to predators or danger. This is where the fun part of crawling or stalking through the sawgrass or papyrus happens, creeping up on a herd at rest is the ideal situation, as a herd on the move will need close following.
Swamp buffalo hunting in Mozambique can only be done using a rifle. Bowhunting is legal in Mozambique, however, it isn’t allowed for certain big game hunting species including buffalo, crocodile, and lion. Ammunition requirements for Cape buffalo hunts are .375, but it is suggested to use a higher caliber like a .400 to ensure that your target buffalo goes down as needed.
These Cape buffalo hunting packages demand more patience than usual, a herd can be followed for hours, sometimes while wading, walking, or crawling through harsh terrain. Once the herd is reached, the hunter must then pick their mark, keeping in mind that it is illegal to shoot juvenile animals and females with nursing young.
Preparing for a Different Big Game Hunting Safari
One aspect to keep in mind when looking at swamp-centered Cape buffalo hunting packages, is the weather. Mozambique is a tropical country with a rainy season running from October to March and a dry, cooler season from April to September, where temperatures average 75º to 80º Fahrenheit. The wet season brings hotter weather with temperatures running from 80º to 87º Fahrenheit and humidity upwards of 70%, bringing storms in the afternoons.
Buffalo hunting in Mozambique’s swamps almost guarantees that the hunter will be crawling through mud or brush, wading through water bodies, and having to deal with the smaller wildlife like mosquitos and tsetse flies. When planning your swamp Cape buffalo hunt, be prepared to use anti–malaria drugs, invest in a good quality insect repellant (preferably one with DEET) and always ensure you have a fresh change of clothes when returning from your safari hunting expedition, as damp clothing and body odor can attract these little critters.
Buffalo hunting in Mozambique swamps also means having protection for certain items of gear like waterproof phones or camera pouches and adequate protection measures for your extra ammunition or firearms.
When packing your bag for these hunting safaris, remember gloves for hand protection that will come in handy when crawling through the bush, long pants or knee pads for the same reason, as well as a hat and sunglasses to reduce the risk of the sun’s glare affecting the success of your safari hunting adventure. While on the subject of the sun, be sure to have adequate sun protection measures, there is little to no shade found in the areas where the Cape buffalo hunts take place.
A Different Level of Complexity: What makes these Cape Buffalo Hunts more Challenging
Cape buffalo are big big game hunting targets, the body length runs from 5,5 feet to over 11 feet and bulls can amass a body weight of almost 2,000 pounds. This coupled with a notoriously grumpy, aggressive nature, makes the Cape buffalo a true member of the dangerous game family. Despite their size; Cape buffalo can be uncharacteristically fast, reaching a sprint speed of over 35 mph.
An animal of this size, capable of that speed? Should induce a slight sweat. But add in the complexities of a swamp hunt and you’ve just upped the level of difficulty.
This type of safari hunting expedition adds an extra challenge to the stalking and shooting aspects. On the one hand, the stalk is slower and takes longer; while on the other side, making a shot while standing in water or lying in mud isn’t exactly ideal either. Cape buffalo hunts require accurate shot placement as a wounded buffalo is very likely to charge at the hunter while the herd runs. And while shot placement on a large animal might seem like an easy affair, things happen; birds can scatter, the hunter can slip in the mud or water, and worst case scenario, the buffalo can charge before the shot is taken.
Ever tried running in water? Whether it’s only at your knees or up to your chest, it’s not easy, and imagine trying to do it while a 1,500+ pound animal charges at you. Sounds like an unlikely scenario but for some hunters it has been a reality. They are not called the “widow makers” for nothing!
Remembering your Swamp Hunt in Mozambique: Let’s Talk Trophies
Your Cape buffalo hunting packages have been researched; now how do you go about determining a good Cape buffalo trophy and importantly, how do you immortalize that successful safari hunting shot?
What makes a Good Cape Buffalo Trophy?
As with other horn–bearing targets encountered in safari hunting settings; a good Cape buffalo trophy is determined by its horn spread, as well as the spread or width of the boss.
A good fact to remember when it comes to buffalo bulls is that the boss only hardens around the age of 9, while horns are usually fully formed by the age of 6. This boss is also the best determiner of gender as female buffalo don’t grow this feature.
A good trophy has a horn spread of 40 inches or more, but if you’re looking for record entries, see below:
SCI score
In the eyes of the SCI scoring system, a buffalo trophy must be measured horn tip–to-horn tip (along the outside) as well as the straight-line length including the boss. The total of these numbers (in inches) should be 100 inches or more for potential entry to the SCI Record Book.
Rowland Ward Scoring System
This manner only considers the widest outside spread of the horns and minimum requirements are set at 42 inches for this system.
Best Mount Styles for Cape Buffalo Hunts
Mounting a big game hunting trophy is the best way to ensure that the memories of your hunt live on for both you and future hunters in the family. Trophies from Cape buffalo hunts can be mounted in different ways depending on your preference.
Shoulder Mount
A wall-hung trophy mount of the animal’s head, neck, and top of shoulder. The mount can be posed to face straight on or turned to the side.
Wall Mount
Very similar to the shoulder mount, except here the mount itself will have a curved back, this allows for a better render of the animal and gives it a bit more of a museum-like look in how it will be viewed.
Pedestal mount
These mounts are up to the shoulder, except that they’re mounted on a wooden pedestal. This allows for a 360º view of your trophy, as well as a seriously unique accessory to your interior decorating.
Skull Mount
Also known as a European mount, the skull mount is just what the term implies. The skull and horns of the buffalo can be placed on a wall mount or pedestal depending on the hunter’s choice. This type of mount is usually the cheapest.
Safari Hunting in Mozambique – Fast Points
- Cape buffalo hunting in Mozambique is limited to daylight hours, according to regulations, night hunting can only be arranged for lion, leopard, crocodile, and bushpig.
- Like other African big game hunting destinations; the hunting license you require depends on the species targeted, this is above the general hunting license needed.
- These licenses must be applied for at least 3 months before the date of the hunt.
- A hunter must be at least 200 yards from a vehicle before firing, no safari hunting trips from a vehicle are allowed.
- Fees are charged for each animal and must be paid beforehand.
- A wounded and lost animal will still cost the full hunt price as well as a Government levy and trophy fee.
- In terms of firearms, Mozambique allows for four firearms per hunter, with a limit of 60 rounds per weapon.
- Minimum caliber for big game hunting targets is .375.
- Bowhunting is legal and the requirements are similar to South Africa’s; guidelines for Cape buffalo hunts stipulate kinetic energy of 80foot/pound and 700 grain weight.
Buffalo Swamp Hunting - Are You Ready?
Many areas for Cape buffalo hunting in Mozambique still carry a level of “wildness” not seen in other big game hunting destinations, this is due to a less dense population and a heavy focus on conservation. Cape buffalo hunting packages are often sought in Mozambique for this exact reason, as they give hunters a certain sense of nostalgia for hunts of history past and a true sense of Africa’s famous wildlife. Choosing to book your Cape buffalo hunts in the swamps is a definite way of ensuring a great hunting story and memories to last a lifetime if you can conquer what lies in your way.
Are you up for the challenge?
Learn more about Mozambique – a wild, untamed, and exciting game hunting destination or read more about a personal hunting safari enjoyed when buffalo hunting in Mozambique.
Author: A.Baker