As Brian Jackman so famously said, “Everything in Africa bites, but the safari bug is worst of all.” And it is this exact reason that will see many hunters return time and again, for one last hunt, one last safari, one last Cape buffalo hunting adventure…

Dangerous game hunting, especially Cape buffalo hunts, requires much preparation. From the day you decided to go hunting in Africa, your mind was probably a mixture of thoughts and emotions as you decided how to target this great hunting adventure! And targeting a dangerous game hunting trophy on top of it makes the African safari hunting trip even more exciting, enthralling – and challenging!

Once the difficult decision has been made, including the timing, destination, and species (and let’s be honest here, who can say no to targeting one of the most dangerous game hunting species worldwide? Great choice to go with African Cape buffalo hunting!, all the difficult decisions are behind you, and the only thing to now look forward to is detailed planning and preparing of a dream game hunting safari!

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Africa: A Dream Game Hunting Destination

Africa has always been a dream bucket list destination for international hunters as they consider the sheer diversity of what Africa offers hunters.

Whether the target is African plains game, specialty game, or even dangerous game hunting trophies, the thrill of hunting in Africa remains the same. It is a genuine excitement that not many people can understand or appreciate until they have come to enjoy an African hunting safari.

There is something magical about Africa, that will have hunters return time and again to her shores, ready for another hunting safari!

Why choose a Dangerous Game Hunting Adventure?

Dangerous game hunting in Africa is what dreams are made of! To have the opportunity to visit the “Dark Continent” and target some of the world’s most dangerous animals is a dream for many. 

For those hunting in Africa, the idea of hunting and pursuing a member of the Big 5 or Dangerous 7 is a dream come true.

It not always just about the physical game hunting trophy, but also the opportunity to come face-to-face with animals, such as Africa’s Black Death, and emerge victorious.

Why Choose a Cape Buffalo Hunting Safari?

The Cape buffalo remains one of the most sought-after dangerous game hunting targets in Africa. Known as being totally unpredictable, aggressive, and dangerous, they are often widely referred to as “Africa’s Black Death” or the “Widowmaker,” for obvious reasons.

The Big 5, of which the Cape buffalo is a member, as well as the Dangerous 7, consists of the world’s most dangerous, aggressive, and challenging African animals to hunt. The Big 5 (elephant, Cape buffalo, lion, leopard, and rhino), together with the two remaining members of the Dangerous 7 (Nile crocodile and hippo), each provide differing challenges to hunters targeting these sought-after game dangerous hunting trophies.

Where can I hunt the Cape buffalo in Africa?

Cape buffalo can be hunted in many African destinations, including South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Botswana.

Planning Your Cape Buffalo Hunting Trip

Any hunting safari needs careful planning to ensure that you have ticked all the boxes, completed the forms, received the information, and are thoroughly prepared for your great hunting adventure in Africa!

This is where Game Hunting Safaris can assist: As a hunting broker, we have a wealth of information at our fingertips, including many African outfitters offering various packages. We have the knowledge, know-how, and experience to assist you in choosing the correct Cape buffalo hunting package to suit your needs, hunting objectives, budgets, and timing. 

Once Your Hunting Safari is Confirmed…

The best case scenario, due to hunting adventures being so popular, and some species so scarce with small quotas, is to confirm your African hunting trip as soon as possible, sometimes even a year or more before the hunting adventure is set to take place. Ensure that you have thoroughly researched the best possible hunt that meets your specific criteria.

Meticulous planning allows a hunter to be thoroughly prepared for a great hunting safari! The most popular time for African game hunting safaris is annually in June, July, and August, which means that it quickly fills up in terms of both hunting safari options, as well as flights. Speak to your travel agent timeously to book and confirm your airline tickets and other accommodation or travel excursions planned. Remember to mention that you will be traveling with a firearm if that is the case and check and confirm whatever documentation needs to be completed as a result.

If you will do any pre- or post-hunting safari excursions, now is also the time to book and confirm these. Africa remains a truly beautiful country, and should the budget allow, the perfect destination to engage in some tourism activities, especially should you be traveling with your family or partner. Speak to your travel agent for some ideas or suggested travel itineraries. Some exceptional tourist destinations to visit include South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana for a variety of tourism-related activities. 

Researching and mentally and emotionally preparing for your African hunting safari starts now. By the time your hunting safari comes around, you should be an expert on all things relating to Cape buffalo hunting, from conditions, behavior, and shot placement on this majestic beast.

Use all the resources at your disposal to ensure that you are comfortable with the task ahead and well-informed. From books and YouTube videos to speaking to other hunters who have challenged this aggressive and unpredictable Big 5 member, thoroughly cover your bases. A great way to envisage yourself hunting this trophy is to speak to other hunters who have faced Africa’s Black Death – and perhaps pick up some tips or learn from their experiences.

Fitness is paramount, no matter what African animal you are targeting. Africa is by no means flat and easy walking, and your trophy Cape buffalo will see you walking several miles a day, through rough bushveld, flat savannas, and hilly areas. Africa’s terrain and bush are unforgiving, so ensure that you are well-prepared for whatever comes your way by starting to up your fitness levels now.

If you are planning on purchasing a new weapon for use on your African hunting safari, now is the time to do it. You will want to ensure that you are familiar with the weapon before your departure. Allow yourself many local hunting adventures, as well as time at the range to ensure that you are 100% confident with it before you leave.

Fitness Remains Paramount

While your fitness levels are improving with around 6-9 months to go, now is not the time to stop. Continue with walks to strengthen your legs, up your cardio, and keep going. If you need motivation, just imagine you are being chased by an angry Cape buffalo with only one thing on its mind: Revenge!

Your packing list which is mentioned later in this blog, refers to two pairs of comfortable boots. Start walking in your waterproof boots now, ensuring that they are indeed comfortable and well-worn. The last thing you need is to spoil your hunting safari with blisters or ill-fitting footwear to ruin your hunting adventure!

If you need to apply for or renew your passport and have not already committed to this previously, now is the time to address this. Ensure that you have sufficient pages in your passport to travel, especially if you are planning on visiting numerous destinations. Confirmation of visa requirements is vital.

Touch base with your African outfitter and confirm your hunting details, dates, and payment methods.

Your African outfitter will also be able to confirm whether you require any special immunizations or inoculations. Some of these need to be administered with a gap of a couple of weeks between the shots, so speak to your healthcare provider about anything you may require having administered or any concerns that you may have.

Shot placement. Need we say more? Conduct some research relating to the shot placement on the various game you are targeting, with specific emphasis on the Cape buffalo. By the time you depart for Africa, you should have the anatomy of each animal, as well as possible shot placement scenarios from each angle. Learn more about shot placement for your Cape buffalo hunting safari.

Take the time to research your hunting safari destination in terms of terrain, climate, hunting conditions, and topography. Learn and recognise buffalo tracks, as well as signs that could assist on the hunt. Any additional information will only make you better prepared and more knowledgeable! If in doubt, contact your African outfitter, they truly are a wealth of information – use them! They have a vested interest in you having a successful hunt and, in most instances, will be more than happy to assist.

The End is in Sight

If you are keeping up with your fitness regime, you should be quite comfortable walking several miles with ease with only 3-4 months left to go. Up the distance and try to incorporate varied terrain in your walks. A suggestion would also be to add some weights while walking, especially for the ladies, as the weight of a weapon can get quite heavy. You may not realize it, but it does make a difference in terms of training and prepping for a successful African hunt.

Complete the Certificate of Registration for Personal Effects Taken Abroad, as found on the US Customs and Border Protection website. Commonly known as a CBP Form 4457, you will be required to complete it with all the details of your firearms and weapons being taken aboard.

Now is the time to start following up with your African outfitter and requesting your official letter of invitation. Also, confirm with the outfitter whether they require any additional documentation from your side – rather safe than sorry! Confirm payment methods as well as timelines and keep communication channels open to ensure a smooth, easy start to your African hunting safari.

While you should be well-versed in the Cape buffalo hunting methods and shot placements, as well as other species that you are targeting, take some time out to research the destination to which you are traveling. Africa is a diverse, interesting, and magical destination. Its people are friendly, their heritage and culture unique and most probably very different from what you have experienced or known. Consider learning a couple of basic phrases in the local language to use during your hunting expedition. 

Follow up with your passport or visas that are being processed, if applicable.

Visit your local healthcare provider and ensure that you have sufficient chronic medication. Remember when traveling with chronic medication you do require a copy of the prescription and all medication needs to be stored in the original container or box.

The Last Stretch

With less than two months to go, Africa is beckoning! The moral of the story is to keep at it and keep walking! Those shoes should be well worn by now, ensuring a comfortable walk. Keep the fitness levels up, more miles, different terrain but keep at it, don’t slow down now!

While things may be becoming rather hectic as the time is shorter, do yourself a favor and take some time out to get some target practice in, whether it is on the hunting range, or outdoors enjoying a hunting adventure. Get some time in with the rifles that you plan on bringing to Africa for your safari. Not only will this allow you to relax and perhaps calm the nerves, but will also allow you some good practice for the upcoming hunt.

While nobody likes to acknowledge or believe that things can go wrong, there are times when things are out of our hands. Purchase yourself some travel and medical insurance, whichever best suits your needs. This is not a nice-to-have option, but a necessity so ensure that you are adequately covered. 

If you have non-hunting family or friends traveling with you, touch base with your African outfitter to see what possible outings there are for them to enjoy while you are hunting. This may not always be possible, due to the location of the concession, but some outfitters can offer visits to local tourist attractions at an extra cost, a visit to a local spa, and so forth, while others offer game drives after the hunting is completed for the day. Ask and see whether this is a possibility, it is always a nice leisure option to enjoy, for both hunters and non-hunting folks.

The Final Countdown…

As your Cape buffalo hunting trip comes ever closer, ask yourself: Am I fit enough to keep up with a tracker, and PH as we target one of Africa’s most dangerous animals?  Keep going with the walking regime, I highly doubt that anyone ever went hunting in Africa and regretted the time that they spent preparing for a dream hunting adventure! I personally have never met a single one! Besides being ready for your hunt, you are doing yourself and your body a favor with the exercise routine.

Double-check that your passport and visas are in order. Order your foreign exchange and traveler’s cheques if need be. Confirm with your outfitter about any outstanding payments that may be due. Reconfirm any pre- or post-hunting safari excursions or safaris with the particular service providers.

It is completely normal for nerves to kick in, especially if this is your first African safari hunting trip, or your first time targeting one of the most dangerous animals in Africa! Take some time out to boost your confidence with some time at the shooting range, or perhaps take a short hunting safari. 

With a day or two until you jet off to Africa, you to-do list is probably growing by the minute as you reconfirm flights (remember to confirm information if traveling with firearms) as well as collect foreign currency and/or traveler’s cheques.

While nobody wants to think about the possibility of losing items, rather safe than sorry. Keep a copy of important documents with a friend or family member should you require them. 

Liaise with your African outfitter about meeting or transfer points as well as the details of the person meeting you, for example, their name and mobile number, just in case you miss each other.

A last reminder about medication, keeping it on you, as well as ensuring that you have the original prescription with you. Remember that many hunting concessions are far from the local drugstore or supermarket, so pack what you need.

Packing for your Cape Buffalo Hunting Safari

While you may be inclined to want to pack everything but the kitchen sink when hunting in Africa, it is a case of less is more. Check with your African outfitter, as it is very likely that they offer a daily laundry service, therefore the need to overpack is illuminated.  Pack clothes that are moisture-resistant, lightweight, and quick-drying.

As you prepare to pack, consider your luggage requirements, including locks for your gun case and suitcases. Remember to keep all medication in your travel luggage, along with their prescriptions. Ensure that you have good, durable locks for all your bags.

Wherever you are planning on traveling in Africa, this list should give you a good idea of what to include:

• Toiletry items of a personal nature (ladies, don’t forget the femine hygiene products!)
• Boots: Two pairs of waterproof boots for the hunting safari
• Underwear & Socks (pack ample socks, foot odor tends to attract critters!)
• Both short and long-sleeve shirts (long-sleeved shirt options protect you from thorns and vegetation as well as bugs and mosquitoes).
• Shorts and long pants (again, the long pants protect against the vegetation, as well as little critters like ticks and bugs)
• Beanie (early mornings on the safari vehicle can be very cold)
• Hat with neck protection (The African sun is extremely harsh, even in winter)
• Thick jacket for early mornings and late afternoons (layering is best, allowing you to discard clothing items as it warms up during the day)
• Binoculars for glassing for animals
• Causal wear for travel to and from the camp
• Sunglasses
• Spare contact lenses and solution / spare glasses
• Mosquito Repellent
• Sunblock (pack a good quality sunblock, even for winter trips)
• Medications
• Chronic medications
• Basic first aid kit for yourself to treat minor aches and pains, including pain medication, a broad-spectrum antibiotic in case you become ill, anti-nausea and anti-diarrhea medication, eye drops, general supply of band-aids, as well as antiseptic creams.
• Your rifle, along with the allowable ammo, if you are taking your own rifle
• Remember too, to make copies of all important documents, keeping one set at home with a trusted friend and the other with you.

Cape Buffalo Hunting in Africa: Not for the Faint-Hearted

While hunting in Africa remains a popular pastime for many game hunting enthusiasts, it is always good to remember that whether you are a novice on your first African hunting adventure or an experienced hand at hunting in Africa, preparation remains key. While no list of information is perfect, this should give you an overview of important matters and documents that require your attention. Use this as a base and add to it, as needed.

On the hunt itself, remember to communicate and listen implicitly to what your PH is saying. He is the expert, and the person who is not only going to assist you in harvesting a great buffalo trophy, but he is also responsible for getting you home in one piece! 

And when all is said and done, when the preparations are completed, the thrill of the chase is over, and you are standing alongside your trophy, take a moment to take it all in and enjoy the rush that accompanies a great African safari.

Author: B. Hershensohnn