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Targeting the Forest Buffalo in Africa

The Red Buffalo is known for its strong social bonds and protective nature, often forming tight-knit herds.

The African forest buffalo is known by a magnitude of names, including the Red buffalo, the Congo buffalo, and the dwarf buffalo. The smallest subspecies of the African buffalo, this buffalo inhabits rainforests in west and central Africa, near the equator.

The African forest buffalo is a social animal, with herds of 3-30 animals common. Herds usually consist of one or two bulls, adult females, along with their offspring. The gestation period for the forest buffalo is 300-346 days, with one or two calves being born. 

They thrive in habitats inclusive of marshes, rainforests, and grassy savannas, with their diet consisting of grasses and other plants that grow on the savanna, as well as reeds and semi-aquatic plants. 

In terms of predators, there aren’t too many that will take up a full-grown buffalo, except the cold-blooded Nile crocodile. Leopards, spotted hyenas and lions are opportunistic hunters though, and will prey on juvenile buffalo and calves, as well as the old and infirm of the herd.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature has listed the forest buffalo’s status as near threatened, with habitat loss, disease, and climate change being contributing factors.

AT A GLANCE

Name:
Syncerus caffer nanus

Male Weight:
584-705 pounds 

Male Shoulder Height:
39-51 inches

Range: 
Central and West Africa

Gestation Period: 
300-346 days

Life span:
No information available

Hunting Forest Buffalo

The Forest Buffalo is a resilient and elusive creature.

Size and Appearance


The forest buffalo is a smaller specimen than the Cape buffalo and adult males can weigh just over 700 pounds and stand around 39-51 inches at the shoulder. They have a distinctive cattle-like appearance but are not as large, with a hump on their backs, broad chests, and muscular legs. Both males and females of the species have horns, but they are shorter than those of the other subspecies and tend to curve upwards, making an almost “U” shape. They have a reddish-brown coat.

Hunting Methods


Buffalo hunting in Africa is usually undertaken by tracking and utilizing the walk-and-stalk technique. Stalking these dangerous game hunting species in the middle of an African rainforest has all the elements of an exceptional hunting adventure!

Challenges and Rewards


Hunting the forest buffalo on a dangerous game hunting safari is sure to be an exciting hunting adventure! With fewer animals in the herd than when targeting the Cape buffalo, extra care can be taken to ensure that a prize hunting trophy is selected.

Rifles and Requirements

As with all dangerous game hunting species targeted in Africa, a buffalo hunting safari requires a minimum of a .375 caliber shooting a 300-grain bullet. Other popular options include a 416 Rugby, 404 Jeffery, 458 WM, or Lott. Double rifles such as the 470NE, 500NE, and up are preferred, especially when in close quarters with the forest buffalo.

MASTERING SHOT PLACEMENT FOR MEDIUM ANTELOPE

Impala By Dennis Heller on FlickrImpala Side View Shot Placement

Available Forest Buffalo hunts

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Plains Game Hunting in South Africa, Small Antelope in Limpopo

Limpopo, South Africa

Hunting Categories:African Plains Game , Small Antelope

Species:Gray Duiker , Klipspringer , Mountain Reedbuck , Reedbuck (common) , Steenbok

Hunt Preferences:Accessible Hunts (Disability Friendly) , Family Friendly , Gun Rental

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt:1 x Hunter 1 x Professional Hunter

Booking Season:2025/2026

Destinations:South Africa

Languages Spoken:Afrikaans , English

Hunting Methods:Black Powder Hunting , Bow hunting , Crossbow hunting , Rifle hunting , Walk & Stalk

Hunt Difficult:Difficult , Extreme , Moderate

$8500 for 7 days
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Image 1

Hunting Safari in SA 10 x Nights Plains Game Combination 

Eastern Cape, South Africa

Hunting Categories:African Plains Game , Large Antelope , Medium Antelope , Small Antelope

Species:Blesbok , Blue wildebeest , Eland (common) , Gemsbok , Golden Wildebeest , Gray Duiker , Impala , Kudu (greater) , Nyala (common) , Red Hartebeest , Reedbuck (common) , Springbok , Steenbok , Warthog , Waterbuck (common) , Zebra

Hunt Preferences:Accessible Hunts (Disability Friendly) , Family Friendly , Gun Rental

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt:2 x Hunters 1 x Professional Hunter

Booking Season:2025

Destinations:South Africa

Languages Spoken:Afrikaans , English

Hunting Methods:Bow hunting , Rifle hunting

Hunt Difficult:Difficult , Moderate

$14200 for 10 days
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Cape Buffalo Safari in Zambezia Province, Mozambique

Chinde, Zambézia, Mozambique

Hunting Categories:African Plains Game , Dangerous Game , Large Antelope , Medium Antelope , Small Antelope , Speciality Animals

Species:African Crocodile , Bushbuck , Bushpig , Cape buffalo , Hippo , Reedbuck (common) , Sable , Warthog , Waterbuck (common)

Hunt Preferences:Family Friendly , Gun Rental

Hunters and PH/Guides On Hunt:1 x Hunter 1 x Dangerous Game PH

Booking Season:2025/2026

Destinations:Mozambique

Languages Spoken:Afrikaans , English , Portuguese

Hunting Methods:Bow hunting , Rifle hunting , Walk & Stalk

Hunt Difficult:Moderate

$19500 for 10 days
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