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Hunting The West African Savanna Buffalo

The West African Savanna Buffalo is well-equipped for its environment, with a strong sense of smell and a sturdy, resilient body

Buffalo hunting in Africa is a thrilling and exciting dangerous game hunting safari, with various species available, depending on where you are enjoying your game hunting in Africa. The African buffalo has two distinctive subspecies, one being the Southern Savanna Buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer). Three forms of the Savanna buffalo are recognized, including the West African savanna buffalo (Syncerus caffer brachyceros).

The habitat of this buffalo species includes woodlands, savannas, grasslands, forests, swamps, and floodplains. Their diets are herbivorous, including grasses, leaves, herbs, reeds, and aquatic plants.

The buffalo herds are more active feeding at night while drinking early morning and late afternoon and spending the heat of the day resting in shaded areas.

Predators of this mighty buffalo species include lions, spotted hyenas, wild dogs, as well as the Nile crocodile.

The West African savanna buffalo is listed as “least concern” according to the IUCN.

AT A GLANCE

Name:
Syncerus caffer brachyceros

Male Weight:
1,543 pounds

Male Shoulder Height:
55 inches

Range:
Central Africa

Life span:
12-20 years

Hunting West African Savanna Buffalo

The West African Savanna Buffalo is known for its herd behavior and strong social bonds, which provide protection and increase its chances of survival

Size and Appearance

The West African savanna buffalo is a sturdy, solid cow-like creature. They are heavily built, with short stocky legs. They have large ears which hang below the horns and both sexes have beautiful horns that are smaller than other subspecies. Their horns resemble those of the Forest buffalo. They coats are gray-black in color.

Hunting Methods

When buffalo hunting in Africa, you can expect the hunting safari methods to engage tracking as well as the walk and stalk method.

Challenges and Rewards

Buffalo in general are renowned for their bad attitudes, their pure aggressive natures, and cunning streaks. This remains true for the Nile buffalo, and the challenge (apart from excellent shot placement!) is to face your fear when hunting buffalo in Africa. These animals are not to be messed with, with many hunters telling tales (and some not living to tell the tale!) of their stubborn, mean, and aggressive streaks. The reward is participating in African hunts targeting buffalo is reward enough in itself – especially if you complete the hunt unscathed with a game hunting trophy in tow!

Rifles and Requirements

As with all dangerous game hunting adventures in Africa, a minimum of a .375 caliber shooting a 300-grain bullet is required for the hunting safari. Should the hunter wish to consider other options, popular calibers include the 416 Rugby, 404 Jeffery, and 458 WM, while double rifles such as the 470NE, and 500NE, are also an option for when the hunting safari is near the buffalo.