Cape Buffalo & Plains Game Hunting in South Africa

Cape Buffalo & Plains Game Hunting in South Africa

Few African hunting experiences compare to buffalo hunting in South Africa, where hunters have the opportunity to pursue one of Africa's most respected dangerous game animals while enjoying some of the finest plains game hunting.

Combining dangerous game with premium plains game creates a safari that offers variety, challenge, and exceptional trophy quality throughout the hunt.

This six-day Limpopo safari pairs a mature Cape buffalo with three of South Africa's most sought-after plains game trophies, the magnificent greater kudu, the regal sable antelope, and the impressive waterbuck. Together, these iconic species showcase the remarkable diversity that has made South Africa one of Africa's leading hunting destinations.

Hunt Cape Buffalo & Premium Plains Game – US$20,960

Safari Duration: 6 Days Hunting | 7 Nights Accommodation
Hunter Ratio: 1 Hunter × 1 Professional Hunter

Trophy Package Includes

• 1 × Cape Buffalo (35–39")
• 1 × Sable
• 1 × Greater Kudu
• 1 × Waterbuck

Observer Rates

• Adults: US$270 per night
• Children under 12: US$150 per night

Optional Extras

• Rifle Rental: US$80 per hunting day (ammunition at cost)

Safari Inclusions & Exclusions

Included in Your Safari

Your hunting package includes luxury lodge accommodation, all meals and snacks, local beers and wines (excluding spirits), daily laundry, professional hunting services, experienced trackers and skinners, camp staff, field preparation of trophies, all required hunting permits, and transport throughout the hunting concession in a dedicated 4×4 hunting vehicle.

Not Included

International and domestic flights, return road transfers from OR Tambo International Airport (US$600), hunting licence fees, firearm import permits, visas where applicable, pre- or post-safari accommodation, dip and pack services, international trophy shipping, trophy fees for additional animals not included in the package, observer fees, and gratuities for professional hunters and camp staff.

Before You Hunt Cape Buffalo

Every hunter imagines their first Cape buffalo differently, but one thing remains true: buffalo hunting is rarely predictable. Some days you'll cut fresh spoor within minutes of leaving camp, while others require hours of patient tracking before finally catching up with the herd. Success comes from trusting your professional hunter, listening to your trackers, and accepting that the buffalo will dictate the pace of the hunt.

One of the biggest surprises for first-time buffalo hunters is how close the final encounter often becomes. Dense thornveld and riverine vegetation frequently limit visibility, meaning opportunities can appear with little warning and disappear just as quickly. Remaining calm, shooting confidently from sticks, and waiting for the right angle are all part of a successful buffalo hunt.

Before travelling to Africa, we recommend taking a few minutes to review our Cape Buffalo Hunts guide and Cape Buffalo Shot Placement Guide. Understanding buffalo behaviour and vital anatomy before your safari will help you hunt with greater confidence and make the most of one of Africa's greatest dangerous game experiences.

Four of South Africa's Most Coveted Trophies

Beyond the Cape buffalo, this safari includes three of South Africa's most iconic plains game species, creating a trophy package that few hunters can resist. Combining a buffalo with a mature sable hunt, a classic greater kudu hunt, and an impressive waterbuck hunt offers exceptional variety, with each species presenting its own unique habitat, stalking techniques, and hunting experience.

For many international hunters, the opportunity to hunt Cape buffalo and sable during the same safari is reason enough to travel to South Africa. Mature sable bulls rank among Africa's most admired antelope, recognised for their striking jet-black coats, sweeping scimitar-shaped horns, and regal appearance. Add the legendary "Grey Ghost" of Africa—the greater kudu—and the heavy-bodied waterbuck that inhabits rivers and wetlands, and this safari delivers four truly memorable trophies in one outstanding hunting adventure.

Trophy Package Includes

• 1 × Cape Buffalo (35–39")
• 1 × Sable
• 1 × Greater Kudu
• 1 × Waterbuck

Africa Doesn't Follow Your Plan

Many hunters arrive in Africa with a plan already mapped out in their minds.

"We'll hunt buffalo on the first morning, look for sable tomorrow, and finish with kudu before flying home."

Africa has other ideas.

Fresh spoor, changing winds, overnight rain, and the movement of wild animals dictate the rhythm of every safari. A buffalo herd may leave the area during the night, while a mature kudu bull suddenly appears where nobody expected him. Sometimes you'll spend an entire day following buffalo tracks, only to decide that tomorrow offers a better opportunity. Other days, everything comes together within the first hour after sunrise.

The best hunters quickly learn to trust the process. They trust their professional hunter, listen to the trackers, and understand that patience is often rewarded. Some of the finest trophies are taken because a hunter was willing to change the plan, follow fresh tracks, or simply wait for the right opportunity instead of forcing the moment.

That is one of the greatest lessons Africa teaches. You don't conquer the bush, you become part of it. The sooner you embrace the unexpected, the more rewarding your safari becomes.

Your Safari Experience

Your safari is hosted by Tiaan, Keenan, and their experienced team of professional hunters, whose reputation has been built on ethical hunting, outstanding trophy quality, and genuine South African hospitality. Supported by skilled trackers, skinners, chefs, and camp staff, every detail is taken care of, allowing you to focus entirely on the hunt.

International hunters arrive via OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg before enjoying an easy three-hour road transfer to the hunting concession. After each day's hunt, you'll return to a comfortable lodge offering spacious ensuite accommodation, excellent home-cooked meals, and evenings around the campfire—the perfect setting to relive the day's adventures and prepare for tomorrow's hunt.

Why Consider This Hunt?

If you've been searching for a hunting safari that combines dangerous game with some of the country's most prestigious plains game trophies, this package deserves serious consideration. Bringing together Cape buffalo, sable, greater kudu, and waterbuck in a single safari offers exceptional variety, outstanding trophy quality, and the opportunity to experience four very different styles of hunting.

With experienced professional hunters, comfortable lodge accommodation, and the flexibility to add additional species, this safari showcases why hunting in South Africa continues to attract hunters from around the world. Whether this is your first African safari or another chapter in your hunting journey, few packages offer such an impressive combination of dangerous game and premium plains game.

If this Cape buffalo and premium plains game safari is the hunting adventure you've been searching for, contact the Game Hunting Safaris team today to discuss availability or customise the package to suit your hunting goals. We'll help you choose the right dates, the right outfitter, and ensure your African safari is every bit as memorable as you've imagined.