Triple Cape Buffalo Hunt in the Selous, Tanzania

Hunting in Tanzania remains one of the last truly wild dangerous game experiences in Africa, and few safaris compare to tracking old dagga boys through the untamed Selous wilderness.

This 16-day Cape Buffalo hunting safari takes place in the renowned Iluma Wildlife Management Area, a vast free-range concession known for exceptional buffalo numbers, hard-hunting conditions, and classic East African safari country. Hunters can expect long days on spoor through miombo woodland, floodplains, and thick riverine bush while pursuing mature bulls during an authentic Cape Buffalo hunt in Tanzania.

The safari includes three Cape Buffalo trophies and is led by an experienced Tanzanian professional hunting team with extensive local knowledge of the Selous ecosystem. Hunters wanting the full dangerous game experience may also add species such as Leopard, Hippo, Crocodile, and a variety of East African plains game during the safari.

Whether your goal is a traditional Tanzania buffalo safari, a classic East African hunting adventure, or the challenge of hunting Africa’s Black Death in truly wild country, the Selous delivers an unforgettable experience. 

16-Day Cape Buffalo Hunting Safari in Tanzania – US$ 45,000

Includes 3 Cape Buffalo Trophy Fees 

*1 x Hunter 1 x Professional Hunter
** Observers welcome at US$ 400 per night

*** Rifle Rental available: .375 at US$ 80 per day. Ammunition at cost.

Hunting Cape Buffalo in the Selous

The Selous remains one of Africa’s last great wilderness hunting areas and is widely regarded as one of the premier destinations for free-range Cape Buffalo hunting in Tanzania. Vast, untamed, and largely untouched, this legendary safari region offers hunters an authentic East African dangerous game experience in true wild country.

Hunting takes place within the Iluma Wildlife Management Area, a 127,000-acre concession made up of dense miombo woodland, river systems, floodplains, and thick riverine vegetation — ideal buffalo habitat that regularly produces mature hard-bossed bulls. The area is also home to exceptional dangerous game populations, including Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Hippo, and Crocodile, along with a wide variety of East African plains game species.

Tracking buffalo in the Selous is rarely easy. Long days on spoor, close encounters in thick cover, and physically demanding stalks are all part of the experience. For hunters seeking a traditional free-range Tanzania buffalo safari in truly wild country, few destinations in Africa compare to the Selous ecosystem.

The safari includes:
• 3 x Cape Buffalo

Day Fees         US$ 30,000
Buffalo x 3      US$ 15,000
TOTAL             US$ 45,000

The Cape Buffalo Hunting Grounds

Situated in the Selous region, the Iluma Wildlife Management Area is a free-range hunting concession spanning more than 127,000 acres of untamed East African wilderness. The area supports exceptional populations of dangerous game, including Lion, Leopard, Elephant, and mature Cape Buffalo bulls, making it one of the premier areas for dangerous game hunting in Tanzania.

Beyond buffalo, the concession also offers outstanding plains game hunts, with species ranging from large antelope such as Greater Kudu and Eland to smaller species including Steenbok and Kirk’s Dik-dik. Hunters may also encounter East African Impala, Wildebeest, Waterbuck, Zebra, and a variety of predators including Hyena and African Wild Dog during the safari.

The Selous landscape is incredibly diverse, consisting of dense miombo woodland, floodplain grasslands, river systems, and thick riverine vegetation that create ideal habitat for both dangerous game and plains game species. The Kilombero River flows through the concession, with camp situated along its banks, offering excellent wildlife viewing and an authentic East African safari atmosphere. 

The African Outfitter hosting the Hunt

Born and raised in the Selous region, Hasheem developed a deep understanding of the African wilderness from an early age. Growing up alongside some of Tanzania’s most iconic wildlife areas gave him firsthand experience in tracking game, understanding animal behavior, and navigating the unique challenges of dangerous game hunting in East Africa.

Today, together with his experienced Tanzanian safari team, Hasheem offers authentic free-range hunting safaris focused on professionalism, hard hunting, and genuine East African hospitality. From assisting with firearm import permits and travel logistics to guiding hunters throughout the safari, the team is committed to ensuring a smooth and memorable hunting experience from arrival in Tanzania to the conclusion of the hunt. 

Safari Inclusions:

• Trophy Fees for 3 x Cape Buffalo
• Meet and greet by the team on arrival in Dar es Salaam
• All necessary Hunting Licenses and Permits (21-day license)
• Conservation Fees per hunter
• Services of PH, Trackers, Skinners, Chef, and Camp Staff
• Field Preparation of Trophies and delivery to Dar es Salaam
• Accommodation with full board (Breakfast, lunch, supper, and snacks)
• Daily laundry service
• Soft drinks and water
• Safari Tented Accommodation
• On Territory Transport (4 x 4 Vehicle)
• One Gun Import Permit

This Cape Buffalo Hunt Excludes:

• Trophy fees for any additional animal killed, wounded, and/or lost.
• Firearm Import Licenses (One gun import fee – US$ 300)
• Import fee on ammo at +- US$ 2 per round (Max 100 cartridges per caliber)
• Any pre- or post-safari accommodation
• Dip and Pack of Trophies @ US$ 1,500
• Trophy Shipping Costs
• Hunting VISA (point of entry into Tanzania) US$ 50
• Trophy Export Permit (US$ 200)
• Observers @US$ 400 per day
• Gratuities / Tips for Staff (At Hunter’s Discretion)
• Wine, beer, and any other alcoholic drinks
• Return road transfer from Dar es Salaam to Iluma Concession in Selous (8hr) at US$ 3,000 OR return transfer from Morogoro to Iluma Concession (US$ 1,200). Please note that hunters will still need to take an electric train from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro for US$ 410 (return). The train journey lasts 1.5 hours, with the road transfer from Morogoro to the Selous concession then shortened to 3 hours.
• One Gun import fee (US$ 300) per rifle
• Transport by road to/from hunting is (US$ 500 per journey)
• Extra car by client request / including driver and fuel: US$ 400 per day.

Add more Trophies during the Buffalo Safari

For hunters wanting to experience more of Tanzania’s incredible wildlife diversity, additional species may be added to the safari for the applicable trophy fees only. The Selous ecosystem supports an exceptional variety of game, offering everything from classic East African antelope to some of Africa’s most sought-after dangerous game species.

In addition to outstanding plains game hunts, hunters may encounter species such as Greater Kudu, Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest, Waterbuck, Warthog, Puku, Common Reedbuck, and Steenbok throughout the concession.

Many hunters also choose to extend the adventure with additional dangerous game hunts, particularly Leopard hunts and Lion safaris, while Hippo and Crocodile are also available in the Selous region. 

Accommodation in the Selous

The safari camp is set along the banks of the Kilombero River, offering sweeping views across one of Tanzania’s most scenic wilderness areas. Surrounded by riverine vegetation and the sounds of the African bush, the camp provides an authentic East African safari atmosphere while still offering the comfort needed after long days in the field.

Hunters are accommodated in spacious tented suites with en-suite bathrooms, comfortable beds, and all essential amenities. The central thatched dining and lounge area overlooks the river and serves as the gathering point for sharing stories from the day’s hunt over dinner and evening drinks around the fire.

Cuisine is hearty, fresh, and prepared daily using a combination of local ingredients, fresh produce, and traditional safari-style meals. Depending on the success of recent hunts, hunters may also enjoy venison dishes prepared from locally harvested plains game, adding another authentic touch to the safari experience.

Traveling to hunt in Tanzania, Iluma Concession in Selous

Hunters participating in this safari will need to fly into Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s main international gateway. From Dar es Salaam, there are two travel options to reach the Iluma concession in the Selous region. The first is a direct road transfer to camp, which takes approximately 8 hours and costs US$ 3,000 return. Alternatively, hunters may take the electric train from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro, a comfortable 1.5-hour journey costing US$ 410 return, after which the road transfer to camp is shortened to approximately 3 hours at a cost of US$ 1,200 return. For hunters preferring faster access to camp, charter flights into the Selous area can also be arranged at an additional cost. 

Shot Placement & Rifle Caliber

Before the hunt, it is worth reviewing proper Cape Buffalo shot placement to better understand the vital zones and correct shot angles required when hunting one of Africa’s most dangerous animals. Known as “Africa’s Black Death,” the Cape Buffalo has earned a reputation for aggression, toughness, and its tendency to circle back on hunting parties when wounded, making accurate shot placement absolutely critical.

As with all members of the Big 5 and Dangerous 7, the minimum legal caliber requirement for Cape Buffalo hunting in Tanzania is a .375 caliber rifle firing a 300-grain bullet. Many experienced dangerous game hunters prefer larger calibers such as the .416 Rigby, .404 Jeffery, .458 Winchester Magnum, or .458 Lott for additional stopping power on close-range encounters. Traditional double rifles chambered in calibers such as the .470 Nitro Express or .500 Nitro Express are also highly regarded, particularly when hunting buffalo in thick cover at close quarters.

Dangerous Game Hunting in the Selous

The Selous remains one of Africa’s last truly wild dangerous game destinations, offering hunters an authentic East African safari experience across vast unfenced wilderness areas. Thick miombo woodland, floodplains, river systems, and dense riverine vegetation create ideal habitat for Cape Buffalo and other dangerous game species, while also making every stalk physically demanding and highly rewarding.

Buffalo hunting in the Selous is typically conducted on foot, tracking spoor through thick cover and carefully closing the distance before a shot opportunity presents itself. Long days in the bush, close encounters in dense vegetation, and the unpredictability of free-range dangerous game are all part of what makes this region so respected among experienced hunters.

Part of what makes the Selous so memorable is the feeling of hunting in genuinely untamed country. Encounters with Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Hippo, Crocodile, and a wide variety of plains game species are all part of the experience, while strict hunting quotas and conservation management help preserve the region for future generations. For many hunters, a traditional Tanzania buffalo safari in the Selous represents one of the closest remaining links to the classic East African safaris of old.

Health Requirements for Hunting in Tanzania

American and international hunters traveling to Tanzania should ensure that their routine vaccinations are up to date before departure. A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is only required if you are arriving from, or transiting through for more than 12–24 hours, a country with a high risk of Yellow Fever transmission. Hunters traveling directly from the United States or Europe generally do not require a Yellow Fever certificate for entry into Tanzania.

In addition to routine vaccinations, many travelers choose to consult their doctor or travel clinic regarding recommended vaccinations and preventative medication for East Africa. Common recommendations may include Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Rabies, Polio, Meningitis, and Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis), as well as malaria prophylaxis depending on the season and travel areas within Tanzania. 

If any further information is required regarding this hunt in Tanzania, or you are seeking a custom hunting safari including additional hunters, please contact our team at Game Hunting Safaris or message Hasheem (outfitter) directly using the quick message icons. If you would like to check availability, please insert dates in the” Request a Quote” link. Hasheem will revert.