Cape Buffalo Hunting, Memories On The Plains Of Namibia

ABOUT THE EXPEDITION

Cape buffalo hunting in Namibia’s Caprivi Strip is regarded as some of the finest dangerous game hunting in Southern Africa, with vast floodplains, old dagga boys, and truly wild hunting conditions.

The region is also well known for exceptional elephant hunting,  with large bulls regularly moving through the river systems and surrounding bushveld areas.

For hunters pursuing aquatic dangerous game, the Caprivi additionally offers outstanding hippo hunting and crocodile hunts, particularly along the Chobe River and surrounding waterways.

The floodplains and grasslands surrounding the Chobe River support enormous buffalo populations, with herds regularly crossing between Botswana and Namibia. The region is also home to excellent plains game hunting, including impala, red lechwe, and Chapman’s zebra.

Cape buffalo hunting in the Caprivi Strip is unique. While most mature bulls are heavily hard-bossed, average horn spreads generally range between 37 and 40 inches. Outfitters operating in the region focus heavily on sustainable hunting practices and preserving trophy quality, with many concessions intentionally avoiding younger bulls with exceptional width.

Hunting buffalo in these conditions can be extremely challenging. The flat floodplains and sparse cover make it difficult to approach old dagga boys unnoticed, and in many situations there is simply nowhere to hide.

This particular African hunting safari was conducted as part of Namibia’s drought-relief initiative, with the quota allocated for a non-exportable buffalo bull.

After several days tracking buffalo along the floodplains, we were fortunate enough to encounter an old dagga boy that had crossed over from Botswana. Using the reedbeds along the water channels for cover, we eventually closed the distance and suddenly found ourselves less than twenty yards from this magnificent old bull.

The trusted Verney-Carron .500 Nitro Express loaded with 570-grain expanding bullets performed flawlessly. The buffalo absorbed the first double-lung shot but, not wanting the bull to cross back into Botswana through the water channels, a second insurance shot was quickly taken.

Cape buffalo hunting in Namibia is one of the most exciting forms of dangerous game hunting in Africa. Every hunt is different, every stalk is unpredictable, and every successful buffalo safari leaves hunters with a deep respect for these powerful animals and the conservation efforts that protect them.