As hunters grow and mature in their hunting journey, so does the desire to challenge themselves with some of the ultimate hunting experiences known to man: Challenging Africa’s Big 5!

And nothing compares to challenging Africa’s Black Death, the Cape Buffalo (Syncerus caffer).

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Introduction To Zimbabwe

Did you know that Zimbabwe is one of the five top African nations in terms of the sheer number of Cape buffalo that inhabit this unspoiled destination? Africa is said to have more than 100,000 Cape buffalo calling the continent home, with more than 10,000 buffalos inhabiting Zimbabwe.

Hunting in Zimbabwe’s concessions and game reserves can be a challenging safari hunting experience! Hunting areas are split into three main categories

• Government land
• Private land
• Tribal land

National Parks form as feeders into the surrounding concession areas. Each of these categories has its own set of rules, be sure to confirm with your African outfitter with regards to these.

Why Choose Zimbabwe as a Game Hunting Destination?

When it comes down to brass tax, there are several reasons why Zimbabwe remains a top dangerous game hunting destination, including:

• Affordability: Zimbabwe remains one of the most affordable African countries in which to enjoy a dangerous game hunting experience.
• Diverse Range of Animals: From the Big 5 and Dangerous 7 to a wide array of African plains game, and specialty animals, the country is teeming with wildlife.
• Exceptional Trophies: While they do have a wide range of animal species, their trophies are also of good quality, making them sought-after in the hunting world. Big 5 animals available for hunting in Zimbabwe include the lion, Cape buffalo, leopard, and elephant.
• Free-Range Hunts: Zimbabwe offers free-range hunting opportunities, allowing hunters to experience the Africa of old, with untamed and natural hunting areas, to enthrall, excite, and delight game hunters. This brings to the fore a whole new level of danger to experience and enjoy!
• Differing Terrain: Zimbabwe is home to differing terrain to challenge hunters during their African hunt.
• Fish & Game: This prime destination allows a combination hunting and fishing dream safari, with the mighty Zambezi River producing incredible tiger fish and yellow fish.
• Tourist Attractions: When all is said and done, and the last shot is fired, you still have the option to ensure a great tourism experience, with a range of tourism activities and attractions to pursue, regardless of your interests.

Famous Buffalo Hunting Grounds

Africa is renowned for its excellent and sought-after trophies, and Cape buffalo hunting in Zimbabwe is no exception. The area is famous for its free-range Cape buffalo hunts, where wilderness and hunting meet Africa at its best, together with excellent conditions, diverse destinations, and excellent trophies.

Cape buffalo hunting in Zimbabwe sees hunters targeting an extremely aggressive, highly intelligent, and exceptionally dangerous member of Africa’s Big 5 and Dangerous 7. Why, might you ask? The answer, in fact, is simple. The pure adrenaline of standing eye-to-eye with one of the most dangerous animals worldwide, and then successfully shooting it, is a feeling like no other. The feeling of your heart beating in your chest, the dry mouth, the slightly shaking hands as you ready yourself for the shot…then the steadying breath, and the confidence as all your research and training comes flooding back and you take the shot, as well as the follow-ups, and the magnificent buffalo is down, and you have a successful Cape buffalo hunt under your belt! That feeling is….absolutely priceless!

Hunting in Zimbabwe is mostly free-range, and the experience of tracking, stalking, and meeting this animal face-to-face is a dream come true for many hunting enthusiasts. Cape buffalo hunting in Zimbabwe offers numerous great locations for a Cape buffalo hunt, including hunts in the popular Matetsi and Gonarezhai regions that are renowned for producing sterling specimens. The areas are known for large herds of 500 animals or more, with exceptional trophies being produced.

What is a "Dagga Boy?"

A dagga boy is an older, usually solitary Cape buffalo bull that has been ejected from the herd. There are a few reasons as to why this may happen, including competition from younger, larger animals for top spots in the herd.

They are known for wallowing or resting in the mud, and this is where the name originates from. In a local African language, “dagga” is mud, and the name, like the mud, has stuck to these animals.

These dagga boys are solitary or may form groups of around 2-4 animals. They are extremely sought-after trophies and are seen as being exceptionally tough, due to surviving in the wild on their own, without the protection of the herd against apex predators, including lions.

They are also rated as the most difficult and dangerous Cape buffalo to take down and, if you think about it, with nothing to lose and only death waiting, wouldn’t you also put up the fight of a lifetime?

Best Season for Buffalo Hunting in Zimbabwe

While Zimbabwe has no official hunting season, and hunts are allowable 365 days a year, there are definitely times when it is considered a “better” time for hunting. This time period falls in the dry season and usually runs from around April to October.

This is during the cooler winter months, making the safari more manageable in terms of critters and bugs, but the vegetation and grasses are also shorter, allowing the hunter to spot and stalk his prey more easily. In addition to this, the animals are more likely to gather in or around water holes, increasing the opportunities for hunters to complete a successful dangerous game hunting safari.

Hunting Methods & Shot Placement on a Cape Buffalo Hunt

Most Zimbabwe hunts are classified as “safari style”  which works well with the wild, untamed African destination. Members of the hunting party will set out in a canoe (called a mokoro) or a 4×4 vehicle to search for the Cape buffaloes and spoor. Once tracks are spotted, the tracker and team will then set off on foot, using the walk-and-stalk method. The terrain is not exceptionally difficult to cover but knowing that this unpredictable beast with sharp horns and a bad attitude could turn and charge a person, I would ensure that my fitness is certainly in the “fighting fit” category. When dangerous game hunting, you need to be prepared for anything – and you don’t want to be out in the bush, with a Cape buffalo charging, and wishing you had given your cardio workouts more attention!

At the end of the day, it is your shot placement that remains critical. Learn all you can about shot placement for Cape buffalo and ensure that you are familiar with and comfortable with your chosen rifle.

While bow hunting of Cape buffalo is permitted in Zimbabwe, there are quite a few rules and regulations related thereto, and it is best to speak to your African outfitter directly should you wish to engage in bow hunting.

The Role of Conservation when Hunting in Zimbabwe

Did you know that when you engage in buffalo hunting in Zimbabwe, you contribute to conservation initiatives? Zimbabwe has many conservation programs and initiatives running, all of which play a role in ensuring an ongoing and healthy approach to conservation by all role players in the industry.

• Employment: Opportunities are granted to local community members, employed as trackers, skinners, chefs, and cleaners to name but a few.
• Financial Assistance with conservation initiatives: As hunters purchase tags, licenses, and the hunt, revenue is generated for use in establishing and rolling out conservation programs and initiatives across the country.
• Feeding the Needy: Hunting safaris provide protein for local villages and settlements, ensuring much-needed protein is added to the diet of the most vulnerable in rural areas.
• CAMPFIRE Initiative: Through conservation initiatives such as CAMPFIRE (Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources), rural and local communities stand to gain from the local hunting industry with increased infrastructure, and better standards of living due to employment opportunities.
• Assist with Human-Wildlife Conflict: Hunters can assist by targeting a problem animal in the rural areas, for example, an elephant that is destroying crops, or a crocodile that is attacking livestock or people.

Through initiatives that are well-planned, managed, and supported, hunting can continue to play a role in conservation and build a sustainable future for wildlife in Zimbabwe and worldwide.

When the Hunt is Over, Enjoy some R&R!

Zimbabwe is a fascinating country, rich in heritage and culture with a melting pot of experiences to enjoy as a tourist. Check out some of the famous tourism activities available:

The Victoria Falls

First on the list for any person visiting this African destination, would most definitely be the Victoria Falls. Known as “The Smoke That Thunders” this 328-foot-high waterfall is one of the Seven Natural Wonders in the World and well worth a visit.

Game Reserves

Zimbabwe is renowned for its exceptional wildlife. Apart from hunting it, you can also enjoy game drives and wildlife experiences at any number of its beautiful national parks that are scattered across the country.

Great Zimbabwe National Monument

Located in Masvingo, this monument site features ruins that once formed part of a large, successful medieval city and is proof of human existence in the area, thousands of years ago. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Khami Ruins

Situated just outside of Bulawayo and another one of the country’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, they allow the tourist insight and provide information relating to the local region’s heritage and culture.

When it comes to Cape buffalo hunts in Africa, Zimbabwe remains a prime dangerous game hunting destination and rates amongst the best in terms of buffalo trophies. Don’t miss out, find out more about buffalo hunting in Zimbabwe, and book yourself a hunting adventure of a lifetime!

Author: B. Hershensohnn