Please give me some input on some Cape Buffalo Hunt options

My buddy and I are considering planning a Cape Buffalo hunt. He would use a rifle and I would use a bow.

We have several options of hunts that our outfitter, Hannes Els, has given to us:

1. Kruger Concession, just across the river from Krueger National Park.

2. Zimbabwe Concession.

3. Mozambique wilderness hunt

4. Concession near Limcroma, where we have hunted plains game before.

The prices are not all the same, so that may make the decision for us. We are wanting to have a great chance of getting buffalo, while have as much of a wild hunting adventure as possible. We only want to walk and stalk.

Any thoughts?

It will always come down to priority: $, time, experience wanted, etc.

Item
1. "Across the river"? Zimbabwe in and out of the park issues. Maybe there, maybe not. Depends on the time of year, etc.
Might effect your "great chance"

2. Lots of good places to hunt. Make sure they know about bow hunting.

3. "wilderness". What does that mean? Large concession, absence of people, cattle, what, national park. Long grass can make it helpful for sneaking up on Buffalo with the bow.

4. SA Buffalo hunt, It can be a great hunt, but make sure it is what you want. "Wild hunt". or Wilderness?!
Depends how big the property is and how the Buffalo are treated.

Good luck and have fun.

Originally Posted by Bowhuntr64

My buddy and I are considering planning a Cape Buffalo hunt. He would use a rifle and I would use a bow... We only want to walk and stalk.

Are you looking at doing a 2x1 hunt? I think that priority should be given to the bowhunter when looking for the right outfitter in this case.

Originally Posted by BRICKBURN

It will always come down to priority: $, time, experience wanted, etc.

Item
1. "Across the river"? Zimbabwe in and out of the park issues. Maybe there, maybe not. Depends on the time of year, etc.
Might effect your "great chance"

2. Lots of good places to hunt. Make sure they know about bow hunting.

3. "wilderness". What does that mean? Large concession, absence of people, cattle, what, national park. Long grass can make it helpful for sneaking up on Buffalo with the bow.

4. SA Buffalo hunt, It can be a great hunt, but make sure it is what you want. "Wild hunt". or Wilderness?!
Depends how big the property is and how the Buffalo are treated.

Good luck and have fun.

Brickburn, The first area would be either Letaba ranch or Mtimkulu (rigby safaris), great buffalo areas not sure about SAN PARKS protocol with bow
though....

Have a great hunt.

My best always.

Originally Posted by Jaco Strauss

Brickburn, The first area would be either Letaba ranch or Mtimkulu (rigby safaris), great buffalo areas not sure about SAN PARKS protocol with bow
though....

Have a great hunt.

My best always.

Thanks for the Geography Lesson Jaco. (Why I like this site)
I know there is someone offering hunts of "Kruger Bulls" "across the river" in a communal area in Zim. Could be a great hunt and the operator does allow/offer bow hunting. My concern is: When do the Buffalo come out of the park; Crop season, dry season, after dark, etc.

Both are in SA just across the Letaba river... It is regarded as communal land but managed by San Parks, sure Hannes would be able to answer the legality of Bow hunting on this greater Kruger national parks area....

Buffalo are on these areas on a constant basis but early season is best for the really big boys.. Have taken 48,5" on Mtimkulu and some great bulls on Letaba as well, when hunting from Ntomeni camp...

I would suggest a 1x1 considering the one buffalo to be hunted with a bow.

On the Zim side I am unsure with regards to movement...sorry my friend never been there...

My best always.

Hannes is a great PH with both rifle and the bow....you chose well!!
Ask him the pros and cons of each of those options as he has a ton of experience in all of those locations on buff... You will have a great experience with him and his team.

True ask Hannes what would be the best area for this combination safari sure he will be able to provide you with the best option...

My best always.

True ask Hannes what would be the best area for this combination safari sure he will be able to provide you with the best option...

My best always.

Bowhunter,

I would ask Hannes for the very specific area in Zimbabwe he intends for you to hunt, not just a region but a name. I would also ask who will be the the PH for the hunt in Zimbabwe. Those two things can make or break the hunt.

Same goes for Mozambique in regards to area. Moz laws do allow foreign PHs to hunt as where Zim's laws are different.

It is hard to offer advice for these two countries without specifics however I have enjoyed four very successful trips to Zim and shot a 49 inch buffalo in Mozambique. I love both countries. Be careful in both as there are very good operators and unscrupulous operators in both countries.

Originally Posted by Mike70560

Bowhunter,

I would ask Hannes for the very specific area in Zimbabwe he intends for you to hunt, not just a region but a name. I would also ask who will be the the PH for the hunt in Zimbabwe. Those two things can make or break the hunt.

Same goes for Mozambique in regards to area. Moz laws do allow foreign PHs to hunt as where Zim's laws are different.

It is hard to offer advice for these two countries without specifics however I have enjoyed four very successful trips to Zim and shot a 49 inch buffalo in Mozambique. I love both countries. Be careful in both as there are very good operators and unscrupulous operators in both countries.

The area in Zimbabwe is in the north, and is on Lake Kariba. Any knowledge of that area?