Which country and where for big Buffalo?

[Jetjockey]

I’m sure this has been rehashed many times, but my goal is to start saving now so I can hunt buff again in 5-6 years. I’d also like to take a sable or an oryx. This will be my 2nd buff hunt, as I took an old 38” buff with decent drop and bosses in Zambia this year. On my next hunt, I don’t want decent, I want a no fence old mature 40”+ buff with lots of drop and tips below the head. One of those old bulls with tons of character that checks all the boxes. I’d be willing to go home empty if I didn’t find the right bull. Something like the one in this picture. I’m fully aware that an old ugly beat up daga boy that is well past it’s scoring prime is the ultimate goal, and that would be my goal on my 3rd Buffalo hunt. But for my 2nd hunt, I want that bull that my dreams are made of.

 

[Doug3006]

Right up front, I must say that I’ve hunted Buffalo in Zambia and Zimbabwe, so I’m no expert.

From what I’ve seen, your no-fence options include Mozambique, Namibia (the Caprivi), Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. There are a couple of no-fence options in South Africa (Timbavati is one). Each option has its pluses and minuses.

Like you, my first Buffalo hunt was in Zambia. I had an awesome trip. The Luangwa Valley is a special place. I hope to return one day, but the prices are daunting!

My second Buffalo hunt was in the Dande concession in the Zambezi Valley of Zimbabwe. There are lots of good Buffalo there. I was fortunate to be hunting with the right outfit (Charlton McCallum Safaris) and with a great PH (Dean Kendall) and honestly in the right spot at the right time! I took an old 44“ bull. I think Zimbabwe is the best value in unfenced dangerous game hunting. There’s not a lot of plains game in the Dande, however my hunting buddy @Jeff505 got a great buff, a nice Sable and an enormous 61 inch Kudu. I got skunked on Sable. There are lots of concessions in Zim with Buffalo and plains game. I think you’ll find what you’re looking for.

Good luck.

 

[Garrett89]

Following with keen interest!

 

[375Fox]

Really most well managed areas in any country are capable of producing 40”+ buffalo. However if I wanted a very high likelihood of taking a huge buffalo I’d hunt a free range area adjacent Kruger in South Africa. They sell the hunts by size and it’s not quite fully wild like other areas in Africa, but it is open with park and big 5 are present, civilization is just very close by. I took a 46” bull free range against Kruger, 42”+ should be very achievable. The Kruger genetics are amazing. I’d also consider the park areas in Caprivi for a big bull in a more wild area or Botswana.

 

[Fatback]

Waterberg Plateau in Namibia has a reputation for producing really big buffalo. I have never hunted there myself but from talking to some folks, including PHs that I trust, they all have very positive things to say about the buffalo hunting there. I would also look at the Caprivi in Namibia. I was able to take a nice bull there last year.

 

[Foxi]

I would ask Norbert Reiner Safaris.
He is operating in Tanzania and when it must be a 40" I would contact him.
Guaranteed free range buff over 40" is not serious.
Not in Zamb,Zimb and Caprivi.
Foxi

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Zimbabwe for elephant

Tanzania for hippopotamus, lion & leopard

Zambia & Botswana for Cape buffalo (though Tanzania is also very good)

 

[buck wild]

There are a couple of no-fence options in South Africa (Timbavati is one).

Unless something changed in the last year, the Timbavati was only allowing management type bulls 36" and under to be hunted under their agreement with Kruger.

to OP- Tanzania would be where I'd start, but not sure about sable there (too expensive for me to even research Tanz ).

 

[WAB]

The buff in my avatar is from Klaserie. He would meet your criteria and then some. Kruger genetics are unreal. However, the area is a little too settled/developed for my taste.

As mentioned above, I would consider contacting Jamie Traut about the Waterburg Plateau. Another option with really big bulls is Ngamiland in Botswana.

What you want is an area where the normal buff taken is over 40”, not an area where they get one a year. Zim produces some great buffalo, just look at what Doug took in Dande! However, most mature bulls taken are going to be 36” to 38” herd bulls.

The area you hunted in the Luangwa produces massive buff. I sense you want to go somewhere else, but it is a place you could hold out for a truly big bull.

 

[Rare Breed]

Really most well managed areas in any country are capable of producing 40”+ buffalo. However if I wanted a very high likelihood of taking a huge buffalo I’d hunt a free range area adjacent Kruger in South Africa. They sell the hunts by size and it’s not quite fully wild like other areas in Africa, but it is open with park and big 5 are present, civilization is just very close by. I took a 46” bull free range against Kruger, 42”+ should be very achievable. The Kruger genetics are amazing. I’d also consider the park areas in Caprivi for a big bull in a more wild area or Botswana.

Awesome!!! Great advice. I am sure you have posted pictures of the 46 in her but would love to see it!!! Congratulations!!!

 

[Rare Breed]

Zimbabwe for elephant
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Tanzania for hippopotamus, lion & leopard
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Zambia & Botswana for Cape buffalo (though Tanzania is also very good)

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Always enjoy your expertise, experience and postings!

 

[Scott CWO]

Of all the countries and areas that I have hunted, the biggest bulls I have seen were in Botswana and Tanzania. I saw some honest 45” mature hard-bossed bulls in Botswana on my elephant hunt but the quota was sold out and all I could do was drool. Not a cheap hunt but the biggest bulls I’ve seen.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Always enjoy your expertise, experience and postings!

Why, thank you, Rare Breed. I greatly enjoy your postings as well.

 

[revturbo9967]

I’ve been following some outfits in Tanzania and there seems to be something magical with the buffalo in that country. They’re some massive bulls coming out of Rungwa the last few years. I would look there for sure.

 

[Scott CWO]

Maswa in Tanzania also has some big buffalo. I hope to find one or two like this in November!

 

[revturbo9967]

Not a good picture but wow. That’s a dream animal in my opinion

 

[MATTANJA HUNTING SAFARIS]

Hi @Jetjockey

I've send you a PM

Sincerely
Dieter

 

[Philip Glass]

This is a hard one. I would say Tanzania is your best bet. Plus there you can hunt two bulls.

 

[Red Leg]

I think your two best options with the highest odds of success are Tanzania with several outfitters or the Waterberg in Northern Namibia with Jamy Traut https://jamyhunts.com/waterberg/ . Obviously, such buffalo and locations will demand a premium.

The Caprivi also can produce large bulls. This 42 came from there.

 

[buck wild]

Why, thank you, Rare Breed. I greatly enjoy your postings as well.

Take y'alls Bromance to the Private Messages