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SOUTH AFRICA: My Buffalo Hunt South Africa 2026
- Thread starter Pheroze
- Start date
shootist~
AH legend
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2019
- Messages
- 2,054
- Reaction score
- 4,673
- Location
- Albuquerque, NM
- Media
- 23
- Member of
- NRA Life Member, USPSA Certified Range Officer (inactive), NRA Certified Instructor (inactive)
- Hunted
- USA, Mexico, RSA
Safe travels and may you have an exciting and safe hunt.
Looking forward to reading the hunt report.
Looking forward to reading the hunt report.
Pheroze
AH ambassador
No problem at all! I think it’s great that this can become a discussion of all things associated with the hunt. It makes the thread more usefulThat's why I personally chose to avoid LMNT even at 2 or 3 packets day it adds up.
Sorry Pheroze, didn't mean to hijack your thread. I started another about electrolyte powders.
375Ruger416
AH fanatic
It’s always a good idea to drink to thirst with water as well as water with electrolytes. However, intense physical activity in heat requires replacing these electrolytes.
When I was younger and into mountain biking we used to do weeklong trips to Moab, Utah. One of the guides around there told me they had more call outs for hyponatremia than falls. People would replace their water, but not their electrolytes. One day, I drank a couple of liters of water before the ride, 3 L on the ride and didn’t have to pee once. Scary. It was 35 C with a gentle breeze during the heat of the day. Though we were on the trail by 7 or 730 am, there was a steady gentle breeze and I could brush the salt off my arms when we finished.
Your body and kidneys in particular are amazing at adjusting to keep your fluids and electrolytes in balance. As long as you keep things in a reasonable range and drink small amounts of fluid regularly during activity you should be in good shape. Don’t forget that there is typically lots of salt and sodium specifically in our food, especially things like dried meats, sausages, and commercial canned soup.
For those of use who live in a temperate climate, are overweight, and less fit than we used to be (I am all of these, not pointing fingers) we are particularly vulnerable to heat stroke, dehydration, as well as hyponatremia. As little as 2% dehydration impairs athletic performance, so think about these things and try to get acclimatized to doing vigorous physical activity in hot weather gradually.
Have fun out there and get some training in before you go!
When I was younger and into mountain biking we used to do weeklong trips to Moab, Utah. One of the guides around there told me they had more call outs for hyponatremia than falls. People would replace their water, but not their electrolytes. One day, I drank a couple of liters of water before the ride, 3 L on the ride and didn’t have to pee once. Scary. It was 35 C with a gentle breeze during the heat of the day. Though we were on the trail by 7 or 730 am, there was a steady gentle breeze and I could brush the salt off my arms when we finished.
Your body and kidneys in particular are amazing at adjusting to keep your fluids and electrolytes in balance. As long as you keep things in a reasonable range and drink small amounts of fluid regularly during activity you should be in good shape. Don’t forget that there is typically lots of salt and sodium specifically in our food, especially things like dried meats, sausages, and commercial canned soup.
For those of use who live in a temperate climate, are overweight, and less fit than we used to be (I am all of these, not pointing fingers) we are particularly vulnerable to heat stroke, dehydration, as well as hyponatremia. As little as 2% dehydration impairs athletic performance, so think about these things and try to get acclimatized to doing vigorous physical activity in hot weather gradually.
Have fun out there and get some training in before you go!
Safe travels. Best J
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2015
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- 382
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- Location
- Montana
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- Hunted
- Namibia, Canada, RSA, USA
You will have a great time Pheroze. Have hunted buffalo with KMG Marius, and he was great. Depending on where you will be hunting, you will be glad you are going early.
Good luck and have a great trip. Safe travels.
Good luck and have a great trip. Safe travels.
steve white
AH ambassador
Good groups--you're ready!
Two things,
1. You have chosen one of the few super bullets on the market. Good job. This makes a huge difference on cape buffalo. Also you have a decent cartridge. This is the most important part of your kit. The bullet is the only thing that touches your buffalo.
2. I have spoken with KMG several times over the years with and I would hunt with him any time. You are off to a very good start.
You will have a good time. Brian
1. You have chosen one of the few super bullets on the market. Good job. This makes a huge difference on cape buffalo. Also you have a decent cartridge. This is the most important part of your kit. The bullet is the only thing that touches your buffalo.
2. I have spoken with KMG several times over the years with and I would hunt with him any time. You are off to a very good start.
You will have a good time. Brian
I can feel your anticipation. North Fork CPS and SS bullets are up there with the best available. Here's a CPS that travelled the full length of an Asiatic Buffalo - entered the top of the head and recovered under the skin on the rump - 450gr from 458 Lott at 10m.
Have a fabulous hunt - looking forward to the hunt report.
Have a fabulous hunt - looking forward to the hunt report.
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Pheroze
AH ambassador
This time, I am taking two rifles: my 400 for Cape Buffalo, and my 308 Norma Mag for any plains game that we can hunt after the buff is down. I last took this rifle on a plains game hunt in 2022
Good morning all,
My son and I are heading to South Africa again to join Marius in an Eastern Cape adventure. This report will move slowly as I plan to have my phone off for most of it. Periodic pictures to follow, and then a full report complete with my trademark typos will follow.
Be well
Pheroze
My son and I are heading to South Africa again to join Marius in an Eastern Cape adventure. This report will move slowly as I plan to have my phone off for most of it. Periodic pictures to follow, and then a full report complete with my trademark typos will follow.
Be well
Pheroze
I wanted to fix the issue I mentioned above. I went back to the lab and loaded 1 grain less, half a grain less, grain more. The increase brought the powder charge to the max listed in some of the books. I drove an hour to my range today. On a hunch, I shot the larger powder charge first - three little holes nicely nestled within an inch box on the target. Two hours each way for three shots
It's fascinating that a rifle's harmonics can be affected this way. I called my gunsmith and told him about it out of interest. Now I will pull those other bullets to load the right amount of powder (73 grains H4831) and get back to the range to zero the rifle. We are all set to go!
Pheroze
AH ambassador
Well….it looks like rain every day. The only rain gear I have is for goose hunting, so not good. I find lighter gear just gets wet and sticks to you. I think a brimmed hat will be the solution. Stuff to keep the guns dry too.
How do the Buffalo react to the rain? Any suggestions for hunting them in the rain?
How do the Buffalo react to the rain? Any suggestions for hunting them in the rain?
Flipper Dude
AH elite
I chased buff for 4 solid days of rain. In the back of the cruiser. Rain is hell on spoor. My advice to you…………wait until it stops raining. 
I know, I know. Completely useless advice. It’s the days that you have. Just grind. It makes for better memories.
I know, I know. Completely useless advice. It’s the days that you have. Just grind. It makes for better memories.
Pheroze
AH ambassador
My son and I took Ethiopian Airlines from Pearson to Addis Ababa. I like this route, because Ethiopian has a moderately priced Business Class. It’s not the most lux, but it gives you lots of room and lay down seats. The staff are very friendly. The food is excellent if you only consider the Ethiopian cuisine. Unfortunately, they try to cater to western tastes, and there it is only standard airplane food quality.
I could have opted for a two hour layover, but I decided to get the route with an 8 hour layover. The process for clearing your firearms through security in Addis is totally fine. But the time it takes to get to the security office area can vary greatly. Also, the airline gives you a hotel stay for the layover of that length. We met a very nice hunter, also from Canada, who was on his way to Namibia. His layover was only 2 hours. It was tense but he made it. The process is very professional and I have never had any negative experiences. As a rule, I fined the Ethiopian people to be extremely friendly and professional.
Sinclair and I spent the rest of the layover eating and sleeping.
The second leg is from Addis to Johannesburg. The flight was fine but I arrived feeling the effects of the long journey. Then I discovered my first mistake…
In 2016 weeks stayed at Africa Sky. Well, it turns out there are several Africa/African Sky guest houses. I should have twigged to the problem when the African Sky guesthouse I was speaking to didn’t offer to clear my guns or a shuttle service. So I booked a separate shuttle (Bumble bee Airport Shuttle) and Riflepermits.com
On arrival, Anna withe riflepermits.com discovered that the guesthouse I booked was over an hour away, on the other side of JoBerg! Long story short, I secured two rooms at the correct guesthouse, cancelled the other guest house but, my mistake, so I paid, found the prearranged shuttle service person and paid them even though I wasn’t going to use them (my mistake and she was waiting with a signboard). We travelled to Africa Sky with a really nice family - grandkids all going on one last hunt with grandpa. Honestly a beautiful thing.
I highly recommend Africa Sky. A great place to relax. I am now in the airport with @KMG Hunting Safaris waiting for our flight to Limpopo
I could have opted for a two hour layover, but I decided to get the route with an 8 hour layover. The process for clearing your firearms through security in Addis is totally fine. But the time it takes to get to the security office area can vary greatly. Also, the airline gives you a hotel stay for the layover of that length. We met a very nice hunter, also from Canada, who was on his way to Namibia. His layover was only 2 hours. It was tense but he made it. The process is very professional and I have never had any negative experiences. As a rule, I fined the Ethiopian people to be extremely friendly and professional.
Sinclair and I spent the rest of the layover eating and sleeping.
The second leg is from Addis to Johannesburg. The flight was fine but I arrived feeling the effects of the long journey. Then I discovered my first mistake…
In 2016 weeks stayed at Africa Sky. Well, it turns out there are several Africa/African Sky guest houses. I should have twigged to the problem when the African Sky guesthouse I was speaking to didn’t offer to clear my guns or a shuttle service. So I booked a separate shuttle (Bumble bee Airport Shuttle) and Riflepermits.com
On arrival, Anna withe riflepermits.com discovered that the guesthouse I booked was over an hour away, on the other side of JoBerg! Long story short, I secured two rooms at the correct guesthouse, cancelled the other guest house but, my mistake, so I paid, found the prearranged shuttle service person and paid them even though I wasn’t going to use them (my mistake and she was waiting with a signboard). We travelled to Africa Sky with a really nice family - grandkids all going on one last hunt with grandpa. Honestly a beautiful thing.
I highly recommend Africa Sky. A great place to relax. I am now in the airport with @KMG Hunting Safaris waiting for our flight to Limpopo
Last edited:
Spartan5
AH enthusiast
Have a fantastic hunt, I will be very much looking forward to your report!
Pheroze
AH ambassador
We arrived in Limpopo. After meeting and other PH and the trackers I “checked the rifle”. I honestly think this assessment is less about the rifle and more about the shooter!
The area is called Klaserie, and the property abuts Kruger. Everything looks so lush. We went for a game drive and scoped out some of the area. I am encouraged because it is, in all honesty, not as dense as where I moose hunt. While there is a lot of foliage, there are also lots of gaps and shooting lanes. But, we are not going to see buffalo at any great distance, that’s for sure.
The area is called Klaserie, and the property abuts Kruger. Everything looks so lush. We went for a game drive and scoped out some of the area. I am encouraged because it is, in all honesty, not as dense as where I moose hunt. While there is a lot of foliage, there are also lots of gaps and shooting lanes. But, we are not going to see buffalo at any great distance, that’s for sure.
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forshoes wrote on baxterb's profile.
Any chance you have any of the Baagh Shikari: The Last Tiger Hunter books left?