Buffalo costs in different areas

[Hornedfrogbbq]

So not including put & take ranches (so let's call it fair chase), what is the cost of a buffalo in the various countries or areas? Ranges are fine. Just the trophy fee, not everything else.

 

[375Fox]

You have to look at the full picture not just trophy fees. Nearly every cape buffalo outside South Africa will fall in the $4000-$7000 trophy fee range except a few specific areas. South Africa sells the buffalo trophy. Outfitters in other countries are selling the buffalo hunt. The daily rates are typically the bigger portion of the hunt and where outfitter make most of their money. It’s a very different system and cost structure. By trophy fees alone, Tanzania has been my cheapest buffalo but also one of the most expensive buffalo hunts I’ve done.

 

[sniper7]

Another thing to think about: how much does it cost you to feed yourself, put a roof over your head, utilities and fuel?
Lots of other factors but add those up for 10 days or take 1/3rd your monthly bill.

 

[grand veneur]

So not including put & take ranches (so let's call it fair chase), what is the cost of a buffalo in the various countries or areas? Ranges are fine. Just the trophy fee, not everything else.

As someone has already written, this information will not, if you want to use it to calculate the price of a hunt, be very helpful. The trophy fees varies greatly depending on the country in Africa, but where they are cheapest, hunting can be the most expensive. Tanzania is a good example for this.

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

You have to look at the full picture not just trophy fees. Nearly every cape buffalo outside South Africa will fall in the $4000-$7000 trophy fee range except a few specific areas. South Africa sells the buffalo trophy. Outfitters in other countries are selling the buffalo hunt. The daily rates are typically the bigger portion of the hunt and where outfitter make most of their money. It’s a very different system and cost structure. By trophy fees alone, Tanzania has been my cheapest buffalo but also one of the most expensive buffalo hunts I’ve done.

Super true. My prompts in Chatgpt usually need refining as well. So let's say we have readers on here who have not yet had the fun of going to SCI show after SCI show and researching all the options. I realize type of hunt, length, accommodations, ease of transport, size of area to hunt, exclusivity, options for additional animals and the other 100 factors in there matter.

But I am trying to get opinions on rough estimates to hunt buffalo in different areas. Forget trophy fees then, let's talk about a more holistic cost to hunt a buffalo. Let's say it is a 10 day hunt for ease of use. Maybe the right way is to say it ahould cost in a range of $350 - $1000 a day before you shoot anything. Maybe that should be $300-700 per day.

Or if it is more helpful to get someone to express an opinion, call it an all in thought like $7k-10k once you start hunting. Or maybe that number is $20k - 30k.

The answers and info I am looking for would be helpful to a hunter that wants to go and can figure out plane and hotel and transfer costs better than he can comparison shop hunts.

Another example would be a put & take hunt should cost $7k -10k for a buff, a trophy hunt in South Africa might have a typical range of $15k - 20k and a hunt in other countries where the probability of an over 40in buff is more remote but is a track and stalk is X.

Giving info on different countries pricing (as you all have in Tanzania) is also helpful.

In the end, I am trying to get as much info into hunters' minds so that they actually consider and believe they can do these hunts for buffalo. I realize PG can be cheaper but I am focused on this for buffalo budgeting.

 

[375Fox]

Super true. My prompts in Chatgpt usually need refining as well. So let's say we have readers on here who have not yet had the fun of going to SCI show after SCI show and researching all the options. I realize type of hunt, length, accommodations, ease of transport, size of area to hunt, exclusivity, options for additional animals and the other 100 factors in there matter.

But I am trying to get opinions on rough estimates to hunt buffalo in different areas. Forget trophy fees then, let's talk about a more holistic cost to hunt a buffalo. Let's say it is a 10 day hunt for ease of use. Maybe the right way is to say it ahould cost in a range of $350 - $1000 a day before you shoot anything. Maybe that should be $300-700 per day.

Or if it is more helpful to get someone to express an opinion, call it an all in thought like $7k-10k once you start hunting. Or maybe that number is $20k - 30k.

The answers and info I am looking for would be helpful to a hunter that wants to go and can figure out plane and hotel and transfer costs better than he can comparison shop hunts.

Another example would be a put & take hunt should cost $7k -10k for a buff, a trophy hunt in South Africa might have a typical range of $15k - 20k and a hunt in other countries where the probability of an over 40in buff is more remote but is a track and stalk is X.

Giving info on different countries pricing (as you all have in Tanzania) is also helpful.

In the end, I am trying to get as much info into hunters' minds so that they actually consider and believe they can do these hunts for buffalo. I realize PG can be cheaper but I am focused on this for buffalo budgeting.

I’d suggest looking at worldwide trophy adventures website. Select Cape buffalo. I’m not recommending them, but it’s a good reference on pricing for a lot of countries. Zimbabwe and delta areas in Mozambique offer the most economical wild buffalo hunts.

 

[Rare Breed]

So not including put & take ranches (so let's call it fair chase), what is the cost of a buffalo in the various countries or areas? Ranges are fine. Just the trophy fee, not everything else.

Here are some estimates for you
1. SA Bull $8500-$12,000 total package 7 days Cow under $3,000
2. Zim/Moz 10 days $800-$1000 per day day rates $4,000-$6,000 trophy fee added

 

[Russ16]

Here are some estimates for you
1. SA Bull $8500-$12,000 total package 7 days Cow under $3,000
2. Zim/Moz 10 days $800-$1000 per day day rates $4,000-$6,000 trophy fee added

That’s in line with what I’ve found. But remember there can be other fees on top of that. I’m paying for a charter in Zim to avoid a long car ride plus VAT plus CMS charges $50 a day that goes to the anti poaching unit.

 

[grand veneur]

Super true. My prompts in Chatgpt usually need refining as well. So let's say we have readers on here who have not yet had the fun of going to SCI show after SCI show and researching all the options. I realize type of hunt, length, accommodations, ease of transport, size of area to hunt, exclusivity, options for additional animals and the other 100 factors in there matter.

But I am trying to get opinions on rough estimates to hunt buffalo in different areas. Forget trophy fees then, let's talk about a more holistic cost to hunt a buffalo. Let's say it is a 10 day hunt for ease of use. Maybe the right way is to say it ahould cost in a range of $350 - $1000 a day before you shoot anything. Maybe that should be $300-700 per day.

Or if it is more helpful to get someone to express an opinion, call it an all in thought like $7k-10k once you start hunting. Or maybe that number is $20k - 30k.

The answers and info I am looking for would be helpful to a hunter that wants to go and can figure out plane and hotel and transfer costs better than he can comparison shop hunts.

Another example would be a put & take hunt should cost $7k -10k for a buff, a trophy hunt in South Africa might have a typical range of $15k - 20k and a hunt in other countries where the probability of an over 40in buff is more remote but is a track and stalk is X.

Giving info on different countries pricing (as you all have in Tanzania) is also helpful.

In the end, I am trying to get as much info into hunters' minds so that they actually consider and believe they can do these hunts for buffalo. I realize PG can be cheaper but I am focused on this for buffalo budgeting.

Very difficult to answer, as there are often additional costs for all these hunts that are not immediately apparent in the offer. Daily rates and trophy fees are manageable, but in addition, there are flight tickets, rifles and hunting permits, transport to the hunting area, possibly charter flights, preparation of the trophies, tipping, export fees for the trophies, shipping and import fees in your country, taxidermy,... and so on. A buffalo hunt advertised for $15,000 can therefore quickly cost $25,000. That's why, from personal experience, when I ask me about the costs of a buffalo hunt in Southern Africa, excluding RSA, I always say that you should provide a budget of $30,000. If you are not hunting PG after your successful buffalo hunt, it might be a bit cheaper, if you do it, even be a bit more expensive.

There were cheaper options in West Africa, but these hunts are over, and there are much more expensive buffalo hunts available in Tanzania and Uganda, where you should rather provide a budget of $40,000 to $50000.

Whoever claims that outside RSA all can cost less than $20000 has perhaps not added everything together.

 

[Rafiki]

There isn't a solid answer to your question, too many moving parts that affect costs. What I do that has worked out well is to start a spreadsheet and start listing ALL the line items that you can think of; you can get most if not all on the pages of this forum. Include EVERYTHING knowing that you will miss something (Air Travel, insurance, hotel, tips, import fees, odds & ends, etc., etc., etc.). If you are not settled on a specific country add columns for each country that are under consideration; I can guarantee that there will be surprises. Tipping camp staff is always a mystery.

Good research and planning is essential so plan well and expect that the costs will likely be more than you anticipated but in the end it's not about the money, it's about the experience. The better you plan, the better the experience.

 

[wesheltonj]

Tanzania:
7 days regular permit 19,800
Buffalo 2900

Total 22,700 / 7 = $3,242 a day and not current, 2025 price would be more. Plus airfare, tips (which is more than RSA tipping) and other fees.

Moving to a 10 day will be 29,800 medium permit, more buffalo and buffalo price increase with each buffalo. A premium license will get you up to four on license.

 

[Luminous Ham]

I have a spreadsheet that I made two years ago so prices might have gone up. The end prices are in DKK, but just change the exchange rate (DKK/USD) from 6.9 to 1 on each sheet and you should be good. Some of the details are in Danish, Google Translate is your friend.

Wanted to attach the spreadsheet, but cant, so only a pdf print attached. DM me for the spreadsheet or tell me how to upload a spreadsheet.

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

Tanzania:
7 days regular permit 19,800
Buffalo 2900

Total 22,700 / 7 = $3,242 a day and not current, 2025 price would be more. Plus airfare, tips (which is more than RSA tipping) and other fees.

Moving to a 10 day will be 29,800 medium permit, more buffalo and buffalo price increase with each buffalo. A premium license will get you up to four on license.

Why is Tanz so expensive?

 

[375Fox]

Why is Tanz so expensive?

The prices he posted would be a very inexpensive Tanzania buffalo hunts. Most would be in the $25k-35k daily rate range and $4000-$4500 trophy fee. Tanzania is in part expensive because it attracts a different type of clientele, but owners are also paying too much for the leases. Massailand draws a premium for unique PG species. Other areas of Tanzania draw a premium because very remote and big areas and more expensive to run a camp. One thing to consider. A single buffalo hunt in Tanzania is very expensive in comparison to other countries. A double buffalo hunt can actually be a very good value. I believe you can take up to 4 depending on your license category. Uganda is also a very good value on a double buffalo hunt, but a very expensive single buffalo hunt.

I have seen some very good deals for selous and Uganda where the outfitter is essentially planning a large group hunt to fill the camp and coordinate charters. Typically Tanzania would be a much more private experience than that adding costs.

 

[Dinsdale]

Whoever claims that outside RSA all can cost less than $20000 has perhaps not added everything together.

It can be, but as usual its in the details.

For a 7 day hunt in Zimbabwe; management bull with well established outfit, no export at all and a drive to camp, no charter; off season airfare, ie sept/oct.

Thats not what many want because its hot and especially not getting taxidermy; but if I had to do it all over again I would have never imported or mounted a thing and much rather have the experiences and had more of them with the money I wasted on all that stuff.

 

[grand veneur]

All hunts that turned out cheaper than planned were hunts where I was for various reasons unsuccessful.

 

[318AE]

Why is Tanz so expensive?

The operator has never seen all the buffalo in the area, much less sell them by the inch. He’s helping you hunt a vast, wild area to get the best trophy and experience you can, for one set fee/cost.

 

[318AE]

The operator has never seen all the buffalo in the area, much less sell them by the inch. He’s helping you hunt a vast, wild area to get the best trophy and experience you can, for one set fee/cost.

Ohh, I’ve never heard anyone there call it “Tanz”.

If you’re just comparing to prices of the animal and not the hunt, there are some good deals to be found at second hand taxidermy auctions.

 

[Andrew62]

I just completed a hunt in Zimbabwe, I believe a buffalo only hunt would be 7 days x 1000 a day, 7000.00. Buffalo trophy fee is 6000.00.

Another thing to consider, on this last hunt it was 600.00 total to drive into camp and back to the airport. This was a 9+ hour drive each way. Or, you could charter for 2300.00 each way for a total of 4600.00.

Lots of things to consider when you start adding up costs.

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

Ohh, I’ve never heard anyone there call it “Tanz”.

If you’re just comparing to prices of the animal and not the hunt, there are some good deals to be found at second hand taxidermy auctions.

Nah. I just spent a bundle on a terrific RSA buffalo hunt. Super happy with the whole experience but also want to hunt other areas, have different experiences, etc. The one thing I won't personally do, is a put and take hunt. Nothing wrong with it, just not my cup of tea.