Help Choosing the location for my first Cape buffalo hunt

[DaBill]

Hi everyone,

I’m starting to plan my first African safari, and my main focus will be Cape buffalo. If time and budget allow, I’d also like to take some plains game. While South Africa seems the most convenient from a travel and logistics standpoint, I want the full, traditional experience — fair chase in a truly wild setting.

Here’s what’s important to me:

• Large, continuous property (not multiple small properties added together to appear bigger)
• Free-range preferred, or if fenced then no internal fencing
• Fair-chase hunting on foot with self-sustaining herds
• Scenic and wild-feeling environment
• Comfortable but authentic accommodations
• Mild weather for hunting
• Experienced PH with a strong reputation and track record on Cape buffalo

I’m open to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, or other Southern African countries if they offer a better overall experience.

Could those of you with experience please share your thoughts on:

1. Best countries/regions for this style of hunt
2. Outfitters or concessions that match these criteria
3. Typical pricing ranges for a Cape buffalo hunt that meets these requirements
4. Best time of year for weather and scenery

I’d really appreciate hearing from those who have hunted in similar conditions. Recommendations backed by first-hand experience are especially valuable.

Thanks in advance for your help — I’m looking forward to learning from your insights.

 

[BryceM]

My only buffalo hunt was on a Namibian concession in the Caprivi. Wonderful hunt with truly wild animals. It’s certainly more $$ than a typical high-fence hunt, but it made it a more meaningful experience for me.

 

[Russ16]

I haven’t been yet but had very similar priorities to you. I settled on Charlton McCallum Safaris in Zimbabwe. Not the cheapest at all but everyone told me it is a first rate tracking buffalo hunt in a true safari area. Plains game will be much more scarce than on a managed property in SA. Buzz reiterated several times it is not a whack and stack hunt. Which made me more excited to go with them. I also have a sable tag reserved which I’m told will be a high chance of success.

 

[revturbo9967]

Zimbabwe will give you the best over all experience for the most reasonable price. You should look to pay 1000-1500 for daily rates depending on area and outfit, and 5000-6500 for a trophy fee. The buffalo in Zim will be free roaming, and as wild as it gets.

 

[Flipper Dude]

Reach out to Neal or Gary at Mokore. Dalton or York at D & Y. You won’t go wrong either way. Tell ‘em Gomer says hey.

 

[Doug3006]

I’ve hunted Buffalo in the Zambezi Valley in Zimbabwe and the Luangwa Valley in Zambia. Both were unfenced, wild areas. I’ve seen, but not hunted them, in high-fenced properties in the Limpopo area of SA. I highly recommend that you find a truly wild place for your first Buffalo hunt.

 

[OneOldToad]

Following post - interested in topic and responses. Just retired last Friday and have a new double 450/400 N.E. with the itch for future first African Safari targeting Cape Buffalo.

 

[TTundra]

Another +1 for Zimbabwe. My buffalo hunt in the Save was incredible. After 2 RSA PG hunts, I took wanted a more 'wild ' experience and am very happy I did so. Heading back to Zim in 26 for Hippo, Croc, Buff and more.

Send Wayne at @NYAMAZANA SAFARIS a PM. Great PH, Amazing areas, and an absolutely fantastic hunting experiences.

 

[BULLET SAFARIS]

Hello, I hunt a lot of buffalo in various countries, feel free to reach out to me and we can talk. I can help you narrow it down in a 10 minute call!
Thanks - Nathan

 

[sgt_zim]

There are free ranging buffalo in ZA, north of Kruger and just west of the Moz border. You'd fly to JNB and then a connecting flight on to Hoedspruit. Timbavati is one of several well-known concessions there.

Haven't hunted with Mark Haldane, but he's got a lot of concession land in Mozambique in the Zambezi delta. I hear lots of good things about him.

 

[375Fox]

I think Zimbabwe is the best choice but it depends what you want in a hunt. My priority in Zimbabwe is identifying quality concessions. My priority in South Africa is identifying outfitters who are actually being fully honest about the management practices on the properties they hunt. Zimbabwe can be a difficult hunt but there is no question on the authenticity. I also like the simplicity of the camps and think they have some of best trackers in Africa.

 

[375Fox]

There are free ranging buffalo in ZA, north of Kruger and just west of the Moz border. You'd fly to JNB and then a connecting flight on to Hoedspruit. Timbavati is one of several well-known concessions there.

Haven't hunted with Mark Haldane, but he's got a lot of concession land in Mozambique in the Zambezi delta. I hear lots of good things about him.

The APNR reserves are actually just east of hoedspruit if you look on a map. They probably have one of best buffalo only hunts available, but the downside is it’s typically size restricted and no PG is available, so you don’t get the Africa experience you get elsewhere. You get your buffalo then have to move to farms rest of your hunt for PG. My vote still goes to Zimbabwe but if I had to hunt South Africa for buffalo, I think I’d actually choose a big fenced reserve with lions present over the free range hunts adjacent Kruger this time just for the flexibility to take a kudu or warthog or whatever else you stumbled upon.

 

[Neil Molendyk]

I hunted Makuya, which is adjacent to KNP, behind the Red fence and the eastern border was the Luluvu river, across the river was KNP. so the game was truly wild. I only took one Cape Buffalo but another hunter took an elephant, two buffalo and if I remember correctly a kudu and a Nyala, so there was PG available. Even had the experience of an elephant charge and helping the KNP ranger who was assigned to us in his tracking of poachers.

 

[MarkB]

Same as others state. I recommend Zimbabwe for the best checks in most or all of your must haves. I say contact a few site sponsors with your must haves, then spread sheet their answers. One will meet all your criteria and "jump out" as top of list. Some will/may throw in a couple extras to sweeten the deal.

I hunted Ele with Wayne at @NYAMAZANA SAFARIS but he does all Zim hunts/species, he has my highest recommendation as a PH, company and most important says what he can and cannot do and WILL do all he says. No BS to get your booking.

Have fun, your about to start a ride that will change your life.

MB

 

[PeteG]

Hi everyone,

I’m starting to plan my first African safari, and my main focus will be Cape buffalo. If time and budget allow, I’d also like to take some plains game. While South Africa seems the most convenient from a travel and logistics standpoint, I want the full, traditional experience — fair chase in a truly wild setting.

Here’s what’s important to me:

• Large, continuous property (not multiple small properties added together to appear bigger)
• Free-range preferred, or if fenced then no internal fencing
• Fair-chase hunting on foot with self-sustaining herds
• Scenic and wild-feeling environment
• Comfortable but authentic accommodations
• Mild weather for hunting
• Experienced PH with a strong reputation and track record on Cape buffalo

I’m open to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, or other Southern African countries if they offer a better overall experience.

Could those of you with experience please share your thoughts on:

1. Best countries/regions for this style of hunt
2. Outfitters or concessions that match these criteria
3. Typical pricing ranges for a Cape buffalo hunt that meets these requirements
4. Best time of year for weather and scenery

I’d really appreciate hearing from those who have hunted in similar conditions. Recommendations backed by first-hand experience are especially valuable.

Thanks in advance for your help — I’m looking forward to learning from your insights.

Zambia...
pricing between $15k - $20k all in depending on area and outfitter.
the hunting season begines may and ends december, youd be lookin at july through october for buffalo. also depending on area.

 

[DAVE LANGERMAN Safaris]

Morning! If you are wanting an authentic adventure, tracking dagga boys on foot with great trackers, then please drop me a DM. I operate in large concessions in Zimbabwe and Mozambique and offer all manner of dangerous and plains game to hunt.
Best
Dave

 

[Tanks]

I would also look at one of the many concessions operated by CMS in Zimbabwe.

 

[LIMPOPO NORTH SAFARIS]

Mozambique or Zimbabwe would be the way to go definitely it ticks all the boxes you require and would leave a lasting memory!

 

[grand veneur]

I was hunting buffalo regularly in Africa for over 30 years and that is why, in my opinion, it is not so easy to fulfill all of expressed wishes in a single area. One have to be willing to make compromises, especially if one want a scenic and wild-feeling environment. Authentic accommodations sure, but also comfortable are not always possible in such cases. Sometimes you have to be content with a simple tent camp for a few days. For these reasons, it is very difficult to recommend demanding hunters anything. The risk of dissatisfaction can be very high.

 

[grand veneur]

If the weather is still supposed to be mild for hunting, it becomes even more difficult to recommend something.