Gents,

I'm heading to SCI. Interested in researching a buffalo hunt. Have been to the BVC and think that is a great option.

However, would appreciate some ideas on who I should be talking to - I'm thinking Tanzania or Caprivi might be good options. No interest in SA.

I'm equally interested in being in a great area for the experience/adventure and finding a nice sized buff.

Thanks

Zambia is an option and note our buffalo have been left dormant for a couple of years.

The concessions are to be awarded this week so there will be many areas to choose from.

Andrew

My experience with Tanzania is not that huge, but I think I've shot some nice ones there.

It kind of depends what you mean by "nice sized" buffalo. I personally think anything over 40" which is also hard bossed is nice sized, and really, anything over mid 40's is a lot of luck of the draw (being in the right place, right time) and you need to be in the area for a while to have a crack at the bigger ones. (as in over 10 days, although a PH who has been in the concession for a while may change that some.)

Your PH and outfitter should be able to tell you what is a shooter on day one, and what you will hopefully better. I would ask the guys at the show what they would say shoot at on day one of whatever length hunt you are on to get an idea of what their herd in the area is like.

I have pretty much been booking with Adam Clements. He's treated me well.

One of the areas that I hunted is now run by Harpreet Brar (Rungwa) which is Lokisale. That place had more large buffalo than I have seen anywhere else. I shot a 45" (on the first day...), and a pair of 44" buffalo there. If all you are looking for is a big buffalo, Lokisale late in the season (December on) would be my first pick, but any of the concessions on the border with Tarangire National Park should be good. I have heard a rumor to the effect that the government wants to shut Lokisale down and turn it into phototourist lodges, so if you want to hunt there, sooner is better. An added advantage to this Masailand area is some of the unique plains game there as well. A disadvantage to Masailand is the Masai. There are lots of herders around, lots of cattle, and it just doesn't look like what you would expect of wild africa (not bad, just you see lots of people..) If you want wild in Tanzania, I would look at the Selous (but expect a mid to upper 30's hard bossed buffalo there) or some of the northern or western concessions. Tanzania is also pretty expensive compared to other countries for a hunt, but looks much more reasonable when you shoot multiple buffalo on one hunt. The charter flights are brutally expensive; the Masailand areas generally don't require a charter, the rest do.

My biggest buff was from Maswa. Not as big on average as the stuff coming out of Tarangire park, but the one was a good 47-48" (the others were 43 and 40)

I have also shot a bunch of right at 40" buffalo at Lukwika which is on the border with the Niassa reserve in Southern Tanzania. I am not sure who is hunting there now, but Harpreet was for a while.

As for other spots, until I hunted Tanzania, my biggest buffalo was out of the Luangwa in Zambia- again a late season hunt. If you can handle the heat in Zim/Zambia late in the season, the buff are usually pretty concentrated on water and you can look over a lot of bulls, which as Craig Boddington put it in one of his books, is how you get a big buffalo. I would certainly talk to some of the Zambian operators at the show (I know that Johnny DuPlooy (Muchinga Adventures) will be there, and he's a great guy.) Unfortunately, as Fairgame pointed out, no one knows what is going on with the concessions yet, so they will likely be scrambling after the show to line people up- it may be a buyer's market in 2015 in Zambia...

Zimbabwe, I have had good luck hunting buffalo also, but I haven't gotten any really big heads there, but others in camp have. I would talk with Mokore as the Duckworths have done well with me there, and if you know a particular PH, most can make a plan if you want to work with someone you have a relationship with. The Zambezi escarpment areas of Northern Zim are probably more like what one thinks of when thinking of "Wild Africa." We didn't see anyone up in the Chewore area except when we were driving near the village to get the Game Scout.

However, the PH makes a huge difference. If you are going to be at the show, try and talk with the fellow who will be your PH if at all possible, and if you want a certain individual make sure you get that in the contract...

SCI is a great venue to research outfitters and areas. My opinion is to seriously consider Zambia. I've always preferred Zambia as a buffalo and cat hunting destinations for a multitude of reasons. As Andrew said it's been dormant for a couple of years and 2015 should prove to be an outstanding year to hunt there.

Greg

I second CRButlers advise. I have taken some top end buffalo as well at Lobo and Lokisale but the key is timing and the PH's knowledge of the area. I've hunted Luke Samaris's old area and it isn't to shabby in the rainy season either.

CMS in Zim.

Zambia

Jeff

quote:

I've hunted Luke Samaris's old area and it isn't to shabby in the rainy season either.

It has apparently gone to hell compared to what it was 2 years ago.

quote:

It has apparently gone to hell compared to what it was 2 years ago.

Thats a shame. I was able to hunt that area when you could be in buffalo from Gary Hoops or Gerard Millers farm to Lokisale.

quote:

Originally posted by bwanajay:

quote:

It has apparently gone to hell compared to what it was 2 years ago.

Thats a shame. I was able to hunt that area when you could be in buffalo from Gary Hoops or Gerard Millers farm to Lokisale.

That must have been a while back - I understand the residential groups which used to inhabit Rotian (near Gerard), korongo ya Mjerumani and Kitiangare are few and far between.

Hunting those bulls in the thickets and on their terms is what buffalo hunting is all about.

crbutler's advise is right on.

Thanks very much guys - just got into Vegas - fired up!