Well, here it goes, hope I don't get roasted for this topic. I've been a member for a while but don't post much as I don't have much experience to draw upon so it's tough to contribute much valuable insight.

I made my first trip to Africa (Namibia) this past June. I basically wanted to get my feet wet with a plains game hunt to get a feel for hunting in Africa and took my wife and father with me. Of course, like so many people told me, Africa has enriched my life and gotten in my blood and I yearn to get back as soon as possible.

I've hunted all my life in Montana and have hunted sheep and brown bears in Alaska. While I feel I'm a seasoned hunter, I certainly don't claim to know squat about hunting in Africa overall, and certainly know nothing about Africa's dangerous game.

It has been a dream of mine since I was very young to hunt Cape buffalo and have really enjoyed looking through the hunt reports and discussions on this forum. There is a ton of information (actually too much, it gets confusing trying to sort it out) on this great site.

To make a short question very long, what would people who "have been there, done that" recommend for a location for a first-time buffalo hunt?

I would like to hunt where the opportunity exists to take two buff (if the opporunity presented itself). I guess I'm not really a number type of person but would just like to hunt a wild area of Africa for a representative buffalo at a reasonable cost.

I know that this is kind of a broad question but I've been researching for quite a while and it's really difficult to narrow the search down. I am planning on attending the Dallas Safari Club Show (I attended SCI in Reno last year) but I'm not sure that's going to narrow it down a whole lot with all the different operators there. SCI didn't exactly help, just made me realize all the animals out there I want to hunt. I did enjoy the show immensely though.

Sorry if this topic has been beaten to death previously, just looking for a little direction from guys who have done it.

Cheers and thanks in advance for any information that may help!

Fn4

I appreciate that question, look forward to reading all of the different opinions.

In my opinion, the best value for buffalo is in Zimbabwe. It's a pretty big country. You will get recommendations from the North "valley" hunts to the west, Matetsi. But I can highly recommend a few operators in the southeast of the country.

Sengwe 1, 2, Malapati, and Naivashu all take GREAT buffs. A few of those areas have quite a few buffalo on quota, so 2 should not be a problem. And the best part is the buff grow LARGE in that part of the world.

Have fun shopping, planning, packing, and hunting!

Good luck

I would agree with Jack, SE Zim for value, but don't overlook Tanzania in the Selous if you can budget the overall cost. Deals are fine but a deal isn't a deal until it's a deal. Your PH/Outfitter and area are your biggest concerns.
Good hunting,
David

There are some really good deals in Tanzania, mostly in the Selous and if you are after two buff probably no more expensive than Zim.

The Selous is more remote and has a lot more other game than most of Zim. A lot of the DG areas in Zim don't have much in additional species, which are nice to have around even if not on your itenerary.

Both are really great so just go!

Check out Coutada 10 in Moz. Interesting add ons for plains game and croc at a reasonable price. Bahati is a regular poster here. The above suggestions are great but don't throw Moz out just yet...

For the overall experience I would suggest the Selous for as long as you can swing. Even if you are hunting Buffalo only, the presence of other game adds a dimension to the hunt that would be hard to find elsewhere.

The tented safari, the night sounds, with the chance of anything walking through camp is an adventure like no other.

Really the best place for this is Zambia. The diversity of game you'll get there in addition to cape buffalo is superb. It's a South Central African country with a touch of Eastern Africa and a blend of your Southern African countries, all under one roof.

The diversity of habitat you'll enjoy as well, without having to spend a fortune. The opportunity to come home with a sitatunga, 45-inch sable, lechwe, puku, fantastic cultural experience in addition to the two buffs make it a wonderful destination. You'll see herds of 100 buffaloes daily in some of the concessions near the Luangwa River. You can stand back and get one with a well-placed shot from your bolt action and follow the blood trail in classic African style to hear the death bellow...or venture in close to pick one off with your .470 double.

The way you choose it, representative like you asked for it. It all awaits you in Zambia my friend. Can I get a second on Zambia anybody?

I loved hunting buffalo in both Masailand, Tanzania and the Luangwa in Zambia. Great experience. But, for the money, I'd go to the lowveldt of Zim as Jack suggested. If you want buffalo like these, call George Gehrman of Tracking Africa in Cody, WY (307) 754-9181
Email: trackingafrica@q.com

If you are able to make a relatively short notice, end of season/quota hunt, I think you could get two buffalo in Zim for well under 20K.

If you book a year or several months ahead of time, you are likely going to pay for a full hunt as well as a second hunt minus the camp, ph, staff and other operating costs.

I shot two buff bulls and two buff cows in July and, while not a bargain, it was not a bank breaker.

My .02

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana Moja:
Really the best place for this is Zambia. The diversity of game you'll get there in addition to cape buffalo is superb. It's a South Central African country with a touch of Eastern Africa and a blend of your Southern African countries, all under one roof.

The diversity of habitat you'll enjoy as well, without having to spend a fortune. The opportunity to come home with a sitatunga, 45-inch sable, lechwe, puku, fantastic cultural experience in addition to the two buffs make it a wonderful destination. You'll see herds of 100 buffaloes daily in some of the concessions near the Luangwa River. You can stand back and get one with a well-placed shot from your bolt action and follow the blood trail in classic African style to hear the death bellow...or venture in close to pick one off with your .470 double.

The way you choose it, representative like you asked for it. It all awaits you in Zambia my friend. Can I get a second on Zambia anybody?

I agree with Marc completely! The Upper Lupande, and Lower Lupande concessions along the Luangwa River just about have it all, and you can fly right into Mfuwe, ZA and it is only 10 miles from the Luangwa! There are lots of BIG buffalo, and the Leopards are so pleantiful that you often see them in broad daylight. Elephant are there, as are some good lion. There are several species that are not found in many place except the Luangwa Valley. Cooksons wildebeast , and Puku are to that live there. Peter Chipman has or did have the Lower Lupande concession, and I'm not sure has the upper Lupande today but both are very good hunting!

Zambia is my favorite place in all Africa to hunt! Check it out!

For wild Safari destinations with good Buffalo hunting you could not go wrong with company's such as www.africanbushcompany.com in Tanzania or www.kambakosafari.com of northern Mozambique.

3rd for Marc and Mac. The Luangwa Valley of Zambia is a place not to be soon forgotten. I've taken Buff in Coutada 11, Mozambique and the Selous Reserve in Tanzania, but the biggest herds I've ever seen were in the valley in Zambia. Mfuwe or Nyampala are both great areas located on either side of the valley. Lots of PG as well, Lion and Hyena, Puku, Bushbuck, Hippos a plenty. Oh, and Peter Chipman is a great PH to hunt with, I believe Wes Hixon books for him.

Good luck to you, wherever you end up and use enough gun!

check out the Uganda there are some really big really old bulls in the Karamoja area. and the price is around 15k Kuduland Safari ie. Steve(Shakari) Robinson has all th information you will need

Well, we have a large portion of Africa recommended so far. I'm watching this thread, as I, too, have done a "feet wet" PG hunt in Namibia and would very much like to do Cape buff the next time 'round. Hoping to attend DSC convention this January.

quote:

would like to hunt where the opportunity exists to take two buff (if the opporunity presented itself). I guess I'm not really a number type of person but would just like to hunt a wild area of Africa for a representative buffalo at a reasonable cost.

I have been lucky and hunted buff in Tanzania, Zim, Zambia, RSA and Benin. Any of these countries has exceptional buffalo... but you post two qualifiers, cost and two buffalo on license. While all of the posters above recommend great locations, I would have to go with Tanzania because of the two buffalo condition of your post and again, zero in on the Selous if you consider cost. I enjoyed my Masailand buff safari and there are some monster buff there, but a 2 buff hunt STARTS at $20K. The Selous can be a bit more reasonable with 2 buff hunts starting around $14K and like others said, it is real Africa!

Just my $.02 based on your post.

And now is the time to shop around, unused buff quota is available on sale this time of year. I am headed to the Omay South the first week of November to chase buff with Martin Pieters doing just that.

BTW, here is a link to a discounted 2 buff hunt in Masailand with a well known safari company. A good friend of mine did this hunt last year and came home with 42" and 44" bulls.

http://forums.accuratereloadin...2100588/m/3451003931

I kinda like getting in the deep end all at once the first hunt I was ever fortunate enough to book was a buffalo hunt in Uganda. I would know change the experience for anything in the world. I can never thank Steve and Phillipe enough for it. Both men are someone you could ride the river with!

quote:

Originally posted by bwanamrm:

quote:

would like to hunt where the opportunity exists to take two buff (if the opporunity presented itself). I guess I'm not really a number type of person but would just like to hunt a wild area of Africa for a representative buffalo at a reasonable cost.

While all of the posters above recommend great locations, I would have to go with Tanzania because of the two buffalo condition of your post and again, zero in on the Selous if you consider cost. I enjoyed my Masailand buff safari and there are some monster buff there, but a 2 buff hunt STARTS at $20K. The Selous can be a bit more reasonable with 2 buff hunts starting around $14K and like others said, it is real Africa!

I could be wrong today but historicly in Zambia the only way to get two buffalo is the book two seven day hunts back to back! This is a better hunt anyway, and this allows two buffalo on what is actually a 14 day safari, and it gives you pleanty of time to be selective for everything you hunt!

So are there any suggestions for some Zambia operators?

FishN4Eyes

You may be over training too much for the game. Yes, nyati is a very dangerous animal - but I'm not too sure that he's any more dangerous than a grizzly -and you are a Montana hunter - yeah, I'll trust you in the field to recognize what to do with a buff who,(in the old expression) eyes you as if you owe him money -and he just found out that you don't plan to pay him back. Pick your PH - so go to shows - so that you and he are comfortable with each other - he'll let you shoot your buff -and he will be your back up or body guard -if,Lord forbid, anything goes wrong. I suspect that your PH will treat you with respect as an experienced hunter of DG after he figures you out in talk.

Wow, a ton of tremendous information from a wealth of experience.

Just wanted to thank everyone who responded on the post and via PM, it is sincerely appreciated and I thank you all for taking the time to inform a "green" wannabe buffalo hunter.

Any other opinions/recommendations are certainly appreciated and I think I have a good start.

Chris P.
Helena, MT

My first buff hunt was for two buff in Tanzania with Miombo Safaris.

I've also hunted the Zambezi Valley several times. I like Tanzania but the valley is no slouch. For two buff look at a Selous deal.

I've never hunted Zambia but it's on my list.

quote:

I could be wrong today but historicly in Zambia the only way to get two buffalo is the book two seven day hunts back to back! This is a better hunt anyway, and this allows two buffalo on what is actually a 14 day safari, and it gives you pleanty of time to be selective for everything you hunt!

Good idea. I didn't think about stacking hunts... a bit expensive but again, if you were to find a discounted late season hunt and stack them you could hunt two bulls in Zambia, Zim or Moz. Zimbabwe would probably be the cheapest for two bulls all-in around $15K.

If you are serious, you need to check this hunt out! 2 or 3 buff on one hunt and many AR hunters have had great safaris with Martin! I recommend him 100%...

http://forums.accuratereloadin...2100588/m/1461074931

Russell,

Overall booking two back to back 7 day buff hunts in Zambia is a pretty good deal. Several of the individual extra costs need only be paid once and having the two hunts together allows one of every species with only a few exceptions. A 14 day buffalo hunt in the Luangwa couldn't be anythng but great anyway.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana Moja:
Really the best place for this is Zambia. The diversity of game you'll get there in addition to cape buffalo is superb. It's a South Central African country with a touch of Eastern Africa and a blend of your Southern African countries, all under one roof.

The diversity of habitat you'll enjoy as well, without having to spend a fortune. The opportunity to come home with a sitatunga, 45-inch sable, lechwe, puku, fantastic cultural experience in addition to the two buffs make it a wonderful destination. You'll see herds of 100 buffaloes daily in some of the concessions near the Luangwa River. You can stand back and get one with a well-placed shot from your bolt action and follow the blood trail in classic African style to hear the death bellow...or venture in close to pick one off with your .470 double.

The way you choose it, representative like you asked for it. It all awaits you in Zambia my friend. Can I get a second on Zambia anybody?

Second that.

quote:

Originally posted by MacD37:

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana Moja:
Really the best place for this is Zambia. The diversity of game you'll get there in addition to cape buffalo is superb. It's a South Central African country with a touch of Eastern Africa and a blend of your Southern African countries, all under one roof.

The diversity of habitat you'll enjoy as well, without having to spend a fortune. The opportunity to come home with a sitatunga, 45-inch sable, lechwe, puku, fantastic cultural experience in addition to the two buffs make it a wonderful destination. You'll see herds of 100 buffaloes daily in some of the concessions near the Luangwa River. You can stand back and get one with a well-placed shot from your bolt action and follow the blood trail in classic African style to hear the death bellow...or venture in close to pick one off with your .470 double.

The way you choose it, representative like you asked for it. It all awaits you in Zambia my friend. Can I get a second on Zambia anybody?

I agree with Marc completely! The Upper Lupande, and Lower Lupande concessions along the Luangwa River just about have it all, and you can fly right into Mfuwe, ZA and it is only 10 miles from the Luangwa! There are lots of BIG buffalo, and the Leopards are so pleantiful that you often see them in broad daylight. Elephant are there, as are some good lion. There are several species that are not found in many place except the Luangwa Valley. Cooksons wildebeast , and Puku are to that live there. Peter Chipman has or did have the Lower Lupande concession, and I'm not sure has the upper Lupande today but both are very good hunting!

Zambia is my favorite place in all Africa to hunt! Check it out!

Peter still operates Lower Lupande but any of the prime concessions that border the park are first class for buffalo.

One other question: The best months for me to hunt are June-August due to a variety of factors.

Probaby mainly due to the fact that I have two daughters who are nuts about hunting and I'm hunting with them from September-January here in Montana.

Are any of the areas already mentioned good for buffalo during the June-August time-frame.

Not a deal-breaker but I hate to be gone during the Montana hunting season the next couple years, it might not always be "cool" to be hunting with Dad.

Thanks again for all the information!

Chris

Around August would be great in Zim and Moz for Buffalo.

Fishn4eyes, Yes, Montana is a great place to hunt, but it'll always be there. If you truly want the hunt of a lifetime, take your daughters to Africa. There is no reason that they couldn't hunt buffalo themselves (if that's within your means) and watching one of them take a bull would be far more rewarding than anything you can hunt at home. My family has been with me on 3 of my 4 safaris, and I fully intend to have them with me in the future. If you love hunting with your daughters, doing it in any of the African countries mentioned would be outstanding. Safari camp life is great, and even if your wife doesn't hunt, chances are she'd want to go out occasionally, and other days she could relax around camp. Heck, the first time I took my wife, she was my fiance, and she got chased up a tree by a buffalo bull (it wasn't really chasing her, but she didn't realize that) and we all got a good laugh out of it in the end. You'd have more enjoyment out of taking 1 buffalo yourself, and watching your kids take one or two, I believe.

Chris and Rod: I just opened up my Fall 2010 African Hunting Gazette magazine and guess what? The featured country is, well you guessed it, Zambia. Everything you need to know about hunting Zambia cape buffalo is there too. There are even a couple fotos in the pages that I think I recognize.