Where in Tanzania now for Big Buff

11 July 2023, 21:36

DLS

quote:
Originally posted by StormsGSP:
Maswa, Bushman's block gets more pressure than the TGT blocks, but impossible to get into those.

Other than that, I'd look at some of the blocks around Tarangire, although timing is key.

Having hunted Bushman’s Maswa North block in 2019, I’m not sure I’d go there if looking for a really big buffalo. I looked at the heads that were at the skinning shed, and while there were 1 or 2 big buffalo, most were simply nice buffalo, but not something you couldn’t also find in many other places. That said, it’s interesting and scenic area, an enjoyable place to hunt.

12 July 2023, 05:14

Dak416

Appreciate the reply’s, will check into the blocks around Tarangire, probably won’t be until 2025

12 July 2023, 06:11

Dak416

Anyone know who has lolkisale now?

12 July 2023, 06:16

lavaca

I hunted just outside Tarangire in March of 2012 at the beginning of the rains. Place was simply lousy with buffalo coming out of the park. But that was over 10 years ago, which is why I said "recent" is the key word in an earlier post. Luke Samaras had the concession back then. Not sure who has it now.

That does make a difference. Numbers make a difference too. And that may depend on time of year.

12 July 2023, 06:42

DLS

quote:
Originally posted by Dak416:
Anyone know who has lolkisale now?

Ilaroi Ranching won the last tender for Lokisale. Isn’t that Michel Mantheakis’ company?

12 July 2023, 17:24

bwanajay

quote:
Anyone know who has lolkisale now?

Harprete still has it... Rungwa Game Safaris

12 July 2023, 17:53

fulvio

quote:
Originally posted by Dak416:
Looking for the areas that have the best buffalo potential recently
Thanks
Craig

What do you mean by "best buffalo potential"?

It is said that Tanzania holds the highest buffalo population in Africa and that the chances of a large trophy are higher in the northern blocks that border the National Parks, Tarangire being one of them.

That said, the SGR also has no shortage of buffalo and some serious trophies are taken every year in spite of the fact that the shagged out Dagga boys are in fashion at the moment.

12 July 2023, 18:26

Steve Ahrenberg

quote:
Originally posted by fulvio:
quote:
Originally posted by Dak416:
Looking for the areas that have the best buffalo potential recently
Thanks
Craig

What do you mean by "best buffalo potential"?

It is said that Tanzania holds the highest buffalo population in Africa and that the chances of a large trophy are higher in the northern blocks that border the National Parks, Tarangire being one of them.

That said, the SGR also has no shortage of buffalo and some serious trophies are taken every year in spite of the fact that the shagged out Dagga boys are in fashion at the moment.

Did you ever hunt Ibanda/Rumanyika? I hunted it with Wayne Grant in 2019. I was the very last sport hunter to hunt it, as it was being converted into a NP while I was there. They were doing road/game surveys.

To my point; I have never seen such good Buffalo genetics. I shot a 49 and we saw many others nearly that size.

Very odd GMA, it was right on the Kagera river where Uganda and Rwanda meet. It was out on a peninsula with the river on one side and population centers that kind of land locked it, on the others.

The poaching was absolutely out of controlled. Many poachers out at night with impunity. We saw lights, guys with dogs, and heard shots all night. We caught 3 guys from Rwanda and a fourth armed one got away while shooting at us.

The swamp where we hunted EA Sitatunga was an entirely different story.

13 July 2023, 00:22

Dahav

I posted this some time back and have edited it as needed.

Lots of good choices for buffalo in Tanzania.

Best options to me would be Lolkisale GCA or Masai Open Area West in July or late November to December after the short rains.

Also, Luke Samaras' old block (not sure who has it now) which wedges between these two blocks- same times. All can be good into August but remember these blocks are more water sensitive when it comes to buffalo. If these blocks in Masailand are open for hunting in the January to March time period all the better.

I'm not sure if the Friedkins allow it but Maswa Kimale and Mbono Game Reserves are very good as well. They manage their blocks properly and shoot big buffalo 45"-50" from here every year.

Maswa North is also good to great. As you probably know Mike Fell is hunting it through Bushman Safaris and he is a an excellent PH.

Buffalo over 45" do come out of Western and Southwestern Tanzania every year and the biggest buffalo I've ever seen in a hunting area in Tanzania was well over 50" in George Anglelides' old block Rungwa River GCA next to Mlele GCA. Most of the southwestern blocks; Kizigo GR, Rungwa GR, Ugalla GR (Rungwa Safaris), Lukwati GRs and Lake Rukwa are all excellent for buffalo.

Mike Angelides hunts Lukwati south and Piti Game Reserves and he is an great guy and super PH. Also Lukwati North with Michele Mantheakis is excellent.

Don't discount buffalo hunting in the Selous GR. Its great fun to hunt and is super game country, wild as anything, full of buffalo and produces very good trophies if one has time and is selective. Selous GR is better hunting in September-October time period.

Wherever you go don't get too caught up in the spread thing, an old brigadier with beat up and chipped horns is just as good a trophy as a young, wide spread bull in my estimation so stay as long as you can and be selective and you'll be ok.

13 July 2023, 04:47

Safari2

quote:
Originally posted by Dahav:
I posted this some time back and have edited it as needed.

Lots of good choices for buffalo in Tanzania.

Best options to me would be Lolkisale GCA or Masai Open Area West in July or late November to December after the short rains.

Also, Luke Samaras' old block (not sure who has it now) which wedges between these two blocks- same times. All can be good into August but remember these blocks are more water sensitive when it comes to buffalo. If these blocks in Masailand are open for hunting in the January to March time period all the better.

I'm not sure if the Friedkins allow it but Maswa Kimale and Mbono Game Reserves are very good as well. They manage their blocks properly and shoot big buffalo 45"-50" from here every year.

Maswa North is also good to great. As you probably know Mike Fell is hunting it through Bushman Safaris and he is a an excellent PH.

Buffalo over 45" do come out of Western and Southwestern Tanzania every year and the biggest buffalo I've ever seen in a hunting area in Tanzania was well over 50" in George Anglelides' old block Rungwa River GCA next to Mlele GCA. Most of the southwestern blocks; Kizigo GR, Rungwa GR, Ugalla GR (Rungwa Safaris), Lukwati GRs and Lake Rukwa are all excellent for buffalo.

Mike Angelides hunts Lukwati south and Piti Game Reserves and he is an great guy and super PH. Also Lukwati North with Michele Mantheakis is excellent.

Don't discount buffalo hunting in the Selous GR. Its great fun to hunt and is super game country, wild as anything, full of buffalo and produces very good trophies if one has time and is selective. Selous GR is better hunting in September-October time period.

Wherever you go don't get too caught up in the spread thing, an old brigadier with beat up and chipped horns is just as good a trophy as a young, wide spread bull in my estimation so stay as long as you can and be selective and you'll be ok.

Fantastic update Dahav!

What about Moyowasi now with
Adam Clements? It used to be great in the early 90’s

13 July 2023, 05:37

Dak416

Looks like plenty of options, I like shooting old dugga boys with worn horn just like to have the option to shoot something exceptional if you see it!
Thanks for all the reply’s
Craig

13 July 2023, 06:34

lavaca

Leaving Sunday to hunt with Michel Mantheakis in Lukwati. A lot of buffalo there and numbers is certainly one thing. Have four on license, but with lion being the focus, don't know how selective I'll be able to be.

13 July 2023, 08:15

Dahav

quote:
Originally posted by Safari2:
quote:
Originally posted by Dahav:
I posted this some time back and have edited it as needed.

Lots of good choices for buffalo in Tanzania.

Best options to me would be Lolkisale GCA or Masai Open Area West in July or late November to December after the short rains.

Also, Luke Samaras' old block (not sure who has it now) which wedges between these two blocks- same times. All can be good into August but remember these blocks are more water sensitive when it comes to buffalo. If these blocks in Masailand are open for hunting in the January to March time period all the better.

I'm not sure if the Friedkins allow it but Maswa Kimale and Mbono Game Reserves are very good as well. They manage their blocks properly and shoot big buffalo 45"-50" from here every year.

Maswa North is also good to great. As you probably know Mike Fell is hunting it through Bushman Safaris and he is a an excellent PH.

Buffalo over 45" do come out of Western and Southwestern Tanzania every year and the biggest buffalo I've ever seen in a hunting area in Tanzania was well over 50" in George Anglelides' old block Rungwa River GCA next to Mlele GCA. Most of the southwestern blocks; Kizigo GR, Rungwa GR, Ugalla GR (Rungwa Safaris), Lukwati GRs and Lake Rukwa are all excellent for buffalo.

Mike Angelides hunts Lukwati south and Piti Game Reserves and he is an great guy and super PH. Also Lukwati North with Michele Mantheakis is excellent.

Don't discount buffalo hunting in the Selous GR. Its great fun to hunt and is super game country, wild as anything, full of buffalo and produces very good trophies if one has time and is selective. Selous GR is better hunting in September-October time period.

Wherever you go don't get too caught up in the spread thing, an old brigadier with beat up and chipped horns is just as good a trophy as a young, wide spread bull in my estimation so stay as long as you can and be selective and you'll be ok.

Fantastic update Dahav!

What about Moyowasi now with
Adam Clements? It used to be great in the early 90’s

Yes, it's my understanding that some of the Moyowosi and Kigosi GRs are good but don't know which as they have been subdivided. Historically, both have good or great for buffalo but some of the subdivisions have been managed better (read hammered less) than others. I do hear good things about Piet Fourie. He hunts the Moyowosi/Kigosi GRS too.