I have been doing some internet research on Cape Buffalo hunts and have noticed a wide range of costs for buffalo hunts. They range from $7500 to nearly $15,000.

I realize that the country in which the hunt will occur affects price and that price alone should not dictate with whom you hunt.

But, I like to look for value so help me understand why, other than country, there is a variance in price.

One thing I am starting to notice is the cost for charter flights if they are needed. They seem like they can quickly add to the cost of the trip.

What else do I need to know and consider before booking a hunt?

Charter flights are becoming unreasonably expensive. You can often share the cost of a charter with other hunters heading to the same or similiar destinations, though.

Best advice I can give is to book with a reputable outfitter, several of whom post here. I personally have had good experience with Wendell Reich, but there are several more.

Become intimately familiar with your rifle and practice a lot, particularly offhand shooting.

On the upper end I have seen some over 25K. Shop carefully.

For TROPHY buffalo you might consider the following:
Zimbabwe as the Best Value
Save Valley Conservancy-MokoreSafaris.com or
Matetsi Area#5 Ron Oliver-zwsafaris.com

Tanzania-offers a unique experience, no charters, and East African plains game contact Wendell Reich @ Huntersquest.com for the Masailand Tarangire Area.
Good Hunting!

Remember while shopping,researching and reference checking. "You usually get what you pay for". Beware of bargain priced hunts.

WHat Studdog said - never forget that.

When it comes to booking hunts in Africa you will get every price imagineable, it all depends on their marketing stradagy...

What you see is not always what you get, the hidden costs will get you if your not careful..

Anyone marketing buffalo for $7500 is putting the screws to you, why would anyone sell a buff for $7500 when they bring $10,000 at an auction..

Your getting a base price, then they will add such things as vat tax, a couple of grand perhaps, charter flights at $1500 to $2000, concession fees, hunting license and Lord knows what else..

Basically it will cost you $18,000 to $20,000, depending on where and what is furnished to go Buffalo hunting with a legitamate outfit, they can't hardly do it any cheaper and if they do then your being shorted someplace.

I hear the horror stories every day from folks that got a cheap buffalo hunt..

I stay on top of buffalo hunts because that is the part that pretty much pays my business expense..I am constantly shopping for them..

My 1x1 buff hunts are as follows rounded off:

RSA: Figures to $18,500.
Namibia: $16,600.00
Tanzania: $15,550.00
Botswana: $20,000.00 plus

Notice there is a lot of difference, because it cost x dollars to book the bulls and that is like cattle a pretty set price...

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
When it comes to booking hunts in Africa you will get every price imagineable, it all depends on their marketing stradagy...

What you see is not always what you get, the hidden costs will get you if your not careful..

Anyone marketing buffalo for $7500 is putting the screws to you, why would anyone sell a buff for $7500 when they bring $10,000 at an auction..

Your getting a base price, then they will add such things as vat tax, a couple of grand perhaps, charter flights at $1500 to $2000, concession fees, hunting license and Lord knows what else..

Basically it will cost you $18,000 to $20,000, depending on where and what is furnished to go Buffalo hunting with a legitamate outfit, they can't hardly do it any cheaper and if they do then your being shorted someplace.

I hear the horror stories every day from folks that got a cheap buffalo hunt..

I stay on top of buffalo hunts because that is the part that pretty much pays my business expense..I am constantly shopping for them..

My 1x1 buff hunts are as follows rounded off:

RSA: Figures to $18,500.
Namibia: $16,600.00
Tanzania: $15,550.00
Botswana: $20,000.00 plus

Notice there is a lot of difference, because it cost x dollars to book the bulls and that is like cattle a pretty set price...

Ray: I'm going to call BULLSHIT on your comments about a $7500 buff hunt and getting the screws put to you I paid $7500 to hunt the Selous block L1 on a 7 day buffalo hunt the first week of this past August. The charter fees were included as were all Gov't fees and trophy fee on the first buffalo. The TF on the second buff was $950 USD the Nyasa W. was $600, the zebra $900, impala $400, Licentstein H. was $700.
I went there with the prepaid $7500 and killed one buffalo @ 41.5" (I saw plenty of other bulls over 38") and paid those TFs above on the PG I wanted. I also fished for tiger fish and spent some time doing camera work. The staff of 18 were superb as was the food and drinks. I left the norm in tips for staff and PH and that is what the trip cost me. The only other costs I had on the trip were my motel fees for the Sea Cliff the day before and after the charter flights and my international air.
I saw about a dozen lions two of which were good dark maned males. 15 elephants that included 2 bulls over 50# that were under 75 yds from the truck, hippos, crocs,etc.
I wasn't screwed and as a matter of fact am still smiling! The owner even paid the "new" buff TF as he said it wouldn't be fair to charge me more after the contracts had been signed.

ALP#4, How about some pictures? Did you post a hunt report?

Exceptionally good deal. Very exceptionally. But...don't look for $7500 hunts with the new fees in effect.

The outfit I hunted plains game with raised the price of a 7 days Buff hunt all inclusive fron $9500 to $13000. Nihan said he was getting calls every day fom other Ph's looking for Buff. He has a good sized herd on his property in the Northern Cape. Nihan Engelbrecht of www.huntersgame.co.za told me at least in RSA there aren't enough Buff bulls to go around. He attributed a fari bit of that to the political turmoil in Zim.

We run $11,500 to $20,000 depending upon where and how long. 10 days are average in Zim but 7 days for RSA. LDK

CVC,

I just returned from Zim. 4 Buff hunters, 10k each.
4 buff in 3 days, 38-44in. True measurments made by me.

Alp4: Who did you hunt with? What outfit?

Jeff

Would you reccommend the outfitter? If so, who did you hunt with?

I guess Africa is nothing more than a memory, for me, at this point! They've priced me out of the field! It was a hell of a run, while it lasted, however!

............... R.I.P. Africa!

CVC,

Yes I would. I am helping the guy out with exposure, but he chafes in that I give people the unvarnished truth about everything. The buff were the biggest I have personally seen.

Jeff

Bwana Bunduki,

ok, spill it. You say you are helping the fellow with exposure. Plenty of us on this forum are always on the lookout for new places, people, and, yes, good deals/value. Who, where, how long the hunt and how long in business-- and the unvarnished truth is always welcomed.

Nkonka,

The name of the outfit is SSG Safari's in Chiredzi. Nixon Dzingai is the main dude and is a great PH. He has over 100 documented trophy tuskers taken around Gonerezhou National Park and currently holds Malipati concession. Big Buff, Good elephant. The average Ele hunt is 3 days. Ele is 27,500 and we have been arguint over buff, but it looks like 10 dasy @850/Day. Trophy fee 3000 for the buff. Other plains game are available. Now the bad news, Nixon is into a 2 year start up. Hunting he knows, running a business...ugh not so much. He has trouble organizing a big production. We had a day without fuel and one of the trucks was crap. Food is fair at best. Beer is included. I think he is just overwhelmed and has been a jerk about taking advice. If you can stand a little bs, the hunting is worth it. I am the US contact for a while. Avg buff was 42 in for our group. BUT he does let some clients shoot crap. Another pet peeve of mine. Hopefully things will continue to improve. The stress seems to be getting to Nixon in that he is not as fun to be around and his staff is on edge. Yes I paid to hunt.

Always good to get an honest assessment!!

Bwana B,

that's what i call a true report, warts and all, and one i can go to the bank with. I sincerely appreciate your candor and with your words can make an intelligent decision. (at least as intelligent as possible for me.)

Food will get better in time,and the buff rate seems quite realistic. Beer is a good thing, I can bring the scot's whisky.

Thanks for the candor, and I think we mnay be in touch. The sense of discovery and all, ya know?

djd

Dear Guests ///

Just FYI to offer comparitive prices ....

Below is our DENDRO PARK - ZAMBIA (pre-2008 season) 5-day cape buffalo bull (Private Ranch Hunt) special package price breakdown

Package a] Cape buffalo special pack -- 5-days plus the arrival day (1x1) hunting

8300 - base pack price, includes 1 x cape buffalo bull specie
1800 - Cessna 210 -- 4/5 x pax **air charter ex: Livingstone Ngoma Livingstone
200 - non-hunting arrival day, sighting in the rifle & settle into camp
200 - rifle import export permit / OR loan of suitable rifle & ammunition
*800 - dip pack crate & consignment documentation - *1 x buff & 3 x plains game

$ 11,300 + hotel costs, entry visa, transfers in Livingstone as required + trophy freight ex: Lusaka to destination

For two hunters, hunting (2x1) the equivalent pack price is less $1500, being $9,800 per each hunter

Cheers, Peter

I hunted with Gary Hopkins/Don Bower whom also own a lodge in Zimbabwe.
I've given up trying to post pictures with the dial up I have as access here in the boonies. If someone wants a picture to posy I'll email it to them.41 1/2 was an honest measurement...actually it was 41 7/8"

Nkonka,

Final daily rate for buff will be 750/day with SSG. 10 days min. 3000 trophy fee. Barry Styles will provide air transport to Mabaluata for 2000 round trip. Cessna 206. This is bush hunting, not ranch hunting in dangerous game country. Keeps the adrenaline up a bit if you know what I mean.

Jeff

Nkonka, Suggest you reread rule one. "You usually get what you pay for"

Stud,
Disagree. isn't an 11,000-13000 Symcerous Caffer the same species as the 24,000 variety available in Botswana with Rann or Calitz?

Jeff

Alpha 4,
How about sharing with us, what concession did you hunt and with whom, I find that very interesting, and I also call your bullshit, if they hunt buff for $7500 all inclusive in the Selous, they are loosing about $20,000 per year over the cost of the a concession, and other required fees, and two black maned lions in the Selous, c'mon, the brush is too thick for that.

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana Bunduki:
Stud,
Disagree. isn't an 11,000-13000 Symcerous Caffer the same species as the 24,000 variety available in Botswana with Rann or Calitz?

Jeff

You hit on my original reason for posting this question. I want to hunt buffalo and I want a good trip, but if I can get the same trip for 10,000 as opposed to paying $20,000 then that's what I want to do.

I realize that you have to factor in all the costs, not just the "base" price so the second reason I was asking was to get some advice on what "hidden" costs to look for.

CVC,

Air charters can vary. Dont forget dip, pack, crate and shipping of trophies. I personally would not hunt Buff on a ranch. I also mistyped Syncerous Caffer.

Jeff

CVC,

yes, it is those hidden costs that bite yer ass. Air charter should be built into the contracted price-- that way it is not a surprise. Dip and pack should be built in to the price so there is no surprise. Meet and greet, libations, laundry, concession fees, the trophy fee on the first buff-- all these can add up. Get them included in the final contract price.

Be VERY careful if ANY of these are not explicitly included in the price tag.

Ray had you read my posts you'd know who I hunted with and where...Don Bower/L1
A 21 day hunter in camp killed another (read that different) male lion the 2nd day I was in camp. Along with elephant,hippo croc,buff an passed on a leopard. I know black maned males when I see them, not the scragly ginger variety.

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana Bunduki:
CVC,

Air charters can vary. Dont forget dip, pack, crate and shipping of trophies. I personally would not hunt Buff on a ranch. I also mistyped Syncerous Caffer.

Jeff

Why no ranch hunt for buffalo?

CVC,
My personal preference is to hunt the bush and hunt wild animals that were born and die there and have an option to be there or not. Don't want to start a debate about fences etc. It's just my choice.

Jeff

Ray,
While I appreciate your many years in the industry, I have to share with you a buff hunt I took in 06 in a prime location at a price, less than what you have quoted. I am certainly not saying your prices are too high, just sharing an example of a quality hunt I took at a lesser price.

I hunted the Lower Lupande concession in the luangwa valley of Zambia.

7 days 1 x 1 $7500
Dip/pak, gun fees, crating, licenses, pick up in Mfuwe, complete. $1500
TF on buff $1575
Comm Air Lusaka to Mfuwe $400 R/T

Total for an old 40" dugga boy $10,975

Prices have gone up about $1000 in 2007.

The outfitter was Kwalata Safaris

These are posted for Alp #4 from the Selous L1 and August of this year. I believe it was 41 7/8"...but clearly this can't be real because you didn't pay enough.

Thanks Yukon!

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana Bunduki:
CVC,
My personal preference is to hunt the bush and hunt wild animals that were born and die there and have an option to be there or not. Don't want to start a debate about fences etc. It's just my choice.

Jeff

That is what I assumed and my preference is the same as yours, just seeing if there was anything else.

Isn't that Peter Chipman, the PH, late of Usangu?

Alpha 4, I know exactly how you shared our hunt with another person and defrayed the costs, I also have been told that you have conflicting stories between what you say on AR and what you said on 24 hour as to who shot what.

Yes, you can split a 7 day hunt with someone and get half the game with some Safari companies.

I understand that you are CATs and Mocosin Joe and Alpha 4 on these forums. Several on this forum have informed me of your behavior. The seem to have you figured out and they emailed me..

Be that as it be, I agree it can be done that way with some outfitters but that is not a proper hunt IMO. perhaps it is in yours, in which case we have a difference of opinnion.

A Tanz. license has two buffalo and some plainsgame, that can be perhaps be legally shared, but I don't think that applies to this thread...

I assumed that we were talking about a legitamate 2 buff and plainsgame 7 day minimum hunt..In which case it is not bullshit.

Robncolorado,
I don't doubt that one bit, at the beginning of this year my buffalo hunts with Pierre van
Tonder were $11,550, in 2006 they were $10,550 and in 2005 or 2004 they were like $8500. Go figure, it was mostly the price of fuel that has been running them up...Then the Tanzania gov. gave all of us a hit, and they were retroactive btw, and now prices have skyrocketed with about a $40,000 increase in concession fees, plus increases in trophy fees. That will be handed down to the client, it can't work any other way.

All I am saying is the good old days came to an abrupt end in Tanz. at the beginning of 2007. Now the price will be $15,550 for 2008...

It costs X dollars to put on a hunt and the outfitter must add his profit to that or he will not stay in business...

Some safari companies will allow two people to share one license and split the game bag and the cost. Some of my safari companies will do this, Pierre does this, but you will not hunt with him personally.. You give up a lot and your hunt is less than what it should be when you do this. That is a long way to go to shoot 2.5 head of plainsgame and one buffalo each IMO. You also have 7 days to shoot 2 buffalo an you may have to except less of a bull..I also feel that is too short a time considering the hard flight over there and you have to turn around and go home before you even get settled.

I assumed and am sure in this thread that we are talking about now, today, and hunts for 2008..As I don't think anyone is interrested in what buff hunts used to cost.

At any rate I stand behind my statements.

It is amazing how many twists and turns a thread can take.

Perhaps I wasn't clear in my original post, but my main request was on assistance in comparing hunts. What hidden costs do I need to look for? What things that are offered or not offered that add to the quality of the hunt?

I know the country in which you hunt affects price, but is it better to pay more and hunt in one country over another?

This is the kind of advice I really need.

Thanks.