I am hunting in the Lobo concession in Tanzania in early December 2006. I am currently booked at 7 days for Buffalo (+ 6 other species) plus 3 additional days photo safari to see Ngorongoro crater. I would like honest opinions from every one with experience whether they think the extra 3 days of hunting is worth the additional cost. It will cost more than a deposit on a Searcy double rifle to increase my stay and the only additional bag is a second Buffalo. It is my first trip to Africa. Thanks for your opinions in advance. Brian

Brian
I recommend 10 days, or even 14. With all the expense in getting there I recommend you stay as long as you can.
How much does each day increase the cost?

I concur. Stay the 10 days. You get an extra buff and can be more choosey on which you take.

It would cost about $4500 more including the trophy fee on the second buff. I believe my odds are excellent to connect with one good buff in seven days plus at least a couple of the plains game species. In addition to buffalo, on license is zebra, Coke's hartebeest, Grant's gazelle, warthog, impala, & wildebeest. Thanks again. Brian

This road has been travelled much before but go for 10 days.
The extra buff licence will make the trip as you can shoot a good buff on the first morning if you wish and then hunt hard for the rest of the trip for a better head.
I have done the reverse on a 10 day buff hunt in passing up a reasonable head mid morning of the first day [only one buff licence on this trip] only to struggle for the next 9days. all part of the experience but i will guarantee you that once you are there you will be wishing it was for 21days! especially the first trip - i am jealous!
APB

Imo it takes at least seven days just to get into a relaxed rythm and properly enjoy the safari.
And as others have noted, once you take a nice Buff the pressure is off and you can enjoy hunting for a monster. Even if another opportunity for another Buff does not come your way, all the extra days of chasing them is really what makes a proper safari in my opinion.

You can never spend too many days in Africa on a hunting trip unless your PH is a complete *&%hole.

465H&H

I went to the same area on a 7 day hunt and longed for a 10 day hunt. The addition of the 2nd buffalo tag is really a big deal, especially if you wound and lose the first.

The other way to view it is that a $4500 buffalo hunt is really cheap.

As was stated, being able to take the first one, then be more selective on the second greatly enhances the enjoyment of the trip. You will also have more time for the other game, and if you are not 100% the first few days after the flying, it will not be as impactful.

If you can swing it financially and with your schedule, I think you'll be happy you did.

JMHO, Bill

I would also recommend at least 10 days. Africa is a long way to go for just seven days. The flight cost the same amount either way, so all the additional money will be spent on hunting. And buffalo hunting is addictive!!!

I did a 7 day hunt in the Selous last fall. I loved it, would recommend it and would take a 10 day hunt over it every time if I had the chance.

Dean

Yep, ten days for sure.

After you return, surviving that nasty return flight, you'll certainly wish you had taken the extra three days.

One other thing that hasn't been mentioned...
If possible, arrange for ten FULL hunting days. Some of the outfitters count the day in and day out as part of the hunt, others don't. If your outfitter does, see about adding a day at the beginning (into camp) and day at the end (leaving camp) as non-hunting 'observer' days. This would be especially important if you're only doing the 7-day thingie.

Ditto...10 days...

Brian, you are there...Three extra days and another buf is a steal...NO extra plane fares...
I have done 7, 10, and I am the guy who won a buf hunt here to Tanzania and I upgraded to 21 days...

Mike

10 days. Why wouldn't someone want to spend as much time as possible hunting Africa, once they got there? Think of the alternatives in being back home. . .