Hello from ND: Time to hunt a Buffalo

[North Fork Technologies]

Welcome to the posting side! Have fun planning and let us know if you have any questions..

 

[CAustin]

Hello everyone!

Joined the forum awhile ago but this is my first post. My dad has always dreamed of going to Africa to hunt Cape Buffalo, and now that I am out of school and can pay my way we are finally going in 2026.

We went to the 2025 DSC show in Atlanta, and WOW what a lot to take in. After the first day of talking to literally every vendor that offered a Buffalo hunt, I got a plan together to focus on vendors that could offer us what we wanted.

Growing up in Idaho, I have chased free ranged game my entire life and quickly realized that a private fenced reserve was not the Safari adventure we were looking for. We started talking those who offered free range Buffalo hunts in South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. We now have a bunch of quotes in hand and brochures and are getting down to finalizing our plan

Since my mother and girlfriend are likely to go with us, we think a trip to South Africa is our best bet. We will save Mozambique for our next trip . We have narrowed it down to four different Safaris for our trip, all of which offer hunts on the greater Kruger with an open border. All have excellent references and are similar in pricing (+/-$4000) for a similar experience. What advice would you offer to help select the final company you would go on your safari with?

Primary Specie: Cape Buffalo
Ideal Additional Plans Game: Eland, Impala, Gemsbok, Kudu, Warthog, Wildebeest, Zebra

Rifles for our Hunt:
Dangerous Game - CZ Safari in 458 Lott with Leupold 1.5-4 & Ruger M77 375 H&H with a leupold 4-12.
Plainsgame: Winchester M70 300 Weatherby Mag with a Leupold 4.5-14 & Winchester M70 270 Win with Leupold 4-12.

Welcome to AH

 

[Velo Dog]

Greetings JCHunter62,

Khomas Highland Hunting and Fishing Safaris of Namibia, welcomes you to the greatest forum on earth.

Regarding your request for suggestions on settling with a specific safari company, others have submitted good ideas.
And I second anyone who says to thoroughly research whichever one/s you are thinking seriously of booking with.
Speak with their references and search the internet for any information about the company before sending your deposit.

With that, it looks like you are making ready to hunt on land bordering the Kruger Park, in South Africa.
There are some very fine buffalo (all of the “Big-5 actually) that wander back and forth across the river boundary, on and off of various private properties.
The buffalo in my avatar was taken on such a concession that borders the Kruger Park.

That land holding was approximately 100,000 acres and there was no fence between it and the park.
It was called either “Maruli” or “Baruli”.
I never saw it written so, it could have been spelled either way.
I hunted with Hannes Swanepoel Safaris, based near Gravelotte, SA.

My rifle was a London built, .450 No.2 Nitro.
I hit my animal with the classic “one two”, (one each soft and solid bullets).
Both impacts knocked him straight to the ground.
The 2nd time I shot him, he expired so fast that we never heard a sound from him, neither did he appear to kick or move after that solid quartered through him, severing the spine as it went.

There is at least one thread in the forum regarding the eating of African buffalo meat.
Many writers said they prefer other game meat over that from these magnificent beasts.
However, myself and my wife rather enjoyed the tenderloin, with local seasoning and grilled over a wood fire, until just rare, to not quite medium-rare.
Admittedly, it was not as delectable as Mountain zebra or name your favorite antelope meat, expertly prepared.
Nonetheless, it was quite good.

Anyway, soon as removed from the grill and after being immediately covered tightly, to rest it a few minutes, it was sliced diagonally, across the grain, rather thin, as you would with flank steak or other tough parts of domestic cattle.
And we thought it was splendid.

But in all fairness, my wife is from Alaska and raised on game meat, wild salmon, etc.
And although I was born and raised in Los Angeles, I have always enjoyed properly cared for and properly cooked venison from almost any critter I’ve tried.

Older bull caribou during rut is horrid and old rutting mule deer is not pleasing to the taste buds either, IMO.
Fish eating ducks, such as mergansers, are a roll of the dice, often smelling and tasting like spoiled fish that has been setting on the dock too long.
But those are the only game meats I can think of that are off-putting.
African buffalo tenderloin was again, not one of those, it was quite good.

I recall from your post if the two ladies in your group will be hunting or not.
If they are, your rifle selection seems just fine.
But if only you and your father will be hunting, I submit that lugging 4 rifles for two hunters will be extra baggage.
Either the .458 Lott with your .375 H&H or, your .300 Magnum and your .375 but always the .375 for sure.
That one is my favorite hunting cartridge, for wandering far and wide, globally.

The .458 Lott is by reputation a good buffalo getter, provided the hunter places their all-important first shot properly and the bullet is tough enough to penetrate thick muscle and bone, then tear the vitals before running out of momentum.
These days, most of the 480 to 500 or more grain .458 bullets will work.

Best Regards,
Velo Dog.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Welcome to the AH forum.

IMO you have selected the nearly perfect safari firearms battery for your intended animals.

However, with this bunch there is no such thing as a perfect firearms battery; as most everyone has their own opinion of the perfect firearms battery.

I would recommend reading this forums hunt reports section for information and contacting via PM AH members whom have used the outfitters you are considering to hunt with.

Good fortune on your planning phase and Happy Hunting.

Don't forget to take lots of photos and everyone keep a personal journal to reflect back on as you present the rest of us members with your hunt reports.

Two things to remember: 1. This Is Africa (TIA) expect the unexpected; 2. We like photos of your adventure to go along with the details of your hunt reports; or it didn't happen.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Welcome to AH. Good luck.