PH/Outfitters/experienced hunters- Cape Buffalo 2026

[RLP]

Looking to book/plan my first Cape Buffalo hunt for 2026. My interest is leaning away from South Africa and a resort style camp. Camping in a tent will be fine. Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Botswana (or somewhere else you recommend) all are on the table in no particular order. Unfortunately, cost will be a consideration, but travel time and hunting time will not be restrictive.

The focus on the hunt must be a cape buffalo or two- males, no females, the older the better. Other game interest me Sable, wildebeest and warthog, but the full focus must be on a quality buf hunt.

Thank you in advance for providing your advice and thoughts...

Roger

 

[rookhawk]

Looking to book/plan my first Cape Buffalo hunt for 2026. My interest is leaning away from South Africa and a resort style camp. Camping in a tent will be fine. Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Botswana (or somewhere else you recommend) all are on the table in no particular order. Unfortunately, cost will be a consideration, but travel time and hunting time will not be restrictive.

The focus on the hunt must be a cape buffalo or two- males, no females, the older the better. Other game interest me Sable, wildebeest and warthog, but the full focus must be on a quality buf hunt.

Thank you in advance for providing your advice and thoughts...

Roger

I'd recommend Zim. High quality PHs I've known or used would be this shortlist:

Vaughan Whitehead Wilson
Garth Adams
John Sharp
Peter Barnard

The latter two are very experienced PHs in their 50s to late 60s. They have a strong book built over a lifetime so you'll pay more and they have fewer openings. The first two are more affordable because they are in their late-30s or early-40s launching with younger companies. Nonetheless, many people here have hunted wild dangerous game with all of the above.

Sable and Buffalo are doable, but not frequently in the same regions of Zim. Mozambique is probably best known for that combo hunt.

None of them advertise much, you won't find them running banner ads or engaging much on forums.

 

[375Fox]

I’ve hunted with charlton McCallum Safaris twice in Dande East and Dande North/Safari area in Zambezi valley. Highly recommend. You’ll get on buffalo daily but it will be a pure tracking hunt. Both have good sable numbers as well. I wouldn’t expect to see any buffalo from the vehicle. Whoever you pick I’d tell you to only look at full time outfitters in the country you are hunting not outfitters from neighboring countries selling the occasional hunt in that area. I think you’ll find Zimbabwe is the best combination of price and experience.