The ultimate buffalo hunt

[Kevin Peacocke]

We have seen many posts on first buffalo hunt questions, best value buff hunt questions, a hunt in this country or that, but what I am asking here, and putting my own wish list up rhetorically, is the ULTIMATE! So obviously it will be subjective and it may borrow snippets from what you all have said before. So here goes:
A wild area, no fences, natural herds.
A dagga boy, older than 11 years, worn horns, polished boss and lion scars.
A tented camp nowhere near any roads and no population wandering around.
Paraffin lamps, even if there are other lights.
No livestock.
There must be tsetse flies and mopane flies (bees).
There must be dust.
The PH must carry a double rifle.
The food must smell of fire smoke
At least eight days
An excellent single malt and a crystal glass, and ice.

So what would you add or subtract?

 

[Mopani]

I can live without tsetse flies and mopane flies. I would be glad to see enough buffalo to choose from, so far that wasn‘t the case.

 

[saswart]

Kevin I agree, as South African, I would say "out of country", like Zim, Zam etc., just a personal opinion.

As a side to add - I had opportunity to hunt my first buff with my dad, with almost none of the above ticked, and it would remain the ultimate. Would not swop it for a hunt that ticked the above.....unless it is with my Dad and ticks the above, that would be epic

 

[mark-hunter]

So what would you add or subtract?

Acceptable pricing. (i know, very personal and individual point)
No visa to enter the country. (As visa requirement is turn off for me, having international job and need to have passport at all times with me)

For the rest you are spot on, exactly as I would prefer.

 

[375Fox]

I’d say add in a very experienced PH, a lion sighting, and a good shot at the end of a long day. I’ll definitely subtract out the tsetse flies and mopane flies.

 

[uplander01]

I did the perfect Buffalo hunt last year in zim, sengwa area, 12 days, cool nights, warm days, warm water bottles to warm bed. My wife was with me seeing africa for the first time. Saw tons of buff, took 2 bulls, one non trophy, one old dagga boy at 39.5”. Also took the biggest kudu and eland of my career so far. Had a zim family in camp for 6 of the days that had bought their dad a buff hunt, it was great sitting with them at the camp fires at night. Had the place to ourselves the rest of the time. Great food, great naps, absolutely incredible views, everything I dreamt about.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I did the perfect Buffalo hunt last year in zim, sengwa area, 12 days, cool nights, warm days, warm water bottles to warm bed. My wife was with me seeing africa for the first time. Saw tons of buff, took 2 bulls, one non trophy, one old dagga boy at 39.5”. Also took the biggest kudu and eland of my career so far. Had a zim family in camp for 6 of the days that had bought their dad a buff hunt, it was great sitting with them at the camp fires at night. Had the place to ourselves the rest of the time. Great food, great naps, absolutely incredible views, everything I dreamt about.

Sounds wonderful. Do you have some pictures of camp?

 

[Doug3006]

I like your list, Kevin. It sounds like Buffalo heaven to me! I have a love/ hate relationship with tsetse flies. I love them because they keep wild Africa wild. I can’t quibble with the rest….except substitute a fine bourbon for the scotch. Oh, and it would be nice to keep the daytime high temps were under 40 degrees Celsius!

 

[WAB]

We have seen many posts on first buffalo hunt questions, best value buff hunt questions, a hunt in this country or that, but what I am asking here, and putting my own wish list up rhetorically, is the ULTIMATE! So obviously it will be subjective and it may borrow snippets from what you all have said before. So here goes:
A wild area, no fences, natural herds.
A dagga boy, older than 11 years, worn horns, polished boss and lion scars.
A tented camp nowhere near any roads and no population wandering around.
Paraffin lamps, even if there are other lights.
No livestock.
There must be tsetse flies and mopane flies (bees).
There must be dust.
The PH must carry a double rifle.
The food must smell of fire smoke
At least eight days
An excellent single malt and a crystal glass, and ice.

So what would you add or subtract?

You’ve left off the most important bit for me. It must be a tracking hunt. Absolutely no spotting from the vehicle and planning a stalk. If you see something compelling from the vehicle, at a minimum, you must drive off and
give them an hour or so before taking up the track.

To be a proper hunt, you need to have a number of blown stalks before it all comes together. When it does come together, one well placed shot plus the insurance paid when the bull is on the ground.

A bottle of buffalo trace in camp for each bull to be taken. A bottle is opened the night of each successful harvest.

No deadlines. Enjoy the bush and take what it gives.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I like your list, Kevin. It sounds like Buffalo heaven to me! I have a love/ hate relationship with tsetse flies. I love them because they keep wild Africa wild. I can’t quibble with the rest….except substitute a fine bourbon for the scotch. Oh, and it would be nice to keep the daytime high temps were under 40 degrees Celsius!

Ok Doug Bourbon it is, I rather liked the tasting Jeff prepared.

 

[flatwater bill]

@Kevin Peacocke I have never been to a place exactly as you describe.....some pretty close though. I think solitude is one of the most difficult things to find and experience. Many places advertise massive blocks of land. But there are a lot of people living in Africa. Poaching, pilfering, panhandling and nuisance people abound. I advise everyone to ask about this when planning an expensive hunt. One more thing, is "the PH with the double".....I have seen them so eager to use their rifle, and/or so terrified of buffalo, that they spoil the hunt. You don't want to come to the realization that THEY have been hunting buffalo, and you have simply been paying for it.
Make sure that YOU are a hunter too.
And lastly, no WIFI
I am also looking for this mythical hunt. (There is nothing I like better than a good Tsetse Fly).......FW Bill

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

@Kevin Peacocke I have never been to a place exactly as you describe.....some pretty close though. I think solitude is one of the most difficult things to find and experience. Many places advertise massive blocks of land. But there are a lot of people living in Africa. Poaching, pilfering, panhandling and nuisance people abound. I advise everyone to ask about this when planning an expensive hunt. One more thing, is "the PH with the double".....I have seen them so eager to use their rifle, and/or so terrified of buffalo, that they spoil the hunt. You don't want to come to the realization that THEY have been hunting buffalo, and you have simply been paying for it.
Make sure that YOU are a hunter too.
And lastly, no WIFI
I am also looking for this mythical hunt. (There is nothing I like better than a good Tsetse Fly).......FW Bill

Bill, although I said no fences, if it comes down to fences or running into people I’ll take the fences any day. That is one of the attractions of the large South African concessions, you are pretty much guaranteed that you wont be running into anyone who shouldn’t be there. It is really dangerous too if there is the chance of a shot accidentally taking someone out.

 

[Longwalker]

Kevin, your description captures most of what is important to me too. I’d add a requirement for good populations and a variety of other animals and birds, in other words a healthy, natural ecosystem.

A few predators to “compete” with is a requirement. Lions, wild dogs and leopard.

I have no need for paraffin lamps, but tents are nice.

A PH can choose whatever rifle he/she likes, as long as the PH and I have compatible enthusiasms and respect for the hunt, the wildlife, and the land.

A crew of trackers, cook, etc. who are experts at their craft and are willing to share a little of their skills with clients who admire what they do and would like to learn.

Availability of other species on quota, or some fishing, or bird shooting, or cultural tourism to fill in the end of a successful hunt.

After five safaris, every trip to Africa has been better than the last. I learn more each time. I aspire to become the ideal client so the opportunities offered on the “ultimate” buffalo hunt aren’t wasted on me.

 

[Fixfire]

Definitely DG sightings, and soundings at night.

 

[CBH Australia]

I would have thought a Land Rover would have made Kevin's list.

I would like to do a tented camp, next stop from Buffalo would be to hunt a truly wild Lion. That would be my dream goal on such a hunt.

I do like the idea of a remote camp and all the trimmings. In Australia we often roll a swag on the ground or in the ute if it's dry, well that's most of the time in areas I access.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I love everything about that Kevin!

Three things for me...
Not a big insect fan, though I have no experience with tsetse flies.
Crystal and ice sounds nice, but I don't drink alcohol, so it'd have to be something else.
You know I'm going to want to hunt with a lever action.

Your topics are always sooo much fun.

 

[Rare Breed]

We have seen many posts on first buffalo hunt questions, best value buff hunt questions, a hunt in this country or that, but what I am asking here, and putting my own wish list up rhetorically, is the ULTIMATE! So obviously it will be subjective and it may borrow snippets from what you all have said before. So here goes:
A wild area, no fences, natural herds.
A dagga boy, older than 11 years, worn horns, polished boss and lion scars.
A tented camp nowhere near any roads and no population wandering around.
Paraffin lamps, even if there are other lights.
No livestock.
There must be tsetse flies and mopane flies (bees).
There must be dust.
The PH must carry a double rifle.
The food must smell of fire smoke
At least eight days
An excellent single malt and a crystal glass, and ice.

So what would you add or subtract?

Tsetse flies please!!! Otherwise sounds great…I can take the mopane bees just not tsetse flies

 

[CBH Australia]

Tsetse flies please!!! Otherwise sounds great…I can take the mopane bees just not tsetse flies

He just wants to ensure you get the full experience, Flies and all. This is Africa.

Come to Australia and you will find the Buffalo are in the tropics. Humidity is standard, prices are higher and it probably has Blow Flies and Mosquitoes.

I have been that far north to elaborate but it's something I'm looking forward to when things align.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Twenty tsetse bites is like donating blood, it is good for you, gets the pressure down.

 

[375Fox]

One more thing, is "the PH with the double".....I have seen them so eager to use their rifle, and/or so terrified of buffalo, that they spoil the hunt. You don't want to come to the realization that THEY have been hunting buffalo, and you have simply been paying for it.
Make sure that YOU are a hunter too.

I’ve never seen this at all myself hunting dangerous game. I’ve had two PHs that have been involved in buffalo attacks and one who was missing a toe from a leopard incident, all showed a lot of respect towards dangerous game but not fear. I think too many people assume all PH’s are equally qualified. I’ve yet to have a PH fire a back up shot on buffalo even though I’ve discussed it with them at start of hunt. Verifying you are hunting with a competent dangerous game PH should be part of the planning.