Summary – Cape Buffalo Packages
Nick Bowker has a dangerous game license and offers a wide selection of Cape buffalo Hunting Packages. Hunting Cape Buffalo is one of Africa’s most iconic safari hunts, and we have outstanding hunting areas for buffalo.
Our concession area is in the mountains with very thick brush in a large area. This Buffalo hunt is proper. The bulls are challenging to find and shot at close range. Be prepared to be charged! We do not offer buffalo bow hunting.
We offer a comprehensive selection of Cape Buffalo Hunt Packages and prices for first-time and repeat African hunters.
Our hunting packages are clear and transparent, without any hidden costs. The day fee and trophy fee are included in the below packages. Hunters can request a tailored hunt and price to suit their needs.
Also, we provide detailed taxidermy prices and ensure you have no surprises at the end of your African Hunting Safari.
All our packages offer 7 trophies over 8 days of hunting. Each Package is named after the two signature trophies.
We also provide a standalone all-inclusive 5-day Cape Buffalo Hunt for $14500.
In addition, hunting Cape Buffalo can be added to any of our Plains Game hunts at the following prices.
- Buffalo (Hard Boss) – $14,500
- Management Cape Buffalo (Soft Boss) – $7500
- Buffalo Cow (Mature) – $4500
Table of Contents
What is included in Your Trophy Cape Buffalo Hunt?
- Nick Bowker, your Licensed Outfitter at all times
- Includes daily rates and trophy fee
- A Licensed Hunting Guide (Nick Bowker or Benjamin Pringle)
- Skinners, trackers, and dogs for retrieval of wounded animals
- Transport for pick-up and drop-off at Port Elizabeth airport
- 4×4 hunting vehicles and fuel for the duration of the safari
- Use of high-end rifles, scopes, and ammunition (Sako and Swarovski)
- Accommodation, meals and drinks, and daily laundry
- Field preparation of trophies and delivery to the taxidermy
- All taxes, hunting permits, and hunting licenses.
- Observer rates are $150 per day
- This does not include taxidermy and travels to Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Summary of Cape Buffalo Hunts
All packages 8 Days of Hunting and 7 Trophies
- $8500 Buffalo Cow & Gemsbok hunts Package
- $17000 Buffalo & Waterbuck hunts Package
- $19000 Buffalo & Nyala hunts Package
- $21000 Buffalo & Lechwe hunts Package
- $23000 Buffalo & Big Game hunts Package
- $25000 Buffalo & Roan hunts Package
Our South African Cape Buffalo Hunting Packages and Prices
Buffalo Cow and Gemsbok Package
South Africa – Cape Buffalo Hunts
$8500 per Hunter
Buffalo Cow & 6 Plains Trophies to Hunt
- Buffalo Cow hunting
- Gemsbok hunting
- Bushbuck hunting
- Zebra hunting
- White Blesbok hunting
- Fallow Deer or Warthog
- Springbok hunt
Buffalo Waterbuck Hunting Package
South Africa – Cape Buffalo Hunts
$17000 per Hunter
Cape Buffalo & 6 Plains Trophies to Hunt
- Cape Buffalo hunting
- Waterbuck hunting
- Bushbuck hunting
- Zebra hunting
- Impala hunting
- Fallow Deer or Warthog
- White Blesbok hunt
Buffalo and Nyala Hunting Package
South Africa – Cape Buffalo Hunts
$19000 per Hunter
Cape Buffalo & 6 Plains Trophies to Hunt
- Cape Buffalo hunting
- Nyala hunting
- Waterbuck hunting
- Bushbuck hunting
- Black Wildebeest hunt
- Impala hunting
- Copper Springbok hunt
Buffalo Lechwe Package
South Africa – Cape Buffalo Hunts
$21000 per Hunter
Cape Buffalo & 6 Plains Trophies to Hunt
- Cape Buffalo hunting
- Red Lechwe hunting
- Nyala hunting
- Waterbuck hunting
- Bushbuck hunt
- Black Wildebeest hunt
- Black Springbok hunt
Buffalo Big Game Package
South Africa – Cape Buffalo Hunts
$23000 per Hunter
Cape Buffalo & 6 Plains Trophies to Hunt
- Cape Buffalo hunting
- Red Lechwe hunting
- Nyala hunting
- Waterbuck hunting
- Bushbuck hunt
- Gemsbok hunt
- Black Wildebeest hunt
Buffalo Roan Package
South Africa – Cape Buffalo Hunts
$25000 per Hunter
Cape Buffalo & 6 Plains Trophies to Hunt
- Cape Buffalo hunting
- Roan Antelope hunting
- Red Lechwe hunting
- Black Wildebeest hunting
- Bushbuck hunt
- Common Reedbuck hunt
- Grey Rhebok hunt
Cape Buffalo Hunting Prices in South Africa
A 375-caliber rifle is the minimum legal requirement to hunt a Cape buffalo. Professional hunters (Guides) are required to have a dangerous game hunt license.
Cape Buffalo is now widespread across the Eastern Cape. Buffalo hunting in South Africa is generally in high-fenced areas, and the size of the areas varies widely.
If you want authentic free-range Cape Buffalo, your African safari should be in other southern African countries like Zimbabwe, Mozambique, or, alternatively, Tanzania.
However, the trade-off is that Cape Buffalo Hunt Prices in South Africa are substantially cheaper overall.
The day rates in countries like Zimbabwe are expensive and dramatically increase the package hunt cost.
Day rates reflect the taxes and fees paid to the government. In most cases, the land is not private, and the government owns the animals.
In South Africa, most land is private, including the game, resulting in a value-for-money Cape buffalo hunting package.
Cape Buffalo hunting in South Africa is still tremendously exciting.
In particular, the Buffalo has learned to avoid humans, feed at night, and hide in thickly wooded areas during daylight hours.
Cape Buffalo is considered a dangerous game rather than a plains game, although they have all the same characteristics.
Mature Buffalo should always have a solid boss. Shot placement is critical for Buffalo hunting. Cape Buffalo is called black death for a good reason.
Taxidermy for Cape Buffalo Hunters
Trophy Judgement and Rifle Caliber for Hunting Cape Buffalo
As with most African game hunting, shot placement should always be in the bottom third of the shoulder. As a result, a well-placed shot, a rifle of .375 caliber, is adequate for shooting the Cape Buffalo.
Nick Bowker Hunting has 375 rifles and ammunition for hunters who don’t wish to go through the red tape of bringing a rifle to South Africa. I’ve included the rifles and ammunition for you free of charge.
Robert Ruak famously wrote, “When coming face to face with a big Cape buffalo, he will look at you as if you owe him money”;… enough said.
A buffalo bull is the number one desired African trophy for international hunters worldwide dangerous animals to hunt.
A wounded Cape buffalo bull can sometimes circle back, wait for the hunter along its track, and charge the hunter without warning.
Loud death bellows are the best sign of a dying buffalo, but not all will give this bellow.
With age, old solitary bulls move off from the herd; these Cape buffalo bulls are called “Dagga Boys” due to their enjoyment of regular mud baths. They leave caked mud on their backs, giving the appearance of dried cement (“Dagga”).
These bulls are the most challenging and fun to hunt and may sometimes form small “Dagga” buffalo groups.
A hard and solid boss for a Cape buffalo is the number one sign of a great trophy. I want you to know that your professional hunter will be invaluable here.
Sometimes, these old Cape buffalo won’t carry a spread beyond 30 inches, as horns will wear down with age. These are, in fact, the best and most memorable trophies on a buffalo trophy hunt.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buffalo Hunts
How much does a Cape Buffalo hunt cost?
Trophy fees as a standalone Cape Buffalo hunt are between $12000 and $15000, depending on the size of the trophy. Daily rates vary between $250 and $500 per day.
The trophy fee includes a licensed guide, a hunting license, and all permits. Your guide needs a dangerous game-hunting license.
When can you hunt Cape Buffalo in South Africa?
There are no seasonal restrictions on hunting in South Africa. Most hunting land is privately owned.
What is the best time of year to hunt Cape Buffalo?
Hunting for Buffalo takes place from March through October.
What Caliber do you recommend for Cape Buffalo hunting?
If you are hunting dangerous game, you must have a .375 minimum. For Plains Game, we recommend a 300 mag or similar.
How many sets of clothes should I bring?
You will have daily laundry service while staying at our lodge, so no more than 2-3 sets of safari clothes are needed.
Can I rent a rifle for my Safari?
Rifles are free of charge in our hunt package, including .375 for Cape Buffalo hunting.