Cape Buffalo Hunting in Mozambique

Buffalo Hunts in Mozambique's Northern Zambezi Delta

Mozambique is known for having some of the best free-range Cape buffalo hunts in all of Africa, making this the primary quarry on most hunters' wish-lists at Mahimba. Buffalo hunting in the Zambezi Delta is a unique experience that offers an exciting hunt even to the most experienced of buffalo hunters. The tropical climate at Mahimba with mixtures of open pans and palm-studded savannas, thick riverbeds, and dense island thickets makes for a highly diverse hunting experience, with each day potentially bringing an entirely different adventure.

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Buffalo Trophy Expectations in Mozambique

At Mahimba Safaris, we value the conservation of our buffalo population and prioritize age over any other trophy characteristics of buffalo. That being said, our area's lack of hardwood trees and rocks for bulls to rub and wear their horns on often leads to excellent shape and long, sharp tips with a beautiful "classic" appearance.

At the end of the day though, we believe that hunting any old, mature buffalo bull is an amazing accomplishment and trophy to be proud of. What makes a true buffalo trophy in our books is how it is earned, not how it is measured.

Buffalo Hunting Methods

Free-range, fair chase buffalo hunting is truly one of the best African hunting experiences you can find. Buffalo hunting at Mahimba is done on foot in the traditional manner, and clients will have ample opportunity to find the buffalo of their dreams. A typical day of buffalo hunting begins with an early morning drive searching for buffalo spoor. When a fresh set of tracks is found, the real work begins and we will set out on foot for a proper buffalo hunt.

Traditional Buffalo Tracking

Tracking buffalo is half the fun of the hunt, and it is what many hunters look forward to most. Following a team of talented African trackers is an experience that never gets old. Our lead tracker, Joào, and his team can seemingly follow buffalo anywhere, navigating through the long grass and thick brush and interpreting every sign the buffalo has left behind.

How Long Do You Typically Track Buffalo?

Depending on the conditions and time of day, the buffalo could be found nearby, or it could be a long tracking job in the heat. However, the mystery of what lies on the other end of the other end of the trail keeps a tangible anticipation in the air, even when the track becomes long and strenious.

Buffalo Hunting Terrain in Mozambique

Following a buffalo track could take you through a variety of terrain. During feeding times in the early mornings and evenings, the buffalo may be out in more open areas grazing on the ample grass in our area. From mid-morning through the late afternoon, buffalo are more likely to be found resting in the cool shade of the various thickets at Mahimba. These thickets can make finding and shooting a buffalo challenging, but the excitement doubles in these close-quarters scenarios.

Although Mahimba has some riverbeds and pans that may hold water and require getting your feet wet at times, it is not swamp buffalo hunting that entails constant chest-deep water and mud. More often than not, you will stay dry while hunting buffalo with us.

What Happens When We Find the Buffalo?

Once the buffalo/buffaloes are located, whether a lone dagga boy, bachelor group, or large herd, a careful stalk ensues. Buffaloes have an excellent sense of smell and hearing, so those are the main factors that are kept in mind. Heartbeats quicken as you close the gap and eventually place your rifle on the shooting sticks to prepare for the shot. Your PH will be watching over your shoulder and calmly talk you through each step of the process, telling you exactly where to place your shot.

After The Shot

This is when chaos breaks out. After the first shot, quick follow-up shots are encouraged as long as you can still see the buffalo clearly and make an ethical shot without risk of wounding another. Again, your PH will tell you exactly what to do and when to shoot. If your first shot found its mark, you hopefully should have a short tracking job ahead. If not, things get serious pretty quickly.

Preparing for Your Buffalo Hunt in Mozambique

Preparing for your buffalo hunt in Mozambique will not only lead to a more successful safari but also a more enjoyable safari. Some key areas of preparation for your buffalo hunt are:

• Shooting practice
• Studying shot placement
• Exercise and training

Shooting Practice Before Your Buffalo Hunt

A successful buffalo hunt begins at the shooting range well in advance of your safari. We highly recommend purchasing a set of shooting sticks (a standing-height tripod shooting rest) in order to practice shooting from this position, as this is how most shots are taken in Mozambique and the rest of Africa. We also recommend practicing standing with your rifle, then approaching the shooting sticks and placing your rifle on the rest quickly and smoothly. Although this may sound like a trivial and small thing, it is something that hunters often stumble on in the heat of the moment, and those extra few seconds can sometimes make the difference between getting your shot or seeing the buffalo running away. Initial shot distances on buffalo can vary widely, but average 50-100 yards.

Shooting Off-Hand

We also recommend practicing off-hand shooting from 10-50 yards in preparation for quick follow-up shots or even situations where a buffalo might charge. There are also times when a buffalo may be close enough for your first shot that shooting sticks are not required or will take too long to set up.

Practicing Rapid Reloading

Lastly, we recommend that you practice chambering and reloading your rifle as quickly and smoothly as possible. Being able to chamber a second or third round quickly means you will be more likely to get a follow-up shot into your buffalo. Reloading your magazine promptly is also important before approaching your buffalo.

Studying Shot Placement on Buffalo

Cape Buffalo are extremely tough animals and known to be difficult to bring down. We highly recommend becoming familiar with the location of vitals on buffalo and where to shoot them. The Perfect Shot and The Perfect Shot 2, by Dr. Kevin Robertson are the best resources you can find in our opinion. If you have any questions about buffalo shot placement before or during your hunt, our team would also be happy to advise.

Exercise & Training For Your Buffalo Hunt

Being in good physical shape will always lead to a more enjoyable experience when hunting buffalo. Although Mahimba is a flat landscape and appears to be relatively easy terrain at first glance, walking after buffalo can often be demanding. Our area of Mozambique gets high rainfall, which can often lead to wet areas, muddy ground, and thick grass that is strenuous to walk through, even though the ground is flat. Tracking a buffalo also often makes for long walks, ranging from 2-10 miles (3-16 km) per day on average depending on various factors. Before your buffalo hunt, we recommend walking on a daily basis wearing the same clothes and shoes you will be hunting in if possible. The further in advance you begin building your fitness, the more prepared you will be for your dream buffalo hunt.

Plan A Buffalo Hunt in Moz