Before you book, get a subscription to The Hunting Report and check out the outfitters and PH's you are considering by reading reports submitted by hunters. You can also do this as an SCI member. Don't hesitate to call people who have submitted reports if you have questions about their hunts.
You'll get the most bang for your buck in Zim, where a 7 day hunt, including the trophy fee can be had for <$10K, perhaps as low as $7K or $8K. It's a long way to go, so consider booking 10-14 days and adding other animals. Don't mix leopard and buff as leopard hunting is quite time consuming in and of itself. Buff/PG makes a nice combo and can be had for ~$15-18K (10-14 days) including trophy fees for a buff and several of the more common PG species. Don't forget that tips, air charters, pack and dip fees, a 2% government levy and likely a night in a Joberg guest house will be added to that.
Hunting Cape Buffalo is a great experience for any hunter and if you intend to shoot only one member of the Big Five, buff is your best bet.
Especially if you are only going on a 7 day safari, don't get hung up on measurements. An old 37" or 38" bull is a fine trophy. Everyone wants 40"+, but the quality of the hunt, not the measurement is the true measure of a buffalo hunt. If you pass up several decent, old bulls for a record book animal, you may go home empty handed.
Boddington on Buffalo (both the book and the DVD), Nyati and most of all, Kevin Robertson's Africa's Most Dangerous are essential reads.
Last edited by Winchestermodel70; 02/23/12.
