Dangerous Game
Cape Buffalo Hunting in South Africa
Cape buffalo hunting at Marula Game is the real thing — free-range, fair-chase pursuit of our own breeding herd on 24,700 acres of Limpopo Bushveld near Steenbokpan. There are outfitters who can put you on a Cape buffalo. And then there are outfitters who breed them, live among them, and have managed the same herds for decades. Marula Game is the second kind.
Family-owned since 1997, Marula has spent nearly three decades building one of the district's most carefully managed Cape buffalo herds. For the hunter, that breeding focus is the whole point: consistent quality, genuine free-range pursuit across large blocks, and a range of buffalo opportunities — from mature trophy bulls to cull and cow hunts — that few outfitters can offer from their own ground.
Cape Buffalo Hunting Prices 2026
Buffalo at Marula is priced on a sliding-scale trophy fee tied to the bull you take, so you only pay for the animal you actually shoot. Trophy fees begin at $11,500 for a mature bull under 42", move to $13,500 for a 42–44" bull, and are POA for exceptional 44"+ bulls. Cull cows are $3,500, which remains the most affordable way onto a wild buffalo in the Limpopo bushveld.
The trophy fee sits on top of a dangerous-game daily rate of $1,000 per hunter, per day, hunted 1×1. That rate is genuinely all-inclusive: sole-occupancy accommodation at the Buffalo Tented Camp, all meals and drinks in camp, a senior PHASA professional hunter with backup rifle, tracker and skinner, 4×4 hunting vehicle, airport transfers, permits and full field preparation of your trophy. A typical seven-day buffalo package therefore lands around $18,500–$20,500 before taxidermy and shipping. For the line-by-line arithmetic, read our full breakdown of Cape buffalo hunt costs.
Most hunters bring the per-species cost down by combining animals — the Cape buffalo & sable combination package is our most-booked safari — or by taking the whole property on an exclusive-use safari for a family or group. Every hunt is quoted individually, so tell us your dates, party size and wish list and we'll build a tailored quote.
Shot Placement on a Cape Buffalo
On a broadside bull, forget the plains-game picture. Take the line straight up the back of the front leg and place the bullet into the lower third of the chest — roughly a third of the way up the body — which breaks the on-side shoulder and takes the heart and low lungs with it. That shot anchors a buffalo rather than letting him run; a high lung shot will kill him, but you may follow him into thick jesse for an hour first. On a frontal presentation, the aiming point is the centre of the chest where the neck meets the brisket, and it is a shot you take only when your professional hunter tells you the angle is right.
South African law sets .375 H&H as the minimum calibre for dangerous game, and it is enough when you can shoot it well; .416 Rigby, .450 and .458 give more margin on a follow-up. Load a quality bonded or monolithic soft for the first shot and solids behind it, practise off sticks at 30–60 yards, and expect to shoot again the moment the bull is down or moving. Our PHs carry a heavy backup rifle on every stalk. There's more detail, with diagrams, in our Cape buffalo shot placement guide.
Cape buffalo hunt quick answers
How much does a Cape buffalo hunt cost in South Africa?
Cape buffalo hunt price at Marula is a sliding-scale trophy fee: $11,500 for a bull under 42", $13,500 for a 42–44" bull, and POA for 44"+ bulls. Cows are $3,500. Buffalo is hunted 1×1 at $1,000 per day all-inclusive from the Buffalo Tented Camp. Read the full Cape buffalo hunt cost guide.
Where is the best shot placement on a Cape buffalo?
On a broadside buffalo, aim at the lower third of the chest straight up the front leg — the shoulder-and-heart shot that breaks the shoulder and anchors the bull. On a frontal presentation, aim for the centre of the chest only with your PH's guidance. See our complete Cape buffalo shot placement guide.
Is Cape buffalo hunting at Marula free-range?
Yes. Every Cape buffalo hunt at Marula is free-range, fair-chase dangerous game on our own breeding herd across 24,700 acres of Limpopo Bushveld near Steenbokpan.
Our Cape buffalo herd
We breed our own Cape buffalo in Limpopo. That single fact shapes every hunt on the property. The herd carries a property average of around 45" across the boss, none under 42", and our top sire green-scores in the high 50s — genetics you cannot buy in for a season. Because the animals are managed year-round on our own ground, every Cape buffalo hunt here is free-range dangerous-game hunting on a herd we know intimately, not a bought-in bull dropped in for the week. It's the reason repeat clients travel to us specifically for the quality of the bosses.
What a Cape buffalo hunt costs
Cape buffalo pricing is quoted as a daily rate plus a sliding-scale trophy fee tied to the bull. Trophy fees start at $11,500 for a mature bull under 42", rise to $13,500 for a 42–44" bull, and are POA for exceptional 44"+ bulls. Cows are $3,500. Buffalo is hunted 1×1 at $1,000 per hunter per day, all-inclusive — accommodation at the sole-occupancy Buffalo Tented Camp, all meals, a senior PH with backup rifle, tracker & skinner, 4×4 hunting vehicle, airport transfers and full field preparation. For a full line-by-line breakdown, read how much a Cape buffalo hunt really costs. Combining species keeps per-animal cost down — see our Cape buffalo & sable combo package or book the whole reserve on an exclusive-use safari.
Hippopotamus · Crocodile · Lion · Leopard · Elephant — POA (arranged through trusted partner concessions).
Rifle & calibre
South African law and sound ethics set the .375 H&H as the minimum for Cape buffalo. It's a proven all-rounder and has accounted for more buffalo than any other cartridge. Many hunters step up to a .416 Rigby / .416 Remington or a .458 Lott / .458 Win Mag for the extra stopping power on a follow-up in thick cover. Bring heavy-for-calibre premium bullets — a bonded or monolithic soft for the first shot, solids ready for raking angles. Full rundown in our guide to Cape buffalo rifles, calibres & gear.
Shot placement
On a broadside bull, put the first shot high-shoulder into the heart-lung triangle — straight up the front leg, one-third of the way into the body — to break the shoulder and stop the buffalo on his tracks. On a frontal presentation, aim for the centre of the chest at the base of the neck. Whatever the first shot, be ready with a solid on the follow-up. Diagrams and angle-by-angle aiming points in our full Cape buffalo shot-placement guide.
Best time of year
The Limpopo dry-season winter — roughly May through September — is the prime window for Cape buffalo. The grass drops, the bush opens, and buffalo concentrate on the pans and river lines, which makes tracking and glassing far easier. Mid-winter mornings (June–August) offer the crispest conditions of the year. For a month-by-month view, read our best time to hunt Limpopo guide. Hunters chasing a second premium trophy on the same trip often add sable & roan or an own-bred bull from our roan hunting programme — free-range roan hunts on own-bred bulls.
Why hunt Cape buffalo at Marula
- Our own herds, our own ground. We don't buy in buffalo for the season. They are bred and managed here year-round across multiple large, game-fenced blocks — so the hunt is real, and the quality is consistent.
- True dangerous-game experience. Tracking buffalo on foot through thick cover, reading the wind, closing the distance — this is the hunt that earns its reputation as one of Africa's most demanding and rewarding.
- A spread of opportunities and budgets. Mature hard-bossed trophy bulls priced by the inch (under 42", 42–44", and 44"+ POA), plus cull cows for hunters who want the full dangerous-game experience at a more accessible price.
- Your own farm and camp. Our farms are separate, each with its own private camp — your party, your professional hunter, no shared vehicles and no crowded blocks.
- Charter helicopter fly-in. We fly you in by private charter helicopter — no long road transfer from the airport. Safer, faster, and an unforgettable arrival few outfitters can offer.
Trophy bulls and cull cows — explained
Trophy bulls
Mature, hard-bossed bulls hunted on foot across our buffalo blocks — the classic dangerous-game safari most international hunters travel to South Africa for. Priced by boss/horn width in three tiers: under 42", 42–44", and 44" and over (POA). See the Hunting pricelist for figures.
Cull and cow hunts — affordable Cape buffalo hunting
For hunters who want the dangerous-game experience without a record-book budget, cull and cow buffalo offer the same heart-pounding tracking, the same adrenaline, at a fraction of a top trophy fee. It's also how a working breeding operation keeps its herd in balance. Our dedicated Cape Buffalo Cow & Cull Hunt page has full pricing and details.
Cape buffalo trophy fees in USD are listed on the Hunting overview.
What a Marula buffalo hunt is really like
The day starts before the light. With our trackers you cut for fresh sign at first light and follow — a herd grazing toward water, or a lone dagga boy holed up in the thick stuff. Hours of patient, quiet stalking follow, the wind dictating every move. When the moment comes it is close, often inside thirty or forty yards, and it asks for a steady nerve and a well-placed shot. Buffalo are immensely tough; we follow up every animal with the care and respect it deserves. Across 24,700 acres of Matlabas Bushveld there is room for a genuine fair-chase pursuit — not a short walk to a known animal. Most hunters leave calling it the most intense hunting of their lives.
Recent buffalo hunts at Marula
A few recent moments from the veld — heavy bosses, honest old bulls, and the kind of country that makes a Cape buffalo hunt memorable.
What our hunters say
Twelve unedited entries from our visitors' book — the same reviews that appear in our structured data. Names are shown as initials to protect our guests' privacy.
“Nice people, nice property, nice service. Had a fun time.”
“Wonderful hospitality and good hunting. Thanks!”
“Thanks for the best hunt trip ever in S. Africa. I'll never forget you guys.”
“Great time in S. Africa. Absolutely great hosts! Hester, Johan & Chris are so hospitable! Great cooks too — thanks for all!”
“Another great time. Unbeatable accommodations!”
“Trip of a lifetime! Everything was perfect — will be back again.”
“My 3rd trip here. Good honest people, awesome experience — and I never shot an animal!”
“From the moment we were picked up from the airport to the very last day, we were treated like royalty. The friendships forged will last a lifetime. The memories are a gift we will cherish forever.”
“Uniquely spectacular! Wow! This was truly a trip of a lifetime. We felt welcomed, cared for and definitely pampered. The rustic elegance of this setting is beyond compare. The hunting was beyond our expectations.”
“Overwhelmed with daily love and accepted with open arms. Not one day without a smile. This place is like a paradise that you never want to leave.”
“WOW — I have a new family. Every day a warm smile. I learnt so much about South Africa. Can't wait to save up to come back. Thank you Marula family!”
“Thank you so much for hosting us on this hunt. This has become my home away from home a number of times, and if you'll have me, I hope to come even more times in the future!”
Rifles, calibres and shot placement for Cape buffalo
South African regulation and sound ethics call for a minimum of .375 calibre on Cape buffalo. The .375 H&H is the classic all-rounder and has accounted for countless buffalo; many hunters step up to a .416 or .458 for the extra margin on a follow-up. Bring quality, heavy-for-calibre bullets — soft-points for the first shot and solids for the raking, going-away angles buffalo so often present. Placement matters more than calibre: the broadside shoulder-and-heart shot is the percentage choice, and your professional hunter will be at your shoulder the whole way. We'll walk through it with you on the range before you ever step into the bush.
Shot placement on Cape buffalo
On a broadside Cape buffalo, the shot is the lower third of the body, straight up the front leg — the classic shoulder-and-heart shot that breaks the shoulder and puts the bullet through the boiler room. Never take a frontal shot without your PH's blessing, and always be ready with an immediate follow-up: buffalo routinely absorb a fatal first hit and keep going. For diagrams, angle-by-angle aiming points and our follow-up protocol, read the full guide to Cape buffalo shot placement.
Best time of year for Cape buffalo hunting in Limpopo
Our Cape buffalo season on the Marula concession runs May through September — the cool, dry Limpopo winter. The grass drops, the bush thins, and buffalo concentrate on the pans and river lines, which makes both tracking and glassing far easier. Early season (May) is green-tinged and mild; mid-winter (June to August) brings the crispest mornings and the best tracking conditions of the year; September warms up and pushes the herds harder onto water. Buffalo quotas across our five-farm concession are limited each season, so the strongest dates go early — the sooner you talk to us, the more choice you'll have.
More than buffalo — build a complete safari
Few hunters travel this far for a single animal. Most pair their buffalo with a few days of plains game — kudu, gemsbok, impala, blue wildebeest — or step up to another of Africa's iconic species. Marula also offers premium sable and roan, including our dedicated Cape Buffalo & Sable package. Tell us what you're after and we'll shape one seamless safari around it. See Plains Game Hunting, Sable & Roan hunting and Photographic Safaris.
Conservation through hunting
Every buffalo hunted at Marula helps protect many more. Our owner and outfitter, Chris Burger, serves on the PHASA Executive Committee, was named WRSA Game Farmer & Game Breeder of the Year, and is a founding member of the Matlabas Custodians, working to protect this stretch of the Limpopo Valley. The income from carefully managed, limited buffalo offtake funds anti-poaching, habitat and water management, and the breeding programme that keeps our herds strong and genetically healthy. Hunt with us and you become part of that story — fair chase, ethically managed, and good for the Bushveld.
What it costs to hunt Cape buffalo at Marula
Cape buffalo pricing at Marula is quoted as a daily rate plus a trophy fee. Trophy fees straight from the Hunting pricelist:
- • Cape Buffalo Cow — $3,500
- • Cape Buffalo Bull, under 42" — $11,500
- • Cape Buffalo Bull, 42–44" — $13,500
- • Cape Buffalo Bull, 44"+ — price on application
Cape buffalo is hunted 1×1 with a senior professional hunter and backup rifle from our sole-occupancy Buffalo Tented Camp at $1,000 per hunter, per day, all-inclusive — accommodation, all meals, professional hunter, tracker & skinner, 4×4, airport transfers and field preparation. Hunters combining species often book our Cape buffalo & sable combo package which brings the per-species cost down. For a line-by-line breakdown of daily rates, trophy fees and what's included, see our full guide: How much does a Cape buffalo hunt cost?.
Full pricelist · USD
Get every Cape buffalo price in USD
Daily rates, cull-to-trophy buffalo fees, plains-game add-ons and combo pricing — one PDF, straight to your inbox.
Cape buffalo hunting FAQs
How much does it cost to hunt a Cape buffalo in South Africa?
A Cape buffalo hunt at Marula is priced as a daily rate plus a sliding-scale trophy fee. Trophy fees run from $11,500 for a mature bull under 42", $13,500 for a 42–44" bull and POA for exceptional 44"+ bulls, with cull cows at $3,500. Buffalo is hunted 1×1 at $1,000 per hunter per day, all-inclusive.
Where do you shoot a Cape buffalo?
On a broadside bull, put the bullet into the lower third of the chest, straight up the line of the front leg — the shoulder-and-heart shot. On a frontal presentation, aim at the centre of the chest where the neck meets the brisket, and only take the shot when your professional hunter says so. Always be ready with a second, solid bullet.
What is the best calibre for Cape buffalo?
.375 H&H is the legal minimum in South Africa and is entirely adequate in practised hands. Most of our clients prefer .416 Rigby, .450 or .458 for the extra stopping power on a wounded bull. Bring quality bonded softs for the first shot and solids for follow-ups.
When is the best time of year to hunt Cape buffalo at Marula?
Our Cape buffalo season runs from May through September, the cool dry Limpopo winter. June to August gives the crispest tracking conditions, with short grass, open bush and buffalo concentrated around water.
Is the Cape buffalo hunting free-range or in a small camp?
Free-range. Our buffalo live wild on 24,700 acres of Matlabas Bushveld near Steenbokpan and are hunted on foot across large private blocks. There are no small camps, no put-and-take bulls and no bought-in animals.
How much does Cape buffalo hunting in South Africa cost?
Cape buffalo trophy fees at Marula are $3,500 for a cow, $11,500 for a bull under 42", $13,500 for a bull 42–44", and price on application for bulls 44" and over. The dangerous-game daily rate is $1,000 per hunter, per day, all-inclusive, hunted 1×1 from the sole-occupancy Buffalo Tented Camp. See the Hunting pricelist and our full guide: How much does a buffalo hunt cost?.
Where is the best Cape buffalo hunting in South Africa?
The Limpopo Bushveld is one of the best places for Cape buffalo hunting in South Africa. Marula hunts its own buffalo herds bred on 24,700 malaria-free acres near Steenbokpan, about four hours from Johannesburg.
Where should I shoot a Cape buffalo?
On a broadside Cape buffalo, aim for the lower third of the body straight up the front leg — the shoulder-and-heart shot. South African law requires a minimum .375 calibre. Read our full shot placement guide for diagrams and follow-up rules.
How long is a Cape buffalo hunt?
A dedicated buffalo hunt usually runs 7 to 10 days. Add days if you'd like to include plains game or a second species.
What are my chances of taking a buffalo?
Hunting our own managed herds across large blocks, a fit hunter prepared to walk has excellent opportunities. Buffalo are wild and fair-chase, so nothing is guaranteed — but few hunters go home without their chance.
Can non-hunting partners come along?
Absolutely. While you hunt, partners and family can enjoy game drives, photographic hides and our conservation experiences.
How do I get my trophy home?
We handle field preparation and connect you with a trusted taxidermist and dip-and-pack/shipping agent. See our guide to importing trophies to the USA and our buffalo cost guide.
How do I get to Marula?
You land at OR Tambo International in Johannesburg, overnight to rest, then fly in by helicopter from Wonderboom or Grand Central straight to the farm — no long road transfer. We also have a private airstrip on the property for charter fixed-wing arrivals.
How much does it cost to hunt Cape buffalo in South Africa?
Marula's Cape buffalo trophy fees are $3,500 for a cow, $11,500 for a bull under 42", $13,500 for a bull 42–44", and price on application for bulls 44" and over. The dangerous-game daily rate is $1,000 per hunter, per day, all-inclusive, hunted 1×1 from the sole-occupancy Buffalo Tented Camp. Full figures on the Hunting pricelist. Book buffalo alongside sable on our Cape buffalo & sable combo package to bring per-species cost down.
How dangerous is Cape buffalo hunting?
Cape buffalo are called "the Black Death" for good reason — they are heavy, aggressive when wounded, and famous for circling back on their trail to ambush a follower. Every buffalo deserves respect and a clean first shot, and every hunt at Marula is backed by an experienced PHASA professional hunter carrying a heavy rifle at your shoulder from the first stalk to the recovery.
What's the best time of year for Cape buffalo hunting?
Our Cape buffalo season runs May through September — the cool, dry Limpopo winter. The grass drops, the bush opens up, buffalo concentrate around water, and mid-winter mornings (June to August) offer the crispest tracking conditions of the year.
Where do you hunt Cape buffalo?
We hunt our own Cape buffalo herds on our concession in Steenbokpan, Limpopo Province, South Africa — roughly 10,000 hectares of free-range Matlabas Bushveld spread across five neighbouring family farms, each hunted as its own private block.
Plan your buffalo hunt
Buffalo quotas are limited each season and the best dates book early. Tell us when you'd like to travel and which buffalo experience suits you, and we'll build the safari around it.
Request available datesMarula Game is a registered member of the hunting industry's professional bodies (SCI, PHASA, DSC). See also: Plains Game Hunting · Sable & Roan hunting · Photographic Safaris · The Lodge · How much does a buffalo hunt cost?