The pugnacious African buffalo, Africa’s only extant species of wild cattle, is a worthy member of the elite “Big-5” group of animals. Though they can appear very docile, buffalo are extremely dangerous, especially when threatened or wounded; they’ve even been known to circle back around hunters tracking them to launch unexpected attacks on their persecutors from behind.

You wouldn’t want to find yourself on foot in thick vegetation like this when buffalo are around…
These bulky animals weigh in between 500 and 900kg, with adult bulls being much larger than the cows.
Buffalo cow
Buffalo bull
African Buffalo
African Buffalo
Buffaloes always look ready for a fight!
Buffaloes always look ready for a fight!
One angry African Buffalo bull
African Buffalo
African Buffalo
African Buffalo
African Buffalo
African Buffalo
African Buffalo
Old buffalo bull
Buffalo, seemingly not enjoying the grass…
Buffalo bull
Buffalo
Buffalo horn
Buffalo with an itch
Buffalo
Buffalo cow
African buffalo (photo by Joubert)
Cantankerous Buffalo bull
African buffalo inhabit a wide range of habitats, ranging from open grassy plains to dense rainforest, their most important requirements being an ample supply of fresh grazing, regular access to drinking water, and cover in which to evade (or ambush) predators.
Buffalo Bull (photo by Joubert)
Buffalo bull in typical habitat
Powerful Buffalo Bulls
Buffalo herd on the plains north of the Sabie
Buffalo are gregarious animals, congregating in herds that may number into the thousands. Encountering one of these huge herds is among Africa’s most memorable experiences.
Buffalo herd
Buffalo calf
Buffalo herd
Buffalo herd
Buffalo herd
Buffalo herd
Buffalo herd
Herd enjoying a mud spa
Coming to water along the Tsendze
Buffalo
Buffalo
Buffaloes
Buffalo cow without her horns
Sleepy buffalo and red-billed oxpecker
Buffalo Quartet
African buffalo
Buffalo bull
Buffalo cow
Buffaloes next to the Sabie River
Buffalo
Old bulls that cannot keep up with the breeding herds become loners or join “bachelor” groups. It is these old “dagga boys” that have the worse reputation of being overly aggressive and extremely dangerous, probably due to being easier targets for hunters and predators than members of the well-protected herds where there’s safety in numbers.
Buffalo bull
Buffalo bull
Buffalo bull
Buffalo bull
Marching buffalo bulls
Buffalo facing the rising sun
Buffalo crossing the H4-1
Buffalo bull
Buffalo looking for fresh grass on the side of the road
Buffalo
Buffalo bull
Buffalo with malformed horns
Buffalo
Buffalo
What a buffalo looks like just before he charges!
Buffalo Wallow at Dries se Gat, Mokala National Park
Buffalo Wallow at Dries se Gat, Mokala National Park
Buffalo Wallow at Dries se Gat, Mokala National Park
Buffalo Wallow at Dries se Gat, Mokala National Park
Buffalo Wallow at Dries se Gat, Mokala National Park
Buffalo Wallow at Dries se Gat, Mokala National Park
Buffalo Wallow at Dries se Gat, Mokala National Park
Buffalo Bull
Mad old buffalo bull
Big old buffalo bull
Buffalo calf on the run (Photo by Joubert)
Buffalo cow (Photo by Joubert)
Calves are normally born during the rainy season, and can keep up with their maternal herds within hours of birth. Buffalo of all ages are a favourite prey of lions, and large herds are often followed by prides of lion that specialise in taking down these powerful animals, despite the good chance that they’ll pay with their lives for their boldness. Buffalo are also susceptible to a wide range of diseases and parasites, and have a natural life expectancy of between 15 and 30 years.
Young buffalo bull
Buffalo cow
Young buffalo bull
Young buffalo bull
Buffalo calf
Buffalo
Enjoying the first rays of sun on a cold morning
Irritated young buffalo
Trio of buffalo bulls
Buffalo roadblock
Buffalo roadblock
Buffalo in the rain
Buffalo near Mopani
Buffalo Wallow at Dries se Gat, Mokala National Park
Buffalo Wallow at Dries se Gat, Mokala National Park
Buffalo Wallow at Dries se Gat, Mokala National Park
Buffalo Wallow at Dries se Gat, Mokala National Park
Buffalo Wallow at Dries se Gat, Mokala National Park
Today, the buffalo remains one of Africa’s most numerous game species, with the IUCN estimating that a population of around 830,000 roam the continent, despite the pressures of hunting and habitat loss. In South Africa, large populations can be found in the Kruger National Park, Addo Elephant Park, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park and iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
Big old Buffalo Bull
Prime Buffalo Bull
Buffalo calf
Half-blind Buffalo bull
Buffalo on the Mphongolo loop
Buffalo cow
Buffalo cow and calf
Buffalo bull
Buffalo bull emerging from the mopane
Buffalo calf
Buffalo cow
Buffalo bull drinking
Buffalo herd rushing to the water
Buffalo herd at the water (photo by Joubert)

Be afraid, be very afraid…
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