Quick Facts
Facts sourced from Wikidata (CC0).
Best Months to Spot
Most sightings recorded in Dec. Data from GBIF - a global database of verified wildlife observations by researchers and citizen scientists.
Conservation Status
Conservation hubClose to qualifying as threatened in the near future.
African buffalo populations are declining due to habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as increased poaching for bushmeat and trophies. While conservation efforts are ongoing in some protected areas, these large bovines face significant challenges. Responsible safari tourism plays a vital role by generating revenue for anti-poaching patrols and habitat preservation, while also fostering local community involvement in conservation.
The African buffalo is a large species of true buffalo native to Sub-Saharan Africa, where it is found in a number of disconnected ranges stretching from south-eastern Senegal through West and Central Africa to South Africa. The adult African buffalo's horns are its characteristic feature: they have fused bases that form a continuous bone shield, referred to as a "boss", across the top of the head. The African buffalo is more closely related to Asian buffalo (Bubalus) species than it is to other bovids such as American bison or domestic cattle. Its unpredictable temperament may be part of the reason that the African buffalo has never been domesticated and has no domesticated descendants, unlike the wild yak and wild water buffalo, which are the ancestors of the domestic yak and water buffalo, respectively. Natural predators of adult African buffaloes include lions, African wild dogs, spotted hyenas, and Nile crocodiles. As one of the Big Five game animals, the Cape buffalo, the largest subspecies native to eastern and southern Africa, is a sought-after trophy in hunting.
Description adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to Find
Top parks for African Buffalo. Sightings recorded in 200 safari areas total.
Best Safari Destinations
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