Points

12

per confirmed sighting

MammalConservation status: Near ThreatenedCommon to spot
mammals • Bovidae

Cape Buffalo.

C

Syncerus caffer

A bulk grazer that gathers in herds of hundreds, one of the classic Big Five.

Category

mammals

Family

Bovidae

Size

1.4 m at shoulder, 500–900 kg

Points

12 pts

Log a sighting

A closer look

Field notes for spotting, identifying and understanding cape buffalo in its natural range.

Overview

A bulk grazer that gathers in herds of hundreds, one of the classic Big Five.

How to identify it

Heavy black body; bulls carry fused horn bosses across the forehead.

Habitat

EltonTraits foraging-stratum classification: ground-dwelling/terrestrial (including aquatic ground-associated coding).

Diet

Grasses

Behaviour

—

When to look

EltonTraits activity classification: nocturnal and crepuscular.

Where to see it

South Africa flagSouth AfricaNamibia flagNamibiaBotswana flagBotswanaZimbabwe flagZimbabweZambia flagZambiaMozambique flagMozambiqueEswatini flagEswatiniMalawi flagMalawiAngola flagAngola
  • Kruger National ParkZA
  • Chobe National ParkBW
  • South Luangwa National ParkZM
  • Gorongosa National ParkMZ

Safety and etiquette

Lone bulls are unpredictable and dangerous on foot.

Verification and sources

1500 verified species across ten Southern African countries. Spotted an error? Tell us through community guidelines.