When five hunters set their sights on Cape buffalo, there was only one destination that made sense—the Niassa Reserve in northern Mozambique. Remote, rugged, and wild, this region is renowned for its vast herds and gnarly old dagga boys. With limited time and big ambitions, we knew this was the ultimate place to make it happen.
The results were nothing short of spectacular. In just five days, all five gentlemen tagged out on incredible Cape buffalo, each bull a testament to the quality of hunting that Niassa offers. Dozens of bulls were tracked and passed up, holding out only for the best of the best. The effort paid off—every hunter walked away with a trophy worthy of Africa’s wildest stories.
We were fortunate to capture some of these hunts on camera, and the images alone tell the tale: raw power, dust in the air, and hunters standing behind some of the finest buffalo Africa has to offer. Few hunts pack as much adrenaline as following dagga boys on foot, knowing at any moment the bush could explode in chaos.
Special thanks goes to Grant Taylor of Mashambanzou Safaris, whose guiding was nothing short of exceptional.
Grant and his client Bob achieved something truly rare—the holy grail of buffalo hunting, the scrum cap bull. This ancient warrior’s horns were worn completely down, leaving only polished bosses fused together. A buffalo of such age and character is a once-in-a-lifetime trophy and a serious contender for the Rigby Award, given to the oldest buffalo of the year. If selected, both hunter and PH will walk away with new Rigby rifles—an honor well deserved.
Beyond the buffalo, the safari offered more treasures. The group added a variety of plains game unique to the Niassa Reserve, animals found nowhere else in Mozambique. From vast miombo woodlands to the untouched river systems bordering Tanzania, the hunting here feels as pure and remote as Africa gets.
The camp itself matched the wilderness—well-run, comfortable, and designed to blend seamlessly into the wild. Excellent vehicles, fantastic staff, and the sheer remoteness of the Niassa Reserve made the experience unforgettable. For those who dream of hunting buffalo at its very best, this is a destination that belongs at the top of your list. You can catch this adventure in This Is Africa Season 8, airing January 2026 on the Sportmans Channel and YouTube.
