African Buffalo
(Syncerus caffer)
The African buffalo is a massive and formidable bovid, widely known for its unpredictable and often aggressive temperament. Living in large, cohesive herds that can number in the hundreds, the African buffalo relies on both strength and unity for survival. Its sheer size, power, and tendency to charge without warning have earned it a place among the Big Five, the most sought, after African mammals to see in the Kruger National Park. It is also widely regarded as the most dangerous of the Big Five to hunt.
| Size | Up to 1.4 metres at the shoulder |
|---|---|
| Weight | Males can weigh up to 800 kg, while females reach around 750 kg |
| Lifespan | Approximately 20-23 years in the wild |
| Habitat & Distribution | Widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, occurring in habitats with sufficient grazing, water, and shade, including savannahs, woodlands, and floodplains |
| Gestation | Around 11 months |
| Number of Young | Typically one calf |
| Food | Primarily bulk grazers, feeding on grasses; will take small amounts of browse during dry periods when grazing is limited |
| Predators | Lions are the primary natural predators; humans pose the greatest overall threat |