The Buffaloes

Buffaloes are very wild, unpredictable and easily attack humans. They are grazers and reside in floodplains, swamps, grasslands and forests of major African mountains i.e. Mt Kilimanjaro. They require a lot of water daily and can be found on wells with other animals like Zebras and antelopes quenching their thirst. They are considered the best grazers and will flatten tall grasses to look like a golf course. They use their tongue more and wide incisors to eat more grasses faster than most of other African herbivores.

Buffalos weigh between 500-900 kg with males being larger than females. They are of different species and live in different habitats. Their height ranges from 1.7 to 3.4 meters. They have two sub species: Savannah and forest type. The Savannah type is black or dark brown in color and have horns curve closed to resemble crescent moon. Forest type is reddish brown and horns curve backwards and upwards. The calves of both species have red coats.

Buffaloes stay in herds which consist of related females and off springs. They are surrounded by males who come to rescue the calves or the herd in case of attack. They mate and give birth strictly on rainy seasons. Gestation takes eleven and a half months. New born calves are first hidden in the bush for the first few weeks as they are being nursed by the mother before being allowed to interact with the main herd. They can live for a very long time while in captivity.


Dickson is the Chief Tour Guide and one of the Directors of Adventure Africa Expedition, he has traveled in many countries in Africa where he built the spirit of adventure and discovered nature hidden wonders in especially tailored walking trails like in Kisoro in Rwanda and Bwindi in Uganda both for Gorilla tracking. For more information on his work please visit http://advenafrica.com/index.htm