There is only one species of buffalo in Africa, with two subspeices which are the red forest buffalo and the cape buffalo. The cape buffalo is larger and normally black when full grown compared to the red forest buffalo which is smaller and are red. This wonderful beasts are always on the move just like the wildebeast in search of water and greener pastures. They live in herds of about 50 to 100; cape buffalos are very protective of their habit as well as their new borns.
Buffalos are the second largest mammals after the elephants, with steel like horns and a very strong neck/head. They are known to be the most dangerous wild animal in Africa as they are very unpredictable. They hold a record of killing many humans compared to other wild animal. For those who had a chance of visiting place like Texas, Mexico and Brazil and had a chance to see the bull fight, then you have seen how this beasts are fearless, aggressive, and in some cases fight to the death. They have been known to have killed lions and other big games in the wild venturing into their natural habitat; if you come along a buffalo stare then you would know exatly what am talking about.
Buffalos don't have specific breeding habits since they move from time to time, After birth, the new borns are expected to join the moving herd after some minutes. In the wild the predators always keep up with their prey and are ready to hunt down the weak as soon are they arrive in to the world. The main preditors are the lions, cheeters, leopards, hyenas and the notorous wild hunting dogs. The herd are responsible for the protection of the young ones and during the movement this new borns are keep in the midle of the herd where it's alsmost impossible for the preditors to get them. The young suckle on their mother and depend on them mother for one year.
The African Cape Buffaloes sense of sight and hearing are not very good. In fact the African Cape Buffaloes are blessed with a very good sense of smell and, if you happen to be where the wind is blowing, a buffalo can smell you miles and miles away. Many animal hunters are trained to approach the animal they are hunting away from where the wind is blowing; otherwise this normally warns the animal being hunted and gives it time to escape even without you noticing a thing. As a rule of thumb, all hunters who go on a hunting safari always try to check the direction of the wind first before they approach the hunting grounds.
For all the African safari travelers who come to see these beautiful dangerous animals, the best place to take good pictures of the buffalo is when they are drinking water near a river or just at any water hole in the African savannah. Visit the home of Safari(Kenya) and eperience the aburndant of wildlife in their natural habitas see the live game in action from a hot air ballon or option to take 4x4 land cruisers or even a horseback trip and be part of the game.
Written by Kenneth Wambugu.