Dagga boy

African or Cape Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in stream, West Tanzania.

Vicki and I were drifting off to sleep the other night when we were startled by one of these Dagga Boys ("Mud boys") scratching against the wood frame of our tent platform. From inside the canvas, we listened to him breathe heavily and munch wet grass. Eventually he wandered off. We slipped away under the covers. All's well that ends well.

Never mind the lions, an excommunicated old bull is the most feared animal of the Serengeti. Its power, speed, and unpredictable nature have given it the nickname, "Black Death."

Can play Offense or Defense

The behavior of the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is unpredictable. Unlike its cousins, the American bison, yak, or Asian water buffalo, this animal has never been domesticated. In human whispers, buffalos are called "black death" and may kill more people than lions or hippos.

A big bull, like this one in Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, weighs as much as a small car.

To protect themselves from predators, a herd of African buffalo play team defense. The young, elderly, or sick are encircled by the others, butts in, horns out!

Come safari with us in 2025 or 2026! We'll keep our distance from the African buffalo. Promise!