Hunting Water Buffalo in the Central Arnhem Land of northern Australia is a similar experience to hunting Cape Buffalo in the larger wild concessions of the central southern African countries. Countries such as Zimbabwe (fast becoming a thing of the past!) Zambia, Mozambique and Tanzania. However there are several significant differences. In many cases the terrain is similar, indeed that is one of the most common comments from experienced African hunters. The area of concessions is also large basically virgin bush so a reliable and capable 4WD vehicle is essential for transport around the concession to hunting hot spots. The climate is very similar with warm to hot days and generally cool nights from May to September becoming hot and uncomfortable from October as the monsoon season approaches. The most significant difference is the lack of plentiful, cheap labor. Australia is a first world country unlike the other tropical hunting locations in Africa. Generous welfare, by world standards, is provided to all who cannot find well paid work. The meat from trophy animals cannot be legally sold for human consumption and few will accept it as a gift unless it is butchered and delivered to their doorstep! You will hunt alone with your PH and he will have to perform all of the associated tasks, spotter, water boy, tracker, skinner as well as the field preparation of trophies back in camp. As such your PH will have to spend up to 3 hours in camp on final skinning, preparation and salting of your head before you can venture into the field again. On the positive side hunting alone with just your guide in an unlimited wilderness, on the far side of the world, is a unique and exhilarating experience you will never forget. The solitude and timelessness of this environment will leave you totally refreshed and ready to face the challenges that await back home.
Our hunting area
We have exclusive rights to safari hunt over an area of native land totaling well over 1,000,000 acres. Surrounded by limitless wilderness to the north and east and bounded by the privately owned Mainoru cattle ranch to the west and Wongalara wildlife conservancy to the south. We have continuously conducted safaris for over of 20 years in this area, previously on both Mainoru and Wongalara indicated on the map above and have an intimate knowledge of the area and wildlife. Our Mt Catt concession is largely trackless virgin bush with the small Mt Catt native hamlet of 5 homes sited next to the mountain that bears its name. The movement of Buffalo, Wild Oxen (Scrub Bulls), Wild Horses, Donkeys or Pigs is totally unimpeded and their location varies with the season and abundance of water. Many miles are covered in a day accessing a limitless pool of wild game which is free to move over boundless wilderness.
Hunting with us: A typical day.
A typical day: Unless we plan to hunt at a far corner of our concession you will not be required to be up in the wee hours of the morning. The birds will wake you around 6.00 am for a leisurely breakfast before we depart around 7.00—8.00. In the cooler winter months buffalo graze on and off through the night and morning till the sun begins to bite around 11.00. They will then head for their favorite watering point to drink, have a wallow and rest in the shade, venturing out again around 3.00 in the afternoon. Our hunting technique is to spot grazing animals from the vehicle or on foot in the mornings and afternoons then institute a stalk to assess their trophy quality. By midday we too will seek a cool shady spot for our lunch break or return to camp for lunch. Our hunting method between 11.00 and 3.00 is to stalk into likely resting spots in search of animals or walk quietly along the water ways in the hope of discovering them bedded down. In the dry dusty conditions fresh tracks are readily apparent and tracking combined with local knowledge yields a high degree of success in locating buffalo. You will see plenty of animals, the challenge for us is to find one that is carrying an exciting trophy.
All in a day’s hunting: The not so glamorous aspects of a day in the field. From top to bottom, Negotiating a difficult creek crossing. We can get just about anywhere with care and a little effort. Searching for buffalo on an open plain. You would be surprised how little cover a buffalo needs sometimes. ‘I know its here somewhere’ exploring new ground. Few whites have ever set foot on much of our hunting area. To find new features we often have to rely on maps compiled from aerial photos. Now the hard work begins….. In Australia your PH does the skinning. Helping with the carry out ‘Not too far to go now Dave’. Sometimes it is impossible to get the vehicle close to the trophy, necessitating a carry out.
Price
- 7 Day Safari – 5 full hunting days. (You arrive on day 1 and depart on day 7) Hunter (1×1) US$10,900, Hunter (2×1) US$8,900 per person, Non-hunter US$1,400
- 9 Day Safari – 7 Full hunting days. (You arrive on day 1 and depart on day 9) Hunter (1×1) US$12,800, Hunter (2×1) US$10,400 per person, Non-hunter US$1,500
- TROPHY PREPARATION & PACKING FOR EXPORT: US$300 per hunter regardless of quantity. Prices are all inclusive of: You will be the SOLE hunter (Hunting group) in our concession. Return transfers from Darwin BY ROAD. (Total travel time each way by road is approximately 8 hours.)
Optional Extras
- OPTIONAL AIR CHARTER Return air-charter from Darwin is between US$1,600 and US$3,200 EXTRA per person depending on number of passengers.
- TROPHY FEES for additional animals: Buffalo Bull US$3,400, Trophy Buffalo Cow US$1,400, Scrub Bull US$1,400, Boar US$400 (tusks over 4 inches total length) Non trophy pigs US$30, Donkey US$50. (Surcharge for skinning and preparing a full body skin to enable a quality lifelike mount, Buffalo US$1000 Boar US$500)
Prices are all inclusive of:
- You will be the SOLE hunter (Hunting group) in our concession.
- Return transfers from Darwin BY ROAD. (Total travel time each way by road is approximately 8 hours.)
- Trophy fee on one Buffalo Bull. (Extra animals may be taken and trophy fees paid at the conclusion of the hunt)
- Field preparation of trophies regardless of quantity. (Skinning and quality field prep of a full body skin is extra)
- All meals and reasonable quantities of alcoholic beverages. Spacious, 2 roomed, traditional canvas accommodations serviced daily with separate bathroom facilities.
- Daily laundry service.
- Free use of fishing gear.
- Free processing of all firearms / Shooters licenses and fees for the importation and export of your firearms. Free use of our quality Bolt Action Rifles in suitable calibers for hunters not wishing to travel with firearms.
NOTE: It is a requirement of our Liability Insurers that guests sign a disclaimer prior to the hunt to obtain the protection under the policy in the unlikely event of an insurable misadventure.
