Cape or African Buffalo occur in large numbers in Kruger National Park where they can be seen in large herds nu
mbering over one hundred animals.  Both sexes of African or Cape Buffalo have horns which broaden to almost meet over the forehead, but those of the female are usually smaller.  These large creatures, one of the Big 5, have a reputation for aggression and cunning, despite the fact they are solely vegetarian then are responsible for many deaths to people in Africa.  They are quick tempered and  will not hesitate to use their massive horns to ram and gore and adversary. They are generally feared by anyone they come in contact with.

The African or Cape Buffalo is most active in late afternoon and early morning, if conditions are very hot they will spend the middle of the day resting.  During cooler weather they can be more active during the day.  Mud-wallowing is an important to keep their bodies cool and to remove parasites from the skin  as the mud dries and falls off.

Old bulls and young males form bachelor herds and some old males move away to become solitary, these single individuals are most prone to lion attack.  Within the herd there is a clearly defined dominance hierarchy and, the smaller the herd, the more clearly it is defined, and maintained.  The dominate males in a herd will mate with receptive females within the herd.  Older bulls usually loose their dominance to younger stronger males in the herd and are ejected from the breeding herd.

Herds are generally territorial and are often seen when traveling s28 between Crocodile Gate Bridge and Lower Sabie in Kruger.