Of all the animals at Londolozi, few carry themselves with the same weight and presence as the Cape buffalo. Their horns curve like ancient weapons, their eyes hold untold stories, and their collective strength commands respect from even the fiercest predators. Yet, for all their power, buffalo live in step with the land. As the dry season tightens its grip, their struggle and importance come into sharp focus.
The Herd in Motion
On a winter’s morning, when grasses have been grazed to brittle stalks and dust hangs heavy in the air, a buffalo herd feels almost seismic. The earth rumbles under hundreds of hooves as they push forward in search of grazing. Fanning out across clearings, they sweep methodically through whatever is left, their wide muzzles working tirelessly over the short, dry grass.
By late dry season, survival depends on persistence. Unlike browsers such as giraffe or kudu that can turn to leaves, buffalo rely almost entirely on grass. As supplies dwindle, the herd must travel further each day, converging on the last green patches along drainage lines or the Sand River.
The Role of Grazers
Their constant feeding is more than survival; it is service to the land. Buffalo mow down coarse grasses that other antelope ignore, clearing space for tender shoots to grow when rains return. Their dung fertilises the soil and sustains insects, which in turn feed birds, reptiles, and small mammals.
In this way, buffalo are not just large herbivores. They are landscape shapers, nutrient recyclers, and vital to the balance of the bushveld. Without them, the ecosystem would feel their absence in profound ways.
Buffalo Bull with sickle bush crown draped over its horns.
A Season of Struggle
But the end of the dry season leaves them vulnerable. With grazing scarce, their condition drops. Ribs show, and calves or older animals fall behind. Lions seize these moments. A faltering step can be the opening a pride needs.
This is a season of paradox. As buffalo weaken, they also attract predators, leading to some of the most dramatic encounters in the bush. Lions and buffalo meet in raw clashes of power and resilience. Sometimes the pride succeeds, but often the herd rallies, charging with astonishing courage to defend their own.
The Buffalos Form An Impenetrable Phalanx
Resilience and Renewal
What amazes me most is their endurance. Even in the hardest months, the herd moves together, protecting one another, waiting for rain. When the first storms break and the land flushes green, it feels like a collective sigh of relief, not only for the buffalo, but for every creature that depends on this renewal.
To see them then, coats glossy again, calves playing, herds stretched across fields of fresh grass, is to witness resilience rewarded. The Cape buffalo remind us that survival is not just about strength, but about enduring until abundance returns.
Hi Nic, I’ve always admired buffalo, I believe they are the most amazing example of solidarity among animals species. Even when there’s a weak member they gather together and charge predators. Yes, they have an incredible power and strength, but also courage and cohesion. The efforts made to save a calf, a cow or an older member is moving. As brother lions often fight to death for their siblings, no less those incredible animals fight for their family member. They are the only animals, besides elephants, that deliberately attack lions. Male lions. They’re just unbelievable. I’m glad you wrote this blog edition, they are sometimes described as brute and dull, lacking of intelligence. On the contrary, they demonstrated a bright cleverness and incredible resilience. Thank you, great pictures, impressive
Hi Nic, it always amazes me to see how they stick together no matter what arrives. When one of them get attacked by lions, the herd comes and rescues that one. Winter months it is difficult for them to feed as the bush is dry and short grass is not so appetizing. But once the precious rains falls the bush transforms into a lush green grass and lots of water to drink. They come in big herds of hundreds and you can see them grazing on lush green grass and you can hear them bellowing.
Thanks Nic for bringing this important role that buffaloes provide for the environment to our attention. It would appear they are the clean-up crew after the other grazing species have eaten the tender grasses, although I doubt there is much nutritional value, therefore the importance of rains arriving within their usual cycle.
Great blog, Nic. This cycle of abundance and scarcity is indeed very demanding on animals who are depending on only grass to feed. It always amazes me how enduring these buffalos are and how courageous in defending each other and rallying to help herd members that are in danger.