Save Conservancy or Bubye?

[Dholupko]

I’ve been in communication with two PH’s, one in Save and the other in Bubye. I want to hunt buffalo. Possibly two buffalo. Both PH’s seem to be well received on this site; Dalton McLintock and Brian VanBlerck. This will be a 10-12 day hunt. In the Save the second buffalo is simply the cost of the trophy fee. Bubye, in general, is a more expensive hunt. The second buffalo in Bubye is an additional daily rate, for all of the days of the hunt, plus the trophy fee, making the second Buffalo unattractive, to me at least.
I’m interested to hear if any of you have hunted in both of these places to be able to say if one place is better than the other or how they might be different. I might also consider the Zambezi River valley. I’ve not been to any of these places so it’s hard to pick based on verbal descriptions from the PH’s.
If Bubye is viewed as being notably better then I might opt to spend the extra $ to experience it.
Thanks in advance for your insights.

 

[375Fox]

Which ranch in Save Valley would you be hunting?

 

[K-man]

I don't think there is a poor choice here. Both will have excellent herds of buffalo, Only real choice will be the P.H. , the camp, and the price. My personal choice has been the Save, 4 times already, probably fifth in 2026 for buffalo and tuskless elephant.

 

[Dholupko]

Which ranch in Save Valley would you be hunting?

Mokore Ranch, Coutada 9 or Coutada 14.

 

[TTundra]

I've read nothing but good from the Bubye, but personally had an incredible hunt in the Senuko block of the Save. We saw more elephant than I had imagined so, and the Buffalo were endless. We tracked a few different bachelor groups and one could argue about which old male to pick from.

We saw many of the below caliber specimens in our time in the Senuko camp in August of 2023

 

[375Fox]

Mokore Ranch, Coutada 9 or Coutada 14.

Their website says they hunt Hammond and Impala Ranches. The reason I ask the hunting is supposed to vary ranch to ranch but Mokore has a very good reputation. I’d really like to hunt Save Valley, but depending what you are looking for it might feel a little small. You’ll approach borders on 32,000 acre and 20,000 acre ranches frequently. I think in Bubye each camp gets around 100k acres but not supposed to be a scenic as Save Valley. Zambezi Valley has huge areas but game is spread thin.

 

[Llano Estacado]

My sons hunted with Dalton last year- patient, fun, smart, professional! I have only hunted the Save, but it was amazing! Lions, elephant, croc, rhino, hyena, buffalo, eland, kudu- truly Africa and Mokore is top notch!

 

[meigsbucks]

I haven’t hunted the Save…. YET! I did hunt the Bubye and took the buffalo in my avatar in 2013. I visited several camps and all were good to great as far as accommodations. I took my buff on day four of a 14 day hunt. Saw a few large herds and encountered small bachelor groups. Lots of PG.

 

[Zim Fan]

I hunt with David Langerman in the Bubye usually on a ten day non trophy for two Buffalo and that typically is a decent deal given the number of old bulls. It is a higher daily rate than a 7 day non trophy. Have hunted the Save and have enjoyed the Bubye over the Save for Buffalo.

 

[dogcat1]

I have hunted Bubye and Mokore's area in the SAVE. Both are unique, very good and different. For me, I would likely go to Bubye but you will pay more. Will see more game most likely....

 

[Smull1010]

I’ve hunted with Dalton and the Mokore team in the Save. My family is hunting with them again later this year in Mozambique. I would 100% go with them.

They are an absolutely professional and fun team to hunt with. The camp is phenomenal too.

I took this picture from the front porch of our cabin:

 

[wildwilderness]

Looks like you have a good problem. You just need to make a decision and feel good about it

Hopefully there will be more buffalo in your future and you can decide on the next hunt based on this one

 

[Rockwall205]

We took our grandson to Bubye last June . He was hunting PG so in order to hunt their dangerous game area added non trophy Buf . After shooting his PG we went for buffalo , first morning had three bulls standing in the road . They moved off by the time we backed off and stocked in . Long story short shot my buff at 30 yards with my double . Dropped to the shot as we were moving in to verify he was done was charged by one of his very healthy buddies, PH hit him between the eyes dropped two yards in front of me .
So it is possible to shoot two bulls with one tag ! With special circumstances. Yes I will probably go back to Bubye again not only for DH but some excellent fishing as well. One day out on the lake and our best Large mouth was 13.5 pounds !
I do want to hit Save as well Humani as I have been told is special. Terrain good for a Buffalo bow hunt possibly.

The one on the left charged and was promptly named Grumpy.

 

[Dholupko]

I’ve hunted with Dalton and the Mokore team in the Save. My family is hunting with them again later this year in Mozambique. I would 100% go with them.

They are an absolutely professional and fun team to hunt with. The camp is phenomenal too.

I took this picture from the front porch of our cabin:
View attachment 676249

Can I ask you which area you were in?

 

[Dholupko]

I have hunted Bubye and Mokore's area in the SAVE. Both are unique, very good and different. For me, I would likely go to Bubye but you will pay more. Will see more game most likely....

Thank you for this reply. Can you tell me what the difference is between them and why you prefer Bubye? Thank you.

 

[dogcat1]

Bubye is huge and has the big 5. You will see lions and elephant and rhino. The SAVE is good but not nearly as diverse or as large. In Bubye you will see some exceptional waterbuck, kudu and sable - less so in the SAVE due to the size of the various properties.

In the SAVE, the various ranches/areas have been run by families for many years. The Bubye is different. It is split up into 4 areas but you will never overlap as the place is huge. Mokore and the others will have a more family feel to them whereas Bubye is one massive area that is partitioned for various outfits that are not resident in the area.

Again, both are fine. Depends on what you are after and what you want to see.