Chad: Zakouma NP – Savanna Buffaloes

Zakouma National Park is probably most famous for its elephant herds, but even more dramatic was the recovery of buffaloes – from around 200 in 1986 to about 13000 now! The buffalo found here are The buffalo found here are Central African Savanna Buffalos (Syncerus caffer brachyceros) and are distinct from the well-known Cape Buffalo of Southern and East Africa. They are often described as an intermediate form between the massive Cape Buffalos and the smaller Red Forest Buffalo (seen those in Gabon). They are smaller than Cape Buffalo and exhibit a striking range of colors – ranging from jet black to bright orange or red, often within the same herd. They are much less aggressive then their brethren. They stay in very large herds of up to a 1000 individuals and when they are on the move – the dust clouds are immense (supposedly a hallmark of Zakouma).