The African Buffalo or Cape Buffalo (latin term: Syncerus caffer) is a large African bovid. Savannah type buffaloes weigh 500-900 kgand are normally larger than females. Forest type buffaloes are only half that size. Owing to its unpredictable nature which makes it highly dangerous to humans, it has not been domesticated, unlike its Asian counterpart, the Domestic Asian Water Buffalo.

Buffalos live in herds of highly variable size. The basic herd is formed by related femals. This herd is accompanied by other sub-herds of bachelor males, high-rnaking males and females and old or invalid individuals. When chased by predators a herd will stick close together and make it hard for the predators to pick off one member. Calves are gathered in the middle.