Luxury Safari Turns Deadly: Millionaire Gored by Cape Buffalo in South Africa
What was meant to be a high-end $10,000 African hunting expedition ended in tragedy when a U.S. businessman faced one of the continent’s most feared creatures. In Limpopo Province, South Africa,
a nearly 2,800-pound Cape Buffalo turned the hunter into the hunted, leaving veteran guides stunned and a family in heartbreak. The incident has raised questions about the thin line between thrill-seeking and mortal danger in big game hunting.
Asher Watkins, 52, a wealthy American known for his luxury ranch investments, was fatally gored during a safari organized by Coenraad Vermaak Safaris. The company confirmed the loss in a statement:
“It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts we confirm the tragic death of our client and friend Asher Watkins from the USA. On Sunday, while on a hunting safari with us in Limpopo Province, Asher was fatally injured in a sudden and unprovoked attack by an unwounded buffalo.”
Watkins had been tracking the massive buffalo alongside a professional hunter and tracker. Reports indicate the trip initially went according to plan—on the first day, Watkins successfully hunted a waterbuck. But on the following day, the Cape Buffalo proved far more formidable.
Instead of retreating, the animal charged with immense force, instantly killing Watkins.
Cape Buffalo are capable of speeds up to 37 mph, and their sheer size and unpredictability make them responsible for roughly 200 human deaths each year, according to National Geographic.
Family members, including Watkins’ ex-wife Courtney and their daughter, were notified immediately.
Courtney shared that they have been left in “a state of shock and heartbreak” following the devastating news.
Outside of hunting, Watkins was a notable businessman with luxury ranch properties reportedly worth as much as $38 million. His safari, costing roughly $10,000, came with clear warnings: Cape Buffalo are considered the most dangerous animals on the hunt list, aggressive, unpredictable, and capable of fatal attacks.
In the world of trophy hunting, such risks are well-known. Experts note that the very danger of these animals is part of their appeal, attracting hunters willing to gamble with their lives for the thrill and prestige of the hunt.
Conclusion
The death of Asher Watkins serves as a stark reminder of the razor-thin divide between hunter and hunted. In big game safaris, danger is not incidental—it is central to the experience. Whether an unavoidable twist of nature or a lapse in judgment, the Cape Buffalo proved lethal, claiming the life of a man who sought it as a trophy.