I just got back from the most incredible week in my life. First time to Africa; actually first time out of the USA. Had a wonderful safari, got the 4 main animals I wanted and 2 more. I also had the priveledge to be the first American client of Francois Swanepoel.

Day 1 we checked the sight in of the scope, and off for kudu. I had told Francois I was more interested in one that was tall and wide than a higher scoring tight curl. We set off and within 2 hrs we saw one that fit the bill. A short stalk, and the sticks went up. As the kudu entered a clearing, I fired. Unfortunately I hit a branch on the way to him, and he was hit too far back. We tracked him for an hour and I was able to put the shot I had originally planned.



He may not score as well as many others, but he is a wonderful trophy to me. Estimated age of 12 yrs. About 1 1/2 inch of ivory tip on those horns that look more like the end of a pool cue than a crochet needle. My 25 yr dream come true.

I spent the first part of the afternoon sitting in a bowhunting blind watching birds and taking pictures of warthogs. Later that afternoon we hunted oryx, and saw only one. Unfortunately he saw us first.

Day 2: Eland. Started off by finding fresh tracks at 7. Caught up with a small herd by about 9. As we were getting very close, suddenly they spooked. Lots more tracking (15 km at least), and many more stalks, some blisters on my feet, and near total exhaustion set in. That faded quickly after I dropped an eland at about 150 yds. Francois said he kept getting bigger each time he looked at him. By his measurement, he is at least 30 cm longer than gold medal minimum.



Day 3 morning was spent recovering from the eland hunt, and the celebrations that followed. I was not up for much hunting that morning, and midafternoon again was spent watching game at a waterhole. Late afternoon was spent searching for oryx. Some were found, but the wind was not in our favor. It was late in the day, and it would be dark by the time we could position ourselves for a good stalk.

Day 4 zebra. Morning was spent at Francois's nephew's ranch in search of zebra. A cold front had come through, and it was not the best weather. Lots of time spent in the bakkie riding around seeing hartebeest, oryx, kudu and eland. Finally a lone stallion was seen. 2 hrs of stalking, and finally a shot presented itself. He was behind some trees, and the "heart-lung" shot was blocked. A pure lung shot presented itself, and I had to take it kneeling but using a branch as a rest. One shot, and the zebra fell 50 yds later.



The first part of the afternoon was spent watching giraffes and zebra. What a sight those gentle giants are. Oryx was the quarry for the late afternoon, and we saw plenty. We stalked 2 different herds, and although we got close enough for a shot, noe were of a high enough quality to be taken. Oryx was seeiming to become for me what kudu was for Ruark.

Day 5 Oryx. Morning spent looking for oryx. It had become apparent that not just any one would do. We glassed several though the day that I thought were good ones, but Francois would say "too small". I guess that's why he's the PH. Finally we found the one. Some stalking, and 2 bullets later, finally I had my oryx.



Another gold medal trophy, and pretty good length for a bull.

The afternoon was spent relaxing. I now had my 4 primary animals. We discussed what to do the next day, and I suggested that we go out with no particular agenda, just see what came along of good quality, whether that be an old warrior with worn down horns, or a gold medal trophy.

Day 6 The morning started with driving around Ekuja (nephew's ranch). Saw kudu and oryx all over the place. Finally we saw a group of hartebeest. Francois said he knew this herd, it was all bulls, and 1 of them was excellent. They had eland around them, and after the eland moved away we began our stalk. Along the way we had to wait because of kudu and gemsbok in our stalking path. The herd spread out and we found the bull alone. 200 yd shot (longest of the safari), and now a hartebeest added to my take.


Turns out he was not the excellent bull, but instead was another aged warrior with worn horns. Another way to mark an animal as a trophy.

After dropping the hartebeest off with the skinners, we went looking for springbok. Herd was found very quickly, and then much time was spent picking out the largest male. My worst shooting of the entire trip came on this springbok. Let's just say that he had to be positioned very carefully for the photos and leave it at that. (But if you look carefully you may see a hole in his left ear )



Another gold medal trophy. With this I was satisfied. Had my primary animals and 2 I consider a bonus. 3 gold medal animals, and 3 old ones. All will be trophies to me. Even more important are the memories, seeing the smooth gait of a running oryx, the giraffes feeding on the treetops, and the glow of an African sunset. Even on the plane I was thinking about coming back.

A few notes on Francois Swanepoel and Hartbees Nord. He is a solo operator, not part of a big company. There is no swimming pool except for the one being built for the crocs he is raising. Accomodations are spartan, but comfortable. You basically live like you are one of the family. Prices are hard to beat (listed in Euros) Daily rate 100, observer 80. Trpphy fees: kudu 500, oryx 375, eland 1300, springbok 350, hartebeest 375, zebra 750. He doesn't advertize or go to the shows. He says he'd rather get clients from word of mouth, and let their photos be his advertizing. He is very intereted in bowhunting and would love to have more Americans, especially bowhunters.

He also does not want the staff to be tipped. He says he'd rather them know what they will earn each week, and not have it vary according to the means and/or generosity of each client, and because of this pays them a bit more than some of the others in the area.

Congratulations -- it sounds like you had a great hunt. And don't run down your shooting -- a Springbok ear is a pretty small target and not many people could hit it.

Congratulations on a great hunt and nice trophies. I really like the eland.

Congratulations! Thanks for sharing!

Congratulations //

This safari and hunter report tells me that it is essentially not the prices or the size of the trophies that remain in a hunters mind BUT the hospitality and friendships made

I must admit I was a bit surprised on the NO TIPS scenario but hey man, each Outfiiter knows his staff better than the hunters do, so I dont have any futher comment

What a wonderful report and pictures

Peter

Beatiful kudu, I'm not a tape hunter but I enjoy estimating trophies, how long was he?
Around 53"...???

L

Congratulations on your successful hunt!
Namibia is great! Isn’t it?! I have been there twice and intend to go back.
Where exactly is Francois Swanepoel’s ranch? Do you have his contact?

B.Martins

Congrats on a great hunt!! Those are great animals and it sounds like you had a terrific hunt!!

I am off to Namibia on the 6th for my first African hunt. It is with a small solo operation as well. I can't wait.

Good Hunting,

Bob

Contact information, please!!!

Congratulations and great job. I think those are great trophies you've taken. That Kudu looks very nice to me.

Thanks all.

Charles: the ear shot was just the tip of the iceberg.

Lorenzo: The kudu was estimated to be around 50-52. As far as I know a tape was never put on his horns.

b.martins: his ranch is in the Hochfield area. As I think about it, I didn't see too many other bakkies on the roads in the area.

At the request of many Francois's e-mail franswa@mweb.com.na. I will post his phone and fax when I get home.

Adress Posbus 182 Okahandja, Namibia
Tel/FAX (+264)62-549084

Caleb

Congrats Caleb! Looks like you had an awesome trip. Thanks for sharing the pics and report.

Cheers,
Canuck

Congratulations on a great hunt!! Nine months and counting 'til I get to experience Namibia.

cable68,
Great report and hunt, now you like many others on this forum are hooked on Africa.
Congrat's to you.
Bobga

Cable68, Thank you for a very fine report, I feel sorry for you though because now all you will ever think about is how to go back and do it all over!!! Those a very nice trophies indeed and I also have never put a tape on any of my trophies. The closest I came was a 2nd PH at the one concession measured a big blesbuck and the 2nd PH at the other concession measured a big duiker, Pierre' and I never even thought about for some reason. Congrats and enjoy the memories. Joe

Cable, welcome to the club...Great looking trophies and sounds like you will be going back soon....


Mike

cable68,
Outstanding report and fantastic trophies. That kudu bull had a massive set of horns and the eland was a trophy that you will find hard to beat in the years to come! Sounds like you hooked up with a great outfitter! The secret is out now and I imagine Francois will begin to get some traffic off of AR.

Again, excellent reporting!

cable68,
Congratulations on a great hunt - you have some very nice trophies. Thanks for posting.

Phil