Hello Ar members. I want to go to hunt and visit Namibia this summer, in august with my family. we would be two couples and 5 childre aging between 14 to 4 years old. we want to hunt 6/7 days and visit namibia. Etosha/Swakopmund etc. Any ideas?
Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Johan veldsman, Shona Adventures. He is a good friend. They have a place in Hentiesbaai as well. They are good with families and kids. He does pretty much in Namibia what I do in South Africa. Omujeve also good call, but they might be booked up that time.

Thanks Charl.I will look atthem both

http://www.westfalenhuntnamibia.com/

No question one of the best outfits I have ever hunted with. Top shelf all the way...and at very reasonable prices. In addition to the cat pictured below, I took a whole mess of plains game in 10 days. The place is fabulous.




Best,

John

A lot of AR members have hunted the Gras Ranch. It's a huge ranch at 125,000 acres now that they added the 35,000 acre ranch next to them! Very nice accommodations and the ph's are great.

Gras Ranch

Great family run operation. They can take you to the coast or you can rent a car and drive around Namibia.

Also consider Jan du Plessis with Sebra Safaris. I hunted with him several years ago and had a wonderful experience. You will find many positive hunt reports in the hunt report section. He may have an opening during that time. www.sebrahunt.com

quote:

Originally posted by High Desert:
Also consider Jan du Plessis with Sebra Safaris. I hunted with him several years ago and had a wonderful experience. You will find many positive hunt reports in the hunt report section. He may have an opening during that time. www.sebrahunt.com

I'd be leery of this outfitter personally. I tried, and tried, an tried to get clarification on his sliding scale trophy fees for oryx and kudu, and he stopped responding to my questions. Not saying he's a bad guy, but his communication skills were severely lacking in my case anyway. Wound up booking with Kowas Safaris, who in turn is an outstanding communicator, prompt, gets rave reviews, and is very easy to work with. I met her in person at DSC.

You may also consider Christi & Velia @ Hatari Safaris. They have two children, Christi is a fine hunting guide and Velia's can show you around in the areas you have mentioned. Muy bueno!

I hunted with Jan du Plessis in July, 2013, and had a great hunt. He explained the scale on oryx and kudu on here just a couple of months ago. If you specify you want an animal above the size of the price break, that is what you pay for because he has to put a lot of time, fuel, etc. into looking for one. If you don't specifically request the larger animal and just happen to get lucky and shoot one, you pay the standard price. That is what happened with my oryx. I got lucky and shot a 40 inch bull. You will not find a PH who tries any harder to ensure you have a good hunt. We got excellent quality animals (oryx, kudu, springbok, black wildebeest, warthog, and Hartmann's mountain zebra). The food and accomodations are also great.

Jan has wind and solar for power, and his internet connections are sporadic. However, he and his wife did a great job of helping us with our trip, such as finding a rental car for us, gettin us a cell phone in advance, and arranging hotels for our trip after the hunt.

After hunting, we went to Etosha and the Skeleton Coast and had an overall exceptional trip.

I think you would be totally satisfied with a hunt with Jan du Plessis. I am saving my money now to go back and hunt for a leopard.

I second Charl's recommendation for Shona

I'm sure you'll get lots of recommendations.

I hunted with Johann Veldsman at Shona and had a great hunt.

My hunt report can be found below.

http://forums.accuratereloadin...741012901#7741012901

If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them.

quote:

Originally posted by Dale:
I hunted with Jan du Plessis in July, 2013, and had a great hunt. He explained the scale on oryx and kudu on here just a couple of months ago. If you specify you want an animal above the size of the price break, that is what you pay for because he has to put a lot of time, fuel, etc. into looking for one. If you don't specifically request the larger animal and just happen to get lucky and shoot one, you pay the standard price. That is what happened with my oryx. I got lucky and shot a 40 inch bull. You will not find a PH who tries any harder to ensure you have a good hunt. We got excellent quality animals (oryx, kudu, springbok, black wildebeest, warthog, and Hartmann's mountain zebra). The food and accomodations are also great.

Jan has wind and solar for power, and his internet connections are sporadic. However, he and his wife did a great job of helping us with our trip, such as finding a rental car for us, gettin us a cell phone in advance, and arranging hotels for our trip after the hunt.

After hunting, we went to Etosha and the Skeleton Coast and had an overall exceptional trip.

I think you would be totally satisfied with a hunt with Jan du Plessis. I am saving my money now to go back and hunt for a leopard.

So what if you luck into a 40+" oryx, or 54+" kudu bull the first day? Do the higher rates apply, or do the lower rates apply? I understand if a guy passes up bull after bull for days on end, but what about the situation I presented? I couldn't get an answer out of him. Refusing to answer questions is BS in my book.

Another vote for Johann Veldsman and Shona Hunting Adventures. My wife and I did our honeymoon with Johann and got to see a lot of the country (hunt report attached below). We spent time in Swakopmund, Hentiesbaai, Damaraland, and Etosha. He is a great guy with a wonderful family. When I return to Namibia, it will be with Johann.

Honeymoon Safari - Shona Hunting Adventures

JGRaider:

I shot a 40" gemsbok bull the second day and paid the normal price. If you do not specify you want a 40" bull and get lucky and find one, you pay the normal price. The only time you pay the higher price is if you specify you want a 40" bull and then get one.

Dale

I have nothing but good things to say about Jan Oelofse Hunting Safaris. I hunted with them in 2012 and am booked for 2015 May again. I personally know several people that have hunted with them and they all have high opinions of them.

quote:

Originally posted by Dale:
JGRaider:

I shot a 40" gemsbok bull the second day and paid the normal price. If you do not specify you want a 40" bull and get lucky and find one, you pay the normal price. The only time you pay the higher price is if you specify you want a 40" bull and then get one.

Dale

Thanks for the clarification. It sure would have been nice if Jan would have answered that very simple question, but he chose to ignore it.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Dale:

Jan has wind and solar for power, and his internet connections are sporadic. [QUOTE]

I set up a hunt with Jan for May of this year, exchanged maybe 5 emails and have had no issues with questions getting answered (although I didn't have all that many) or getting a timely responce.

quote:

Originally posted by Dale:
JGRaider:

I shot a 40" gemsbok bull the second day and paid the normal price. If you do not specify you want a 40" bull and get lucky and find one, you pay the normal price. The only time you pay the higher price is if you specify you want a 40" bull and then get one.

Dale

I second what Dale has said about Jan at Sebra. I hunted with him in 2012 and 2013, and shot a 40" gemsbok bull, a 41" gemsbok cow, and a 55" kudu. I didn't pay a penny extra for these animals. Jan is an absolute straight shooter, and it sounds like JGHunter either didn't like or didn't understand the straight answers that Jan gave him in answer to his questions. For JGH to bad mouth him on this site without ever having met Jan or hunted with him is just plain unfair in my opinion. I'll be hunting with Jan again in 2015 with my granddaughter. Here's a picture of my kudu:


and here's one of my gemsbok cow:

quote:

Originally posted by Bud Meadows:

quote:

Originally posted by Dale:
JGRaider:

I shot a 40" gemsbok bull the second day and paid the normal price. If you do not specify you want a 40" bull and get lucky and find one, you pay the normal price. The only time you pay the higher price is if you specify you want a 40" bull and then get one.

Dale

I second what Dale has said about Jan at Sebra. I hunted with him in 2012 and 2013, and shot a 40" gemsbok bull, a 41" gemsbok cow, and a 55" kudu. I didn't pay a penny extra for these animals. Jan is an absolute straight shooter, and it sounds like JGHunter either didn't like or didn't understand the straight answers that Jan gave him in answer to his questions. For JGH to bad mouth him on this site without ever having met Jan or hunted with him is just plain unfair in my opinion. I'll be hunting with Jan again in 2015 with my granddaughter. Here's a picture of my kudu:


and here's one of my gemsbok cow:

+1
I was going to respond to jgr but you said it much more politely than I would have Bud, so I'll just echo what you said.
Jan is honest and works hard, and delivers an incredible safari experience.

I'll second Wendell's recommendation for the Gras Ranch. My wife and I booked our first safari there in 07 and had a wonderful experience. Large ranch, lots of game and great people. Jannie and Errol will take great care of you!

Hey Bud, I didn't badmouth anybody. In fact, I said "I'm sure he's a nice guy". Did you miss that part? I just stated a fact that he ignored my question on the sliding scale. I even told you that via a PM that you sent me, and you had little to say about it then, remember? That's a fact, like it or not. I have no doubt he runs a good outfit. I just like to know for sure what I'm getting into before I spend the money.

Nice animals and pics too. Congrats.

quote:

Originally posted by Carlos Romero:
Hello Ar members. I want to go to hunt and visit Namibia this summer, in august with my family. we would be two couples and 5 childre aging between 14 to 4 years old. we want to hunt 6/7 days and visit namibia. Etosha/Swakopmund etc. Any ideas?
Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Carlos:

Welcome to AR. Namibia is a lot of fun and pretty safe for family. The people have all been very friendly. My wife and I have been going there every year since our first trip in 08. Except for the first trip, where we just hunted for 10-days with Sebra Hunts, every year since we have rented a car and spent anywhere from 10-14 days just driving around either before or after hunting. This year I'll be there for a month with two different groups of my friends before my wife comes over to hunt for two weeks and then we are going to "motor tour" again for 10-days.

Here are some ideas. As much as I would like to get you up with Jan & Mariesje of Sebra Hunts and can't say enough good things about them, your group would not be possible for them, they don't have enough lodging for nine total people in your group.

I have met Johan and Vera Veldsmann with Shona that were already mentioned. I have seen their place. Shona's property and Sebra's property are adjoining farms and Jan and Johann are long time friends going back to grammar school. Johann and Vera are great people and run a very good operation too. They would have enough lodging to accommodate your group. The only issue might be booking this late with anyone is if they have enough rooms open.

Both properties are in the western highlands, between Outjo and Kamanjob, about 2 hours drive south of Etocha NP and about 4-5 hours drive north of Swakopmund/Walvis Bay. Both properties are about a 6 hour drive NW of Windhoek. The western highlands are about 3500-5000 ft above sea level.

In general, one difficulty you will have is the large group and finding hunting outfits that can take all of you at once. That will go for your general lodging for your "motor touring" too. It will also be a challenge for PH/outfitter. whoever you go with and where they are located, to handle the road transfers to/from Windhoek and their properties. They might have to hire a transport van special for your group that could likely be added to your hunting bill.

Since you are wanting to hunt and do some motor touring I would suggest you look into renting a car for each family to drive to your selected hunting property and then on to other places you want to go/see and back to Windhoek.

One significant drawback to the western highlands is "hunting" is really the only activity. The towns are small and not much "touristy" shopping or activities for the kids/wives. There is a Himba village just outside of Kamanjob. The people still live the "traditional" way and you can have a visit/tour there. That is interesting and good for 1/2 a day. We've done that ourselves and with friends we've taken over with us instead of an afternoon hunt and then had dinner at a restaurant in Kamanjab.

IF you book with an outfitter in the western highlands, you could make a "triangular" trip starting in say Etocha NP for a few days, drop down to your hunting place and then finish in Swakopmund and then back to Windhoek. The drive from Swakop to Windhoek is about 5 hours.

There're several days of activities you can do in the Swakop/Walvis Bay area. We usually stay in B&B's near the downtown/center of Swakopmund. In Swakop, they have a nice little natural history museum on the beach that is good for a few hours. They have the Crystal Gallery is very cool if you are a bit of a rock hound. if you go there be sure to bring back some Pietersite jewelry. There are hot air balloon rides through the Namib Desert, shark fishing off the beach, and lots of little curio shops, the National Aquarium is good for a couple of hours.

Walvis Bay is about a 20-30 min drive along the ocean south of Swakop. In Walvis Bay you can go deep sea fishing, take a harbor/seal tour, the seals actually come up in to the boat you can pet them, take a quad bike (ATV) tour out into the Naukluft National Park and a 4x4 truck tour out through the Namib dunes south to Sandwich Harbor. Each one of these is good for 1/2 a day each. You can drive out to "Dune 7" about 20 min south of Swakop and the kids can climb the dune, or at least try to. Both the quad bike tour and 4x4 tour will take you out in the desert and you will also have a opportunity "sand board"

Note: the entire "Skeleton Coast" and Naukfuft NP" are restricted access areas. There are only a couple of operators with lic/permits to legally operate out there and it is not open to the general public without permits.

You can also drive down to the second largest canyon in the world - Fish River Canyon. Nice place, very quiet and not yet commercialized. Limited number of places to stay close by.

With small kids, I've really got to mention that you will really need to keep an eye on them. If you are going in Aug, the temps are going to start warming up and there are some seriously poisonous snakes, like Puff Adders, and several species of cobra and they can even be around the buildings/hunting lodges/camps you'll be staying at. There are also several species of scorpion that can really hurt you. Kind of like a line from that old John Wayne movie "Rooster Cogburn" quote, "careful Sister, everything around here will either bite ya, stab ya or stick ya".

The city of Windhoek is good for maybe 3-4 leisurely days of sight seeing. There is a local arts & crafts center and inside there is the Namibian Diamond Center. There are a couple of shopping malls and a couple of museums.

One very good web site if you don't already know it is Tripadvisor We've used to to book lodging and for ideas of things to do/see.

Shoot me a PM if you want some more info.

quote:

Originally posted by JGRaider:

quote:

Originally posted by High Desert:
Also consider Jan du Plessis with Sebra Safaris. I hunted with him several years ago and had a wonderful experience. You will find many positive hunt reports in the hunt report section. He may have an opening during that time. www.sebrahunt.com

I'd be leery of this outfitter personally. I tried, and tried, an tried to get clarification on his sliding scale trophy fees for oryx and kudu, and he stopped responding to my questions. Not saying he's a bad guy, but his communication skills were severely lacking in my case anyway. Wound up booking with Kowas Safaris, who in turn is an outstanding communicator, prompt, gets rave reviews, and is very easy to work with. I met her in person at DSC.

quote:

So what if you luck into a 40+" oryx, or 54+" kudu bull the first day? Do the higher rates apply, or do the lower rates apply? I understand if a guy passes up bull after bull for days on end, but what about the situation I presented? I couldn't get an answer out of him. Refusing to answer questions is BS in my book.

Jgr please re-read your posts. You never said you were sure he's a nice guy, and if you don't think what you did say is a "badmouth", then you need to learn a lot.

JG:
Ever consider just maybe the guy didn't receive your message? With solar and wind power I'd think that might be a good possibility he didn't respond.

Good luck,
George

Hi Carlos , talk to Hentie van Heerden , Van Heerden Safaris. He's been around for a long time , offers great hunts in a wide selection of different areas. A family man himself , he'll take good care of you and yours.

http://www.vanheerdensafaris.com/

Happy hunting

That is excelente info! I love AR

I'd be leery of this outfitter personally. I tried, and tried, an tried to get clarification on his sliding scale trophy fees for oryx and kudu, and he stopped responding to my questions. Not saying he's a bad guy, but his communication skills were severely lacking in my case anyway. Wound up booking with Kowas Safaris, who in turn is an outstanding communicator, prompt, gets rave reviews, and is very easy to work with. I met her in person at DSC.[/QUOTE]

I can tell you from personal experience there is nothing to be leery of with Jan. And yes JG this is a bad-mouth and one that is undeserved.

Regards,

Don

I suggest Kobus Honibal, Africa Thirstland Safaris. He has a remote and wonderful lodge with a pool, excellent staff. And, HE FLIES. He took us on a tour of Namibia-the coast, Etosha, etc. Fantastic! This man is a super pro, total gentleman, exceedingly pleasant and very well organized.

I've made 10 safaris, 3 to Namibia.

Carlos,
We hunted at Ozondjahe Safaris, about two hours north of Windhoek. It is 90,000 acres of high fence with many game species and in excellent quantity. Jerome Lung runs the show with his father who splits his time between there and his home in France. Jerome has spent many years in the USA and conducts business precisely and communicates very promptly. This is a marked contrast to others we have dealt with there.
Have a great hunt.

Anybody know if any of these outfits guide for buffalo without having to go up to the Caprivi?

I know Jamy Traut does, but I think he's in Caprivi......$$$$$

Edit: Omujeve does too

Sorry, answering my own questions.

quote:

Originally posted by Jan Dumon:
Hi Carlos , talk to Hentie van Heerden , Van Heerden Safaris. He's been around for a long time , offers great hunts in a wide selection of different areas. A family man himself , he'll take good care of you and yours.

http://www.vanheerdensafaris.com/

Happy hunting

Second that and tell Hentie you can have my Gemsbok.

I book for Namibia Safari Corporation and Jaco. Several AR members have hunted with him and he has a very good reputation.