Several have asked about the current conditions on the ground in Namibia and the status of the drought.

Happy to report that almost every area from north to south has been receiving moderate to extreme rainfalls. Lots of area flooding and almost every river either is or has had water flowing. All areas east of Etosha in the north have normal to exceptional grass growth. The Kunene region has moderate to normal grass growth but still needs more rainfall for second growth grass - which will get us through the remainder of the year.

While everyone is celebrating the rain, we are not out of this drought yet. We need another year, possibly two, to even begin to replenish subterranean water resources. Many areas continue to experience dry wells and that takes time and consistent rain to reverse.

However, we are already seeing mass calving among Springbok and Black Faced Impala. In addition, there are plenty of new Elephant, Giraffe, Oryx, Kudu, and Elend calving along with the continuing predator population explosion. Fortunately MET is issuing more Trophy Lion permits in the Kunene to account for the growth.

With just a little bit of water, the reislent Namibian flora and fauna spring back at an amazing pace. The new generation will be monsters as anything that can survive 7 years of drought are the apex of their species.

Good to hear.

That is some good news for our Namibian friends.

Here's a shot from yesterday, taken from the lodge at a game farm between Otjikondo and Etosho, NW of Outjo.

Regards, Tim

That is fantastic!

No monsters survived the drought

Congrats! Very happy for all of you.

Actually, Andrew, as I was on this farm last August, latest in hunts that began in 1994, the browsers, especially the Eland, were in quite good nick. Did not seem to have serious loss among the black faced impala either.

The grazers, especially zebra and gemsbok were suffering and we were putting out eight bags of grass at the nearest water point when we went out each morning. Gemsbok were eating at the first bag as we were emptying out the eighth!

The owner has figured out how to make pellets from the tops of blackthorn acacia (swarthak) mixed with grass, a little oil and salt. The eland loved the pellets, served up on three foot high trays. Warthog dined off the scraps the big antelope dropped.

Regards, Tim

I agree with Andrew that the loss of big adult males might be a loss that will take a long time to overcome. Maybe the free range areas are a little bit better in that the game could migrate to food sources. If the high fenced stuff was not fed … sigh …