Bottom Line Up Front: Can I do a Namibian father/son hunt within the framework below…and what will it cost?

Framework:
- I’m looking for a possible Summer 2007 father/son 6-8 day (actual hunt days) plains game hunt in Namibia. Only want to take four animals – does this cause problems with the PH/landowner making enough profit?
- My job allows me little stability or ability to make long-range plans but, if things work out, in January 2007 I’ll know where we’re moving to next. It’s likely I’ll have time in mid-late June and/or early July for a hunt. In other words, in February/March I’d be scheduling a June/July hunt.
- Farmhouse or tented hunt is fine. Must have a personable PH and the traditional evening campfires/brai with some wild game meals. A native tracker would be a huge plus.
- Prefer something within an hour or two of Windhoek; no charter flights, but driving more than a couple hours would be okay if needed.
- Must be either a very large property or no high-fence…or both. Game pursued would be Kudu & Zebra for me and a large antelope (Oryx, Kudu, Hartebeest, Wildebeest) and smaller animal (Warthog, Blesbok, Impala, etc…) for my son. Maybe a day of bird hunting if we bag out early.
- My son is 13-years-old and the option of him sitting over a waterhole or relatively close shot. I like to walk and get away from the vehicle.
- My son would likely take his .243 and our 7x57. I’d bring my .338 Win Mag. I can't think of any good reason to bring the .416 Rigby. Make sense?

Costs: Here’s what I’ve sort of sketched out. What am I missing? What should I expect to pay? I’m shooting for $10,000 (bye-bye motorcycle and guns) and understand that’s not a high-end hunt and short notice (3-4 months) for airfare may be very/prohibitively expensive. I’ve got fair ideas on all but the short-notice airfare…but wonder what I’m missing.
- International travel (prefer NY to Frankfurt to Windhoek and back) $$$?
- Airport pickup/return $$$?
- Daily fees $$$? Is this a 2x1 two-person hunt or a 1x1+observer hunt...where some days I hunt and some days my son hunts?
- Trophy fees $$$?
- Tips/gratuities $$$?
- Trophy prep and transport to Windhoek taxidermist $$$?
- Windhoek taxidermist to prep for shipment (all work beyond Zebra rug done in US) $$$?
- Trip cancellation insurance $$$?
- Transport between areas/farms if Kudu and Zebra not available on same property $$$?

I’d be pleased to hear from any and all, especially booking agents since this’ll be our first overseas hunt -- PM or right here for everyone to see.

Thanks.

Go to it Matt! Have a great time with the young man!

Matt,
Sounds like an excellent plan. I would strongly encourage you to make it happen. My boys still talk about their first trip to RSA when they were 12 +14. Many fond memories....

As to the cost. I don't think you should have any trouble staying within $5K for the direct hunt cost - daily fees, trophy fees, tips, transport, etc. You probably won't be much less than this, either.
I would expect about $2200 - 2500 per airline ticket, and 3 months advance isn't too bad. This is a huge wildcard, however, as airline costs are never fixed until the tickets are purchased. This alone with hunt costs get you close to your 10K budget. The one thing that is missing is trophy shipment / taxidermy costs. Figure the shipping at $500 - 700, and you are certainly at your $10K limit without any actual taxidermy work. Of course this work can be done over the following many months, so you can stratch this out.
Anyhow, I think it will be a stretch to do it all for under 10K if you include the taxidermy. Otherwise, I think you are about spot on.
Good luck, and have fun.
Bill

Four animals? No way!

John

You could contact Getaway Kahalari Safari and you should be able to book that sort of hunt for close to your budget. Their basic package includes kudu, oryx, springbok, I beleive. however, Janneman Brand can tell you what you need to know. We went earlier this year and plan to return next april. feel free to pm me if you have any questions.

I would contact Wendell Reich. He posts here often and has Hunters Quest International. He handles hunts for Vaughan Fultons Classic Safaris in Namibia. It would be tented camps, very comfortable with attached bathrooms and showers.

They have specials with plains game animals. It is a 6 hour drive from Windhoek but you will be hunting in concession areas, no ranches. It's wild and remote Namibia. My Father and Wife both loved our trip there in 2005. We both took Kudu, Gemsbuck, Zebra and Springbuck.

The only problem I could foresee is the availability. They MAY be full for 2007 but it never hurts to ask!

You will have $2800 for airfare for each of you. Shipping will run around $1400 total. Taxidermy costs are your choice for shoulder mounts or just european mounts. Figure then the cost of the hunt, plus $2000 for spending money, curios, tips etc. Everything you need will be taken care of while you are in camp though.

It's a great trip and a great place. Go for it, you'll never regret it.......except you WILL want to go again........and again.......

As mentioned, you can get a classic tented hunt with Classic Safaris. This is their price page. You can book through Wendell Reich as mentioned above. Look at the prices and see. Figure ~$1500-2500 for shipping on top of the dip/pack (check this with the PH, booking agent, or taxidermist). And of course there is taxidermy. Contact Kathi Klimes or another travel agent for fares -- $2800 seems a bit high. At least when I was there airport pick up and return was included.

You could hunt Kudu, Gemsbok, Mountain Zebra, and Springbok all on a communal conservancy from a tented camp. You will not be able to hunt over a waterhole, but the PH should be be able to get you pretty close for the shot.

Lots of pictures from my trip at my gallery.

Matt:
Yep, do it. My son and I went to Namibia year before last & had a blast. Shot 14 animals in 10 days. Kudu, Oryx, Hartebeest,Springbok, Warthog, Jackal, Baboon, Duiker and Steenbok. Birds hunted, doves and Guinea. No charge for the bird hunting.
4 were large enough to make the Rowland Ward Record book. We hunted about 2 hours from Windhoek. All low fenced farms. Total of over 100 square miles.
We stayed at the farm and in tents.
These prices are two years old and have went up a bit.

2x1 $200
Trophy Fees.

Kudu $750
Oryx $420
Hartebeest $480
Springbok $310
Blesbok $420
Impala $500
Warthog $480
Trophy prep $0
Transport to Windhoek Taxidermy $0
Jackal and Baboon $0
Tips PH refused a tip. we gave trackers $200 each.
Transport between farms $0
Local beer and Scotch $0
The PH was born and raised in the area. He knows all the old farmers. He is a Graduate of the local Agriculture College.
It's a one man operation. He has excellent equipment and used one tracker and a driver.I don't think he uses an Outfitter.
You have to contact him personally. I would trust him with my dog.
His name is Hentie van Heerden. His email is vhsaf@mweb.com.na
There are lots of good PHs in Namibia, as mentioned above. Take your pick.
Good luck and have fun!

quote:

here are lots of good PHs in Namibia, as mentioned above. Take your pick.

Right you are -- I didn't mean to sound like an ad agency myself. Look at several, check references carefully, and have a great time!

Mims Reed at Hunters HQ put together an outstanding father son trip for me two summers ago. About 6 hours drive from Windhoek, but it gave us a chance to see some country. Great hosts, hunting and animals. Helmke von Bach is host on ranch of about 30,000 acres. It was close enough to Etosha for us to do a side trip, well worth doing. Mims posts as Harry on AR. Bob

quote:

Originally posted by bobc:
Mims Reed at Hunters HQ put together an outstanding father son trip for me two summers ago. About 6 hours drive from Windhoek, but it gave us a chance to see some country. Great hosts, hunting and animals. Helmke von Bach is host on ranch of about 30,000 acres. It was close enough to Etosha for us to do a side trip, well worth doing. Mims posts as Harry on AR. Bob

Mims' website. I have found him to be a good guy.

quote:

Mims' website. I have found him to be a good guy

I will second that -- he has graciously helped me with an equipment issue -- great to do business with and a fun to talk to.

http://www.zingelasafaris.com/

This is the link for Gras Ranch. I hunted there in May 2005 and highly recommend them for your proposed hunt. I believe they offer a lot of flexibility and have a wonderful place and great trophies. You would have to contact them for available times. I am sitting here in my office looking at my trophies on the wall and can truly say, I would go back here in a hearbeat.

Tell Errol that Kurt says hello.

quote:

Originally posted by 30ott6:
Four animals? No way!
John

I agree, a $10K budget is too low. I'd figure closer to $15K for everything. The good news is some of the costs are spread out over a year or two.

For a 1st time trip I would probably book the hunt thru a reputable booking agent specializing in African hunts, at least one was mentioned here, and I'd book flights thru Gracy Travel or one of the other travel agents that specialize in that sort of thing. There is a lot of stuff that can go wrong. They can provide all the information you need and smooth things out if there's a problem.

The Namibian Hunter Association has a website that lists hunting farms with contact information. You could get a good idea about the hunting conditions and costs.
http://www.namibianhunter.de/USsite/indexUS.html

If you can afford to, go for it. You will have a great time. It's money well spent.

~Chris

quote:

- International travel (prefer NY to Frankfurt to Windhoek and back) $$$? $2K each from West Coast, little less from E Coast, via JNB is cheaper than via Frankfurt. Frankfurt is tricky with guns, and you will spend a whole day in the airport if you go that way. You may get a better price in Sept. SPeak to Gracy, Cape to Cairo, and African Odyssey.
- Airport pickup/return $$$? Figure $250 per group each way. But you won't pay (or shouldn't pay) a full day rate on your day of arrival and departure. If you do, you are being double dipped.
- Daily fees $$$? Is this a 2x1 two-person hunt or a 1x1+observer hunt...where some days I hunt and some days my son hunts? Varies from $250 to $350 per day depending on where you go. Our rate is $270 per day 2x1 and you don't save anything trying to call it 1x1 plus observer.
- Trophy fees $$$? See website http://networkretailing.com/jochen.htm These are typical. Your best value for money are Oryx and Hartebeest at around $550 each.
- Tips/gratuities $$$? Figure around 10% of the total bill to cover everyone. But it's up to you.
- Trophy prep and transport to Windhoek taxidermist $$$? We charge a flat $300 per group for trophy prep and delivery to Taxidermist.
- Windhoek taxidermist to prep for shipment (all work beyond Zebra rug done in US) $$$? Watch out, you can get burned on this. It's a whole topic unto itself. Get quotes ahead of time for both dip/pack, freight, brokerage, and taxidermy. You make the choices...otherwise be prepared to pay for someone's kickback.
- Trip cancellation insurance $$$? It sounds like you need this if your schedule is uncertain. You will pay a deposit amounting to most or all of the daily fees. This is nonrefundable if you don't show up. Call around for quotes.
- Transport between areas/farms if Kudu and Zebra not available on same property $$$? Don't go if they want to send you on a tarmac safari. Any decent operator in Namibia has all those species in one area.

You can do that hunt at any number of places. Your requirements are not unreasonable, nor is your budget (if you exclude airfare...that's running at about $2K per from West Coast to Windhoek, but may be a little lower next year if the competition between Delta and SAA has the expected result).

Regarding four animals, the landowner covers his costs with the daily rates. In theory, you could go, pass up every animal, and he would have no claim on you. In practice, that won't happen of course. But you won't get a 1x1 plus observer rate if you only shoot four animals. You are both hunting by definition and it won't be practical to nominate a hunter and an observer each day. In any case, this won't save a heck of a lot of money. So I wouldn't push for that.

No problem booking late if you go in June. July and Aug are usually pretty busy. If you can hunt in Sept, you will have more selection of places to go, and your airfare will be lower because that's shoulder season.

Everyone braais game meat and everyone has a fire to sit around in the evening, even if dinner is served indoors on many farms. The majority of Namibian operators put their clients up in guest quarters, tents are unusual on plains game hunts. It's cold at night man! And you will of course have native trackers, skinners etc. That's standard as well. Whiteys can't track to save their lives

Lots of places within 2 hours of WDH. We have one that's a little over an hour from the airport. You will love the drive, as you will be seeing game all the way.

Most farms are large and high fenced. Low fenced properties have only the basic species. Kudu, Springbok, Gemsbok, Hartebeest, Warthog, Duiker, Steenbok. Chances are you won't find Zebra unfenced. Don't worry about the fence. You won't see it more than twice (when you arrive and when you leave).

Most places, ours included, have "Hochsitz" (high seats) overlooking water, because Namibia is popular with German hunters and that's how they like to hunt. We also have ground blinds designed for bow hunters but no problem to use a rifle from one of them.

Be careful, some guys are lazy and will try to get you into the bakkie (truck) as much as they can. Our guy likes to walk, if you can keep up!

You only need two rifles. A 338 and the 7x57 are a fine pair. The 243 is on the light side for any large antelope.

You will enjoy excellent bird hunting so take a couple of shotguns along instead of a third rifle. At a minimum, spend a couple of mornings shooting sand grouse. But guinea fowl and francolin are everywhere.

See my estimates of costs per your breakdown, at the top.

If you want a really inexpensive hunt (and airfare a little cheaper too), we offer a father-son special including 8 animals in Zululand from a tented camp for $5K total. The species are somewhat different but there's no better place if you enjoy a real fair chase hunt. Non-trophy animals are defined as young males or females. See
http://networkretailing.com/marksafaris.htm for details.

FATHER-SON* "DAKAZANE" (Big Warthog with Small Tusks) PACKAGE: $2500 each
1 Non-trophy Nyala Bull
1 Non-trophy Blue Wildebeest or Zebra
2 Non-trophy Impala
2 Non-trophy Warthog
2 Non-trophy Grey Duiker
*16 and under sharing accommodation


Hunt duration is seven days/seven nights, from pickup to dropoff at Richards Bay airport.

Hope this helps.

Thanks guys. Great info. Looks like this is doable and my son and I are pretty excited. I'm sure I'll have more questions as I digest the info. I already shot an e-mail to Kathi for info.

My prents tought me to give praise where due:

Russ you deserve praise as you are the first American who can spell "bakkie" correctly! Not saying no-one else has not posted a correct spewlling before, just yours are the first I've seen.

Good, in fact very good, offer on hunting too!

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren

Andrew what are you spewlling?

quote:

Russ you deserve praise as you are the first American who can spell "bakkie" correctly

Well I spent the first 25 years of my life in RSA, so I am actually an African American.

I took my son a couple of years ago to Namibia and we shot ten or eleven animals and didn't spend $10000 with airfare and everything, excluding taxidermist bills.

jstevens - I shot you a PM.