Has anyone had experience hunting with Jan Oelofse Hunting Safaris? Hope to make my first trip to Africa next year and considering them.

What sort of experience are you looking for?

wanting a quality plains game hunting experience. My non hunting wife will be coming along so hunting from a lodge is nice. I have never hunted in Africa so I am somewhat 'green' as to expectations. Just has been a dream.

Can't speak for Oelofses, but hunted with Hunters Namibia twice & they are located fairly close to one another.
My wife is a non hunter also & was treated like a queen there.
The accommodations,food & hunting at HN are incredible.
If you desire anymore info on them PM me.

I hunted with the Oelofse's in August of 2012 for plainsgame and lioness, and am headed back there in May 2015 for Roan and some other plainsgame.

I have absolutely nothing but good things to say about their whole operation. Great hunting, better people, and the food is beyond belief. The trophy care is second to none as my taxidermist (Brian Dobson) said he had never seen anything come back so clean and well cared for out of Africa.

Although it was not my first time to Africa, as I've hunted there several times before my trip with the Oelofse's, it was the first one for my wife. To say she enjoyed the experience would be an understatement. She did manage to take an impala and warthog while she was there but she predominately came along to take pictures and enjoy the experience. There were a couple days where she would stay back and chill at the lodge with another wife that was there or would make a day trip to one of the nearby towns to do some shopping for carvings and other trinkets. My wife is a very cautious person and was very apprehensive about going in the first place but as soon as we were back from our trip there, she immediately asked when we were going back as she loved every minute of it.

Please feel free to PM me if you would like more info.

Bigfoot1961,

I have hunted twice with them twice, in 2004 and 2006. Had a great time on both hunts and had quality hunting time in the field.

My wife went both times, as did wives of others I hunted with while there. The camp will arrange sight seeing tours, trips to the markets and anything else your wife wants to do if she doesn't always want to go out into the field. The PH's are wonderful people who you will fast make your friends. The food is amazing, I actually gained weight, even with all of the walking and climbing during the days.

You will see a lot of animals and you will hunt hard for your time there.

I would recommend them in a heartbeat. If you have any other questions, just shoot me a PM.

Be safe,
493

Thanks for all the input. Sounds like I'm headed in the right direction. You were all very helpful. As a first timer that means a lot.

I hunted with them in 2013. My wife accompanied me as well. It was our 10th trip to Africa, and the best plains game hunt we ever had. It is not a dangerous game destination, but you probably already know that.
We were treated amazingly well, and can't recommend them highly enough. Food was exceptional, and the lodge has the "American" touches that are really nice. (Large beds, bathroom counters, great shower, etc.) None of this is essential to the hunt, but makes the whole trip that much more enjoyable for everyone.
As previously mentioned, game care was second to none. And trophies were at my door within two months of the trip, at very low cost. Absolutely unbelievable compared to most other African countries.
I believe this may be the very best lodge in Namibia for first time hunters, and makes a great destination for even experienced safari veterans. You are on the right track.
Bill

For once, Bill is being truthful. I wonder if they accept travelers checks?

Bigfoot1961,
Went on my first African hunt in May 2013 to Namibia. It was a 7 day Plains Game Hunt.
My non-hunting wife went along also, so a nice Lodge was in the plans.
We arrived in Windhoek at 11:00 a.m. and were picked up and taken to the Lodge for a light lunch.
My PH planned on an afternoon hunt and come back to the Lodge at sundown.
My non-hunting wife said, "If you don't mind, let me go with you, a 4 or 5 hour hunt won't kill me".
Well, my non-hunting wife went out with me all 7 days. From Sunup to Sundown everyday. I enjoyed her company and she had a "Ball".
Don't count your wife out, she may enjoy going on the hunt.

Mauser

I did not hunt, but I did spend ten days there a couple of years ago and helped Annette work on her book about Jan.

They have two adjacent fenced properties and each (I was told) is more than 300,000 acres. They have a wide range of game, including all the species indigenous to Namibia (including dik-dik, black rhino, and black-faced impala), plus virtually all of southern Africa's various plains game, including roan, sable and nyala. Dangerous game includes lion, elephant and leopard.

The staff is skilled and courteous, the food is excellent, and the lodging is exceptional.

Bill Quimby

Bigfoot; Out first Safari was with Jan many years ago and have hunted in several places in Africa since. My wife and have decided when we book our last one, it will be with Oelofse as well. I think that sums up my opinion pretty well.

Jan is gone now, passes away. His wife and their son are currently running it. Some of the finest people in all of Africa

I've been there, and it is great. No hesitation to go back.

If there are cull animals to be had, can Terry and JoJo be far behind? :-)