My son and I are headed to Namibia to hunt with Jamy Traut.

Had a couple of questions I wanted to run by the AR crew.

Will be in the Caprivi and at Jamy's place in central Namibia - any highlights of previous trips we should know about - things we should make sure and try and do? Caprivi will be photography and fishing, hunting will be in central namibia.

Any suggestions on Tracker gifts? Was going to bring jolly ranchers for the truck and maybe a nice knife for each of them? Did that in Zim and seemed to go well.

Anyone know of a compact torque wrench I could take for scopes?

How bad are bugs this time of year in caprivi - will we want to permethrin clothes, bring head nets?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks

Jamy's main camp, Panorama is really nice. I would just give cash to the trackers and staff- they will value it much more than knives or other stuff. Hard candy is always welcome on the truck. I can't answer your questions on the Caprivi, but I would be cautious and take permitherin and Avon skin so soft bug guard just in case. Don't know if you are flying or driving north. If driving, there is a village with lots of wood carvings on the way. Also, take advantage of fuel stops and any grocery stores. I always like to sample local potato chips.

I hunted with Jamy in Aug. 2013 and I took my grandson with me. The report is Non-trophy bull hunt with Jamy Traut, Aug 13 2013, if you are interested. In the Caprivi, I think you will be surprised at the number of people, along the road a lot of trash. Get away from that and it's beautiful. I didn't have any trouble with bugs but you might want to take some repellant just in case. If you are driving from the Caprivi to his ranch, it is a two day deal, they stop at a friends house about half way. That friend raises sable for breeding stock and that is interesting. There also is a park close to Jamy's Caprivi camp. It was fun to take a short drive through there. Have fun.

I just had a client finish up with Jamy. He actually hunted with Kobus and said of his five safaris he liked Jamy's outfit the best which is kind of a mouthful for this gentleman.

Good luck!

Mark

I, personally, wouldn't give knives instead of tip money. Those guys usually have plenty of knives.

If you haven't been to Namibia before, I would concentrate on getting the animals that are only there first. These would be Hartmann mountain zebra and Damara Dik-Dik. Mountain zebra don't come easy.

What postoak said. In addition, I always take my Leupold multi-tool with me when I travel with my guns to Africa. As to sights to see, if you do get a chance to visit Etosha National Park, you should do so. Not sure how it would fit into your schedule, but it is a lovely park to visit. A himba village should also be on your list of visits, if at all possible. Enjoy your trip!

Thanks all - good feedback on cash vs knives and appreciate the other ideas. Looking forward to it.

I haven't hunted with Jamie, but have hunted in Namibia in June and July. It can be quite cold. Stocking caps, gloves and a warm jacket are in order. By the way, while I wouldn't short them on tip money, one gift the trackers really appreciated were stocking caps. Unfortunately, I only had two.

If you give cash to trackers or staff, give them Namibian $ or RSA rand, NOT US$. To redeem US$ requires a passport, and none of the locals have them.

In terms of bugs, the biggest issue is mopane bees. I use a good Cuban cigar to repel them, or lacking that, a cheap headnet if they get really bad.

quote:

Originally posted by 10generation:
My son and I are headed to Namibia

What day do you leave and from which airport? I leave for Naminia 6/12/16 from JFK.

Your lips are quite likely to take a beating from the dry air and the sun. Be sure to bring lip balm, preferably of the gel type rather than the wax type, and if you can find one with sun protection, so much the better.

I also recommend bringing spray-on sun-screen, as I wasn't able to purchase it over there.

Have fun. Jamy is an excellent hunter. Be sure he hunts with you. Cash is always King. Leave "stuf" at home.
Read my report below from hunting with Jamy.You will have a good time.

hunted w Jamy at Panorama a few years back. Jamy, his family, & staff are awesome. I think cash is best gift. Enjoy.

Never hunted with Jamy.

But my PH in Nam' Mike Kibble reckons he is a good bloke and a top hunter.

Tip in Nam dollars or RSA for the staff. Take a warm jacket with a Windstopper liner....

If you have a layover in Joburg, might I suggest the Premier Lounge. I just spent $75 for my wife, daughter and I, for three hours. Excellent breakfast buffet, skip the meal on the plane. Nice hot shower and sleeping chairs. Solid Wi-Fi too.

I have not hunted in Namibia, but on other safaris I have taken a carton of Top cigarette rolling tobacco for the guys. Just a token gift for everyone, not in lieu of tips. If one does not smoke, he can trade to someone for something.

I know nothing about the Caprivi, however, we hunted near Aroab for some huge Springbuk and Gemsbuk back in '98. It was a great hunt, no bugs. It would be +20 degrees at night and 120 degrees by noon! We hid out at the lodge until around 3pm, then hunted until dark. By 4PM, a sweater felt great, by dark, a coat was welcomed, ha. We tipped with Rands. Have a ball dude!