I’m poking around doing research for a plains game hunt for 2007. I went to Namibia last summer and hunted w/Classic Safaris. I considered going back with them but have decided since this would be just my second trip I should try something different. I really liked Classic Safaris setup, especially the tented camp. So I’m looking for something similar.

One safari company that has caught my eye is Omalanga Safaris. I find myself dependent on AR for most of my information about Africa but there is just no mention of these folks on AR. So I’m looking for anyone that might have some experience with these guys to give me some info.

Another option that I’m looking into is the lowveld area of Zim. Prices are a bit more and there’s always the uncertainty of Zim itself but it just seems like a good adventure. John Sharp and Roger Whittall both offer some quality areas and I’m sure a great safari. If anyone has hunted with these guys for plains game or can compare it with Namibia I’d like to hear your opinion.

If anyone knows of other tented camp safaris in Namibia please let me know.

Thanks, Darin

I forgot to mention the PH's name at Omalanga is Gunter Schwalm.

Hunted the Roger Whittall area last year; Hammon block of the save conservancy with Peter Barnard/Bvekenya Safari & Buzz Charlton/Charlton-McCallum Safari. Excellent quality animals, great accomadations and both these guys are super PHs. It was my first safari and I collected 55+" kudu, 29+" wildebest, 5+" clippspringer, and a sod of an eland. We had three hunters in our party and by the end of our hunt we had seen all of the Big Five....and on a plains game hunt! Can't say enough about the PH's and this area. Also got a pac buff "on the house". I recommend it highly.

Figure out a way to do the DG in Tanzania.

Jim,

Please don't lead me down that path..... I've crunched the numbers and the boss doesn't buy it!

John e,
Would that also be known as Humani area that you hunted?

I believe the Humani is a different block within the save conservancy. My hunting partner Bwanamrm visited Humani and can give much better details on the geography. Hey Bwanamrm...got your ears on?

I would urge you to try some different terrain altogether...different ambience and different species.For PG either Zululand (Nyala, Impala, Red Duiker, Reedbuck, Bushbuck, etc) or Lowveld of SA (pretty much all the species). We do a tented camp in Zululand and also in Zim, Rutenga/Chiredzi area.

Humani is crawling with game. Excellent bushbuck - one of my favorites, kudu, waterbuck, wildebeast, eland, impala, nyala ... I saw eight or nine lions and tons of elephants some buff and stalked up to a black rhino. People were great. Camp is nice.

I'll be spending some time there late Sept this fall for tuskless, bushbuck, nyala, a warthog and a try at a leopard. Part of a three prong safari.

If you want to see some animals I took do a search on the African Hunting Report section for last Oct or under my screen name.

JPK

The Zim names you mention are both very good and you might also consider Andy Hunter, Buzz Charlton, Myles McCullum and Ian Gibson and our very own Ganyana.

You might also consider Tuli Block in Botswana as another good plains game area. Lots of game, good in your face hunting and DG often crosses through so it's a little wilder than most of RSA.

Having said that, I wouldn't have thought the overall price difference between a 10 or 14 day PG hunt where you'll take more animals would be dramatically different from a 7 day DG hunt.... but your wife might not agree!

Darin:
My son and I hunted 2 years ago with Van Heerden Safaris, east of Gobabis in Namibia. It's a one man operation with no web site. His email is vhsaf@mweb.com.na. It was a tented camp. Not fancy but perfectly adequate. Shower, toilet, nice tents, cots, etc. It's a temporary camp and will be set just prior to your arrival.
We shot Oryx, Springbok and Baboon. We saw Duiker, Steenbok, Ostrich, Hartebeest and Kudu.
All hunting was on huge ranches with low fences except for the Botswana border.
Hentie will hunt anyway you want, if it's legal.
His prices are very competitive. We had a great time and will return next year.

If unable to swing the buffalo, try to find a plainsgame hunt in a concession where there is dangerous game present, with a camp along a river.

Bill

I know just such a place.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by Bill C:
If unable to swing the buffalo, try to find a plainsgame hunt in a concession where there is dangerous game present, with a camp along a river.

Sounds like Humani to me!