Anyone know what they're like politically? Is it possible for foreigners to own land there? (If the Germans there are anything like the ones in the PA/TX, they tend to never sell...)

Here's my understanding, which comes from research and from my recent trip there: If a parcel in private ownership is put up for sale, the government has the first right of refusal. Land that is located where there is demand for redistribution is purchased by the government at "fair market value", which is usually an amount that is regarded as generous to the seller. If the government does not wish to purchase a tract of land, then it may be sold to a new private owner. There are no restrictions on foreigners owning land, however some foreigners have recently complained that their land has unfairly been targeted for expropriation (involuntary sale to the government). Some of those complaints are currently being adjudicated in Namibian courts.

But why would you want to own land there? You can "rent" it for hunting, along with the services of the owners, for a relative pittance compared to the costs of ownership. Like agricultural land anywhere, its return on investment is marginal, so your goal would have to be appreciation. Land located in any foreign country seems a risky and expensive (taxes, upkeep, management) commodity to purchase and hold.

However, if you're still interested, PM me. I can put you in touch with a large farmer who is interested in having a third party purchase some land belonging to one of his relatives in order that he can continue to lease it.

Found out when I was there, they are Dutch, not PA or TX Dutch. Really lowlanders from the east unlike those of us from the Alsace and the rest of Germany. They are a lot like us in other ways. They use the same surnames over and over like we do, tend to be German Reformed and Lutherans, and have a lot of the same ways about them. I felt like I had just driven down the road to a neighbors house, except my PA Dutch and their Africaans were not at all alike.
Out of curiousity, are you a rotory pilot and did you ever work up in PA?
Bfly

Land reform is alive and well in Namibia (but in its early stages), and I personally would not want to invest there and then find out I was on the list for land redistribution. Unlike Zimbabwe they are paying for the ranches, but you might not like the price.

I am sure I have an overly negative, provincial view.

If you buy land with a "Certificate of waiver" by the government, it is unlikely that they will be interested in such land later. Also, because of the Odendaal's commission's creating of communal lands in the 1970's, there is not such a land "hunger". I rate Namibia as the top place to buy farmland in Africa. Best way to buy is as a company. However, you would have to have a Namibian shareholder with majority shares in the company. (say 50.1%)

I do hope that you are right, but they said similar things in South Africa and now it seems challenges are being made to lands that were thought free from challenge, notwithstanding time limits or other protections.

You know the situation there far better than I do as I just know what I read in the news. I have been to Namibia and I hope that you are correct about the stability and protection in the process. It is a great place to visit. But they do have a curious regard for Mr. Mugabe there.

I must just be too risk averse.

Hi Karl,
I've been back in Italy on 18-7-2007.
I had some dinner at Joe's beerhouse, but i noted some facts this year, Tourism had a real boom in Namibia, it is necessary to book at Joe's Beerhouse or is necessary wait a long time or change restaurant (Luigi is really good).
This year it was COLD, really COLD! And none in Namibia has the heating.
bye

oh sorry, i did no give news on hunt...
it has been super, my friend Giuseppe bagged a 57" kudu in Khomas, I have bagged an old and very big red hartebeest, it could be registered in the SCI record book if I were member of the Club

I hope they don't mess up Namibia. Had my first hunt there this past May, and I am planning to return in 2010, if all goes well.

LLS