I am planning a PG hunt(not a cheapskate, but on a budget)with 3-4 people for Namibia for May 2009(I know it is a ways off, but there looks to be a lot to figure out betweem now and then). But the more I read it seems the more I find out I need to know. Any help you can provide is greatly appreciated~


1) Do you recommend using a booking agent, or is it just as easy to deal directly with the outfitter and handle flight arrangements on my own?
2)I am leaning towards Ndumo, Karl Stumpfe, any opinions/refences on his operation are very welcome. I was also told of Sohrada Safaris if anyone has any info?
3)Should I get my trophies to a taxidermist in Namibia, or dip pack and shipped to US?
4)If I have it shipped home what is reasonable dip and pack fees for2-3 trophy animals to us?

Thanks for any help you can give.

Not an expert but have been to Namibia three times, so FWIW...

1)Use a booking agent for at least the first trip. They are usually easier to get ahold of and and can answer any questions. It won't cost any more than going direct. Use Gracey Travel. They deal with first timers all the time and will send a packet with your tickets that covers a lot. If you need to make changes while in Namibia, it is easier to just call them and let them handle it, rather than wasting your hunting time trying to deal with the airlines.

2) No experience. I have used Classic Safaris with Vaughan Fulton.

3) Opinions vary, but I would have US taxidermists do any mounts. I might have a Namibian taxidermist do rugs though.

4)I have paid $200 for dip and pack for all the animals from each of the trips.

Good luck on your first trip!

I booked a trip last Jan at the Houston SCI show. I worked directly with the outfitter, Holstein Hunting Ranch. I was able to negotiate a really good package deal for 6 hunters for 6 days with 5 animals - Kudu, Gemsbok, Wildebeest, Springbok, and Blesbuck, I am going to include Eland and Mountain Zebra. All said and done the price for the hunt will be cheaper than several Rockies Elk hunts I have seen. I think with 4 dedicated hunters you will be able to negoitiate a good deal face to face at a show.

Gunther Heimstadt - PH, included the dip and pack in the price of the hunt. He suggested that you do your taxidermy in the US.

I am working with Gracy travel for the flights.

Being in Wyoming, you could easily fly to Reno, Dallas or Houston and attend a show.

US taxidermy is the way to go by law of probability.

I just got back from my first trip to Namibia. I used a booking agent and that was OK but I'd probably been just as well off dealing with the outfitter in Namibia.

Don't know anything about your candidate outfitters but I was happy with mine. Seems like most of the outfitters in Namibia are pretty good.

Kathi at Wild Travel did a very good job for me using airline miles for my travel.

My stuff is being dipped and packed and my taxidermy will be done in Houston.

Hi JCarr!

You really should use a booking agent. They can definitely answer just about any question you have. Honestly, if anything goes wrong, it's a lot easier to get ahold of a US agent than an Africa outfitter if you are dealing direct.

Also some agents, us being one of them, handle all of the paperwork involved with getting your rifle permit and flights. We try to make it as easy as possible for you to get over there and enjoy your hunting trip.

As far as trophies go, you shouldn't have any taxidermy work done by anyone until you've seen what they can do. Price wise, it pretty much balances itself out. Mounting trophies can be cheaper, but it can be a little more expensive to ship from Namibia. You can make that choice while you are over there though.

It's an average of $500-$600 for about 5-6 medium sized animals to dip/pack/crate.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to PM me or emal me: Shannon@tjsafari.com

I hope that helps you out!

As for the taxidermy, I'd look to get it done by someone with experience with African animals. There have been lots of threads arguing whether American or African taxidermists do better work, I say you can find both good and bad work done in both continents.

I booked my Namibian hunt direct with the outfitter with no problems. I also used Kathi @ Wild Travel for my plane tickets and all went smoothly. This was mt first trip so I have nothing to compare it to.

Mr. Carr....you have a Private Message!!