Namibia: Influx of International Hunters Expected


New Era (Windhoek)

16 April 2008
Posted to the web 16 April 2008

Wezi Tjaronda
Windhoek

More international hunters are expected in the country this year as a result of good rains that have had positive effects on wildlife.

According to the Namibia Professional Hunters Association (NAPHA), about 7000 international hunters are expected during the 2008 hunting season.


The season for trophy hunting is between February and November.

Over the last 10 years, Namibia has seen an increased number of international hunters coming in, most of them from Germany and the US.

Recent statistics from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism indicate that German hunters visiting Namibia over a 10-year period have increased from 1490 to 1905, whereas hunters from the United States have increased from 155 to 1516.

During the same period, Spanish hunters increased from 20 to 265. Other international markets that have become significant in the last decade include Austria and France.

NAPHA is currently investigating the possibility of attending more shows to increase Namibia's share in the international hunting market.

Hunting contributes around N$500 million per year from primary and secondary sectors to the Namibian economy. It employs 12000 people in both sectors.

The most popular species in order of preference include oryx, kudu, springbok, hartebeest and warthog.

NAPHA said international hunting conventions have proved to be an effective marketing tool for hunting outfitters from all over the world, giving them the opportunity to meet and interact with thousands of potential trophy hunting clients.

This year, more than 30 Namibian hunting outfits exhibited at the three international hunting conventions, namely Safari Club International's 2008 Hunters Convention in Reno, Nevada, Dallas Safari Club in the U.S. and the annual German hunting convention, Jagd und Hunt in Westfalenhallen Dortmund.

NAPHA said in a statement this week that after three international hunting conventions, Namibia is a desired and successful hunting destination because of various factors that include diversity of huntable species, safety, political security, well developed infrastructure as well as the friendliness and genuine warm hospitality of the Namibian people.

Namibia's dramatic scenery also attracts them to visit the country again.

Jofie Lamprecht,a NAPHA executive member said the association's representation at various international shows as well as good marketing by its members has made Namibia one of the top hunting destinations in Africa.

In the 37 years since the annual hunting conventions in the US started, meetings of international hunters have become an essential part of the international safari business, he said.

The largest trophy hunting organisation, Safari Club International (SCI) has more than 55000 members and 188 chapters representing all 50 US states.

SCI is also represented internationally with 31 chapters from 19 different countries in Africa, Asia, Australia,

Europe and South and North America. Safari Club International is the leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and promoting wildlife conservation worldwide.

Lamprecht said the SCI 2008 Hunters Convention is the most successful as it features 1100 booths, with over 22000 SCI members in attendance. Namibia is consistently one of the most represented countries at the SCI convention.

This year, 36 outfitters exhibited at the 2008 convention.

The Dallas Safari Club (DSC), which has almost 4000 active members, promotes their mission to conserve wildlife and wilderness lands, educate youth and the general public and to promote and protect the rights and interests of hunters worldwide. Namibia is represented by 33 trophy hunting operators.


At present, the DSC reports that 900 booths for the 2009 convention have already sold out and 300 are on the waiting list.

Jagd und Hunt in Westfalenhallen Dortmund, attracted 38 Namibian trophy-hunting outfitters.

NAPHA attended the three conventions to represent Namibia and hand out the popular Hunt in Namibia hunting magazine.

In 2009, my wife and I plan on being two of that international influx.

Count two more from Colorado.

I'm a bit surprised that of the 7,000 hunters expected only 1500 are from the U.S. If 500 are from somewhere besides the U.S. and Europe, that means that Europe is contributing 5,000 hunters, with Germany obviously having the largest portion of these at 1900. Still, it's hard to see where the other 3,000 Europeans are coming from if the next country in line is Spain with only 265. Maybe their numbers are inexact. I do know that the farm we hunted in 2007 had hosted Italians and Poles in addition to Spaniards and Germans.

Maybe part of the missing number is South Africans, who apparently come to Namibia to hunt fairly often, both for variety and economy. The article says nothing about Middle Easterners. How about it, Saeed, how many hunters from the Gulf States hunt Namibia?

My PH in Namibia in '05 said a fair number of Russians and eastern Europeans had been hunting with him for years. That may be part of that 5,000 Europeans.

In less than 6 weeks I'll be one of the influx - woo hoo!

13 days........

Rgds Ian

The outfitter I hunted with a couple of years ago said at the time over 90% of his business was Europeans - mostly German and French. The Germans did not surprise me, but the French did.

With the dollar getting weaker and the euro so strong, Namibian hunts must look like real bargains to the Europeans.

I can tell you that some of the wines left behind by the French were outstanding!

I'll be influxing in 9 days and looking forward to every minute of the 18 days I'll be in Namibia.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

So, from now on we say we're going on an Influx and everyone will know it's a Safari in Namibia. I'm still in the early planning stages of my first Influx.

Mike O' I think we are on to something?? Sounds like a plan to me!!.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by Mike O':
So, from now on we say we're going on an Influx and everyone will know it's a Safari in Namibia. I'm still in the early planning stages of my first Influx.

quote:

Namibia: Infestation of International Hunters Expected

Larry,

I'm just glad the start of this thread wasn't the above. I'd rather not plan for one of those.

I'll be influxing on the 29th of April

For those already committed, who will be your Professional Influxer?

add two more to the list from Canada

My whole family and I will be there in 90 days!

That is an INFLUX of 6 US citizens shooting and spending money.

Dr. Tim

quote:

Originally posted by Mike O':
For those already committed, who will be your Professional Influxer?

PH Tommy Hall, staying at Otjikoko (Martin Walter Farms) just outside of Omaruru. They say the rains have been amazing this year and should provide some great hunting opportunities.

It comes as no surprise that only 1500 will be from the USA. The economy is not so hot and may get worse, the dollar is down to an all time low, the housing market is heywire, its an election year and many of our leaders want times bad and will go to great lengths to keep it bad so they can fix it after the election, and then gas prices are sky rocketing..All this takes away our fun money, and we stay home and all this crap trickles down and kicks everybodys butt, no exceptions!! just some harder than others!

But for those in the drivers seat, 2008 is the year of deals in hunting all over the world, cancellations, postponements, unfilled concessions make it a buyers market, and I see no advantage to hunting Namibia over any other country based on this...

I like to hunt Namibia and I book hunts there, but frankly, it has limited hunting to offer and for 2008 you might get a better deal someplace else if you shop smart, maybe, but its worth looking into..

Ray,

Taking into account the cost of travel from the U.S., which other countries to you see as offering a better deal on PG?

(Got my pencil sharpened and notebook ready)

I think Namibia has a lot to offer hunters. It's one of the best places for a first safari, it's one of the top plains game locations for trophy quality and bang for the buck, and it offers very interesting dangerous game in the Caprivi for instance. Some of the largest elephant in Africa are taken out of Namibia. Also, you don't have to transit through Johannesburg and that's worth something all in itself.

Craig Boddington said recently (in print) that if Namibia had more buffalo that it would be his favorite safari destination.