Hello all, I've been a longtime watcher, buyer/seller and mostly lived vicariously through many of you on your hunts. My son will graduate high school in 2 years and it has been our dream to hunt Africa. We are looking for a plains game hunt and to experience Africa. Primary species would be Kudu and Gemsbok. We may take my wife and daughter along for the experience. I may have several questions before our trip. I will try not to be a pain. The first, where? I am looking for recommendations of quality outfitters that may have things for the ladies to do if they don't want to hunt? Feel free to pm me any information or tips. I appreciate you all and this group very much.

ddj

If you want kudu and gemsbok, your choices are South Africa and Namibia.

Gemsbok are a desert animal, but lots of places have them in South Africa. Kudu are also found in both commonly.

I think South Africa is a bit more developed and wilder than Namibia.

The East Cape would be non native gemsbok, but has a lot of nonhunting options.

NW South Africa would be native gemsbok territory.

I can’t say much about Namibia as I have not hunted there.

You need to decide if this is a hunting trip first, family vacation second, or vice versa.

Then decide if the hunting has to be free range, native species, or not, and how big an area if fenced is fair chase to you.

Those two criteria will make the decisions for you.

Thank you very much for your reply and that is a very good point Sir. I want this to be a hunting trip first and foremost. Namibia had been my first choice but I'm not locked to that at all.

Do me (and my kids) a favor, book the below and save me $10k. I didn't book a horseback hunt for Kudu with Chris 7-8 yrs back and have regretted it ever since. Now he's back and this looks like a hell of a good time....

big kudu

Sebra Safaris; Jan Du Plessis. I hunted twice; last time the gemsbok were scarce due to drought but sawy plenty the year before. Sht a 55 in kudu on my last trip. Free range for both, which would be very important to me.

Rereading that- lol- SA is not wilder.

The SA scene is more developed and tourist friendly, for nonhunting things.

One other thought is Botswana- but I’m not sure how the private ranches are there for free range.

SA has direct flights from the US, Namibia requires a transfer in a non US airport. That’s secondary, but a thought.

Both are good destinations.

Go to DSC and take in the various options there.

After that, go to Namibia or South Africa with someone who is reputable and has a pile of good references.

Book with Dani and Ansie at Kowas in Namibia. Great ranch, nice private chalets.

after hunting both South Africa and Namibia I would pick Namibia for your main 2 animals you have listed. I have taken my son to both and he thinks Namibia also.

South Africa will have more tourist stuff for the ladys but with a little planning they will be able to do some fun stuff in Namibia also.

In general I would say Namibia has bigger hunting areas and feels more like hunting. Both are easy to get to and simple paperwork for guns. They are also easy to get your stuff back home that you hunt if your bringing hides or horns back or mounts.

If you have any question send me a pm maybe able to help you with some good options.

I took my son to Botswana with Tholo Safaris last year, and we had a spectacular time. Cost is very fair for what you get: Good service, BIG Kudu, BIG Gemsbok, TRACKING Eland with the bushmen... Can't beat it.

Look into it, it's a large property and they have a few other ranches they can hunt.

You can shoot 'cull' animals (which can be a nice trophy with a broken horn) at a very low fee. Adds to the excitement and gets your son a lot of shooting.

I have also hunted Namibia and RSA. Namibia did feel more like 'real hunting' but I did not hunt a big property in RSA. Personally, I won't hunt RSA again unless it's a huge property and something special.

Check Tholo out. PM me if you have any questions, always happy to talk hunting. Caution: I think they're booking 2021 now, I would get a deposit in & nail some dates down if you think it's the right place for you.

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
Book with Dani and Ansie at Kowas in Namibia. Great ranch, nice private chalets.

This is the ticket. I've been there with Kowas several times and will return. They kill 60" free range kudu bulls occasionally, and lots of them in the 50-55" range with no extra fees based on size. Their gemsbok are 2nd to none as well, and to top it off they are world class people. You can meet them at DSC if you would like.

I would also recommend Jan du Plessis at Sebra Safaris. A friend and I hunted with him in 2013 and had a great time. I got a 53" kudu, 40" gemsbok (male), springbok, warthog, black wildebeest, and Hartmann's mountain zebra. I shot the springbok and wildebeest on a neighboring ranch. Jan's wife is a great cook. The 4 animals with horns all made gold (Namibia PH Association). The house we stayed in was great also. My friends wife, son, and daughter met us after the hunt and we toured in a rental truck for about a week. We drove through Etosha National Park, Damaraland, and along the Skeleton Coast. It was a great trip both for the hunting and the tourism. Please feel free to PM me if you want more information.

Namibia is great, especially for what you are after, and also if free range hunting is a priority. There is plenty of ranch hunting, but unlike some other destinations, plenty of free range hunting, too — and for wild and native game. You could even add Hartmann's mountain zebra and springbok to your list.

Look a Jamy Traut in Namibia. His farm is great and the animals are better. You can't go wrong with him and his PH's are all top shelf. They will be great for a first time safari. He can help with stuff for the wife and girls too. It will be a great choice for sure.

Namibia for sure.

I have hunted SA 3 times with 3 different outfitters. I would go to Namibia.

I've got to agree with AAZW and Dale and their recommendation of Sebra Hunting Safaris in Namibia. I've hunted with Jan four times, and leave next Wednesday for hunt #5. Here are some pictures of Kudu, Gemsbok and Eland I've shot hunting with Jan:

Need to consider drought conditions and also (for kudu) mortality before choosing area ... so don't book too early. You want to go to an area that has not been drought-stricken for the two years prior to your hunt. Much of Namibia is there now.

Namibia for sure.

I've been on 5 plains game hunts. The most recent was with Kei River Safaris in the Northern Cape Region of South Africa. There are some bad outfits in South Africa, but Kei River was outstanding. The PH is Andy Renton. The U.S. booking agent is Wade Derby (Crosshair Consulting), who is a frequent participant on this forum. I recommend you call Wade and ask him about hunting with Andy Renton/Kei River. I can't wait to go back, and when I do, it will be with Andy Renton. Crosshair consulting website: http://www.crosshairconsulting.com/index.html

Go to RSA and hunt on a private game ranch. Much cheaper, more convenient, and much safer.

Afterwards take a tour of Kruger National Park and see more African wildlife in one week then you would in 5 regular safaris.

BH63

Botswana are offering some excellent deals. Either than or Namibia.

Adding Gemsbok to your list takes you away from the more wild and diverse areas of the Limpopo, Zimbabwe and Zambia where you will come across big game.

I will second that.

quote:

Originally posted by Baker458:
I took my son to Botswana with Tholo Safaris last year, and we had a spectacular time. Cost is very fair for what you get: Good service, BIG Kudu, BIG Gemsbok, TRACKING Eland with the bushmen... Can't beat it.

Look into it, it's a large property and they have a few other ranches they can hunt.

You can shoot 'cull' animals (which can be a nice trophy with a broken horn) at a very low fee. Adds to the excitement and gets your son a lot of shooting.

I have also hunted Namibia and RSA. Namibia did feel more like 'real hunting' but I did not hunt a big property in RSA. Personally, I won't hunt RSA again unless it's a huge property and something special.

Check Tholo out. PM me if you have any questions, always happy to talk hunting. Caution: I think they're booking 2021 now, I would get a deposit in & nail some dates down if you think it's the right place for you.

Sent you a PM.

Trouthunterdj,
I started looking in 2011 for an outfitter and which country to hunt in. This would be my first African hunt.
It took about a year and a half to settle on Namibia for a 7 day plains game hunt plus the outfitter.
All my information came from the people on Accurate Reloading Forum. GREAT PEOPLE !!!
I booked with Omujeve Hunting Safaris in Namibia. Great People and a great staff. Accommodations were 5 star. In 6 days I took Blue Wildebeest, Hartebeest, Oryx, Mountain Zebra, Blesbok, Springbuck and Impala.
At the time of my trip, May 2013, I was 73 years old and had no problems. My wife did accompany me and she is not an outdoor person, but she went with me everyday.
We started out in Atlanta on the Delta flight to Johannesburg. Arriving in Johannesburg we spent the night at Africa Sky Lodge and departed the next morning on SAA to Windhoek, Namibia. Africa Sky is a great place and they took care of my Gun Permit to transfer thru South Africa.
I'm 80 years old now and trying to talk myself into a Cape Buffalo hunt. You see, I caught the "BUG" on my first African Hunt--I'VE GOT TO GO BACK !!!!!!!!!
MauserK98

Namibia. Safe as you can get in southern africa, sparsely populated, plenty of wide open, fair chase hunting.

I hunted the East Cape of RSA in 2002 and northwest Namibia in 2007. I rate Namibia as far and away the better of the two. If hunting free-range and endemic animals is important for you (it very much is for me) Namibia is the way to go. Most of RSA is high-fenced. Most of Namibia is not. I thought folks in Namibia were much friendlier than those whom I met in RSA as well.

Sent you a PM.

Wow, I am humbled by all of those who are willing to offer their experience and help. This really is an amazing group of people. I thank each and every one of you. I am going through the pm's and recommendations and doing research. I will take anymore insight that you may have and want to share. There will be more questions to follow but anticipation is half the fun.

ddj

Good day sir!
We can help you with both species on some massive tracts of land. We are situated in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.
Our areas are quite mountainous, so some level of fitness would be required.
Please feel free to drop me an email, and I will be happy to present you with some ideas.

Take Care,
Marius Goosen

Regarding hunting I like Namibia way more than South Africa. Go to Diethelm and Katja Metzger of Makadi Safaris (https://www.makadi-safaris.com/about-us.html), you will have a great and wonderful time.

Similar hunts on farms are typically somewhat less expensive in Namibia than in South Africa. Both offer some excellent hunting; both have also have some shoddily-run operations that are to be avoided, but those are in the minority. When you've narrowed your choice to a few operators post who you're looking at here on AR and you'll undoubtedly get some helpful comments from others who have used them.

I'm leaving for my second hunt with these great folks in a couple of weeks: https://www.farm-nomtsas.com/ If I hadn't been MORE than thrilled with the first trip there I wouldn't be going back. 200,000 acres, mostly not under high fence. But there are many good operators to choose from, so best of luck to you.

I can recommend Shona Hunting in Namibia.
Johann Veldsman has a most magic place in the wilderness not far from Etosha National Park.
Free range animals, even desert elephants roam the partly dry Huab River once in a while.

The base, Tualuka, must be seen to be belived. Sitting among, and in between granite boulders on the banks of Huab River.

A visit here will give you and your family a memory for life.

Good trophies, and great staff.
https://www.africanhuntingnamibia.com/

On a Plains Game hunt in R.S.A. you will not see any of the Big 5 unless you go to the Zoo. In Namibia you have a Chance of seeing a Leopard or Cheetah although rare.

quote:

Originally posted by Slider:
On a Plains Game hunt in R.S.A. you will not see any of the Big 5 unless you go to the Zoo. In Namibia you have a Chance of seeing a Leopard or Cheetah although rare.

I beg to differ. Last year we had 3 leopard sightings in broad daylight while hunting plains game here in Limpopo and even we saw a cheetah female with cubs on another occasion. In addition, buffalo and rhino sightings are fairly common too.

Lots of choices and unless one has tried them all how would they know..

RSA is excellent and Id recommend Philip and Chas Price for PG on a first safari, they are outstanding and have over 500 acres onone place and the other concessions are half that big last count as I recall..

Namib is great but mostly desert..

If money isn't a problem I would suggest Tanzania and a 10 day hunt including 5 head or PG and 1 or 2 Cape Buffalo...

BTW, I don't buy off on the usual suggestion of start with PG and them move up to DG, what a croc that is...do both on the first trip, you may not get a second chance at DG..

You may have seen three leopards but you're there for the whole year every day he is
just going to go hunting once! there is not enough leopards in South Africa for a quota so they get shot on sight by the farm owners.

Mokore or save safaris or any other quality operator in the save conservancy.

I saw the big 5 plus a lot of black rhinos while hunting impala and bush pig with Mokore.

No gemsbok but there are kudu plus a ton of other game.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
Lots of choices and unless one has tried them all how would they know..

RSA is excellent and Id recommend Philip and Chas Price for PG on a first safari, they are outstanding and have over 500 acres onone place and the other concessions are half that big last count as I recall..

Namib is great but mostly desert..

If money isn't a problem I would suggest Tanzania and a 10 day hunt including 5 head or PG and 1 or 2 Cape Buffalo...

BTW, I don't buy off on the usual suggestion of start with PG and them move up to DG, what a croc that is...do both on the first trip, you may not get a second chance at DG..

Dead right!

My very first hunt was full bag 21 safari in Zimbabwe.

Buffalo and elephant, lion and leopard, and anything that we came across.

An unforgettable experience!

quote:

Originally posted by Slider:
You may have seen three leopards but you're there for the whole year every day he is
just going to go hunting once! there is not enough leopards in South Africa for a quota so they get shot on sight by the farm owners.

I was responding to your statement that one will not see any of the big 5 on a plains game hunt in South Africa. Your statement is misleading (unless Buffalo and Rhino is no longer considered part of the "Big 5".

The leopard sightings I referred to was on the same property in two consecutive months (May and June) and these events were witnessed by the clients who were hunting plains game with me at the time. It was more than likely the same leopard - not three different leopards.

For your info - Leopard do not hunt once a day...

And the mere fact that one gets to see a leopard in daytime on a property that is actively hunted 6+ months of the year is an indication that there is no shortage of leopard in my country as you imply.

The current state of South African leopard quotas has nothing to do with whether there are "enough" leopards or not. I can give you many reasons for these but this will will hijack the OP's post and I have no intention of doing that.

And I don't know where you get the information from that Leopards are shot on sight over here but whoever your source is - I would take this with a pinch of salt.