Outfitter: Corne and Nic Kruger, Omujeve Hunting Safaris, Windhoek Namibia

PH's: Pieter De Lange and Japsie Blauuw

Hunt dates: 14 May thru 29 May, 2012

Areas hunted: Omujeve proper, surrounding areas, and the Doro !Nawas Conservancy

Animals hunted: Myself-Hyena, Waterbuck, Giraffe, Gemsbok, and Springbok. Partners took all manner of plains game, with the biggest being 43 1/4" gemsbok bull and a 58" kudu. Two of the heaviest impalas I have seen in a long time. Will let them file their own individual reports here.

Booked this hunt with my friends, the Krugers, in order to see their new operation and all the various conservancies they have acquired. It was all we imagined it would be. Fantastic time had by all, and very successful. Think we shot about 35 animals in total. Fine mix of super trophies and meat culls for the locals.

We traveled through Joberg and stayed at Africa Sky guest house. Shared it with some other AR members too. It is everything that people have said it is, and we will definately stay there again. Super service, great food, and transit to/from the airport and inside service was the best I've had.

I hunted spotted hyena hard for 5 days on both a million area conservancy and a 260K acre ranch, but they just proved too elusive. We tried calling, tracking, baiting, dragging guts and hunting back along the track, and just sitting in blinds over bait. Had some interested visitors, but no takers in all the way. Jackals are way fewer in that area now tho. Guess that stays on the bucket list for now. Beat in both Zim and Namibia, and not liking it!

Culls were a mixture of both springbok and gemsbok, and the challenge of it was headshots and one shot kills with no meat damage. We were deadly, and impressed the guys.

The five of us just returned from a great trip together, and even the wives would do it all over again. Doro !Nawas Conservancy had a great tent camp area, hot and cold running water out in the desert, and excellent food and camp staff. The local game guides were above average and worked their butts off for us.

Spoiled the girls by going to Erindi Game Reserve for luxury accomodations, meals, game drives, and alcohol for a couple days to get the sand from the desert off them. Managed to see all of the Big 7 (except leopard and Buffalo), and balanced that out by watching cheetah every day. Sitting on balcony over large waterhole with a toddy is refreshing.

Then we returned to the main ranch to finish filling out trophies like some bigger kudu (54 and 58"), impala, and warthog. Had more good fellowship and visiting with everyone at the lodge, including new foreign friends. Hated it to come to an end so soon.

Shot this big old herd bull giraffe, and had to get 10 of us to set up the trophy picture. I knew they were big, but never had been so close to one before, and greatly underestimated the immense body.



Wanted to hunt for the right personal reasons on my last day and not just for size or score. We managed to find a truly old warrior of a waterbuck, and managed to close a stalk on this one. He is almost black in body color and had tremendous mass all the way up. Yes, he is less than 30" but better than my previous one so all in all, I was very happy.



Trip was a huge success, the Krugers are doing themselves proud with a quality operation, and every hunt should be so lucky as to go like ours. Our companion was on her very first safari and I hope it was everything she imagined it would be. Her smile never faded and everyone loved her. Any questions about any part of the trip, feel free to ask me or visit their website.

Good hunting to all, as the season progresses.

All that matters is that you had a fantastic time. Congratulations. Sounds like a very successful hunt.

Congratulations! Looking forward to more of the report.

Congratulations! I am keen to hunt giraffe someday. What rifle, bullet did you use? What was the shot distance? Thank you.

Some more info and additional pictures for the interested. We did not want to mess with firearms issues for a short stay overnight in Joberg, so we shot our friends weapons over there. Very comfortable doing that as we know what they have and the quality of scopes. It is one thing to consider when setting up your trip.

Paul shot a custom 338 WM and a 300 WM for everything, Lisa shot a 300 Weatherby for zebra/my 375 H&H for blue WB/a 30-06 for everything else. I mostly shot my 375 H&H for culls and a 7mm RemMag with suppressor for the giraffe and waterbuck. A perfect neck shot on the giraffe put it down instantly. Most were factory PMP ammo, which performed well.

Africa Sky Guest House is nicely appointed, and very comfortable to share with guests. Large rooms and plenty of space.



Three anxious hunters watching for game from the lodge, first morning. Good coffee and great sunrises - does it get any better?



The main compound at Omujeve lodge.



Clients tents at the desert camp in Doro; set up on raked sand with solar-powered battery for electrical appliances, twin beds and electric lighting. Next to lavatory/toilet/shower.



The landscape at Doro !Nawas. Made for long stalks and challenging shots. Beautiful country with plentiful game.



Can you see the 51" kudu hiding from us in the brush? Lisa was pretty tempted, but both Pieter and I thought she could do better.



Chef Eric and his kitchen. The one thing I least expected was a propane stove and freezer, with plenty of ice and cold drinks whenever you wanted.



My wife was so hoping to see desert elephants and one day they were just there! Found in a little secluded river wash, they were impressive. Even these big guys take a nap once in a while. Family groups appear to be doing quite well. When there is only one shade tree, you learn to share.







What a great time had by all of us!

Cool hunt... I've always liked Namibia's vistas! Nice trophies, congrats!

Blank, sounds like a wonderful time. Nic & Corne run a great operation. I need to go back (was there in 2008) to see and hunt their Doro concession, it sounds great.
I must agree with you about Paul Joubert's, Erindi Game Reserve, is is very nice and luxurious.
Randy

Nice meeting you at AfrikaSky. Looks like you had a great hunt.

Chuck, glad to hear you finally broke the Curse of Spots. Congrats!

Cheers! Marvellous stuff.

Blank,
Looks like a wonderful trip.

I've sent you a Private Message.

Mauser K98

That waterbuck is really nice!

Great story. Please post more pics. Would love to see them. I have visited with Corne many times about going over there but not been able to work out all the details yet. Hopefully at some point.

quote:

Originally posted by Preddy:
Chuck, glad to hear you finally broke the Curse of Spots. Congrats!

Thanks! I need to get working on my report. Man! I am feeling jet lagged.
Looks like you had a great time. Congrats on a great safari.

Did you see any black giraffe bulls? I want one but only if an old black bull.

Is David your son? I talked to him about filming a hunt for me and assuming he is your son based on your location.

congrats Blank

Like the trophy pose with the Giraffe

Those are great pictures! Thanks.

LJ: Yes, David and Amy are my kids, and are photo nuts. They video'd from April thru November last year. DG hunts for leopard, rhino, and elephant. Lots of PG hunts for clients.

Saw one half-grown black giraffe up in Doro !Nawas, but it wasn't a shooter yet. Hunted another darker one than mine but never could close the deal. They just have too much advantage when trying to stalk!

Couple more pics to interest you. My hunting partner with a tremendous 43 1/4" bull!



All the things you wish you could see - on one trip no less!

Thank you for sharing. Nice trip.

Joel,

Fantastic report and trip. Your "friend" needs some more taxidermy....

Outstanding animals.


.

Terrific photos!

Very nice. I was very impressed when I talked to David. I am hoping to put together a trip with the Kruger's.

Love the pics. AIU

Congratulations on your successful safari. I really loved the photos, especially the napping ele!!!!

Best regards, D. Nelson

My wife was the smart one-driving around in the cab with the air conditioning on!



Once we were back to the ranch, the girls decided to track down some elusive sales in Windhoek. Our PH had them go to Trophaendienste Taxidermy in Windhoek to look at a few mounts, so they knew what they were in for in a couple months. Paul and I kept the lodge well protected while they were gone.









Yep, still had a lot more shooting and killing to go! Love all the mounts and the uniqueness of African game.

Nice report!

Love your Waterbuck....and your buddy's Gemsbok!! Congratulations on a great trip!!