Location: Northern Namibia
Safari Operator: Classic Safari’s
Method of hunting: 2x1 (Myself and my Dad)
PH: Gert Vanderwalt
When: Aug 2-10

The trip started off with the SAA strike cluster which delayed us for a day in Atlanta and lost my Dad’s luggage for 1 ½ days in Windhoek. I suppose under the circumstances it wasn’t that bad and we only lost 1 day of hunting as a result. I used Kathi for my travel arrangements and she was very professional and helpful during all the stress that this first timer to Africa was feeling.

We hunted with Classic Safari’s in Northern Namibia. Everyone here is pretty familiar with Vaughan’s operation. Accommodations in the tented camp were 1st class and after experiencing both the tented camp and somewhat more plush accommodations later in the hunt I found that I much more preferred the tented camp. There was just no comparison in the Africa feel you had between the two. Waking up, walking out of the tent to an early morning campfire and breakfast is just hard to beat. Our PH was very professional and made sure everything was to our liking and everything was. All of the camp staff were great and made you feel like you were at home.

We started the hunt concentrating on springbok and gemsbok. The first morning we took a walk through some country and came across herd of springbok. The wind wasn’t perfect so we ended up bumping them before ever getting close enough for a good look. We made our way back to the truck and as we were loading our PH started whispering (yelling) to grab my gun and get out of the truck. A springbok ram was trotting though the trees about 100 yds away. We jumped out and followed for a short ways and caught the springbok walking through an opening and got him to stop and I took the shot. He went right down but was raising his head so I shot again. It wasn’t necessary as the first was well placed. I think we measured him at 16 ¾â€. Our PH was very excited because he realized how big the springbok was and he’d been trying to get this one for many weeks. Being my first African game I was excited also.

A short while later we spotted a small group of springbok rams and Dad took up the stalk and had his first African animal 15 minutes later. He made a perfect 125 yd shot.

That afternoon driving along a dry riverbed we spooked a group of gemsbok and took off after them on foot. We caught up to them after about a ¼ mile and were following along a few hundred yards back trying to figure out how to get a shot. They eventually made their way behind a large pile of rocks and we quickly closed the distance and set up for a shot. My PH said the last one in the line was the one I should take so when he paused slightly quartering away about 140 yd out I shot and he dropped in his tracks. A great stalk, a good shot, 2 animals for me the first day and life was good.

The next 4 days went pretty much the same with me taking another springbok, gemsbok and also a zebra. Dad also got another springbok and 2 gemsboks. We tried to get him to go for a zebra, but he wasn’t interested. Gert just didn’t understand and neither did I.

During these days we saw lots of other neat animals. Elephants, giraffes, kudu, eland, warthog, steenboks, rock python (HUGE SNAKE!!), leopard (lucky us), ostrich, foxes, tons of birdlife, etc… We also came across a fresh lion kill of a zebra which was really a highlight of the trip. It just made your hair stand on end standing there in the bush knowing that somewhere close by was the king of beasts.

We also enjoyed visiting the local tribes and delivering the extra meat from camp. It’s quite humbling seeing the conditions that these people live in, but like I tell everyone here back here at home, they all seemed to be happy people and I’m sure live a good life with what they have. Hell, we loose power for a couple days because of a hurricane and think our world has come to an end!!

Dad and I had planned to also hunt kudu at Vaughan’s concession. They had hammered the kudu pretty hard this year and there was no quota left on the main concession. They did have quota for the adjoining concession that they have access to. This concession is about 1 ¾ hours drive from camp. They had not previously been successful hunting kudu there so for this reason we decided to move to a ranch to look for kudu and for some other animals. I was not real happy with this situation, but did not let it affect my hunt or my overall satisfaction with Classic Safari’s. But, if you’re planning to hunt with these guys I would suggest specifying where you want to hunt kudu. I think they have since been successful in the adjoining concession but the kudu numbers are not near as high there.

Like I said earlier, I preferred the more remote area, but being a first timer to Africa it was nice to see a different area and different camp. It helped me form some opinions that I can use for making plans for future hunts.

At the ranch Dad was successful on kudu and warthog. I botched a shot on a kudu the first evening. At the shot he went down and plowed up about 20 yd of sand then came up running for a ways and stopped. Another shot and he took off again. We followed up the next morning and found where he’d stayed the night and I assume we jumped him from there. He left no more sign. We looked for another good kudu for me for the next few days. I had an opportunity at one at last light on the last evening, but it was from the truck and I decided to let it pass.

For a rifle I carried a Win Super Grade in 30-06 shooting handloaded Barnes 168 TSX’s. I recovered a few of these from gemsboks and the zebra and performance was superb. The bullets mushroomed perfectly and a couple of them weighed exactly 168 grains. One bullet broke a petal off because of some tuff penetration but still had a good mushroom and weighed 150 grains. Dad was shooting a Weatherby Vanguard in 308 Win and was using Federal High Energy 180 NP’s. Except for my kudu none of the animals we took required tracking jobs. As with any hunting shot placement is the key and both of these calibers worked great provided we shot well. Yardages on the shots ranged from 100-225 yd.

This was a great experience and a spectacular adventure. My Dad and I have hunted together all of my life but this our first hunt outside of what we hunt around home. Dad had a much better time than I expected and I think he’s ready to go back. Every day that goes by makes me want to go back that much more. I still have a score to settle with a kudu and would really like to hunt eland. I think 2007 will find me back in Africa again.

I will consider Classic Safari’s again for my future hunt. On one hand I hate to go back to the same location and on the other I know I really liked the area and want to spend more time there. I suppose planning is half the fun.

T. Carr will be posting some pics for me. Thanks T. Carr.

Great report! Can't wait to see the pictures. Gert does get excited over springbuck. I did not hunt with Gert, but shared camp with him. He was more excited over my springbuck than any other animal I brought back into camp. Sounds like you got an excellent one as well.

BTW, which tracker(s) did you hunt with?

George

Congratulations -- that is a monster Springbok.

I'm jealous because the elephant and lions were not in the concession when I was there -- you are lucky indeed.

I am also looking forward to your pictures.

Well done Wyatt! What a great memory for you and your dad.

John

Thanks for the report and congratulations on your safari. I love the coloration on that zebra (no shadow stripes), that will make one heck of great looking rug (be sure and work with your taxidermist and have that rug trimmed in leather). Monster of a springbok as well.

Here are the photos.

Congrats on a great hunt

I would like to see photos of that springbok

Duh - my dial up finally showed the photos - nice!!!

Great pics. Thanks!

Outstanding springbok!!! That is what I was looking for in RSA but did not find. Way to go.

Very nice, thanks for sharing!

Man, I thought I shot a nice springbok, that specimen is incredible! Congratulations on a sweet hunt!

Great pictures!

Outstanding trophies and scenery, Namibia is a pretty place.

Thanks for sharing! Having gotten back from Namibia with Boet Nel Hunting Safari's, I surely miss Namibia. What a beautiful place. The sunsets are simply specatacular!

Congratulations on a good hunt. Your Springbok is a real beauty and I like the 2nd Gemsbok. Your dad got a damn nice Kudu, maybe not the longest in lenght, but the horns are very thick with a beautiful curl.

Jorge400,
Eliah(sp?) and Andreas were our trackers and also had skinning duty as the regular skinner was on "vacation".

wyattd,

Its great that you could share the experience with your father. Gert is a great guy to share camp and hunt with and is very enthusiastic. He loves those hills. By your post I would say you are a gentleman and congratulations on our hunt.

JD

wyattd,

Congratulations on your safari. Man, what a springbok! That old boy is a sure enough stud!

I had the pleasure of meeting Gert this year in Vaughan's camp in the Caprivi and would hunt again with him any day. He is energetic, knowledgeable and enthusiastic, as your fine results show.

I can only envy you your opportunity to hunt with your dad. I never had that, and must share vicariously in the experiences of others. It sure seems that yours was unforgettable.

Again, congrats, and thanks for the detailed report.

Great hunt report! Thanks for sharing it with us.

Great story and beautiful photos.

Thanks for sharing, it keeps the appetite whetted.

wyattd,

Congratulations on a good hunt and nice trophes.


Hamdeni