Omujeve Safaris Namibia- North East out of Windhoek, and South Windhoek
2 Different Safaris- 1st in July of 08’, 2nd End of August-September 09’
Hi All, This is my first post, and I'm so happy to have found this web forum. I'm really into hunting, especially african. I just got back from my 2nd Safari hunt with Omujeve Safaris in Namibia. It was a great follow up to my safari from last year. In the last two years, they led me to take 25 trophies. I know what you're thinking, wow 25 in two years.
Last year, I was invited by my taxidermist from Fort Worth to go on this trip. I originally had planned to go bison hunting in colorado, and after discussing the trip and the cost he expressed that I could go and hunt namibia for just a few more dollars. Well he created a monster. If you've ever hunted there, I can't explain how it changes you. It's addicting!
I was a little scared, because you read all these horror stories about things that can go wrong, but I never experienced anything that would make an negative story. Everything went exactly as planned. Planning is by far the easiest thing to do, and because of it, I believe my last two safaris went off without a hitch.
OMUJEVE SAFARIS The two brothers that own/operate this place are excellent Corne and Nic Kruger. They used to guide and work on Erindi, which if you know anything about Namibia, you know it was the Mecca of hunting, until it was changed into a Eco-park. Since that time, the Krugers have purchased farms and started offering hunts for the past 3 years. When you clear customs at the Windhoek airport, which is a total breeze…the people there are so friendly, especially towards hunters. The gun permit process is a cake walk, seriously, a one pager that takes 5 seconds to fill out, and the police guys are really helpful and friendly. (Which isn’t the norm as I’ve experienced in Jo’burg, those guys are just looking for anything to jack with you)
Which brings up another point, hunting in Namibia is cool, because if you don’t want to deal with RSA, you can fly directly to Namibia from Frankfurt. I’ve done both trips, flying from Germany and RSA, and truthfully if you stay at the Afton House and pull your permits before you leave…I prefer the trip through RSA. I really enjoyed arriving, getting some dinner and being able to sleep in a bed and to only have a 2 hour flight the next day arriving in Namibia at 1030 am.
Ok so we cleared customs, collect the guns, and walk through the door, the whole Omujeve Team was there to greet us. We had 6 people in our group, so you can imagine the luggage, gun cases, etc…we filled up 3 trucks. One great thing about Omujeve is their main lodge is located 45 minutes from the airport, which makes for a great day, because I know I hate getting off a plane, and having to drive for an additional 3-4 hours on bumpy roads. We were all back at the lodge and eating lunch by 1pm. Forfeiting a nap, we sited in the rifles and decided to head out for an evening hunt. On this trip, my hunting partner was my quasi uncle, my father’s best friend, and since this was his first trip he had quite a few trophies to bag that I had taken last year…so we were a perfect team. The main camp of Omujeve is 10k acres and reminds me of Texas hill country of steroids. It hunts more like 20k, the hills are very large, with some really cool canyon type places…makes for great terrain for spotting and stalking.
My partner and I had the luck of the Irish on our side, by the end of the 4th day we had shot 10+ animals between the two of us. Now that being said, I feel it necessary to point this out, Omujeve isn’t an overstocked operation; we didn’t sit over water or feed one time during the entire safari. The reason for our success was capitalizing on every stalk and making great shots. On 99% of the animals we made one shot kills and the animals went straight down. Unless you’ve been on safari with a hunting partner who misses/makes poor shots/ or blows stalks completely, you won’t realize the amount of time that is wasted trying for second opportunities or looking for spoor. Consider that when thinking about who you want to hunt with. My advice to anyone who wishes to take a safari is as follows: it isn’t like hunting anything in N. America, practice making shots very quickly, off sticks, and when you’re out of breath.
We had a great time, the only thing that matched the quality of our animals was the hospitality that we were shown. Omujeve Safaris is a family run business with Corne and Nic’s parents running the lodge/kitchen/staff. Mr. Kruger is an award winning BBQ champion in Namibia, which is hilarious, because I thought only people here in USA were that into it. The meals at this place are ridiculous. I’ve been in many hunting camps, and have never seen spreads of food…make sure you walk up those extra hills otherwise you might have to get some bigger pants upon arriving home. Mrs. Kruger runs a tight ship and will even make you her signature cookies if requested. I love her dearly; she actually made two batches over the eleven days we were there, because everyone kept eating them all. You will be hard pressed to find a more interesting person to have an afternoon conversation about the culture of Africa, politics, and life in Namibia. Ask her about her world travels, and you will be amazed by her experiences.
Concerning their staff, they were excellent and sometimes scary, in a good way. One morning after getting dressed, I headed off the main lodge for breakfast with the crew. With the sun rising, I decided I wanted a picture, but realized that I had left my camera in my room. Upon my return, literally, 5-7 minutes from the time I had left, my bed had been made, clothes picked up, the works. I was shocked! I never saw a person in my room the entire time I was there, but it was always completely straight. (I’m looking into work visas for my house here in Texas haha)
The hunting is amazing, I don’t know if it can get any better. I’ve got a few friends who have hunted many times in Africa and can hunt anywhere they wish, and they tell me that it doesn’t get any better. They told me, “It is unfortunate that you started at the top, because from here on out, there’s only one way to go, down!” Nic Kruger was our ph for this trip, and he amazed me with his ability to get us into the right position for close shots. There were a few times, when we would be walking in the exact opposite of where I “thought” we should be heading, and sure enough, we would be in perfect position.
We finished our hunt having shot 24 animals, I got a monster waterbuck 30 inches, with 9 in bases, a 14"+ warthog, monster blackwildebeest that has a closed boss, his horns actually grew together, and a bunch of other game. I will post pictures, if I can figure it out.
I think the photos will do everything justice, if you’re looking for an affordable plains game hunt with great trophy quality with packages that have the big animals in them, not 3-4 duikers, steenboks, baboons, and jackals you should check these guys out. I’m already looking to plan another hunt with them in 2010. PM me if you're interested, I can give you the scoop!
Beautiful animals. I see a Burchell's and a Hartmann's Zebra, quite a trick.
Frank
"I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money." - Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953
NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite
Posts: 12764 | Location: Kentucky, USA | Registered: 30 December 2002
Frank, yep, I got both of those on my first trip, ever since I was little, I always wanted a zebra, so I got very lucky. I had to walk my butt-off to get the burchels, I hunted for 3 days in the North Country to get on one. It was well worth it though! My mount should be done this month.
Posts: 732 | Location: Texas | Registered: 05 October 2009
Great hunt report and pics. I have hunted several times with Nic and Corne at Erindi, and have had a wonderful time with lots of great trophies. Nic video'd my entire first hunt there. A trip to Omujeve is in the planning stage, for our next vacation.
Posts: 1517 | Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho | Registered: 03 June 2004
Late-Bloomer, We definitely had a great time, and couldn't have asked for a better second trip. Most people say you'll never top your first safari, but I had a better time on this one because I was with close friends. Thats my advice for anyone planning a trip, take your friends!
Posts: 732 | Location: Texas | Registered: 05 October 2009
Congratulations on your succesful hunt. I hunted with Nic and Omujeve last year for my first African hunt. They really do have a great operation and make you feel like family. I see that Ace was also one of your PH's. He also got me on my kudu.
Posts: 402 | Location: Carson City | Registered: 17 May 2009
Nevada- Uys was my ph for my first trip there, Nic guided me on my second, they are a great bunch of folks...I think from now on, I'll refer to it as my second home~
Posts: 732 | Location: Texas | Registered: 05 October 2009
As requested by some members by private message, I thought I would give some more specifics about my hunts, so check again for individual hunt stories.
Posts: 732 | Location: Texas | Registered: 05 October 2009
Great report and pic's. Seems like no matter who you go with the food is great and camps are clean and tidy, and a good time is had by all. This say's a lot for the Safari operators and their staff. Like you said, never see a lot of the people doing the "behind the scenes work. They all seem to do an excellent job.
Posts: 273 | Location: Michigan | Registered: 08 October 2008
