Based upon the recommendations of Greg Brownlee and others here on AR, I recently hunted free range Damara Dik Dik, Mountain Zebra and Damara Springbok with Westfalen Safaris out of Outjo, Namibia. The hunting was, at times, strenuous (Mountain Zebra free range hunting is TOUGH), but rewarding. I was able to take a 3 1/2 inch Dik Dik, a great Mountain Zebra Stallion and a 15 inch old Damara Springbok. The food was gourmet in every regard, the accomodations very nice and the company of John, Juliana, and their 17 year old daughter Juretha very enjoyable. I also shot 3 gemsbok for John for meat, one of which was 41 inches. I used my MG Arms Ultralight 325 WSM for everything, except the Springbok which I shot with my custom 300 WSM. My wife and I visited the local Himba village and took a day and toured Etosha National Park. Enjoy the pics! Damar Dik Dik Mountain Zebra Damara Springbok Some of the food Etosha National Park Himba Village Himba Queen's braids Orphaned Mountain Zebra Colt John celebrating his 52nd birthday One of the gemsbok cows shot for meat Zebra smoked appetizers with olives My favorite African sodas

Excellent photos, thank you for sharing!

Very nice, I love the pictures, definitely out of the norm.

Looked like you had a great time and adventure Vaughan. Love the Dik Dik!

The perfect animals to chase in Namibia! Congrats

I love the Outjo area- was there in July. Did your stop at the "Backerei" (Bakery) in Outjo for some pastries? They have the best apple strudel I've ever tasted.

Hi Bud: Unfortunately, were only in Outjo just briefly coming and going, and I am sorry that we missed the Backerei! I love apple strudel too! Next time for sure! Hey Russell: I will post some of the 'close up" pics of the Dik Dik for you shortly.

Here you go Russell:

Congrats Vaughn!

Certainly on my short list for my next trip!

Great job!! I hunted with Westfalen last year. Wonderful people and place.

Thanks for posting your trip.

Jeremy

I wanted to post a few more pics of Namibia. Here is the Etosha Pan in Etosha National Park: Light bulb in the local Himba school (powered by a hole in the roof and a water bottle that diffuses the sunlight into the room: All Himba lose their two bottom front teeth in a ceremony around the sacred fire when they are young in order to be able to pronounce certain items in their language. Himba also never bath or wash their hair their entire lives, but have beautiful skin: Black faced impala in Etosha: Local Himba school. Only a few are chosen by the Queen of village to attend the school. They then leave their village for good. More of the gourmet food prepared by Juliana: Getting ready for dinner and a nice evening campfire: Ceremonial Himba horn made of gemsbok horn and honey bee wax: Preparing for the daily Himba ritual of 'perfuming", and the subsquent 'cleaning' of a Himba's clothing by smoke from the sacred fire: The 'pillow" that a Himba man sleeps on:

What wonderful photos and memories. Love the dik-dik!

Thanks Marty!

UEG congratulations on a great safari. Thoroughly enjoyed your report and excellent Photos, well done.

Thank you my friend!

Very cool safari for some very cool animals... congratulations!

I always look forward to the reports from your safaris.....Congratulations that dik dik is outstanding.

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
I wanted to post a few more pics of Namibia. Here is the Etosha Pan in Etosha National Park:

So strange but I know exactly where that Camel Thorn is.

And I agree 1000% on the difficulty of hunting Hartman Zebra.

Nicely done Vaughn.

Cheers
Jim

Congratulations!, those are some very interesting animals, and seems like a great time! Thanks for sharing your report and pictures, I enjoyed them.

Thanks all! A significant part of the enjoyment of my overall Safari experience is sharing my stories and pics with my friends.

Vaughn, sorry I didn't see this until now! Great recap and that Dik Dik is not one to scoff at!

Great photos, and thanks for allowing me to help you with this one.

Greg

Loved the story and pics. My mtn zebra hunt was a ball buster too, and like you, I enjoyed it a lot. Did you see many kudu while you were there?

Nice report Vaughn, thanks for sharing.

Proper. Food looks great. Serious Dik Dik.

Great photos. Mt zebra has to be my favorite animal to hunt in Namibia. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for sharing your hunt in Namibia.

My wife and I have hunted with Westfalen. It was a great time and Julianna can really cook!

I enjoyed hunting the Mountain Zebra more than any other. It was the best meat I've ever tasted in my life. Maybe it was Julianna's cooking...

JGRaider: We saw some Kudu, but nothing that I would have considered to shoot. I think that it's going to take some time for the Kudu to rebuild. And yes, hunting Mountain Zebra is a ball buster! samir: Yes, I think that hunting Mountain Zebra in Namibia would be my favorite trophy to hunt there again! surefire7: Juliana's cooking was gourmet in every aspect and respect. As for the meat that we ate, we had lamb, gemsbok (amazing!), chicken, eland, giraffe and zebra. The zebra was out of this world, especially the smoked and thinly sliced fresh zebra appetizers served with marinated green olives! Furthermore, John's gemsbok 'chili bits' (biltong) was very appetizing as well! To everyone else: Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
Thanks all! A significant part of the enjoyment of my overall Safari experience is sharing my stories and pics with my friends.

It indeed is, always enjoy reading your reports.

great photos thanks,

Thanks Paul. I wore the new Courtney Selous that I purchased from you earlier this year on this hunt!

Hell of a Dik Dik mate!

Thanks my friend! It is indeed!

Vaughan,

Nice report, pix and trophies. Glad you got to do some touring. There's always lots of neat stuff in addition to the hunting if you look for it.

Mark

True that one Mark!

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
I wanted to post a few more pics of Namibia. Here is the Etosha Pan in Etosha National Park:

So strange but I know exactly where that Camel Thorn is.

And I agree 1000% on the difficulty of hunting Hartman Zebra.

Nicely done Vaughn.

Cheers
Jim

JIM: Here is the EXACT same picture of the same tree I took in Etosha in 2012:

Very cool Bud!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Ahmed Sultan:
UEG congratulations on a great safari. Thoroughly enjoyed your report and excellent Photos, well done.

+1

Great pics! John and Juliana are wonderful hosts. Trying to get back there this year.

Yes they are, and John works awfully hard to make sure that his hunters succeed. Then he comes back to the lodge and braais all of the meat for dinner! Good people they are!