I just got back from my first trip to Africa and can honestly say that I am hooked! My father and I had an awesome hunt! We booked the 10 day/10 animal hunt pak with Tony da Costa.

Flew from Anchorage Alaska to Seattle and spent the night there. Then left for Atlanta/to Joberg/to Windhoek, Namibia. That was about 40 hours of flying and airports. The flight from Atlanta to Joberg on SAA was cramped to say the least. IT was made worse from the excitement of actually going to Africa. Being 6'3" there was absolutely no leg room! 18 hours in a plane is almost pure torture! I sure hope they change that!

We had ZERO problems with rifles and ammo. We checked the rifles in at Seattle and had them checked through to Windhoek. We had the two rifles and all the ammo locked in the case. It was never questioned nor were we ever asked to put the ammo in our check in baggage. Once in Windhoek, we met a cop, he checked out our pre filled forms, double checked the serial numbers and put his stamp on the papers. It was that easy. When we left, they checked our papers and serial numbers, asked how much ammo, and we were on our way. The time with the cop and guns was less than 10 minutes. Boet explained that we had a 2 hour drive to the camp, I kind of laughed as most of our trips into either Fairbanks or Anchorage are either 4 to 8 hours each! We would enjoy the short 2 hour drive to camp. We saw ostriches, warthogs, kudu's, and hartebeest during the drive.

The hunt was spectacular. My father shot a hartebeest, 2 gemsboks, a 52" kudu, a burchells zebra, a blesbok, and 2 warthogs. I shot 2 warthogs, a very large hartebeest, a beautiful 52" kudu, a nice bull and cow gemsbok, a beautiful mountain zebra, and 2 springboks. All were taken on stalks. No waterhole hunting except for jackals. We took many long stalks for most animals. All were one shot kills except for the mountain zebra (broke its back with the first shot). The Tikka t3 lite .300 WSM performed flawlessly. The 180 grain barnes triple shocks were absolutely impressive. We NEVER recovered a single bullet from any animal. The bull gemsbok was a 250 yard shot and was hit in the shoulder. As we walked up, we both thought for sure that bullet would be in the animal but it exited on the opposite shoulder. I am sold on the triple shocks. I will be loading them for my .375 ulta mag.

My PH Boet Nel and my dad's PH Brian Bartlett were awesome! I can't say enough about how they put us on game. Boet was very aggressive like me and Brian (a go getter also) had the patience and knew when to slow down for dad. The Jack Russell Terriers were a big part of the hunt that I also enjoyed very much. I would recommend anyone to hunt with Boet Nel Safari's. The hunt and accommodations were great. All the hot water you can possibly use! The showers were great after a great day of hunting. The food was also great! I can honestly say that I actually gained weight on this trip!

The kudu stalk was the most exciting as we were just stalking and letting the dogs work. After about a mile of walking, I could see the dogs get serious. The PH pointed ahead. All of a sudden, the kudu broke and headed for the brush, my PH said to shoot, but then said, wait he will stop as we jumped him out of his bed. Sure enough, it stopped broadside at 50 yards and a quick shot and the kudu was off! I surely didn't think I had missed, and after hearing the dogs barks change pitch, the PH said lets go! We took off running and about 100 yards later, there was my first kudu! Awesome animal!

The Khomas Mountains were my favorite place. I could have spent many days up there enjoying the country and the hospitality of the owner "Focker". The mountain zebra hunt was awesome! We located the zebra from the bottom, climbed a ridge for about 3/4 of a mile. Once to the top, we stopped and listened and we could hear the zebra running off! We then sprinted for about 400 yards to the top of the mountain and about 200 yards below us on a ridge were the zebra. A quick shot from the .300wsm put it down! Beautiful country and a beautiful animal. I was saddened that it was almost too easy. I wish I could have spent more time there. It reminded me of my sheep hunts here in Alaska but without the severe steepness. Just being up on top of the mountains and staring out for miles was absolutely awesome!

The day came way to soon to leave. I am already planning on returning within the next 2 to 3 years. I would recommend to all to study the anatomy of the animals over there. They are different from our animals. I am used to putting the bullet in behind the shoulders here, but in Africa, it needs to be in the shoulder.

Alaska is great and I enjoy hunting all species up here, but Africa is truely special. I am TOTALLY hooked! If anyone is thinking of hunting Africa, I say stop thinking and put the money down! You will not regret it! If someone is willing to post the pictures, I am willing to send them to you to post.

Anders, thanks for your help! I surely enjoyed the camp and the pictures of you in the photo album.

I believe that Boet Nel will have a booth at SCI in Reno. I will be there enjoying some time chatting with him. I can't say enough about his business.

Great report Northway!
I hunted with Boet last year and it was just great!
He`s a very good PH! He delivers what he promises.. My friend hunted with Brian, and were also very satisfied. I only got the chance to hunt with Brian a half day, and wish I could have spent more time hunting with him as well.

We hunted four different areas for different species. The Khomas Mountains are very scenic, and the "Fockers" hospitality good.

Photos, please! Let me go back into Namibias wilderness...

Congratulations on a great trip. I also found the police at the airport very accomodating. I look forward to your pictures as well.

Congratulations on a great adventure. Namibia is one of my favorite places to hunt and Mountain Zebra are my favorite game there also. I look forward to your pictures!

Thanks guys! It was a great hunt! I was thrilled to death about what I got. I can't wait to go back. Probably will happen sooner than later! Who could I send some pictures to to have them posted?

Thanks,

Northway

Northway,

I absolutely understand what you mean about Alaskan hunting compared to Africa. They are both great but like comparing apples to oranges.
My first safari was an incredible expereince but it did not diminish my pleasure in the next moose hunt.

Regards,

Mark

Mark,

You are right. I guess I am so used to hunting Alaska that the Africa experience really got me going! I look forward to my every hunt here in Alaska and thank God that I can hunt as much and as many animals as I do. Deer on Aug. 1, then back for sheep on Aug. 10, moose and grizz in Sept., and goats in Oct./Nov. Looking for a record book moose this year. Can't get better than that, UNLESS it is Africa! Thanks for putting me back to reality. Alaska is a special place, that is for sure.

quote:

Who could I send some pictures to to have them posted?

Did you find someone to help post your pictures? You can email some to me if you like and I will post them here. My email address is in my profile. You can also set up an account somewhere like Photobucket and follow Terry Carr's instructions.

Sounds like you and your father had a most exciting hunt.Thanks for shareing.

Charles,

I will get the photos to you. Right now, I am not on my computer until late August. I have tried to get the cd program downloaded on my fathers computer, but it wont take. I will get them to you as soon as I can.

Thank you,

Northway

No problem.

Pictures for Northway (nice pictures -- they really love the little dogs in Namibia ):



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WHOO HOO! Way to go guys! I haven't left for this year's safari (TZ Sept 21) and you've got me excited about next year's to Namibia (Aug 28).

Dave

PICTURES HAVE BEEN ADDED. THANK YOU CHARLES!

Congratulations. Looks like you both had a great hunt and now you're hooked!

Great hunt and a nice report! I noted, like Charles the little terriers in the pics-gotta love em Nice job.

John