Namibia’s beauty is wonderfully surreal and alluring! When you visit Namibia, you may not know that you are embarking on a highly addictive journey, one you wish would never end, as the surprises in scenery are endless. Namibia has so much to offer to those who love hunting, nature and wide-open spaces. In the land of the bizarre, you will find harsh landscapes, vast deserts of surreal beauty, moments of solitude, and the opportunity to see wildlife in its natural habitat. Here are our three reasons to come to this land for the trophy of your dreams.
Why Namibia
1. Safe destination
Namibia is among the safest and most stable countries in Africa
2. Organized hunting industry
Namibia has a highly organized, conservation-focused hunting industry and a government that is very supportive of hunting tourism
3. Diverse selection of game
Namibia boasts a diverse selection of game animals, including some species found nowhere else
About hunting in Namibia
Hunters who have never been to Africa always wonder which country is the best one for a first safari. The answer: Namibia. With a diversity of terrain and game species, stunning scenery, a stable government, and excellent infrastructure, Namibia offers the opportunity for a traditional African safari without the worry. Namibia’s government is extremely hunter-friendly, and safaris in Namibia typically offer plenty of amenities at an affordable price. The types of hunts available run the gamut from family-run ranches to large game ranches to government-run and community-run conservancies.
If you are looking to fulfill a lifetime dream of hunting mountain zebra, springbok, kudu, buffalo, eland, cheetah, elephant, or the magnificent warrior of the Kalahari, the gemsbok, Namibia is the place. With species found nowhere else, such as the Hartmann mountain zebra, the black-faced impala, and the Damara dik-dik, Namibia has a great deal to offer the experienced African hunter as well. A trip to Namibia offers something for everyone.
What you need to know
Visas
Citizens of the USA and most European countries who are visiting Namibia for 90 days or less are issued a visa on arrival and no advance application is necessary. Be sure to have several blank pages in your passport, and be sure your passport is valid for at least six months after your planned departure. Check the visa rules that apply to your passport type at this link.
Temporary gun licence
Most hunting clients arrive at Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek. After landing, the hunter walks to the arrival hall to fill out an arrival form and then proceeds through Immigration. Once through Immigration, go to baggage claim and retrieve your luggage, then find the small office (back toward Immigration) with a sign that reads “Arms and Ammunition.” Here, you will identify your gun case and fill in a simple form that will serve as your temporary gun license/permit. All you need is your gun information and the address of where you will be staying in Namibia, which the outfitter should provide to you. After filling out your form and retrieving your gun case, proceed through Customs. Your outfitter will most likely meet you outside the door to drive you to your hunting area.
Hunting process
Most hunts in Namibia are spot-and-stalk or safari style, with the hunters covering ground either on foot or by vehicle and, once an animal is spotted, completing a stalk on foot. Some safaris can require extensive walking; others require very little, so it’s a good idea to ask the professional hunter.
Clothing and Gear
Dark green or brown clothing is best, as are boots with soft soles for quiet stalking. You’ll only need a couple of changes of clothing as laundry is done daily at most camps. Bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunblock, good optics, and a jacket for cool mornings and evenings.
Rifles
Most professional hunters recommend rifles in the .300-caliber family for plains game and .375 for dangerous game, but the most important thing is to bring a rifle you are familiar with and can shoot well. Handguns and semiautomatic rifles are not allowed in Namibia.
Tips
Tips are appreciated at most safari camps in Namibia; in addition to the professional hunter, tracker(s), driver, and skinner(s), there are usually staff members at camp who handle cooking and cleaning and other chores and help to make a hunter’s stay pleasant. The professional hunter or outfitter can advise the hunter how much is appropriate to tip each staff member.
Trophy preparation
Typically, animals are skinned at the safari headquarters and all skins are cleaned and salted; skulls and horns are cleaned and buried in salt. After a couple of days, the skins are hung to dry, cleaned once more, and folded and stored in a skinning shed. Skulls will be cleaned and placed on a rack. Before leaving camp, it’s a good idea to ensure the skulls and skins are properly tagged with the hunter’s name and contact information.
Taxidermy
Once the hunter departs, or sometimes at the end of the season, trophies will be taken to a taxidermist for professional cleaning and dipping, which is required for export. The taxidermist then contacts the hunter for instructions regarding preparation and shipment, and to arrange payment for these services. The taxidermist then contacts a shipping agent, who will handle the permits and shipping to the hunter’s home country, again after contacting the hunter. Hunters should check the latest regulations in order to make arrangements in advance if they are hunting species that require CITES permits or special export or import permits from the hunter’s home country. Many export and import requirements for these species have undergone dramatic changes in the past couple of years.
Namibia is a place where you can experience tranquility, and feast your eyes on such beautiful sights that your spirit will soar! So go to BookYourHunt to find your next adventure in this beautiful African land.
Sincerely yours,
BookYourHunt Team!
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