New Namibia Farms Research Project

Hello all,

I'm part of a project researching the viability of converting cattle farms in Namibia into hunting farms. We're curious to hear what you have to say on the matter.

Any opinions relating to what you would like to see in the way of amenities, improvements you feel should be made to the current process, or any changes in general would be greatly appreciated. Also, how do you choose from the long list of hunting services in Africa?

Finally, any resources or contacts you recommend checking out?

Thanks in advance!

Amenities don't mean too much to me, good food, a comfortable bed....simple shower and sink. A place to have a drink and sit by the fire is fine.

The main thing is to keep the daily rates from getting too high....along with the trophy animal lists. If you keep costs down people can do more hunting.....hence why most people fly to Africa in the first place. I remember the first time I was to Namibia...it's been 5 years almost but the hunting is really great there. I couldn't get enough of hunting kudu, eland, oryx, springbok, mountain zebra and red hartebeest. Sure there are other things to hunt but they are usually very affordable in Namibia. I don't like Ostriech, but there seems to be a fascination with them by many USA hunters.

I'll agree with Enesse. I'm not interested in a plush lodge and being waited on hand and foot. I want good trophy quality and a PH that loves to hunt. Gets up early and goes to the end of the day. In a sense you have different clients to choose to go after. Those that have big $ and want top notch 5 star surroundings. Those on a budget looking for a great hunt. There are also those in between the 2 extremes above. RSA has a done well on group one above. Namibia seems to do better on the other 2 groups. Just starting out is hard. Poor economic conditions abroad and fewer hunters. The market is squeezed a bit. Shows in the US are expensive to do. One option is to become VERY active on a few forums. Here, AR and some others where hunters congregate. Become part of the community and then offer some great packages. When people come and have a good time they will report and the word spreads. Other opinions will vary. Bruce

I think the best approach when starting up is something similar to what enysse talks about.
Most hunters don't expect or want a 5 star lodge. They want it clean and comfortable, with good food and GREAT hunting.
I think most hunters(me included) want to spend little money on sleeping and much money on hunting.

If clients feel that you do your best all the time to give them a great experience and the hunting is great, you will most likely have lots of repeat guests and you will quickly get a reputation of being a top notch place to go hunting.

Since I am also very eager to hunt with a bow as I am with a gun, I will advice you to make a part of the farm to be for bow hunting only.

I think you have a good idee now of what the Hunters want, what i seem to expieriance is to get the clients to take a chance on the new guys! I myself is a fairly new outfitter/ph, it is a tough market to get in as many clients stick with their outfitters they have hunted with in the past.

But life is tough keep on kicking and screaming and you will soon recieve some attention.
Good luck with the project and happy hunting
Regards

Originally Posted by Bos en Dal Safari's

................ I myself is a fairly new outfitter/ph, it is a tough market to get in as many clients stick with their outfitters they have hunted with in the past.
..................

It is interesting that you speak about this apparent "brand loyalty".

For some people it is fun to do the research, (me for one) for many others it is daunting and it stops them from ever completing the deal.
These people want to meet someone and have everything taken care of and it is made easy.
After you have done it once and it is comfortable many people just want to go back to something they know.

You can buy a BigMac in how many countries.. Why? Comfortable and familiar.

Welcome to AH.

Originally Posted by gabbs

Hello all,

I'm part of a project researching the viability of converting cattle farms in Namibia into hunting farms. ............

Have a long term plan. Make sure the investors know that.
Hire an excellent PH/Game Manager
Involve the community.
Do not create a straight put and take operation, please.
Manage the property to its potential and ensure you have the biodiversity. If not, please just raise cattle.

Originally Posted by gabbs

Any opinions relating to what you would like to see in the way of amenities, improvements you feel should be made to the current process, or any changes in general would be greatly appreciated.

Namibia's laws are excellent and is generally very stable with progressive policies in place regarding hunting and wildlife management.

If you happen to have some real pull it would be great to have more direct routes to Windhoek, but its hard to fight population!

Originally Posted by gabbs

Also, how do you choose from the long list of hunting services in Africa?

Value for Money; is the hardest concept to get across.
Day rates ranging from $120 to $3000
These rates are all being paid somewhere in Africa.
I have friends who paid the top end rates and were quite satisfied. They also hunted in Tanzania for 30 days.
I have also heard of people being very dissatisfied with paying lower rates and not getting what they expected.
No surprises and you'll likely have satisfied customers.

I avoid anyone who oversells to me.

The market (hunters) have pushed outfitters (farms) into being "one stop shops" because of time and budget constraints.
Notice the price lists include almost everything you can hunt within 3 days drive.
Who is your market? Decide and stick to it.

Originally Posted by gabbs

Finally, any resources or contacts you recommend checking out?

Suggestions of where to start.

1. Game Ranch Profitability in South Africa 2003 ABSA
2. A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE GAME AND HUNTING
INDUSTRIES IN KWAZULU-NATAL AND THE EASTERN CAPE
LOUANN KOBUS
3. BUILDING BLOCKS OF MARKETING STRATEGY FOR
TARGETING LOCAL BILTONG HUNTERS: AN EVALUATION
MARLé VAN EYK
4. Optimizing game production in a new era: The road to financial success D Furstenburg
5. How to Establish a Hunting and Game Farm Ezemvelo

Good luck with your research.

Originally Posted by BRICKBURN

If you happen to have some real pull it would be great to have more direct routes to Windhoek,

Brickburn,
You beat me to it.
It would be great if there was a direct flight to Windhoek from North America.


Gabbs,
Welcome to AH and best of luck on your project.

Thanks guys! For some more background, we are working with the Namibia Tourism Board on our project. Right now its just preliminary research; we're looking for the right direction to head in. As a good portion of this project is marketing, we are looking to find out what would make the experience most enjoyable for you all. We really appreciate your feedback and we will certainly take your comments into consideration.

-gabbs

It would be great if there was a direct flight to Windhoek from North America.

Sorry gabbs, but this would do wonders for Namibia hunting!!!!

Welcome to AH Gabbs! I too am all for the direct flight idea.

I also agree with the direct flight idea. I think the lack of direct flights from the United States is the biggest single thing hurting hunting in Namibia right now. Going through Frankfurt or South Africa makes the trip much more difficult and complicated. I personally would even pay slightly more for my plane ticket if I could fly direct from Atlanta to Windhoek for example.

In addition, I consider myself part of the group that favors minimal amenities. I would rather spend money on more days of hunting or trophy fees than on luxury accommodations. On both of my trips to Africa I hunted so hard during the day that falling asleep was not a problem at night. I could have been sleeping on the ground and still gotten a good nightç—´ sleep. My top priorities on a future safari are a competent, friendly PH and an abundance of game. Everything else is just icing on the cake.

Here is a great read for you gabbs... or any hunter passionate about Africa for that matter. Not an inexpensive book but well worth it! Good luck with everything!

Front cover (click on image to enlarge)


Back cover (click on image to enlarge)



Game Ranch Management by J du P Bothma and JG du Toit (Fifth Edition)

The growth of the wildlife industry in South Africa can be measured by the growth in the number of wildlife ranches. In 1965 there were only four wildlife-fenced properties in the former north-western Transvaal. By 2005, 40 years later, there were more than 10 000 properties with wildlife exemption permits in the nine provinces combined. As the wildlife industry continues to expand, so does the need for knowledge upon which it must be based. Game ranch management 5 is a comprehensive guide to establishing and maintaining a healthy and profitable wildlife enterprise. It is updated to include the vast volume of new information available, to the benefit of those who work in wildlife conservation as well as those who are merely interested in it.

Hardcover: 979 pages
Dimensions: 7.2 x 9.9 inches
Weight: 4.1 pounds

Originally Posted by The Big Game Hunter

I also agree with the direct flight idea. I think the lack of direct flights from the United States is the biggest single thing hurting hunting in Namibia right now. Going through Frankfurt or South Africa makes the trip much more difficult and complicated. I personally would even pay slightly more for my plane ticket if I could fly direct from Atlanta to Windhoek for example.

the problem is even if you suddenly booked a couple of thousand hunters to go to namibia in a year, it doesnt exactly make it viable to lay on long haul jets and set up a schedule of flights. air namibia used to fly direct from uk to windhoek but i presume there were not enough business people and tourists using it to make it viable, so now they only fly from germany, which has more distant connections with namibia being the old german colony of german south-west africa. so unless there is a big upturn in tourist demand to make it worthwhile for an airline to fly direct usa to namibia, i would get used to the detour either via germany of joburgh..