Arctic97
AH veteran
Okay, going to try and do a trip report here. I say trip instead of hunt as I enjoy the overall travel experience just as much as the hunt, especially the older I get and this was not a dedicated hunting trip per say. I know this report is a little late coming, but I am back at sea now where I work and there seems to be more time here than at home.
A lot of planning went into this trip, as not only was my wife coming along again, but another couple – some of our very best friends. I was really looking forward to seeing Africa through their first time eyes and experiencing their excitement!
This trip all started a year and a half ago when my friend was over for an evening during the Christmas holidays. He is usually a red wine drinker, but I was sipping some brandy and he asked what I had there. Well, as the brandy bottle emptied during the night, he was deep into questions about the African taxidermy I had. At some point I said you really need to go over there with me some day. He said sure let’s do it, and that is how we got to a 20 day trip in May of this year.
Part of the planning involved airline tickets. I chose Delta flights 200/201 for the simple reason that with the girls along we wanted to be as comfortable as possible for the 30+ hour trip from Boise. Delta allowed us to do the Comfort+ seating. That 4” of extra room for my knees was well worth it. And we all arrived in pretty good shape. No, I did not use a travel agent. I have in the past, but not the last couple of trips. The last time I used a travel agent – an African hunting specialist whom I will not name – back in 2014, the seats I had booked for my daughter and I, seven months prior, were no longer ours. At 7pm the agent was not available, so since then I do it myself and insure the trip well and leave lots of time if there are delays. I used Travelex Insurance for this last trip.
I usually just have all the SAPS forms and extra documents with me and do the firearm permits myself, but again, because we had the ladies with us I wanted everything to go as smooth as possible, so I had retained the services of Afton Safari Lodge to do the permits about a month in advance. They had them approved less than 48 hours after I sent them the package of documents. Mr. X (yep, he goes by Mr. X) from Afton Lodge met us outside of customs and he had us through the SAPS office in less than 5 minutes. That is 3 hunters, and 3 permits. One thing he told me that you all may want to take note of was that they (the SAPS officers) were not happy that my buddy and I were sharing a gun case! That is no longer allowed they said. Mr. X just talked us right out of there though. I guess they now want each hunter and permittee to have their own case. Trust me, there was nothing in their rules that I had read beforehand and maybe there is still nothing, but that is what they said on this particular day. I have stayed at Afton Lodge before, but never used their gun permit service. I have to say it is well worth it for the $100 they charge. I hope they hold that price, as it really is doable on your own, but sometimes having an advocate can speed things along, and $100 makes it very easy to make that choice. The other nice thing is that Mr. X is also there the following day to take you back through check-in for your departing flight. He makes sure that your guns and ammo make it to where they need to go and doesn’t leave you until the very last moment when you go through security. It is a great service, even for someone like myself that has done it a few times, but especially for first timers. I will note here that Air Namibia allowed us to leave our ammo in our checked baggage. I also want to say that our stay at Afton Safari Lodge was perfect in every way. From Mr. X and his help, to the transfer there and back the next day, and the meals we enjoyed there. It was the perfect way to slow down our working American pace and begin to get in tune with the rhythm that is Africa.
Afton Safari Lodge -
Mr. X -
Landing in Windhoek is nice as it puts you back into a “smaller” setting. The gun permit office was a breeze. In fact, they just put both of the guns in my case under one permit for me. Never mind me saying one was for my buddy standing there. Both 30-06 caliber and both now with me as the permit holder….hey, it was lunch time and it was one less paper to fill out so they could get back to eating sooner. I love Namibia!
We were met at the airport by my friends. Back into town to sort through our luggage. We always bring so many things for our friends that this downsized our luggage by 2 large cases. Then we split into 3 vehicles for the Friday night drive to their farm up north of Karibib. Got there just at dark and got settled in. Our goal at the farm was to be a Kudu for my friend James. We had come in early May due to work schedules. I had never been there this early before. I knew what June, July, August and September looked like…..progressively drier. Coming so soon after the rains I was not sure what to expect. Both my wife and I remarked about how much greener the drive from the airport into Windhoek had been. But getting out on the farm I realized that there was very little grass. It really looked more like August or September already. The newspaper said, “Worst Drought Ever”. The reservoir on the farm next to our chalets had no water in it at all. I was shocked, as it still held water in September a couple years ago when I was there. So a May trip to Namibia this year was shaping up to look like an August trip. The temps were also running higher than the norm by about 10 degrees F.
A lot of luggage - Remember, do NOT share a gun case -
First night -
The Drought! -
The best parts of Africa for me are the little things. Having the birds wake us up each morning is one of my favorites and that first morning on the farm did not disappoint. My friends’ property is not big by African standards at about 12,500 acres, but it is low fenced and he only runs a few cattle when there is enough grass. He sold his herd in January and only a few horses were left along with the wildlife. This property is not hunted except by him for meat, so there is plenty of game and something new is always moving through. James and I hunted by foot every morning, while it was cool, for 5 days. In the afternoon we either sat the one blind on the property or did some drives and stalks when we saw something. We bumped into Impala, Oryx, Steenbok, Wildebeest, Hartebeest and some cow and young bull Kudu, and then the big bull he had come for made a show while we were in the blind one afternoon. He was with 5 cows and was stuck hot on one. He was just through some trees about 70 yards away. I knew we had this one! Just had to wait it out. The wind was good. The cows were moving in and out of sight from the trees they were behind. I knew the bull would move eventually also. James was really excited watching all this in front of him. The bull looked to be a good one when we could get a glimpse of his horns through the trees. The bull stayed tight to one cow. She moved back and forth, 10 yards left, 10 yards right, but always up behind those dang trees. The other 4 cows moved around enough that we had clear shots on any of them. But that one cow stayed with plenty of shrubbery between us. Finally, after about 40 minutes of teasing both the bull and us, she just decided it was time to walk out the back way, behind the trees, and take James’ bull with her! The other cows followed within a few minutes. They do not call them the Grey Ghosts for nothing!
Waking up at the farm with the birds -
During our stay at the farm the girls were able to go horseback riding and Pat tells a great story of them running into a group of Wildebeest. The horses snorted and pawed the earth, the Wildebeest ran and then turned and came back all grouped up in force and then more horse snorting and posturing. They had a great time playing cowboy in Africa. James had opportunities to shoot Jackels, Warthogs, and Baboons, but he kept holding out for that Kudu. On the late afternoon of day 4 we finally got him onto an Oryx bull and he temporarily forgot the Kudu long enough to make a great one shot kill. His first African trophy and it was so much fun being with him during the pursuit.
Cowgirl in Africa! -
The first trophy -
After 5 days of pure pleasure for us guys beating the bush we figured we best spend some time with the ladies, so we packed up and drove to Swakopmund for a couple of nights. We were able to grab a huge house via Air BnB for only $160 a night and a $40 cleaning fee! Yep, 2 nights, $360 split between our friends and us. Off season has its advantages! Finally the girls, especially Pat, could get some shopping in! James and I spent a couple hours out on the sand dunes the next day while the girls had a pedicure at the Sea Side Hotel & Spa. If you go to Namibia, it is well worth planning a couple of days at the coast. As most natives will tell you, Swakop is the nicest town in Namibia. Walvis Bay down the road is always worth a drive. Archie, an old acquaintance, runs Laramon Tours on his catamarans. If the weather is good, seeing the bay is amazing. At least have lunch down on the waterfront at Anchors @ the Jetty – try the Calamari!!!
Air BnB in Swakop -
The sand dunes -
Leaving Swakop in the afternoon on Friday we headed to another friends place near the Namib-Naukluft National Park. This was just a weekend visit, but no sooner than we showed up did my friend, the owner, (name withheld) told us to grab our rifles and lets go shoot some Mt. Zebra! Seems he was inundated with zebra seeking grass – which he had, but would soon run out of. Not a mile from the house we spotted a group and made a stalk. One shot and James had a nice stallion down. Not 20 minutes later my turn came and bam, another stallion down! Back to house in time to start the braai. Now this is something that does not get talked about enough – the braai! This is one of the best traditions of the hunt. The fire, the talk, the brandy, the coals finally getting ready and moving them under the grill racks…..and then the meat, seasoned just so. Doesn’t matter what it is, Kudu, Oryx, Springbok – OK, Springbok matters! Tonight it is my friends special lamb chops. My wife specifically asked for him to cook these for this visit and they were oh so tasty. A very late night talking of all things, and consuming brandy and more meat. My wife swears we eat a year’s worth of meat every time we go over, but to me it never gets old! My friend says he has good Kudu bulls and will help us find one the next day. Okay, his property is large – about 50 square kilometers. We set off and within a kilometer of the house we get 50 - 100 Zebra running in front of us, driving all game away. As soon as we would shake a herd, over the next hill we would bump another herd. It went on all day like that. If we saw Oryx that we might want to look at, forget it….Zebra would run through, or by, and spook them. We finally gave up. I got so fed up, that Sunday morning before we left, I told him I wanted to kill another Zebra. It was not much of a hunt for one, but it did feel good to get rid of one more. I cannot imagine what his place will look like at the end of this dry season.
James and his Zebra -
And another -
Lamb Chops on the braai -
On the way back to the house at days end - ahhh -
We still don't know how Pat got this close before it took off! -
Sunday afternoon we split our group up and the ladies had a 2 night stay planned up at Mt. Etjo Lodge, while James and I took my friends old farm bakkie and drove up into the Erongo Mountains. I had come all this way for one thing really, a Klipspringer. A tiny little rock dwelling antelope. Hopefully this was the place. Our guide was my old friend Peter. His apprentice was Abisai. After a great night sleep, we were up early and on the move. As we were driving around, Abisai would point one way and say Springbok, then the other and say Oryx, or Steenbok. Sometimes we saw what he was pointing out, other times not. We have all read of the African’s ability to see game right? Well, we were in the flats of the crater and he points ahead to a rocky hillside about a kilometer away and says Klipspringer. I look at the hill in the distance. I say to him, oh they are seen on that hill sometimes. Yes, there is one now is his reply. I am like, right. We keep getting closer and he is trying to point it out to me way up on the hill. We stop. I finally see it. Peter says it is a male and a decent one. Do I want it? We go forward as far as we can and Peter calls out the range…..220 yards. It is way steeper than any shot I have ever tried. I know I should be dead on at that range, but will probably be a tad high due to the angle. I get set, squatting to get the gun rested and pointed high enough. At the shot he disappeared. Peter called it a good shot and it felt good. Up the hill Abisai and I go. We cannot find it and keep getting hand signals from Peter where to move to look. Finally I see it laying there below the big rock it was standing on. I am so very excited about this little tiny critter! It was really all I was hoping for on this trip. That is my new thing, one primary animal per trip. Of course there will probably be others, but it will keep me going back! Note here of thanks to Kevin Robertson and the Perfect Shot book. My shot placement was mid body as he spells out for these little guys and it worked perfectly with minimal hide damage up front. I would never have shot anything mid body before I read his book!
As I found him. You can see the truck is now positioned where I shot from -
On the prowl with Peter -
After a trip to the skinning shed, lunch and a rest, we set out to look for the elusive Kudu for James. We drove around for a couple of hours and got out at different spots to make some walks into corners of the hills, but saw nothing. The drought has affected the whole country and Peter is concerned about the game in his area. About an hour before dusk I ask if we can go up high and glass one of the flats. So up we go and out on a rocky area. 20 minutes into glassing and Abisai says Kudu bull! And so it is, about 1000 yards out, on the scent of a cow maybe, from the way he is traveling and nosing around. There is a rocky point to our right and below us. The bull is far to our left and traveling to our right. We decide to get down on the rocky point as quickly and quietly as we can and hope when he comes by he will be in range and offer a clear shot. 15 minutes to get into position. I am behind James and Abisai with the camera. As they get to the edge they wave at me to stay low. I decide I will stay there and take pictures instead of messing up a chance at the bull. They get set up on the sticks and I can see James’ rifle is pointing downhill almost at the same angle as mine was pointing uphill this morning. The bull must be close in to the hill we are on. They are whispering but I cannot hear them. Then Abisai stands up and puts his hands over his ears and makes a loud yell – to stop the bull. About a second later the sound of the shot echoes across the crater. I move forward and see the bull down and kicking. James is still on the sticks waiting to put another round down range. It is not needed! Kudu bull down! Seeing the excitement on my friends face when we got down to that bull was worth all the planning and effort that went into making the trip happen. We both got our wish list animal on the same day. How awesome is that. Big celebration that night. The next morning we decided we did not need to go out and hunt again and would head back to meet the girls a little early as we were moving back to Windhoek that day to stage for another short excursion. I have to say that being in the Erongos is a favor place of mine. I have never seen a black Rhino up there, but we saw their droppings and just to know they are around makes it feel pretty wild.
James and Abisai glassing -
You can kind of see the rocky point we followed down to the right of us here -
The result -
We picked up the girls and they had great stories of Mt. Etjo. Lions and both white and black Rhino, along with some Elephant were seen. They were pampered a little and had a great stay. We all repacked and drove to Windhoek with a stop at the market in Okahandja for last minute shopping of souvenirs. Another repack in Windhoek and Wednesday morning we set off for a farm south of Gobabis out on the edge of the Kalahari.
This was actually supposed to be our first stop when I planned the trip, but they were booked that weekend so we rearranged to do it at the end. This was where I wanted James to collect his Springbok. The red sand here is so different and the dunes are set up like wave sets in the ocean. Beautiful country and so different from the other 3 areas we visited.
I won’t go into details here except to say that again the drought was showing its affects, and they had already decided that we would be the 2nd and last, booking for the season due to the drought. James did collect his Springbok here. I managed to shoot a decent Blesbok and an Ostrich. Yes, I know…..it was just something that I had an opportunity to do and had never done. We enjoyed ourselves here very much, especially the sunsets.
Edge of Kalahari -
Springbok -
Beautiful Country -
Big Bird -
Blesbok -
Great sunsets -
Saturday we drove back to Windhoek. Our last night is always at Joes Beer House and we probably celebrated a bit too much, but it is always a fun place to say so long to Namibia……until next time.
We left Windhoek on South African Airways and they were able to check our luggage and rifle cases all the way through to Boise. So nice not having to pick them up in Joberg and recheck them, even though I had the permit still in place and had plenty of time planned in case we needed to. SAA will do this, but it took a bit of coaxing the gate agent to figure out how to do it. My wife showing up with chocolate treats for the gate agents as I was doing this probably didn’t hurt any. At first she thought she could only get them as far as Atlanta and that would have been fine too, as you have to pull them there and go through 2 government agency clusters to get moving again, but she eventually got them tagged all the way to Boise. Another nice feature that Delta had was the bag tracking. I knew every time we boarded a plane that our bags had made it and were onboard. Even in Joberg. Technology has its moments.
Well, that is all I can think of for now. Probably more than I should have wrote, but I still get excited about all things Africa! Good hunting to you all!
A lot of planning went into this trip, as not only was my wife coming along again, but another couple – some of our very best friends. I was really looking forward to seeing Africa through their first time eyes and experiencing their excitement!
This trip all started a year and a half ago when my friend was over for an evening during the Christmas holidays. He is usually a red wine drinker, but I was sipping some brandy and he asked what I had there. Well, as the brandy bottle emptied during the night, he was deep into questions about the African taxidermy I had. At some point I said you really need to go over there with me some day. He said sure let’s do it, and that is how we got to a 20 day trip in May of this year.
Part of the planning involved airline tickets. I chose Delta flights 200/201 for the simple reason that with the girls along we wanted to be as comfortable as possible for the 30+ hour trip from Boise. Delta allowed us to do the Comfort+ seating. That 4” of extra room for my knees was well worth it. And we all arrived in pretty good shape. No, I did not use a travel agent. I have in the past, but not the last couple of trips. The last time I used a travel agent – an African hunting specialist whom I will not name – back in 2014, the seats I had booked for my daughter and I, seven months prior, were no longer ours. At 7pm the agent was not available, so since then I do it myself and insure the trip well and leave lots of time if there are delays. I used Travelex Insurance for this last trip.
I usually just have all the SAPS forms and extra documents with me and do the firearm permits myself, but again, because we had the ladies with us I wanted everything to go as smooth as possible, so I had retained the services of Afton Safari Lodge to do the permits about a month in advance. They had them approved less than 48 hours after I sent them the package of documents. Mr. X (yep, he goes by Mr. X) from Afton Lodge met us outside of customs and he had us through the SAPS office in less than 5 minutes. That is 3 hunters, and 3 permits. One thing he told me that you all may want to take note of was that they (the SAPS officers) were not happy that my buddy and I were sharing a gun case! That is no longer allowed they said. Mr. X just talked us right out of there though. I guess they now want each hunter and permittee to have their own case. Trust me, there was nothing in their rules that I had read beforehand and maybe there is still nothing, but that is what they said on this particular day. I have stayed at Afton Lodge before, but never used their gun permit service. I have to say it is well worth it for the $100 they charge. I hope they hold that price, as it really is doable on your own, but sometimes having an advocate can speed things along, and $100 makes it very easy to make that choice. The other nice thing is that Mr. X is also there the following day to take you back through check-in for your departing flight. He makes sure that your guns and ammo make it to where they need to go and doesn’t leave you until the very last moment when you go through security. It is a great service, even for someone like myself that has done it a few times, but especially for first timers. I will note here that Air Namibia allowed us to leave our ammo in our checked baggage. I also want to say that our stay at Afton Safari Lodge was perfect in every way. From Mr. X and his help, to the transfer there and back the next day, and the meals we enjoyed there. It was the perfect way to slow down our working American pace and begin to get in tune with the rhythm that is Africa.
Afton Safari Lodge -
Mr. X -
Landing in Windhoek is nice as it puts you back into a “smaller” setting. The gun permit office was a breeze. In fact, they just put both of the guns in my case under one permit for me. Never mind me saying one was for my buddy standing there. Both 30-06 caliber and both now with me as the permit holder….hey, it was lunch time and it was one less paper to fill out so they could get back to eating sooner. I love Namibia!
We were met at the airport by my friends. Back into town to sort through our luggage. We always bring so many things for our friends that this downsized our luggage by 2 large cases. Then we split into 3 vehicles for the Friday night drive to their farm up north of Karibib. Got there just at dark and got settled in. Our goal at the farm was to be a Kudu for my friend James. We had come in early May due to work schedules. I had never been there this early before. I knew what June, July, August and September looked like…..progressively drier. Coming so soon after the rains I was not sure what to expect. Both my wife and I remarked about how much greener the drive from the airport into Windhoek had been. But getting out on the farm I realized that there was very little grass. It really looked more like August or September already. The newspaper said, “Worst Drought Ever”. The reservoir on the farm next to our chalets had no water in it at all. I was shocked, as it still held water in September a couple years ago when I was there. So a May trip to Namibia this year was shaping up to look like an August trip. The temps were also running higher than the norm by about 10 degrees F.
A lot of luggage - Remember, do NOT share a gun case -
First night -
The Drought! -
The best parts of Africa for me are the little things. Having the birds wake us up each morning is one of my favorites and that first morning on the farm did not disappoint. My friends’ property is not big by African standards at about 12,500 acres, but it is low fenced and he only runs a few cattle when there is enough grass. He sold his herd in January and only a few horses were left along with the wildlife. This property is not hunted except by him for meat, so there is plenty of game and something new is always moving through. James and I hunted by foot every morning, while it was cool, for 5 days. In the afternoon we either sat the one blind on the property or did some drives and stalks when we saw something. We bumped into Impala, Oryx, Steenbok, Wildebeest, Hartebeest and some cow and young bull Kudu, and then the big bull he had come for made a show while we were in the blind one afternoon. He was with 5 cows and was stuck hot on one. He was just through some trees about 70 yards away. I knew we had this one! Just had to wait it out. The wind was good. The cows were moving in and out of sight from the trees they were behind. I knew the bull would move eventually also. James was really excited watching all this in front of him. The bull looked to be a good one when we could get a glimpse of his horns through the trees. The bull stayed tight to one cow. She moved back and forth, 10 yards left, 10 yards right, but always up behind those dang trees. The other 4 cows moved around enough that we had clear shots on any of them. But that one cow stayed with plenty of shrubbery between us. Finally, after about 40 minutes of teasing both the bull and us, she just decided it was time to walk out the back way, behind the trees, and take James’ bull with her! The other cows followed within a few minutes. They do not call them the Grey Ghosts for nothing!
Waking up at the farm with the birds -
During our stay at the farm the girls were able to go horseback riding and Pat tells a great story of them running into a group of Wildebeest. The horses snorted and pawed the earth, the Wildebeest ran and then turned and came back all grouped up in force and then more horse snorting and posturing. They had a great time playing cowboy in Africa. James had opportunities to shoot Jackels, Warthogs, and Baboons, but he kept holding out for that Kudu. On the late afternoon of day 4 we finally got him onto an Oryx bull and he temporarily forgot the Kudu long enough to make a great one shot kill. His first African trophy and it was so much fun being with him during the pursuit.
Cowgirl in Africa! -
The first trophy -
After 5 days of pure pleasure for us guys beating the bush we figured we best spend some time with the ladies, so we packed up and drove to Swakopmund for a couple of nights. We were able to grab a huge house via Air BnB for only $160 a night and a $40 cleaning fee! Yep, 2 nights, $360 split between our friends and us. Off season has its advantages! Finally the girls, especially Pat, could get some shopping in! James and I spent a couple hours out on the sand dunes the next day while the girls had a pedicure at the Sea Side Hotel & Spa. If you go to Namibia, it is well worth planning a couple of days at the coast. As most natives will tell you, Swakop is the nicest town in Namibia. Walvis Bay down the road is always worth a drive. Archie, an old acquaintance, runs Laramon Tours on his catamarans. If the weather is good, seeing the bay is amazing. At least have lunch down on the waterfront at Anchors @ the Jetty – try the Calamari!!!
Air BnB in Swakop -
The sand dunes -
Leaving Swakop in the afternoon on Friday we headed to another friends place near the Namib-Naukluft National Park. This was just a weekend visit, but no sooner than we showed up did my friend, the owner, (name withheld) told us to grab our rifles and lets go shoot some Mt. Zebra! Seems he was inundated with zebra seeking grass – which he had, but would soon run out of. Not a mile from the house we spotted a group and made a stalk. One shot and James had a nice stallion down. Not 20 minutes later my turn came and bam, another stallion down! Back to house in time to start the braai. Now this is something that does not get talked about enough – the braai! This is one of the best traditions of the hunt. The fire, the talk, the brandy, the coals finally getting ready and moving them under the grill racks…..and then the meat, seasoned just so. Doesn’t matter what it is, Kudu, Oryx, Springbok – OK, Springbok matters! Tonight it is my friends special lamb chops. My wife specifically asked for him to cook these for this visit and they were oh so tasty. A very late night talking of all things, and consuming brandy and more meat. My wife swears we eat a year’s worth of meat every time we go over, but to me it never gets old! My friend says he has good Kudu bulls and will help us find one the next day. Okay, his property is large – about 50 square kilometers. We set off and within a kilometer of the house we get 50 - 100 Zebra running in front of us, driving all game away. As soon as we would shake a herd, over the next hill we would bump another herd. It went on all day like that. If we saw Oryx that we might want to look at, forget it….Zebra would run through, or by, and spook them. We finally gave up. I got so fed up, that Sunday morning before we left, I told him I wanted to kill another Zebra. It was not much of a hunt for one, but it did feel good to get rid of one more. I cannot imagine what his place will look like at the end of this dry season.
James and his Zebra -
And another -
Lamb Chops on the braai -
On the way back to the house at days end - ahhh -
We still don't know how Pat got this close before it took off! -
Sunday afternoon we split our group up and the ladies had a 2 night stay planned up at Mt. Etjo Lodge, while James and I took my friends old farm bakkie and drove up into the Erongo Mountains. I had come all this way for one thing really, a Klipspringer. A tiny little rock dwelling antelope. Hopefully this was the place. Our guide was my old friend Peter. His apprentice was Abisai. After a great night sleep, we were up early and on the move. As we were driving around, Abisai would point one way and say Springbok, then the other and say Oryx, or Steenbok. Sometimes we saw what he was pointing out, other times not. We have all read of the African’s ability to see game right? Well, we were in the flats of the crater and he points ahead to a rocky hillside about a kilometer away and says Klipspringer. I look at the hill in the distance. I say to him, oh they are seen on that hill sometimes. Yes, there is one now is his reply. I am like, right. We keep getting closer and he is trying to point it out to me way up on the hill. We stop. I finally see it. Peter says it is a male and a decent one. Do I want it? We go forward as far as we can and Peter calls out the range…..220 yards. It is way steeper than any shot I have ever tried. I know I should be dead on at that range, but will probably be a tad high due to the angle. I get set, squatting to get the gun rested and pointed high enough. At the shot he disappeared. Peter called it a good shot and it felt good. Up the hill Abisai and I go. We cannot find it and keep getting hand signals from Peter where to move to look. Finally I see it laying there below the big rock it was standing on. I am so very excited about this little tiny critter! It was really all I was hoping for on this trip. That is my new thing, one primary animal per trip. Of course there will probably be others, but it will keep me going back! Note here of thanks to Kevin Robertson and the Perfect Shot book. My shot placement was mid body as he spells out for these little guys and it worked perfectly with minimal hide damage up front. I would never have shot anything mid body before I read his book!
As I found him. You can see the truck is now positioned where I shot from -
On the prowl with Peter -
After a trip to the skinning shed, lunch and a rest, we set out to look for the elusive Kudu for James. We drove around for a couple of hours and got out at different spots to make some walks into corners of the hills, but saw nothing. The drought has affected the whole country and Peter is concerned about the game in his area. About an hour before dusk I ask if we can go up high and glass one of the flats. So up we go and out on a rocky area. 20 minutes into glassing and Abisai says Kudu bull! And so it is, about 1000 yards out, on the scent of a cow maybe, from the way he is traveling and nosing around. There is a rocky point to our right and below us. The bull is far to our left and traveling to our right. We decide to get down on the rocky point as quickly and quietly as we can and hope when he comes by he will be in range and offer a clear shot. 15 minutes to get into position. I am behind James and Abisai with the camera. As they get to the edge they wave at me to stay low. I decide I will stay there and take pictures instead of messing up a chance at the bull. They get set up on the sticks and I can see James’ rifle is pointing downhill almost at the same angle as mine was pointing uphill this morning. The bull must be close in to the hill we are on. They are whispering but I cannot hear them. Then Abisai stands up and puts his hands over his ears and makes a loud yell – to stop the bull. About a second later the sound of the shot echoes across the crater. I move forward and see the bull down and kicking. James is still on the sticks waiting to put another round down range. It is not needed! Kudu bull down! Seeing the excitement on my friends face when we got down to that bull was worth all the planning and effort that went into making the trip happen. We both got our wish list animal on the same day. How awesome is that. Big celebration that night. The next morning we decided we did not need to go out and hunt again and would head back to meet the girls a little early as we were moving back to Windhoek that day to stage for another short excursion. I have to say that being in the Erongos is a favor place of mine. I have never seen a black Rhino up there, but we saw their droppings and just to know they are around makes it feel pretty wild.
James and Abisai glassing -
You can kind of see the rocky point we followed down to the right of us here -
The result -
We picked up the girls and they had great stories of Mt. Etjo. Lions and both white and black Rhino, along with some Elephant were seen. They were pampered a little and had a great stay. We all repacked and drove to Windhoek with a stop at the market in Okahandja for last minute shopping of souvenirs. Another repack in Windhoek and Wednesday morning we set off for a farm south of Gobabis out on the edge of the Kalahari.
This was actually supposed to be our first stop when I planned the trip, but they were booked that weekend so we rearranged to do it at the end. This was where I wanted James to collect his Springbok. The red sand here is so different and the dunes are set up like wave sets in the ocean. Beautiful country and so different from the other 3 areas we visited.
I won’t go into details here except to say that again the drought was showing its affects, and they had already decided that we would be the 2nd and last, booking for the season due to the drought. James did collect his Springbok here. I managed to shoot a decent Blesbok and an Ostrich. Yes, I know…..it was just something that I had an opportunity to do and had never done. We enjoyed ourselves here very much, especially the sunsets.
Edge of Kalahari -
Springbok -
Beautiful Country -
Big Bird -
Blesbok -
Great sunsets -
Saturday we drove back to Windhoek. Our last night is always at Joes Beer House and we probably celebrated a bit too much, but it is always a fun place to say so long to Namibia……until next time.
We left Windhoek on South African Airways and they were able to check our luggage and rifle cases all the way through to Boise. So nice not having to pick them up in Joberg and recheck them, even though I had the permit still in place and had plenty of time planned in case we needed to. SAA will do this, but it took a bit of coaxing the gate agent to figure out how to do it. My wife showing up with chocolate treats for the gate agents as I was doing this probably didn’t hurt any. At first she thought she could only get them as far as Atlanta and that would have been fine too, as you have to pull them there and go through 2 government agency clusters to get moving again, but she eventually got them tagged all the way to Boise. Another nice feature that Delta had was the bag tracking. I knew every time we boarded a plane that our bags had made it and were onboard. Even in Joberg. Technology has its moments.
Well, that is all I can think of for now. Probably more than I should have wrote, but I still get excited about all things Africa! Good hunting to you all!
