Questions about hunting Namibia

I am hunting Namibia in September (already booked) and I have a few questions. I am trying to decide what to hunt but I only have 5 hunting days. I will be traveling through South Africa and Namibia for 2 weeks, but I am limited on hunting days.

Warthog and springbok are at the top of my list. In 4 trips I have yet to get either species. I have an oryx so I don't really want another one.

Here are the things I have left for plains game in Namibia: Dik Dik, Klipspringer, Blesbok (not high on my list), Mountain Zebra, Black Wildebeest (not high on my list), Roan (listed for $7500 so I may pass on), Lechwe (I want to hunt but may wait on Zambia for another day).

Does the Dik Dik and/or Mountain Zebra require special permits in Namibia and how limited are the hunts per year? What would be the animals to hunt where I can take 3 to 5 animals in 5 days? I have no idea how difficult it is to hunt Dik Dik, Mountain Zebra, Roan or Lechwe in Namibia.

I am thinking maybe warthog (which I know can be difficult), springbok, blesbok, black wildebeest, and hunt the others by opportunity. What are your thoughts?

If you are going to be where they are at, a Hartmans Mt. Zebra is a fantastic hunt in the mountains. Makes a great looking rug as well. I sit line in 2009 so I’m not up to date on current permitting issues. I had to have a CITES permit to get mine home but it wasn’t an issue getting one back then.

Go for the endemic stuff if you can

I heavily recommend the Dik Dip and Hartmann Mtn Zebra.

The zebra in the Khomas was one of the most challenging hunts of my life.

It is also a very heavy baboon area, so maybe they will let you do some damage to the local baboon troop.

A lot will depend on which area you’re hunting.
Hartmanns zebra is an iconic Namibian animal. Especially if hunted in the Khomas Hochland. Good area for kudu too.
Another iconic Namibian animal is the Black-face impala, but I’m not sure if they can be imported to the USA.
Dik-Dik aren’t difficult to hunt and a great species to target with your favourite .22 Hornet.
The areas around Tsumeb and Grootfontein are great for tracking big eland bulls.
Free range springbok in Damaraland is a fantastic experience.
If you don’t have one yet, Namibia is a good place for Red Hartebeest.

If permits are required, your PH will arrange them through NAPHA.

Unless it’s a Red Lechwe, save the lechwe and roan for Zambia.

Since you’re hunting with Philip, you really need to go hunt a Hartmann’s zebra. It’s only CITES Appendix II, so it’s not a big deal no complicated permits, and import is the same as most plains game. You’re right there in their homeland, so it just makes sense. It offers real mountain hunting is it hard but rewarding.
Oryx are also very affordable (around $770), and again, you’ll be hunting them where they naturally belong. And you can be picky

I have to ask—why go all the way to central Namibia and even consider a blesbok? I’d strongly recommend passing on that. It will almost certainly be a high-fence situation. And for black wildebeest, they just don’t make much sense for Namibia. Not from there at all.
If those species are what you’re after, a trip to the Karoo would have been a much better fit.

Since you’ll be with KHHS, focus on what the area does best. Go hunt a mountain zebra, take an older oryx, and if Philip can arrange it, make a day trip for a Damara dik-dik (assuming permits are available). Dik-dik aren’t in the Khomas region, but heading a bit north for one is a great experience and well worth the effort. Can be done in a day trip from Philips ranch.

The real value of central Namibia is in hunting free-range game on low-fence cattle ranches. That’s where you get the authentic experience for insane value.

Roan, red lechwe, blesbok… I’d pass. That’s how you end up in what feels more like petting zoo rather than the amazing free range and indigenous game..

Kinda seems like you are going for collecting species, but I’d really encourage you to focus on quality and experience here free-range animals in their natural environment.

Hartmann’s zebra should be at the top of your list.

Hope that wasn’t harsh. But was surprised you even considered a Blesbok…
The only non native game I would even consider is the Waterbok because in that area they self populate and have pockets of them in lowfence ranches. Not a lot of- but you seem some time to time.






Enjoy your time in Khomas and tell Juan I say hello. And Santos!

dchum said:

Since you’re hunting with Philip, you really need to go hunt a Hartmann’s zebra. It’s only CITES Appendix II, so it’s not a big deal no complicated permits, and import is the same as most plains game. You’re right there in their homeland, so it just makes sense. It offers real mountain hunting is it hard but rewarding.
Oryx are also very affordable (around $770), and again, you’ll be hunting them where they naturally belong. And you can be picky

I have to ask—why go all the way to central Namibia and even consider a blesbok? I’d strongly recommend passing on that. It will almost certainly be a high-fence situation. And for black wildebeest, they just don’t make much sense for Namibia. Not from there at all.
If those species are what you’re after, a trip to the Karoo would have been a much better fit.

Since you’ll be with KHHS, focus on what the area does best. Go hunt a mountain zebra, take an older oryx, and if Philip can arrange it, make a day trip for a Damara dik-dik (assuming permits are available). Dik-dik aren’t in the Khomas region, but heading a bit north for one is a great experience and well worth the effort. Can be done in a day trip from Philips ranch.

The real value of central Namibia is in hunting free-range game on low-fence cattle ranches. That’s where you get the authentic experience for insane value.

Roan, red lechwe, blesbok… I’d pass. That’s how you end up in what feels more like petting zoo rather than the amazing free range and indigenous game..

Kinda seems like you are going for collecting species, but I’d really encourage you to focus on quality and experience here free-range animals in their natural environment.

Hartmann’s zebra should be at the top of your list.

Hope that wasn’t harsh. But was surprised you even considered a Blesbok…
The only non native game I would even consider is the Waterbok because in that area they self populate and have pockets of them in lowfence ranches. Not a lot of- but you seem some time to time.

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Enjoy your time in Khomas and tell Juan I say hello. And Santos!

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I really appreciate your post. This is the type of feedback I am looking for to make my decision.

I see why it looks like I am just checking off a list and I may be doing some of that but I am also looking for something different than hunting Limpopo again! I really want to hunt Mountain Zebra, Springbok, warthog, and Dik Dik just because of location. I will probably take an oxyx.

Justbryan said:

I really appreciate your post. This is the type of feedback I am looking for to make my decision.

I see why it looks like I am just checking off a list and I may be doing some of that but I am also looking for something different that hunting Limpopo again! I really want to hunt Mountain Zebra, Springbok, warthog, and Dik Dik just because of location. I will probably take an oxyx.

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I’m glad my note didn’t come off wrong, it’s pure enthusiasm I have for your next adventure!

And hey, if you already have an oryx and it won’t excite you, then no big deal! You will still enjoying seeing them daily and the age class and all the young. They really thrive there.



Another note, Just for your expectations, it is very dry at times and a vast landscape.
The density of game will be MUCH less than you are maybe used to in the thicker parts of SA.

It is a true desert biome. There is not shootable game around every hill. You can drive an afternoon and not see much. You will spend time glassing with the team and scanning the landscape. But that just makes it so much sweeter and intense when you are making the stalk. You will not want to blow it.

Hartmanns is a difficult hunt and will make you work for it.

Or you will get lucky! Ya never know.

@dchum, I seem to be very lucky whether in the Western USA, New Zealand, Europe, Africa, or Texas. Sometimes my luck outpaces my pocketbook.

So, I don't mind doing more hunting than shooting. I will be happy with whatever I am fortunate enough to see! We will enjoy our time no matter the outcome.

I have hunted many times with Phillip. It will be a great trip. I would concentrate on Hartman zebra, oryx, and wart hog. They are all native to his ranches and free range.

Mountaineer said:

I have hunted many times with Phillip. It will be a great trip. I would concentrate on Hartman zebra, oryx, and wart hog. They are all native to his ranches and free range.

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100%

Always be open for a kudu or eland in that area too.
Sometimes, while glassing zebra herds you see a few proper kudu bulls.

Justbryan said:

Does the Dik Dik and/or Mountain Zebra require special permits in Namibia and how limited are the hunts per year? What would be the animals to hunt where I can take 3 to 5 animals in 5 days? I have no idea how difficult it is to hunt Dik Dik, Mountain Zebra, Roan or Lechwe in Namibia.

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Hmmmm
Roan and letchwe will most likely be relatively easy - becasue in central farm land they are managed in fenced hunting area.
If you hunt in Caprivi - in 2025 on my buffalo hunt, I have seen them in numbers on open plains of Salambala conservancy, but those will require longish shot. But it is not a habitat for Hartman zebra - only plains zebra there. (also present in good numbers)

If you add Hartmann mountain zebra on your list it will not be in Caprivi, but in central Namibian mountains and farm lands, then red lechwe and roan most likely will be in the fence.

Hartmann zebra is quintessential Namibian hunt. Available in fence and open range. But true hunt is open range. Most outfitters will be able to organize this. For open areas, consider more days for Hartmann.

I never hunted dik dik, nor damara dik dik. Small animal, fast. I imagine it will be demanding and time consuming. But that is my guess only.

I hunted hartmann zebra in 2018 in Namibia.

If you need a recommendation of outfitter who can organize all animals of your list, drop me a pm.

I would go dik dik, mtn zebra, klippy, and if days left go eland/kudu.

3chunter said:

I would go dik dik, mtn zebra, klippy, and if days left go eland/kudu.

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Yes I saw lots of kilippy in Khomas and in erongo region just north. Would be a good choice

Eland do not free range/ are not native to Khomas mountains. Will be HF game farms to get eland most likely in Khomas area where Bryan is hunting.

After talking with many of you in the last few days. I am going to add two days instead of going to Walvis Bay on holiday.

I have 4 days booked in the Cape Town area to relax so I am going to check with Phillip at Khomas Highland Hunting Safaris about hunting the 7 full days instead of 5.

I will probably hunt only low fence areas, but Klipspringer get me excited. I have shot a few Eland and Kudu so I will most likely pass on them. I passed on a 60"+ Kudu on my last hunt in Limpopo at 50 yards. I know...big mistake. And he stood still for 30 minutes while we admired him.

A double mount again of a Klipspringer and Dik Dik would be nice!

Justbryan said:

After talking with many of you in the last few days. I am going to add two days instead of going to Walvis Bay on holiday.

I have 4 days booked in the Cape Town area to relax so I am going to check with Phillip at Khomas Highland Hunting Safaris about hunting the 7 full days instead of 5.

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That will take a lot of pressure off, especially if a trip to Erongo for Dik Dik happens.

If the permits are already spoken for at Philips Dik Dik ranch he usually uses (only two a season) then maybe substitute it for a Klipspringer as they are in Khomas and no travel needed.

I think you made the right choice in adding hunting days. Anything less than 7 would just fly by IMO. Saw one or two klipspringer when I was there. Also saw a massive warthog and a massive springbok. Plentiful kudu, oryx and Hartmann zebra. Might consider a blue wildebeest too.

Steenbok are everywhere. Along with baboons and a couple jackals. Taking a 22 after guinea fowl and francolin is a blast too. Just some affordable ideas if you have some time at the end of your trip

What is there to do around Khomas Highland Safari area for my wife? I know there are no shopping malls but are there any scenic drives, trails, cultural experiences, or historical sites? It seems to be very remote which is great for me. She will ride some with me on the hunt, but she will not walk the trail unless there is something to see.