Namibia or South Africa? And what species?

For a plains game safari, would you rather hunt Namibia, or South Africa? And which of these would you pick, and why?

If you were to choose one of these safaris, what would you hunt on it? Assuming this was your first hunt in Africa, and you wanted to absolutely make the most of it (without draining your entire life savings along the way).

Asking for... reasons

Thanks,
Drew

Could not choose, did both.

BRICKBURN said:

Could not choose, did both.

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See I'd love to do this, my problem is that I've got a list of North American hunts I've got to do as well - and I know Alaska won't be coming cheap! Not to mention the fishing trips...

Perhaps you could help with species selection? I don't know much about what I'd like to hunt, if I ever even make it to Africa - but kudu seems to be a very popular species from what I have seen.

Drew

Biggiesmalls, those are very subjective questions. The only correct answers are your own. Are you a predator hunter, then you will want to hunt for those, ie jackal, caracal, serval, and up the ladder. Are you into big horns, then kudu and gemsbuck would top your list. If bargains are your preference, I’d look at all the smallish antelope, ie, Impala, duiker, steenbok, and warthog, etc. Do you love the rush or potential of danger, ie, grizzly and money is of lesser importance? Then buffalo, hippo, lion, leopard, elephant should be your focus.
Country?...they are both very different and you should plan to at least eventually do both.
Once you have been to Africa, you will go back! Or you will always wish you could.
JMO from my experience in Africa.
Best of luck in your decision! No matter what you decide, you will enjoy it.

Drew, Kudu was at the top of my list. (Still is)
All the Spiral Horns still are actually.

Those are two rather large countries with a lot of options.

Plains Game:
If you are hunting Namibia:
Kudu, Gemsbok, Eland, Warthog, Hartmann Zebra.

South Africa;
Kudu, Nyala, Bushbuck, Springbok, Impala, Blue Wildebeest

I understand the budget issue very well. I just made my first trip as a guest of a very generous uncle who bought a group hunt at DSC. (BTW not a bad way to get a good deal on a great trip). The hunt that was paid for included warthog, Blue Wildebeest, and Impala- other than Impala these were species I wouldn’t have picked. I wanted Kudu and Gemsbok primarily. I took all but the warthog. The Kudu was a dream hunt for a dream animal. But the Blue Wildebeest and Impala were also great. And I had a ball stalking warthog without success. I loved the Limpopo hunt. I am now planning a Namibia hunt for 2019. Funny thing is I am going to make sure I find the money for the second trip even though I might not have made the first one on my own. I also had wonderful hunts for animals I would not have picked until I got there.

My advice from a rookie: do at least 7 days (I did 5 and it was too short), have your definite want list, then just hunt. Everybody on this site says “take what Africa gives you” and they are so right. Know your budget or you can definitely get carried away, but be open to opportunities you hadn’t planned. I promise there will be animals you never dreamed of hunting that you will want once you’ve seen them on a stalk for something else. Just like @Ridgewalker said, you will be back after the first trip, so whichever you choose, know you’ll love it then start planning to go to the other one next time.

BRICKBURN said:

Drew, Kudu was at the top of my list. (Still is)
All the Spiral Horns still are actually.

Those are two rather large countries with a lot of options.

Plains Game:
If you are hunting Namibia:
Kudu, Gemsbok, Eland, Warthog, Hartmann Zebra.

South Africa;
Kudu, Nyala, Bushbuck, Springbok, Impala, Blue Wildebeest

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Plenty of Springbuck in Namibia as well - and I seem to also remember shooting two brindled gnu there - just saying

I think the better question is what sort of environment do you want to hunt? High fence/ cattle ranches (free range low fence)/ or true wilderness areas. In the RSA you can shoot anything on any list behind a fence. Several places in Namibia offer the same options. So does Texas. Trick is picking the right fence to go behind - some areas are large enough to essentially be free range - at least as far as the animals are concerned - others are postage stamp, put-and-take shooting preserves. Do your homework. In both the RSA and Namibia you can find true free range operations which will fulfill any list of the area's native game. And of course, wilderness areas like the Caprivi are very special, but the cost of the hunt reflects it.

And if you are going to do it, and maybe only go once, then a kudu has to be at the top of the plains game list.

It depends on what you want to spend. I have found that RSA is somewhat "cheaper" then Namibia relativity speaking for the hunts that I priced out. It depends on your level of comfort. A lot depends also where in each country you want to hunt. You can find just about any game animal in RSA that you would want to harvest, whereas Namibia does not have the number of "game farms" that RSA does. I had a very remote hunt in the Northern Cape, whereas in Limpopo, I think the whole providence is a "game farm." I have been to Namibia, but not to hunt, although I could gone this October on a business/hunting trip. I am on the list for same trip next October, but it looks like work issues will knock me out of that trip too.

I have hunted both but if were to do it again.
Namibia:
Kudu, Eland, Hartmann Zebra, Springbok, Red Hartebeest, Gemsbok, and Wart Hog
South Africa:
Kudu, Blue Wildebeest, Blesbok, Black Wildebeest, Nyala, Impala, and Bushbuck

You ask a question that is rather individualized and to which there is no wrong answer. I would suggest perhaps trying to do both. Now before you dismiss it as too expensive consider this. I saw recently a RSA hunt offered early in the year for $2500 and it seems like it had 4 animals. That was here on AH. Several other offers this year for under $4K. Use that for a base and maybe add 1-2 more animals to something like that and then transfer on over to Namibia. Maybe just 5 days there to help keep expenses down some. The animal list should be what you really want to hunt. Namibia generally has fewer animal choices. I suggest picking a couple of animals for your A list and a few for your B list. If there are some you don't want at all tell your PH so you don't waste time looking at them. For instance, my wife feels that a Zebra is too close to a horse and is a no go in the house. In 2015 I probably could of taken 6 of them in a 10 day hunt. Saw them all over.... No one animal is for everyone...... Except maybe Kudu....
My last hunt in Africa I hunted with 3 different outfitters in 2 different countries. My best trip to Africa in 4 times over there. Spend some time looking at animal pics in the trophy galleries and then price lists to see what you can hunt. Best of luck and have fun.
Bruce

biggiesmalls said:

For a plains game safari, would you rather hunt Namibia, or South Africa? And which of these would you pick, and why?

If you were to choose one of these safaris, what would you hunt on it? Assuming this was your first hunt in Africa, and you wanted to absolutely make the most of it (without draining your entire life savings along the way).

Asking for... reasons

Thanks,
Drew

Click to expand...

Drew
For me it’s easy after going over there 11 times. I would send you to Namibia because it has a unique flavor not because it’s better than RSA. I would have you hunt mountain zebra, springbok, and gemsbok because they are the iconic species of Namibia. Then I would let you choose to add on warthog, Kudu, and maybe a eland to round things out. You would not be disappointed with my plan for you!
Philip

Drew,

Touch call there. I have not hunted Namibia but its certainly on my list. I dont think you can go wrong whichever choice you make. I would target kudu no matter the country. Also springbok and gemsbok. After that take species that are more indigenous to that particular area like: Mountain Zebra in Namibia, or Bushbuck in certain parts of SA. Best of luck

I have hunted both and would say doing 5 or 7 days at each on the same hunt would be great. If you do your home work and combo the two you can get 8 to 10 plains game animals on a combo hunt and not break the bank.

I would do a Greater kudu for sure and look in Namibia first but if not found hunt one in Sa.

My for sure animals in Namibia would be Oryx, mtn zebra , springbuck , Red hartebeest , warthog . That is based on quality for the price.

Then in SA I would hunt impala , blue wildebeest , black wildebeest , bushbuck and nyala if you have the funds.

It all comes done to finding the right people who offer quality for a good price. The airfare is a big chunk of cash that is why I would tell you to do a longer hunt instead of going for 7 days then going back 2 years later for another 7 days. Everyone goes thinking one hunt is all they will do with most going back again.

If you need anymore help or info feel free to Pm on here and I will share more with you.

If you are on a budget, I would say South Africa. I believe there is more competition there and thus, lower prices and some really good plains game package hunts. Considering travel time is going to eat up three to four days, as others have posted, would recommend at least a ten day hunt. Two caveats, don't try and cram a bunch of animals in to one hunt and don't expect to get everything on your list in one hunt.

That would be the best price wise. Impala and blesbuck are quite a bit cheaper in RSA

Biggiesmalls, you’re now loaded with experiences and recommendations from a number of great guys with lots of hunts behind them. Remember that no matter what you choose to do, the only wrong decision is not to go!
You’re going to have a grand time! Enjoy!

I have done both.

While I agree with the consensus that, generally, 'it depends', I would say that if I knew then what I know now, Namibia would win as a first timer to Africa hunting destination. There are a few of reasons for this, but the main ones are that the hunting areas tend to be enormous, and there seems to be a bit of a wilder flavour to the place than you will generally find in South Africa.

Minor reasons would include such things as not having to fill out a long form to get rifles in (the Namibian form is one page, you fill it in on arrival, and it takes minutes to get the guns in), and a generally more congenial atmosphere with respect to racial issues - the government in Namibia doesn't seem to sing from the same divisive song book as does the government of South Africa. Equally, I think that Nambia has virtually every animal which South Africa has, that a first-timer would be looking at, often at lower trophy fees.

Before I get drawn and quartered, let me be clear. There are large hunting areas in South Africa, and there are some which seem pretty wild. But it's a fact that South Africa is (much) more developed, and has (many) more people, than does Namibia. And there are game ranches in South Africa with very reasonable fees, comparable to Namibia. I am not being critical of South Africa, and in fact, am likely back there this winter for the last two of the tiny ten I am looking for. It's great hunting destination, but you asked for a view, so I've given you one. Suggesting one doesn't mean denigrating the other (do I sound defensive yet?).

I love both places as hunting destinations, but on balance, I think Namibia might just have a little bit more to offer a first-timer.

The problem with hunting both countries in the same trip will be your shipping bill, since you will have two shipments. You could ship the hides from Namibia to South Africa or vice versa in order to consolidate your shipment, but even this won’t be free.
The shipping bill, paired with your taxidermy, whether having the work done in Africa or whether it will be dip and pack, could add up quickly. Personally, my recommendation would be to pick a single destination.
Taxidermy, should you decide to have anything done, is a substantial cost added to a safari that cannot be ignored.
We can help you with a hunt in either country. Should you require any more info, please do not hesitate to send me either a PM or email and I will be more than happy to present you with a couple of options.

Take Care,
Marius Goosen

Hunting Africa with my two sons was on my "bucket list." Being retired, the cost had to fit within my budget. We went to South Africa. Our PG trophies were excellent 13 out of 19 met SCI Trophy requirements. One thing for sure, you will be going back so there is no need to take everything you want to, on one trip.

There is more free range hunting in Namibia and kudu, gemsbok, and springbok are cheaper there. But on the other hand SA has more variety with impala, blesbok, warthog and others that are cheaper. I've did both several times and it's like comparing apples to oranges! Namibia is wilder and more remote. I like both!