Namibia VS RSA

MT_Fin

AH senior member
Joined
Feb 27, 2019
Messages
83
Reaction score
76
Location
Western Montana
Media
2
Hello All,
I was hoping you all could share your experiences regarding the pros and cons of hunting Namibia vs RSA etc. I see offers on here for both countries and just trying to narrow my search a bit.

This will be my first safari and I’ll likely bring my oldest son (he will be 11 then) as my buddy has since backed out.

Thanks for any help!
Fin
 
Each countrys is unique in it's own way. Some trophies are cheaper in each County and they are generally the species common to the country.
 
Less fences in Namibia if that is important to you.
Easier to import your firearm into Namibia.
Likely more choice of species in South Africa.
Prices are similar if you shop around.
Namibian climate is more stable throughout the country and opposed to South Africa where depending on where you hunt you could be in freezing rain when you start and baking a couple of hours later, it makes choosing clothes easier.
Less people in Namibia and therefore more wild places away from civilization.
If you travel from the United States you might be fed up with flying once you land in South Africa but be aware you might need an internal flight depending on where you hunt so choose location carefully if you don't want to be travelling forever....
 
Less fences in Namibia if that is important to you.
Easier to import your firearm into Namibia.
Likely more choice of species in South Africa.
Prices are similar if you shop around.
Namibian climate is more stable throughout the country and opposed to South Africa where depending on where you hunt you could be in freezing rain when you start and baking a couple of hours later, it makes choosing clothes easier.
Less people in Namibia and therefore more wild places away from civilization.
If you travel from the United States you might be fed up with flying once you land in South Africa but be aware you might need an internal flight depending on where you hunt so choose location carefully if you don't want to be travelling forever....
Thanks, I live and hunt in Montana and have lived in Alaska so wild places certainly speak to me as does hunting animals native to an area.
 
It's nice to see RSA score a try....kinda like seeing a pangolin....:whistle:
 
When they say fences don't expect to really see many. On the farm's that I hunted in SA the only time that you knew that you were inside of one was when you came up on it. Other than that I could of been hunting anywhere here in the western US the boundaries were so large.

Also I wouldn't be too worried about a extra flight out of Joberg. I flew from Denver to Salt Lake to NYC to Joberg and then finally Port Elizabeth with time to spare at each plane swap. Once in Port Elizabeth and a hot shower and a little walk around the casino and beach and to bed. Our outfitter picked us up the next morning and then a drive out to the farm. There were 4 in our group and we all were ready to go. Now the trip back killed me.

For importing firearms into SA I used a preapproved service and a meet and greet. Everything went as smooth as silk. They then met us again on our way home and walked us through the process to recheck our rifles and they left us happy campers at the security line.
 
Namibia is next on my list of places to hunt I think.
 
Flip a coin to decide your first hunting destination. In a couple of years you'll be going back, at that time try out the "loosing" destination from the initial coin flip. Then you can tell us which one you liked better and why.
 
I have not hunted in the RSA. I have been to Namibia twice, with my sons, and hunted with Boet Nell both times and will hopefully hunt with him again some day. The first time I flew there was with United LA to Frankfort and then Air Namibia Frankfort direct Windhoek. That ended up being about 10-1/2 hours each leg. The second trip was with Swiss Air, good airline, LA direct Zurich direct Johannesburg, then Windhoek. The first trip was shorter and less hassle by not having to go through Johannesburg.

One other thing I would suggest is to get with either Gracy Travel or Steve at Travel with Guns for booking you flights and taking care of your firearms permits. I have used them both and think they are well worth the expense.

I am very happy for you, taking your young son along, it is a wonderful memory that is life long.
 
Mt_Fin,

Of course since I am imployed by an excellent Safari company in Namibia, I prefer it over South Africa.
However in all honesty, pretty much every African country, allowing foreign hunters have both good and bad things about them.
As Adrian and others have mentioned, Namibia has less people (it’s one of the least populated countries anywhere), and so remoteness/wild places are plentiful there.
It has more diversified species than 99% of us could afford to hunt in one lifetime.
However, South Africa has even more types of animals to choose from.
South Africa has trout fishing up in the Drakensberg Mountains, and Namibia has salt water fishing with opportunities like it was in 1920’s Hawaii.
There are still substantial antelope and zebra migrations in parts of Namibia.
I believe there are eland and perhaps other species migrating up and down the Drakensbergs ?
There may be other locations in South Africa where migrations occur (?) but, one doesn’t hear much about these for some reason.

Anyway, no matter which country you choose (I hope you choose Khomas Highland Hunting Safaris in Namibia - lol), I strongly recommend that you avoid outfits that only offer “put and take” type hunts on small plots, with half tame animals, (from being hand raised by farmers, almost like dairy cattle).
Such disappointing places exist in both countries you’re looking at so, don’t be too fast in making your decision.

You are evidently a serious hunter (or else you wouldn’t be in this forum, doing your diligent homework as you are) and so, your over all experiences and memories will be inhanced if you spend your Safari/s on truly huge concessions, farther from the noise and sparkle of civilization.

Cheers,
Paul.
 
Last edited:
Mt_Fin,

Of course since I am imployed by an excellent Safari company in Namibia, I prefer it over South Africa.
However in all honesty, pretty much every African country, allowing foreign hunters have both good and bad things about them.
As Adrian and others have mentioned, Namibia has less people (it’s one of the least populated countries anywhere), and so remoteness/wild places are plentiful there.

No matter which one you choose (I hope you choose Khomas Highland Hunting Safaris in Namibia - lol), I strongly recommend that you avoid outfits that only offer “put and take” type hunts on small plots, with half tame animals, (from being hand raised by farmers, almost like dairy cattle).
You are evidently a serious hunter, (or else you wouldn’t be in this forum, doing your diligent homework as you are) and so, your over all experiences and memories will be inhanced if you spend your Safari/s farther from the noise and sparkle of civilization.

Cheers,
Paul.
I have a PM in to them actually with some questions. Yes, I absolutely do not want "put and take" and would like to actually hunt. So far for RSA I am looking in to Henry Griffith and for Namibia Khomas Highland Hunting.
 
When they say fences don't expect to really see many. On the farm's that I hunted in SA the only time that you knew that you were inside of one was when you came up on it. Other than that I could of been hunting anywhere here in the western US the boundaries were so large.

Also I wouldn't be too worried about a extra flight out of Joberg. I flew from Denver to Salt Lake to NYC to Joberg and then finally Port Elizabeth with time to spare at each plane swap. Once in Port Elizabeth and a hot shower and a little walk around the casino and beach and to bed. Our outfitter picked us up the next morning and then a drive out to the farm. There were 4 in our group and we all were ready to go. Now the trip back killed me.

For importing firearms into SA I used a preapproved service and a meet and greet. Everything went as smooth as silk. They then met us again on our way home and walked us through the process to recheck our rifles and they left us happy campers at the security line.

Great, thanks for the help!

Flip a coin to decide your first hunting destination. In a couple of years you'll be going back, at that time try out the "loosing" destination from the initial coin flip. Then you can tell us which one you liked better and why.
I like the way you think...……… :)

My proposition: Namibia.

Thanks!

I have not hunted in the RSA. I have been to Namibia twice, with my sons, and hunted with Boet Nell both times and will hopefully hunt with him again some day. The first time I flew there was with United LA to Frankfort and then Air Namibia Frankfort direct Windhoek. That ended up being about 10-1/2 hours each leg. The second trip was with Swiss Air, good airline, LA direct Zurich direct Johannesburg, then Windhoek. The first trip was shorter and less hassle by not having to go through Johannesburg.

One other thing I would suggest is to get with either Gracy Travel or Steve at Travel with Guns for booking you flights and taking care of your firearms permits. I have used them both and think they are well worth the expense.

I am very happy for you, taking your young son along, it is a wonderful memory that is life long.

Thank you for the insight!
 
I have hunted Namibia four times and South Africa once which probably says something. I took my son to Namibia for our first safari in 2008. It is a memory that I know we shall both cherish the remainder of our days. Your buddy backing out is a wonderful thing.
 
Not sure if you can read this or not, but I will try to attach it anyway. It is a photo of an article that my friend in Namibia sent me. It is well put....hope it is clear enough for you all to read....

Back to our roots article from Johan.jpg
 
#Arctic97, I’ve read the article and it reflects my feelings and my experience exactly. I’ve been in RSA and Namibia.
When I go hunting, I’m looking for a good hunting experience, reconnect to the nature and the people. I’m not interesant in luxury resorts, expensive drinks and 5 stars cuisine. But this is what RSA is focusing on right now. Some of the outfitters that had rougher hunting caps moved towards spa type of camps, as it seemes that’s what some of the hunters expect. To each his own, but that’s not for me.
 
#Arctic97, I’ve read the article and it reflects my feelings and my experience exactly. I’ve been in RSA and Namibia.
When I go hunting, I’m looking for a good hunting experience, reconnect to the nature and the people. I’m not interesant in luxury resorts, expensive drinks and 5 stars cuisine. But this is what RSA is focusing on right now. Some of the outfitters that had rougher hunting caps moved towards spa type of camps, as it seemes that’s what some of the hunters expect. To each his own, but that’s not for me.

Yes, I am lucky, as when I go, I stay on my friends farm and we go and visit his friends (who have become my friends), thus my hunting is on farms that are not hunting designated. We stay with the families - I have slept in more than one kids bed, and we eat and socialize with the "real" people. This is what makes a great experience. I know when we stop somewhere and the owner starts making a fire that this is the beginning of a 3 hour lunch at the braai, and if you just slow down and enjoy it you are in for a real treat.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
53,632
Messages
1,131,605
Members
92,719
Latest member
Vilianagmp
 

 

 

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

Early morning Impala hunt, previous link was wrong video

Headshot on jackal this morning

Mature Eland Bull taken in Tanzania, at 100 yards, with 375 H&H, 300gr, Federal Premium Expanding bullet.

20231012_145809~2.jpg
 
Top