6 weeks out to Namibia

[Sponxx]

Wow!
Time has flied, I recall scanning this forums for hours and hours.
Last year I placed a deposit and will be hunting plains game with Kowas Adventures in late june.
So far my list is
Kudu
Gemsbok
Impala
Mountain Zebra
and open to guides suggestions if something unusual and not crazy expensive comes by (after consulting with the wallet of course)

Regarding the outfitter, I don't believe I have questions left. I will rent rifle from them.
Trophies, I'm torn, but I believe I will get zebra rug in Namibia, and may do shoulders for the other 3 back in the US (If I take nice warthog, may do Euro at Namibia)

It is how to spend a couple days after the hunt that I am at a loss, my wife is coming along and we would like the experience of "Africa" which may not be fully done at the hunt camp - I mean seeing some big cats, elephants, giraffes, etc. Where we grew up we have plenty of beaches and dunes, so Sossusvlei and Skeleton Coast may be less exotic than Etosha
Any recommended lodges/trips to spend a couple days? Other sites to see around Windhoek?
Anyone traveled with International insurance?

Thanks a lot

 

[Beretta391]

I would suggest Erindi private game reserve. It’s very nice. You will have elephants out your back door. If you only have a couple days it’s a lot closer than Etosha. You will have a wonderful adventure with the Strauss family!! My wife and I have hunted and toured with kowas 4 times. If you have any specific questions you can pm me. Randy

 

[Sponxx]

Randy, thanks a lot. It seemed on the website that Erindi was closed due to COVID, but it may have been temporary. Will check again with them. I will probably pick your brain soon, as I get closer and nerves start acting up

 

[Beretta391]

Send a quick email or what’s app to Jacques or Ellini and they will know! I hate Covid!!!

 

[Sponxx]

Randy,
I sent them a WhatsApp, I believe we're gonna do a Kowas guided game-tour (if Erindi open) and I will look into lodging in Mushara Lodge by Etosha x2 nights.

 

[Beretta391]

Sounds like a plan!!!

 

[JGRaider]

Sponxx, I'm jealous.......been there with the Straus' family 4 times and wish I were going with you. Please tell them Johnny in Midland, TX said hello. You're going to have the time of your life! Enjoy!

 

[Sponxx]

Sponxx, I'm jealous.......been there with the Straus' family 4 times and wish I were going with you. Please tell them Johnny in Midland, TX said hello. You're going to have the time of your life! Enjoy!

I will tell them for sure.

You recommended Kowas and that is the reason I ended up going with them after looking up different outfits.
Plane tickets are purchased, working on narrowing down gear to take, I'm thinking:

Clothes
3 hunting/travel pants (Should I take a briar/upland pant?)
3 hunting shirts
3 T-shirts to layer
2 pairs of boots, one of them softer sole (Keen Eastin boots) and Danner 6"
Socks Darn Tough and Smart PhD,I have some insect repelling ones that I may bring to make at least 3 pair of Shunting" socks
Travel/lodge shoes

Gear:
Backpack (do I need a camelbak?)
10x43 Pentax DCF SP
SigKilo 2000 RF
Kowa 6x30mm Binos for my wife (Irony of bino brand and lodge is not lost on me!)
Pocket Knive - Victorinox Swiss and Ontario RAT2
May bring a couple of MoraKniv ones to leave with the staff
Nikon D7000 with tele lens (deciding which! open to suggestions)
Meds
Sunblock
Sunglasses
Hat

Thanks

 

[jeff]

Etosha is so well worth going, wife and I spent parts of two days and one night and we would love to do it again !

 

[Tra3]

@Sponxx Etosha is amazing. If the decision is between Etosha and the coast, I’d suggest etosha.

A few additional items:
Shorts
Sunscreen
Something to flavor water bottle water (nuun tabs or similar)
A muted color hat/sunglasses
Gators to keep grass out of your boots

 

[Tra3]

What flight are you on? My family and I fly Ethiopian air on June 15th out of Dulles via Addis to Windhoek.

 

[Luis Medina]

I will tell them for sure.

You recommended Kowas and that is the reason I ended up going with them after looking up different outfits.
Plane tickets are purchased, working on narrowing down gear to take, I'm thinking:

Clothes
3 hunting/travel pants (Should I take a briar/upland pant?)
3 hunting shirts
3 T-shirts to layer
2 pairs of boots, one of them softer sole (Keen Eastin boots) and Danner 6"
Socks Darn Tough and Smart PhD,I have some insect repelling ones that I may bring to make at least 3 pair of Shunting" socks
Travel/lodge shoes

Gear:
Backpack (do I need a camelbak?)
10x43 Pentax DCF SP
SigKilo 2000 RF
Kowa 6x30mm Binos for my wife (Irony of bino brand and lodge is not lost on me!)
Pocket Knive - Victorinox Swiss and Ontario RAT2
May bring a couple of MoraKniv ones to leave with the staff
Nikon D7000 with tele lens (deciding which! open to suggestions)
Meds
Sunblock
Sunglasses
Hat

Thanks

Hi,

Regarding telephoto I would reccommend a minimum of a 80-200 f 2.8 or the newer version of 70-200 f 2.8 VR as a bare minimum. Something like a 200-500 would be great. You will also be well served with a 70-300 f 5.6 if you already have one. It all depends on what you have at the moment and how serious you are about photography. If budget and size is not a problem go for a prime telephoto. Remember to always shoot in RAW format.

 

[Chukar]

Clothes
3 hunting/travel pants (Should I take a briar/upland pant?)
3 hunting shirts
3 T-shirts to layer
2 pairs of boots, one of them softer sole (Keen Eastin boots) and Danner 6"
Socks Darn Tough and Smart PhD,I have some insect repelling ones that I may bring to make at least 3 pair of Shunting" socks
Travel/lodge shoes

Gear:
Backpack (do I need a camelbak?)
10x43 Pentax DCF SP
SigKilo 2000 RF
Kowa 6x30mm Binos for my wife (Irony of bino brand and lodge is not lost on me!)
Pocket Knive - Victorinox Swiss and Ontario RAT2
May bring a couple of MoraKniv ones to leave with the staff
Nikon D7000 with tele lens (deciding which! open to suggestions)
Meds
Sunblock
Sunglasses
Hat

Thanks

I don't see the need for upland pants. Won't hurt, but you probably won't need them.

No need for specific insect repelling socks, I would invest in a polypro "liner" sock if I were you.

I would take a backpack to keep your gear in on the truck. Camelbak would be optional, cooler with water will be in the truck. The tap water at the lodge is perfectly acceptable and caused no "situations" during my stay. The flavorings suggestion is a good one just to break the monotony of plain water.

Drop the rangefinder, Matheus or Jaques will get you within range to render it moot.

Don't see why you would need a knife for yourself unless you really find a need to have one onboard. Packing some for camp staff is a nice idea. You may want to talk with Ansie/Jaques/Elini on whether they would prefer knives or cash.

I'm jealous and wish you the most successful of hunts!

 

[WAB]

No to upland/briar pants. Much too noisy for stalking. Shorts will do nicely but if you must have long pants, lightweight cotton will be quiet and cool. Anything like the Kühl lightweights will be noisy.

 

[whitetail]

If possible- go sightseeing to Spitzkoppe. It’s absolutely beautiful!!! Also where a portion of Stanley Kubrick’s famous movie “2001: A Space Odyssey” was filmed.

 

[Philip Glass]

Wow!
Time has flied, I recall scanning this forums for hours and hours.
Last year I placed a deposit and will be hunting plains game with Kowas Adventures in late june.
So far my list is
Kudu
Gemsbok
Impala
Mountain Zebra
and open to guides suggestions if something unusual and not crazy expensive comes by (after consulting with the wallet of course)

Regarding the outfitter, I don't believe I have questions left. I will rent rifle from them.
Trophies, I'm torn, but I believe I will get zebra rug in Namibia, and may do shoulders for the other 3 back in the US (If I take nice warthog, may do Euro at Namibia)

It is how to spend a couple days after the hunt that I am at a loss, my wife is coming along and we would like the experience of "Africa" which may not be fully done at the hunt camp - I mean seeing some big cats, elephants, giraffes, etc. Where we grew up we have plenty of beaches and dunes, so Sossusvlei and Skeleton Coast may be less exotic than Etosha
Any recommended lodges/trips to spend a couple days? Other sites to see around Windhoek?
Anyone traveled with International insurance?

Thanks a lot

Sounds like fun! I am not sure there is a more exotic place on the planet than Sossusvlei. You really have to see it and climb the dunes to understand. I have always spent my time hunting or visiting sheep farms and have not done much in the way of tourism per se. two years ago we chartered a plane in the middle of our hunt and went to Sossusvlei. Just the flight was amazing!
Ask your outfitter about a game park close to Windhoek as I am sure there are some. Got to Joe’s Icehouse and have some Namibian oysters.
What would be better is Etosha or something close to the hunt area.
I’m hunting the Eastern Cape annually he next few years but man I’ve got to plug Namibia in there somewhere!

 

[Philip Glass]

I will tell them for sure.

You recommended Kowas and that is the reason I ended up going with them after looking up different outfits.
Plane tickets are purchased, working on narrowing down gear to take, I'm thinking:

Clothes
3 hunting/travel pants (Should I take a briar/upland pant?)
3 hunting shirts
3 T-shirts to layer
2 pairs of boots, one of them softer sole (Keen Eastin boots) and Danner 6"
Socks Darn Tough and Smart PhD,I have some insect repelling ones that I may bring to make at least 3 pair of Shunting" socks
Travel/lodge shoes

Gear:
Backpack (do I need a camelbak?)
10x43 Pentax DCF SP
SigKilo 2000 RF
Kowa 6x30mm Binos for my wife (Irony of bino brand and lodge is not lost on me!)
Pocket Knive - Victorinox Swiss and Ontario RAT2
May bring a couple of MoraKniv ones to leave with the staff
Nikon D7000 with tele lens (deciding which! open to suggestions)
Meds
Sunblock
Sunglasses
Hat

Thanks

Darn tough socks are my new go to. Get wool Tshirts. Many clothing companies have them and they are much better for layering and comfort. (Kuiu, Icebreaker, Ibex)
Use Sawyer insect spray on all clothing prior to the hunt if insects may be a problem. Camelback may not be needed but small and no problem to take. Remember to keep it simple.

 

[Denvir Tire]

+1 No briar/upland pants
+1 No need for rangefinder
Early mornings might be more comfortable with a sweater or a lightweight vest.

 

[Drzracing]

This is good stuff to read through. I will be hunting with Immenhof starting on the 24th. I am really looking forward to this adventure. I have always wanted to see Namibia and the time to do so is looming quicker than I thought. Next week will be focused on getting my gear list wrapped up and packed. I'm ready to have some fun!!

 

[JGRaider]

A big 10-4 on Darn Toughs, they are superb. I didn't use/need gaiters. I used ripstop Carhartt pants on my 4 trips and they were perfect. I'd never wear shorts but that's just me. Mattheus wears pants, Jacques wore shorts.......so ?

I do know one thing....the drivers, etc LOVE Lifesavers.....I handed them out daily to them, but not all at once because they'll eat them...all at once!