I've spend a lot of time in Namibia. Normally hunt just south of "Kaokoland" in "Damaraland" in the mountains just east of Kamanjob. We've (wife and I) have rented cars every year and spent 30-days or so after hunting, just "touring" all over the place there and still a lot more to see/do. Every area is very unique in terrane and flora/fauna. Self travel is safe as long as you use normal caution and judgment.
As you may have read, Namibia has been in the middle of a multi-year drought. This year some areas have gotten some good rains and some areas might have enough to just make it through to next rainy season. The problem is not insufficient water for game to drink as most of this is supplied via bore holes (wells). The problem is not enough rain to sustain enough grass and browes for the game to eat. A lot of game will not touch supplemental feeds if it is available and generally while it might be available to purchase, the price/cost is just not affordable. Needless to say, game populations over most of the country are down a good bit.
Your questions about lion/leopard in that area is generally yes. Will you see them, only a maybe. If you're asking about hunting leopard and lion the answer is, yes, tags/permits are available but subject to very limited quota.
Your question about "springbok as they are a little different there" is yes in that springbok in Namibia in general are bigger bodied then other countries so, logically the horn size tend on the larger size also.
I have never personally met Jamy Trout, but I know he has a good reputation.
As far as "Is this area more expensive than the highlands closer to Windhoek?" The answer to this is as varied as there are operators. A lot has to do with if the operator/outfitter is hunting his own private land and or neighboring farms/ranches or if they are hunting contracted/leased communal or govt lands. Generally, those operating out of their own lands are less expensive due primarily lower overhead costs. Your lodging is there on the property and owned by the landowner. Those operating via a concession are either running tented camps or have to hire/contract for lodging. Then too as mentioned above, you may lose precious hunting time traveling from lodging to the hunting area daily. You also have to consider the daily rates for a DG (lion, leopard, buff, ele etc) are considerably higher than for PG hunts.
To answer your question about, "How many outfits operate there?", you need to understand how Namibia licenses. There are four "categories" of "PH's" there.
1 - Game Guides. They are private land owners who have their land listed and approved for hunting. They obtain a license and can conduct "non-dangerous" (PG only) hunts ONLY on their property.
2 - Master Guides. Again, private landowners but they can now guide PG only on their own land and upto 3 adjoining properties.
3 - Professional Hunter. The holder of this license can guide PG only anywhere in Namibia as long as they have landowner written permission. They generally do and annual "lease" with quota limits or agree to pay a daily "trespass fee" and per head of game.
4 - Dangerous Game PH. They are licensed to hunt all of Namibia for PG and DG with the same landowner permission.
With that understanding, virtually every farm/ranch owner has a license to take PG hunters on their property. Most also have MG licenses and agreements with their neighbors. A few are PH's (non-DG) who are working toward getting their DG rating. As a total percentage of all license holders in Namibia the DG rated ones are somewhat limited - therefore charge more even if just conducting PG hunts.
Don't believe that you CAN'T get a great experience/hunt from a Guide or Master Guide. Farms/ranches in Namibia are very large - 20k-100k acres or more. Some are low-fenced, free range and some are high-fenced.
My advice is to shop around and ask a lot of questions and the prices will run the gambit. For example, my friend charges $17,500 for a 14-day all in leopard hunt, including pre-baiting and refresh baits during the hunt and refunds $4000 if you don't get a shot opportunity. His normal daily rate for PG is $265/day and charges a per head, per species trophy fee. His property is about 50k low-fence acres and has access another 100k+ in neighboring farms too. He just so happens to have one 7-day all in exportable buffalo up in the Caprvi for this fall for $17500.00.
My point being, shop around, and ask lot's of questions before you put money down.
www.africahunting.com
