Available: First Trip To Namibia

[Tazz]

Having been on 3 safaris to SA and another booked for September I decided to try Namibia. I was recommended the outfitter by my SA outfitter and went with Aru Hunting Safaris they have two different areas both with great lodges so I did 8 days at one and 6 days at the other, one is flat more desert environment the other more mountains and hills. I chose to only do a cull package as my partner said she does not want to live in a “taxidermists show room” we already have a fair bit of stuff up on a few walls

Feedback
Flights with SAA, very good no charge for rifles or ammo box and they know the routine. Bags including rifle and ammo checked through to Windhoek in Namibia so no grief with SA police and no requirement for export letter from U.K. Border Force so only a two hour lay over in Johannesburg. Flight to Windhoek 1 hour 40 mins, very small airport getting rifle back very simple just fill in one side of A4 form that you can print off prior to going, you can also do it on line prior to going. All they need is your passport letter of invitation and your FAC. Compared to SA all very simple

The hunting was great at both lodges as was the food and hospitality. It’s all very walk and stalk fair ethical hunting so if you want to do “drive by shooting” this is not the outfitter to go with. Both places were around 90 minutes from Windhoek and I recommend taking the time to go in to the capital. Namibia is not a rich country the first demonstration of that is when you leave the airport within 15 minutes you are on dirt roads but it felt safer than SA and everyone was very friendly

Summary,
The hunting I have booked in SA for September may be my last SA hunt after now having been to Namibia, I am booked to return to Namibia same time next year. While SAA were very good I am also considering Qatar Airways as the other option, be interested if other guys have used them they do Heathrow to Doha then direct to Windhoek with bags and rifle checked through. I can fully recommend the outfitter Aru and I look forward to returning with them next year. Key bit of kit again was Viper Travel Quad Sticks fourth time I have taken them and it’s always better to shoot off something you are used to plus they go in a regular suitcase

Tazz

 

[tusker]

Having been on 3 safaris to SA and another booked for September I decided to try Namibia. I was recommended the outfitter by my SA outfitter and went with Aru Hunting Safaris they have two different areas both with great lodges so I did 8 days at one and 6 days at the other, one is flat more desert environment the other more mountains and hills. I chose to only do a cull package as my partner said she does not want to live in a “taxidermists show room” we already have a fair bit of stuff up on a few walls

Feedback
Flights with SAA, very good no charge for rifles or ammo box and they know the routine. Bags including rifle and ammo checked through to Windhoek in Namibia so no grief with SA police and no requirement for export letter from U.K. Border Force so only a two hour lay over in Johannesburg. Flight to Windhoek 1 hour 40 mins, very small airport getting rifle back very simple just fill in one side of A4 form that you can print off prior to going, you can also do it on line prior to going. All they need is your passport letter of invitation and your FAC. Compared to SA all very simple

The hunting was great at both lodges as was the food and hospitality. It’s all very walk and stalk fair ethical hunting so if you want to do “drive by shooting” this is not the outfitter to go with. Both places were around 90 minutes from Windhoek and I recommend taking the time to go in to the capital. Namibia is not a rich country the first demonstration of that is when you leave the airport within 15 minutes you are on dirt roads but it felt safer than SA and everyone was very friendly

Summary,
The hunting I have booked in SA for September may be my last SA hunt after now having been to Namibia, I am booked to return to Namibia same time next year. While SAA were very good I am also considering Qatar Airways as the other option, be interested if other guys have used them they do Heathrow to Doha then direct to Windhoek with bags and rifle checked through. I can fully recommend the outfitter Aru and I look forward to returning with them next year. Key bit of kit again was Viper Travel Quad Sticks fourth time I have taken them and it’s always better to shoot off something you are used to plus they go in a regular suitcase

Tazz

well done mate, all the reasons why I no longer hunt in S.A. Booked up for our third Namibia trip next June. You might like to try "Okaturua" we had a blast last year including 20 baboons at no extra charge.
Tusker

 

[ljs]

Having been on 3 safaris to SA and another booked for September I decided to try Namibia. I was recommended the outfitter by my SA outfitter and went with Aru Hunting Safaris they have two different areas both with great lodges so I did 8 days at one and 6 days at the other, one is flat more desert environment the other more mountains and hills. I chose to only do a cull package as my partner said she does not want to live in a “taxidermists show room” we already have a fair bit of stuff up on a few walls

Feedback
Flights with SAA, very good no charge for rifles or ammo box and they know the routine. Bags including rifle and ammo checked through to Windhoek in Namibia so no grief with SA police and no requirement for export letter from U.K. Border Force so only a two hour lay over in Johannesburg. Flight to Windhoek 1 hour 40 mins, very small airport getting rifle back very simple just fill in one side of A4 form that you can print off prior to going, you can also do it on line prior to going. All they need is your passport letter of invitation and your FAC. Compared to SA all very simple

The hunting was great at both lodges as was the food and hospitality. It’s all very walk and stalk fair ethical hunting so if you want to do “drive by shooting” this is not the outfitter to go with. Both places were around 90 minutes from Windhoek and I recommend taking the time to go in to the capital. Namibia is not a rich country the first demonstration of that is when you leave the airport within 15 minutes you are on dirt roads but it felt safer than SA and everyone was very friendly

Summary,
The hunting I have booked in SA for September may be my last SA hunt after now having been to Namibia, I am booked to return to Namibia same time next year. While SAA were very good I am also considering Qatar Airways as the other option, be interested if other guys have used them they do Heathrow to Doha then direct to Windhoek with bags and rifle checked through. I can fully recommend the outfitter Aru and I look forward to returning with them next year. Key bit of kit again was Viper Travel Quad Sticks fourth time I have taken them and it’s always better to shoot off something you are used to plus they go in a regular suitcase

Tazz

HI Tazz ,
I told you so !!! been there soooo.... many times with ARU and back again for the second time this year next week .
Thanks for contacting me through stalking directory for further references , it shows the site works and assists with decision making ,good choice .
It was great to meet up before you left and give you all the info on Namibia and the outfitter ARU and to put not only yours but your wife's mind to rest , thanks also for sending reports and photos and keeping me informed of your hunt and Animals taken ,what an epic hunt it turned out!! How many shots ?in how many days ?…….no pressure! maybe a follow up write up of your hunt for Sd members to read
I am glad you mention the walk and stalk, (I must say Forum guys ,I feel slightly privileged to know the distances and amount of animals taken ,well done Tazz !)
I can only repeat this is ethical fair chase hunting .

Tazz I also know from your messages and feed back that your wife also enjoyed the trip, with the Game drives , hospitality ,food etc ,it sounds like it made this a truly amazing experience for you pleased it all worked out ,I can only say again ,great staff !Amazing PH's ,luxury lodges ,extremely vast terrain with excellent hunting !!

Danene (owner )is the first Namibian Qualified Big game Huntress , president of Napha and one of the most respected members of the hunting industry world wide with Dallas safari club and SCI accreditation, Wife ,Mother and an amazing hunting guide ,Full of Knowledge ,a true conservationist and a very proud Namibian!!
The Ph's Derek ,Zanna, Eddy ,Christopher ,Stompie and Ghys whom also bring a wealth of knowledge with there own hunting skills, advice , guidance working towards making your hunt the most amazing bespoke safari experience aiming to please, backed up by all the staff from cooks to cleaning staff drivers to laundry girls an exceptional set up .
SD Guys , Namibia is such an easy place to go ,amazing hunting areas ,Very safe to travel through ,with lots to see and do outside of hunting especially if taking a non shooting partner ,very easy with firearms .I do know several members on here have very good recommendations for Namibian outfitters and will be happy to share there info if asked .
If Traveling over to Namibia, SAA are also a good airline to travel with ,Heathrow to Johannesburg then onto Windhoek absolutely no stress with firearms, guns are checked all the way through and with border force its simple forms on entry exit etc


Glad to here you have re booked for next year I have also pre booked for early march and hope we might cross for a few days

Haven been contacted by many guys on the site already I am more than happy to reference this outfitter anytime ,or indeed any info needed on Namibia ,just message me .
ARU GAME LODGES are just a GOOD OLD FAMILY BUISNESS WITH TRUE VALUES .

 

[Sika98k]

I am here in Namibia at the moment, just finishing up a ten day management hunt. Great opportunities this year owing to the severe drought. We had a package agreed last year but have exceeded it on the landowners request. In his view better we pay to hunt than he does it himself.
We have concentrated on red hartebeest, the first to succumb to drought conditions, blue Wildebeest, simply too many and again there is the competition between the oryx and his cattle for feed.
The eland had a broken leg. Quite a trophy !

 

[Tazz]

Hi Sika the ground looks about as dry as when I was there a few weeks ago Namibia is now coming to the end of the rainy season and it’s been another poor one in terms of much lower levels of rain than they need. I did the same as you and made the most of the opportunity to cull more, many of my Hartebeest and Blesbuck as well as Wilderbeest were not in great condition and so you are also helping out the farms/reserves in these circumstances. Was this your first trip to Namibia ans if so what what were your thoughts on it

 

[Sika98k]

Tazz, this has been my 5th trip to Namibia and possibly my best. Not just for the hunting. We fly out of Dublin to Addis Ababa, then direct to Windhoek. It’s a very well priced flight but only out on Sunday and return ex Hosea Katuko also on Sunday.
It was a 12 day hunt as we went up to Grootfontein to a maize farmer. Usually he is plagued by warthog at this time of the year but it was shocking to see how dry the land was. Our bag of warthog was 1 in a day and a morning so at 11am the PH decided we should pull out and head for the far side of Outjo, our base. 335 Kms later we were there and managed to get out for a short while before dark. 1 blue Wildebeest accompanied us back the chiller.

We had a cull of 20 oryx,Wildebeest and hartebeest agreed prior to leaving. We exceeded this significantly. The Hartebeest were in poor condition, apparently they are the first to suffer the drought. Areas I walked through knee high grass last year are now bare, sad to see and a major headache for farmers in Namibia.

We’ve been in Windhoek the last two nights staying at the Arebbusch lodge just outside Eros airport. It’s a great place to stay. Very friendly staff and very reasonably priced, about £45 for a single room with breakfast.

We have a taxi driver by the name of Chimbi who has driven us up to Joes Beerhouse and into town on request. The poor guy may be in for counseling after what we put him through. I can tell you now emphatically there are no lap dancing clubs in Windhoek!
A note here, Joes Beerhouse is a MUST. great food,cold beer, a tourist trap but excellent for a night out. Read £12 each for dinner with a couple of beers.

On another note, ammo and airlines. Is always grief. Today we visited Safari Den in Auas shopping mall. Plenty of popular branded cartridges for sale. Ours got left behind in Addis Ababa so it was necessary to buy “in country” which we did in Grootfontein. I was stuck with PPU but was pleasantly surprised with it. Cheap too. S&B, Federal are all available in all popular calibers.
Just did a quick conversion on the ammo costs, about £15 a box for PPU ! More in a couple of days but a lot of traveling in the next 24 hours.

 

[Tazz]

Tazz, this has been my 5th trip to Namibia and possibly my best. Not just for the hunting. We fly out of Dublin to Addis Ababa, then direct to Windhoek. It’s a very well priced flight but only out on Sunday and return ex Hosea Katuko also on Sunday.
It was a 12 day hunt as we went up to Grootfontein to a maize farmer. Usually he is plagued by warthog at this time of the year but it was shocking to see how dry the land was. Our bag of warthog was 1 in a day and a morning so at 11am the PH decided we should pull out and head for the far side of Outjo, our base. 335 Kms later we were there and managed to get out for a short while before dark. 1 blue Wildebeest accompanied us back the chiller.

We had a cull of 20 oryx,Wildebeest and hartebeest agreed prior to leaving. We exceeded this significantly. The Hartebeest were in poor condition, apparently they are the first to suffer the drought. Areas I walked through knee high grass last year are now bare, sad to see and a major headache for farmers in Namibia.

We’ve been in Windhoek the last two nights staying at the Arebbusch lodge just outside Eros airport. It’s a great place to stay. Very friendly staff and very reasonably priced, about £45 for a single room with breakfast.

We have a taxi driver by the name of Chimbi who has driven us up to Joes Beerhouse and into town on request. The poor guy may be in for counseling after what we put him through. I can tell you now emphatically there are no lap dancing clubs in Windhoek!
A note here, Joes Beerhouse is a MUST. great food,cold beer, a tourist trap but excellent for a night out. Read £12 each for dinner with a couple of beers.

On another note, ammo and airlines. Is always grief. Today we visited Safari Den in Auas shopping mall. Plenty of popular branded cartridges for sale. Ours got left behind in Addis Ababa so it was necessary to buy “in country” which we did in Grootfontein. I was stuck with PPU but was pleasantly surprised with it. Cheap too. S&B, Federal are all available in all popular calibers.
Just did a quick conversion on the ammo costs, about £15 a box for PPU ! More in a couple of days but a lot of traveling in the next 24 hours.View attachment 126810

 

[Tazz]

Hi Sika

Sounds like a great trip and plenty of traveling !. Frustrating to lose the ammo in transit did it ever turn up also who did you fly with. Agree Joes Beer House a must visit if anyone is going in to Windhoek during their stay. It was very dry in both reserves we hunted I was able to take shots off a bipod when the grass should be a couple of feet high at this time of year. It’s only going to get harder for the game as this is the end effectively of the rainy season and so there is months to go now before the rains come again

I can’t recommend Namibia enough from a hunters point of view, great hunting, happy people great lodges with professional staff and PH’s plus easy to bring in your own rifle.

 

[Sika98k]

Hi Sika

Sounds like a great trip and plenty of traveling !. Frustrating to lose the ammo in transit did it ever turn up also who did you fly with. Agree Joes Beer House a must visit if anyone is going in to Windhoek during their stay. It was very dry in both reserves we hunted I was able to take shots off a bipod when the grass should be a couple of feet high at this time of year. It’s only going to get harder for the game as this is the end effectively of the rainy season and so there is months to go now before the rains come again

I can’t recommend Namibia enough from a hunters point of view, great hunting, happy people great lodges with professional staff and PH’s plus easy to bring in your own rifle.

Back in Dublin and still no ammo. At this this stage my emails to Ethiopian are becoming a tad more vitriolic!

 

[Andyquadra]

Back in Dublin and still no ammo. At this this stage my emails to Ethiopian are becoming a tad more vitriolic!

What's that tv programme where people buy lost luggage? Lol