Namibia A Hunter’s Paradise

by Kai-Uwe Denker

Along the south-western coast of Africa lies Namibia. Barren, the Namib Desert, which stretches inland from some of the most desolate and lonely beaches on earth. It has been called Africa’s harsh paradise, a good description of Namibia with its abundance of natural assets.

Hunters who have come to know the country well and who can appreciate something special, like to call Namibia “Africa’s best kept secret”. Why the country is still relatively unknown, remains somewhat of a mystery, but this aspect is often smiled upon by international trophy hunters, because in its unique way, Namibia is second to none.

Namibia is Africa’s harsh paradise indeed and, moreover, it is a hunter’s paradise. Its northern coastline is called the Skeleton Coast, because many an early sailor whose ship fell prey to the unpredictable waters and who had made it to the shore, died there of thirst. Towards the interior the Namib gives way to the harsh and inhospitable Kaokoland, where today the last remaining population of desert-adapted elephant and black rhino can be found.

The world’s largest shifting sand dunes are found in the southern parts of the Namib, affording breathtaking panoramas in the soft light of the early morning and later in the afternoon. To the east the Namib changes into barren mountains, which rise towards the central plateau. From here the country, lying at an altitude of some 1 500 m to 1 600 m above sea level, becomes increasingly fertile.

At first the traveller’s eye meets with dry thorn-bush steppe, and in the eastern and north-eastern parts with lovely savannahs, dotted here and there with picturesque camel-thorn trees. In the far north-eastern part of the country, in the Caprivi, the landscape becomes lush green with riverine forests and swamplands along the Okavango, Kwando and Zambezi rivers. In the south the country never loses its desert character. Here the Namib merges with the semi-desert regions of the great Namaqualand, which to the east give way to the red sand dunes of the southern Kalahari. Namibia is home to a great variety of huntable game species, but the great attraction is the abundance of thirst-land animals such as the greater kudu, gemsbuck and springbuck. The majestic greater kudu, found in Namibia in an unparalleled density, has an average trophy quality, while gemsbuck and springbuck have an exceptional trophy quality, and more important, can be hunted surrounded by impressive scenery.

The far northern and north-eastern parts offer rewarding big game hunting. Namibia has become well known for exceptional elephant trophies. Very successful leopard hunting can be done in some parts of the north-east, and in the Caprivi there are even possibilities for fine buffalo hunting.

High standard of ethics

For the international hunting clientele, one of the main attractions of hunting in Namibia is the high standard of ethics maintained by the Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA) of which Kassandara is a member of.

 

Hunting season

The trophy hunting season is from the 1st of February to the 30th of November each year.

 

Climate

The best time to visit is during the cool, dry winter months of May to September.In summer, November to March, the landscape is verdant green, but expect high temperatures and heavy downpours. Summers here are hot with daily highs of over 28° Celsius (82 ° F) between October and February; evenings are usually cooler. Winter days are milder, with maximum and minimum means of 20 ° C (69 ° F) and 6° C (43° F) in July, but early mornings and evenings are crisp with frost.

 

Time Zone (West Africa)

•  Summer: GMT + 2 hours from the 1st Sunday in April.
• Winter: GMT +1 hour from the 1st Sunday in April to the 1st Sunday in September.

 

Electrical Outlets

• Electricity outlet voltage: 220V, running at 50Hz
• Electrical Plugs: Type D (Same as South Africa)

Rifle Import Requirements

Hunters entering Namibia with a rifle(s) must complete a temporary import permit application form for all rifle(s) and/or ammunition in their possession.

In Transit Passengers (Transiting South Africa)

It is critical that you check with and confirm with the airlines involved before departure to make sure what their procedure is for the transfer of baggage and/or firearms.

If the airline does transfer your baggage/firearms, and you have booked them through to the final destination, and you stay in the in-transit area and do not clear South African customs, then you need not go through the temporary import process.

If your airline company will not transfer your baggage/firearms to your connecting flight, then you must collect your baggage/firearms and go through the entire entry process. If this is the case, the South African limitations, requirements, etc. will apply.

Visitors bringing firearms into South Africa, whether staying overnight or hunting, will be asked to fill in a SAP 520 – temporary Import Application which is available from your outfitter, or which can be downloaded off the SAPS Website at www.saps.gov.za, or which can be filled out on arrival. We would suggest filling in the form beforehand to save the processing time at the Police Office.

Liability

Any safari is potentially hazardous and it is essential that all lawful directions and advice of the Safari Operator or his professional hunter be followed. Kassandara Hunting & Safari Ranch accept no responsibility for any illness, accident or loss whatsoever incurred in the course of the safari or for any expense arising from such illness, accident or loss. We suggest that you take out insurance against illness, accident or loss before you leave home.

Firearms and Ammunition

•  Smallest caliber 7mm
• Minimum energy (muzzle velocity):
  • 1350 Joule for springbok, duiker etc.
  • 2700 Joule for hartebeest, wildebeest, kudu, gemsbok, eland etc.
  • 5400 Joule for buffalo, elephant, rhino etc.

• A maximum of two (2) firearms to be imported per hunting client
• We would recommend 30-06, 300 Win Mag, 338 and 375 calibers for hunting plains game

Rifle Import Permit

Trophy Hunters entering Namibia with a rifle(s) must complete a temporary rifle import permit application form for all rifle(s) and/or ammunition in possession.

PROHIBITED Firearms

• Full and Semi-Automatic weapons (e.g. AK 47 and other military hardware)
• Handguns
• Crossbows

Other self-loading, considering semi-automatic weapons are Not Prohibited, but you can expect questions at the Airport of importation.

Unconventional Firearms – Permission for any Unconventional Firearms to be imported for Trophy Hunting purposes, must be applied for, before your departure to Namibia, to the Inspector General.

Black Powder Rifles

• It is legal to hunt with Black Powder Rifles in Namibia
• It is illegal to transport black powder and percussion caps into Namibia
• Black Powder and percussion caps can be purchased in Namibia

 

Ammunition

• Maximum of 100 rounds of Ammunition may be imported per hunting rifle
• We would suggest that only 60 – 80 rounds of ammunition per hunting rifle is necessary
• Only ammunition for the specific rifle calibre may be imported

Travelling with Firearms and Ammunition to Namibia

Full Insurance – We recommend taking out full insurance for all firearms before travelling to Africa.

Your Airlines – In advance, before booking with your preferred Airlines, please confirm that the airlines involved is rifle friendly, and will agree to transport your firearms and ammunition. (As some airlines do not except rifles or ammunition to be carried and transported with them).

Adequetly before your departure, confirm with the airlines their procedures in tranporting firearms, and if necessary any prior forms to be completed before departure, for handling and transfer purposes.

Book/Check in Luggage and Firearms Directly to Namibia – We will always recommend booking in luggage and firearms straight through to Namibia, even when you have a layover in another country, on your way to Namibia for your hunt.

Recent regulations and the world’s ‘anti-gun friendliness’, have made travelling with firearms a time-consuming and unpleasant process.

When staying over for a night in another country, city (eg. Johannesburg, London or Frankfurt) on your journey travelling to Namibia, please make sure to keep your checked luggage and firearm cases (locked) in transit on the airport, awaiting your next day departure.

At check-in from your point of departure, enquire on a colourful ‘in-transit tag’ for your checked-in luggage and firearms.

Please adhere to the following procedure to minimize problems when travelling:

• ALL luggage and firearm cases must be clearly MARKED with Nametags for easy identification;
• Firearms – must be packed unloaded in a sturdy and secure carry case;
• Ammunition – must be stored separate from your rifle in a secure, lockable container in your checked luggage;

Prohibited Trophy Hunting Practices in Namibia

It is illegal to hunt for trophies:

• That does not qualify in terms of the minimum measurement requirements as specified by the MET, Namibian Quality Control
• If trophies do not meet this required, they do not have to be paid for
• Exceptions are trophies with abnormalities and age deformities, which are taken home by the client

Bow Hunting Requirements for Namibia

It is legal to import Bows for Bow-Hunting purposes into Namibia. No Import Permit is required.

Bow energy is specified as follows:

• Small Game – 25ft/lb
• Medium Game – 40ft/lb
• Large Game – 65ft/lb