Game Hunting in Namibia
A land of vast contrasts and unbelievable beauty, Namibia is a melting pot of colors, people, experiences, and activities. The country offers incredible game hunting opportunities for those wanting to experience hunting in Africa at its best. It is a peaceful, stable country and should be top of your list when considering a new African hunting safari destination.
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What animals can you target when Hunting in Namibia?
Namibia is only one of a few countries where the Big 5, namely the elephant, rhino, Cape buffalo, leopard and lion can be hunted. These animals are included in the Dangerous 7, together with the Nile crocodile and the hippo.
Namibia has a history of reasonably priced trophy animals whilst sustainably utilizing wildlife resources. African plains game species offer the hunter a wide variety when hunting in Namibia, starting with the minute Kirk’s dik-dik through to the greater kudu. The options are endless!
Namibia’s government actively supports hunting tourism and is well-organized and conservation-focused. The Namibian Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA) ensures that the highest standards of ethics are endorsed for international safari hunting. Hunters dream of the day when they can relive old hunting traditions, pack and load a double rifle and take on an elephant bull a few times the size of a mini-van or truck. Elephant hunting in Namibia will be one of your most challenging hunts, where an elephant with tusks weighing 100 pounds and above is often considered a hunter’s ultimate trophy!
Namibia boasts the perfect climate for game hunting!
Namibia is a land of sunshine and more sunshine, boasting three hundred sunny days per year, but don’t be fooled because Africa isn’t always sunny and warm. In winter you can expect the days to be warm and sunny, but the evenings, nights and early mornings will be chilly and downright cold, as it can drop below freezing in certain regions. When hunting in Namibia, hunters need to factor in the day and night temperature fluctuations, especially during the colder winter months.
Namibia is located on the southern margin of the tropics and averages only two inches of rain annually, varying in the different geographical areas. Temperatures can differ substantially between the Kalahari, Central Plateau and the Caprivi Strip, all areas that game hunting enthusiasts will visit.
The “wet” season runs from November to April. The landscape changes drastically with torrential downpours between January and February when everything comes to life. The weather tends to be wet and humid, with some spectacular afternoon thunderstorms, but these downpours are short-lived.
The “dry season” runs from May to October, with little or no rainfall and wildlife gathering around waterholes and other sources. It’s typically warm and sunny (with cold nights) and uninterrupted blue skies. Daytime temperatures are moderate. Hunters are encouraged to book their game hunting safari in these months, as conditions are perfectly suited for game hunting activities.
Trophy hunting season opens in February and runs until November, incorporating each of the four seasons. When it comes to Africa plains game hunting, there is no particular season that is necessarily better. Remember, when selecting your dates for hunting in Namibia, that the country is in the Southern Hemisphere if a hunter is based in the Northern Hemisphere.
Namibia at a Glance
The Namibian Economy
When booking and planning any big game hunting safari it is always good for the hunter to upskill themselves in terms of knowing just a few key points regarding the country’s economy. The hunter may never know when this knowledge may come in handy, from a quick conversation at the airport to sharing a few words with the tracker or chef.
The Namibian economy is dependent on mining and produces a large amount of zinc, lead and silver. It is one of the world’s largest diamond miners and the fifth-largest producer of Uranium. Tourism is the major industry in Namibia, and the country is a prime game hunting destination due to the extensive variety of wildlife. Namibia is one of the most sparsely populated countries worldwide with a population of only 2,5 million and it is 1,2 times the size of Texas. The capital city of Namibia is Windhoek.
What is Namibia's currency?
When booking an African hunting safari, it is always worthwhile to check the local currency. The Namibian Dollar is the official currency of Namibia. Previously known as South West Africa, Namibia gained its independence in 1990 and the Dollar was introduced to replace the South African Rand. The Namibian Dollar is still pegged to the Rand, while the American Dollar, Euro and the British Pound are widely accepted.
Which languages are spoken in Namibia?
Which languages are spoken by local outfitters and the local population is a question often asked by hunters when planning a game hunting safari in Namibia.
Key languages in Namibia include:
- English
- German
- Portuguese
- Afrikaans
- Many local households use a combination of Oshiwambo dialects.
Namibia, The Land of Contrasts
The Republic of Namibia shares land borders with South Africa and Botswana to the South and east and Zambia and Angola to the North.
Namibia is comprised of five geographical landscapes:
- The Great Escarpment
- The Namib Desert
- The Bushveld
- The Central Plateau
- The Kalahari Desert
The Caprivi is a narrow extension of Namibia and runs approximately 280 miles in the north-eastern territory. Its width varies between 20 and 65 miles. This nature-rich area is extremely popular with game hunting enthusiasts. Namibia’s coastal desert is one of the oldest worldwide. The Skeleton Coast stretches on the Northern coast of Namibia, south of Angola, and its name is taken from the whale and seal bones that historically littered its shores.
Hunting in Namibia
Hunters planning their game hunting safari in Namibia have access to an incredible variety of plains game and all the members of the Dangerous 7, including endemic animals such as the black-faced impala and the Damaraland dik-dik.
Elephant Hunting Namibia
The world’s largest terrestrial mammal is the elephant. An elephant can weigh up to 7,5 tons and reach a height of 11,2 feet at the shoulder. This giant is a popular choice for dangerous game hunting in Africa. Elephants may have poor eyesight but possess an exceptional sense of smell, meaning hunters have no choice but to approach downwind. Elephants can hear sound for up to seven miles.
Shot Placement when Elephant Hunting
The elephant populations in Namibia occupy the North-Eastern parts from the Kavango to Bushmanland areas. The Caprivi has no physical borders so elephants move freely between Botswana, Zambia, and Angola. Elephants in the northern regions of Namibia are typically larger than those in the southern regions, with genetics being the cause.. The size of the tusk is generally directly proportionate to the price of the elephant hunt. Hunt prices can vary between exportable, non-exportable and tusk-less elephants.
When booking your game hunting safari, check for any additional fees including anti-poaching, and community levies. Ensure that you are correctly advised about importation permits and regulations.
Elephant hunting in Namibia is no simple or easy task:
- Game hunting safaris are usually for a minimum period of 14 days to 21 days, purely based on the logistics of the hunt.
- Elephant hunts require large amounts of tracking that involves looking for signs and walking to secure a good tusker. A favorite saying is a mile per pound of ivory.
- Hunters are often disappointed that, after spending days walking down and tracking one of these majestic beasts, the tusks are broken or the size is not within the desired target area.
- Hunting an elephant is not only a physical game but mental stamina is a prerequisite.
Besides the trophy, all meat and offcuts are given to the local tribesmen and residents to process and consume. Nothing goes to waste.
Once you have tracked down the elephant, the first decision you must make is whether a brain or heart/lung is the better option. When on a game hunting safari for dangerous game, you only have a few seconds to decide on the best option depending on the terrain, visibility, distance and behavior of the elephant. Each situation is different.
This subject is exceptionally comprehensive and is covered separately, but in short:
- From the front you want to put the bullet right between the eyes. This has always historically been considered the “classic shot”
- On the broadside, the elephant’s heart is located where the front legs meet the body.
- For a broadside brain shot, target the area in the middle of the head, behind the eye where the ear meets its head.
- The most challenging part of choosing the perfect shot placement is considering all the angles of the elephant.
- Undertaking extensive research is critical before setting out on your elephant hunting in Namibia.
- Making a mistake will only annoy this beast that does not always have the best temperament! Listen to your professional hunter and take advice.
Rhino Hunting Namibia
Namibia is home to two species of rhinos namely, the square-lipped rhino, known by most as the white rhino and hook-lipped rhino known as the black rhino. Both these species may only be hunted in Namibia and South Africa and are highly rated for dangerous game hunting in Africa.
Namibia is home to two species of rhinos namely, the square-lipped rhino, known by most as the white rhino and hook-lipped rhino known as the black rhino. Both these species may only be hunted in Namibia and South Africa and are highly rated for dangerous game hunting in Africa.
Rhino hunting in Namibia is tremendously exciting as they can be fairly elusive and are highly dangerous. While their eyesight is poor, the rhino has exceptional hearing and sense of smell. As a result, when hunting a rhino, stalking them from a downwind direction is favorable.
As you missed hunting a Triceratops in the late Cretaceous Period about eighty-six million years ago, hunting a white rhino in Namibia is a very close substitute! The white rhino is the world’s second-largest land mammal, and the males can easily reach weights of over 5,000 pounds. Its snout features two horns that can reach a length of 59 inches. The black rhino is currently on the critically endangered list and has a population of just over 6,000. An adult male black rhino can exceed 3,000 pounds, with the horn reaching a length of 30 inches.
Both adult white and black rhinos have no natural predators but can be easily poached since they must drink daily and can be trapped and snared. Namibia concentrates on white rhino hunting, but once in a while a black rhino does become available for hunting. Trophy hunting black rhinos is highly emotive and is exceptionally expensive.
The quality of a rhino trophy is based not only on the length of its horns but also on the circumference of the base.
Rhino hunting in Namibia usually involves hours and sometimes even days of walking and stalking, following the signs and fresh tracks. Hunters must work for their trophies as there is always a possibility that the horn may be short or broken. A rhino tends to hold its head quite close to the ground and the hunter can estimate the horn from the broadside.
Shot Placement when Rhino Hunting
Rhinos are often found in thick country so a close-quarter shot will be a consideration or the only option. This can be in the hunter’s favor as it allows for accurate shot placement. Rhinos often do not turn when they charge but head straight towards the hunter or another member of the hunting group.
When taking your shot remember that:
- The rhino’s brain sits towards the back of the skull and is relatively small, weighing 0,8-1,3 pounds. Should the rhino stand broadside, aim halfway up the forehead from the eye around the earhole.
- When aiming for the heart while the rhino stands broadside, place your shot about a third of the way up just behind the roll of skin formed by the shoulder.
- Rhinos are thick-skinned animals and solid bullets are highly recommended to ensure penetration and a successful hunt.
Crocodile Hunting in Namibia
When booking your trip to go hunting in Namibia, adding a Nile crocodile to the booking should you already be booking a hippo, is always a good idea. These members of the Dangerous 7 occupy the same waterways and swamps, making it the perfect dangerous game hunting duo.
Hunting a big old bull crocodile can be just as difficult as hunting a lion or leopard as crocodiles have excellent hearing and an acute sense of smell. Crocodile hunting in Namibia is normally done in the Caprivi, where these apex predators are abundant. In the Caprivi, these prehistoric dinosaurs are found sunning themselves on sandbanks and when scouting the area, the hunter will search for entry and exit points to the bank from the water’s edge.
Crocodiles can appear lethargic, lazy, or even sleeping under the blazing hot sun, but don’t be fooled, they can and will move in an instant! The shooting range can be anything from 50 yards to 150 yards, depending on the hunter’s skill as accuracy is critical.
Which method is used to hunt the Nile Crocodile?
The typical hunt will take place after a spot and stalk along the river ways or sometimes a temporary blind may be considered. When wounded, a crocodile will head straight back into the deep river channels. Unfortunately, it is far more than likely your hunting trophy will vanish into the channels, never to be recovered again than you retrieving it. Large crocodiles in Namibia can easily pass the age of one hundred years and weigh over 2,000 pounds, and make no mistake, these crocodiles are man-eaters!
Shot Placement on a Crocodile
- When shooting a crocodile, using a high-powered monolithic or solid is critical, as the golf ball-sized brain is protected by thick walls of solid bone.
- From the front, between the eyes will work, but this is a rather difficult shot and is not advised.
- From the side, the hunter has two choices. Firstly, the brain shot above the smile and behind the eye, or secondly the spinal/neck shot that instantly paralyzes the beast.
- When on a crocodile hunting safari in Namibia, attempting a heart or double lung shot is not advisable, as these crocodiles can roll into the water and swamps, making recovery almost impossible. The best option is to drop your crocodile in his tracks!
Leopard Hunting in Namibia
Leopards are not an endangered species in Namibia. This predator should be high on your list of priorities when planning your game hunting safari if the budget allows it. Leopard hunting is sustainable and controlled by the Namibian government by issuing limited licenses or tags. During an African game hunting safari, a leopard can be one of the hunter’s most noble challenges that he can face.
These cats have excellent senses and are incredibly shy, elusive and dangerous. They are generally nocturnal and hunt medium-sized antelope right down to small rodents. As far as dangerous game hunting in Africa goes, the pound-for-pound leopard is considered the most dangerous cat worldwide. When wounded, and should the leopard manage to get at the hunter, they say in Africa it is a hundred stitches for every second the tom is on you. That assumes of course, that the hunter is only maimed, and not killed in the process!
Males are larger-bodied than females with larger heads and muscular, thick necks. They are the perfect predator and immensely powerful for their size. Due to the territory that a mature tom may occupy, leopard hunts in Namibia are conducted using the baiting method. Hunters will use temporary blinds specifically constructed for the leopard hunt.
Leopards are often baited weeks in advance, using zebra meat with trail cams to try and monitor the cat’s activity. Their activity can be affected by another tom in the area or a nearby female on heat. The hunter needs to be patient and willing to set aside between 14 and 21 days for an African safari.
Hunters can sometimes get lucky and successfully harvest a big tom within a few days, creating an opportunity to then concentrate on other Africa plains game or dangerous game hunting while in Africa. The best leopard hunting areas in Namibia are the Central Southern Ranges and the North-eastern areas of the Kalahari Desert.
Shot Placement on a Leopard
- When shooting at a leopard the hunter needs to remember that often they will be shot while under / next to a bait while in a sitting position and not in the classic broadside position. The leopard may also be reaching up to the bait, thereby changing body position.
- A leopard is not an ungulate, meaning that the heart and lungs sit further back.
- A headshot is not a consideration, as this would most certainly affect the quality of the trophy. A good taxidermist can also only do so much!
- Any 300-calibre rifle will work as a leopard generally has a soft body and is highly susceptible to hydrostatic shock.
Shot placement is critical, and the hunter is advised to study the leopard’s anatomy, as angles and body position can again play a vital role.
Hunting Hippo in Namibia
Hippo hunting in Namibia is generally limited to the Caprivi, due to the waterways and rivers. It is often considered a good combo package when targeting the Nile crocodile or elephant hunting in Namibia. Only adult bull hippos may be hunted and for many, it is the pinnacle of dangerous game hunting in Africa.
Hunting a bull hippo, whether in or out of water, is considered highly dangerous, with hippos killing more people in Africa than any other member of the Dangerous 7. A hippo can kill a hunter or villager with one bite or chomp from its one-and-a-half-foot tusks. A spooked hippo or “water horse” will head straight for the water, and the hippo has no consideration for anything standing in its path. A hippo hunt can quickly turn into a nightmare!
Which methods are used to hunt hippos in Namibia?
When hunting hippos in Namibia, the hunt will be in one of two ways:
- The first is trying to pick up fresh signs by walking and sneaking along the river and sandbanks to ascertain where the hippo travels in search of food. The hippo might then be found on dry land which could then create an opportunity for the hunter. Hippos can travel up to six miles from the rivers and swamps, searching for food. Within the thick vegetation, the hunter needs to be extremely careful not to come across and between a feeding hippo cow and her calf. This is a potentially life-threatening situation.
- The second, is finding the hippo in the water and maximizing the potential of a clean kill.
Shot Placement on a Hippo
There are numerous options for shot placement, depending on which angles you are shooting and if the hippo is in or out of the water.
- If the hippo is in the water, the hunter only has one option: The brain shot.
- From the front shot, placement would be between the eyes.
- From the side, the brain shot is between the eyes and the ear. The brain size is tiny and surrounded by dense and thick bone. The hunter must ensure the shot is well-placed, as a slight miss may have the hippo unconscious for a short time.
- From the broadside in water, the only option would be to go for the brain shot which is sometimes also tricky, as the target is small and the hippo moves around in the water. In this instance, the hunter’s timing must be perfect to ensure an instant kill. With a brain shot, the hippo will sink into the water and surface / float a few hours later as the intestinal gasses expand due to the consumed vegetation. The hunter would be well-advised to wait more than a reasonable time before approaching the scene from the water.
- Broadside out of the water, the hunter can opt for a neck shot, breaking the spine. The better option would be the body shot into the heart.
When hunting hippos in Namibia, there is no such thing as too much gun. Solids from high-powered, big-caliber rifles are a standard requirement when hunting dangerous game in Africa. Hippos are often available in end-of-year discount hunts.
Hunting Lion in Namibia
Dangerous game hunting in Africa is not complete without including the African lion. Lions are frightening, yet beautiful, and have very little fear of humans. A lion is a highly esteemed trophy, and the quality of the trophy is determined by the size of the head, length of body and mane. The male and female lion both make superb trophies, bearing in mind that the female is generally more alert and does most of the hunting.
Lion hunting is challenging, extremely dangerous, and addictive! These cats have superb night vision. Many hunters will have read the opening chapter relating to lion hunting by the international author from South Africa, Wilber Smith, of “When a Lion Feeds.” The initial chapters perfectly explained all the risks in detail and the details of the game hunting safari. Reading the book made the reader feel as if they were sitting next to the famous character, Sean Courtney, waiting for the predator to appear.
No successful African hunter will ever forget the glare and gaze of a lion’s yellow eyes and seeing the humungous paw print in the sand for the first time. A lion’s roar is heard up to eight miles away across the Namibian landscape.
How are lions hunted in Namibia?
Like with leopard hunting in Namibia, lion hunts usually involve baiting. These baits get hung in trees in a few locations, and meat from game such as gemsbok, zebra, and springbok is used. The baits are checked daily for signs of “hit,” typically looking for stray long mane hairs left at the scene. As lions are generally lazy and can sleep many hours of the day, once a hit is confirmed, a blind is constructed, about 60 to 80 yards from the bait.
As with a leopard, a lion cannot absorb hydrostatic shock, and a well-placed bullet from any thirty-caliber high-powered rifle will ensure the transfer of energy. One of the most famous African big five in Namibia, hunting a lion can be one of the most adrenaline and rewarding hunts when successfully completing this game hunting adventure.
Shot Placement on a Lion
The hunter is behind the trigger controlling the situation, and it is critical that the hunter mentally prepares himself for the task at hand:
- The first rule of shot placement on a lion is never to shoot a walking lion or where the hunter does not have clear eyes on his vitals.
- The first squeeze of the trigger should always have the objective of instantly and humanely killing the lion without needing to chamber and shoot a second round. Neck shots can be risky. A wounded and annoyed lion can choose a particular target and reach a charge speed of over 50 miles per hour. That means that at 30 to 40 yards, the lion can reach the target very quickly!
- On the broadside, shot placement is directly behind the lion’s front leg, just above the elbow joint, to ensure that the bullet ruptures the heart.
- Should the lion be facing you, considering the cat’s anatomy, the kill shot will be at the base of the neck and central to the legs.
Buffalo Hunting in Namibia
A Cape buffalo is often at the top of hunters’ lists when planning their game hunting safari and is a worthy hunting adversary. In Namibia, populations are healthy, with more than 5,000 animals in the Caprivi and Kavango regions.
It’s thought that in Africa, the buffalo kills more than two hundred people a year. Buffalo are referred to as Africa’s Black Death or Widow Makers, and for good reason!
Buffalo hunting in Namibia is often undertaken on foot. Wounded buffalo are known to circle behind the hunter, and the hunter can become the hunted!
In the Caprivi, the older bulls are generally kicked out of the herd by the younger, virile bulls and live in isolation or in small numbers. These old hard bossed bulls are known as “dagga boys,” with the word dagga meaning mud. These mean old buffalo bulls always seem to glare back at you as if you owe them compensation.
In the Caprivi, these big Dagga boys hide and wallow in areas surrounded by swamp and reeds. Depending on water levels and access, small canoes that can move silently are often used to patrol the waters. If a suitable bull is spotted while glassing, the canoe will be “moored” and the stalk will continue over the sand banks and in the thick reeds surrounding the channels.
All buffalo horns seem to be a unique size and shape which assist with determining sex and age. Buffalo horns can reach more than a meter when measured tip to tip and have fused bases. Classic pictures of older buffalo bulls always show images of broken and shattered horns matching their mean personalities.
A wounded buffalo is extremely aggressive and the only way to stop a charging bull is with a frontal brain shot at normally about ten to fifteen yards. Buffalo are known to gouge their target to death.
How much does it cost to hunt a Cape buffalo?
Prices range from upwards of $8000 and the Cape buffalo is the most affordable of the big 5 species to hunt in Namibia.
Shot Placement on a Buffalo
It is said that when planning and preparing for your game hunting safari, test your equipment before heading out. Not in the middle of a buffalo hunt! Every buffalo hunt is different in many respects and the hunter needs to listen to his professional hunter and act accordingly.
- From the front, the kill shot on a buffalo is one-third of the way up from the bottom of the chest upwards, with the buffalo offering a bigger target in this position.
- With the buffalo standing broadside, the brain is impossible to shoot due to the drop of the horns, and as such, the heart is the target area. Missing the heart and leading into a double lung or gut shot will open a world of disaster.
- When buffalo hunting in Africa, there can never be “too much” gun used on a wounded buffalo.
Hunting Plains Game in Namibia
Hunting in Namibia for African plains game species is conducted by promoting fair chase, where hunters can enjoy some of Africa’s most unspoilt habitats sparsely populated by humans and indigenous tribes. Africa plains game hunting safaris occur on various terrains with varying different topography and hunting conditions stretching from the Kalahari Desert in the South to the Central Plateau. Conditions differ from savanna thorn bush to swamp lands to the desert sands.
When planning your Namibian game hunting safari, the hunter must consider the target species and the sheer geographic and logistics when hunting in a country the size of Namibia. Africa plains game hunting either takes place on government concessions operating by independent outfitters or on huge game ranches operated by landowners where herds of springbok still roam in their hundreds.
The oryx, or gemsbok, is Namibia’s national animal and is an iconic symbol of Namibia. The oryx is extremely tolerant of Namibia’s arid conditions and is found all over the countryside. The smallest Namibian antelope endemic to Namibia is the Damara dik-dik, with many plains game hunting safaris booked, intending to bag this small antelope.
The Hartman mountain zebra found in the western mountains of Namibia is one of only a few places where they occur naturally and can be hunted. Other plains game species include kudu, roan, hartebeest, impala, waterbuck, klipspringer, and more.
Namibia is the second most popular destination for plains game hunting in Africa, the first choice by international clients being South Africa.
Hunting Specialty Game in Namibia
Besides a wide variety of other animals like jackals, civets, porcupines, genets and so forth, hunting a trophy cheetah can most certainly be added to your game hunting safari and is highly recommended. Namibia is the only country in Africa where you can legally hunt cheetahs, and this cat will make a wonderful addition to any trophy room. Bagging a cheetah while on your Africa plains game safari is not guaranteed, and success rates vary according to regional population densities.
Unlike lions and leopards, cheetahs only eat fresh meat, so baiting this predator is not an option. They are naturally wary and skittish, and the hunter has a brief opportunity to make the shot. The hunter must prepare to take long shots across the plains with distances of between 350 and 450 yards, and as with any animal, shot placement is critical.
What makes Namibia an incredible Game Hunting Destination?
The country has excellent hunting opportunities across a diversified landscape. Hunting professionals and outfitters are five-star, with the focus being on fair chase. Hunting in Namibia is solidly confirmed as one of Africa’s top big five and plains game hunting destinations, with the government focusing on tourism and the sustainable utilization of wildlife resources.