Sub-Saharan Africa's driest country may lack water, but it has an ample supply of game species and bumper concessions waiting to be challenged. A Namibia hunt can be a sobering experience. This African gem covers an area of 318,772 square miles, its population numbers are just over 3 million, giving American hunters a sense of solitude and a reminder that maybe we aren’t the biggest things on this Earth.

 

Hunting in Namibia can be carried out across almost every corner of the country, and with each area having its own specialty or unique character, there’s something for everyone in this desolate desert.

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Key Takeaways

·        Namibia offers some of the best Big 5 and plains opportunities of all the African hunts destinations.

·        Hunting in Namibia takes place in various land classifications and regions

·        Namibia is one of the driest areas on Earth, and this affects both hunters and animals

·        Namibia is considered one of the safest and affordable hunting destinations

·        Each hunting region or concession carries its selection of game species

A worthy trophy on an African plains game safari, giraffe hunting in Namibia remains a popular pastime.

Namibia Hunting Safari Regions

Hunting in Namibia is readily available regardless of which direction you wander in. These African hunts take place on different land classifications, which can influence quotas, availability, and regulations. Always check with your broker or outfitter for the latest updates on what you’ll need to know before making your final call.

Land Classification: What Category does your Namibia Hunt concession fall into?

Namibia hunting safaris can take place on 4 types of land, as discussed below. These areas, depending on their classification, are either privately owned, community-led, or government-run.

Communal Conservancy

As the name suggests, these areas are run by community institutions formed to uplift and involve local inhabitants in Namibia’s hunting and conservation efforts. Communities can either manage these areas themselves or outsource/contract to an outfitter. But at the end of the day, it's the tribal authority that will have the final say on what's allowed and accessible. The proceeds from these (including trophy fees) are almost always given back to the community itself, allowing them to derive a reliable income and further the training and maintenance of their members and land.

Private Ranch

These ranches are where the majority of Namibia hunting safaris take place and are dedicated to the game industry. These ranches can be a single property or a collection of private ranches combined to create a large hunting area. These lands often carry both Big 5 and plains species that roam freely, thanks to the removal of internal fences or boundaries. Private ranches are also more likely to carry Namibia's more "exotic" species, as they can reintroduce species originally unavailable or driven from the area. Private ranches may have a higher cost but typically offer a variety of game in a secure environment, along with highly rated accommodation options.

Private Farm

These facilities commonly form part of a working farm, meaning American hunters could encounter herds of cattle or goats just as regularly as they might spot an antelope.  Just like private ranches, many of these facilities have no internal fencing on the hunting side, creating a free-range environment for plains or big game hunting. Accommodation is typically a separate house on the property, or a subdivision of the main farmhouse.

State-owned or Government Concessions

Approximately 20% of Namibia's game land is owned by the government, although not all of it is available for hunting. These lands often border national parks or reserves and tend to be more remote in location, with tourism and game hunting being more regulated and controlled. State concessions also sometimes employ a community-led approach to keep residents involved and provide opportunities for growth and improvement.

Popular Regions for your Namibia Hunt

Caprivi (aka Zambezi region)

Arguably Namibia's most well-known hunting ground, the Caprivi Strip is home to almost all the Big 5 beasts, save for the Rhino. The area is home to the Okavango and Linyanti Rivers, housing both trophy Hippo and Crocodile and prized Cape Buffalo. Leopard and Lion also visit the area in search of both water and prey. Big cats are normally hunted with bait and blind, while Cape Buffalo, Hippo, and Crocodile hunts can be carried out via the shoreline or by boat on the water itself.

Namibia is considered one of the most stable countries in which to hunt Leopards in their natural habitat, unaffected by sudden changes in quota or closure, and these hunts are seen as a top choice for those willing and able to take on the challenge.

Elephant hunting safari completed in Namibia's Zambezi region.

Kalahari

Namibia's Kalahari Desert region is known for its vast and desolate plains that have become home to a diverse range of both dangerous game and African plains game species. The famous red dunes form a spectacular hunting backdrop for Oryx, Kudu, Hartebeest, Impala, and Eland. Hunting in Namibia requires knowledgeable guidance, and the Kalahari's Bushmen guides are the only choice you'll need. Building off generation upon generation of local knowledge, these Bushmen are highly attuned to the area's climate and animal behavior and can provide insights like no other.

The Kalahari is a large area, demanding patience and vigilance from its hunters. Scouting and tracking from high points or dunes is often required, especially if the desert winds have scattered the herds, but the effort put in is well worth the potential reward. In the dry season, animals flock to both natural and man-made watering holes. Blinds set up around these attractions are a feasible option for those who might not be able to follow the Bushmen on foot for miles on end.

Black wildebeest hunting in Namibia is restricted to commercial game farms. They are not found in government hunting concessions or wilderness regions.

Kunene

Found in Namibia's North West sector, Kunene stretches from the Skeleton Coast to the Angola border. Namibia hunting safaris in this region are typically African plains game, but there are opportunities to hunt rare desert Elephant or Lion. Kunene is semi-arid with hot and dry summers coupled with temperate winters, but be warned; due to its elevation, Kunene can have temperature fluctuations of over 20ºF during the day. The plus side to this environment is the lack of mosquitoes, which can carry malaria and yellow fever, giving American hunters some peace of mind. Hunters can travel to the region via air charter or vehicle from either Hosea Kutako International or Eros Airports (both near Windhoek). Some outfitters will provide pickup/drop off services while others put this at the traveler's cost. Species commonly available include Warthog, Zebra, and a variety of antelope.

Damaraland

This region’s appearance relies on the season; rainy months bring lush greenery, but the dry season brings out the area’s true ruggedness. Regardless of the season, Damaraland’s backdrop of expansive plains and unique rock formations takes hunters to a place wedged between Erongo and Kunene. A Namibia hunt in this section of the land provides hunters with a choice of plains game like springbok, Oryx, Sable, Roan, and Kudu, as well as desert-dwelling Lions and Elephants, and naturally, the Damara Dik-Dik.

Otjozondjupa

The Waterberg Plateau forms the backbone of Otjozondjupa’s hunting grounds, rising over 6,000 feet above ground. This influence on the landscape creates pockets of savannah plains, mountain streams, forests, and red stone formations that give the area an otherworldly appeal. The main offering of this area is Cape Buffalo…record Cape Buffalo. Hunts for multiple Cape Buffalo are limited but available; other popular species include Warthog, Giraffe, Leopard, Eland, Oryx, and Hartebeest.

Spitzkoppe

This area derives its name from the 120-million-year-old bald granite peaks soaring out of the desert floor. A few hours from Windhoek, Spitzkoppe is a large free-roaming conservancy marked by changing landscapes that consist of desert, grassy plains, dry riverbed, and the titular mountains. The area is plains game dominant, but leopard opportunities do come around; game available includes Kudu, Hartebeest, Oryx, Zebra, Springbok, and Klipspringer.

Khomas Hochland

This highland region is a large free-range hunting area consisting of rolling valleys, mountains, and riverbeds. The Khomas highlands provide largely plains game hunting opportunities for species like Zebra, Kudu, Wildebeest, Oryx, and Steenbok, as well as Jackal when available and occasional Leopards. The area is relatively close to Windhoek and is easily accessible by road.

If choosing to hunt in Khomas, hunters will need to research outfitters, as available hunts depend on the chosen area of the highlands, animal availability, and hunting experience required.

Kaokoland

Considered one of the most desolate and rugged sectors, the Kaokoland is home to Namibia’s indigenous Himba tribe. The region is very dry and rocky, making it appear almost inhospitable to both animals and humans, yet life still finds a way. Kaokoland is known for sizeable springbok herds and other antelope such as Klipspringer, Kudu, Oryx, and steenbok. Other plains game varieties include zebra and giraffe, while big game opportunities exist thanks to the region's permanent elephant and lion populations, as well as wandering leopards.

Hardap

Bordering Botswana to the east and the Atlantic on the west, Hardap’s reach through Namibia and into the Kalahari combines scenery of desert plains, savannah, and mountain formations. This side of hunting in Namibia generally takes place on private farms or conservancies with a focus on plains species like Oryx, Waterbuck, Hartebeest, Kudu, and even Ostrich for those looking for something different. Farms must have registered fences, and quotas are pre-approved before the season.

Karas

Almost solely consisting of the Namib Desert, Karas is a hot, rocky, and dry area that requires thorough planning and a resolve as tough as the animals that choose to inhabit it. Leopard hunting opportunities are limited but available, generally in Namibia’s cooler months of April to August. Other Namibia hunting safaris on offer include Mountain Zebra, Springbok, Hartebeest, and Oryx.

Omaheke

Based almost entirely within the Kalahari, this region of Namibia's hunting territory is vast, open, and flat. Largely agricultural and with some of the highest total game density, Omaheke has a boundless supply of undisturbed hunting territory with species like Steenbok, Duiker, Springbuck, Oryx, Kudu, Blue Wildebeest, Eland, and Warthog. This region takes hunters back to the basics of hunting, walking, tracking, and stalking are the order of the day in Omaheke; open sands and tall grass provide cover for both animal and hunter, and there’s less gravel or rock to scatter thanks to the Kalahari Sandveld that Omaheke falls into.

While water is an almost non-existent commodity, there are a few scattered springs as well as man-made water supplies drilled by farmers and game ranches.

What sets hunting in Namibia apart from other African hunting destinations?

American hunters have a selection of quality hunting destinations to choose from when it comes to Africa, so what makes Namibia different? First off, one can say it's due to Namibia's excellently run hunting industry, which holds land owners, outfitters, guides, and PHs to very high standards when it comes to permits, training, and licenses. Hunting in Namibia also hands hunters a selection of game from the Dangerous 7, all the way down to members of the Tiny 10; ensuring there's something for every hunter, whether they're starting or looking for the next big trophy.

A big factor people in general consider when coming to Africa is safety, and with many countries experiencing civil war or political instability, we can't blame them. But Namibia is known as one of the continent's most stable and secure countries, with safe accommodation and transport available for hunters both in the cities and out in the bushveld. African hunts are a demanding enough challenge on their own, and not having to worry about your personal safety or that of your family takes a huge weight off.

Cape Buffalo hunt in Namibia's Zambezi region (formerly referred to as the Caprivi Strip).

Conclusion

Namibia hunting safaris offer hunters a variety of concessions and land options that can be tailored to their hunting needs and experience, while not burning a hole in the budget. People might say African hunts are all the same, but Namibia is different. Where else will you walk in the footsteps of guides with hundreds of years of ancestral knowledge, where else will you track your target through a landscape resembling something from Mars, and where else could one find a place that could shift your perspective on life, hunting, and existence?

Where will you find? You'll find it in Namibia.

Frequently Asked Questions

How safe is hunting in Namibia?

Both Namibia’s political stability and the security measures kept by accredited outfitters make the country a safe environment for both the hunter and any other members of the party. Campsites are often fenced off or enclosed (to keep out unwanted people or predators), and resort/farmhouse accommodation is also often well secured and protected.

All guides and PHs must be qualified, with some hunts being joined by a representative of Namibia Nature Conservation to keep hunters safe and on the right track, especially those hunts that involve waterways and swamps.

Can American hunters export their trophies?

Any American hunters wanting to take their trophy home need to comply with Namibian and American regulations. All trophies must have the relevant permits, licenses, CITES papers, and clearance certificates from both veterinarians and customs.

For more information related to taxidermy options and exporting your Namibia hunt trophy, click here.

Are there Namibia hunting safaris for beginners?

First-time hunters to Namibia are generally advised to look at plains packages and those specifically tagged as beginner-friendly. These hunts are shorter in length and are often one-on-one with the hunter and their guide being the only active participants; beginner hunts generally take place over "easier" terrain and involve uncomplicated species that won't require heavy experience or expert skills.

Namibia vs other African hunts – how does the cost compare?

Hunting in Namibia can be a more budget-friendly option for both beginners and advanced hunters alike; the country can come in cheaper when compared to areas like South Africa, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Factors that influence the lower cost of Namibia hunting safaris include –

·        Lower daily rates compared to other destinations

·        Competitive trophy fees and packages

·        Having a wide variety of game options available means hunters can choose the package that best suits them and their budget.

·        Lower cost of intra-hunt transport – Namibia’s hunting areas are largely accessible, cutting down on unnecessary charters and road travel.

Is bowhunting allowed in Namibia?

The practice of bowhunting has been legal in Namibia since the late 1990s. And although big game may not be hunted in this manner, there are a variety of plains game and small predator options available for bowhunting safaris. Bowhunting requirements and regulations are dependent on the size classification of the animal – for more on this, have a look at the relared blog.