Namibia’s Political History, a brief overview (1914 to 1990)

A brief look to the past, to see the country’s rise to where it is today, as a leading big game hunting safari

destination, allows the international hunter to understand the history a bit more.

• South West Africa, as early as 1884, was proclaimed a German Protectorate by Otto von Bismarck. South Africa conquered South West Africa during World War 1, resulting in South Africa taking over the administration, under the 1920 League of Nations Mandate.
• South Africa’s main aim of ruling Namibia was to exploit the mineral resources. SWAPO (South West Africa’s People Organization) was formed in 1964 to obtain independence from South Africa.
• Considering this objective, The Namibian War of Independence, also known as the South African Border War, commenced in 1966.
• PLAN (Peoples Liberation Army of Namibia), the armed wing of SWAPO, was formed to practically battle, in military style, the want of independence. PLAN was backed by the Soviet Union, which supplied billions of United States Dollars in defense technology. Namibia was also assisted by thousands of Cuban troops.
• South Africa deployed special units such as “Koevoet” and 32 Battalion trained to carry out external reconnaissance and track guerilla movements.
• The war was ended by the Tripartite Accord mediated by the United Nations which committed to the withdrawal of Cuban and South African military from Angola and South West Africa.
• South West Africa celebrated its independence on the 21st of March 1990 and then became known as Namibia.

In South Africa, all male citizens leaving grade twelve were forced by the South African Government to join the military services for a minimum period of two consecutive years. At the ripe age of 17, I spent two years in the service of the South African Military Police from the years 1988-1989. Most of our time was spent in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa at the military center known as Lohatla, near the borders of Namibian and Botswana.  So from a young age I was in the bush, but not completing any big game hunting safaris then!

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Trophy Hunting in Namibia in 2023

Hunting in Namibia is a top destination of choice when considering an Africa big game hunting safari, and, as such, the question of safety is always asked. Big game hunting in Namibia includes all the members of the Big Five, along with Nile crocodiles and hippos, making Namibia a premier safari hunting destination.

Namibia is a country 97% the size of South Africa and has only 3 million citizens, versus 60 million in South Africa. Namibia, besides relying on mining as a primary contributor to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), understands the importance of tourism and working capital generated by international game hunting enthusiasts.

Namibia is, in fact, the only African country to include conservation and environmental protection in its Constitution!

What you can expect when Big Game Hunting in Namibia: Logistics and Safety

In this instance, we are going to report and give feedback from individual experiences on the practical safety circumstances during a recent hippo hunting safari in Namibia.

Hippo Hunting in Namibia’s Caprivi Strip: Is it worth visiting the Caprivi Strip when hunting in Namibia?

Yes, a hunting safari in the Caprivi Strip is most definitely worth the visit. The Caprivi Strip can be classified as the oasis of Namibia, which is set in the desert landscapes. It has been described as the heart of Southern Africa’s hunting safaris and the gateway to exploring game hunting opportunities.

The Caprivi Strip is bordered by four countries, namely Angola, Zambia, Botswana and Angola, making this area unique.  Namibia big game hunting in the Caprivi includes elephant hunting, hippo Hunting, crocodile hunting and, of course, Cape buffalo hunting.

When choosing travel options to the hippo hunting grounds, the hunting safari can either fly directly into Windhoek International Airport, or Kasane International Airport in Botswana.

Our Hippo Hunting in Namibia Travel Experience: The Botswanan Safety Aspect

Our hippo hunting safari took us via Botswana. Kasane International Airport has recently been revamped and is modern, clean, and extremely comfortable. It is noticeably quiet; staff speak English and are all extremely helpful.

Kasane International Airport is a short distance away from the Chobe River, which forms the border with Namibia. If you have a little time, it is worth the effort of overnighting for a day or two on the Botswanan side of the border. You will have access to the Chobe National Park (the highest concentration of African Elephants in the world) and houseboats, restaurants, as well as tourist attractions along the waterfront.

Of course, it is understandable that trophy game hunting in Namibia is the priority, but sometimes, adding a few days to the hunting safari for some “R & R” also adds value. Elephant hunting in Namibia is on my list of dream African hunts; I found Chobe to be a suitable place to practice judging tusk size and estimated weight.

When it comes to safety, Botswana relies heavily on proceeds from game hunting and supports tourism. At no point was our safety compromised, and we were welcomed every step of the way.

The Chobe River Crossing into Namibia

Crossing the border for our hippo hunting in Namibia, and our final hunting destination, was painless. A quick two-minute admin process at the border crossing out of Botswana, and we were on our way! We had arranged a rendezvous time with our Namibian outfitter, dropped a quick pin to confirm a location, and a few minutes later, we were on our way.

So far, the only potential safety risk was nearly falling off the little canoe into the warm waters of the Chobe River! Hint: If assistance is offered when boarding, take it!

Again, a quick stop at passport control in Namibia, and we were on our way to our hippo hunting grounds!

Namibia Big Game Hunting: Safety in The Concession And Lodges

Hunting lodges in Namibia are exceptional. Well, all those that we have come across, but we deal only with accredited African outfitters. The facilities were perfect, the staff members were fantastic! This hippo hunting in Namibia safari was turning out to be perfect choice.

The campsite was surrounded by a small, electrified fence, not to keep out Namibian community members, but there are always some nighttime predators crawling around. Or was it to keep us in? The camp was safe, and we did not have to lock away any valuables. Considering the quality of hunting lodges in Namibia, at that point we were considering a repeat trip, and we had not even completed the hippo hunting safari!

Hippo hunting in Namibia takes the hunting safari through many waterways, swamps, rivers, and estuaries. At least we had a representative of the Namibian Nature Conservation Authority to ensure we did not accidentally end up in another country. It sounds a little unreal, but it is quite true, the waterways can get confusing as to knowing which country is which!

The local communities depend on proceeds from the game hunting safaris, not only the US Dollar value, but also for basics such as meat and carcass contributions. As such, they want a successful hippo hunting safari, and they want the hunters to return. In this instance, due to the success of the hippo hunt, it was the first time in six months that these communities had enjoyed a basic dietary requirement of fresh meat.

Our safety while hippo hunting in Namibia was never compromised. We were welcomed, valued, and looked after in every aspect.

Namibia: A Safe Big Game Hunting Destination

Hunting in Namibia needs to be a first consideration. Big game hunting in Namibia is highly recommended. The hunter and observer do not need to worry about any safety concerns. Like with any remote hunting adventure, a little common sense also goes a long way to ensure one’s safety.

Read more about hippo hunting safaris and big game hunting in Namibia.

PC van Wyk