Often referred to as the “Land of Sand,” Namibia remains a sought-after game hunting destination and a favorite of many international hunting enthusiasts. Offering an array of species, hunting regions, differing and challenging terrain, and varying hunting methods, Namibia ticks all the boxes in terms of being a diverse and testing hunting safari destination.
Key Takeaways
- Namibia is the only destination where all members of Africa’s Big 5 can be hunted.
- It is also the only destination where cheetahs can legally be hunted.
- Namibia is home to a wide variety of dangerous game, including the Big 5 and Dangerous 7, as well as a wide variety of African plains game and specialty game species.
- Namibia’s hunting regions are divided into three different types, namely private game ranches, communal conservancies, and government-owned concessions.
- Namibia’s hunting season runs from the beginning of February to the end of December.
Why Choose Namibia As a Hunting Safari Destination?
- Namibia is the only country where Africa’s Big 5, namely the elephant, rhino, Cape buffalo, leopard, and lion, can be hunted. These animals are included in the Dangerous 7, with the Nile crocodile and the hippo, which are also hunted in the country.
- Namibia hunting safari packages are reasonably priced and good value for money.
- There are a wide array of species available when hunting in Namibia, from dangerous game such as the Big 5, and the cheetah, as well as a multitude of African plains game species and most members of the Tiny 10. From the minute Kirk’s dik-dik and the iconic springbok and oryx, right through to the greater kudu and eland, Namibia’s African plains game species are exceptional. Add some African cats, and specialty animals, and you see why the destination appeals to so many hunters worldwide.
- As a stable African country with well-maintained infrastructure, international and regional airports and charters, as well as state-of-the-art medical facilities in larger cities, Namibia remains a good option for African game hunting safaris.
- Easy access to Namibia through various European and African countries makes for easy traveling.
- Namibia’s government remains conservation-focused, actively supports hunting tourism, and is well-managed and regulated for sustainable hunting initiatives.
- The Namibian Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA) ensures that the highest standards of ethics are endorsed for international safari hunting, and its registered PHs and guides are very well-trained and experienced. The focus of hunting in Namibia remains fair-chase hunts.
- 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 and early mornings can be chilly and downright cold, as it can drop below freezing in certain regions. When hunting in Namibia, hunters must factor in the day and night temperature fluctuations, especially during the colder winter months.
- Namibia consists of five geographical landscapes, all of which offer varying species and hunting experiences. These areas include the Great Escarpment, the Namib Desert, the Bushveld, the Central Plateau, and the Kalahari Desert.
- The country boasts a range of diverse landscapes to challenge hunters.
- Bow hunting is allowed in the country, but dangerous game may not be hunted with a bow.
- Namibia hunting safaris allow the hunter to experience a unique hunting adventure, whether targeting plains game or dangerous species.
Types of Hunting Regions for a Namibia Hunting Safari
Hunting regions in Namibia are divided into three main types, namely Communal Conservancies, Government-owned concessions, and private game ranches.
- Communal Conservancies are managed by the local Namibian communities. These communal conservancies allow the local communities to benefit from sustainable hunting in the region.
- Private Game Ranches can be either a single property or part of a large conservancy and are managed and run by private landowners in the region. These private game ranches generally provide a customized hunting experience and more luxurious and comfortable accommodation options.
- Government-owned concessions are generally found near national reserves and game parks.
The Main Regions for Namibia Hunting Safaris
Namibia has vast regions set aside for game hunting, with each region allowing the hunters to experience unique hunting adventures. Let’s take a look at the five main areas:
Namibia is comprised of five main hunting regions, each with distinct terrain and landscapes that influence the hunting experience. Below is a more detailed breakdown of these regions:
The Central Plateau
Bordered by the Skeleton Coast to the west and the Kalahari Desert to the east, this region features a combination of rolling hills, sandy valleys, and rugged mountains. This type of landscape, which includes open plains, does make glassing easier and plays a role in successfully spotting game. However, hunters must be spot-on with their long-range shooting skills and their shot placement accurate.
The mountains provide adequate cover and camouflage for species such as the greater kudu and make this iconic species a challenge to track and stalk. Abundant species in the region include trophy leopards, klipspringers, steenbok, Damara Dik-Dik, warthogs, kudus, and hartebeest, as well as the world’s largest antelope, the eland.
The Namib Desert
The Namib Desert is renowned for its breathtaking beauty and large dunes. The Namib Desert sports some of the world’s tallest sand dunes, including Dune 7, which is the tallest sand dune in Namibia at 1,256 feet. Other notable sand dunes in the area include those at Sossusvlei which can reach up to 984 feet.
Big Daddy as it is affectionately known, is located between Deadvlei and Sossusvlei and stands 1066 feet tall, and remains a top tourist attraction in the region.
But the Namib Desert is not only about dunes, no matter how impressive they are. It is also home to rocky outcrops and gravel plains, with hunters in the area embarking on a safari that demands physical fitness, peak resistanance, and courage to meet changing conditions head-on, with local desert-adapted species being challenging and elusive to hunt. Popular species in the area include the oryx, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, desert lion, desert-adapted elephant, meerkat, and the springbok.
The Great Escarpment
Key species in this region include the highly elusive and dangerous leopard, eland, oryx, and the kudu. The area is known for its diverse vegetation that supports varied species, with a rocky terrain that tests hunters as they track and stalk game through thick bush. The dense vegetation allows great camouflage for the game, resulting in hunters being challenged to approach and stalk game undetected.
The Bushveld (Northeastern Namibia)
This area is found within the Zambezi region (formerly known as the Caprivi Strip) and along the Angolan border and includes flat landscapes, mopane woodlands, and seasonal wetlands, such as the Etosha Pan. The area is home to major rivers, including the Okavango and Kwando.
While the wetlands attract large concentrations of game due to the lush vegetation and good water sources in the area, the area can be difficult to navigate during the wet season, making hunting safaris extremely challenging. This area is renowned for its dangerous game species, such as the elephant, hippo, and Cape buffalo, along with large antelope such as the roan and sable.
The Kalahari Desert
This region provides a great challenge for hunters interested in targeting dangerous game, including African cats such as the leopard and cheetah. Plains game species such as the duiker, steenbok, blue and black wildebeest (not in abundance but available), giraffe, blesbok, red hartebeest, impala, and springbok, inhabit the area, allowing for a testing safari hunt targeting some prime antelope.
The Kalahari Desert is a semi-arid region in eastern Namibia that is dominated by red dunes covered with sparse vegetation, including thorny bushes and grasses and is inhabited by numerous species. The lack of dense vegetation in the region influences the hunt, with animals being on high alert due to the wide-open spaces, which also makes approaching the animals undetected a huge test for a hunter’s stalking skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hunting in Namibia legal?
Yes, it is legal to enjoy trophy hunting in Namibia.
Is Namibia a good option as a hunting destination?
Yes, Namibia remains a popular hunting destination. The country offers game hunting enthusiasts the best of many African plains game species, as well as dangerous game, and is the only destination where all of Africa’s Big 5 can be hunted.
Is night hunting allowed in Namibia?
Night hunting in Namibia is forbidden. Namibia’s hunting season runs from February to November, with hunting taking place 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset.
Can you hunt Africa’s Big 5 in Namibia?
Yes, the Big 5 can be legally hunted in Namibia, and it is the only destination where all members of the Big 5 can be hunted.
Can you hunt cheetahs in Namibia?
Yes, cheetah hunting in Namibia is legal under stringent regulations and conditions.
Can I bring my family on a Namibian hunting safari?
Yes, Namibia is a family-friendly destination with many tourist activities and attractions available for families. From adventure activities such as quad biking and sandboarding in Swakopmund, fishing in Henties Baai, climbing Big Daddy in Sossusvlei, game drives in Etosha, cultural experiences in Windhoek, or visiting the famous Fish River Canyon, Namibia has plenty of tourist activities to keep all members of the family entertained.
Conclusion
Combining the best of both worlds, Namibia offers hunters the best of African hunting safaris with diverse species and experiences while successfully combining it with world-class infrastructure, communications enterprises, medical care, and tourism experiences. The combination of all these brings together an unforgettable hunting adventure in a diverse African destination.
To check out the latest available Namibian hunts, visit our Find A Hunt page.