Rahkling7

Welcome to the NitroExpress.com website. I hope you enjoy it and find what you are looking for here.

I think your daughter is both a very lucky girl to get a safari as a gift and also a special girl in wanting it! So you will want to have a safari to remember for both of you.

Why don't you do some hunting yourself? A 2x1 daughter and father hunt would be a great idea. If you give your daughter priority I don't think it would make a difference at all to her.

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- What I learned and had not seen in any of my on line wanderings is that semi autos are apparently illegal to import in several African countries. We had planned on using a Benneli R1 (already owned) semi auto as the primary weapon (I know don't he me to hard on this one, but recoil was a consideration). We were intially leaning toward Namibia. What countries are semi autos banned?


- One reason we had considered Namibia is that from everything I could discern it is a very safe destination. Is this true and what countries would be a safety concern for us.. no desire to put my 16 year old daughter in a compromising siutaiton.

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I can't answer the semi-auto question but someone here will be able to.

Namibia is a great country to consider. I hunted there last year and the feel of the place was very safe. Windhoek is not a big city and seemed a pleasant place. It also seemed better organised than any African country I have visited (8) except maybe Botswana. The roads were good, shops had things on the shelves (note they were a gunshop and a farm supplies shop, not a young ladies boutique!). All in all seemed a nice place.

South Africa would be another choice but the big cities are not as easy to travel in, due to the crime rate. However on a safari one is almost always 100% OK as the outfitter looks after you.

Great plains game hunting in Namibia and what I liked was the properties seemed larger and there is great choice between free range and fenced properties.

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- That brings me to caliber... 300 win mag sufficient? As I mentioned above a Benelli R 1 will be the primary weapon with a Weatherby mk V synthetic/stainless as back up in the same caliber. The glass on top will be provided by Leupold.

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- now perhaps the most important question. I would like an outfitter that may have a specific program for a young first time Africa hunter. We have had one bad experience at a lodge hunting upland game which had, should we say, a bit too much of an adult atmosphere. It would be nice if the program has special pricing for youth hunts. We have been on a few of these in the states and had good experiences both times. Any suggestions?

- Even though we would like a hunt specifically desgined for her we would want an outfitter and a PH who would try to put us in a position to harvest a nice kudu (our goal would be one north of 50 inches). In other words I am not inetrested in traveling all the way to Africa for a chance at a Kudu spike (equivelent) with a single shot 243... if you understand where I coming from.

- we would be interested in attempting to take at least one more trophy animal of the antelope family while there... thinking perhaps red hartebeast. Any suggestions on this point?

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I think a lot of outfitters would be able to customise the safari for you.

You ask for recommendations. I hunted with Karl Stumpfe from Ndumo Safaris, and he is on this forum as well. I am not an agent or anything so this is just a personal recommendation. Karl also hunts in South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Karls website

I found Karl very level headed and he has a very level disposition. I think both you and your daughter would enjoy him as a PH. When we organised my safari we discussed quite a few options, as to camps, areas to hunt etc so you should be able to find what you want. The hotel we stayed at in the Kalahari had a gourmet chef as the part-owner so we were spoiled there. I do prefer a separate camp, but the food there was rememorable.




As for trophy quality I don't think that would be an issue. I took nice gemsbok and springbok and red hartebeest. Plus warthog. Could have taken nice eland, great duiker and steenbok but foolishly turned down the latter.

I would discuss kudu with your outfitter and what they can offer if it is Namibia and your daughter has her heart set on a good one ie 50" plus is a good one. However the numbers were damaged by a rabies outbreak. They will recover but many are younger. So ask your outfitter specifically about the properties he is proposing if this is a strong objective.


They are there, even if hidden!

Hartebeest is a sore point for me. I have loved hunting them, but always have had problems! The gods of luck, eh? However with Karl we did score a good trophy. They are an unusal looking beast.



I would hunt springbok with your daughter. They are a beautiful antelope and I think she would enjoy one.

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- we were planning on 5 days actual hunting.. is that enough time? Only she will hunt.

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For two animals probably OK but probably the minimum. My guess is she will take additional animals. Your outfitter can advise.

One thing to consider is why not spend two or three days game viewing at a park. Maybe Etosha. I haven't been there, but I have always enjoyed spending time at a park as well as hunting. A good place for photography, as game in hunting areas tend to run away quicker .





(Edited a faulty link. ErikD. )