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terry, first of all, welcome to the forum. This is an excellent place to educate, get educated, have some fun, get picked on from time to time, and help fulfill life.

I'll be hunting with Vaughan Fulton www.fultonclassicsafaris.com The conservancy he has exclusive hunting rights on is almost 850,000 acres, and actually borders Etosha on the West, and Northwest. It is a tented camp, and has running water and flush toilets in the tents, along with beds, wardrobe, and writing desk. It should be a lot of fun. I leave in 29 days.

Jan is someone I've heard a lot of good things about over the years. Most outfitters and P.H.s in Namibia are straight up guys. He also has good Gemsbok in his area. Take a good and warm jacket with you, as well as a wool or fleece sweater with a wind proof liner, a down vest, leather gloves, wool balaclava, and lots of sun screen and skin moisturizer. In August, the mornings and nights are very cold-right around freezing. When you are riding in the back of the hunting baakie in the hours around dawn and sunset, traveling 30-50 miles and hour, the wind chill will be around 0! Dress in layers, because by 10:00 you'll be in shirt sleeves or a light jacket. The sun is brutal-use sun screen!!!!! The air is very dry. Remember, they make biltong by drying the meat in the shade. Think what the sun can do to your skin. Don't pack too many clothes-your laundry will be done for you every day-even your underwear and socks will come back neatly pressed. Three sets of dark khaki, long sleeve shirts (you can always roll up the sleeves), and pants, 5 sets of underwear, 1 pair of long underwear, 5 pairs of hunting socks, 2 baseball type caps, 2 pair of well broken-in hunting boots, and the above mentioned outerwear will have you set. You don't need a .375 H&H for plains game. IMO all that's needed is something in the 30:06 class with a premium 180-200 grain bullet is all that's needed. Don't use Ballistic Tip type bullets. You want a bullet that will exit the animal from almost any angle. Top your rifle off with a good quality scope in something like a 3 X 9 or 2.5 X 8 and leave it on its lowest power setting while you are hunting. You can always turn up the power for a shot later, if you need to. Personally, I use a 1.75 X 6 Leupold, and have never needed anything stronger. I shoot a .375 H&H Ackley Improved. Not because I have to, but I just love the rifle/scope/cartridge combination.

By the way, this is a Malaria area, although the time of year you are going the chances of even seeing a mosquito are slim. However, don't risk it. Take your Malaria Prophalaxis. I suggest Malarone. I used to take Larium, but I had some problems with it. Take a broad spectrum anti-biotic, and also some Doxycycline (SP)just in case you're unfortunate enough to contract tick fever. The Doxy will knock it out quickly.

If you don't have your tickets yet, may I suggest you use the services of Kathi Klimes at World Travel Mart kathi@wldtravel.com 708-425-3552. She's a pleasure to work with, and really got me a good rate. I'm flying from Atlanta, to Johannesburg, to Windhoek on SAA. I'll also be using the services of a company called Optima Services in Johannesburg. For $60.00 they will meet you as you're coming off the plane, escort you into the airport, to the departure area, collect your luggage and rifle case, and hand carry them to the connecting flight to Windhoek, and personally put them on the plane. Then they'll do the same thing for you when you return from Windhoek. I think it's money well spent. Kathi can arrange the service for you.

My only other suggestion would be to take a camera, lots of film, and just relax, have a good time, and trust your P.H.

If you need any other information, just ask. I'm always glad to help.

terry, please do the members a favor and update your profile with a little personal information. At the very least, let us know where you're from. Thanks

Edited by mikeh416Rigby (12/04/05 09:39 AM)