1st Safari please help

[Nuclear Worker]

Looking at hunting with Omujeve safaris. Looking at the Caprivi strip in Northern Namibia. In June. Will be me and my wife’s first safari. Would love to shoot a Buffalo but $ says probably won’t happen. So we’re looking at Gemsbok,Kudu,Sable,Nyala,Eland, wart hog. Has anyone hunted with them or in the area before? They also have another camp called Verdwaal which is a concession. It’s cheaper but I’m afraid I won’t get the experience of Africa that we’re looking for in a concession. Your suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Fatback]

I hunted buffalo with them in 2022 out of their Ivory Camp in the Caprivi. Had a fantastic hunt. I was able to take some nice plains game as well. It is wild Africa there on the river. Lions, elephants, hippos, crocs, etc….

Some of the plains game you mentioned won’t be in that area. Lots of waterbuck and lechwe for sure. I did see some nice kudu on my hunt as well.

Feel free to send me a PM if you’d like to exchange numbers, I’ll be glad to answer any questions you might have and discuss my experience there. Congrats on planning your first safari.

 

[rookhawk]

I know nothing of your outfitter but I congratulate you on going to the right kind of place. The Caprivi is storied grounds. You'll certainly have an authentic safari.

 

[375Fox]

They hold two very good concessions in Caprivi. Mashi Conservancy and Bwabwata East Park. I think you have an incorrect idea in your mind though. A concession is a large government or community area usually with dangerous game like in Caprivi. A farm is private land with plains game that is less expensive. One of the best deals in Africa is an own use non-exportable buffalo especially in a place like bwabwata east. That area would fit every description of Africa you have in mind. If you hunt on farms/ranches in Namibia stick to native game for that region like kudu, gemsbok, hartebeest, Hartmann zebra, springbok, warthog, eland, etc. Skip the Nyala and Sable. Nyala are only native along the Indian Ocean coastline in Mozambique and South Africa. Sable are native to Caprivi but not central Namibia but are very expensive in Caprivi. Hunting farms in central Namibia is a very good experience. Huge amount of space.

 

[Nuclear Worker]

They hold two very good concessions in Caprivi. Mashi Conservancy and Bwabwata East Park. I think you have an incorrect idea in your mind though. A concession is a large government or community area usually with dangerous game like in Caprivi. A farm is private land with plains game that is less expensive. One of the best deals in Africa is an own use non-exportable buffalo especially in a place like bwabwata east. That area would fit every description of Africa you have in mind. If you hunt on farms/ranches in Namibia stick to native game for that region like kudu, gemsbok, hartebeest, Hartmann zebra, springbok, warthog, eland, etc. Skip the Nyala and Sable. Nyala are only native along the Indian Ocean coastline in Mozambique and South Africa. Sable are native to Caprivi but not central Namibia but are very expensive in Caprivi. Hunting farms in central Namibia is a very good experience. Huge amount of space.

My understanding is if I don’t hunt in Caprivi the other concessions don’t have dangerous game on them. Said I might see a cheetah or Leopard. But no Buffalo, Elaphant, Hippo etc. we’re probably different than most people as in it is not about just shooting a trophy. We want the whole safari experience. As in we would rather stay in a tent in the bush. Than a fancy lodge. And have the chance to see a lion or hippo elephant etc. just don’t know if we can afford the kind of hunt we want? The conservancy is half the cost of the Caprivi. 18000 for a buffalo is just not reality for us. We are just average working people with rich people dreams.

 

[BryceM]

I don't know that outfitter, but as others have said, what you are saying is a bit confusing re concessions.

Hunting in the Caprivi is generally done on communal conservancies (often called concessions) and it's prime area for buffalo, elephant, lechwe, reedbuck, sable, zebra, waterbuck, impala, leopard, hippo, and croc. Lion maybe.

There are other communal conservancies in Namibia outside of the Caprivi, especially to the North and West of Etosha. Some have dangerous game. Some only plains game. To make it more confusing, sometimes PHs and outfitters will refer to private land as a "hunting concession", which is not exactly what most of us mean. Most of us would call that a farm or ranch, many (not all) of which are high-fence operations. In Namibia, most of these properties are huge.

Daily rates in the Caprivi are probably in the $1-1.25k range per day, and then add trophy fees, etc. on top of that. Daily rates on farm/ranch operations are usually a fraction of that.

Some farm operations are pretty pampered and lazy (driving around shooting stuff) and others are boots-on-the ground hunting. No matter what you imagine Africa to be, the reality is usually pretty different. In some ways amazingly great. In some ways surprising, and in some ways disappointing.

The key is to communicate, communicate, communicate with your outfitter/PH. If they can't offer what you're looking for, there are plenty of others to chose from.

Have a blast!

 

[Nuclear Worker]

I don't know that outfitter, but as others have said, what you are saying is a bit confusing re concessions.

Hunting in the Caprivi is generally done on communal conservancies (often called concessions) and it's prime area for buffalo, elephant, lechwe, reedbuck, sable, zebra, waterbuck, impala, leopard, hippo, and croc. Lion maybe.

There are other communal conservancies in Namibia outside of the Caprivi, especially to the North and West of Etosha. Some have dangerous game. Some only plains game. To make it more confusing, sometimes PHs and outfitters will refer to private land as a "hunting concession", which is not exactly what most of us mean. Most of us would call that a farm or ranch, many (not all) of which are high-fence operations. In Namibia, most of these properties are huge.

Daily rates in the Caprivi are probably in the $1-1.25k range per day, and then add trophy fees, etc. on top of that. Daily rates on farm/ranch operations are usually a fraction of that.

Some farm operations are pretty pampered and lazy (driving around shooting stuff) and others are boots-on-the ground hunting. No matter what you imagine Africa to be, the reality is usually pretty different. In some ways amazingly great. In some ways surprising, and in some ways disappointing.

The key is to communicate, communicate, communicate with your outfitter/PH. If they can't offer what you're looking for, there are plenty of others to chose from.

Have a blast!

Yes if I can afford a Buffalo hunt it would be in the Caprivi. If I just did plains game at a much cheaper price they have another camp. They called it a concession but under your description it is a farm. As it is fenced in. Yes much cheaper but I don’t think it’s what I’m looking for.

 

[375Fox]

What drew you to Omujeve and what other options have you looked at? An own use non-exportable buffalo is about half the price you quoted. I see Omujeve doesn’t post their own use prices but Kou Kuas in the adjacent park concession does. You hunt for an old non-trophy bull and is the full buffalo hunting experience in a very wild dangerous game area.

Here’s my last report from Jamy Traut Safaris. I hunted a couple areas including the NW of country.

Thread 'NAMIBIA: March 2024 Jamy Traut Hunting Safaris'

Sep 15, 2024

I completed my third hunt with @Jamy Traut Hunting Safaris in early March this year. This was my first early season hunt in Namibia. I hunted February 25th through March 8th. I hunted Waterberg Park, several conservancies in Kaokoland, and did some ranch hunting at Jamy Traut Safari’s home base at Panorama near Rehoboth. Early season had some difficulties (that I expected and were discussed) but I was still very successful and had a great hunt. I took a giraffe, hartmann zebra, hartebeest, 2 BIG springbuck, 2 kudu, and 2 gemsbok during my hunt. My previous hunts were in Kaokoland and...

• 375Fox
• Replies: 21
• Forum: Hunting reports Africa

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• 

Here was an offer from Ndumo a few years ago for PG in Caprivi.

Thread 'Caprivi Plains Game Trophy Package Hunt Caprivi Namibia'

Nov 30, 2023

Take advantage of this great opportunity to hunt a variety of plains game species in the Caprivi area of Namibia.
These hunts will take place in the Sobbe and Balyerwa Conservancies.

The offer is priced at US$9,900 and includes 7 hunting days and 2 travel days.
Also included is one each of the following species –
Kudu
Chapman Zebra
Blue Wildebeest
Impala
Warthog

I try to do most of the hunts myself, but if we really cannot get a date to work for all, I have a few trusted freelance Big Game PHs that may do the hunt. Your outfitter would be Ndumo Safaris.

To book...

• ndumo HUNTING SAFARIS
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Deals & offers

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There are a lot of good Namibia outfitters sponsoring this website. I’d look through the sponsors list and expand your search. Hunting Low Fence Plains game in Namibia is great experience. Caprivi is expensive but you can find hunts within your budget if your primary goal is to see the Caprivi. I’d tell you to tell outfitters your budget and ask what options they have. I’d avoid the commentary about average working class people because so are the outfitters. Operating in concession areas is expensive compared to farms. Remember getting your trophies home is expensive also in your final budget.

 

[rookhawk]

My understanding is if I don’t hunt in Caprivi the other concessions don’t have dangerous game on them. Said I might see a cheetah or Leopard. But no Buffalo, Elaphant, Hippo etc. we’re probably different than most people as in it is not about just shooting a trophy. We want the whole safari experience. As in we would rather stay in a tent in the bush. Than a fancy lodge. And have the chance to see a lion or hippo elephant etc. just don’t know if we can afford the kind of hunt we want? The conservancy is half the cost of the Caprivi. 18000 for a buffalo is just not reality for us. We are just average working people with rich people dreams.

What you're describing for a hunt sounds to me like a Zambezi Valley hunt. Your budget isn't enough, I think you're looking at $27,000-$30,000 for 18-21 days. You wouldn't do any less because its a LOT of hours of travel to get to the Valley to a storied fish camp like Sapi, Chewore, etc. You'd be in very nice tents on the river. Elephants walking through camp. Lions roaring. Hippos bellowing. The valley is very expensive to get to, but not expensive to be in. The travel is so fatiguing you'd be foolish to do a short trip because you'll be so exhausted and jet lagged it won't mean much to you.

For the pricetag I'm guesstimating, that would be a bag that looks like this: Buffalo, Hippo, Waterbuck, Kudu, Hyena, Bushbuck, Duiker, Impala, etc. Tuskless Elephant would be the same price-ish as the Hippo or Buffalo.

You'd also fish for Tiger Fish, Vundu, and Tilapia. You'd probably go to Mana Pools for game drives in the park to see all manner of creatures.

That's "Real Africa" for certain.

There are trips like that in the Caprivi Strip too I'm sure, although its different animals. It's known as a dangerous game area so I'm guessing you're going to be shooting plains game on ranches or curated concessions? There is a difference.

 

[BRICKBURN]

..........So we’re looking at Gemsbok, Kudu, Sable, Nyala, Eland, wart hog. .........

You need to have a look at where these species are endemic. Good luck with planning your hunt.

 

[375Fox]

What you're describing for a hunt sounds to me like a Zambezi Valley hunt. Your budget isn't enough, I think you're looking at $27,000-$30,000 for 18-21 days. You wouldn't do any less because its a LOT of hours of travel to get to the Valley to a storied fish camp like Sapi, Chewore, etc. You'd be in very nice tents on the river. Elephants walking through camp. Lions roaring. Hippos bellowing. The valley is very expensive to get to, but not expensive to be in. The travel is so fatiguing you'd be foolish to do a short trip because you'll be so exhausted and jet lagged it won't mean much to you.

For the pricetag I'm guesstimating, that would be a bag that looks like this: Buffalo, Hippo, Waterbuck, Kudu, Hyena, Bushbuck, Duiker, Impala, etc. Tuskless Elephant would be the same price-ish as the Hippo or Buffalo.

You'd also fish for Tiger Fish, Vundu, and Tilapia. You'd probably go to Mana Pools for game drives in the park to see all manner of creatures.

That's "Real Africa" for certain.

There are trips like that in the Caprivi Strip too I'm sure, although its different animals. It's known as a dangerous game area so I'm guessing you're going to be shooting plains game on ranches or curated concessions? There is a difference.

This is unfortunately unrealistic pricing today except for the best end of season deals or an extreme short notice cancellation. You can find prices in the $1000/day range but most Zambezi valley outfitters will be $1200-$1600/day plus trophy fees. You can find better pricing in lesser areas.