Namibia May or September hunt?

[Chris35w]

New member here, first real post other than introduction.

I’ve finally decided it’s time to head to Africa. I plan on hunting Namibia in the Khomas region in either May or September 2019. The weather should be nice both times of the year, mostly likely similar.

May is the Kudu rut, big plus. The trick will be accruing the needed vacation time. Doable but would have to put off a vacation with the wife until later in the year.

Any pros or cons or advice would be welcome.

Thanks

Chris35w

 

[jduckhunter]

My first thought is for you to take the wife along. It would be like a 2 birds with 1 stone kinda thing. She would love the trip!

 

[Chris35w]

That is a possibility and had seriously considered doing that when I was looking mostly at South Africa. My budget jumped a bit when I chose Namibia and she offered to let me go it alone knowing this hunt is my dream.

 

[Pheroze]

When I can go I was thinking September as I believe the flights are cheaper than June and July (not sure about May) It's incredible how much of a plains game budget gets consumed by travel.

 

[jduckhunter]

My first trip over was to Namibia, it took some talking but I got my wife to go along, she absolutely loved it. It did squeeze my budget a bit, but it was worth it to have her along and enjoying herself the way she did.

 

[jduckhunter]

Our trip to Namibia was the last few days of April and the first week or so of May. It was very hot, I don't know if that's the norm for that time of year, but I remember the heat very well.

 

[Hearties]

Late May would be my choice. It’s cooler than September which can be very hot and dry.

 

[Dinsdale]

Done a couple hunts April/May and a couple Sept/Oct.

I'd take the late hunt from now on. Personally I think Kudu rut thing is overrated and seen and taken my biggest bulls late (high 50's, and simply ran out of trophy fees funds for what could have been 60), also shot a nice bull early once. Well managed areas have quality animals, you may have to work to find them anyway.

But its hot, dusty and dry. I can pack light as its warm all the time, a 200 weight fleece is overkill. I have never done "prime time"....If I wanted to hunt and wear a knit hat and gloves I can stay home for vacation and look for a deer. LOL

Airfare is cheap. How cheap? I paid less than $700 JFK>Jberg and less than $1100 for Windhoek and Harare on off season/late hunts. I have never not been offered on the spot discounts on trophy fees for being one of the last/late hunters for the season and left over quota that is sometimes reserved for more marquee/longer hunts as add-ons.

Just my take on it.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Hunted RSA in April, May, June, September, October. I would NOT hunt again in September and October. It's like deer hunting in the spring in the U.S. YMMV. I would go in May.

 

[johnnyblues]

My first safari was in Namibia in August, nights were chilly but days were beautiful. I think if you book in early September you’ll be happy. May can be cold. I took this 53 inch kudu in late August.

 

[Chris35w]

My first safari was in Namibia in August, nights were chilly but days were beautiful. I think if you book in early September you’ll be happy. May can be cold. I took this 53 inch kudu in late August.

That is one nice Kudu. Congratulations.

I just got through sending an email to the outfitter I plan on using, trying to decide on dates. Late August or early September sounds like a good time to go. Although I’m not so much concerned with it being cold when I go as I live in the Colorado Front Range. Moved here because Texas was too damn hot. Still a Texan at heart though.

 

[dmyers]

If you are alive and its reasonably safe, there is no time I'd choose not be hunting in Africa.

 

[YancyW]

I was there this past May, the weather was great. I was never hot and it was near freezing most mornings.

 

[Adrian]

I've hunted in August, September and October.
I arrived back home just two days ago.
If the place you're hunting has Kudu you'll find them. Don't plan your trip around the rut, I genuinely don't think it makes a difference.
I've taken Kudu in all of the three months previously mentioned and seen plenty more.

 

[Bwana Bob]

I hunted Namibia in July, August and October. All three trips were great. The only issue I had was in October. The flies were a little bit of a nuisance but it only seemed to last for about two hours in the afternoon. Good hunting

 

[TheWhitetailNut]

I hunted in May, not sure what I could have gained any other time of year. I loved seeing Africa green and lush, it contrasted with what I had envisioned all those years. You can give me a call if you like as I was in that region just a few months ago. I may never finish my hunt report...

 

[Arctic97]

I have hunted there in June, July, August and early September. The one thing that varies and can affect things somewhat is the March rains. If the rains are normal, or above normal, there will be taller grass, and more of it. So the animals may be dispersed a bit more and also harder to see earlier on in the season. With that said I am going to give the month of May a try this coming year and see how it goes. The best way to do your first trip is to go sans the wife and get into the hunting. Then plan to bring your wife back (and you WILL be planning another trip no later than day 2 of this trip) and do a more leisurely hunt, along with a stop over in SA for about 5-7 days to do some sight seeing with her. She will love the whole experience a lot more than you taking her this first time, when you really want to concentrate on the hunting. Having your wife, and the mistress of the hunt, in camp with you at the same time can be frustrating say we say. No matter when you go, you will really enjoy it I am sure. Best of luck to you sir.

 

[Chris35w]

It has been fun doing the research and I appreciate all the advice. I have made up mind and will be hunting with Khomas Highlands Safaris in May 2019. Flights are booked and it’s all about the wait now. The next 9 months will be spent getting in better shape and practicing my shooting.

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[Arctic97]

Chris I would be interested to hear what airline, flights and routing you choose for your flights in May?
Andy.

 

[Chris35w]

Andy,
I worked with Jenifer at Travel Express and am flying South African Airways from Denver to Windhoek through JFK and Johannesburg. On the return I’m flying through Johannesburg, a quick stop in Accra, Ghana, and Dulles. Thought about flying Qatar but it adds a day on each end. Flights would have been a bit less but it cost more to select seats on Qatar, so it was pretty much a wash.