"Namibia?" you ask yourself. "Where the hell is that?" If you are familiar with Brad and Angelina´s recent baby excursion then you´ve heard of the country. Still in the dark? Get a world map and look on the African west coast near the bottom just above South Africa. It is a big country, about the size of Texas and Louisiana combined, but it only has two million or so inhabitants. It has good infrastructure and it feels wild once you get outside the capital. The game is well managed and diverse, and the hunting is fantastic. I´ve heard some people call it, "Africa Lite," after the overseas version of diet cola because you get all of the "good" and less of the "bad." It is all that without the crime, punishment, and attitude of other locations for a reasonable price. Some of Africa´s toughest and most majestic animals populate Namibia´s softly undulating desert landscape and savagely beautiful Kalahari sand dunes. Still interested? Read a little more and start planning now.

A year before my trip I had started reading hunting books on hunting in Africa and fantasizing about making the perfect shot on large African game during long boring business meetings. My little adventure started when I was thinking out loud with an Australian colleague who had hunted in Africa before. He gave me a couple of his contacts, I looked at my long-range schedule, and then booked a hunting trip in South Africa for later in the year. The dream was becoming a reality.

Several months later I was having dinner with a good friend and his colleague from Namibia. He suggested that I add a few days to my trip, fly to Namibia for a visit, and do a little hunting. I eagerly agreed and relished the opportunity to hunt in another country. I love hunting, shooting, being outdoors, meeting new people, and learning about different cultures. This was everything that I wanted all wrapped into one big burrito. I changed my flight itinerary and the hunt was on.

When I arrived in Windhoek, the capital, the end of the hunting season was approaching rapidly and it was hot. In fact, I was the last client of the year. The best months to hunt are April through July. It is substantially cooler and more pleasant to hunt, but hunting in the hotter months (40 Celsius during midday) does offer some advantages. The hunter must simply adjust. Early morning hunts are a must and then long walks, if you like to walk. Due to the heat the animals gravitate to the shade for obvious reasons. Walking and scouting, the hunter can focus his attention on groups of trees and shadows. The animals are usually not wary and resting, which if the stalk is done properly gives the hunter some time to study the herd and identify a suitable animal.

Namibian hospitality is fantastic. The Namibians are down-to-earth straight-forward people without a hint of arrogance that you might find in other parts of post-colonial Africa. If you like BBQs and red meat then you are in for a treat. My Namibian friend told me before I came, "We eat chicken for salad." I thought he was joking. On my first night in Windhoek he continued to explain his carnivorous lifestyle as I dove into my own massive Zebra steak. According to him, "The animal eats the plants and grains and I eat the animal to get all the nutrients I need." You can even get a beef steak, but if might cost a little more. Game is so plentiful that it does not make sense to ask for such an exotic animal as a cow!

The Lindenhof Ranch, where I hunted, is about ninety minutes from Windhoek and is managed by a husband and wife team, Jaco and Jacomien. Jaco is the consummate professional hunter. He knows his trade and can adapt to any hunter thus increasing the odds for success. His domestic alter ego, Jacomien, is a charming host, who makes you feel as if you are in your own home. She also did her very best to make me gain weight with wonderful meals despite all of the walking. Given enough time for the game to age, they will present you with a choice steak from any animal you take. In my case it was Red Hartebeest grilled over an open flame. At my friend´s house in Windhoek, I later had a chance to taste the Kudu and that Oryx that I also shot on the ranch. The remainder of the meat helps to feed the staff or is sold on the open market thus generating income to help manage the game and the farm and creating employment for the locals.

I used a loaner rifle for my hunt. Upon arrival we took it to their range so we could get better acquainted. It was an old .308 made in Austria and shot truer than William Tell´s bow. Needless to say, we got along famously and made a good team. It is fairly easy to bring your own with a little proper planning. If you are not inclined to work through the red tape and do not want to bring your own rifles, Jaco can rent you one in virtually any of the appropriate calibers.

I went for the hunt experience and not necessarily for the trophies, and I was surprised with the quality of the animals as well as being very lucky. While we were planning the trip I joked about Mother Nature and what she would throw my way. "It will be what it will be," I said. The two of them laughed at my seemingly naïve comment. My short four-day hunt produced four gorgeous animals and countless memories to keep me going through many more sedentary, mind-numbing meetings. The Namibians award medals based on the Safari Club International measuring system. Two of the animals rated gold (one was a Rowland Ward Kudu and the Red Hartebeest just missed) and the other two (Oryx and Warthog) were silver. To me it is all about the hunt and the awards were an added bonus. I prefer to look at the awards as a celebration and respect for the animal and a way to pay tribute rather than focusing on the hunter´s ego. Whatever inspires you to hunt, you will find success in Namibia. I´m already planning my return visit.

Hunting Lodge	Namib sunset	Hartebeest BBQ

If hunting is not your bag, then consider a photo-safari, fishing, or exploring the Skeleton Coast. Jaco can easily arrange everything for you. For more information about the Lindenhof Ranch and their other concessions contact Jaco and Jocomien at farmlindenhof@mweb.com.na

Good luck and good hunting!
J.C. Norman