Namibia in just over a month

[Stuey]

Hi NW9

Exciting time for you, good stuff!

The rabies has hammered the kudu, it now appears indemic within the Namibian population.

You might find the price has gone through the roof because your outfitters have no kudu left. There are some specialised properties in Namibia with high fencing (double fenced) that breed stud kudu. These guys pay big bucks for kudu bulls at auction and have some whoppers on their properties, these are then sold to visiting hunters after a good kudu. Obviously that premium is passed on.
My last trip to Namibia had me with a ‘package’ hunt, one of the animals was a kudu bull. I was told the property we would hunt on was several hours drive from our camp. I traded out my kudu and ended shooting 4 gemsbok in place of the kudu. Gemsbok are a good hunt with a sprinkle of danger if you get things wrong so I was happy with that.

Your hunt and your choice in the end.

Have a great time.

Cheers
Stu

 

[Nosler guy]

Like some of the guys mentioned - if you are in Namibia don't underestimate the Red Hartebeest
Great hunt for a classic Namibian trophy, usually in some great country - just wait til you see them ...

 

[postoak]

Pass on the kudu and apply the money saved toward your next trip. Go to the Limpopo where they have some really large ones.

 

[Adrian]

Another vote for the Red Hartebeest. I've spent more time hunting them than any other species and their quirky looks are what makes them so different.
They might look daft and slow but believe me, they are very crafty and wise to the world.

 

[Doug375]

It's very much your choice. There is no wrong answer. I think Kudu are the most beautiful and regal of the native PG animals in Namibia. Sable and Roan are as or more beautiful, but they're not native to most of the hunting areas in Namibia (maybe Roan are indigenous up in the far northeast??) I'd certainly take up the price increase with your outfitter. It's not OK to increase a price once a deal is made. If that's unsuccessful, then if you plan on another trip to Africa, you might want to wait on the Kudu until your next trip. Maybe the price will come down as the population recovers.

 

[Northwest9]

Pass on the kudu and apply the money saved toward your next trip. Go to the Limpopo where they have some really large ones.

It's very much your choice. There is no wrong answer. I think Kudu are the most beautiful and regal of the native PG animals in Namibia. Sable and Roan are as or more beautiful, but they're not native to most of the hunting areas in Namibia (maybe Roan are indigenous up in the far northeast??) I'd certainly take up the price increase with your outfitter. It's not OK to increase a price once a deal is made. If that's unsuccessful, then if you plan on another trip to Africa, you might want to wait on the Kudu until your next trip. Maybe the price will come down as the population recovers.

you guys may be onto something there. if i take the impala and hartebeest instead on this trip, itll give me an excuse to go back at some stage, and chase Kudu and Black wildebeest on another trip when my son is older.

 

[Stuey]

NW9

Like the guys have said the Red HB are awesome fun, I love their quirky look and my euro mount is one that always shouts Namibia when I look at it.

Once you have wet your lips on the Namibian adventure, give Zim some thought, there are some fantastic plains game hunts you can do in the low veld and you will be amongst the big 5 on a lot of the properties, so you get a bit of wild Africa mixed in. Lions roaring at night, leopard tracks around your camp in the morning, shouting down an elephant charge all while you track a big blue eland bull, oh and impala are every where not to mention some great kudu at better prices than you mentioned before....

Cheers
Stu

 

[Philip Glass]

I just checked the prices on my outfitters page, I didn't notice the price jump in Kudu until I read this. Kudu is almost the price of an Eland now, any idea what has caused that?

Drought and rabies epidemic. Their numbers have fallen quite a bit so these prices may be around for a while.

 

[Philip Glass]

After 2 years of waiting, my Namibian Safari is almost here.

I fly out of Aus on the 6th of May, back out of Windhoek on the 14th

I will be going after Gemsbok and Kudu as my two main wants, Gemsbok more than kudu, as kudu has skyrocketed in price. I do love the Kudu, but it would want to be a great one, as it is 5 times dearer than the Gemsbok

After that, Springbok, Zebra, Jackal, Baboon, Blue or Black Wildebeest (cant decide), Warthog and Impala are in my would like to have a combination of these, if we come across them

What are peoples thoughts on this list?

Great list but don’t forget the Mountain Zebra native to Namibia. It is a tough animal to hunt and so iconic.
Have a great trip!

 

[Countrylife]

I'll agree to the red HB also. I wasn't all that thrilled about them because they look - ummm "wierd". But it was part of the package I paid for so I went out to get one. What a hunt! We spent all morning after one and what we called the 36 km stalk (actually only around 6 km). We'd stalk the HB, and it moved off, we'd get close and set up for a shot, and it'd move off, we'd stalk closer and set up and they'd move off - not far enough that we'd give up, but far enough we'd have to work some more. After doing this about 4 times, they disappeared and we couldn't find them so we called for a pickup. Then they reappeared as though asking us if we were giving up the game already. So we cancelled the pickup and back on the stalk. Same thing, we'd get setup and they'd move off, stalk closer, get setup and they'd move off. After several times of this we lost them and called for a pickup and went back to the lodge for lunch and a rest. Probably the most fun I've had in a long time. They are on my list for a future hunt.

 

[machinistbutler]

I was fortunate enough to take this kudu last month. The PH I hunted with knew the numbers were down, and he tried his very best to give me a chance at a great one. The price did not change as to our original agreement.

Truthfully if the price had doubled when I seen that magnificent animal I would.gladly have paid. May have had to.sell off a few rifles when I got home however.

The area was a bit east of Windhoek in Namibia.

 

[Doug375]

My word what a trophy! Well done.

 

[Stuey]

Machinistbutler that is a beautiful kudu!

I love the markings as well.
Stu

 

[machinistbutler]

The Hartbeest are well worth pursuing. Beautiful animals, their hide just glows like copper and they get spooked easily too. Very unique horns.

 

[Rule 303]

Northwest9 have you actually spoken with your PH and been told the price is different to what you agreed?

Machinistbutler that is a great trophy.

 

[Northwest9]

Its finally go time. I'm sitting at the airport waiting to depart

Excited but nervous at the same time

 

[billc]

Good luck and enjoy the trip.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Good luck and safe travels. Will be waiting on your report when you return.

 

[MAdcox]

Its finally go time. I'm sitting at the airport waiting to depart

Excited but nervous at the same time

Have a great trip.

I am going to ask a stupid question. Why is rabies wiping out Kudu and not other species? Here a rabid skunk or coyote can infect anything- pets, horses, cattle, sheep.

 

[Nosler guy]

Have a great trip.

I am going to ask a stupid question. Why is rabies wiping out Kudu and not other species? Here a rabid skunk or coyote can infect anything- pets, horses, cattle, sheep.

I'm far from an authority on this, just what I picked up on a couple of trips to Namibia. If you were to research this, I think you would find that the Namibian "rabies" is an altogether different disease than what we are used to here in NA. From what I gather, the Kudu are most susceptible, and more so the older mature bulls.