NAMIBIA: KHOMAS HIGHLAND HUNTING SAFARIS

[gizmo]

Another requirement of this hunt was that I wanted to see and spend some time with REAL elephants. I’ve seen them in a zoo, that’s cool and all but I wanted real elephants. I’d give my left....eh..... arm to get to hunt an elephant and I've always wanted to see a real wild one. Philip told me that wouldn’t be a problem and we’d take a trip to the elephant lodge. Sounded good to me, he also added that we’d see rhino as well most likely! Well he had me at elephant but I was really on the hook then.
We made the drive to the Kalahari and had a great trip. Philip, Mel, Vincent, Hendrick and I were in one cruiser and Carrie, Corey, Issac, and Eric were in the other.
Vincent, Mel, and I took control of the radio thanks to the old Blue Tooth. We sang and danced all the way there and back. I’m pretty sure Philip’s ears were bleeding by the end and I’m kind of surprised he didn’t drive us off a cliff or something just to make it stop.

It was a Hellava good time.
The Namibian side of the Kalahari was quite different then the RSA side I had hunted lion and buffalo in several years ago. The red sand is there but it wasn’t quite as thick and there were some low mountains scattered about.
It didn’t take long and by golly we found elephants. A few young bulls in musk courting some cows and even a few calf’s we’re running with them. It was breathtaking. The bulls were in no mood to mess around and the wind was bad to we circled around which worked well as we got a bit closer. Philip let me move a little closer on foot but I was instructed to keep a safe distance. Rightly so, even if we’d had a rifle with us appropriate for a charge it would have been a tragedy to have to shoot one just because I wanted a picture. I managed to get in a bush probably 200 yards away or so and spent time watching them. I loved it and would have stayed there all day. I got a little lesson in elephant tracks and tracking from Philip and Hendrick, it was glorious.
While I was in a bush admiring God’s most amazing creature the other buggy took off with Carrie and Corey to look for rhino. I had no intentions of leaving the elephants anytime soon and I think they got a little bored after a while.
I kinda lost track of time as I was in my own little world but Philip hollers at me to come back. I somewhat reluctantly started heading back to the cruiser when he tells me that Carrie and Corey are being chased by 2 rhino. Well, now that’s a different story and I definitely had to get in on that action.

 

[gizmo]

Sorry for the typos y’all. I’m doing this part on my phone at the moment and autocorrect is killing me.

 

[Royal27]

Sorry for the typos y’all. I’m doing this part on my phone at the moment and autocorrect is killing me.

 

[Royal27]

Finally catching up Erik!

What a great hunt you had. Proud of ya for the Zebra in particular

 

[gizmo]

Finally catching up Erik!

What a great hunt you had. Proud of ya for the Zebra in particular

Thanks buddy. I’m very grateful for that experience as one never knows how much longer they’ll be able to do stuff like that. Many many more I hope and I’ll sure as hell be in better shape next time.

 

[gillettehunter]

Man oh man what a great trip. Congrats.
Bruce

 

[gizmo]

So we haul ass to get over to them and by the time we caught up the rhino’s had lost interest in chasing them. But! They were still there. I got to see real rhino’s, white rhino, as well. We followed them around a bit and they just kind of wandered around having lost interest in us. It was a female and a calf and holly smokes did she have a horn. We stopped there and had a bush picnic with rhinos, it was freaking awesome!

I’ll post more pics once I can get back to my computer.
After lunch we toured the elephant lodge which is AMAZING!!!! I found a new friend in a meerkat, which was quite taken by me. I have that effect on meerkats. He chased me around and would sit in my arm and lay his head against my neck and go to sleep. Apparently I am the meerkat whisperer.
We then headed back to Windhoek and I wanted to go to the market for some shopping.
Covid has ran off most of the vendors but I did get to meet some real life Himba which made the trip totally worth it. I’ve seen them on TV and it was really cool to get to meet some. I bought a bunch of stuff for everyone back home and we headed back to the lodge.

 

[gizmo]

 

[gizmo]

I have a ton of pics to post which I will do here before to long.
Now I want to talk about the logistics and Khomas Highlands Safaris and Philip’s operation.
Getting there wasnt difficult and if anyone is apprehensive about going to to Covid and travel, don’t worry. It’s smooth and a piece of cake.
Namibia requires a negative Covid test taken 7 days prior to arrival. I stuck with the 72hr rule which is what’s required to get into the US and most airlines require. Piece of cake, I used Covid Consultants’s going. Did the self nasal test and had the results back the night before we flew out. Coming back there is a Covid testing center I. Windhoek and $80 US later I was on my way home. Easy as pie.
Ethiopian air is the only ones consistently flying into Namibia and not cancelling flights. They do a pretty good job and we had no issues even with taking our own rifles. Use Gracy travel and they’ll set everything up and it’s a pretty straight forward and smooth journey.
Now onto Philip and Khomas Highlands. I’ll elaborate but the long short is, THE BEST trip I have ever taken anywhere in the world. I’m no Jim Shockey but I’ve hunted and fished on 4 continents and a Hellava lot of places in between and Philip knows his shit and has a fantastic operation. Furthermore, Namibia is awesome. Everyone is extremely friendly and it is very peaceful.
You can tell right away Philip knows what he’s doing. Everything is in order and prepared when you get there. All equipment is well maintained and very functional, the whole operation is efficient, and the whole crew is top notch.
Dennis is the lodge manager and is a wonderful man and very very enjoyable to be around. The food is second to none and a lot of effort and love is out into everything they do. Every member of the staff has a since of pride and ownership in the operation and it shows.
the lodge(s) are beautiful and very comfortable. The original is circa late 18th Century and is lovely. It has been very well cared for and renovated. The beds are comfortable and the bathrooms are great. Best of all my room had a fantastic shower. Man nothing is better after a long day in the bush than taking a legit luxurious shower and by golly I had one.
The pool is fantastic and well maintained. We got drunk and went swimming one night. Holly crap the water was cold but the pool is very nice.
I can’t think of a single thing that isn’t just way beyond expectations. The hunting, well..... I dont think you’d find better hunting anywhere on earth. Philip is an awesome host and great guy. I had so much fun hunting with him and learned a lot from him. The guy is just cool as hell. I’ve never been a cool guy but getting to hang out with him makes you feel cool. His brother is funny as hell and a lot of fun to share a campfire with. He’s still in his 20’s and full of piss and vinegar. In my younger years we’d probably had one Hellava time but in my older age Ive mellowed a lot so I was content hanging out around the fire BS’ing. Probably for the best. He about had me talked into a boose cruise one night but I figured if I was going to hunt the next day I’d probably better stay in camp.
Now there is Hendrick. Hendrick is the best tracker I’ve ever seen and it was an honor to get to hunt with him. That dude is on point. I became quite fond of him and really hope to get to hunt with him again. Next trip I will certainly request him again and hopefully Philip, Hendrick, and I will get to hunt DG together one day.
I could spend the next 12 hours rambling on about how great it is but just take my word on it. Go, you will be very glad you did and take your family, they will thank you.

 

[gizmo]

Equipment
I took my Custom Remington 700 in 30-06. It’s a gun I bought new off the shelf several years ago, ripped it apart and built it back the way I wanted it. It’s my go to gun and serves me very well provided I do my job.
For ammo I took my hand loads. Fire formed Lapua brass and my got to Barnes TTSX 180 grainers. Absolutely devastating on game and it’s my confidence load as well.
my boots are my Courtney’s. Hunted in them for years and I love them. They gave great ankle support which is important as Namibia is the most ankle breaking place I’ve ever seen in my life. I will say they let me down in the mountains though. Next time I’ll bring them but will find a good pair of legit mountain boots and that will save my feet when climbing those mountains.
the rest was my usual hunting shorts and shirts with a good pair of gaitors.
my optics were Ziess bino’s and a Vortex 4-16 scope.
I like to keep it simple and everything worked great.

 

[gizmo]

 

[gizmo]

 

[gizmo]

 

[gizmo]

 

[gizmo]

Still got more coming so bear with me.

 

[Randy F]

Looks and sounds like you had a fantastic time. Congratulations and thanks for sharing!

 

[PARA45]

For some strange reason I couldn't view the attachments on post 80 & 81, something like I don't have permission to view them.

Beautiful report and pictures. Man, that is a beautiful place to visit. Looking forward to more. So, stop teasing us and get on it. Oops, sorry we know you have work to do, we understand........Not!

 

[Rimshot]

Awesome job on the report, thanks for taking us along!

 

[gizmo]

For some strange reason I couldn't view the attachments on post 80 & 81, something like I don't have permission to view them.

Beautiful report and pictures. Man, that is a beautiful place to visit. Looking forward to more. So, stop teasing us and get on it. Oops, sorry we know you have work to do, we understand........Not!

I’m not sure what the deal is either. I can’t get those pics to post properly. They are just cell phone pics so IDK?????

 

[gizmo]

Correction in my post here. When describing the original lodge I hit the wrong button. The lodge is circa late 19th Century. It was originally built about 1890 I think is what Philip said.