NAMIBIA: Leopard Hunt With Nick Nolte Hunting Safaris July 1-15, 2025

[375 Ruger Fan]

Every 2 to 3 days, we stop at the Shell Petrol Station in Omaruru. While it’s not a Buc-ee’s by any means, there is lots of activity. I have been treating the PH and trackers to an ice cream, each time we gas up. Today I spotted a new flavor and seized upon it thinking it might help change our luck.

 

[Hunt anything]

That ought to do it! Chocolate and bacon are magic elixirs according to my wife.

 

[549]

Every 2 to 3 days, we stop at the Shell Petrol Station in Omaruru. While it’s not a Buc-ee’s by any means, there is lots of activity. I have been treating the PH and trackers to an ice cream, each time we gas up. Today I spotted a new flavor and seized upon it thinking it might help change our luck.

View attachment 698342

Well cats aren’t supposed to eat chocolate.

Good luck with the hunt!

 

[Firebird]

If there’s no witch doctor to consult with-go to the chocolate! Good luck, I’m sure something good is about to happen

 

[godwincp]

My very first Safari was to Namibia with Jamie Traut and my rifle never arrived and finally made it to my home in the US three weeks after I returned from Safari. My bags were finally delivered after five days but I managed to piece together enough gear to hunt using the camp rifle. Just had to go with the flow and enjoy the trip. Good luck with your leopard- sounds like you’re all
Set now!

 

[Doug3006]

Just add cat! Good luck!

 

[Sika98k]

With what appears to me to be the declining quality of service with airlines I have suffered, like others, baggage going missing.
Returning from South Africa Alastair month with KLM I could see my rifle case and ammo box were in the same place as they had been for the duration of my layover.
Cabin crew wiped me off and would not check the luggage manifest.
This necessitated a return trip to the airport the next day to collect them.

There have been other delays, mishaps over the past years. Now I carry on a backpack that I can live out of for the holiday as long as I get regular daily laundry. Items of luxury and less necessity get packed in my rifle case or ammo box. I confess that I do feel naked without my Leatherman.

 

[Doug3006]

There’s nothing you can do about the items that must be checked. Your gun case and your ammo. I have started packing a carry-on with two changes of hunting clothes, socks, underwear, and a pair of boots that will suffice. That way if my bags don’t arrive, I can borrow a gun and go hunting in comfort.

 

[revturbo9967]

good luck with the cat. Sounds promising

 

[Altitude sickness]

The long itinerary stinks. But Qatar and Emirates will do everything possible to ensure your rifle is on the plane with you.

 

[Rare Breed]

Halfway through my leopard hunt, I thought I would get started with a report.

Travel started with a short United flight to Houston and a 5 hour layover. A 10 hour flight on Lufthansa to Frankfurt was next, followed by a 13 hour layover. I got a day room for 6-7 hours and then made my way to the Lufthansa lounge. There I met a couple of guys decked out in hunting attire and it turned out they were doing a PG hunt with Nick Nolte. The 10 hour Discover flight to Windhoek went well. The customs and immigration process was slow. I was one of the first persons to get to the baggage carousel. Checking my AirTags, I could see my rifle case arrived, but my duffel bag was still in Frankfurt.

I checked with the generic help desk and they directed to a QR code for a website to file a “delayed baggage claim.” Despite filing the claim, follow up phone calls and emails, including telling them the approximate location in FRA Terminal 1, it is now day 8 and I still don’t have my bag. It did make it to the Windhoek airport this morning, so now the adventure begins to see how long it takes for the airline to deliver it to me, 125 miles away.

Luckily, I had a change of clothes with me and a fleece jacket. One of the other guys had an extra jacket and loaned it to me. Instead of my 338 WM, which arrived but no ammo, I have been planning to use the PH’s rifle.

Seven days of hanging baits and/or checking baits, so a lot of road time in the Land Cruiser. There were several baits and cameras already out, prior to my arrival. I am hunting with a PH named Nicolas Van Zyl. I have been very impressed with him. We have 9 different baits spread out over about a 20 mile radius. We can check half in the morning and half in the afternoon.

Nick and Isabel Nolte explained that this has been a difficult year so far for leopard, all across Namibia. Namibia received an unusually high amount of rain earlier in the year, and the grass is waist deep everywhere. One of the theories is with the tall grass for concealment, leopards are more successful stalking prey. So they aren’t coming to baits as readily.

Hopefully, I get my bag in the next day or so, and also get to sit in a blind and wait for a big Tom to appear. A couple of baits have been hit, so we are making a plan. Stay tuned!View attachment 698056

Good luck!!! I have heard nothing but rave reviews about Jamy and his wife for both the quality and experience of the hunt!!!

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Good luck!!! I have heard nothing but rave reviews about Jamy and his wife for both the quality and experience of the hunt!!!

I am hunting with Nick Nolte, another Namibian outfitter with a great reputation.

 

[dchum]

I am hunting with Nick Nolte, another Namibian outfitter with a great reputation.

Right? lol

Good luck and keep us updated! We are rooting for ya

 

[Rare Breed]

My bad!!! I have also heard between Jamy and Nick two great people to hunt a leopard with!!!

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Hanging baits and checking baits was the order of the day. A few got hit, but female leopards and hyenas mostly

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

The other two guys in camp were hunting PG, each of them 1x1 with their own PH. They hunted 10 of their 12 day stay and took 23 animals. Included were 3 zebras that furnished me with bait and plenty of table fare. Also included was a white rhino. Another outfitter, 5 hours away, put the word out that he had a severely injured rhino, injured by another rhino. One of the guys in camp made a bid and it was accepted. Off they went on a long road trip.

 

[7mmFan]

I hunted with Nick and Isabel in 2019. First class folks all the way. I also got a leopard on the last night I was there. Keep the faith and stay positive! Glad your bag arrived and good luck!