AtlBGhunter
AH senior member
Just back from an unforgettable 14-day leopard hunt in Namibia’s Khomas Highlands with Schalk Pienaar, and what a trip! This was a bucket-list adventure, and I’m still buzzing from the experience. This is my fourth hunt in Afriuca and thiurd with Schalk. Here’s the rundown for anyone dreaming of a similar hunt.
The Khomas Highlands are a hunter’s paradise—rugged hills, acacia-studded valleys, and vistas that stretch forever. Schalk Pienaar’s outfit is world-class: the camp is cozy yet authentic, the food hearty, and his team of trackers and PHs are absolute pros. Schalk himself is a legend, with stories and expertise that make every day richer.
The leopard was the main goal, but the trip kicked off with a bang on day one when I took down a magnificent kudu bull with 300 win mag. His spiral horns were a sight to behold, and it set the tone for the trip.
On day 7, I bagged a nimble klipspringer while stalking the rocky outcrops—those little antelopes are tough to spot!
View attachment DSC00275.jpegDay 10 brought a warthog
and on day 12, I added a stealthy steinbok to the tally, a small but rewarding trophy.
The leopard hunt itself was a marathon of patience. For 13 days, we checked baits, followed tracks, and sat in blinds for hours, sometimes in total silence. Leopards are ghosts—elusive doesn’t even cover it. We’d find fresh signs of hits on the baits, but they’d slip away like shadows. Schalk’s strategic mind kept us on point, moving bait sites and reading the bush like a book. There were moments of doubt, but his calm confidence kept the faith alive.
It all came together on the last night, day 14, at sundown. We were in a blind by a bait in a ravine, the light fading fast. After 13 days of fits and starts you really start to be able to read your PH in the blind. I heard him rustle and I was on the gun before he motioned to me. I had to wait for him to pull down a big chunk of meat. He was half covered with grass and of course was not on the branch of the tree. I knew he was the one I wnated and made the decision to shoot. I approximated the vital region through the grass and took the shot with my .30-06. One clean hit, and he was down. The rush was unreal—pure adrenaline mixed with awe for such a majestic animal. He was a beauty with a flawless coat. The night got a little hazy with too many Windhoek lagers back at camp.
Beyond the hunting, Schalk’s operation is a class act. His team feels like family, and his commitment to ethical hunting and conservation shines through. The landscape is stunning—we saw countless animals on a game drive. If you’re planning a leopard hunt, Schalk Pienaar is the guy. Be ready for a test of patience, but the payoff is worth it. The kudu, klipspringer, warthog, and steinbok were cherries on top of an already incredible adventure.
Happy to answer any questions about gear, logistics, or the experience!
The Khomas Highlands are a hunter’s paradise—rugged hills, acacia-studded valleys, and vistas that stretch forever. Schalk Pienaar’s outfit is world-class: the camp is cozy yet authentic, the food hearty, and his team of trackers and PHs are absolute pros. Schalk himself is a legend, with stories and expertise that make every day richer.
The leopard was the main goal, but the trip kicked off with a bang on day one when I took down a magnificent kudu bull with 300 win mag. His spiral horns were a sight to behold, and it set the tone for the trip.
View attachment DSC00275.jpegDay 10 brought a warthog
The leopard hunt itself was a marathon of patience. For 13 days, we checked baits, followed tracks, and sat in blinds for hours, sometimes in total silence. Leopards are ghosts—elusive doesn’t even cover it. We’d find fresh signs of hits on the baits, but they’d slip away like shadows. Schalk’s strategic mind kept us on point, moving bait sites and reading the bush like a book. There were moments of doubt, but his calm confidence kept the faith alive.
It all came together on the last night, day 14, at sundown. We were in a blind by a bait in a ravine, the light fading fast. After 13 days of fits and starts you really start to be able to read your PH in the blind. I heard him rustle and I was on the gun before he motioned to me. I had to wait for him to pull down a big chunk of meat. He was half covered with grass and of course was not on the branch of the tree. I knew he was the one I wnated and made the decision to shoot. I approximated the vital region through the grass and took the shot with my .30-06. One clean hit, and he was down. The rush was unreal—pure adrenaline mixed with awe for such a majestic animal. He was a beauty with a flawless coat. The night got a little hazy with too many Windhoek lagers back at camp.
Beyond the hunting, Schalk’s operation is a class act. His team feels like family, and his commitment to ethical hunting and conservation shines through. The landscape is stunning—we saw countless animals on a game drive. If you’re planning a leopard hunt, Schalk Pienaar is the guy. Be ready for a test of patience, but the payoff is worth it. The kudu, klipspringer, warthog, and steinbok were cherries on top of an already incredible adventure.
Happy to answer any questions about gear, logistics, or the experience!
