Please take a moment to read the following testimonials of people who have taken the African Days Hunting Safaris in the past!
Dear Fellow Hunters
I hunted with African Days (Namibia) in May, 2004. It was my first trip to Namibia, but my fifth trip to Africa in the last three years. I had an outstanding time. Pieter Stofberg, owner and my PH for this trip, was extremely knowledgeable and personable. Staff was friendly from early morning coffee at wake up call, to the excellent laundry service and then those wonderful evening dinners when tales were told and Pieter's funny stories brought amusement.
Accommodations were outstanding. Everything was new and 5 star. Details were well thought out and a particular highlight for me was the setting where various animals came in to the waterhole near the camp at night to drink. As they progressed toward the waterhole, lighting cast their shadows on a large rock background which highly magnified their size.
For game quality and numbers, on all my trips to Africa, I saw by far the largest number of Kudu and Gemsbok. Springbok, Duiker and Steenbok were in good numbers and Pieter did not hesitate to drive me over 6 hours each way just to take a Dik-Dik for my collection.
African Days (Namibia) staff did an excellent job getting my full mount trophies ready for the taxidermist and within a couple of short months, I received an e-mail from the taxidermist stating that the trophies were ready for shipment.
From the arrival at Windhoek, when Pieter met me and we eased quickly through customs, until I was on the plane headed for RSA and the second part of this summer's safari, everything went smooth. I have wonderful memories of my time spent with African Days (Namibia) and highly endorse this outfitter.
Regards
Howard McCutchan, OD
Harlan, IA
To Whom It May Concern:
I have hunted with Pieter on three occasions, the first in 2001 and again in 2003 and 2004. I can say with absolute confidence that you can't go wrong booking with African Days (Namibia).
Pieter is a quality person with very high ethics. I consider him not only a great PH but a close personal friend.
African Days (Namibia) has a very competent staff which truly cares about your wellbeing. The accommodations are first class by anyone's standards.
The country is very safe. My wife and I hunted together in '03 and in '04 I had absolutely no hesitation in taking my 15 year old son with me.
The game was abundant and we saw dozens (if not hundreds) of animals of various species every day.
Over the three safaris I have spend 40 days + with African Days (Namibia). Never once did a problem arise that they were not prepared to handle.
I would not hesitate to recommend African Days (Namibia) to anyone.
Hunting regards
John P. (Bubby) Shuler
Blountstown, FL
To Potential Nimrod Safaris (Namibia) Clients
We just returned (September, 2004) from an outstanding plains game safari with African Days in Namibia, Africa. The 10 day hunt was outstanding, taking a gold medal Eland, two gold medal Springbok, a new SCI #4 Blesbok, an outstanding Hartmann Zebra and a large male Ostrich. The Cape Eland was taken after a long stalk and great positioning by the PH.
Pieter Stofberg (owner), the PH Etienne Langeveldt and the trackers were all outstanding in every respect. The skill the PH and trackers exhibited during our safari still amazes me. Tracking the bull Eland when he separated from the herd on hard ground is truly a lost skill and we witnessed the best.
The entire African Days (Namibia) staff treats you like one of the family and is only matched by the quality of the accommodations. The accommodations are truly outstanding and 4 star. A wake up call with coffee each morning starts the day off with resounding energy. I have hunted around the world and this is one of the best organizations. Our meeting place each day after the hunt was first at the bar to swap "stories" and enjoyed new friends and then to the campfire for more intense discussion.
The staff works very hard to position you for success with your selected trophies, and will go to any reasonable end to ensure success. The option to change camps for selected trophies, in my mind, is outstanding. This surely ups your odds for top rate trophies in varying species.
Many trophies were sighted during the Safari and many species were available to us as we focused on truly trophy animals in our quest. The equipment was in very good repair and never let us down. The handling of your trophies is first rate. They even have a selected high security room for salting, brine bath and trophy management.
I highly recommend African Days (Namibia) as an outstanding Safari company as you try to make decisions about who to hunt with in Africa. We made life-long friends during our visit and definitely plan to return to visit with old friends and once again view the fire-red sunset over the beautiful Namibian landscape.
Dick Caillouet
Chris Samilla
Atlanta, GA
Dear Hunters
My brother, Eric, and I were attending a NRA banquet where the auctioned off a safari hunt donated by African Days (Namibia). The hunt was for two hunters, three days each plus $ 1000 each for animals. We bid on the hunt and won it.
Next day we contacted Pieter Stofberg, owner of African Days (Namibia), by phone. He happened to be in our vicinity and we set up a meet with him at my home. After some negotiating, we purchased an additional six days and three animals each. We were skeptical, to say the least, and did not know what to expect.
When we arrived at African Days (Namibia) main lodge, I was pleased with the accommodations. I was even more impressed with the quality of the hunt – we saw hundreds of animals every day!
I ended up harvesting a 52 inch Kudu and 40 inch Gemsbok with my bow as well as a great Blue Wildebeest and Red Hartebeest, taken with my 300 UltraMag. If you are interested in trophy animals, this place is for you. They do an excellent job managing their animals.
I will have memories of this hunt for as long as I live.
Thanks, Pieter!
Russ Gohr
Krakow, WI
More testimonials can be found at
www.africandays.com and click on the "Satisfied Customers" link in the left side navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
African Days Hunting Safaris (Namibia)
Studies, recently undertaken, have shown that the biggest stumbling block to international travel, especially in the USA, is the “fear of the unknown” that prospective traveler’s experience. This is also the reason why “word of mouth” reference plays such a big role in getting people to decide to visit foreign shores.
Africa offers hunters a destination where they need have no worries. The country has an excellent infrastructure and offers all the modern conveniences that any traveler might want. The following highlights a few of the questions prospective visitors often ask.
How safe is the country?
Namibia has one of the most stable, and democratically minded, governments. The people are friendly and, everywhere you go, you will be met with a smile. Of course, we have our problems with crime, just like anywhere you go on this planet, but it is “normal” crime and not the politically inspired incidences that are so frequent elsewhere in Africa. The very fact that so few people even know where Namibia is situated, should tell the prospective traveler something. So much of the publicity Africa gets is negative, dealing with political upheaval, crime, etc. that Namibia actually shines by comparison. We do not get publicity, simply because we do not experience that kind of problem!
What about arrival and departure procedures and general travel in the country?
Africa has an excellent infrastructure. The airport is modern and efficiently run, and the staff there are all very “visitor friendly”. Most visitors will require no other travel document than their passport. There are no visa requirements for visitors from the USA but you will need your passport to return to the USA. The roads are in excellent repair and travel around the country is no problem. Most travel is by road. Just keep in mind that Africa is a vast country, so travel takes up a lot of time. The countryside is spectacular, though, so you are not likely to get bored.
What inoculations are required?
None. If you are visiting the North of the country, say anywhere above Etosha Game Reserve, it is advisable to see your doctor about malaria prophylactics and to start a course about two weeks before your arrival date.
What happens to me if I get hurt in an accident?
We have excellent private hospitals in the country. We carry emergency insurance, which will ensure that you can be airlifted to hospital, should it become necessary. What you could do is to take out some insurance yourself, should it happen that you need a medical flight back home.
What about snakes, etc?
Yes, paradise has its serpents! The incidence of snakebite is so low, though, that to worry about it is to worry too much. Always remember, snakes are more scared of humans than humans are scared of snakes. In any unforced encounter, the snake will get out of your way so fast, you will probably never even know it was there!
How do I get my rifles in and out of the country?
Absolutely no problem! When you arrive at the airport, you will be handed a rifle import/export permit application. (We will send you this form beforehand.) The customs official will inspect your rifles, to ensure that the serial numbers correspond, and then issue you with a permit for the time period you will be in the country. When you leave, the same process will take place and they will take back the permit. As I said absolutely no problem! In general, keep in mind that you will be allowed only eighty rounds of ammunition per rifle. No handguns will be allowed and semi-automatic rifles are taboo.
What animals can I hunt there?
Africa offers everything (with the exception of region bound species, of course) and probably has the most affordable plains game hunting available. We have two species that is exclusive to Namibia, being the Hartmann’s (or Mountain) Zebra and the Damara Dik-Dik. Our hunt product is one of the best to be found in Africa and you can rest assured that you will have a good time.
How long should I book for?
Talk to us about this. Main thing is to book enough time to ensure that you will have opportunity at all the animals on your wish list. Keep in mind, booking too short a hunt duration runs the risk of not getting everything you hoped for, which can make the hunt frustrating!
Are the animals free roaming or are they fenced?
This is a rather sensitive issue with hunters, especially after the whole “canned lion” saga. What you should understand is that ownership of game, in Namibia, rests with the landowner, as opposed with the State, as is the case in most of Africa. Our landowners stock their land with game, which has resulted in the numbers of species, as well as the number of animals per specie, increasing dramatically. This is a very, very expensive exercise and it stands to reason that the landowner has to take steps to protect his investment. The result is that most of our hunting, other than on government concessions, takes place on land that has been fenced. Here you must keep the size of our country in mind. Most of our ranches are so big (on average probably around 20 000 acres) that the fact that the land is fenced does not affect the question of fair chase. Believe me, the animals has a much bigger chance of eluding you than you have of finding them. You will have to hunt hard! Also keep in mind that hunting is the sole reason why our landowners are stocking their land with game. These animals eat the same vegetation that livestock does and, if they had no value, you can rest assured that our ranchers would have gotten rid of them long ago. The fact that you are willing to pay to hunt these animals is the only reason why they are surviving and increasing.
Is this trip transferable or refundable?
This trip is transferable by contacting the outfitter to make arrangements but is not refundable.
What is a typical hunting day like?
The time we rise each morning will be discussed the evening before and will greatly depend on what we will be after that day. Whatever the time decided on, our staff will wake you with a cup of steaming hot coffee!
Breakfast is per your preference: Breakfast cereals and/or bacon, sausage and eggs. Fruit juice, coffee or tea, just as you prefer. Depending on how the morning hunt progresses, we will either lunch out in the bush (from prepared lunch boxes) or we will be back in camp. Mostly, we prefer staying out there until we are successful. The evening meal is our main meal for the day. We will sit around the bar and fire (engaging in the days bragging session) until the staff calls us. Evening meals are accompanied by a range of great South African wines. Pieter Stofberg grew up in the wine producing Western Cape in South Africa and still has many friends down there. After dinner, a few cocktails around the fire tends to end the day on a high note.
How do I ensure that I book with a reputable outfitter?
Two ways. One is obviously word of mouth. Talk to people who have hunted with us and get their feel on the quality of the hunt on offer. Second, and just as important, contact the Professional Hunter’s Association (NAPHA) and make sure that we are members in good standing. NAPHA is very serious about the standards our outfitters have to meet and dealing with a member is probably the best assurance you can have that you will be OK. NAPHA is the professional organization representing the industry and there can be no reason for a reputable outfitter not to belong. Dealing with one of its members will also provide you with an avenue of recourse, should something go wrong.
Contact numbers for NAPHA:
Phone: 00264.61.234455
Fax: 00264.61.222567
E-mail:
President: Danie Strauss
