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.

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.

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

What other general information do I need?

Visa requirements/inoculations:
- No visa is required by USA citizens for entry into Namibia. You will need only your passport.
- No inoculations are required.
- We advise clients to see to it that their tetanus shots are up to date.
- Our concessions fall outside high risk malaria areas, but the decision is yours.
- We carry first aid equipment, so you do not need to bring any. Obviously, should you require special medication, bring that with you. Make sure you have ample sun lotion with you.

Clearing Immigration in Namibia:
At the Immigration desk in Namibia you will be required to hand in a completed Arrival form. Most of the questions are straight forward, but they will want to know where you will be staying while in the country. Use the following address: African Days, 8 Spitskop Street, Windhoek, Namibia.

Clothing requirements:
Bring a broad rimmed hat to protect neck and ears against the sun. Bring something warm for the evenings and early mornings, especially during our winter (June, July, August). It gets cold at night! Keep in mind that we are in a semi desert - most mornings will need warmer clothing. Above all, travel light! Three changes of clothes will do it. Pack older stuff - traipsing around the country is sometimes a dirty business!! Make sure you have a pair of good sunglasses - our harsh sun is hard on the eyes.

Cameras, etc:
Our power supply is 220 volt. If you will require recharging, make sure you bring an inverter. The same is true for any electrical device (hair dryers, etc.). Make sure your camera bag is dust proof.