Namibia has the largest diversity of biotopes in all of Africa, ranging from deserts such as the Kalahari and the world’s oldest, the Namib Desert, to red-coloured dunes (Sossusvlei) and sandy beaches along the Skeleton Coast or then again the subtropical marshes between the Okavango and the Zambezi.
Twenty years of experience have taught us that all our guests like to discover all the different parts of this magical country, either by hunting or fishing in the different places. Therefore we offer you two hunting and two fishing destinations which we own or operate. Several combinations are possible, depending on the season, your availability and your mode of transport, all of which we would be more than happy to study together with you.
Hunting the grandiose Etosha area and the massive Damaraland
The southern border of Etosha National Park is well-known to hunters for its great variety of plains game. Our privately owned land covers a diverse landscape consisting of Mopani forests, dry river beds, acacia woodlands, plains, mountains, valleys and pans.
You can hunt exceptional trophies and experience the magic of real hunting. Gold medals can be obtained for gemsbok, kudu and mountain zebra. The Damara dik-dik and the black-faced impala are even exclusive to this area. Leopards and cheetahs are considered the jewels of Etosha.
We have three types of accommodations, each giving you different experiences on your safari. One way is using our African safari lodge with all the five-star amenities typical to the Southern African triangle and with an uninterrupted view of the surrounding valleys and plains. For a more typical hunting atmosphere, we use a camp with several thatched rondawels, decorated with local artwork and en suite bathrooms. For those nostalgic for an ‘Out of Africa’ atmosphere, we offer a live version in the tented camp where as the night falls the bush comes alive.
More to the west lies the Damaraland concession. As no fixed settlements are allowed, we use our 4x4 and tents to set up fly-camps in a moonlike environment.
All meals are served around a crackling fire under the clear African sky or under thatch in the central lapa, with unique game dishes. On the day you wish to take a rest from hunting, it is possible to go for a game drive in Etosha National Park or simply relax around the swimming pool and the spa of the main lodge.
Hunting the Kalahari dunes and Namib Desert
South of Windhoek we own two hunting territories, each very representative of their specific biotopes. The Kalahari property features a combination of 74 sequential red sand dunes with the equivalent number of valleys stretching each over a kilometre wide. It is an amazing sensation to hunt in such countryside, as each dune hides a new spectacle of animals grazing in the next valleys.
Here you can hunt mostly grazers such as springbok, gemsbok and wildebeest, all medal quality.
Again accommodation can be provided in three different types of camps: the luxurious safari lodge with five-star facilities such as pool, spa and restaurant; the comfortable bungalow of the hunting camp with its magic lapa and boma; or finally, real bush life in a tented camp.
A few hours westward, we have our Namib desert property, which again is a totally different view from the Kalahari. Montana-like grass plains contrast with the red hills, which seem imported from Arizona. Hunting tactics change 100%, since here the hunter and the animals have little space to hide. So far our accommodation is in our dune hotel near Sossusvlei, 40 minutes away, from which we organise fly-camps on the property.
All game here is natural resident game.
What’s the best season for hunting?
There is no good, better or best time. There is only a period that is less comfortable because of high temperatures and a period less favourable to hunting.
Therefore, we suggest:
Etosha region: March till October
Damara land: June till September
Kalahari: April till October
Namib Desert: April till September
Fishing the legendary Skeleton Coast
Set in the magical town of Henties Baai, on the edge of the Namib Desert, Fisherman’s Guesthouse welcomes fishermen and tourists alike. The lodge is the ultimate destination from which to experience the shore angling adventure of a lifetime. This beautiful lodge offers unforgettable accommodation a mere 200 metres from the beach. Listen to the sea, enjoy fresh air and cool evenings. Experience the different recipes for the catch of the day, accompanied by a glass of local wine.
The nine comfortable rooms promise a good night’s sleep before the big fishing day.
Renier De Villiers, our professional fisherman, will take you out on an unforgettable angling adventure. The once-in-a-lifetime experience is to catch a bronze copper shark (all the way up to 189 kg) from the sandy beach. You do not need to be an expert though, but let’s just say that the size of your shark will be determined by your patience and wisdom during this fight and not by strength or technique. Once the shark has been hooked, the pro will guide you on how to haul the catch in.
If you want to change to edible fish for a day, you can catch big cobs as well as some locals, such as steenbras, galjoen or snoek. For the youngsters, the smaller sharks such as spotted gully shark are a good initiation before tackling the real stuff.
Other activities our team performs are desert tours in 4x4, dune races on quads or shopping in Swakopmund and its harbour Walvis Baai.
Fishing the mighty Zambezi and the mysterious Okavango
There are different ways to discover the unspoiled beauty of the Caprivi strip, locked-in between the Okavango and Zambezi rivers. They provide the perfect backdrop for some of the most unforgettable fishing experiences imaginable. We elected to build a lodge along the Okavango near Popa Falls. The fishing takes place up- or downstream from the lodge, guided by an experienced fisherman in a small but safe outboard boat.
The main attraction is obviously the tigerfish; people travel the world just to fight this prehistoric-looking fish. Other species are different sorts of bream or buddle fish, and the area is also home to two rare fish species: the broadhead catfish and occelated spinyeel.
Non-fishing activities include game drives into the Mgango game reserve or Caprivi National Park and boat trips on the river to view hippos and crocodiles.
In contrast, the Zambezi has a lot more people living along its shores. A few years ago, we started to charter a houseboat in order to organise our fishing trips onto the river from this base. Experience taught us that the houseboat provided flexibility to move up and downstream, depending on fish density. Our success rate also went up tremendously. Although houseboat life is quite a different experience, all our guests just love it.
Seasons
What’s the best season for fishing?
Weather and fish stock movements play an important role in your success rate.
Therefore we suggest;
Skeleton Coast: All year round, but preferably October till March
Okavango: From April till October
Zambezi: From June till September
La Namibie est un pays plein de diversité et de contrastes. Son énorme surface couvre des régions avec des biotopes très différents. Ainsi les désert du Kalahari et du Namib ‘qui est le plus vieux du monde’ contraste avec les dunes rouges de Sossusvlei et les plages blanches du Skeleton Coast qui à leur tour se distinguent des marais subtropicaux entre l’Okavango et le Zambeze.
20 ans d’expérience nous ont appris que nos clients aiment visiter le pays tout en chassant et pêchant différents endroits. C’est pour cela que nous avons mis en place 2 destinations de chasse et 2 de pêche lesquelles nous exploitons personnellement. Plusieurs combinaisons sont possibles, dépendant de la saison, de vos disponibilités et du mode de transport. Nous nous feront un plaisir d’étudier avec vous l’itinéraire idéal.
