Dear Fellow Adventurer,
I made my first bow hunting trip to Africa in 1988. I was excited, but there were many North American species waiting for me to bow hunt, so I figured this was a one-and-done deal. After all, how much different could Africa be? That trip showed me that the Dark Continent is very different, a totally unique bow hunting adventure, and since then I've returned six more times.
One major myth about travel in the countries open to bow hunting is that you will not be safe. Truth is that when going to and from and during your stay in safari camps, you are safe. Yes, you must be cautious in the big cities, just as you are in America, but the safari camps in Namibia, and other countries open to bow hunting, are very safe in my opinion. Also relative to safety is concern about snakes. Hmmm. What can I say? I've seen several poisonous snakes on my seven trips, but they are not a problem. I'm sure problems can arise, but I have not seem them. One reason is that you are hunting during their winter season (that's our summer, but their winter). The weather will be very pleasant, maybe 40-50 degrees at night and 80-85 during the day, but snakes are not particularly active at that time. You also do not need to be overly concerned about diseases. You need to get appropriate shots before you leave, as a precaution, and you need to take malaria medicine while in Africa, but your camp at Ombengu in Namibia is extremely clean, the food is wonderful, the water pure and malaria is not a major issue in this area.
What makes your Namibian bow hunting adventure so unique? First, Ombengu has some great animals. Huge kudu, lots of big gemsbok, tremendous eland (the biggest bulls I've ever seen anywhere), mountain zebra, wart hogs, and the list goes on and on . The sweeping spiral horns of the kudu, the straight spires of the gemsbok, the enormity of the eland....this is what will bring you back to Ombengu time after time. Then there are the non-game species. Eagles, vultures, hundreds of species of multi-colored song birds, various members of the cat family and many other species are constantly seen during your hunt.
The camp itself is part of the experience. Your private cottage will include baths, showers, and a veranda overlooking the valley. Laundry is done for you every day. Meals are made to order. Arriving back to camp there will be wine and appetizers while sitting around a fire. Dinners are often three-four-course meals typical of some of the finest restaurants. How about having dinner on an open patio while elephants and kudu water less than fifty yards away? That happens every night at Ombengu. For the non hunter, and hunter as well, there is Etosha National Park, only fifteen minutes from the camp. This park is huge, as large as some small European countries. Go to the water hole observatory area near the entrance to the park and watch the parade of zebra, gemsbok, springbok, and wildebeest that continues throughout the day. On my last trip there I observed over 1,000 animals the first hour. Later I saw elephants and lions as well.
Not only are the animals and sounds unique, and the habitats unique, the people and their culture are also totally unique. The African native people are wonderful, kind, gentle and helpful. Experiencing and learning their culture is all part of the African bow hunting adventure.
I've bow hunted all my life, and Namibia is the greatest place I've ever been. That is an enormous statement to make, considering the great bow hunting we have in America. I've often said that (recognizing that it is not possible for everyone to do) every bow hunter should make one trip to Africa before they die. Of course, the problem with that logic is that once done, you will be hooked just like I am.
-Dr. Dave Samuel
