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African Days
The best Outfitters in Africa's most "Sportsman Friendly" country
By: Pieter Stofberg Professional Hunter
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 travelers 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.
Namibia offers hunters and fishermen 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 highlight a few of the questions prospective visitors
often ask.
- "How
safe is the country?"
Namibia has one of Africa's 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
is a typical fishing 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, we 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.
The evening meal is our main meal for the day. We will sit
around the bar and fire (engaging in the day's bragging session)
until the cook gives us a dirty look. 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.
Access our wine supplier's websites at:
Opstal
Estate www.opstal.co.za
Goudini Wines
www.goudiniwines.co.za
Badsberg
Cellars www.badsberg.co.za
After dinner, a few cocktails around the fire tends to end
the day on a high note.
- "Can I take home some of the fish as trophy?"
Our fishing taxidermist has molds for most of the species we will be fishing for, in various weights and sizes. It becomes pretty easy to order a trophy mount
from him for whatever it is you want to display.
Costs for this (taxidermy work and shipping) will be for your account. |
- "What
about arrival and departure procedures and general travel in the
country?"
Namibia has an excellent infrastructure. The airport is
modern and efficiently run, and the staff there are all very
"visitor friendly". You will be met at the airport by your
outfitter and will be delivered back there, safe and sound. Most visitors will require no other travel document than their
passport. There are no visa requirements for visitors from 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
Namibia is a vast country (the country will cover the entire Eastern Seaboard of the USA) 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! Insects also don't present much of a problem. We have some trophy sized scorpions, but a general awareness will be enough to ensure you have no nasty surprizes.
- "Do I need to bring any fishing gear with me?"
No - come as you are! We will supply all gear, bait, etc. that might be needed.
- "What
fish will we be catching?"
We have several species of edible fish, as well as several species of shark. Access our Specie Info page for more detailed information on each specie.
Mainly, come prepared for some SERIOUS fun!
- "Is there anything for the observers to do other than watch us fish all day?"
We make very sure that everybody enjoy themselves. Shopping trips are available. Short, local sight seeing trips can be arranged. We also have a full menu
of sight seeing excursions around Namibia available through our touring company. Details can be found by accessing our Sight Seeing pages.
- "How
do I ensure that I book with a reputable outfitter?"
Talk to the folks that have been here. Access our Reference Page to read what they thought about it all. We also supply e-mail addresses for them so you can contact them and get some further input should you need it.
- "Do
you charge for arrival and departure days?"
No, we don't. We dedicated a whole page on this site that will help you cost out the trip you are planning. Basically, your arrival/departure days will cost you USD 250 per person, which is what
we charge for fetching you at the airport and delivering you back there again. Windhoek Airport is about 6 hours drive away from Henties Bay, where you will be fishing, so we need this charge to cover costs. A lot cheaper than a rental, believe me!!
- "Which
method of payment do you prefer?"
When you book we will require a deposit. (The amount will be
agreed between us, but is normally around forty percent of the day rates)
This payment is best made by electronic transfer of funds. Monies can be transferred to our deposit account at the following electronic address:
Bank name: Nedbank of Namibia
Branch name: Hidas Branch
Branch code: 461696
Branch address: Nedbank, Hidas Branch, Nelson Mandela Ave, Windhoek, Namibia.
SWIFT code: NEDS NA NX
Account name: African Days Deposit Account
Account number: 461696 - 1100010 - 8113
Account holder: African Days, 8 Spitskop Street, Windhoek, Namibia.
It is extremely important that you let us know the moment you transfer any funds so we can check up with our bank. As soon as the money shows, we will send you a receipt via e-mail.
Here's the best way to handle all other payments. Once we have costed out your trip, you will know exactly what your fees will be. Go to your bank and get Cashiers Checks for the amount. Unused checks at the end of the trip can simply be handed back to your bank. Make the checks payable to my company and they will be completely safe - nobody but you or I can use them. This is a lot safer than travellers checks and/or cash. You will need some cash to see you through incidental expenses (you never know what can happen), but don't carry a lot.
- "What about travel arrangements?"
Most of our clients use Elaine Porteous at African
Odyssey. Elaine operates from Florida and, being a former South
African, knows what is needed to make the trip as easy as
possible. We recommend African Odyssey and Elaine to all our clients.
Contact her at
aodyssey@gate.net or use her toll free number at (1)-866-486
9351.
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