Interviewing Your First African Hunting Safari Outfitter.

African hunting safaris are all about your own style and what you would like to get out of the experience. When you’re picking your first African safari outfitter, think about what you want and what your picture is of the perfect safari. There aren’t any hard-and-fast rules when it comes to African hunting safaris, just different styles and personal preferences.

For some, Africa is all about the romance of stalking through the African bush with a PH and tracker by your side, the way Hemingway and Ruark hunted Africa. For others it is all about their equipment and shooting longer distances to test their shooting skills. There is no right and wrong, it’s just different and by doing some research you can find an outfit able to provide you with the experience you are looking for.

By working through this list of questions, you’ll be well on your way to planning an adventure that fits you perfectly. This list of questions is here to help you decide if Shona Hunting Adventures is the right outfitter for you, and it also makes a handy cheat sheet when you’re interviewing other outfitters.

To get started, ask yourself the following questions.

• What is your picture of the perfect African Safari?
• Be honest with yourself about how much activity you really want and what you’re up for.
• Decide what a trophy means to you, maybe it’s a certain animal, big horns, or is the whole experience the trophy?
• Ask yourself how important the conservation part of hunting is for you, and if the outfitter’s ethos supports this.
• Set your budget early so you know how much you’ve got to spend on the trip, places to stay, and all the extras.
• If you want to bring your family along, what are their interests and what activities will there be available for them.
• Pick your hunting style: maybe you want a classic, adventurous safari that’s all about the thrill of spotting, walking and stalking, or maybe you’d rather go for an area where you can sit at a waterhole or feed station waiting for animals to come to you.

Questions to ask your outfitter.

 1.        What country do you operate out of?

              Shona operates out of Northwestern Namibia.

Why it matters

Hunting in Namibia and South Africa offers distinct experiences shaped by their unique environments, regulations, and traditions. While both countries are renowned for their diverse wildlife and well-established hunting industries, Namibia is often celebrated for its vast, open landscapes and emphasis on fair chase hunting, whereas South Africa is known for its smaller fenced areas with a variety of game-rich private reserves and a broader range of accommodation options. Understanding these differences can help hunters choose the destination that best matches their expectations and preferences.

  2.        Physical Demands & Hunt Difficulty:

• How physically difficult is the hunt? We adapt our hunting style to fit the abilities of our clients.
• What is the terrain like? Our Byseewah property has a variety of different terrain, ranging from typical African savanna to mopani woodlands and mountains.
• What is your average shot distance?  Between 100-150 yards but we adapt to the shooting abilities of the client.
• What Caliber rifle do you prefer for your area? The .300 calibres with 180gr bullets, perform well and for eland and giraffe, we recommend a larger calibre with heavier bullets. But bring the rifle that you are the most comfortable shooting, as shot placement is sometimes more important than the calibre.
• What is a typical hunting day like?  We like to be out at first light. A full breakfast will be served before leaving camp. Usually, we are back in camp by lunchtime and, after a short siesta, we go out hunting until after sunset. The hunt itself will depend on the species we are after and can vary between spotting and stalking, tracking and ambushing; we don’t hunt over water or from vehicles.

 Why It Matters 

Understanding the physical and technical demands helps hunters prepare properly and choose a hunt suited to their abilities.

3.     Camp Dynamics & Group Structure:

• Will other groups be in camp at the same time? No, we don’t mix groups. We are a more exclusive operation.
• How many hunters per PH? A maximum of 2 hunters per guide.
• Do you accommodate families and non‑hunters? Yes, absolutely. Most clients are family groups that include non-hunting family members.
• What percentage of your annual hunts are booked by repeat clients? At Shona we have about a 75% return client rate.

Why It Matters 

Camp atmosphere affects the entire experience. To avoid potential conflict between groups, the area will be exclusive for you and your party. It also allows us to give a personalised experience with each and every client. Having a repeat clients base is a strong indicator of quality and consistency.

4.     Hunting Area, Wildlife Quality & Success Rates:

• Do you own the exclusive rights to the area? Yes, we have a long-term agreement.
• What is the size of hunting area? 75 000 acres.
• Is it fenced or free‑range? Fenced
• Is it fenced in smaller areas? No, there is only a perimeter fence around the entire property.
• Will you say that the area is fair chase hunting? Yes definitely.
• Are non-native game species introduced onto the property? At our Byseewah property, there are no non-native species introduced into the area. Other species are available in different areas on request, and logistics for this will be discussed with clients before booking the hunt.
• What is the driving distance between areas? For a first-time hunter looking at hunting the endemic species of Namibia, it would not be necessary to travel to other areas.
• How many species are there on the property? Byseewah has 21 huntable species.
• What species are naturally occurring vs. introduced? As part of reestablishing a natural environment, only native species have been reintroduced into the area. No put and take hunting is done.
• What is your success rate for the species I’m interested in? Due to the area being a fair chase area, no animals are guaranteed but our expert guides will do their best to ensure that you will have an opportunity at the species you are looking for.
• Do you manage your herds for age and sustainability? Yes
• What is the best time of year? We hunt from March to end of November but weatherwise the best moths for clients from the States are May, June and July.

Why It Matters 

The hunting area determines species availability, trophy quality, and the authenticity of the experience. It is our belief at Shona that fences are an essential conservation tool in many parts of Africa because they protect wildlife and people while helping ecosystems function more naturally. In regions where human settlement, agriculture, and infrastructure have fragmented ancient migration routes, well‑managed fenced areas create safe, stable habitats where animals can thrive without constant conflict or poaching pressure.

 For a fenced reserve to be considered truly free‑range, however, it must meet strict ecological standards: it must be large enough for animals to express their natural behaviours, maintain their own defence mechanisms, and breed without human intervention. Species must also never be introduced into areas where they did not historically occur, ensuring that conservation supports natural biodiversity rather than altering it. When these conditions are met, fenced landscapes can protect wildlife, preserve genetic integrity, and maintain the wild character that defines Africa’s natural heritage. It is for this reason that the partnership between Shona and Byseewah is a perfect fit.

5.     Professional Hunter (PH) Style & Guiding Approach:

• How do you define a trophy? My personal ethos around trophy hunting is that the true trophy is the entire experience, the effort, the skill, and the respect invested in the hunt, not the size of the horns. The horns are simply the end result, never the measure of success. A true hunter values the challenge, the patience, and the hard work required to achieve an ethical outcome. That’s why I believe in pursuing only mature animals. I’m not a shooter, I’m a hunter. The integrity of the process matters far more than inches on a tape. However, this does not mean I would intentionally pursue a lesser trophy and our areas produce gold medal trophies every season.
• How long have you been in guiding? I started in the hunting industry in 2000
• Describe your hunting technique. Hunter, not a shooter. Love to walk and stalk, get close and outsmart an old animal in its natural environment.
• Describe your guiding style. Patient and relaxed while being intensely focused on the final approach. I like to work with first time clients and pass my knowledge onto young hunters.
• Do you enjoy working with first‑time African hunters, kids and non-hunters? Yes!
• Will you be in camp when I’m there? Yes! Depending on the group size we will rotate between guides, but I will be in camp and ensure that I hunt with every one of my clients.
• Are you registered with your local hunting Association and Authorities. Yes, I have been a member of the Namibia Professional Hunters Association since 1995, and I am fully licenced as a Dangerous Game Professional Hunter with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.

Why It Matters 

A PH’s personality and style shape the entire safari. One of the most important factors to consider when picking your first African Outfitter, is to make sure that your PH understands what you want out of the experience and that his guiding style is in line with your expectations.

6.     Equipment, Firearms & Preparation:

• What is the process for bringing my own rifle? Bringing rifles to Namibia is an easy process and once you’ve booked a Safari with us, we will guide you through the process of bringing your rifle to Africa.
• Do I need any specialized equipment? Not really.
• Is there a minimum rifle requirement? Yes, Namibia has the following min requirements when it comes to different size animals.

Small Game,Examples: dik‑dik, steenbok, duiker, springbok, Minimum caliber: .243,Minimum energy: 1350 joules

Medium Game,Examples: hartebeest, oryx (gemsbok), wildebeest, kudu, eland, and all exotic species, Minimum caliber: .270, Minimum energy: 2700 joules

• Do you have a “What to bring / needed equipment” list? Yes, this will be forwarded to clients before their safari along with all other relevant documentation.
• Do you offer rental rifles? Yes, we have various rifles available for rental in camp

Why It Matters 

Proper gear ensures safety, comfort, and ethical shot placement.

 7.     Camp Amenities, Comfort & Communication

• What are your amenities, facilities & cuisine like? At the heart of Byseewah lies a lodge that blends African tradition with modern comfort. It is not simply a place to stay, but a welcoming space where guests gather, reflect, and feel at home in the wilderness. The design emphasizes intimacy and warmth, with architecture that draws inspiration from the land itself.

Meals and gatherings centre around the lapa, a traditional thatched hall that serves as the heart of the lodge. Here, mornings begin with strong coffee and the chatter of birds, afternoons invite shade and rest, and evenings bring shared meals and stories. Outdoor cooking spaces, including a braai and wood-fired pizza oven, adds to the atmosphere, while the bar and lounge provide a relaxed corner for sundowners and conversation.

One of the most memorable experiences at Byseewah is gathering around the fire at night. As the flames crackle and the bush settles into silence, guests share stories of the day’s adventures under a canopy of stars. The fire becomes a place of connection between people, land, and sky where laughter, reflection, and the rhythm of the wilderness create a sense of belonging.

The atmosphere of the lodge is one of comfort without hurry. Hospitality is personal and attentive, shaped to make each guest feel cared for and connected to the land. Whether resting in the shade, sharing stories by the fire, or gazing at the stars, the lodge is designed to create moments of ease and belonging.

• Is laundry done daily? Yes
• Do rooms have private bathrooms, hot water, and electricity? Yes
• Is outside communication available in camp? Yes, Wi-Fi is available free of charge, there is also a landline available in camp and mobile signal in certain areas.
• What type of lodging do you offer (tented, lodge, rustic, luxury)? Accommodation is provided in rondawels, traditional round bungalows with thatched roofs that remain cool in summer and warm in winter. Each rondawel is spacious and beautifully decorated with African themes, offering extra-long beds, writing desks, and seating areas. Private verandas open onto bushveld gardens, creating a quiet retreat where guests can enjoy the sounds and sights of nature. Families are well catered for, with adjoining rondawels available to keep loved ones close while still preserving privacy.
• Can you cater for my dietary requirements? Yes, we will send you a questionnaire before the hunt and our camp staff is well equipped to cater for any dietary requirements.
• Will I be able to eat what I shoot? Yes, you will be eating game meat with almost every meal, some of our game taste better if matured but we can give you some of your own animal to try.
• Do you have additional activities for non-hunters? Yes, based on the interests of the non-hunting family members we customize our safaris to make it a trip of a lifetime.

Why It Matters 

Comfort levels vary widely across Africa. Hunters should know exactly what to expect.

 8.     Trophy Care, Taxidermy & Export

• How do you handle skinning, salting, and field preparation? We have a well-trained team of skinners that will ensure that your trophies are properly skinned salted and tagged. Your Trophy rate includes delivery to the local taxidermy.
• Do you have a recommended taxidermist? We have a long-term working relationship with several local taxidermies and our recommendation for taxidermy varies based upon the country the trophies need to be exported to.
• Do you assist with dip‑and‑pack and shipping? No, this is handled by the Taxidermy
• What is the delivery time for the trophies to the local taxidermy? We try to deliver the trophies as soon as they come out of the salt, on average this can take 2-4 weeks.

Why It Matters 

Proper trophy care is essential for preserving the hunter’s memories.

 9.     Ethics, Conservation & Community Impact

• How do your hunts support conservation? At Shona Hunting Adventures, we focus on selective, ethical hunting, specifically targeting older, post‑breeding animals that have already contributed their strongest genetics to the population. By removing only these mature individuals, we avoid disrupting breeding cycles, territorial stability, and herd structure. The revenue from these carefully regulated hunts is then reinvested directly into wildlife protection, funding anti‑poaching patrols, maintaining habitat, improving water points, and ensuring that the land remains a safe, well‑managed refuge for all species.

In this way, our hunting model becomes a conservation tool. It generates the resources needed to protect far more animals than are ever harvested, while ensuring that the animals we do take are selected with biological responsibility and long‑term sustainability in mind.

• Do you follow fair‑chase principles? As mentioned above, this has always been the core principle of our hunting operation. We are proud members of the Worldwide Ethical Hunters.
• Do you offer cull hunts? No, we occasionally offer Management hunts, where the emphasis is on taking selective animals out of the area. This could be animals that are overpopulated, mature non trophy animals, and animal with broken horn, etc.
• Do you participate in anti‑poaching or wildlife monitoring programs? Yes, this is done on a regular basis.

Why It Matters 

Ethical hunting protects wildlife, communities, and the future of African safaris.

10.   Transparency, References & Reputation

• How do you market your hunts? We use various ways of marketing. Including shows, websites, mailing list etc. However, our most important marketing tool is to provide clients with an unforgettable experience, resulting in an above average return cliental and referral rate.
• Best way to communicate with you? The best way would be via email at Shona@AfricanHuntingNamibia.com or via WhatsApp +264 81 128 3105
• Do you have an open reference policy? Yes, you can pick a date and be given the contact information of the hunter that was in camp with us that date
• Can you provide recent references from U.S. hunters? Yes, we have an extended list of references. To help protect our clients against Spam emails we only provide this list to clients who are seriously looking at booking a safari with us.

 11.   What is special about your operation?

We are a family run operation, and we go the extra mile to get our clients the trophies they are looking for while providing a customised personal safari experience. I would however say the reputation we’ve built up over the years as Professionals in the Conservation Hunting Industry is what really makes hunting with us special. If you spend your money hunting with Shona, you are part of a bigger picture. You are not only paying for a safari, you are actively contributing to the preservation of the area for the future, ensuring that your grandchildren will also one day be able to experience African hunting the way it is meant to be. Being part of the Shona family means you are part of a Legacy!

Why It Matters 

A reputable outfitter is proud of their track record and transparent about their strengths.

12. Pricing Transparency & Financial Clarity

• What is included in the price? The hunting permit, PH services, use of hunting vehicles, the initial preparation of trophies, all meals, soft drinks, table wine, beer and laundry service are included in the daily rates or package. Hard liquor will be charged.
• What is not included in the price? Airfare, taxidermy, dipping, packing, and shipping of trophies are excluded from the daily rates of the packages.
• Are trophy fees for animals not taken refundable? Yes, you don’t pay for trophies not harvested. Trophy fees in packages are refunded at the in-package rates.
• What is your policy on wounded animals? Wounded and lost game will be considered taken.
• Are there any hidden or additional fees? Yes, the following additional fees are not included in our packages: airport transfers, rifle rental and ammo.
• What is your cancellation and refund policy? A non-refundable deposit of 50% of the daily rate is required at booking, and a non-refundable deposit of 30% for a package. We do however understand that sometimes things happen that clients don’t have control over, and we try and reschedule or find a compromise that works for everyone.
• Do you have a sliding scale for prices based on trophy size? No, sliding scales are typically used by operations that purchase animals according to size and then allow clients to hunt them. This practice, often called Put and Take Hunting, is entirely against my principles.
• Preferred payment method? We have various payment options for clients, and we can discuss this in more details once a client has committed in booking a safari with us.
• Do you have a written contract? Yes

 Why It Matters 

Clear financial expectations prevent surprises and help hunters compare outfitters fairly. Make sure you understand what is included and what is not in Show Specials and Packages. Comparing outfitters that provide similar experiences will also help you understand why certain outfitters have different pricing. Be careful of packages that sound too good to be true, they usually are.

Conclusion

In summary, making an informed decision about your safari experience starts with understanding the details, asking the right questions, and clarifying all terms upfront. By taking the time to carefully review every aspect of your chosen package, you can ensure that your adventure is both memorable and free of unexpected challenges. Transparency and open communication are at the core of our approach, and we are always available to address any concerns or provide additional information as needed. Our goal is to help you plan a safari that not only meets your expectations but truly exceeds them, creating memories to last a lifetime. Thank you for considering Shona Hunting Adventures as your trusted partner for this remarkable journey, should you have any additional questions please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Yours in Hunting – Johann Veldsman