Subscriber-Written Trip Report
On Takin Hunting in Namibia

DATE AND PLACE OF HUNT

OUTFITTER, GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS

Outfitter (or safari company): Nick Nolte Safaris. PO Box 611; Omaruru; Namibia; Tel. 011-264-570-888; Email: nick-nolte-safaris@omaruru.na; Web www.nicknoltesafaris.com Personal Guide (if any): Basie Marais Booking Agent (if any): Keith Atcheson; Jack Atcheson & Sons, Inc.. 3210 Ottawa St; Butte; MT; 59701; Tel. 406-782-2382; Fax: 406-723-3318;Email: office@atcheson.com; Web www.atcheson.com Trip Arrangements (if self-guided): License Required:

GAME DESCRIPTION

Major Game Animals Taken: Leopard - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 62 kilos/136 pounds. Kudu - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Three. 49-54 inches. Gemsbok/Oryx - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Two. 36 inches. Impala - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Three. Steenbok - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Three. Wildebeest, Blue - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Springbok - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Warthog - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Three. Game Sought But Not Taken: Roan - Availability: Failed to find a male worth taking. Nyala - Availability: Dik-Dik - Availability: Game Condition Comments: Excellent area and outfitter for leopard (over bait) and basic plains game (kudu, gemsbok, wildebeest, impala, steenbok, etc.). Other hunters in camp took giraffe, brown hyena, Damara dik-dik.

SERVICE RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor)

Quality of Outfit: Excellent Guide/PH Ability: Excellent Condition of Camp: Excellent Condition of Equipment: Excellent Quality of Food: Excellent Trophy Care: Excellent Name of Airline: Lufthansa and Air Namibia through Frankfurt Airline Service: Fair Airline Comments: Air Namibia is fine - no problems. Lufthansa refused to permit my wife's carry on despite the fact that it met the size requirements. Airline said the bag was "too heavy" to carry on. It was gate checked after my wife hastily removed our prescription medications. Unfortunately, she put the medication under the seat in front of her and then forgot she had taken it out of the carry on bag and left it on the plane. Lufthansa customer service was unfriendly and unhelpful in trying to retrieve the medications and we never did get them, even though they were in prescription bottles with our name, address and phone number on them. One of our children subsequently became ill with strep throat and we could have used the antibiotic. However, Isabel Nolte contacted a pharmacist in Omaruru who agreed to meet us at the pharmacy and dispense a replacement (same exact prescription) on a Sunday when the pharmacy was closed. Isabel did a tremendous job in calming my wife's concerns and helping my son get back on his feet (and on the truck) within 2 days.

COSTS

Hunting Fees: Three hunters and one observer for 14 days. Amount: $17250 Trophy Fees: Amount: $16790 Permits/Licenses: Amount: $300 Commercial Airfares: Lufthansa $5,756 (four passengers), Air Namibia $6,505 (four passengers). Amount: $12261 Charter Airfares: Amount: $0 Other Costs: VAT $3,022, dip/pack/transfer $1,400, travel days $1,200. Amount: $5622 Total: $0

SUMMARY REMARKS

Problems of Hunt: We had trouble arranging access to the farm where we were to hunt roan and nyala and were ultimately restricted to a blind. Highlights of Hunt: Unexpected leopard. We received news of a leopard that had killed a calf in a kraal and were able to set up a blind to hunt the tom when he returned to this natural kill for a second time. Equipment Recommendations: None. Weather was cool in mornings and warm in the afternoons in July. Spotting from truck and then stalking on foot. Not a lot of walking. Would You Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? Yes Why? The Noltes run a first class operation and are very nice people who will do whatever it takes to ensure that you have a great experience. The game is abundant and you will take excellent trophies.

HUNTER INFORMATION

Hunter Name: Thomas J. Cunningham Contact Information: Tel. 312-443-1731 - 5220 Benton Avenue, Downers Grove, IL 60515 E-mail: tcunningham@locklord.com Hunting Experience: 20 years - many states in the US, Canada, and Africa three times. Physical Condition: Good.

IMPORTANT NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt)

Notified Outfitter? Notified Personal Guide? Notified Booking Agent? Seeking any kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter or guide? If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought?

ADDITIONAL HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL

This was a great hunt to experience with my family, including my wife, who accompanied us as an observer, and my two sons (who were 12 and 15 at the time of this hunt). The boys took excellent trophies and had an absolute blast. We were very impressed with the quality of the lodgings and meals - my wife was very comfortable. The Nolte family is very warm and friendly and went to lengths to make sure that my wife was happy and had plenty of opportunities to do non-hunting things on the days she chose not to accompany us into the field. They are very professional and run a first class operation. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone looking for a good leopard or plainsgame in Namibia.

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