Plains game is the backbone — kudu, gemsbok, eland, springbok, red hartebeest, blue and black wildebeest, warthog and zebra. Two species here are endemic to Namibia and can’t be taken anywhere else: Hartmann’s mountain zebra and klipspringer.

Leopard is available under MET permit. Cape buffalo, elephant, lion, hippo and crocodile are arranged through a separate concession — talk to us early, these need lead time.

Both are properly supported. Jaco van der Merwe was Namibian national archery champion in 2002 and represented Namibia at the World Archery Championships in 2005, so bow hunting here isn’t an afterthought.

Rifle hunters need a minimum calibre in the 300 Win Mag range. Namibia permits three rifles and 80 rounds per calibre, and the import process is straightforward. Rentals available if you’d rather travel light.

Out at first light by hunting vehicle — the ranch is too large to cover on foot. Once fresh tracks are spotted, the stalk continues on foot. Back to camp for lunch through the heat, then out again until dark.

Two hunters per professional hunter as standard, one-on-one available. Jaco has guided over 300 international clients since 2000 and works alongside PH Chrisjan Labuschagne and an experienced team of trackers and skinners.

The Namibian hunting season runs 1 February to 30 November. Prime dates and leopard permits need the most notice.

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The Namibian trophy hunting season opens on 1 February and closes on 30 November each year.

Clients should ensure that they are booked and will be hunting with a Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) registered trophy-hunting operator, as well as a Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) registered Namibian hunting professional.

The three classifications of hunting professionals are:

• Hunting guides
• Master hunting guides
• Professional hunters

Two specialist qualifications are:

• Big Game Professional Hunter – a registered Namibian professional hunter who has passed the Big Game examination; and Bow Hunting Professional Hunter – a registered Namibian hunting professional with an additional bow-hunting qualification.
• Hunting professionals must comply with all the trophy-hunting regulations governed by the MET.
• Trophy hunting can be practised from half an hour before sunrise until half an hour after sunset. No artificial light source may be used while hunting. Trophy hunting may take place only on properties where permission has been granted by the landowner.
• Properties where bow hunting is practised must be separately registered with the MET.

The following is required for trophy hunting:

• Permits must be applied for by the MET-registered Namibian hunting professional.
• Permits must be issued by the MET prior to the hunt.
• A separate permit must be issued for each individual hunting client.
• An additional permit is required for hunting large cats (leopard, cheetah, and lion).
• The list of conditions attached to this permit must be adhered to strictly.
• It must be stated on the permit whether it is a rifle or a bow hunt.
• A permit must be completed in full and signed by the hunting client and the hunting professional (after the time wounded or lost animals must also be indicated on the permit).
• Permits are issued by the MET only.
• A maximum of two trophies per species may be harvested, per hunting client, per permit.