Every accolade credited to Africa is well earned. Perhaps William Burchell’s thought most accurately sums them all up: “Nothing but breathing the air of Africa, and actually walking through it, can communicate the indescribable sensations.” Words are a paltry attempt to raise images of buffalo charging out of the reeds or burning sunsets beyond brilliance in the minds of those who have not been favoured to set foot on the continent. This is the greatest truth which challenges a wordsmith from America to contrast hunting there with hunting here. Everett Headley
Without question, Africa’s greatest offering to the sportsman is its wide selection of game. This great variety provides challenges distinct for each species and region. African antelope species alone are more than double the number of all big game species in North America. Learning about each of them from a book beforehand is not nearly as beneficial as seeing them in person. A reedbuck might seem to be just a smaller waterbuck, but once observed in person its smaller frame and sleeker body are clearly different from a bigger-bodied, shaggy cousin. Subspecies provide even more diversity and extend adventures. One might have the southern reedbuck, but what about the mountain reedbuck? If so, was it a western, southern, or Chanlers? The wealth of African wildlife is one of the world’s most significant treasures.
It is the dangerous game that first captures an American’s attention. All animals in their own right and especially when forced to fight for their life can be lethal. But, it is those animals who sport callous and cantankerous feelings towards any who dare draw too close that elicit the greatest desire of a hunter. The testing of oneself is innate in hunters and only a handful of species rise to the task. The brown bear, found only in the northern latitudes, is the only real answer to Africa’s Big Five. But even the bear seems docile compared to a Cape buffalo inadvertently roused from an afternoon nap in the tall grass. Writers of old glorified these encounters which now inspire modern day hunters to see if they have the mettle to ease into the reeds after a creature that can just as effectively deal death.
Wildlife management is also very different. The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation depends on sportsmen for funding through an excise tax, but all wildlife are held in trust for the people regardless of their physical location. Africa’s privatisation of game is more akin to the USA’s version of livestock ownership. This places a value on local wildlife which provides them with security and transfers the responsibility of management onto the shoulders of those closest to them*. It also provides a greater flexibility for game managers to make adjustments as habitat and conditions warrant. Both models have proven to be successful. White-tailed deer that once neared extinction now number thirty million, and since the sanctioning of private ownership of white rhino, numbers are greater than 20,000 in just a few years.
Regardless of country, all outfitters, professional hunters, trackers and camp staff carry immense pride for their role in the safari. There is an awareness of a storied history of hunters entering the bush to discover its richness for themself. This was particularly clear when I invited my tracker and PH to join me for a final picture. They eagerly responded, the beautiful hartebeest representing their hard work as much as my shooting ability. As I smiled for the photo I noticed movement of their hands. Folding the forefinger partly and extending the thumb, they recreated the shape of Namibia and I quickly copied. Great care was taken with every animal as though it might be the last of its kind. Smiles were always my greeting and every thank you was quickly met with a sincere “pleasure.” It was a hospitality rivalled only by those who hailed from the states of the deep south.
What was most endearing were the ceremony and traditions of safari life that had long ago been incorporated into its mythos. First arrivals into camp included a presentation of the staff followed by hot towels and refreshing chilled drinks. Successful hunts required the acceptance of a shot of Jägermeister or Amarula, depending on the host. I kindly delayed successful morning offerings until lunch was served. And if a particular hunt really warranted it and the camp was feeling especially boisterous, a loud dance and song would be performed, as was the case for our return with a Cape buffalo. These are the elements of a place that make you feel included, like one belongs here. Hunting can be demanding and troublesome and rituals like these recognise perseverance through the pursuit.
Hunting is often foretold but never foreordained. I took what the bush offered me and never felt myself wanting. Even when an impala evaded me on my last two days and was left somewhere on the plains to live its life, I did not feel cheated. Whatever images I had dreamt of before my first trip to Africa were washed away by its reality. It left a picture more of a masterpiece than anything before.
In Namibia, conservation hunting plays a vital role in community- based natural resource management (CBNRM) by empowering local communities to manage and benefit from their wildlife. Conservation hunting generates almost 25% of conservancy revenue, funding essential community game guards and providing vital protein for local families. This sustainable approach ensures that wildlife is fully utilised. It prevents poaching by creating financial incentives for locals to protect their natural heritage.
The restoration of hunting rights after independence has allowed conservancies to harvest wildlife under regulated quotas, ensuring stable animal populations. For many conservancies that lack tourism potential, income from trophy hunting is crucial for economic viability, allowing them to support anti-poaching efforts and maintain conservation initiatives. Ultimately, conservation hunting not only fosters economic growth but also reinforces the link between community well-being and wildlife conservation, making it an essential component of Namibia’s successful conservation strategies.
Everett is an outdoor writer based in Montana, USA.
You can find more of his work at www.everettheadley.com
From the 2025 issue of Huntinamibia
For fifty years, the Namibia Professional HuntersAssociation (NAPHA) has stood as a beacon of ethical hunting, conservation and community. This golden anniversary marks a significant milestone on a journey defined by dedication to the land, respect for wildlife and the preservation of Namibia’s unique hunting heritage.
An opportunity arose to hunt a trophy lion in the Torra Conservancy in north- western Namibia. For the past years the lion population had grown in this area and the human-wildlife conflict increased as a result. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism invited professional hunters to the opportunity to hunt these problem animals, rather than taking the risk that entire prides are poisoned by communal farmers who lose their livestock.
Royston Wright, a devoted conservationist and stalwart of sustainable hunting, passed away unexpectedly on 4 February 2024, leaving behind a legacy of education, passion and commitment to Namibia’s wildlife. For over 20 years, Royston made an indelible mark on the conservation and hunting community through his work with SCI International, SCI Alaska, the Namibia Tourism Board and the Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA)
