Huntinamibia - My Namibian Adventure - Untouched, unforgettable Damaraland
Where the Namibian central plateau drops towards the coastal plains, some of Africa’s most spectacular landscapes are to be found. This escarpment is home to three endemic mammals. Besides the Hartmann’s zebra, the rare black-faced impala and the diminutive Damara dik-dik are home in this unique environment.
As part of Namibia’s Damaraland or Erongo Region, the #Khoadi //hoas Conservancy offers a breathtaking landscape. It is a barren and untouched piece of paradise in the north-west of Namibia. Mountain ranges are interspersed with deep valleys, strewn with stones and rocks, followed by yet another mountain range. An incredible variety of mammals, plants, birds and reptiles make their home here. Almost no human habitation disturbs the age-old landscape.
The hunting camp is simple yet comfortable. A few tents in the shade of mopane trees are used as sleeping quarters. A natural spring provides cool and refreshing water, and dinner is served out in the open. As a result of the remoteness of the camp the stars are magnificent and many a shooting star conjures up a hunter’s wish for a successful hunt the next day.
Hartmann’s zebra is our quarry for the day. We leave the camp early while a cool breeze is still blowing. The route takes us through the Klip River and a landscape that is hard on any 4x4. It is with amazement that we see a group of seven elephant making their way through the inhospitable mountains. They climb the rocky slopes with ease, pausing every now and then to browse on the sparse vegetation. It amazes me every time how these huge animals behave so differently in Damaraland. They are found throughout the conservancy both in the rocky areas and on the barren plains. To the left are some greater kudu that flinch a few seconds later and gracefully bound off into the bush. A klipspringer joins a lonely gemsbok in the search for grazing. As we come over a rise we stop to scout the area with binoculars. In the distance we make out a herd of springbok. There are still no zebra to be seen, however.
Time flies as the heat picks up and the landscape in the distance starts to glimmer. A drink of cool water from the water bottle is welcome refreshment. The discussion during the break focuses on the zebra that we’re looking for. We move on eagerly, scouting the landscape with fresh vigour.
Quite far up on a slope to the left we finally spot a group of zebra. We park the bakkie under a mopane tree and leave it behind to stalk the animals. We move down the first valley, careful not to fall in the rocky terrain that makes walking a challenge. The thorns of an acacia tug at my clothing as we pick our way up the slope, only to see the last zebra disappearing behind the next ridge.
A test of the wind direction indicates that we are downwind of our quarry, but every now and then, due to the rising heat, the direction of the wind changes. We have to remain alert. Placing our feet becomes more difficult between the stones, which by this time of the day are so hot that one could fry an egg on them.
We follow one of the well-used zebra trails amongst which we also find some fresh elephant tracks. We pass across the slope that the zebra were feeding on. We take a careful peek over the ridge. In the distance in the burning sun they stand together resting. A lizard scuttles underneath a rock, then there’s no sound. Two stallions stand a little apart on the right side. The decision is a fast one and the rocks make a good rest for the rifle. When the shot hits, the selected stallion moves a short distance before going down.
A beautiful piece of nature, a successful hunt and the feeling of accomplishment only a hunter can understand. by Gerrit Utz
