FAQ

Aru Game Lodges was conceptualized on the top of a sand dune where these trees are in abundance. The tree has a sweet smell when it blossoms, and this has lured us frequently for afternoon picnics. It is also the place where a memorial stone rests for our dear friend.

Our Professional Hunters (PH) are our pride and joy. Many upcoming PH’s in Namibia have started their careers at ARU under the hands of Gysbert and Danene.

Ethical hunting is doing the right thing when no-one else is watching, even when doing the wrong thing is legal.

Your PH will guide you and get you into the best possible position to make a successful shot while portraying our ethical hunting culture.

ARU PH's will always go the extra mile for you.

Hot and dry. Bring along moisturizer and sunblock. The hot (sometimes) rainy season is from October through April, when shorts are recommended. Mid-May through August are winter months, when warm clothing and gloves are essential.

GMT (London) + 1 hour. EST (New York) + 7 hours

Namibian Dollar. Same exchange rate as SA Rand. Thomas Cook and American Express at the airport. All major credit cards and banknotes accepted throughout Namibia. Banks open for business Mondays to Fridays 09:00 – 15:30 and Saturdays 08:00 till 11:00.

Officially English. But 13 languages are spoken by the diverse population. At Aru Game Lodges we speak English, Afrikaans and German fluently and un peu de français.

Namibia is a mood.
We really can’t explain it. When you know, you know. We cannot urge you more to come and find out. Please contact us for tailor made safari adventures.

Wildlife and wild open spaces

• Namibia has the smallest human population per square mile in Africa - the second least in the world.
• 46% of Namibia is under conservation management.
• All of the big 5 can be hunted in Namibia
• 75% of the mammal species richness of Southern Africa exists in Namibia!
• Namibia boasts with the largest proportion of land under conservation management in the world
• 80% of Namibia’s wildlife is hosted on private land - outside of government and national parks
• 17% of Namibia’s surface area consist of national parks.
• The entire 1000 mile coastline is a national park.
• The hosts the largest population of free roaming black rhino in the world.
• The hosts the largest population of free roaming cheetah in the world.

Safety, peace, economical and political stability
Safety, peace, economic and political stability plays a massive role in providing the ultimate platform for us as hunting operators, and therefor to provide a first class, well supported by government product, placing Namibia well in the front of hunting in Africa.

• Namibia is the youngest, most peaceful country in Africa
• It has a democracy where ALL of the heads of state are freely elected.
• Our national constitution is also the first in the world to formally enshrine the sustainable utilisation of all living resources.
• Namibia has a 85% literacy rate.
• In 2014 Namibia’s outgoing president, Hifikepunye Pohamba, received the Mo Ibrahim Award for African leadership.
• We have freedom of speech, and we rejoice whenever government makes pro active decisions regarding our wildlife and our people.

Our government’s views
Namibia is at the forefront of conservation through sustainable use, and is the flagship to all other African countries with our community based & custodian programs. Our government’s view on hunting is refreshing and in Namibia as was pointed out by our minister of Environment & Tourism, Honorable Pohamba Shifeta

• Namibia is a pro-wildlife utilization country and our progressive national Constitution is the first in the world to formally enshrine the sustainable utilization of living natural resources.
• We are a hunter friendly nation with a very proud hunting heritage, and our trophy hunting community is well respected by our government and fellow Namibians as an essential and integral part of Namibia’s wildlife conservation, tourism, agricultural and business sectors.
• Trophy hunting currently provides more on-the-job training and promotional opportunities, as well as pays better salaries than any other form of agricultural land employment options, and invests heavily in a variety of social upliftment and educational programs in rural areas throughout Namibia.
• Statistics show that the introduction of trophy hunting here in the early 1960s was one of our countries the most successful wildlife conservation initiatives – trophy hunting has since developed into an extremely lucrative form of land utilization as well as a most effective wildlife management tool.
• For international hunters, however, the prime draw cards are our excellent hunting professionals, high standards of ethics; interesting and varied hunting opportunities; quality, quantity and diversity of game species including the Big Five; the ease with which hunting rifles may be temporarily imported and our active and our well-respected national hunting association, NAPHA.

Veronica is a 2 hour drive from Hosea Kutako International Airport where red sand dunes of the majestic Kalahari wilderness meet rustic luxury.

Built on the crest of a dune it overlooks the vast savannah landscapes, with 360 degree views of the beautiful nature and what we have to offer.

• Picture perfect sunsets and sunrises you want to last a whole life time
• 16 chalets
• Private air field
• Our hunting clients always stay and hunt both Veronica and Kalakwa

Our in-house chefs will treat you to the best food Namibia - a true taste of Africa while dinning inside or outside. Danene’s “From The Veld” recipe book is available at both lodges and offers some of the delicious recipes that our chef’s will prepare for you.

Contact Danene at danene@arugamelodges.com or +264 (0)81 129 5536 if you would like to add this to your ARU Adventure, or visit our dedicated website for reservations.

ARU offers Cooking Holidays and culinary adventures for the whole family where we showcase Namibia, living off the land, and the daily feasts of it all. Contact us for a package (minimum of 12 guests)

Our Kalakwa and Veronica concessions has a perimeter fence (no internal game fences). This in no way plays a role in your hunt. Our hunting reserves are under the strict supervision of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT). Hunting in Namibia is based on game counts and a management plan, which has to be approved by the MET via strict quotas.

All our hunting guests can rest assured that we are doing our best for the environment and local people. We understand that our ecosystem relies on a fragile balance between man and nature. We welcome discussion on how to sustain our precious natural resources further.

We condemn all selective breeding and release practices, and we have no agricultural activities on our properties.

Maximum hunters depends upon how a safari is booked, the number of guests, 1x1 or 2x1 hunters, non hunters and families.

In most cases our camps are exclusive to booked client/group, but in some cases some groups may overlap.

We cater for the discerning hunter, offering a remarkable hunting experience – with attention to detail along with top class service.

We only hunt prime, past-prime animals and regardless of horn/tusk size. We pass on animals not yet mature.

We’re not a guaranteed kill outfitter.

Yes, We cater for the esteemed bow hunter, and pride ourselves on the sport of bow hunting in Namibia

Later dryer season is best archery dates.

We hunt archery dedicated blinds over water with some spot and stalk depending upon species, shooting distance and experience.

Important: the minimum requirements for bow hunting in Namibia is an energy of 25 ft-lbs for small game, 40 ft-lbs for medium game, and 65 ft-lbs for big game. Hunters should come well equipped as bow equipment in Namibia is limited.

Crossbow is not permitted as of yet, but Namibia’s new hunting legislation which will come into effect in 2023 will permit crossbows.

Plains game rifle shot range is 100–300 on average

Plains game Archery ranges out to 15- 60-yards 

Dangerous game rifle shot range is 20-40 on average

• Transport to and from the airport to the lodges by road
• All meals and beverages (alcoholic beverages in moderation)
• Accommodation
• Daily cleaning and laundry services
• Hunting license fees and required hunting permits
• All pre-hunt preparation and Leopard baiting
• Services of professional hunters, trackers, skinners, drivers
• Four wheel drive hunting vehicles and equipment
• Field preparation and delivery to ARU's reccommended taxidermist
• Game drives and all other activities offered at ARU
• Wifi on Kalakwa and Veronica

• Transport costs to and from Namibia and airport taxes
• Transport costs to and from our Zambezi dangerous game concessions
• Optional traveling costs by aircraft to and from ARU lodges and or Zambezi region
• Hire of rifles and ammunition (U$ 70 per day)
• International phone calls
• Insurance and medical expenses of any kind
• Taxidermy fees and dipping, mounting and shipping of trophies
• Import permits and fees required by countries other than Namibia
• Sightseeing excursions other than offered at ARU
• Gratuities to staff and PH’s (10 - 15% recommended)
• Trophies for game wounded / taken and lost
• Accommodation expenses before and after scheduled trophy hunting period
• 15% VAT on all cull and wounded animals
• 15% VAT on daily rates
• 1% Tourism Levy on daily rates
• Bank charges at (U$ 50 per invoice)
• Bush Spa expenses
• Social Development / Community / Anti-Poaching Fees

Leopard hunting is best in June and July when temps are the coldest and baits last longer.

A full packing list will be supplies upon booking in our Pre-Trip information packet

Daily laundry is included in daily rates.

Exact equipment list changes for specialty hunts including leopard and Zambezi Region safaris vs. plains game concessions.

American’s traditionally love it and have excellent camo that works well afield.

Traditional solid colors in dark green also work equally well.

Wear what you feel most comfortable in, we will hunt hard and play the wind.

For archery hunters stalking in close, quiet camo is an excellent idea.

If your hunt requires sitting in a blind, wear very quiet clothing in dark colors.

It’s best to dress in layers as temperatures vary greatly throughout the day.