Newsletter October 2007

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SHORT MESSAGE:
Once again another trophy hunting season has come to an end…2007: We want to thank each and every one of you for your loyal support towards Kowas Adventure Safaris. We know that you have gathered memories to cherish forever from our part of the world. Each one of you has a special place in our hearts. We want to remind you that the Namibian wind has blown away your footprints on the African sand, but your footprints in our hearts will remain forever.

It was a privilege for us to make new friends and to welcome “old” friends back to Kowas, Namibia, during 2007 It is always a privilege to share our part of the world with you. A special thanks to those friends whom have visited Kowas twice during 2007, thank you for your loyal support.

Danie, Ansie, Morné and Jacques
STRAUSS FAMILY

WILD FIRE – CALIFORNIA:
It is with utmost shock that we have witnessed through CNN the devastation of the wild fire which is currently destroying more than a 1 000 homes in California.

We – at Kowas - have also experience a field fire on 20 July 2006 at Kowas and we can just imagine how the lives of those involved being changed, even the lives of the rescuers. To all of you who are affected, those of you whom have friends, family or acquaintances which are being affected, be assured of our constant thoughts and prayers. We can confess that there is always something positive that comes from a disaster although it is currently extremely difficult to accept it right now.

Please be assured that the Kowas team is praying for your safety and well-being. Please extend our best wishes to those whom are being affected.

TROPHIES HARVESTED AT KOWAS:
We have experienced yet another excellent year with trophy hunting. We are extremely satisfied with the quality of trophies harvested.

• 76% of all trophies hunted with Kowas Adventure Safaris awarded the NAPHA Gold medal status.
• 16% obtained the NAPHA Silver medal status.
• 4% obtained the Bronz medal status.
• Only 4% of all trophies hunted at Kowas did not qualify for any medals.

In order to obtain these quality trophies, you all would agree that it is hard work, dedication and team work. The Kowas team would like to take this opportunity to thank you - our client - for your hard work to make it possible. Some of you have returned from your safari with no skin on your knees left after crawling for a considerable distance after your trophy (oryx and kudu). However, you have returned with excellent trophies and a memory of the safari which you will always remember.

Thank you for complying with the principle of fair chase and ethical hunting. Most of all: thank you for the accurate shooting - if taken into consideration that less than 10% of the game were wounded this year.

The top performers in terms of trophy size are as follows:

Congratulations to each and every one of you whom have harvested plains game species with Kowas Adventure Safaris.

THREE GENERATIONS OF TWO FAMILIES AT KOWAS:
We want to give a special thanks to two families whom have hunted with us during 2007, whom have been three generations of the same family during the same year, at Kowas:

It is always special to welcome couples to Kowas, not even to mention when they bring their children along. What is the extreme of special, is when the grandparent(s) come along… Nothing can top this special happening in the Kowas Adventure Safaris team.

Thank you for bringing your family members along to share in the fun, excitement and special moments of your African safari in Namibia. We trust that we would have the privilege in the future again to welcome back to Namibia the future generation for trophy hunting.

Gwynn family:
Kowas had the privilege to welcome Andrew and Celeste Gwynn for the first time to Namibia from 29 April – 6 May 2007 with their two children, Maddie-Grace and Nathan together with granddad Mike Nevil. Thank you for sharing your special family with us. It was a privilege to see what special relationship exist amongst your family members.

Simmons family:
We also welcomed for the first time to Namibia Katherine and Heber Simmons III with their three teenage boys (Wood, Daniel and Luke) from 6 – 22 June 2007. We welcomed Granddad (Dr Heber Simmons Jr) back to Kowas during the period 26 August – 10 September 2007.

It was a special experience for the Strauss family to experience the mutual respect for one another in the Simmons family. All family members were hunters and this ensured healthy competition spirit amongst their family members. Congratulations to each one of you with your special trophies.

We also had the privilege to take the Simmons-family through Namibia to show them why Namibia is known as a land of contrast and wide open spaces. Areas such as the Namib Desert, central Namibia and Kavango/Caprivi areas have been explored… We trust that your pictures will bring back good memories of your family photographic safari!

3 MONTHS AT KOWAS:
It was a privilege for Kowas Adventure Safaris to be hosts to Katherine Hughes from Selma, Alabama whom have stayed at Kowas for a period of three months (23 May – 12 August 2007). The purpose of her staying with us was to gather information on how we as Outfitters in Namibia are handling our business as a trophy hunting operation. She gathered various information on the work behind the curtains.

Some of you have met Katherine while being in Namibia and made new friends. Upon Katherine’s return to the USA, she has applied with Westervelt for a management position. Her new position is a lodge manager of Miramichi Black Rapids Lodge in New Brunswick, Canada. She started work around the end of September in Tuscaloosa, Alabama where the company’s headquarters’ are situated. She has an office in Tuscaloosa to do marketing and other business out of during the office season which will be from October 20th to April 15th. As soon as the spring fishing season opens she will be living in New Brunswick for most of the summer and fall.

She is presently in New Brunswick right now just observing and taking evaluations of the present day to day operations along with the winterizing process. She says that although it is beautiful there, it is nothing like Africa…

Katherine, congratulations with your new challenge in life. It was a privilege for us to be of assistance in gaining experience for this new responsibility. Good luck to you for the future!

FLIGHT OPTIONS TO NAMIBIA VIA EUROPE:
Due to enquiries from our clients about airlines flying into Namibia, we thought it necessary to provide you with the following information.

Europe is providing direct flights to Windhoek International Airport, Namibia. Airlines such as LTU and Air Namibia could be considered. LTU fly out of Dusseldorf while Air Namibia is flying out of London (Gatwick airport) or Frankfurt.

If you consider this option, it would be the best to consult with your travel agent, who would be able to assist you in making reservations with Delta airline – or any airline of your choice – from the USA to Europe. Sky miles could be used for this purpose. From Europe, you could consider flying direct into Namibia.

If you need any further information, do not hesitate to give us an indication where we could be of more assistance.

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS LUGGAGE HANDLING:
It is with great disappointment that we need to inform you that over the recent past there has been a significant increase in luggage delays or lost luggage on the flights arriving from Johannesburg to Windhoek. About 40% of our trophy hunting clients for 2007 to Kowas know exactly what we refer to.

Feedback received from South African Airways stated that the blame to be laid on the doorstep of a service provider problem at O. R. Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg International Airport) and was not due to a SAA airline problem.

In the case of Dr Kirby Walker, the airline traced guns checked in at Windhoek airport, going via Johannesburg to Washington, to Japan, back to Washington and now no one knows where it is at the moment…This incident occurred on 25 August 2007…

In another case Paula and Keith Lilly has received their one piece of luggage only on the last night prior to their departure from Namibia back to the USA. They were glad to receive this luggage piece although it was after they have toured through Namibia. At least the bag was in time to be checked in on the next flight…

TIPS FOR PREPARING HAND LUGGAGE:
In the event that you are going to fly with SAA from Johannesburg to Windhoek, do not panic. There are ways and means to handle the potential delayed luggage issue by preparing your hand luggage properly.

• Travel light – Kowas has a daily laundry service;
• Travel with your hunting boots – it prevents you from being out in the hunting field with your best pair of shoes…
• Add at least one set of hunting clothes in your carrying on – it is better to have a camouflage shirt on than a bright color t-shirt…
• If you are travel as a group - more than one person, share one suitcase with other people. By doing this, at least some of you would have some clothes to wear until your other luggage arrive.
• If you like gatchets (binocular, etc), add it to your carrying on’s.
• Always carry your medication with you.
• Leave a copy of your travel schedule, flight and contact details in your bags…

INFORMATION TO BE AWARE OF:
Ensure that you get acquainted with the following information:

• Claim procedure of your airline for delayed, damaged or lost luggage.
• On the passengers flight ticket are the “Conditions of Contract for Passengers” which also make reference to the baggage./li>
• Each airline has a notice of baggage liability limitations and the procedure to follow.

2008 DALLAS SAFARI CLUB CONVENTION – BOOTH NUMBER 920:
We are excited to attend the yearly Convention organized by Dallas Safari Club, which is scheduled for 12 – 15 January 2008. We invite you to come and share in the fun and excitement… Hope to see you at

Kowas Adventure Safaris booth number 920

LIVE AUCTION – DALLAS SAFARI CLUB – ITEM NO 2032:
We have pleasure in informing you of the Kowas Adventure Safaris donation hunt auction which will come under the hammer as item number 2032.

Kowas Adventure Safaris has a donation hunt on auction, which is the live auction as item number 2032 on Thursday, 10 January 2008 at 06:30 PM at the Casual Banquet.

We invite you to reserve your seat at the Kowas Adventure Safari table. Tickets are obtainable at Registration directly from Dallas Safari Club.

Hope to meet you for dinner…!

DIP AND SHIP SERVICES:
After experiencing some problems with the local taxidermist, Kowas Adventure Safaris has started our own “dip and ship” service to our clients at an additional cleaning cost. Our clients are being given the option to make use of this additional Kowas service or to select a local taxidermist for the same service.

The advantage of this additional Kowas service is:

• Your trophies would be dry and ready for shipment earlier than what the taxidermist would be able to deliver the same service;
• you pay less with us than at the taxidermist;
• you cut out a third party which is handling your trophies;
• you settle your dip and ship bill directly with us together with your safari fees;
• we deliver your trophy directly at the shipper, whom get immediately in direct contact with you providing you with a quotation for the shipment cost, after which it would be send off within one week after we have delivered your trophies.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others,cannot keep it from themselves….
James M Barrie

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