"Dirk de Bod is the holder of the most top 10 trophies taken of all time with the Namibia Professional Hunting Association record system today."

In 1998, Dirk de Bod was hunting part-time in his native Namibia and elsewhere. His main then business was The Gun Shop in Windhoek, importing Swarovski and other top brands. We did a short but wonderful safari deep into the Kalahari, most notable because I bungled a shot at the gemsbok of my dreams.

We found it, but it was during the search that I properly appreciated what an exceptional PH I was hunting with. I looked forward to hunting with him again. We have, many times since. My first impression has been verified time and again: Dirk is among the best. Patient and determined, a consummate and knowledgeable host…and just plain fun. Also, perhaps the single best judge of trophy quality I have ever observed.

Sadly, I bear some responsibility for Dirk de Bod’s downfall. Shortly after that safari, he sold The Gun Shop, has been outfitting full time ever since, now one of Namibia’s senior operators. In 2003, I took daughter Brittany to Dirk on her first safari.

You know how that worked. Dirk bears much responsibility for Brittany’s conversion, from curious “maybe” to the dedicated hunter she became. Later, Dirk and my hunting buddy Joe Bishop became partners in their ranching operation. Since Joe’s passing, that 48,000-acre private reserve, just an hour from the Windhoek international airport, is headquarters for Dirk de Bod Safaris Namibia.

I watched Dirk and Rina’s kids grow up, and today Dirk Jr. (“Dirkie”) has stepped in.

Naturally, they have concessions from the top to bottom of Namibia, depending on what you’re looking for, able to offer the full range of Namibian game. By choice and design, they’ve kept it a small and personally guided operation, with their comfortable tent camp exclusive to groups up to six. There are many great outfitters and fine PHs in game-rich Namibia, but I’ve encountered few in Africa, or in the hunting world, that I admire and respect as much as Dirk de Bod. For a first safari, and a safari with family, he’s long been one of my first recommendations. No one has been disappointed. For many years I’ve thought of Dirk and his family as family, and we’re very proud to have them as part of our CBEO family.

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