NAPHA urges early hunting registrations

The Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA) is urging Hunting Guides, Master Hunting Guides and Professional Hunters to submit their annual registration applications before the end of 2026 to help reduce delays at the start of the hunting season.

The call follows recent discussions between NAPHA and the tourism ministry on the annual registration process and ways to improve processing times for hunting professionals and operators.

NAPHA has proposed 11 December 2026 as the deadline for members who want their applications to be included in the early-processing arrangement.

The association said the initiative would allow the ministry to use the traditionally quieter months of December and January to process applications and, where possible, issue registration certificates during the first week of February to applicants who submit their documents on time.

NAPHA said the arrangement could benefit both applicants and the ministry by reducing the administrative pressure normally experienced at the beginning of the hunting season.

The ministry has also identified incomplete applications as one of the main causes of delays. Applications are often submitted without the required authorisation letters from landowners, or with letters that are unsigned or undated.

To assist applicants, the ministry has prepared example application forms showing how the documentation should be completed for Hunting Guides, Master Hunting Guides and Professional Hunters.

Applicants for Hunting Guide and Master Hunting Guide registration must provide details of the farms or hunting units where they intend to operate, including farm numbers and districts, as well as their relationship to the farm owner, lessee or manager. They must also submit annual authorisation or employment letters from the relevant landowners and a copy of their Namibia Tourism Board certificate.

Professional Hunters must provide the name of their safari company, a list of intended hunting properties, annual authorisation letters from the relevant landowners and a copy of their Namibia Tourism Board certificate.

The ministry has advised that if a Professional Hunter does not yet have an authorisation letter at the time of registration, it must be submitted when the relevant trophy hunting application is lodged.

All Hunting Guides, Master Hunting Guides and Professional Hunters are also required to submit a valid first aid certificate and hunters’ liability insurance, even though these requirements are not specifically listed on the application forms.

NAPHA also reminded members that annual returns or reports are due at the end of November or during the first week of December. Members who have already submitted applications but are still missing authorisation letters are urged to provide them as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, NAPHA is following up with the ministry on the 2027 leopard quota application process. Changes to the application documents are expected, with updated requirements to be communicated once they become available.