Ground Rush Adventures

Ground Rush Adventures / Skydive Swakopmund was founded in 1997 and operates in Swakopmund and surrounding. We work in close harmony with booking agencies, hotels, guest houses and tour operators.
At Ground Rush Adventures / Skydive Swakopmund we offer Tandem Skydiving as well as courses in Accelerated Freefall and Static Line jumps.

Experienced Tandem Masters are always around to attend to the adrenalin seeking tourist. Accelerated Freefall Instructors and Static Line Instructors are always available for coaching or presenting skydiving courses.
Ground Rush Adventures / Skydive Swakopmund is open seven days a week all year round and skydiving happens daily (weather permitting).
Students and spectators are collected with the Ground Rush Adventures courtesy vehicles and brought to the office for paper work, where after they taken to the Drop Zone which is in the beautiful Namib Desert, adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean for tandem skydiving. After the experience of a lifetime the students are taken back to their accommodation.
All skydiving at Ground Rush Adventures / Skydive Swakopmund is operated under the control of the Parachute Association of Namibia (PANAM) which is the governing body for all forms of skydiving in Namibia.

Tandem Skydiving

Ground Rush Adventures / Skydive Swakopmund started Tandem skydiving in Namibia in 1997 and to date has done over 37 000 tandem skydives in Swakopmund making it one of the largest and most organized tandem operation on the African continent, boasting an impeccable safety record. Ground Rush Adventures is a member of the Namibian Tourism Board.

At our offices indemnities are filled out before skydiving, and different camera and video options are explained to the students.
After driving out to the Drop Zone which is in the beautiful Namib Desert, adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean, you get trained and dresses to go skydiving. With your tandem master you take a short walk to the aircraft, and that is when your adventure begins.  During the twenty-five minute breathtaking scenic flight up to 10 000 feet above Swakopmund and surrounding areas, your tandem master will re-brief and crosscheck all the skydiving equipment, and ensures that you are confident and comfortable and ready to skydive. At 10 000 feet just prior to exit you put on the skydiving goggles, shuffle to the door and with a “ready  set  go” you fall from the aircraft. As you fall towards the ground at a speed of approximately 200km/h the fresh Atlantic air rushes by. Your adrenalin kicks in and you finally know what it feels like to fly. After your adrenalin rushed 30 sec of freefall the tandem master deploys the parachute and you gently slow down as the canopy inflates above. A comfortable ride under a fully inflated parachute lowers you gently down, until you touchdown safely back on the desert floor.

For more Information contact us at info@namibiareservations.com

Visit our website at www.namibiareservations.com

Bubo Africanus (The Spotted Eagle Owl)

45 cm. Off white to pale orche facial disk, yellow eyes, prominent ear tufts, and the upper body is dusky brown, the lower parts off-white with brown bars.

These beautiful birds are mostly found in rocky outcrops, scrub land, open woods and semi deserts.

The bird hisses and clicks when alarmed and is often in gardens.

The diets includes small mamals, birds, insects and reptiles.

Their nest is made on the ground though they have been known to nests on window edges of buildings. Breeding begins in July continuing to the first weeks of February. 2-4 eggs area laid and incubated by the female for about 32 days. The female leaves the nest only to eat what the male has brought food. The young owls can fly at around seven weeks of age. Five weeks later, the young owls leave the nest.

 

Etosha National Park

Namibia's most famous park is not only the best game viewing spot in the country, it is also one of the top birding spots and a 2-4 day visit will almost guarantee great results. The park is brilliant for raptors especially Martial and Tawny Eagles, Black-chested and Brown Snake-eagles, Lanner, Peregrine and Red-necked Falcons, Pale-chanting and Gabar Goshawks.
Scan the top of the huge Sociable Weaver nests for African Pygmy-falcon. Etosha is brilliant for owls with sightings of Pearl-spotted Owlet, African Scops-owl, Southern White-faced Owlet, Barn Owl, Verreaux's Eagle-owl and Spotted Eagle-owl fairly common. The flat open plains of the western section are good for Lark-like Bunting, Pink-billed, Sabota, Red-capped and Spike-heeled Larks, Grey-backed Sparrow-lark, Namaqua and Double-banded Sandgrouse, Double-banded and Temminck's Coursers.
The open acacia savannahs are good for Crimson-breasted Shrike, Great Sparrow, Violet-eared Waxbill, Southern Pied Babbler, Red-headed Finch, Kori Bustard, Scaly-feathered Finch, Marico Flycatcher, Namaqua Dove and Blue Crane. The woodland sections of the middle and eastern parts holds specials like Bare-cheeked and Black-faced Babbler, Violet Woodhoopoe and Carps Black Tit. When the Etosha pan fills up with water after very good rainy seasons it becomes a water bird paradise. Huge numbers of lesser and Greater Flamingos, Great White Pelicans, Great Crested and Black-necked Grebes, Caspian Plovers, Cape and Red-billed Teals and a number of rarities congregate on and around the pan.

The Life of The Black Faced Impala

Imagine a larger and darker version of the graceful impala with its shiny reddish coat and long slender legs, add a distinctive dark blaze to its muzzle, and you have the black-faced impala, Aepyceros melampus petersi, a subspecies found in the wild only in south-western Angola and north-western Namibia.

The evolution of this interesting subspecies is the result of its isolated occurrence, the ordinary impala having a wide distribution in the eastern woodlands of Africa, from northern Kenya southwards to northern KwaZulu Natal in South Africa.

The black-faced impala’s definitive dark blaze extends from its nostrils to the top of its head, and its tail is long and very bushy. An adult male has a mean mass of 63 kg, the female about 50 kg, considerably larger when compared to an ordinary impala male with its mean mass of 50 kg and female which weighs approximately 40 kg. The upper parts of the black-faced impala’s body lack the rich reddish-brown colour of the ordinary impala, being duller brown with a rich purplish black sheen.

According to Shortridge, black-faced impala used to occur as far south as Kaoko-Otavi. Today this interesting animal’s natural distribution is limited to the northern and southern banks of the Kunene River, in Namibia in northern Kaokoland, where they are seldom encountered further south than 30 km from the river.

Following a timous relocation programme by the Namibian Department of Nature Conservation in the sixties, about 1 500 black-faced impala currently inhabit the Etosha National Park, with small numbers occurring on private game reserves and farmlands. Ordinary impala occur naturally in western and eastern Caprivi, while small numbers were translocated from South Africa’s then Transvaal and Natal provinces to the Daan Viljoen Game Reserve, the Waterberg Plateau Park, private game reserves and several farms.

The River Crossing Lodge

Feel the pulse of the city from the heart of the bushveld 

River Crossing is 3km from Windhoek on the airport road being only 5 minutes from the heart of Windhoek and is located on a pristine 6500 hectare game reserve. Rediscover the nuances of a bygone era of farm life and offer the discerning traveller all the modern amenities.
The main lodge building comprises a dining room, a centrally situated bar, a lounge with fireplace, a wellness room, a curio corner, and a conference room seating up to 65 delegates.
Nestled outside between the lounge and dining area is the pool (great for swimming lengths – it really is quite long!) The elevated wooden deck offers a fairytale view of Windhoek.
The Lodge and the rooms have been designed to emulate old German farm houses – think ‘stoep’ with ‘afdakkie’ and pots of geraniums.

Accommodation:

20 guest chalets consist of 14 twin chalets and 6 double chalets (all chalets have en suite bathrooms with showers, loos and basins). Two of the chalets have been designed with honeymooners in mind and have baths instead of showers …of course all rooms have the feather duvets wrapped in 100% cotton, the environmentally friendly guest amenities and the unparalleled service and hospitality to consider too.
6 chalets offer views of Windhoek and 14 face east offering superb sunrise views of the Moltkeblick Mountain.

What to do at the Lodge:

Game drives, horse riding, guided or self guided walks and mountain biking.

Conferences and Events:

The private function room can seat up to 65 delegates.  It has two access points and opens onto a private veranda.
We also make use of our lounge for smaller groups (up to 35 delegates) and screen the room off from other lodge guests.  This space also opens onto its own private veranda.
For very small groups (up to 8 delegates) we make use of our chalets, for a more intimate setting.  Teas and coffees are provided on the veranda.  Light lunches are served at the main lodge.

Breath Taking Surroundings - Namibia

We invite you to take a journey through Namibia and explore its breath taking sights....

                                                   

       

  

Sunrise and sunsets are the best times to photograph, and each season brings its own inspiration........

You cant explain the incredible feeling, windows down and driving through beautiful land. One of the best feelings in the world....

Spitzkoppe, a group of friendly - looking granite mountains with the main Spitzkoppe peak distinctive at 1728m.

Namibia has alot to ofer it does not end here.

We at Namibia Reservations can help you through your journey.

Contact us for info at info@namibiareservations.com

For more info on accommodation visit our website www.namibiareservations.com 

Visit our car rental site www.rent-a-car-namibia.com

The Kavango Open Africa Route - Namibia

Named after the people who reside there, Namibia’s Kavango region is home to incredible wildlife, natural beauty and an abundance of fresh water from the Okavango River. Based on the riverine landscapes, people and birds, the Kavango Open Africa Route affords travellers the opportunity to venture off the beaten track to explore one of Namibia’s most pristine destinations and discover what this little piece of paradise has to offer. The Kavango Open Africa Route was developed to help attract travellers to the region to sustain livelihoods and create jobs among local people. A popular attraction with those in the know, the route stretches from Katwitwi in the west to Mohembo in the east and incorporates the remote Khaudum Game Park in the South. It’s recommended that travellers take a good few days exploring it, drinking in everything it has to offer. The Kavango Open Africa Route also provides an interesting alternative self-drive route along the banks of the Okavango River between Rundu and Divindu. While in Rundu be sure to visit the Khemo Open Market, which usually has a well-stocked and wide variety of famed Kavango woodcarvings while the thriving Rundu Market, which has been in existence for 20 years, is a great place to support local businesses touting everything from fresh fish and local fruits and veg to second-hand clothing, CDs and other souvenirs. Birders will be in their element as the Kavango region is home to more than 400 species of bird, such as the rarely-sighted Souza’s Shrike, Grey-headed Parrot and Sharp-tailed Starling amongst many more other species like African Skimmer and Carmine Bea-eater.
There are plenty of well-maintained lodges along the river with hides erected specifically for bird-lovers to view these exquisite animals around waterholes.

Intrepid 4×4 enthusiasts can head south to the wild and unspoilt Khaudum Game Park for an experience they won’t soon forget. The road to the park from from Katare, in the north, is extremely difficult and only experienced 4×4 travellers should attempt this. Home to some of Namibia’s most magnificent wildlife, the park is known for its predators including lion, cheetah, hyena and the elusive wild dog. The remoteness of the park means it’s hard to reach without a 4×4 and as there are no luxury camps within the park’s confines, brave visitors will sleep in unsecured camps next to their wild African neighbours.
For the less adventurous, Mahango Game Reserve, on the border of Botswana is one of Namibia’s undiscovered gems. This pocket sized park provides fantastic opportunities for game viewing and it is not uncommon to see over 10 different species in less than an hour. The reserve is home to a variety of wildlife including Roan, Sable and Sitatunga.

Some of the Lodges alongside Okavango River:

 Hakusembe Lodge

 Kaisosi River Lodge

 Kavango River Lodge

 Kayova River Lodge

Visit our website:Namres:  www.namibiareservations.com
Botswana: www.botswana-resservations.com

For More Info contact us at  info@namibiareservations.com

Discover Namibia's Past

Early in the 20th Century Namibia was a German Colony. After the 1st World War it became a League of Nations administered territory. Following the 2nd World War, South Africa administered Namibia, until independence in 1990.

Fun Facts.......
  * The first European to set foot on Namibia was Portuguese Diogo Cao in 1485
  * Bartholomeu Diaz stopped in Walvis Bay and Luderitz and on his way around the Cape of Good Hope
  *History tells that the Germans claimed South West Africa (as it was known) between 1884 and 1915
  *  In 1915, South Africa, being a member of the Britsh Commonwealth at the time occupied the German colony of South West Africa
    * South Africa ruled Namibia between 1915 and 1966
    *  Namibia fought for independence from South Africa during the period from 1966 to 1990
    * Independence was finally granted in 1990


Precolonial History of Namibia
Namibia has passed through several distinct stages over the years. If history is a subject you enjoy, you'll definitely enjoy discovering more about this country's past. At first glance the history of Namibia is relatively recent, however this is partly due to the fact that the pre-colonial history was never written down, but there is plenty archaeological evidence that shows that people inhabited Namibia at least 25,000 years ago. Namibia is a diverse country of hunter gatherers, traditional pastoralists, subsistence and commercial farmers, traders, miners and fisherman belonging to a variety of language and cultural groups.

Namibia History: The Scramble for Africa

Arguably the oldest inhabitants of the region are the Bushmen or San People, evident from the rock paintings and engravings at places in Damaraland like Twyfelfontein and the Brandberg. Today an estimated 35,000 Bushmen live in Namibia, with only a few of them continuing their historical and traditional ways of life. The Bushman share some linguistic features (such as the clicks) with the Damara and Nama peoples who established themselves in the area after them. Herero and Himba are the other distinctive cultures. The Herero can be see in flamboyant Victorian-style dresses and the semi-nomadic Himba are famous for covering themselves with otjize, a mixture of butter fat and ochre, which gives their skins a reddish tinge. The Owambo live in and around the northern parts of the country where farming is good and they can fish in the shallow waterways.

Namibia owes much of history to the Europeans

The first European to travel to namibia was the Portuguese Diogo Cao in 1485, who stopped briefly at the Skeleton Coast and raised a limestone cross there, on his exploratory mission along the west coast of Africa. This cross is nowadays known as Cape Cross and its historical importance is almost superseded by being home to a colony of over 100 000 Cape Fur Seals. The next significant visitor was Barholomeu Dias who stopped enroute at Walvis Bay and Luderitz on his way around the Cape of Good Hope. The Namib Desert was a formidable barrier and neither of these Portuguese explorers went very far inland!

The next important stage of Namibian History, was in 1793 when the Dutch Authority took control of Walvis Bay as it was a good deep water harbour. When the United Kingdom took control of the Cape Colony in 1797 they also took over Walvis Bay.

Namibia owes much of its most recent history to the infamous ‘Scramble for Africa’ that resulted in the 1878 British Annexation of the land surrounding Walvis Bay Harbour, the Afrikaner ‘trek boers’ escaping to the Cape Colony to the south and the proclamation in 1884 by Bismarck, of the protectorate of German South West Africa. During the First World War the South African forces gained control of German South West Africa and following the Treaty of Versailles continued to administer the areas as South West Africa. Resolution 435 of the United Nations in 1989 finally resulted in a peaceful independence for the Namibia people in 1990.

Happy Valentines Day - Namibia Reservations

Namibia Rerservations is wishing u Happy Warm Cuddly Valentines Day

For your romantic getaway, count on us to do your booking anywhere in Namibia or in Southern Africa.

We will be happy to assist you....

Follow the link....   http://www.namibiareservations.com/  

                       http://www.botswana-reservations.com/

Kongola Surroundings - Namibia

About Kongola: Kongola is a village in the Caprivi Strip, Namibia. It is located on National Route B8 (Otavi - Katima Mulilo). Kongola a gas station and a grossiste.Ce pvillage has not yet been connected to the mains or access to drinking water.

                                                 

                    

Mudumu National Park

                        

Malimi National Park

Bwabwata National Park

Nushasha Country Lodge

BumHill

 

........In the heart of Namibia...........

Sossusvlei

The Sossusvlei is perhaps the highest sand dunes in the world. Situated in Namibia, these dunes are as high as 300 meters. The Sossusvlei cover a great expanse of almost 500 square kilometres of the mighty Namib Desert, which is considered to be one of the oldest deserts by many geologists. Literally meaning 'the gathering place of water', the Sossusvlei is actually a clay pan which holds rain water to form a lake. This pan retains water for a long time due to the high clay content and this attracts a large crowd from people all over since it is a rare sight.

 

Specifically speaking, Sossusvlei is only a circular shaped depression filled with water in the heart of the Namib Desert. Also known as the ‘Vlei’ the Afrikaans word for pan, it is the place where the dunes come together, causing the Tsauchab River to stop its course. Most often, the river does not flow this far because it is dry. But a surprise bout of rainfall could turn this dead Vlei into a spectacular lake flanked by ruddy and sparkling dunes. But now, the gigantic dunes are also considered to be a part of the Sossusvlei and the dunes as well as the Vlei come under the area of the Sossusvlei.

The dunes surrounding the pan have an impressive history of formation. It has been said that the residue or sand from the Orange River were carried all the way to the western coast of Africa and deposited into the mighty Atlantic Ocean. The strong currents of the ocean moved this material towards the north and replaced them back on to the land. By this constant re-deposition, dunes began forming on the coast and were shifted further inland by winds. The sand deposited on the windward side makes the dune flat, while the leeward side is considerably steeper. However, the patterns on the dune vary according to the direction and speed of the wind and these dunes have taken a million years to be developed. The Sossusvlei today is ever changing and evolving.

The Sossusvlei may be known for its vast expanse of giant dunes, but what makes them even more impressive is their colour composition. The presence of iron oxides in the sand coupled with innumerable particles of garnet gives the dune its brilliant hue. The shades vary according to the age of the dunes, and the older the dune the brighter the sand’s colour. These varying shades of red are the highlight of the Sossusvlei and they define the stark beauty of the Namib Desert. The dunes do not look the same at different times during the day, as the sun plays on the colour of sand. The Sossusvlei is a hub for several die hard photographers who have captured and immortalised the timeless beauty of the dunes and the Vlei.

The Sossusvlei is a formidable, enormous and stunning region of deposited sand causing the particles to form dunes for thousands of centuries. The dunes that surround the clay pan and the pan itself are the pride of the Namib Desert and are a major tourist attraction.

Namibia Reservations Tour Consultant Office Chatter

Some chatter from our consultants and their daily office lives. Here is what they have to say and also a little bit of sillyness in th office.

The nicest to be a consultant:

When clients return from tour, and their feedback is positive. The comments clients give them makes them feel happy and that they did a good job.

When doing an itinerary, and the client ask consultants opinion and choosing to follow their advice over their own. That firstly gives the consultants the confidence about their knowledge and secondly creates a relationship between the client and consultant and makes the work so much pleasant.

And that in turn gives the consultant and makes the work so much pleasant. And that in turn gives the consultant motivations, to want to give advice to the clients

Etosha National Park - Fairy Tale Forest

This unique forest is about 32 kilometres west of Okaukuejo and covers an area of approximately one square kilometre. The fairy-tale tree (Moringa ovalifolia) is to be found in Namibia only and occurs from Naukluft in the south to Kunene Region in the north. What makes the Fairy-Tale Forest unique is that the trunks of these trees are particularly knobbly except on the Halali hills where their trunks are fairly smooth and upright. The trees usually only grow on the slopes of mountains and hills and Etosha is the only place where the trees grow in such numbers on the plains.

The San People described them as upside-down trees, since they believed the trees were thrown out of paradise in anger and landed upside-down.
Moringa ovalifolia
The genus Moringa consists of 9 species. These are found in southern Africa, north-eastern Africa, Madagascar and India. The only endemic southern African species, Moringa ovalifolia, is an inhabitant of northern Namibia and south-western Angola. This species is a smooth-stemmed, stem-succulent tree growing up to 7 metres tall. This species is very common on the many granitic and dolomitic hills of northern Namibia.
The species M. oleifera Lam. has been introduced to the western parts of southern Africa from India and is well established in eastern Zimbabwe. In South Africa it is encountered in the Northern Province and KwaZulu-Natal, where it is highly prized for its edible leaves and horse-radish-flavoured roots.
Regrettably these trees are enjoyed by the many elephants of the Park and many have been destroyed.

Namibia Reservations - Client Feedback

This Feedback was send by clients and it is  about the Tour Consultants at Namibia Reservations.!!!!!!! Enjoy !!!!!!!!!

Sheelagh  Hansen:

Kind Service

Jolitta Jansen van Rensburg: 

 

Jolitta Janse Van Rensburg - Tour Consultant

 

Thank you so much for your time and trouble it is greatly appreciated. Thank you also for all the nice and kind Wishes.

Jason Chau:

 Professionalism Jolitta JVR - The Service provided was courteous and professional. The Consultant was responsive and thorough in her email exchanges and made the process very smooth and effortless. Well Done !!

 

Mr. james Dempsey :

Service

Millicent: 

 

Millicent - Tour Consultant

 

Thank you for your hard work Millicent. I greatly appreciate it. I'm sure all will go smooth due to your efforts.Retha  Baker:

Helpful & Friendly Millicent: She was very helpfull with the reservation and also patient with me.

 Alrene  Blackenberg:

 Service Michelle:

 

Michelle - Tour Consultant

 

was great with information, feedback and keeping one up to date.

 

 Martie  Raaths:

Friendly Assistance

Namibia Reservations Team: Thank you very much for your friendly assistance in booking our Namibia Accommodation. You are Excellent!

 

Dolphin Cruises with Mola Mola Safaris

Mola Mola Safaris is an marine activity operator based in Walvis Bay, at the Waterfront – Namibia. They offer Marine Cruises, Marine-Dune 4×4 excursions into Sandwich Harbour and a general information centre.
For almost two decades Mola Mola has taken thousands of guests up close and personal with not only seals, dolphins, pelicans and whales, but also shared with them the friendly hospitality Namibia is known for. Whether it is a morning on the water with adventure, drinks food and the best Walvis Bay oysters, or perhaps a full Marine Dune day where you will visit the spectacular Sandwich Harbour and drive through the massive sand dunes, Mola Mola is a part of your Namibian adventure not to be missed!

Boat cruises: Mola Mola boat cruises are very popular with independent travelers as well as incentive and conference groups who visit the Namibian coastline. Our six boats can load between 10 and 30 guests each.  They are registered for loading capacity and the persons per boat number is strictly adhered to.  Throughout the various marine cruises, the boats stay in the protected lagoon area of Walvis Bay where the water is calm and abundant with bird life.
Mola Mola  cruises generally depart in the morning and the cruise route can include the Harbour, the oyster lines, the lagoon and Pelican Point.  Some of the distinct features of our cruises  include Pelican Point which is home to a large Cape Fur seal colony, schools of dolphins swimming alongside the boats and curious seals coming right up to – and onto – the boats for something to eat.
The Walvis Bay lagoon is also a bird lovers paradise, apart from seeing many flamingos, cormorants, and pelicans, there are common sightings of the White Chinned Petrel, Wilson’s Storm Petrel,  Cape Gannet,  Black Oystercatcher, and even the Jackass Penguin.  Pelicans also provide wonderful photographic opportunities while flying alongside the boats. During the cruise you will also enjoy fresh Walvis Bay oysters, a light lunch, cold sparkling wine and other drinks which are served on board before your return to the Waterfront.

Marine Life:
Namibia’s desert coast is teeming with beautiful marine life and, at Mola Mola, we aim to take you on an adventure that will allow you to meet many of these beautiful creatures. We almost always see dolphins while out on the water, as well as whales if it’s during the right season. Another regular on our tours is the Mola Mola Sunfish, which is endemic to the waters of Walvis Bay.
Additionally, our cruises traverse the oyster lines that are used to farm this internationally acclaimed delicacy. They  also visit the colony of Cape Fur Seals, where these adventurous sea animals put on a show for you by playing in the surface and often come right up to the boat to say hello.

More of the animals you will meet: Dolphins, Whales, Mola Mola Sunfish, Seals.