Huab Lodge

Huab Lodge, situated in Damaraland Namibia, began as an idea to generate funds to saveNamibia’s desert–dwelling elephants from being harassed and shot. Since 1992 awareness has increased, as has tourism and the “value” of the elephant is changing. The original farmland is a small, unique area called Monte Carlo which boasts stunning views bisected by the mostly dry Huab River. The former rest camp which accommodated tourists in the 1970s now houses the lodge’s staff.   At a special site just down river from the old rest camp, where the Germans built the so-called German Bath in the late 1800s, Huab Lodge was erected. Despite its size the unique main building blends well into its surroundings. The irregular thatch roof mirrors a mountain on the opposite bank. The lodge’s stone and thatch bungalows spread along the elevated north bank of the river ensuring a private and magnificent view – even from the shower!

Christmas is Namibia

Christmas is a tradition celebrated across the world. Not all traditions are the same and not all countries celebrate it on the 25th of  December.Some countries don’t even celebrate it at all. In Japan, Akihoto is an emperor who celebrates his birthday on 23 December. His birthday is a National Holiday but not 25 December. In Georgia, Christmas is celebrated on the 7th of January, which is 25 December on the Julian Calendar. Everywhere in the world, Christmas means something else to each and everyone. To you it may mean getting together with your family around a big table with laughter and delicious food, but to the man with no shoes, begging on the street corner, it’s just another day with no hope for tomorrow. To a child it’s the excitement of the new toys he can play with, but to a mother who lost her child earlier this year, it’s just a day of pain. I’m not trying to evoke an emotion of pity, this is just reality. It’s the time of year we all get overly emotional. Are you planning to spend Christmas in Namibia and want to know how its done? You are welcome to use some of the tips and ideas for your celebrations.

The celebrations 

German Christmas celebrations are held on the 24th of December. The Christmas meal is one of the most important parts of the celebration. It is prepared with the utmost care and effort. The presentation of the table is an elegant affair and family and friends are invited to join this special meal. A variety of Christmas cookies which are known as Weihnachtsplätzchen are made especially for the day, like : Lebkuchen – traditional German gingerbread, Bethmännchen – traditional marzipan cookie, and Dominosteine – Gingerbread with marzipan & chocolate.

The Oshiwambo Christmas is also a feast. They believe Christmas is about sharing. You can go from house to house and drink traditionally made drinks. Big celebratory braais (barbeques) are held and everyone is invited. Families drive 100s of kilometers to get together for this very special day.

The Caprivian Christmas has one very important factor. Church. Christmas day is started off with a church service. On this day you wear the most expensive dress or suit that you own and it is usually not your everyday attire. It is a garment that stays in your cupboard for special occasions. Most people in these areas do not earn a lot of money so these outfits they have, are extra special. Months of savings money have been used to afford it. Every family prepares a traditional meal for a sit-down dinner.

The Herero traditional Christmas is focused very much on the young ones. The children have to practice a play before Christmas, and on the day, perform this play for the adults. A feast of delicious cuisine and singing follows.

Namibia - Your no.1 Holiday Destination

Wide open spaces, a sparsely populated countryside and breathtaking scenery, these are only some of the reasons why you'll return to Namibia time and time again.

A mid harshness of Namibia's untamed beauty and the long distances one has to travel between destinations, visitors are often pleasantly surprised to find such well - appointed lodges.

Namibia is a country with many secret sights and sounds you won't find anywhere else. But you have to look, search, and spend time planning your trip. The rewards are extensive.

Animals At Erindi Private Game Reserve

Erindi Private Game Reserve offers the widest selection of exciting species (in the greatest numbers). An authentic, unadulterated, and unforgettable game viewing experience.

Endless, Timeless Wonders

Explore Namibia's Hidden Secrets

Namibia is a country with many secrets- sights and sounds you wont find anywhere else. But you have to look, search and spend time planning your trip. The rewards are extensive.

1. Ghost of the Desert

Kolmanskop- (Afrikaans for Coleman's hill, German: Kolmannskuppe) is a ghost town in the Namib desert in southern Namibia, 10 kilometres inland from the port town of Lüderitz. It was named after a transport driver named Johnny Coleman who, during a sand storm, abandoned his ox wagon on a small incline opposite the settlement.

2.Place of no return

History abounds in this remarkable part of this remarkable country.. In the central Namib Desert is an area known as Sossusvlei. It is a strange and alien landscape. The rich red dunes that surround the area owe their hue to age- over the thousands of years, the sand has literally rusted. When dry, Sossusvlei is hard and arid, and when wet, as it gets every 5-10 years when fed by the Tsauchab River, it becomes sticky.

3.Carved in stone

When it comes to heritage sites, Namibia has one stand-out gem. Twyfelfontein is Namibia's only world heritage site and is home to its many rock engravings. You can also visit the Organ Pipes, the Spitzkoppe, the Petrified Forest and burned Mountain. Steeped in history, Twyfelfontein takes you back to the time of our earliest ancestors.

4.Circles in the sand

Something is always happening in Africa.It doesn't really matter what climate or soil conditions are, or who is there to see it or not, what grazing pattern the local wildlife happens to follow. Rings are forming in the Ground. Perfectly round, almost too good to be true rings, in fact. But they are true, and they are naturally occurring - so far as anyone can tell. The small, circular patches of bare ground form like bald spots in the otherwise thick grass or fields in Namibia and Southern Africa, where humans often don't set foot. Their mysterious origin has lead them to be called "Fairy Circles".

Duwisib Guest Farm & Camping

Situated on the edge of the beautiful Namib Desert, this is your perfect stop over on your way to Sossusvlei, Luderitz or Fish River Canyon.

The main attraction in the area is the Castle. This historic monument is run 

by Namibia Wildlife Resorts and is open to day visitors. It is located within short walking distance of all our overnight facilities.

Our cosy and clean rooms will ensure a relaxing stay with views of the surrounding mountains. The campsites are well maintained and shaded by indigenous camelthorn trees.

Etosha National Park

Etosha National Park is a national park in northwestern Namibia. 

Etosha National Park is a national park in northwestern Namibia. The park was proclaimed a game reserve on March 22, 1907 in Ordinance 88 by the Governor of German South West Africa, Dr. Friedrich von Lindequist. It was designated as Wildschutzgebiet Nr. 2 which means Game Reserve Number 2, in numerical order after West Caprivi (Game Reserve No. 1) and preceding Namib Game Reserve (No. 3). In 1958, Game Reserve No. 2 became Etosha Game Park and was elevated to status of National Park in 1967 by an act of parliament of the Republic of South Africa which administered South-West Africa during that time. Etosha National Park spans an area of 22,270 square kilometres (8,600 sq mi) and gets its name from the large Etosha pan which is almost entirely within the park. The Etosha pan (4,760 square kilometres (1,840 sq mi)) covers 23% of the area of the total area of the Etosha National Park. The park is home to hundreds of species of mammals, birds and reptiles, including several threatened and endangered species such as the black rhinoceros.

Come Explore Nambwa Tented Lodge

Nestled high amongst majestic trees of the Mayuni Conservancy in Namibia, Nambwa Tented Lodge is the only lodge uniquely situated inside the Bwabwata National Park in the heart of the Kavango – Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, (KAZA). Built with privacy and comfort in mind, each spacious tented suite is linked by a wooden walkway and boasts their own private viewing deck.

 

The main feature of the lodge is the majestic viewing deck, with rewarding views of the floodplains below and the large herds of elephant, buffalo and plains game that seek refuge and security under the tented suites for the night. The area is a sanctuary for more than 35 species of both large and small game and over 330 different bird species. The unique landscape combination of floodplains, woodlands and Kalahari sand dunes ensures a truly unique safari experience.

Khorixas

Khorixas is without a shadow of a doubt the place name that visitors to Namibia struggle the most to pronounce! As a start try saying the 'Kh' as a 'c' while the 'x' is pronounced as a hard guttural 'g' (those familiar with Afrikaans should be able to manage this fairly well). Once you have got your tongue around the towns name there is probably not a whole not more to say about the place.

Before independence it was the capital of the Damaraland region - but with the reworking of the regions it became part of the Kunene region and all the towns administrative functions were moved to the town of Opuwo. The major tribal group here are the Damara people.

Khorixas is a useful stop for re-fueling your vehicle and the local shops have some basic supplies (although don't count on finding very much - apart from cold beer, everywhere in Namibia has cold beer!).

Although the town itself has little to offer the traveller, the area has a number of tourist attractions in the vicinity. This makes it an ideal base to explore the region and the town and surroundings offer a variety of accommodation options, ranging from campsites to luxury lodges.
Rare and unusual stone formations, ancient rock engravings and strange geological wonders, have for decades tempted geologists, travellers and the curious to the region.

Twyfelfontein, Brandberg, the Petrified Forest, the Organ Pipes and the Burnt Mountain can all be visited on a morning excursion, best started in the early morning to escape the hot afternoon sun.
Khorixas is named after the Khori bush.

Plants In Namibia

Namibia has some of the most extraordinary vegetation, all adapted to harsh desert environments. Due to areas of differing rainfalls and soils, there is a variety of plants from the desert and semi desert vegetation to the subtropical species, but most of the country is covered with savannah and dotted with acacia.

         

Sossusvlei

Sossusvlei (sometimes written Sossus Vlei) is a salt and clay pan surrounded by high red dunes, located in the southern part of the Namib Desert, in the Namib-Naukluft National Park of Namibia. The name "Sossusvlei" is often used in an extended meaning to refer to the surrounding area (including other neighbouring vleis such as Deadvlei and other high dunes), which is one of the major visitor attractions of Namibia.

The name "Sossusvlei" is of mixed origin and roughly means "dead-end marsh". Vlei is the Afrikaans word for "marsh", while "sossus" is Nama for "no return" or "dead end". Sossusvlei owes this name to the fact that it is an endorheic drainage basin (i.e., a drainage basin without outflows) for the ephemeral Tsauchab River.

New kids’ conservation materials at Gondwana

Gondwana Game Reserve has introduced new custom kids’ conservation materials.

“A booklet is given to all children visiting Gondwana to complete with their field guide on game drives and in our various Junior Ranger modules. They include learning to track and making a mould of an animal track,” said Wendy Rutherfoord, Director.

Other activities that children could enjoy include making their own fishing rod and fishing in one of Gondwana’s many waterholes, learning how to analyse dung samples to better understand what various animals eat, and making crafts with the indigenous fynbos.

“Junior Rangers fill in a registration card at check-in to which we then add a photo with their ranger at the end of their stay and it becomes a nice memento to take home,” adds Rutherfoord.

Tour you can't miss!! - Namibia Reservations

FACES of the NAMIB - To book this tour contact us at info@namibiareservations.com

Discover this desert’s unique treasures…

A world of infinite horizons, dramatic vistas and fascinating flora and fauna…

Reported to be the oldest desert on earth, the Namib is approximately 80 million years old.  Completely devoid of surface water, it is bisected by several dry riverbeds and is characterised by extensive, undulating dunes. The Sahara may be larger and Gobi more isolated, but the Namib is the very oldest, so on this trip, prepare for the best desert experience possible!

The Living Desert:  At first glance, the Namib’s interior appears totally devoid of fauna & flora but look closely and you’ll finds that apart from the diamonds and uranium that have been mined here, the desert’s unique plant and animal life is definitely another of its infinite treasures. One outstanding living wonder is the famous Welwitschia mirabilis, a plant that can live for up to five hundred years. Although its tenacity and longevity are remarkable, the fact that it has the appearance of a heap of garden refuse means that instead of an earth-shattering visual experience you may want to concentrate on its remarkable age when taking pictures!

The “Sheltering” Desert:  At the start of the Second World War, German Henno Martin and his colleague and friend Hermann Korn, feared internment in a camp for Nazi’s. Consequently, they escaped into the Namib Desert. For two and a half years they eked out a living in this harsh environment. In later years, Martin published his account of this experience, titling his book, The Sheltering Desert and later their story was also made into a film. As you drive along, or when setting up camp, imagine trying to survive here without the luxuries offered to you on this trip. You may see the Namib in a different light!

* The Desert of Diamonds: The discovery of diamonds in 1908 around Kolmanskuppe initiated an uncontrolled rush of prospectors into the region. The German Government was forced to establish the so-called “Sperrgebiet” between 26-degree line of latitude and Namibia’s southern border, stretching 100-kilometres inland. As a result, independent prospectors were forced to turn northwards beyond this area. This resulted in the discovery of diamonds at Spencer Bay and between Meob and the Conception Bay area (Diamond Area no. 2) during December 1908. A total of 5000 diamond claims were registered in 1909 and hopeful fortune hunters tried their luck at Saddle Hill and Spencer Bay, also traveling via Swakopmund and Sandwich Harbour southwards towards Meob Bay. However, the small yields of diamonds from these claims meant few were successful in their pursuit of riches.

Itinerary
(This adventure has been developed as a joint venture between the Topnaar Community, URI Adventures and Live the Journey)

DAY 1:  Overnight Solitaire
We assemble at Solitaire, preferable by nightfall. This is the time to get last minute supplies and fill fuel tanks to the brim. Remember-you need fuel for six days. Since many group members may have been to Sossusvlei (one of the highlights of Namibia), a visit here not included in our current itinerary. Tonight you will have the opportunity to meet guides and fellow travellers. After a detailed briefing of what to expect the next couple of days, you will be treated to a lovely meal around the campfire.

DAY 2:  Solitaire to Kuiseb River Canyon
We depart from Solitaire and enter the Namib Nauklüft Park, 35kms north of town - restricted Namib area. This is the start of a unique adventure offering you aspects of the Namib seldom experienced by the “normal” tourist. We cross the Namib plains more or less on the same ox-wagon route followed by early settlers, German Schutztruppe (on horseback & camels) and ‘transport ryers’ in the late 1800s.
The route leads to the Kuiseb River. The landscape gradually changes from the typical Namib Plains into a colourful landscape of red sand dunes separated by grassy plains. The Kuiseb Canyon offers unique scenery. Its southern bank is formed by massive red sand dunes and northern bank by pitch black rock formations, while the riverbed itself is    overgrown by massive endemic trees. The dry sand bed creates a kaleidoscope of green and white tones. We now proceed westwards along the edge of the canyon until we reach a spot were the dunes falls right into the river, near Homeb.

Depending on the status of the river (which may be in flood) we will ‘slip’ into the river enjoying its unique eco- system. This includes a variety of trees and an abundance of birds. We will cross over onto the northern bank of the Kuiseb Canyon, enjoying breathtaking views. On the northern side of the Kuiseb we will come across the southernmost examples of the Welwitschia mirabilis plant, endemic to the Namib Desert. Although the plant looks as if it has many leaves, it has only two, shredded by the wind over the course of centuries. The plant’s scientific names are a combination of the first European to describe it, a Slovenian botanist named Friedrich Welwitsch, and “Mirabilis” which comes from Latin and refers to its marvellous ability to survive in harsh, apparently waterless conditions.
The night is spent under the desert sky!

Day 3:  Desert Crossing!
The Namib Desert follows the coast of Namibia for approximately 2000 kilometres. It varies in width from 80 to 200 kilometres where it meets the Namib Escarpment. The most important climatic feature of the Namib Desert is its sparse and highly unpredictable annual rainfall which ranges from 5 mm in the west to about 85 mm along its eastern limits. Our aim with this trip is drive across the desert from east to west experiencing the dramatic change in the environment. From Homeb, we head southwest into the “sand sea”. On the way to Conception Bay massive dunes are negotiated. Once again ever-changing scenery and beautiful landscapes are enjoyed.  Drivers’ skills are bound to be improving as the dunes offer greater and greater challenges. The dune straits are massive, and the dunes themselves even more impressive.  Most are in excess of 150m high. We once again make camp amongst them, enjoying the unique thrill of desert camping.

Days 4 & 5: Conception Bay and Ghost Towns
In the area between Conception Bay and Meob Bay the mining settlements of Holsatia, Charlottenfelder and Grillenberger were established during the heyday of diamond mining. No form of engine-driven transport was available during the first 15 years of exploration. Transporting supplies and mining equipment happened mainly by ship from Swakopmund or using the cutter, Viking, traveling via Sandwich Harbour, Conception and Meob Bays. Various shipping casualties occurred, such as when the Eduard Bohlen was stranded near Conception Bay in 1909. This rusty wraith is something exceptional to behold! During 1912/1913 a light railway from Conception Bay to Conception Water, and an 80-kilometer pipeline linking the settlements, were constructed. It is not clear how many pre-fabricated buildings were erected at the various settlements, as only the foundations of some of these are still visible today.

The exploration of Namibia by Europeans commenced from this coastline as early as 1485, although the inhospitable Namib Desert barred access to the interior. Probably the first European to set foot on Namibian soil was the Portuguese explorer, Diogo Cao or Diogo Cam, followed by Bartholomew Diaz two years later, on 8 December 1487. This date represented the holiday of "Maria's Conception". Therefore the bay received the name" Santa Maria da Conceicao" (Conception Bay). Today you will most likely see vast flocks of birds, drive past Cape Fur seal colonies, visit the wreck of the Eduard Bohlen near Conception Bay and see various relics dating back to the diamond mining era. In November 1914 all the people in this area were requested to stop operations and to proceed to Swakopmund. This order came as a result of an expected invasion of allied troops. This part of the journey is something history buffs will particularly enjoy…Keep a look out for wandering ghosts!
Tonight you will be camping in the Conception Bay area, either at “Leeukoppie” (Lion’s Head) or at “Conception Water” – depending on progress and/or weather).

Day 6: “Langewand” to Walvis Bay
The dune belt opens up between Meob Bay and Conception Bay, but immediately after Conception it stretches right onto the beach. From Conception Bay you will be driving on the beach. Scenery is truly magnificent.  You will also experience driving freedom – BIG TIME!! We are heading northwards towards Sandwich Bay passing the wreck of the Shawnee and negotiating the famed Langewand where massive dunes come straight down into sea. There are only two or three places in the world to see this natural phenomenon. Due to the tides, there is only a very limited time span to negotiate this stretch of beach. After Langewand the trail once again leads into the dunes, circumnavigating the salt pan ‘extensions’ of Sandwich Harbour. The dunes are still getting progressively larger, offering drivers an ever-changing dune driving experience.

from Sandwich Harbour the trail enters the roller coaster, a series of massive ‘roaring’ slip faces, not only giving you a thrilling experience but also offering breathtaking views of the harbour and a panorama of sandscapes on the way to Walvis. The trip concludes over dinner at the Yacht Club. Accommodation in Walvis Bay is included in the package. The time has sadly come to say your good-byes to new friends made during this adventure of a lifetime.

**Please note: Although some experience of dune driving and previous ‘wild camping’ (no formal facilities at camp) are recommended this does not mean that this will be a “Dakar Rally”. The emphasis is definitely on what the Namib has to offer but crossing massive dunes and doing a lot of off-road driving forms a large part of this experience. Participants must definitely have off-road endurance and a taste of adventure. The emphasis of the tour is not only on the adrenaline thrill of dune driving, but a huge part of its focus is studying the plants, small creatures and wildlife all of which make this desert their home. Enjoying the Namib’s incredible views and history is also emphasized.

New look for Namibian resort - Windhoek Country Club Resort

The Windhoek Country Club Resort, which is owned by Legacy Hotels and Resorts, has recently refurbished 26 of its bedrooms.

The bathrooms have been rebuilt and all rooms now have separate bath and showers. The rooms have new furniture, a fresh coat of paint, new wallpaper and fittings.

The remaining rooms will be refurbished in stages over the next few months to ensure guests’ comfort is not compromised.

Naankuse News

A constant need... for collars

It’s been yet another busy month for N/a’an ku sê’s rapid response team. Answering the call of the wild (and local farmers) the intrepid team leaped to action on 1 June, rushing to a farm where a resplendent leopard had been cage trapped, waiting to be fitted with a GPS collar and ultimately released back on the farmer’s land.  Weighing in at a whopping 85kg, this magnificent male soon joined the annals of our collared cats, his feline movements and behaviors being constantly monitored and shared with the landowner concerned.

The number of calls N/a’an ku sê receives is on the increase, the demand for collars growing by the day. Without these tracking devices we simply cannot keep up in our fight to prevent the unnecessary and tragic persecution of Namibia’s big cats – big cats who cannot speak for themselves, cannot stand up for their rights – their right to co-exist peacefully on the land they call home.