Namibian Magic

What makes a Namibian sunset really special?

Have you noticed when taking a photo of a sunset, it is almost impossible to capture the exact amount of magic you experienced when looking at it. You can have the best camera with the most expensive lenses and know your camera settings by heart, but nothing captures that feeling. 

The magic of a sunset can only be measured by how much it took your breath away.

 It evokes such amazing feelings within, especially when you are experiencing it with someone special. It’s a time to be silent and really drink in the beauty laid out on the horizon before you. 

As the day slowly starts to fade, an empty canvas is softly painted with a midnight blue and a mixture of jaded pinks, evolving to a candy apple red and shades of orange, and the grand finale of colors bursting into a star dust yellow. When the sun is setting, leave everything you are doing to watch it. 

Forget for a while about taking perfect images of such moments but rather let it sink into your soul.

The secret lies in your timing. Check out the weather website Namibia Weather to see the sunset and sunrise times for Namibia. 

A very important aspect is to have a picnic basket with something to snack on while you sit and wait for the perfect moment.

This special moment should be watched in complete serenity. If you don’t know what to pack for a sun downer. Before you leave for your spot, double check if the batteries in your camera are charged and if there is enough storage space left to take a series of photos. 

If photography is not really your thing, well then don’t worry, just enjoy the sunset. Off course, your viewing spot is very. Where are you going to view it? It doesn’t help to drive around just before the sunset looking for a place, because then you miss it.

Take along a tablecloth / a blanket to throw on the ground, so you can sit comfortably and enjoy this experience. Pack out your snacks and drinks, and sit back. 

Don’t take your dog along; he will only ruin it by barking or chasing squirrels and running through your snacks and drinks, causing a total disastrous afternoon.

Sit down and get silent, wait for the moment and enjoy it. 

Jarod Kintz once said: “If I could lick the sunset, I’ll bet it would taste like Neapolitan ice cream.”

Western Black rhino declared EXTINCT

Africa's western black rhino is now officially extinct according the latest review of animals and plants by the world's largest conservation network.

The subspecies of the black rhino -- which is classified as "critically endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species -- was last seen in western Africa in 2006.

The IUCN warns that other rhinos could follow saying Africa's northern white rhino is "teetering on the brink of extinction" while Asia's Javan rhino is "making its last stand" due to continued poaching and lack of conservation.

"In the case of the western black rhino and the northern white rhino the situation could have had very different results if the suggested conservation measures had been implemented," Simon Stuart, chair of the IUCN species survival commission said in a statement. 

"These measures must be strengthened now, specifically managing habitats in order to improve performance, preventing other rhinos from fading into extinction," Stuart added.

The IUCN points to conservation efforts which have paid off for the southern white rhino subspecies which have seen populations rise from less than 100 at the end of the 19th century to an estimated wild population of 20,000 today.

Another success can be seen with the Przewalski's Horse which was listed as "extinct in the wild" in 1996 but now, thanks to a captive breeding program, has an estimated population of 300. 

The latest update to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species reviews more than 60,000 species, concluding that 25% of mammals on the list are at risk of extinction.

"We have the knowledge that conservation works if executed in a timely manner, yet, without strong political will in combination with targeted efforts and resources, the wonders of nature and the services it provides can be lost forever." 

 

Namibia - Untouched beauty

The Kalahari evokes a picture of never ending red sand dunes, big, blue skies and a scorching sun that shimmers unrelentingly on ancient dry riverbeds, known as omuramba.

The Kalahari is both deceptive and alluring. Deceptive because beneath the surface of apparent desert lies an incredible wealth of iron, manganese and other precious ores, which explains the mining towns, and alluring for visitors because of the many game farms and nature reserves to which the Kalahari is home.

Etosha National Park ranks as one of the world’s great wildlife-viewing venues. Its unique nature is encapsulated by the vast Etosha pan – an immense, flat, saline desert that, for a few days each year, is converted by the rains into a shallow lagoon teeming with flamingos and pelicans. In contrast, the surrounding bush and grasslands provide habitat for Etosha’s diverse wildlife.

 

After the world's oldest desert in the south, the Caprivi wetlands come as a bit of surprise. The finger of land that slices between Botswana and Zambia to touch Zimbabwe is a sub-tropical paradise of perennial rivers, sodden marshes and verdant woodlands at odds with the parched country to the west. 

 

No words can describe Namibia...

It has to be experienced!

 

Preparing for Valentine's Day?

I know I am!  Here are a few scenes in Namibia for those who want ideas on how to treat that special someone!

I'd LOVE to hear what you have in mind this Valentine's Day!

GocheGanas

Situated a mere 29 kilometres south east from Windhoek on a hilltop overlooking a spectacular landscape, GocheGanas is a luxury lodge offering a unique combination of Wildlife, Nature and Wellness experiences.
   With 25 different wildlife species located on a 6000 hectare Nature Reserve, game drives and walking activities are welcomed as an enriching experience. Wellness facilities and treatments of a world class standard ensure a renewal of mind, body and spirit.

   

For more information please contact us at
info@namibiareservations.com
www.namibiareservations.com

Ice cold in Africa: What to drink in Namibia's beer town

Namibian capital Windhoek has a population of just 322,000 but produces more than a dozen beers, Windhoek Lager and the slightly darker Tafel Lager and Hansa Pilsner are among local favorites. 

Most of the beers made in Namibia are for export, fueled by a legendary commitment to the reinheitsgebot.

 

 German Tradition

In winter, NamBrew produces Urbock dark beers, made with Munich barley malt into recipes steeped in Germanic traditions.

Tafel Lager

While most Namibian beers have always been made in the capital of Windhoek, some like Tafel Lager and Hansa Pilsner, originate from the tiny seaside city of Swakopmund. 

  

Beer that tastes like tea

 
On the craftier side is Camelthorn Weizen, on tap when it's available. Also an amber, it's made with ingredients imported from South Africa, Europe and the United States for a slightly different taste. Camelthorn started out as a promising independent brewer, but has been absorbed into the NamBrew empire. It's experimented with different flavors, including rooiboos, the red bush popular for tea in southern Africa.

Really comparing the quality of all Namibia's beers to the imports requires a trip to Joe's Beer House. 

 Joe's Beer House

Serves hearty food to accompany the beers and also has one of the biggest selections of game on any menu, anywhere : kudu loin, zebra steak, oryx schnitzel are a sampling.

'Ice cold in Africa'

Windhoek, Namibias Capital City - Namibiareservations

Windhoek Namibia's Capital City

Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, is located in a basin between the Khomas Highland, Auas and Eros Mountains. Whether due to pure luck or a brilliant stroke of Germanic planning, the city is situated in almost the countries epicenter. This location has obvious benefits when it comes to governing a country the size of Namibia, and also makes it the ideal place to start and plan any Namibian travel.

The majority of tourists visiting Namibia on a fly drive safari start their adventure in the capital as it is the main entry point to the country. There are several large international companies offering rental cars at Windhoek International Airport while numerous smaller companies offer vehicle hire in Windhoek.

The city centre is characterised by a proliferation of German style buildings, a lasting reminder of Namibia's early colonial history. Early buildings such as the Alte Feste (old fort), Christuskirche and Tintenpalast (the parliament buildings) are of particular historical interest. In a wonderful display of irony, the Alte Feste Fort, once the bastion of German colonialism, now houses the National Museum which places particular emphasis on the freedom struggle and Namibian independence.

Windhoek has had several names, many inspired by the hot water springs found in the area, the earliest of which were the Damara /Ais //Gams (/ indicates a click in Nama spelling) which means firewater and the Herero Otjimuise or place of steam. The area was also called Queen Adelaide's Baths for a (mercifully) brief time. Several opinions are offered for the origin of the present name, the most popular of these is that sometime before 1840 Jonker Afrikaner, a Nama leader, named the area Winterhoek, after the farm in South Africa where he was born. Windhoek, or windy corner, is a corruption of this name.

Most importantly Windhoek is home to Namibia's brewing industry, and for the less active Windhoek is a great place to wile away the time while sipping (or gulping) a cold beer. There are also a number of private hospitals, a state run hospital, doctors surgeries, banks, (with 24hr ATM's) pharmacies, supermarkets, bakeries, and clothes shops. There is a large(ish) shopping mall at Maerua Mall, (complete with indoor swimming pool and gymnasium) and a smaller one on Post Street Mall, (Town Square) and at Wernhill Park, all worth a visit, especially if you've had enough of looking at curios. There are also 2 industrial area, Northern and Southern, handy for bulk buying or car parts and repairs.

A place to Explore Nature

Daan Viljoen is a place that nature and wildlife lovers can explore, by means of self-guide, in safety on short game drive, walks and hikes. The 6.5 km game route requires a 4 x 4 vehicle.

The 3 km Wag ‘n Bietjie Trail, leading down to The Stengel Dam, is an easy walk for adults. The more energetic Rooibos Trail takes hikers along The Augeigas Dam to the eastern highlands. The Augeigas Dam, and pools around the Park, are magnets for birds, so Sun Karros Daan Viljoen is highly recommended for birdwatchers. Over 200 species have been sighted. Endemics species include Ruppell’s parrot, White-tailed shrike and Monteiro’s Hornbill, and there is also the possibility of adding a Damara Hornbill to a bird list.

Facilities

Boma Restaurant and Pool - Here guest enjoy a few laps in the almost 20 m pool and or soak up the sun. The grass terrace is perfect for soothing ice cold or comforting warm beverages and sweet treats while the sun sets over the Khomas Hochland. Guests can also enjoy the scrumptious home-style cooking or a light beverage prepared at the Restaurant. 

Weddings- From traditional to bush weddings, they have all you can dream of in one place, enchanting wildlife, exquisite surroundings, stunning sunsets, and breathtaking venues

For more information please contact us at 

info@namibiareservations.com

www.namibiareservations.com

Elephants in Namibia

Namibia's Approximate elephant population of 100,000 are all Savannah elephants, the largest sub-species of elephant, easily distinguishable by their very large ears and longer front legs. they can be found in the north-eastern parts of Namibia and have the luxury of roaming freely among lush vegetation and riverine countryside, often crossing the border to Botswana in their search for food

 Elephants are known for their long lifespans (similar to humans), intelligence, memory and family structure. After a gestation period of 22 months, a baby elephant requires mother's milk for about two years. They enter puberty around 10 to 12 years of age, when females can become pregnant, are considered adults by age 18, and can live into their 60s.

The youngsters learn all they need to know from their family members: mothers, aunts, sisters and brothers. As males reach puberty, however, they soon leave their family herds and join other males to continue learning proper adult behavior from older and more dominant bulls. A younger one sometimes accompanies an older bull and is called an “askari”.

Females usually remain in their family herds, which are led by a “matriarch”. Matriarchs are usually the largest and oldest female, the one with the richest store of knowledge about water, food resources, escape routes and hiding places in their range area.

 

'They say an elephant never forgets. What they don't tell you is, you never forget an elephant'