Friday, May 20, 2016

Windhoek Accommodation


Sweet Thorn Retreat Airport Lodge is located half-way between Windhoek and Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport, about 20km from the centre of Windhoek on the M53 road, Plot 65 Kapps Farm. The lodge's elevation offers a greater view of the Seeis Valley and surrounding Finkenstein Mountains, and boast 10 en-suite double rooms, 7 fully equipped tents and 3 spacious Campsites.

Lounge, Bar and Dining Room for Lodge Guests, Wi-Fi in the lounge area, Barbeque Facilities, Kiddies Club, Small Library, Malaria Free, Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking

Three Rooms:  inside the Lodge main building, simply styled and furnished, one with 2 double beds, another with 3/4 size double beds and last one with twin beds
Seven Rooms: Outside main building, each have two 3/4 size beds next to each other

All the rooms are Air conditioned, walk-in en-suite shower facilities, a coffee/tea station

Seven Tents with bedding, kettle, crockery and cutlery,table and chairs, sharing ablution facilities - 2 showers, 3 WCs. Towels are not provided.

Three Large Campsites with electricity, lighting, braai area with grid, sharing ablutions - 2 showers, 2 WCs.

The dining area has a fully stocked bar and overlooks the pool area. Above this is an open viewing deck for guests to enjoy sun downers and stargazing. Quite often some of the antelope (waterbuck, blesbuck and springbuck) can be seen down at the floodlit waterhole.

small playground where the youngsters can be entertained while adults enjoy an afternoon barbecue. Swimming Pool exclusively for use by Lodge Guests.


Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Namibian lodge upgraded

Ichingo Chobe River Lodge on Impalila Island in Namibia, has been upgraded.

The lodge’s eight large air-conditioned Meru safari tents are set on a secluded island beneath a riverine canopy on the banks of the Chobe River. Each tent has a king-size bed, dressing table, bedside lamps, chairs and an en-suite bathroom.


Bathrooms have all been recently renovated with new floors, vanities, shower heads and taps.


Ichingo Chobe River Lodge offers a two- or three-night itinerary for guests and is suitable for families. Activities include game viewing by boat along the banks of Chobe National Park, an excursion through the beautiful Kasai Channel to view the Zambezi River, fishing, and a guided walk on Impalila Island.

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Hakusembe River Lodge scores big

What a success! Eco Awards Namibia assessed Hakusembe River Lodge for the first time and instantly honoured it with four desert flowers. The lodge of the Gondwana Collection on the banks of the Okavango River scored high marks for staff and health, social responsibility, management and legal compliance, building and landscaping, guiding as well as waste, pollution and sewer. Similar to the star-rating system for tourist accommodation, the environmental initiative awards up to five flowers for sustainability.


Gondwana combines its hospitality business with nature conservation and social commitment in a sustainable manner. Ever since the lodge group started in 1995 it bought farms in the vicinity of natural attractions, converted the farms into nature reserves and reintroduced game species which had once been indigenous to the area. 
 


Nature conservation is financed with the proceeds from the eco-friendly hospitality business, which in turn creates jobs and career opportunities for the local population.
In previous years Eco Awards Namibia repeatedly acknowledged Gondwana’s sustainability efforts with the highest seal of approval. Etosha Safari Lodge & Camp, Namushasha River Lodge, Canyon Roadhouse, Canyon Village, Canyon Lodge and Namib Desert Lodge have received five desert flowers each. The environmental endeavours at Damara Mopane Lodge were honoured with four flowers and those at Kalahari Anib Lodge and Kalahari Farmhouse with two flowers each. The lodges are up for reassessment this year (2016). Participation in the Eco Awards is voluntary.

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Namibian drought threatens wild horses




 

The drought experienced in Namibia has severely affected the central and southern parts of the country with little grass left in the horses’ range, the Namibia Wild Horses Foundation has warned. 
Fences in the south and east restrict them from moving further inland to areas that received scattered rainfall.

The lack of rain has made it necessary to increase the feed to provide half to three quarters of the horses’ nutritional requirements. As much of Namibia is dry, grass and lucerne will most likely have to be bought from South Africa, which is a costly affair.

The horses have become one of the attractions in southern Namibia and thousands of tourists visit the Garub waterhole near Aus annually, to witness the horses galloping to the water across the Garub plains.
Namibia Wild Horses Foundation is appealing for funds or good quality grass for the winter period and urges the public to continue with their support for the wild horses to see them through the season.