Dik-Dik of Namibia

The Kirk's dik-dik  is a small antelope native to Eastern Africa and one of four species of dik-dik antelope. It is believed to have six subspecies and possibly a seventh existing in southwest Africa. Dik-diks are herbivores, typically of a fawn color that aids in camouflaging themselves in savannah habitats.  They are also capable of reaching speeds of up to 42 kilometers per hour. The lifespan of Kirk's dik-dik in the wild is typically 5 years, but may surpass 10 years.  In captivity males have been known to live up to 16.5 years, while females have lived up to 18.4 years.

Dik-diks are some of the world's smallest antelopes, with the largest, the Kirk's dik-dik, standing between 14 and 18 inches tall and weighing no more than 7.2 kg. Female dik-diks tend to be 1 to 2 pounds heavier than males. Dik-diks are dainty creatures with a pointed, mobile snout, large eyes and ears, prominent preorbital glands, pipestem legs, hare-like hind limbs that are significantly larger than their forelimbs, and a vestigial tail. Their coats, depending upon their habitat, range from grey to gray-brown with tan flanks, limbs, and an erectile head crest and whitish eye rings, ear lining, underparts, and rump".

 

Similar to other dwarf antelopes, Kirk's dik-diks exist in monogamous pairs on territories. Territories are marked with dung and urine that are deposited in a ritual that is performed to help helps maintain pair bonds. During the ritual, the female will excrete, followed by the male, which samples the female's urine stream to check her reproductive capacity. He paws over and then marks his dung and urine over her deposit. Finally, the pair marks nearby twigs with secretions from their pre-orbital glands. Kingon 1982 states that, "The male courts the female by running up behind her with his head and neck stretched and his muzzle pointing out in front. Copulation begins with the male standing on his hind legs behind the female and waving his forelegs at an acute angle to his own body in the air over her back". Copulation typically occurs anywhere between three and five times within a 9-hour period.

Living Desert Adventures

The Living Desert Tour, originally developed in the 1990’s, is a unique 4x4 adventure drive through the dunes outside Swakopmund, Namibia. Just the drive in the dunes is an amazing experience, but it will show you a lot more than sand. The tour takes you from the vegetated, life-rich eastern side of the dunes, right through the dunes to the Atlantic Ocean on the western side of the dune belt. 

Introducing you to some of the fascinating, hidden life in this apparently barren landscape that is part of the Namib Desert. Here you can find creatures endemic to the Namib: the sidewinder (Peringuey's Adder), the Palmato Gecko with its transparent skin and beautiful colours - we dig into the dune side to find this nocturnal desert-dweller. We track the large Namaqua Chameleon, and watch it enjoy brunch. Then it's a dash to catch the swift sand-diving lizard. 

Finding out how the area's plants and small animals survive the harsh climate, and how they obtain water for life. You will also track a FitzSimon's Burrowing Skink across the dune face, in hopes of catching this legless lizard. Along the way, they will explain the variety of dune colours. At the end of the tour, weather permitting, you will experience a 'roaring' dune. 

Other characters to be found in the dune belt are the 'dancing' White Lady Spider; the Parabuthus Villosus black scorpion; the occasional horned adder or sand-snake; desert wasps, fish-moths, crickets and several beetle species, and many more. 

The Living Desert Tour is educational, fun and an unforgettable experience. You will see the desert and dunes with new eyes. The photographic opportunities are endless too: make sure those batteries are charged before you leave! 

Felix Unite - Cabana Namibia

Cabana Accommodation Namibia ~ There are 17 en-suite Cabanas sleeping two each, 2 Family en-suite Cabanas sleeping 4 each, 1 Honeymoon Suite sleeping Double only. Each Cabana has air conditioning with mini coffee bars. Cabanas are available on the following basis, either bed only, bed and breakfast or Dinner, bed and breakfast. All meals are served in our restaurant situated on a “”koppie”” overlooking the vast Orange River.

 

 Felix Unite also offers the Orange River Day Trips & the Breede River Day Trips.

Toshari Lodge

Accommodation

Toshari offers a range of accommodation options, including 22 standard rooms, 13 luxury rooms, 3 family rooms and 3 campsites.

Free Wi-Fi Available throughout the lodge and surroundings. 24 Hour security provides peace of mind.

Activities

They have a fleet of open safari 4x4’s with their own expert guides, they do daily tours to the national parks. Full day or half day drives with the option of a picnic lunch with wine on the full day drive.

Wolwedans

Dunes Lodge

The Dunes Lodge is perched on top of a dune plateau, overlooking panoramic vistas in all directions and capturing the beauty of the desert in a most memorable way. 

The building style is a combination of wooden structures and canvas blinds, opening up to the desert beyond. The lodge reflects the ambience of a tented camp, but provides the comfort and protection of a permanent building.

Each of the nine spacious chalets with en-suite bathrooms has a private verandah, which connects you to vast stretches of untouched sand. Sleeping with your canvas blinds open is just like sleeping under the stars.

Private Camp

Private Camp is your special home at Wolwedans. It demands nothing much of you, but to relax and gaze at the ever-changing colours of the desert.

The Private Camp is designed for those who enjoy the peace that utter silence can afford. Get away for a day or two and revel in the luxury of reading, reflecting or taking walks in one of the most enchanting landscapes in Africa.

Mountain View Suite

The Suite is located within walking distance from the Dunes Lodge, yet it is secluded, allowing guests to spend time in a homely and stylish atmosphere.

Consisting of a spacious en-suite bedroom with a king-size bed, the Suite enables guests to enjoy the view of their private dune alley to the fullest.

A shaded patio provides an ideal venue for meals and relaxed hours lazing in a hammock. Add to this a spacious lounge, bar cabinet and dining area and you have a wonderful home away from home.

Boulders Safari Camp

Sundowners can be enjoyed from the top of a mountainous 

rock plateau close by, delivering epic impressions of the vast beauty of the surroundings…

The main area consists of a dining and lounge tent, a breakfast deck and open fireplace. Sundowners can be enjoyed from the top of a mountainous rock plateau close by, delivering epic impressions of the vast beauty of the surroundings. 

From Boulders Safari Camp you will explore the deep south of NamibRand Nature Reserve. Guided scenic drives, or two to three hour walking safaris treading along the ancient hunting grounds of the bushmen, will happily fill your days.

Different Sunsets in Namibia

When taking a photo of the sunset it is impossible to capture the exact amount of beauty then when looking at it. You can have the most expensive camera but nothing captures that awesome feeling.

The Canyon Nature Park

At 45 000ha, the park is a vast and rugged landscape of flat-topped rocky mountains and dry plains. A myriad of washes and side ravines carve deep furrows down to the main canyon. Fascinating plants and trees adapted to this harsh environment add splashes of green and feed the wildlife that survive against the odds.

This corner of Namibia’s south is largely undeveloped and the spectacular landscape offers guests a true sense of undiscovered wilderness.

There are over 100 endemic succulents including the largest, the Aloe dichotoma, popularly known as the ‘Kokerboom’, or Quiver Tree as well as over 1 600 other plant species. 

The rare and endemic Hartmann’s mountain zebra are a common sighting, as are springbok, gemsbok (oryx), kudu, steenbok and klipspringers.

Though the river runs seasonally in the summer time, permanent rock pools are home to small-and large-mouth yellowfish, sharptooth catfish and water monitors. There are a variety of birds including black eagle, olive thrush, Cape robin-chat and African black duck.

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.