Fish River Canyon

In the far south of Namibia, the Fish River rises in the centre of the country, before flowing south into the Orange River, on Namibia’s border with South Africa. In between, it has formed the great Fish River Canyon – the largest canyon in the southern hemisphere, and probably only second to Arizona’s Grand Canyon in terms of size. Approaching the Fish River Canyon from the north is like driving across Mars. The vast rocky landscape breaks up into a series of spectacular cliffs, formed by the Fish River as it meanders between boulders over half a kilometre below. Its size is impressive: 161km long, up to 27km wide and almost 550m at its deepest. Keep in mind that the river is seasonal and generally only flows in the rainy season from January to April.

Accommodation & Activities in that Area:

Fish river Lodge

They offer hiking trips into the Fish River Canyon. A Five Night Canyon Hike, Scenic Sundowner Drive, Day Drives and Day Hikes. Accommodation  at 20 Chalets - Outdoor decks overlook the canyon, additional outdoor showers, large bathrooms with sufficient storage space, double basins and an outdoor platform allows guests to sleep under the stars.

Ai Ais National Park

The area around the southern part of Fish River Canyon was proclaimed a conservation area in 1969. The land was as poor in potential for agriculture as it is rich in potential for tourism, and this was a way of protecting the area from uncontrolled development. The 345,000ha national park now encompasses Ai-Ais and Hobas. A more recent initiative has seen the park linked with the environmentally similar Richtersveld in South Africa, to form Namibia’s first transfrontier or peace park: Ai-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park.

Ai-Ais Resort

Hobas 

Newest addition to Newmark Hotels, Coral Lodge in Mozambique

Coral Lodge in Mozambique is the newest addition to Newmark Hotels.  The lodge comprises 10 villas, each hosting informal sitting areas, a bedroom, bathroom and big terrace.  In two of the villas an extra bedroom is included for two children or an extra adult.  Five villas have direct ocean views, and the other five overlook the mangrove forest and Ilha de Moçambique.  Guest facilities include a lounge bar and restaurant, infinity pool and spa.

Coral Lodge is a modern, African-style beach resort, which offers you the latest in luxury and comfort while maintaining that authentic feel of Mozambican pureness.  The resort's design, by Dutch designer Edward van Vliet, incorporates the colors of its environment using wood and brightly-coloured textures.  These natural materials make the resort blend in perfectly with the surroundings.  We have made further use of the area's natural setting by building Coral Lodge's villas on top of the dunes.  This allows you to get full benefit of the incredible views and the constant breeze from the Indian Ocean.

A host of activities are available, including joining the chef on his daily visit to the local market and learning to cook authentic Mazambican dishes, exploring Varanda's mangrove forest by canoe or on foot, and fishing or sailing with the lodge's local dhow.  Other activities include snorkelling, windsurfing and whale watching between July and October.

We offer various packages ranging from a Romantic holiday to a Cultural & Historical experience.  Diving packages, relaxation packages and more...

NWR Gross Barmen Resort closed for redevelopment

The once popular Gross Barmen Resort and Health Spa will be closing its doors for two years while the more than N$285 million re-development phase gives the resort a new look.

Speaking at the official commissioning of the re-development of the resort on behalf of the Minister of Tourism and Environment, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, was Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, Permanent Secretary of Tourism. he said the Gross Barmen resort had reached the end of its lifespan as the needs and requirements of the modern tourist have gradually changed. A direct investment of N$220 million was approved by Government for the new concept and design of Gross Barmen and, in addition, Cabinet approved a further N$65 for the redevelopment of the resort through a Government guarantee for financing at the Development Bank.

The new tourism facilities will consist of the main complex of a hotel with 50 beds, a conference hall with 250 seating capacity, 37 chalets, camping sites, a main spa complex with indoor health spa pools, a wellness section with massage rooms, a restaurant and floating bar and recreation facilities such as a mini-golf course, fully equipped gym facilities, squash and tennis courts and a kiddies playground. The Gross Barmen project will officially be launched into the market in the 2012 tourism season as a complete tourism product and will be a complete independent facility operated as a subsidiary of NWR.

Derived from NamibianSun