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.

David Livingstone's Camp

Mamili (Nkasa Lupala) National Park beautifully mirrors Botswana’s Okavango style wetland wilderness with an edge that is uniquely Namibian. In a vast arid country, Mamili holds the distinction of being the largest wetland with conservation status in Namibia.

The newly built Livingstone’s Camp borders the national park and features 5 exclusive camp sites providing visitors with their own private bathroom, hot showers and unrivalled camping facilities.

The camp sites all have incredible views of the Linyanti wetland with abundant birdlife and wildlife. Guests have a range of activities to experience, including Mokoro safaris through the pristine waterways, as well as guided walking and game drive safaris. 

Anyone with passionate enthusiasm for the wildlife of Africa and is equipped with a self-contained 4x4 vehicle will consider camping at Livingstone’s Camp, the ultimate escape.

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.

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.