Showing posts with label Destinations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Destinations. Show all posts

Friday, November 18, 2016

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".






Wednesday, January 20, 2016

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!

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

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.

Friday, January 8, 2016

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'

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Namibia a Scenic Beauty

Namibia derived its name from the Namib Desert, an unique geological feature renowned for the pristine and haunting quality of its landscape. It is this feature that characterises Namibia most, and that is home to several of the countries top tourist destinations, such as Sossusvlei, Sandwich Harbour and the Skeleton Coast Park. Far from being lifeless and barren, the long, narrow strip of moist coastal desert features an unusual variety of desert-adapted flora and fauna, including a large number of endemic plant, bird, reptile and insect species. 

Namibia's bountiful sunshine, abundance of wildlife, scenic beauty and rich diversity of geological phenomena make the country a sought-after tourist destination to which visitors return again and again. Additional plus points are the friendliness and cultural diversity of its people, a well-developed infrastructure and an extensive choice of parks, resorts and accommodation establishments. The latter range from five-star luxury hotels and upmarket guest lodges to simple and rustic accommodation in the quiet seclusion of the bush.

http://www.namibiareservations.com/index.html

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

New on our Website

 

The Delight Swakopmund – Amongst the town’s captivating contrasts and old traditions, The Delight Swakopmund is a fresh breeze in the desert. Conveniently located within short walking distance of the ‘Mole’, our modern, uplifting and inviting hotel is the ideal base for your stay.

http://www.namibiareservations.com/the_delight.html

Every effort is made to surprise and delight guests with thoughtful touches and locally inspired reasons to smile. From the easy comfort of their hotel, the warm and welcoming service you will get, to the assistance provided by their knowledgeable Delight Host for anything from activity bookings to dinner reservations – your stay is always an effortless and memorable experience.

http://www.namibiareservations.com/the_delight.html

Facilities

• 54 rooms (44 twin rooms, 10 family rooms)
• Breakfast Dining Room
• Bar
• Garden
• Free Wi-Fi
• 24-hour Security
• Mobile Connectivity
• Secure Parking

For more information please contact us at 

Monday, September 28, 2015

Hotel Prinzessin Rupprecht in Swakopmund


http://www.namibiareservations.com/hotel_prinzessin_rupprecht.html 

Situated in the lovely Namibian town of Swakopmund, the historic Hotel Prinzessin Rupprecht is well positioned to offer its guests both comfort and convenience. While touring through Namibia, take the opportunity to enjoy a few days at the wonderful coastline of the country. With its friendly and tranquil atmosphere. 


Not far from the sea and from the city center, our hotel offers an ideal starting point to explore Swakopmund by foot or by car. In our newly renovated building you will find our friendly staff to answer your questions about the hotel, the city or popular excursions. Be their guest and explore Swakopmund, the city with the German flair.

http://www.namibiareservations.com/hotel_prinzessin_rupprecht.html


Enjoy Swakomund and visit the Jetty, an old boarding bridge during colonial times, which today is again fully accessible. Hotel Prinzessin Rupprecht is the ideal place from which to explore all the tourist attractions which Swakopmund has to offer such as desert tours, seal and dolphin cruises, visits to the museum and the aquarium, dune surfing, hot air ballooning over the astonishing Namib Desert and much, much more.

For more information please contact us at

Friday, September 25, 2015

Sandfontein where relaxation comes naturally

Sandfontein Lodge & Nature Reserve is a private hideaway in Namibia with magical mountain scenery and just five eco-conscious bungalows. With epic river views and scorched, rocky landscapes that extend as far as the eye can see, Sandfontein is a nature reserve like no other.


Enjoy a romantic lunch by the pool, the choice is simple: set out to discover the reserve’s incredible plants and creatures, or spend an indulgent hour or two in the cosy main lodge building, where mountain views flood into the soulful bar area.


Animals

Of all the animals at Sandfontein, most impressive are the illusive wild leopards, which stalk the land in search of prey. Antelope species seen on the reserve include eland and kudu, a solitary creature that spends much of its time in the mountains.

 Activities 
Scenic Drives
Nature Trails
Fishing on the River
Spa Treatments
Sundowner

                     
 Sandfontein is a place where relaxation comes naturally. 

For more information please contact us at 

Monday, September 21, 2015

Gross Barmen Resort


Gross Barmen Resort is located around 100 km from the capital city of Windhoek, nestled on the banks of a tributary of the Swakop River. Set between rows of palm trees, green lawns and many pleasant walks, the resort is ideal for all ages. Gross Barmen Resort includes facilities for spa & wellness, fitness, recreation, and leisure. The main attraction of the resort is the health and hydro/medical spa center, featuring thermal springs and providing a full range of treatments, massages, and health activities for relaxation. The accommodation options at Gross Barmen Resort include family and bush chalet and camping sites. Other amenities and facilities include indoor and outdoor thermal pools, conference facilities, restaurant, bar and shop. The nearby dam attracts more than 150 different species of birds making it a hotspot for bird watching. Additionally, the Von Bach Dam outside of Okahandja (25 km) is a major draw for water sport enthusiasts and anglers.

    http://namibia-luxury-accommodation.com/hotel/gross-barmen-resort/
http://namibia-luxury-accommodation.com/hotel/gross-barmen-resort/
                                                              
 For more information please contact us at 

Friday, September 18, 2015

Travel Namibia

 
Travel east from Etosha or Windhoek, some four hours by car, and you will find Bushmanland to the North and the Kalahari to the south. This is remote country, even by Namibian standards. Here within scattered small villages live the San Bushmen, famous for their survival skills. Visit Khaudum National Park with its amazing herds of game, and the beginnings of the Kalahari Dessert, which stretches across eight different countries rewarding visitors with its silence and solitude.


Accommodation

The Camelthorn Kalahari Lodge
Named as it finds itself between two sand dunes in an area peppered with Camelthorn trees which are endemic to this region.
The 12 rondavel-style thatched huts are sparsely set against a backdrop of red dune sands, yellow grasses, piercing blue skies and the greens and browns of the wide-spread Camelthorn and Acacia trees.


Suricate Tented Lodge
Towering over the pans of the Auob wetlands is the Suricate Tented Lodge – Intu Afrika which has been built on top of a majestic red dune.The tents which combine the ultimate African safari experience with the comforts and luxuries of modern day living leave a lasting impression on all our guests.


The Zebra Kalahari Lodge
One of Namibia’s best kept secrets and offers visitors a unique opportunity to commune with the tranquility and intrigue of nature.

 
For more information please contact us at 

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Beautiful landmark in Namibia

http://www.namibiareservations.com/grootberg_lodge.html






Grootberg Lodge is a landmark in Namibia for the tourism industry as it is the first middle-market establishment in the country that is 100% owned by the conservancy. For travellers making the journey between Etosha and Swakopmund, this lodge provides the ideal midway stopover, whilst allowing guests to experience the true wilderness that is Damaraland.

Perched on the rim of the Etendeka Plateau, the Grootberg Lodge stands sentinel over the Klip River Valley. 12 000 hectares have been set aside by the #Khoadi//Hoas community for conservation and tourism. Visitors can explore this pristine wilderness either by foot or car and experience encounters with the inhabitants of this remote biosphere.

Activities


Elephant tracking

http://www.namibiareservations.com/grootberg_lodge.html
Elephant tracking at Grootberg Lodge has become one of their most popular activities.

Rhino tracking
 
 Rhino tracking is one such an activity and those wishing to accompany our guide and game trackers down the flow of the Klip River will have to be ready by 06:00. The experience is a mixture of 4×4 game drive and setting off on foot, with the possibility of up to three hours” walking.
 

Himba village excursion

http://www.namibiareservations.com/grootberg_lodge.html
 Damaraland and the Kaokoveld as well as southern parts or Angola are home to the Himba, one of the last truly traditional tribes on the planet. These friendly people are closely related to the Herero and lead a semi-nomadic life as herdsmen, breeding mainly cattle and goats.
 
Scenic drives on Top of the Plateau


The lodge offers scenic drives on top of the Etendeka Plateau with the possibility of seeing a variety of wildlife population of zebras, antelope, jackal and occasionally leopard and lion.
 

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

Monday, September 14, 2015

Damara Mopane Lodge


    http://www.namibiareservations.com/damara_mopane_lodge.html
As if an African kingdom of old, Damara Mopane Lodge is constructed in a semi-circle of interlinking pathways leading to a lavish swimming pool at its centre. Innovatively designed, each chalet has its own small garden planted with vegetables.A wash of fresh green brightens the interior as does the heart-shaped mopane leaves stencilled throughout the lodge. Situated near Khorixas en route to the famed Twyfelfontein engravings, Damara Mopane Lodge incorporates the spirit of Damaraland and the Damara people, extending its hand to locals and visitors alike in a 'Hello neighbour' greeting, linking cultures and nationalities.

http://www.namibiareservations.com/damara_mopane_lodge.html
           







http://www.namibiareservations.com/damara_mopane_lodge.html
 
A highlight at the end of the day is to ascend the hill to a viewing platform for a sweeping vista of the mopane woodland illuminated by the setting sun. It also the best spot for a sundowner drink and to gain a view of the intriguing construction of the lodge.Whether sitting on your stoep looking out onto your vegetable garden, swimming in the pool or celebrating sunset from the deck, this novel and delightful lodge provides a good base from which to explore the rich sandstone treasure of Damaraland. 

 
                                                                              
For more information please contact us at 

Friday, September 11, 2015

The Living Museum of the Damara


http://www.namibiareservations.com/twyfelfonteine.html

The Living Museum of the Damara is situated about 10 km north of the famous Twyfelfontein rock engravings site directly at the D2612. It is the first traditional Damara project in Namibia and the only one of its kind. The possibility to experience the traditional Damara culture in this form exists nowhere else in Namibia or in the world.


Unique experience of historic Damara culture
Together with the Bushmen the Damara belong to the oldest nations in Namibia. Their original culture was a mixture of an archaic hunter-gatherer culture and herders of cattle, goats and sheep. Due to their loose social structures the Damara were not able to defend themselves against aggressors during the colonization of Namibia. 


Lost culture of the Damara
Within the framework of the Living Museum of the Damara an attempt was made to reconstruct the ‚lost culture’ of the Damara. Here the visitors have the unique opportunity to get to know the fascinating traditional culture of the Damara, thus contributing to the preservation of the culture as well as to a regular income for the Damara community that built the museum.


For more information please contact us at 

Monday, September 7, 2015

Namibian National Parks and Game Reserves

Mahango Game Park 
 The Mahango Game Park is a protected area in Namibia within Bwabwata National Park. It is situated at the country's eastern border with Botswana in the flood plains of the Okavango River basin, close to the Popa Falls on the river. 


Erindi Private Game Reserve
Erindi Private Game Reserve is situated 40 km east of Omaruru. Far away in Africa, a country exists where it is still possible to wander in a landscape that contains many more creatures than people. On a vast mountainous plain lies Erindi, translated as "The Place of Water" in local Herero, with more than 12 000 head of game teeming over an unbelievably large game reserve, where even rare and endangered species are being conserved and managed in a manner that allows man to experience what it was once like to live in undisturbed Africa. 

http://www.namibiareservations.com/erindi.html

NamibRand Nature Reserve  
The NamibRand Nature Reserve, located in southern Namibia, is a private nature reserve established to help protect and conserve the unique ecology and wildlife of the south-west Namib Desert.  Conserving the pro-Namib, the area along the eastern edge of the Namib Desert, is critically important in order to facilitate seasonal migratory wildlife routes and to protect biodiversity. 

http://www.namibiareservations.com/namibrand_family_hideout.html

Waterberg National Park
 Waterberg National Park is a national park in central Namibia on the Waterberg plateau, 68 kilometres (42 mi) south-east of Otjiwarongo. The plateau and the national park are named after the prominent table mountain that rises from the plateau, the Waterberg (Afrikaans: Water Mountain). The Waterberg Plateau is a particularly prominent location, elevating high above the plains of the Kalahari of Eastern Namibia. Waterberg Park and some 405 square kilometres (156 sq mi) of surrounding land were declared a Nature Reserve in 1972. As the plateau is largely inaccessible from beneath several of Namibia's endangered species were relocated in the early 1970s to protect them from predators and poaching to extinction.

http://www.namibiareservations.com/waterberge.html

Etosha National Park
In the vast arid space of Northern Namibia lies one of Southern Africa’s best loved wildlife sanctuaries. Etosha National Park offers excellent game viewing in one of Africa’s most accessible venues. Zebra and springbok are scattered across the endless horizon, while the many waterholes attract endangered black rhinoceros, lion, elephant and large numbers of antelope.

http://www.namibiareservations.com/etosha.html

For more information please contact us at