Few facts about Swakopmund...

1. Where does the name Swakopmund come from?

This is one of the most common questions from travelers. Many spot the “mund” in the name, acknowledging that this means “mouth” in German, and correctly concluding that Swakopmund is the mouth of the Swakop River; but what does “Swakop” mean?

A recent theory believes that “Swakop” is actually based on the San language, namely from “xwaka” (rhinoceros) and “ob” (river). Many find this far-fetched as it is well known there are currently no rhino within in the vicinity of Swakopmund, but once there were. Fossilized rhino footprints have been found in Walvis bay, recently uncovered by a shifting sand dune.

The German settlers changed “xwaka ob” to “Swachaub”, and the full form “Swakopmund,” or the mouth of the Rhinoceros River, was embraced in 1896 when the district was officially declared.

2. Why are the streets so wide?

The streets are wide because when the roads were first built in the early 1900’s, everything was transported by horse and carriage (or mule and carriage), and a lot of space was needed for them to deliver goods and then back out and turn around. In those days there was a lot of space and few people, so there was plenty of room to favour convenience over real estate.

3. Why was Swakopmund founded so close to Walvis Bay?

Many people wonder why two towns were founded so close to each other in such a scantly populated country. The answer hearkens back to colonial days. Swakopmund was established in 1896 by German settlers, mainly for its fresh water source and reasonably accommodating port. If given the choice, the Germans probably would have claimed Walvis Bay, as there is also fresh water there and a far better port, but at the time, Walvis Bay was engaged by the British, and the Germans chose to rather bypass Walvis Bay and settle in Swakopmund. That is why there is so much German culture in Swakopmund. It was originally a German colony, and it still preserves much of its heritage.

4. Why is there so much mist in Swakopmund?

Swakopmund locals love the mist, saying the cool air moistened with ocean water is good for health. Whether or not you believe that, it is true that Swakopmund is often covered in mist.

In the daytime, air which is relatively moist because of the sea breeze moves inland, and then it condenses overnight with the cooling air. Westerly land winds blow the mist back toward the sea. The mist bank results mainly because easterly land winds pushing to the west bump up against the southwesterly winds from the sea causing a mist bank which normally settles anywhere from a few kilometers off shore to a few kilometers inland.

5. What is a Welwitschia?

The Welwitschia plant is one of Namibia’s most magnificent natural phenomena. Namibians like to claim the Welwitschia as its very own, which is almost true, but the Namib desert continues into Angola, where you will still find some of these hardy plants.

Taxonomically categorized as trees, they look more like ground shrubbery with a wooden mouth-like core and ample, thick leaves extending out on two sides. They appear to have quite a few leaves, but there are actually only two which split as a result of the dry desert air into many fibers.

They are unusual organisms, but perhaps the most incredible feature of the Welwitschia is that the oldest of them have been surviving in the harsh Namib desert for over 2000 years!

Luderitz-Exploring Namibia's Historic Diamond Town

The small town of Luderitz is located in the South of Namibia and if you are lucky enough to have some free time on your holiday, then you should definitely go on a tour of it and its surrounds. From quaint old German-style architecture, to beautiful wide-open skies and crystal clear seas with white beaches, Luderitz is a small town with a lot to see.

Arriving
The first great thing about Luderitz is that it has its own airport. Flights go to Luderitz from Windhoek once a day, and getting a ticket is usually not a problem.
One can also drive from Windhoek to Luderitz. It's a straight shot along the B4 and will take you about 6-7 hours to do.

The Nest Hotel
The perfect stopover for “Namibia” holidaymakers, business people and conference organisers and delegates.

The Nest Hotel in the twilight.

Take your time
Luderitz exists as a town largely thanks to the diamond industry in Namibia, and to this day diamonds continue to be an important part of the town's economy. With the railway being refurbished and new buildings going up all the time, the future is looking bright for this sometimes forgotten town.

 

colourful buildings
But today we will concern ourselves with the past and of particular interest is the unique architecture of Luderitz. Colourful buildings built during the time of German occupation line the streets, and businesses more than a hundred years old can be found on some of the streets.

Historical sites
The town also has several historical sites, which are worth visiting. There is a wealth of information on the town’s history and you can find this information at any tourist centre or hotel in Luderitz.

 A memorial for those who died fighting for their land.

For more information please contact us at 

info@namibiareservations.com

www.namibiareservations.com

Best of Namibia Fly-In Safari

7 day Namibia Fly-In safari explores the red dunes of Sossusvlei, Damaraland and Etosha Game Reserve.

To observe Namibia from the air is an awe-inspiring experience: the vast expanses of moving, rippling sands, the great blue skies and grey of the ocean extending to the horizon.This safari explores four distinct regions: the sands and red dunes of Sossusvlei; the icy, life-filled coasts at Swakopmund and Walvis Bay; the stark plains of Damaraland, with their desert-adapted elephants; and the amazing wildlife abundance on the savannah of Etosha.

DAYS 1 & 2: Little Kulala Camp
Depart by light aircraft from Windhoek for a one-hour flight to Sossusvlei, Little Kulala Camp, for two nights to explore the Reserve.

DAYS 3 & 4: Damaraland Camp or Desert Rhino Camp
Fly over the Namib Desert for an alternative view of the dunes from the air and then due west to Meob Bay on the Skeleton Coast.

 

 

DAYS 5 & 6: Ongava Tented Camp or Ongava Lodge
Fly by light aircraft today from Damaraland to Ongava Game Reserve for a further two-night stay at the camp of your choice. Highlights are the game drives into Etosha National Park as well as night drives, nature walks and hides on the private Ongava Game Reserve.

DAY 7: Windhoek
Depart Ongava by light air charter back to Windhoek where the safari ends at either Windhoek Eros or Windhoek International Airport.

 

For more information please contact as at

info@namibiareservations.com

www.namibiareservations.com

Namibia Tourist Attractions

Heroes Acre Windhoek Namibia

Heroes Acre is an official war memorial of the government of Namibia and is located in the Auas Mountains, less than 10km south of the capital city of Windhoek. The idea for such a memorial was suggested by the founding father, President Sam Nujoma on a visit to Zimbabwe in 1997. Mansudae Overseas Projects, a company from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), was controversially given the contract to build the 732 acre monument. The inauguration of the Heroes Acre Monument was on the 26th August 2002, celebrated annually as Heroes Day.
 Commemorative sites at Heroes Acre include:

The Entrance Gates: As you approach Heroes Acre, the entrance gates are flanked by 2 kneeling women offering bouquets of flowers, a symbolic welcoming gesture in true Namibian tradition.

The Obelisk: At 34m high, the obelisk is the focal point of the monument. The bravery, courage and perseverance of those who participated in Namibia's long and fierce liberation battle is represented at the rear by a Copper Mural which takes on the appearance of a sword.

The Unknown Soldier:A statue 8m high, cast in bronze in the form of a warrior, represents all Namibians who died in the struggle for independence from colonial rule. It weighs 4 tons. The soldier is carrying an AK 47 assault rifle, the most reliable and effective small arm of the era, the standard weapon of (PLAN) the People's Liberation Army of Namibia. An anti-tank grenade is brandished in his right hand. The wording underneath the soldier and on the front face of the pedestal are a cast replica of President Sam Nujoma's own hand-writing. It serves as a symbolic resting place for all sons and daughters of Namibia who gave their lives during the liberation struggle. It states:

'Glory to the fallen Heroes and Heroines of the motherland Namibia! Sam Nujoma 26th August 2002'

 The Bronze Mural: A bronzed mural illustrates the struggle of indigenous Namibians. Viewed from left to right, the 4 plates depict:The suffering and oppression under Imperial Germany's colonial rule from 1884 to 1915. The Herero nation suffered near extinction in the 1904-1907 uprising.Petitioning the United Nations for Independence from the South African occupation in the early 1960's at the onset of apartheid policies.The 26th of August 1966 was when SWAPO (South West Africa People's Organization) attacked a contingent of South Africa forces at Ongulumbashe in the northern Omusati Region of Namibia. A state of war now existed between PLAN and the South African apartheid regime, a fight that would last for the best part of 30 years.'Freedom Fight We Have Won' was sung victoriously on the 21st March 1990, when the flag of South Africa was lowered and the national flag of Namibia was raised for the first time. The mural is completed with the Unknown Soldier leading victorious fighters into Namibia. A mother and child at the rear are praising them for their bravery and sacrifices.

The Eternal Flame: 'Represents the undying spirit of freedom and recognition of the ultimate sacrifice that all of the fallen sons and daughters made for Namibia'. Provision has been made for 170 resting places at Heroes Acre. There are 9 symbolic graves of: Kaptein Hendrik Witbooi, Kaptein Jacob Marenga, Chief Kahimemua Nguvauva, Chief Samuel Maharero, Chief Nehale Iya Mpingana, Chief Mandume ya Ndemufayo, Chief Ipumbu ya Tshilongo, Chief Hosea Kutako, Mama Kakarakuze Mungunda.

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

The Fascinating Protea Hotel - Zambezi River Lodge

Set on the banks of the Zambezi River, this hotel is ideal for an overnight stay en-route to the many tourist destinations in the area. Protea Hotel Zambezi River is your gateway to Victoria Falls and the Chobe National Park.

Accommodation:

38 standard twin and four luxury double, cottage-style en-suite rooms with views overlooking the Zambezi River, garden or pool

Standard twin rooms have a shower only

Luxury double rooms have both a bath and shower

32 standard and 2 luxury rooms with view over the Zambezi River

In-room facilities include

en-suite bathroom bath or shower • WI-FI • Colour TV with DSTV (satellite tv) • Air conditioning • Tea/coffee-making facilities • Hairdryer • Sitting area • Writing desk • Direct-dial telephone • Turndown service

Fascinating Zebra's in Namibia

The origin of the word zebra is not certain. It probably comes from an African language via Portuguese (zevra). The Damara word for zebra is !oareb and the Oshiwambo word ongolo.

There are only three species of zebra extant – the plains zebra, including the Burchell’s zebra found in Etosha; the mountain zebra, including Hartmann’s mountain zebra found in north-western Namibia; and the more distantly related Grévy’s zebra found in Kenya and Ethiopia. While the Grévy’s species is more akin to a donkey, the other species look more like domestic horses. All three belong to the horse family Equidae.

There are about 13 000 zebras in the Etosha National Park. They are unfortunately particularly susceptible to the deadly disease anthrax, which causes several hundred to perish in the park each year.

                                              WHY THE STRIPES?

Zebras are very social animals. They live in groups ranging from small ‘harem’ groups dominated by a stallion, to large herds. A zebra’s stripes are basically vertical around its fore quarters, but horizontal around its rump. Each animal’s stripes are different, and as individually characteristic as fingerprints on a human. The purpose of the stripes is not known. 

The most obvious explanation is camouflage, especially when the stripes are brown and black (plains zebra) rather than white and black (mountain zebra). Another theory is that the striped pattern somehow confuses the visual system of the blood-sucking tsetse fly, which finds it difficult to ‘navigate’ to the host. However, if this is why zebra have them, you might wonder why other animals haven’t tried the same trick.

Then there is the perhaps philosophical question as to whether the zebra is a white animal with black stripes, or a black animal with white stripes.

Amazing Luxury Accommodation in Namibia

Namibia Reservations offering you accommodation that is luxury and style. If you are one that enjoys the feeling of being pampered then you will find the right accommodation on our site.

To name a few....

Divava Okavango Lodge

Namibia’s hidden wildlife paradise in the Kavango where time stands still. Divava Okavango Lodge & Spa is nestled amongst majestic trees on the banks of the Okavango River a few hundred metres from Popa Falls.

Mowani Mountain Camp

Between the Ugab and Huab rivers in southern Damaraland lies a vast, beautiful and unspoiled wilderness area of unsurpassed desert scenery, unusual geological formations, archaeological sites and a unique variety of desert fauna and flora.  Africa has always been recognized for its uniqueness, and now Africa - uniqueness, recognizes Mowani Mountain Camp! 

Erindi Game Reserve

Do you want to experience the real world of African wildlife, see animals habitats never see before relax in pristine wilderness, and at the same time have fun doing so? De-stress, get reconnected with nature, or just need a break from a mundane lifestyle? Erindi will provide you with a hole new outlook on life. Come and experience this jewel.

Kempinski Mokuti Lodge

Kempinski Mokuti is situated two kilometres from the Eastern entrance of the world renowned Etosha National Park in the Northern part of Namibia and is easily accessible by road or by air. The lodge features 106 thatch-roofed rooms and suites, three restaurants, two bars, three swimming pools, two flood-lit tennis courts, walking trails, curio shop, gas station, two conference rooms and its own airstrip.

Suricate Tented Lodge

Suricate Tented Lodge is situated on a red sand dune overlooking a pan system that forms part of the upper Auob wetlands. It is here that one can experience all the romance, all the adventure of the early safari expeditions but with style. The Lodge comprises twelve luxurious walk-in-style tents, well secluded in the Kalahari savannah.

Okahirongo Elephant Lodge

Okahirongo Elephant Lodge is situated in the Kaokoland, often described as one of the last truly wild areas in the North West of Namibia and it features beautiful mountain landscapes and rugged tranquillity. The lodge, in Purros Conservancy, is a no risk malaria destination and it can be reached by 4x4 vehicles or a 2 hour and fifteen minutes flight from Windhoek.

For more information about luxury accommodation please visit our website at www.namibia-luxury-accommodation.com

Namibia's Top Places to Visit

If you want to go to a place where you can have an adventure without leaving the comforts of urban lifestyle, you should put Namibia on your list. With so many places to visit, a Namibian adventure can make any vacation worthwhile.

Waterberg Plateau Park

Damaraland 

Etosha National Park

Cape Cross Seal Colony

Namib-Naukluft Park

Kolmanskop

Swakopmund

Skeleton Coast

Fish River Canyon

Koakoland

For more information contact us via email at info@namibiareservations.com

Tsumkwe - Home of the San / Bushman

The small, spread-out settlement of Tsumkwe lies at the western margin of the Kalahari and is the district centre of former Bushman Land, today part of the Otjozondjupa region. The San, coloquially also called bushmen, live in this area. They are the oldest people in Namibia, living in southern Africa for an estimated 20,000 years. The South African Homeland policy restricted them to the remote "Bushmanland", a semi-desert area between Khaudum National Park and Omaheke. It can be accessed via the C44 road, which turns off the B8 north of Grootfontein. The distance to Tsumkwe is 250 km.

The San are masterly bow hunters. Their bow is relatively small and the range of the arrows is below 25 metres. Therefore the San need to get quite close to their prey, but the supple hunters are very skilled and good at that. If an animal has been hit by a poisoned arrow, it doesn't stand a chance to escape. The absolutely deadly arrow poison is made from the larvae of a certain beetle (diamphidia nigroornata). According to a traditional recipe, which is only known to the San, varous herbs are added to increase the deadly effect. A human being would also not have any chance to survive even the smallest amouunt of this poison in the blood stream, and no anti-dote exists.

 Traditionally the San had no leaders or chiefs, personal decisions were made individually and group decisions were left to the group. When times were good groups could swell to over one hundred people but during drought times groups might dwindle to family units of less than 10 people.

Discover Namibia's past

Early in the 20th Century Namibia was a German Colony. After the 1st World War it became a League of Nations administered territory. Following the 2nd World War, South Africa administered Namibia, until independence in 1990.

 Precolonial History of Namibia

Namibia has passed through several distinct stages over the years. If history is a subject you enjoy, you'll definitely enjoy discovering more about this country's past. At first glance the history of Namibia is relatively recent, however this is partly due to the fact that the pre-colonial history was never written down, but there is plenty archaeological evidence that shows that people inhabited Namibia at least 25,000 years ago. Namibia is a diverse country of hunter gatherers, traditional pastoralists, subsistence and commercial farmers, traders, miners and fisherman belonging to a variety of language and cultural groups.
 

Namibia History: The Scramble for Africa

Arguably the oldest inhabitants of the region are the Bushmen or San People, evident from the rock paintings and engravings at places in Damaraland like Twyfelfontein and the Brandberg. Today an estimated 35,000 Bushmen live in Namibia, with only a few of them continuing their historical and traditional ways of life. The Bushman share some linguistic features (such as the clicks) with the Damara and Nama peoples who established themselves in the area after them. Herero and Himba are the other distinctive cultures. The Herero can be see in flamboyant Victorian-style dresses and the semi-nomadic Himba are famous for covering themselves with otjize, a mixture of butter fat and ochre, which gives their skins a reddish tinge. The Owambo live in and around the northern parts of the country where farming is good and they can fish in the shallow waterways.

Namibia owes much of history to the Europeans

The first European to travel to namibia was the Portuguese Diogo Cao in 1485, who stopped briefly at the Skeleton Coast and raised a limestone cross there, on his exploratory mission along the west coast of Africa. This cross is nowadays known as Cape Cross and its historical importance is almost superseded by being home to a colony of over 100 000 Cape Fur Seals. The next significant visitor was Barholomeu Dias who stopped enroute at Walvis Bay and Luderitz on his way around the Cape of Good Hope. The Namib Desert was a formidable barrier and neither of these Portuguese explorers went very far inland!

The next important stage of Namibian History, was in 1793 when the Dutch Authority took control of Walvis Bay as it was a good deep water harbour. When the United Kingdom took control of the Cape Colony in 1797 they also took over Walvis Bay.

Namibia owes much of its most recent history to the infamous ‘Scramble for Africa’ that resulted in the 1878 British Annexation of the land surrounding Walvis Bay Harbour, the Afrikaner ‘trek boers’ escaping to the Cape Colony to the south and the proclamation in 1884 by Bismarck, of the protectorate of German South West Africa. During the First World War the South African forces gained control of German South West Africa and following the Treaty of Versailles continued to administer the areas as South West Africa. Resolution 435 of the United Nations in 1989 finally resulted in a peaceful independence for the Namibia people in 1990.

Namibia's Beautiful Oceanfront Hotels - It is simply amazing!!!!!

Home to many hundreds of miles of coastline, Namibia offers plenty of opportunity for sunbathing on a tropical, often deserted stretch of soft golden sand.

Hotel Zum Kaizer 

Perfectly positioned on Sam Nujoma Avenue in the picturesque Swakopmund, the luxurious Hotel Zum Kaiser offers direct access to the beach and the town's vibrant street life, quaint architecture, shopping and fine dining. This exclusive hotel houses 21 fully air-conditioned bedrooms, each featuring a full en-suite bathroom, television, coffee-and tea making facilities, bar fridge, electronic safe and wireless internet.

Hotel Pension Rapmund 

The hotel was established in 1968 by the Rapmund Family.
 The hotel offer 20 standard en-suite double rooms (of which 4 have a direct sea-view), 2 family- units and 2 luxury suites at very reasonable prices.

Luderitz Nest Hotel

The sheer isolation of Lüderitz, the curious way in which its colonial-style buildings cling to the rocks overlooking the bay, on some days a deep iridescent blue, on others grey and stormy, the crisp fresh climate, fishing boats bobbing up and down on the Atlantic horizon, penguins and seals diving beneath the waves, give the town a curious other-worldly allure.

 

Perfectly positioned on Sam Nujoma Avenue in the picturesque Swakopmund, the luxurious Hotel Zum Kaiser offers direct access to the beach and the town's vibrant street life, quaint architecture, shopping and fine dining. This exclusive hotel houses 21 fully air-conditioned bedrooms, each featuring a full en-suite bathroom, television, coffee-and tea making facilities, bar fridge, electronic safe and wireless internet. - See more at: http://www.hotelzumkaiser.com/#sthash.PkdMSGYx.dpuf

Perfectly positioned on Sam Nujoma Avenue in the picturesque Swakopmund, the luxurious Hotel Zum Kaiser offers direct access to the beach and the town's vibrant street life, quaint architecture, shopping and fine dining. This exclusive hotel houses 21 fully air-conditioned bedrooms, each featuring a full en-suite bathroom, television, coffee-and tea making facilities, bar fridge, electronic safe and wireless internet. - See more at: http://www.hotelzumkaiser.com/#sthash.PkdMSGYx.dpuf

Perfectly positioned on Sam Nujoma Avenue in the picturesque Swakopmund, the luxurious Hotel Zum Kaiser offers direct access to the beach and the town's vibrant street life, quaint architecture, shopping and fine dining. This exclusive hotel houses 21 fully air-conditioned bedrooms, each featuring a full en-suite bathroom, television, coffee-and tea making facilities, bar fridge, electronic safe and wireless internet. - See more at: http://www.hotelzumkaiser.com/#sthash.PkdMSGYx.dpuf