Showing posts with label Sossusvlei. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sossusvlei. 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".






Friday, April 15, 2016

Desert Quiver Camp - Gateway to Sossusvlei


Desert Quiver Camp uniquely combines modern self-catering accommodation with comfort and style. Conveniently located a mere 5km from the entrance gate to Sossusvlei, the inspiring scenery characterised by granite outcrops, spectacular views and roaming wildlife will captivate your senses.

 
The 24 uniquely designed self-catering accommodation units have spacious bedrooms, en-suite bathrooms, shaded patio areas and private parking. Each twin-bedded room features a fold-out sleeper couch to accommodate 2 small children (under 12) free of charge when sharing with 2 full paying adults. The patio is equipped with a barbeque facility, a fitted kitchenette with under counter fridge, 2 plate hob and a wooden bench for seating. Utility boxes with most utensils needed are available at reception and fresh food supplies can be ordered daily.

Facilities at the main building include a fully stocked bar with a big screen television, a sparkling swimming pool and 2 communal boma-areas which are perfect to cater for groups travelling together. 

Meals can be enjoyed at the nearby Sossusvlei Lodge restaurant and their Adventure Centre offers a range of exciting desert activities to explore the area. 

A fully stocked shop, fuel and an Internet café is available at the Sossus Oasis Service Station.




Friday, October 16, 2015

Solitaire Country Lodge

  

On the edge of the Namib Desert, in the midst of gravel plains, bordering the Namib Naukluft Park, there lies a little town called Solitaire.The mystic little settlement of Solitaire does justice to its name in more than one way. Solitaire with its Charisma will take you back to the beginning of the 19hundreds.

Solitaire is an excellent choice to split your journey between Sesriem / Sossusvlei and Swakopmund or Windhoek. It has an air of tranquility combined with comfort and affordability. 


Tucked away behind the bustling scene you find the Solitaire Country Lodge. The Lodge with all its rooms facing a central courtyard with swimming pool surrounded by lush green lawn. The restaurant and bar cater for lodge and camping guests alike in an environment with a unique character and unsurpassed hospitality.


Activites 

Two non-guided walking trails are available on the property.  Distance between 3.5 km to 8 km. The trails are clearly marked. 
 Enjoy an incredible sunset over the oldest desert in the world.

For more information please contact us at

Friday, May 22, 2015

The beauty and tranquility of Hoodia Desert Lodge


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


Come and experience the beauty and tranquility of Hoodia Desert Lodge, surrounded by majestic mountains on the banks of the Tsauchab River. Only a 20 minute drive will bring you to the Sesriem Gate, entrance of the world famous red sand-dunes of Sossusvlei.

 
The lodge opened in 2008 to accommodate guests from all over the world on an individual and small scale. Therefore only 11 luxury chalets with great  distance from each other were planned to assure privacy in this breathtaking environment. The lodge is family-owned and managed by Thomas & Henreza Becker, both enthusiastic regarding professional hospitality with a personal human approach.

Lodge Features
Rooms

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

11 Luxury thatched, partly tented chalets with en-suite Bathrooms (indoor)
Air-conditioned
Open Air shower with a generous bathtub
Coffee Station
Fridge
Mosquito Net
Private shaded deck


 Main Building  

 
Shaded outside lounge deck
Shaded pool area
Lounge area with fireplace
Restaurant with centered fireplace
Elegant Bar

Sossusvlei Tour: Join them at sunrise on our professional guided tour to Sossusvlei, discover the world of dunes, vlei's and photographic beauty of the desert. As a highlight enjoy an exclusive dune lunch with fine wines, delicious food and ice cold beverages. End this life time experience with a hike in the Sesriem Canyon and head back to Hoodia Desert Lodge in the 4X4 safari vehicle in the late afternoon.


Sun Downer: Experience the tranquility and magic of the Namibian sunset. They'd love to spoil you with fine wines, traditional sundowner drinks and snacks at a private set up on one of our selected outlook points overlooking the Namib Desert.

Extra Activities: On guests' request they can arrange a Balloon Safari over Sossusvlei, Horse Trails in the Namib Desert, Scenic & Helicopter Flights over Sossusvlei and Quad Bike Adventures in the area.


For more information please contact us at

Monday, July 7, 2014

Dunes and Deserts of Namibia

SOSSUSVLEI & THE NAMIB

Sossuvlei is located next to the Sesriem Canyon, within the Namib Naukluft Park in Namibia. The dunes rise to over 375 meters above the river Tsauchab flowing from east to west to die in the desert a few miles from the Atlantic Ocean. They are among the highest dunes in the world. These dunes are located on top of an ancient desert petrified forms a sandstone base ...
Explore Sossusvlei & Desert of namib.


 Dead vlei
Dead Vlei is a white clay pan located near the more famous salt pan of Sossusvlei, inside the Namib-Naukluft Park in Namibia.
Also written DeadVlei or Deadvlei, its name means "dead marsh" (from English dead, and Afrikaans vlei, a lake or marsh in a valley between the dunes).


Namib desert
The Namib Desert is a desert in Namibia and southwest Angola that forms part of the Namib-Naukluft National Park, the largest game reserve in Africa.
The name "Namib" is of Nama origin and means "vast place".
Having endured arid or semi-arid conditions for at least 55 million years, it is considered to be the oldest desert in the world.


Dune 45
Dune 45 is a star dune in Sossusvlei, Namibia.
Its name comes from the fact that it is at the 45th kilometer of the gravel road that connect the Sesriem gate and Sossusvlei.
Standing over 170m, it is composed of 5 million year old sand that was brought by the Orange River from the Kalahari Desert


Big Daddy dune
Big Daddy is the highest dune in the Sossusvlei area; it is about 325 meters high (height may vary over time as it is made of sand).
Big Daddy is located past Sossusvlei proper, near Dead Vlei. It faces another very high dune known as "Big Mama".


Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei is about 66 km past the Sesriem gate.
The last 6 km can only be traversed with 4WD vehicles as the concrete road ends and sand begins (the place where the concrete road ends is known as "2x4 parking" as any non-4WD vehicle must stop there).


Sossusvlei Pan
While the pan has been shaped over time by the Tsauchab river, the actual flooding of the pan is a relatively rare event, and sometimes several years pass between one flood and the next one. The river is dry most of the year, and even when it is not, it carries relatively little water to the vlei.
The vlei is surrounded by high orange-reddish dunes, partially covered by a vegetation comprising grass, bushes, and some tree.


Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Namibia a campers Paradise

Namibia is a campers paradise.There are a medley of sights, smells, tastes and sounds to be experienced and enjoyed through camping in Namibia – from the harsh, barren, stony plains around the Fish River Canyon, past the vast red dunes of Sossusvlei, along the wind-swept shores of the cold Atlantic Ocean to the seemingly endless plains and rocky mountains of Damaraland and the humid forests on the banks of the Zambezi River in Caprivi. Each corner holds a secret treasure of its own. There is a wide choice of sites all over Namibia for seasoned campers or nervous novices on their first camping holiday, from luxury campsites under shady trees and grassy lawns, to wild places under a camel-thorn tree in a sandy riverbed.

Here are some of the camping you can find in Namibia. Please note that the list does not end here. For a broad selection of camping in Namibia you can visit our website @  www.namibiareservations.com 

Hobas Camping site

 Situated 10km from the Main View Point of the Fish River Canyon. Facilities includes: kiosk and swimming pool.


Activities includes a visit to the main view point of Fish River Canyon or just relaxing in the swimming pool.

Agama River Camp:


 Situated on the C19, 30 kms south of Solitaire and 50 kms north of Sesriem, approximately forty five minutes from the main gate way to Sossusvlei.

 
Activities includes a visit to the sossusvlei, go on the naukluft mountain hiking trail, self guided walks.

For more information visit our website at www.namibiareservations.com
 Contact us at info@namibiareservations.com

Our team will be happy to assist you...

Friday, February 7, 2014

........In the heart of Namibia...........

Sossusvlei
The Sossusvlei is perhaps the highest sand dunes in the world. Situated in Namibia, these dunes are as high as 300 meters. The Sossusvlei cover a great expanse of almost 500 square kilometres of the mighty Namib Desert, which is considered to be one of the oldest deserts by many geologists. Literally meaning 'the gathering place of water', the Sossusvlei is actually a clay pan which holds rain water to form a lake. This pan retains water for a long time due to the high clay content and this attracts a large crowd from people all over since it is a rare sight.
 


Specifically speaking, Sossusvlei is only a circular shaped depression filled with water in the heart of the Namib Desert. Also known as the ‘Vlei’ the Afrikaans word for pan, it is the place where the dunes come together, causing the Tsauchab River to stop its course. Most often, the river does not flow this far because it is dry. But a surprise bout of rainfall could turn this dead Vlei into a spectacular lake flanked by ruddy and sparkling dunes. But now, the gigantic dunes are also considered to be a part of the Sossusvlei and the dunes as well as the Vlei come under the area of the Sossusvlei.

The dunes surrounding the pan have an impressive history of formation. It has been said that the residue or sand from the Orange River were carried all the way to the western coast of Africa and deposited into the mighty Atlantic Ocean. The strong currents of the ocean moved this material towards the north and replaced them back on to the land. By this constant re-deposition, dunes began forming on the coast and were shifted further inland by winds. The sand deposited on the windward side makes the dune flat, while the leeward side is considerably steeper. However, the patterns on the dune vary according to the direction and speed of the wind and these dunes have taken a million years to be developed. The Sossusvlei today is ever changing and evolving.

The Sossusvlei may be known for its vast expanse of giant dunes, but what makes them even more impressive is their colour composition. The presence of iron oxides in the sand coupled with innumerable particles of garnet gives the dune its brilliant hue. The shades vary according to the age of the dunes, and the older the dune the brighter the sand’s colour. These varying shades of red are the highlight of the Sossusvlei and they define the stark beauty of the Namib Desert. The dunes do not look the same at different times during the day, as the sun plays on the colour of sand. The Sossusvlei is a hub for several die hard photographers who have captured and immortalised the timeless beauty of the dunes and the Vlei.

The Sossusvlei is a formidable, enormous and stunning region of deposited sand causing the particles to form dunes for thousands of centuries. The dunes that surround the clay pan and the pan itself are the pride of the Namib Desert and are a major tourist attraction.


Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Zebra River Lodge - Sossusvlei

 


Zebra River Lodge is an old original farmhouse, situated in 12 500 hectares of dramatic scenery, deep in the Tsaris Mountains of southern Namibia.
The Lodge has accommodated guests in its special environment for more than 15 years. Extensive renovations were undertaken, to bring the lodge up to modern-day standards without losing the charm, original features and atmosphere of the old farmhouse.
The solar water heaters make the most of the sun and the new water hole, which is floodlit, is attracting more and more animals and birds as they discover this permanent source of water in the desert. The lodge was recently completely renovated.

Zebra River Lodge and it's Canyon is a heaven for geologists, archaeologists and palaeontologists, hikers and birders, as well as for those who just want peace and quiet.

Visit this magic place where the setting sun makes the mountains glow in golden colors and beautiful stars guide you through your sleep. Let the warmth and our Namibian hospitality welcome you to a place of light and airy spaces on the slopes of the Zebra River Canyon in the Tsaris Mountains.




Friday, June 29, 2012

Namibia Reservations - Leading Lodges of Africa Circuit

Visit Namibia, where you will experience the most breathtaking beauty of landscape, wildlife and nature. We only have the best there is to offer our clients and with us you will have the opportunity to explore the most memorable 12 days of your life taking you through Namibia’s finest selection of Lodges that offers you Game Drives, Nature Walks, Balloon flights and off course meeting one of our most historical tribes “The Bushmen”
 
2 PersonsTour Length: 12 Days / 11 nights
Validity Period: Valid until 31.10.2012
Price: N$ 10375.00 per person sharing

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

Monday, March 7, 2011

Agama River Camp new on Namibia Reservations website

Agama River Camp is the ideal overnight access point to Sossusvlei and the Namib Naukluft hiking trails.
They are connected to the main grid (Nampower) so their chalets and restaurant have a reliable power supply.
As the campsite and chalets are on a small personalised scale: a swimming pool, sunset deck and fully licenced bar are available to all the residents.
They are situated on the C19, 30 kms south of Solitaire and 50 kms north of Sesriem, approximately forty five minutes from the main gate way to Sossusvlei.

For more details please visit our website: www.namibiareservations.com/agama_river_camp.html
or email us for more details: info@namibiareservations.com

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Moon Mountain Lodge on Namibia Reservations Website

An ultra luxury tented lodge ideally located in the Moon Mountains. Enjoy sheer luxury with exquisite views from your bed or private splash pool.
Built and completed in 2009 on the Moon Mountain Top, as fixed “tented rooms” with all the comforts of a room, but the airy feeling of a tent. Moon Mountain Lodge is ideally situated for any holiday guest who wants to visits the world’s highest dunes in Sossusvlei, as the lodge is only 50km away from the entrance gate and close to the quaint little village of Solitaire.
All rooms offer breath taking views of the Namib Naukluft scenery, including mountains, dunes, Springbok, Oryx, Mountain Zebra and birds.

For more details visit our website: www.namibiarservations.com/moon_mountain_lodge.html
or contact us at info@namibiareservations.com to make a booking.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Sossusvlei has Water

Breaking news received from Sossusvlei Lodge.

The Pictures taken just after the water reached the Sossusvlei, the area known to have some of the worlds highest sand dunes.

The Namib Desert region around Sossusvlei after several years is blessed to have received some good rains. The Tsauchab River has been in flood a few times in the past few days and eventually the water masses made its way through to the end, to Sossusvlei.

The Tsauchab River in full flood, cutting off the road leading to Sossusvlei.

Water in the desert is something not often witnessed. The Namib Desert is said to be one of the oldest and driest desert, having endured arid or semi-arid conditions for an estimated 55 to 80 million years. Animals and plants in the Namib rely largely on morning fog as the main source of water. This often referred to as 'mysterious' fog is as a result of the Arctic water meeting African desert; the Atlantic Ocean is a mere 60km east of Sossusvlei.

The ephemeral Tsauchab River, has its origin in the Naukluft Mountains, makes its way through the Sesriem Canyon and then after another 20-30km onwards forming a delta through the sandy stretches towards the Deadvlei and final dune belt of Sossusvlei. The sandy 5km stretch of road from what is known as the 2x4 Parking is flooded and this phenomenon is currently best viewed from the air.
All other roads from elsewhere in the country leading towards the Sossusvlei area seem relatively fine. They are however best travelled in 4x4, or vehicles with high ground clearance. Special care must be taken when approaching rivers and even the smallest rivulets as these may have steep edges due to sudden and have flow of water. Slow driving is definitely recommended.

For more details or to make a booking either accommodation or activities in the area please contact us at: info@namibiareservations.com
or visit our website for more details of establishments in the area: www.namibiareservations.com/sossusvleie.html

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Local Sossusvlei & Etosha News from Taleni Africa

All three lodges of Taleni Africa (Sossusvlei Lodge, Desert Camp and Taleni Etosha Village) won an award of excellence and the Sossus Oasis Campsite an Eco Award. The continuous service of excellence; friendly staff, best food and interesting lodge concepts have led to these awards.


Selfcatering in the holiday season:

Etosha Village pffers self-catering in the December - January holiday season. The restaurant is closed from 13.December 2010 to 13. January 2011 wuth catering provided for pre-booked meals. Kitchen staff will be available in this period to assist self-caters who wish to order fresh food supplies such as freshly baked breads, salads, BBQ packs and more. Eating- & cooking utensils are available as well as all other facilities at the Lodge.

For more details of Taleni Etosha Village visit: www.namibiareservations.com/etosha_village.html



Friday, August 13, 2010

Namibia Reservations updates on Kulala Lodge



Wilderness Safaris now offer camel rides alongsite the ever popular hot air ballooning. This is a wonderful new way to experience the desert at Kulala. From Trail Rides, Dune Rides and Sundowner rides - duration is 2 to 3 hour rides.

Further changes that are under way is that the Kulala Desert Lodge is adding four new units. As of October 2010 Kulala Lodge will boast a total of 19 Rooms. The new camp configuration will consist of 3 Double rooms, 2 Family Rooms and 14 Twin rooms.

Please contact us for further information: