World Rhino Day - 22. September 2011

Taking a stand!
After a hugely successful awareness raising campaign in 2010, Rhino Africa is aiming even higher in 2011. 22 September has been declared RHINO DAY by the WWF. With the momentum from the devastating recent events at Aquila Private Game Reserve, a Big 5 Game Reserve close to Cape Town, we are planning an enormous show of strength outside Parliament in Cape Town.
Everyone is feeling passionately about putting a stop to poaching. So whether you’re with Rhino Africa, Getaway Magazine, Wildlife ACT Fund, Africa@Heart, Saving Rhinos (Facebook: Saving Rhinos), Walking for Rhino Rights, Chishakwe Ranch, Aquila Private Game Reserve (Saving Private Rhino Initiative) or just a passionate individual, let’s get together, stand tall and speak with one voice.

Date: Thursday 22 September 2011
Time: 11:30 am – 1:30 pm (come down after the rugby and in your lunch break)
Where: Congregate by the Louis Botha Statue outside Parliament in Cape Town. We hold the necessary permissions from the City of Cape Town and the Magistrate Office.
What to wear: Red!
What to bring: Bring placards with an anti-rhino poaching message; water; sun cream and a hat. Bring good cheer, a loud voice and your vuvuzelas!

Derived from Rhino Africa

Robertson Wine on the River set for October

From October 14 to 16, the Robertson Wine on the River will be held on the banks of the Breede River for the sixth consecutive year. Visitors will be able to enjoy over 300 wines from various wineries, browse through the food stalls, and listen to live jazz, ballads, and blues.

The festival will take place in a marquee at riverside farm Goudmyn, situated on the R317 between Robertson and Bonnievale. Features will include tutored chardonnay tastings at the Chardonnay Tent, the Robertson Farmers’ Market, river cruises, and an arts and crafts selection.

There will also be a range of children’s activities. Children under 18 will enter free of charge, after which the activities will be charged for on a pay-as-you-go system.

Designated parking areas have been arranged and, for visitors who use parking areas further away, a shuttle service will provide transport to and from the festival.

Derived from Tourism Update

News received from Tour Brief

Kulala Wilderness Camp closing April 2012
Wilderness has announced that Kulala Wilderness Camp will close permanently on 15.04.2012. After Kulala Wilderness Camp has closed, future Wilderness accommodation in the Sossusvlei area will be provided by Kulala Desert Lodge and Little Kulala.
Alternative arrangements are being made for all affected bookings.

Kulala Desert Lodge is expanding
Kulala Desert Lodge will add 6 new rooms (5 twins & 1 family) in early 2012. The main area will be enlarged and remodelled. The camp will be closed from 15 January to 14 April 2012 inclusive. Alternative arrangements are being made for all affected bookings.

Laughter comes calling...
A female brown hyena has taken up residence near Serra Cafema. Picture courtesy of Wilderness Safaris.

Lüderitz Nest Hotel: gateway to the Sperrgebiet
Main points
* 73 rooms, incl. family units & paraplegic friendly rooms
* Located in Lüderitz, with all rooms overlooking the ocean
* Ideal base for visiting Kolmanskop, Diaz Point, Shark Island and the rugged coastal scenery.
* Children’s playground, pool and childcare services
* Courtyard sheltered from wind
* Noted seafood restaurant
* Conferencing
* Offers Lüderitz Town Tour, Peninsula Tour, Kolmanskop Tour and Sunset Tour
* Friendly to children
* Suitable for the aged
* Suitable for the disabled with 3 x paraplegic friendly

Destination: the Sperrgebiet, tourism's rough diamond
In 1908, when diamonds were discovered by railway worker Zacharias Lewala in the vicinity of Lüderitz, the German colonial administration quickly declared a restricted zone, the 'Sperrgebiet'. For a long time, the only sign welcoming travellers read 'keep out'. Today, all that is changing, as parts of the restricted area have been opened for the adventurous. The Sperrgebiet is a rugged, closed area, that can only be visited with a permit that must be applied for two weeks in advance. No children under 14 can enter the Sperrgebiet. Kolmanskop, although treated separately, also falls within the Sperrgebiet. The attraction of the area lies in its history, it’s marvellous natural attractions and the sense of illicit pleasure that comes from visiting a forbidden zone. The trip to Lüderitz, from where the Sperrgebiet is entered, is difficult to schedule as the distances are long, and the route in and out between Lüderitz and Aus must be repeated. However, if the traveller is pressed for time, a fly-in is recommended.

Nature: the amazing plants of the Sperrgebiet
A large part of the Sperrgebiet consists of the Succulent Karoo Biome, a global diversity hotspot. Spreading from Aus, across the border of the Sperrgebiet, this environment is an under-marketed attraction that gives consultants an interesting alternative for clients with an interest in botany, succulent plants and deserts.

For more information or to make a booking please email us: info@namibiareservations.com or visit our website: http://www.namibiareservations.com/

Air Namibia upgrades regional fleet

Air Namibia has announced an upgrade of its regional fleet by adding two new-generation A319-100 aircraft, scheduled to enter service this month.

The A319-100 will be in a two-class configuration, with 16 business-class and 96 economy-class seats. The new aircraft offers a 137cm seat pitch in business class and 81cm pitch in economy class. The aircraft will service the Windhoek, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Luanda and Accra routes.

Derived from Tourism Update

New on Namibia Reservations website

Lodge Inn

Situated a mere 40km from Otavi en-route to Grootfontein near the quant town town of Kombat. Offering 5 comforable en-suite rooms, a restaurant, bar and swimming pool. A perfect stopover to visit the Caprivi or Etosha National Park.

For more details visit our website ist www.namibiareservations.com/lodge_inn.html or email us at infor@namibiareservations.com

News received from Air Namibia

Cancellation of flight SW781/2 JNBWVB 02 September and 07 September 2011 WVBJNB.

Dear Trade Partner,

Air Namibia announces the cancellation of flight SW781 JNBWVB on September 02, 2011and SW782 WVBJNB on September 07, 2011 for operational reasons.

Conditions for the procedure
All passengers will be rerouted accordingly
Passengers are to be rebooked at no fee
Passengers will not be provided with accommodation
AUTH/SW/11/MISC/M515/11/08

Refund procedures:
Apply for a full refund on your net/published fare level via your GDS and quote the following reference number:
AUTH/SW/11/MISC/M515/11/08
Full refunds for unused tickets will be granted regardless of terms and conditions of the fare (even for non-refundable tickets).

Please note: all refunds must be processed within 7 days from receipt of request for the refund by the passenger.
You can contact any nearest reservation/ticket office for further details

Derived from Air Namibia Newsletter

New on Namibia Reservations website

Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge

Nkasa Lupala tented lodge is situated in the Wuparo community conservancy 130km west of Katima Mulilo in the Caprivi Region of northen Namibia. The distance from Kongola is 75km on good gravel road.
The Lodge consist of a network of Teak platforms with 10 luxury Tents constructed out of steel, canvas and wood with proper doors and windows and en-suite bathroom facilities. For the 10 rooms there is a central dining room, lounge facility with kitchen, storage, office and bar linked to the rooms through a network of pathways. The lodge is totally energy self-sufficient for electricity and water heating by using solar panels and will serve as an example of sustainable construction and planning not only in the region but in Namibia as a whole.

To make a booking please contact us at info@namibiareservations.com or visit our website for more details www.namibiareservations.com/nkasa_lupala_lodge.html