The Beautiful Damara Mopane Lodge - Namibia

Generously laid out in the midst of diverse gardens of a surprisingly different kind. 

The main building, its walls adorned by copies of the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein, is surrounded by Mopani trees. 

Each of the 55 double-room chalets (with air conditioning) sits in a vegetable and herb garden surrounded by a low wall. The gardens supply fresh ingredients for supper, which consists of a hot starter followed by a 

buffet.

There is a swimming pool for chilling out and a viewing point for relishing sunsets and the star-studded sky.

For more information please contact us at: info@namibiareservations.com
or visit our webstie at: http://www.namibiareservations.com/

"NAMIBIA - IT  IS AN EXPERIENCE RATHER THAN A PLACE"

The Feral Horse of the Namib

It is probably the only feral herd of horses residing in Africa, with a population ranging between 90 and 150. The Namib Desert Horse is athletic in appearance, resembling the European light riding horses from which it probably descends, and usually dark in color. Despite the harsh environment in which they live, the horses are generally in good condition, except during times of extreme drought. The horses have been the subject of several population studies, which have given significant insight into their population dynamics and ability to
 survive in desert conditions.


The origin of the Namib Desert Horse is unclear, though several theories have been put forward. Genetic tests have been performed, although none to date have completely verified their origin. The most likely ancestors of the horses are a mix of riding horses and cavalry horses, many from German breeding programs, released from various farms and camps in the early 20th century, especially during World War I. Whatever their origin, the horses eventually congregated in the Garub Plains, near Aus, Namibia, the location of a man-made water source.

They were generally ignored by humans, except for the periodic threat of eradication due to the possibility that they were destroying native herbivore habitat, until the 1980s. In 1984, the first aerial survey of the population was made, and in 1986, their traditional grazing land was incorporated into the Namib-Naukluft Park. At several points, some horses have been removed from the herd, including the removal and sale of over one-third of the population in 1992. Since the early 1990s, close records of the population have been kept, and studies have been performed to determine the horses' affect on their environment. Despite being considered an exotic species within the park, they are allowed to remain due to their ties to the country's history and draw as

Ground Rush Adventures

Ground Rush Adventures / Skydive Swakopmund was founded in 1997 and operates in Swakopmund and surrounding. We work in close harmony with booking agencies, hotels, guest houses and tour operators.
At Ground Rush Adventures / Skydive Swakopmund we offer Tandem Skydiving as well as courses in Accelerated Freefall and Static Line jumps.

Experienced Tandem Masters are always around to attend to the adrenalin seeking tourist. Accelerated Freefall Instructors and Static Line Instructors are always available for coaching or presenting skydiving courses.
Ground Rush Adventures / Skydive Swakopmund is open seven days a week all year round and skydiving happens daily (weather permitting).
Students and spectators are collected with the Ground Rush Adventures courtesy vehicles and brought to the office for paper work, where after they taken to the Drop Zone which is in the beautiful Namib Desert, adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean for tandem skydiving. After the experience of a lifetime the students are taken back to their accommodation.
All skydiving at Ground Rush Adventures / Skydive Swakopmund is operated under the control of the Parachute Association of Namibia (PANAM) which is the governing body for all forms of skydiving in Namibia.

Tandem Skydiving

Ground Rush Adventures / Skydive Swakopmund started Tandem skydiving in Namibia in 1997 and to date has done over 37 000 tandem skydives in Swakopmund making it one of the largest and most organized tandem operation on the African continent, boasting an impeccable safety record. Ground Rush Adventures is a member of the Namibian Tourism Board.

At our offices indemnities are filled out before skydiving, and different camera and video options are explained to the students.
After driving out to the Drop Zone which is in the beautiful Namib Desert, adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean, you get trained and dresses to go skydiving. With your tandem master you take a short walk to the aircraft, and that is when your adventure begins.  During the twenty-five minute breathtaking scenic flight up to 10 000 feet above Swakopmund and surrounding areas, your tandem master will re-brief and crosscheck all the skydiving equipment, and ensures that you are confident and comfortable and ready to skydive. At 10 000 feet just prior to exit you put on the skydiving goggles, shuffle to the door and with a “ready  set  go” you fall from the aircraft. As you fall towards the ground at a speed of approximately 200km/h the fresh Atlantic air rushes by. Your adrenalin kicks in and you finally know what it feels like to fly. After your adrenalin rushed 30 sec of freefall the tandem master deploys the parachute and you gently slow down as the canopy inflates above. A comfortable ride under a fully inflated parachute lowers you gently down, until you touchdown safely back on the desert floor.

For more Information contact us at info@namibiareservations.com

Visit our website at www.namibiareservations.com

Bubo Africanus (The Spotted Eagle Owl)

45 cm. Off white to pale orche facial disk, yellow eyes, prominent ear tufts, and the upper body is dusky brown, the lower parts off-white with brown bars.

These beautiful birds are mostly found in rocky outcrops, scrub land, open woods and semi deserts.

The bird hisses and clicks when alarmed and is often in gardens.

The diets includes small mamals, birds, insects and reptiles.

Their nest is made on the ground though they have been known to nests on window edges of buildings. Breeding begins in July continuing to the first weeks of February. 2-4 eggs area laid and incubated by the female for about 32 days. The female leaves the nest only to eat what the male has brought food. The young owls can fly at around seven weeks of age. Five weeks later, the young owls leave the nest.

 

Etosha National Park

Namibia's most famous park is not only the best game viewing spot in the country, it is also one of the top birding spots and a 2-4 day visit will almost guarantee great results. The park is brilliant for raptors especially Martial and Tawny Eagles, Black-chested and Brown Snake-eagles, Lanner, Peregrine and Red-necked Falcons, Pale-chanting and Gabar Goshawks.
Scan the top of the huge Sociable Weaver nests for African Pygmy-falcon. Etosha is brilliant for owls with sightings of Pearl-spotted Owlet, African Scops-owl, Southern White-faced Owlet, Barn Owl, Verreaux's Eagle-owl and Spotted Eagle-owl fairly common. The flat open plains of the western section are good for Lark-like Bunting, Pink-billed, Sabota, Red-capped and Spike-heeled Larks, Grey-backed Sparrow-lark, Namaqua and Double-banded Sandgrouse, Double-banded and Temminck's Coursers.
The open acacia savannahs are good for Crimson-breasted Shrike, Great Sparrow, Violet-eared Waxbill, Southern Pied Babbler, Red-headed Finch, Kori Bustard, Scaly-feathered Finch, Marico Flycatcher, Namaqua Dove and Blue Crane. The woodland sections of the middle and eastern parts holds specials like Bare-cheeked and Black-faced Babbler, Violet Woodhoopoe and Carps Black Tit. When the Etosha pan fills up with water after very good rainy seasons it becomes a water bird paradise. Huge numbers of lesser and Greater Flamingos, Great White Pelicans, Great Crested and Black-necked Grebes, Caspian Plovers, Cape and Red-billed Teals and a number of rarities congregate on and around the pan.

The Life of The Black Faced Impala

Imagine a larger and darker version of the graceful impala with its shiny reddish coat and long slender legs, add a distinctive dark blaze to its muzzle, and you have the black-faced impala, Aepyceros melampus petersi, a subspecies found in the wild only in south-western Angola and north-western Namibia.

The evolution of this interesting subspecies is the result of its isolated occurrence, the ordinary impala having a wide distribution in the eastern woodlands of Africa, from northern Kenya southwards to northern KwaZulu Natal in South Africa.

The black-faced impala’s definitive dark blaze extends from its nostrils to the top of its head, and its tail is long and very bushy. An adult male has a mean mass of 63 kg, the female about 50 kg, considerably larger when compared to an ordinary impala male with its mean mass of 50 kg and female which weighs approximately 40 kg. The upper parts of the black-faced impala’s body lack the rich reddish-brown colour of the ordinary impala, being duller brown with a rich purplish black sheen.

According to Shortridge, black-faced impala used to occur as far south as Kaoko-Otavi. Today this interesting animal’s natural distribution is limited to the northern and southern banks of the Kunene River, in Namibia in northern Kaokoland, where they are seldom encountered further south than 30 km from the river.

Following a timous relocation programme by the Namibian Department of Nature Conservation in the sixties, about 1 500 black-faced impala currently inhabit the Etosha National Park, with small numbers occurring on private game reserves and farmlands. Ordinary impala occur naturally in western and eastern Caprivi, while small numbers were translocated from South Africa’s then Transvaal and Natal provinces to the Daan Viljoen Game Reserve, the Waterberg Plateau Park, private game reserves and several farms.

The River Crossing Lodge

Feel the pulse of the city from the heart of the bushveld 

River Crossing is 3km from Windhoek on the airport road being only 5 minutes from the heart of Windhoek and is located on a pristine 6500 hectare game reserve. Rediscover the nuances of a bygone era of farm life and offer the discerning traveller all the modern amenities.
The main lodge building comprises a dining room, a centrally situated bar, a lounge with fireplace, a wellness room, a curio corner, and a conference room seating up to 65 delegates.
Nestled outside between the lounge and dining area is the pool (great for swimming lengths – it really is quite long!) The elevated wooden deck offers a fairytale view of Windhoek.
The Lodge and the rooms have been designed to emulate old German farm houses – think ‘stoep’ with ‘afdakkie’ and pots of geraniums.

Accommodation:

20 guest chalets consist of 14 twin chalets and 6 double chalets (all chalets have en suite bathrooms with showers, loos and basins). Two of the chalets have been designed with honeymooners in mind and have baths instead of showers …of course all rooms have the feather duvets wrapped in 100% cotton, the environmentally friendly guest amenities and the unparalleled service and hospitality to consider too.
6 chalets offer views of Windhoek and 14 face east offering superb sunrise views of the Moltkeblick Mountain.

What to do at the Lodge:

Game drives, horse riding, guided or self guided walks and mountain biking.

Conferences and Events:

The private function room can seat up to 65 delegates.  It has two access points and opens onto a private veranda.
We also make use of our lounge for smaller groups (up to 35 delegates) and screen the room off from other lodge guests.  This space also opens onto its own private veranda.
For very small groups (up to 8 delegates) we make use of our chalets, for a more intimate setting.  Teas and coffees are provided on the veranda.  Light lunches are served at the main lodge.

Breath Taking Surroundings - Namibia

We invite you to take a journey through Namibia and explore its breath taking sights....

                                                   

       

  

Sunrise and sunsets are the best times to photograph, and each season brings its own inspiration........

You cant explain the incredible feeling, windows down and driving through beautiful land. One of the best feelings in the world....

Spitzkoppe, a group of friendly - looking granite mountains with the main Spitzkoppe peak distinctive at 1728m.

Namibia has alot to ofer it does not end here.

We at Namibia Reservations can help you through your journey.

Contact us for info at info@namibiareservations.com

For more info on accommodation visit our website www.namibiareservations.com 

Visit our car rental site www.rent-a-car-namibia.com