NAMIBIA
One of the world’s last remote places
NAMIBIA TRAVEL GUIDE
NAMIBIA Namibia is a country of rugged, otherworldly landscapes; a desert realm with a complex history and culturally diverse inhabitants Writer: Dani Redd | Project Manager: Joe Palliser
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amibia is known for its sparse, otherworldly landscapes. It gets its name from the Namib, the world’s oldest desert; a sparse, windswept region extending 1,900 kilometres down Africa’s Atlantic coast. The desert is characterised by its red dunes, which plunge down towards the ocean at Sandwich Harbour and Skeleton Coast. It’s also known for its white clay and salt pans, such as Deadvlei, where there are hundreds of ossified trees. Another scenic spot in the desert is Moon Landscape, named after its eerie, pockmarked topography. But sightseeing in Namibia isn’t just about deserts. Inland you’ll find the green-gold grasslands of the Kalahari, and rugged mountains such as the Brandberg, Spitzkoppe and Damaraland.
Tourists flock to Namibia to experience its remote corners. Hot air ballooning, sand boarding and offroad quad bike excursions are all popular activities. When it comes to safaris, Namibia offers some unrivalled experiences – head to Etosha National Park to see big cats, elephants and black rhinos. Namibia has a fascinating history. It was inhabited as early as 25,000 BC, with tribes such as Ovambo and Herero gradually migrating into the country. In the “Scramble for Africa” Namibia became a German colony, known as German South West Africa, in 1884. After over a century of bloody battles, Namibia finally gained independence in 1990. These days it’s a country rich in historical attractions and cultural diversity; a country with plenty of stories to tell.
OUR ETOSHA RESORTS
SOME OF OUR PRIZED POSSESSIONS
WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO
EXPERIENCE NAMIBIA? ONKOSHI RESORT
HALALI RESORT
OLIFANTSRUS CAMP
+264 855 502 342 +264 67 687 362
+264 67 229 400 +264 67 229 400
+264 65 685 809 +264 65 685 885
OVERVIEW
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The unobstructed panoramic sunrises and sunsets are spectacular sights to behold. At night, the stars fill the vast open African sky, allowing for sensational stargazing opportunities.
Some of the most popular waterholes of the park are located in close proximity to Halali, and the floodlit waterhole at the camp is an attraction to both wildlife and the visitors seeking to spot it. The guided morning, afternoon, and night game drives arranged at the resort provide flexible opportunities to see the wildlife.
The campsites take a maximum of 8 pax per site. There are braai facilities for campers and flat bases to make fire. The camp opens at sunrise and closes at sunset as per the general park regulations and day visitors are only allowed to use the picnic facilities up until 16h00.
OKAUKUEJO RESORT
DOLOMITE RESORT
+264 67 229 800 +264 67 229 852
+264 65 685 119 +264 65 685 116
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in seclusion, on the rim of the majestic Etosha Salt Pan and far away from the public self-drive routes, Onkoshi provides a beautiful escape within the Etosha National Park. The 15 freestanding chalets (30 beds) overlook the vast pan, which is home to a variety of exotic wildlife, including a crowd of pink flamingos and 4 of the big 5 game in the rainy season. ocated
NAMUTONI RESORT +264 67 229 300 +264 67 229 306 OVERVIEW
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uiLt into an old German Historic Fort built in 1897, Namutoni Resort is the perfect setting for a cultural adventure African savannah. It is located in the eastern part of the Etosha National Park in close proximity to the Fisher’s Pan – a hotspot for birders.
The romantic fort overlooks the flood-lit King Nehale Waterhole from which visitors can enjoy views of wildlife without leaving the resort. The swimming pool and bar offer moments to relax and socialize.
Resort is situated at the base of a dolomite hill, nestled amongst shady Mopane trees in Namibia’s legendary Etosha National Park. The thick vegetation in the area makes it a popular draw to leopards, rhinos and elephants. aLaLi
kaukuejo ,
located 17 km from the southern entrance of the Etosha National Park, is famous for its floodlit waterhole, where visitors can observe at close quarters a spectacle of wildlife congregating and interacting. Accommodation is provided to suit every need, in premier bush chalets overlooking the waterhole; bush chalets and double rooms; or family chalets. Other facilities include a restaurant, bar, shop, swimming pool, kiosk and camping facilities.
ocated in the western part of the Etosha National Park between the Okaukuejo and Dolomite Resorts, Olifantsrus Campsite is a camping-only facility, there are no chalets available here. The facility has 10 campsites with 5 power stands whereby two campsites are sharing at one stand.
oLomite Resort is located in a previously restricted scenic area in the western region of Etosha National Park, rich in biodiversity due to the absence of mainstream tourism. The dolomite formations in the area give the resort its name and provide a lush vista. With no less than 15 waterholes, wildlife sightings are very common around the resort and provide excellent photography opportunities. Black and White Rhino have often been spotted at the Klippan waterhole. Moreover, the specially arranged game drives bring you to the most exclusive areas of the park, generally only known to conservationists.
BOOK ON THE GO Our app has been reimagined from the ground up so you can get a little more from it. You can now make and pay for your bookings while on the go. View our resorts and camps even when you are offline. NamLeisure Card applications can also be made right from the app. Download it now for your iOS and Android device. www.nwr.com.na/app
Visit any of our lodges across Namibia 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.
+264 61 285 7200
www.nwr.com.na
Popa Falls Resort Onkoshi Resort Namutoni Resort Halali Resort Okaukuejo Resort Olifantsrus Camp Dolomite Resort Terrace Bay Torra Bay Khorixas Camp Waterberg Resort Gross-Barmen Resort Mile 14 Campsite Sun Karros Daan Viljoen Sossus Dune Lodge Sesriem Campsite Naukluft Camp Hardap Resort Duwisib Castle Shark Island Resort Fish River Canyon & Hobas Camp /Ai-/Ais Hotsprings Spa Mile 72 Mile 108 Jakkalsputz
+264 61 22 4900
Desert elephants, or desert-adapted elephants are not a distinct species of elephant but are African bush elephants (Loxodonta africana) that have made their homes in the Namib and Sahara deserts in Africa
THE BUSINESS OF
C O N S E R VAT I O N TOURISM IS BIG business in Namibia. According to projected figures, the Namibian hospitality industry will inject N$26.4 billion into the Namibian economy by 2020, through tourism and other value-added activities. That equates to 11.7 percent of Namibia’s overall GDP and is set to rise in subsequent years. Namibia attracts visitors thanks to its untouched landscapes. As a result, the country recognises the interconnected nature between conservation, community development and tourism. They have established the innovative National Community-Based Natural Resource Management Program (CBNRM). It’s both a conservation and rural development initiative, aiming at both improving
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rural livelihoods and ensuring sustainable use of land and natural resources. Conservancies are vast, unfenced sanctuaries where wildlife roam free. They cover over 17 percent of Namibia’s geographical area and generate significant income through both public and private initiatives, such as more than 40 joint venture tourism lodges. Money raised allows conservancies to cover their running costs and invest in community development projects. Conservancies employ local people to conduct annual wildlife counts, and as game guards, meaning they become custodians of their local environment. In Namibia, eco-tourism is one of the country’s greatest success stories.
NAMIBIA TRAVEL GUIDE
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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
T H E H O S P I TA L I T Y A S S O C I AT I O N O F N A M I B I A THE FOUNDERS OF HAN realised that tourism had an important role to play in the Namibian economy – they aim for national strategic collaboration and to influence decision-making at national level. We sat down with Gitta Paetzold, CEO of HAN, to discuss the organisation’s vision, challenges and goals.
The Hospitality Association of Namibia, HAN, was founded in 1987 to represent the coordinated interests of the tourism accommodation sector in Namibia
Outlook Travel (OT): What is HAN’s vision as an organisation? Gitta Paetzold (GP): HAN has made a promise to optimise the full potential of the Namibian Hospitality Industry, delivering unrivalled service to its members while contributing to the sustainable growth of the tourism sector in Namibia. The HAN vision is to be recognised as the flagship representative body of the Namibian hospitality industry, and to promote and protect the collective interests of its members, while building partnerships. 8 | Outlook Travel issue 02
dation, but we also represent those in tourism publishing, catering, tourism activities and events management. As a voluntary organisation, HAN can’t claim to be inclusive of the entire industry. But we can proudly state that this association represents the key stakeholders in commercial tourism accommodation, including all major hotel and lodge groups. OT: What projects will HAN Namibia be focussing on in 2020 and the years that follow?
Gitta Paetzold OT: How has HAN Namibia progressed and developed since it started? GP: We began with a membership base of a mere 16 establishments, and now represent nearly 400 entities. These are mainly tourism accommo-
GP: HAN wishes to constantly identify and encourage the development of new exciting tourism products and destinations – “unlocking new horizons”, as it were. This is of importance, as Namibia is lucky to enjoy a high number of annual repeater visits. For both them and newcomers, we are committed to regularly presenting something new and exciting. To do this we work with our key
NAMIBIA TRAVEL GUIDE
Old German colonial buildings, Swakopmund
Windhoek is the capital of Namibia, in the country’s central highlands
NAMIBIA TRAVEL GUIDE
partners and stakeholders, including our Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the Namibia Tourism Board, tour operators, activity providers and many more. We firmly believe that “tourism is everyone’s business” – that everyone has a role to play in making Namibia a unique tourist destination. OT: How does HAN Namibia plan to unlock new horizons and develop tourism infrastructure? GP: HAN believes that a successful sustainable tourism industry lies not in numbers, but the quality of experience a visitor to this rugged, soulful country can expect. With arrival numbers nearly reaching 1.5 million, HAN is keen to contribute to new route developments, preventing
over-tourism in popular destinations. 2020 presents an exciting new opportunity for Namibia. There is now the opportunity for tourists to access areas once held by the diamond industry – areas that have been inaccessible to the public for decades and kept untouched, pristine. One such example is the Sperrgebiet, an enclosed diamond area. The Hospitality Association of Namibia is working closely with strategic partners interested in preserving and promoting the extraordinary features of our country’s flora, its pristine environment and inspiring history. We are “unlocking” the Sperrgebiet – opening up new tourism horizons in a sustainable, environmentally conscious and well-contemplated way. HAN are hosting a huge Tourism
Congress to debate and “unlock” this potential in June 2020 in Lüderitz. OT: What challenges does HAN Namibia face, and how does it plan to overcome them? GP: Tourism has been recognised as one of the four key pillars of the Namibian economy, yet it doesn’t enjoy the attention and development it deserves. Tourism necessitates an efficient infrastructure, such as good rail, road and air connectivity alongside telecommunications and global marketing. HAN realises the government have pressing social issues to attend to, and the challenge is to elevate tourism’s position on the national agenda. A lack of funding and commitment has led HAN to realise the crucial
importance of effective collaboration with both public and private stakeholders. This will optimise Namibia’s chance to become one of Africa’s most desirable travel destinations. OT: How would you say Namibia has developed in recent years as a tourism destination, and what are the reasons behind its growing appeal? GP: “We are in it together” has been our mantra for several years – we find synergies and ways to collaborate to keep special areas attractive and accessible for tourists. One example is the Moon Landscape, a very special destination in the Namib Desert, yet increasingly under the focus of the uranium mining industry. We envisage the same will happen in the former mining area, the Sperrgebiet, which
Luderitz
Herero women proudly wearing traditional dress holds huge potential in terms of historical sites, flora and geology, and may attract a whole new type of tourist to this part of southwestern Africa. It is this collaboration, and the sense of national pride in our history, cultural diversity and the unique features of Namibia that has set us apart from other travel destinations in the region. We believe that by focusing on what sets us apart from our neighbours, rather than competing with what they have to offer, we will develop a successful and growing tourism sector in Namibia. We are also interested in developing cross-border packages with nations such as Botswana and South Africa, that we share borders and national attractions with. OT: Are there any specific attractions, landmarks or places to eat and drink that you would recommend? GP: Namibia has an amazing story – one of cultural diversity and intriguing history – and we believe that tourism is the perfect platform to help tell it. A young nation like Namibia has seen companies founded 100 years ago and more – some of whom, such as the Namibia Breweries, are
still excelling. Namibian beer enjoys a special status at home and abroad, due to the principle of sticking to “Reinheitsgebot”; only allowing the best ingredients to be used in the brew. Good food and drink bring people together, and Namibia has some amazing natural ingredients, such as high-quality meat and oysters. We produce great alcohol too, including devil’s claw gin, and the creamy liqueur unique to the Erongo Mountains. The food alone is reason to come and get a taste of Namibia. OT: Why should tourists visit Namibia? GP: Namibia is unique in its diversity, and a special place for people from all walks of life to explore. It offers a myriad of natural and socio-cultural experiences, leaving lasting memories for local inhabitants, expats and tourists from all walks of life. Namibia has something for everyone, whether your interests lie in history, culture, nature, geology or gourmet experiences. Coming to Africa for a game viewing safari experience was the reality of yester-year – 2020 and beyond holds many more surprises for visitors to Namibia. Outlook Travel issue 02 | 11
THE SPERRGEBIET Namibia’s Newest National Park THE SPERRGEBIET (WHICH means ‘forbidden territory’) – also known as Tsau Khaeb National Park – is Namibia’s newest national park, covering around 26,000 km2. It has been closed to the public for almost a century, after diamonds were discovered in the area. Although this was done to protect the area’s mineral wealth, it also helped conserve the area’s biodiversity. This is important since the area forms part of the Succulent Karoo Biome, a unique ecosystem which
has the highest diversity of succulent flora in the world. Scientists have classified it as one of the world’s top 25 biodiversity hotspots. However, the scenery of dunes and mountains is dramatically stark. One of the park’s most unique attractions is Kolmanskop ghost town. Once it was a prosperous mining community. But now sand blows through the abandoned houses and slowly erodes the walls. It’s possible to take guided tours of this lonely landscape. The national government and tourism agencies are devoting 2020 to developing new tourism routes in and around the park, as well as improving infrastructure. These routes will include former mining hubs such as Oranjemund, a town looking to open up to tourism with new hotels and activities.
NAMIBIA TRAVEL GUIDE
Kolmanskop ghost town
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OUTLOOK RECOMMENDS
E AT: F OFROB DG THTOREAV ESTRS… RUW I NED K ’E S LBLE LOV E D R E STAU R A N T… Joe’s Beer House Joe’s Beerhouse is one of Namibia’s best-known restaurants, and rightfully so. Situated in the heart of Windhoek, it’s renowned for its great atmosphere and sizzling steak house menu, which includes exotic meats such as oryx. It puts on fantastic live music events and offers a shuttle bus service, so you don’t need to worry about having one pint too many.
FOR TRADITIONAL NAMIBIAN CUISINE… Xwama Cultural Village and Traditional Restaurant F O R A U N I Q U E LO C AT I O N … The Tug Restaurant FOR LOCAL, FREE-RANGE MEAT PRODUCTS... MEATCO
SLEEP:
DO: F O R U N I Q U E A DV E N T U R E S … Namibia Wildlife Resorts If you’re looking for an action-packed holiday in stunning natural surroundings, we recommend booking a stay at Namibia Wildlife Resorts. It’s a state-owned enterprise offering tourism facilities within Namibia’s spectacular protected areas. There are plenty of accommodation options on offer, ranging from a lighthouse on Shark Island to the more Ai-Ais Hot Springs Resort, situated at the source of a geothermal spring. The resorts offer a plethora of activities, such as desert kayaking, hiking and fishing inside the famous Skeleton Coast Park. The organisation also offers bespoke itineraries for everything from weddings to MICE events. F O R H OT A I R B A L LO O N S OV E R D E S E R T DUNES… Namib Sky Balloon Safaris F O R SA N D - B OA R D I N G A DV E N T U R E S … Alter Action Sandboarding F O R B E S P O K E A DV E N T U R E SA FA R I S . . . Kunene Safaris at Khowarib Lodge
DRINK:
F O R S H I PW R E C K E D C A B I N S I N T H E D E S E R T… Shipwreck Lodge
F O R CO C KTA I L S A N D C I T Y L I G H TS … Sky Bar at Hilton Hotel
F O R U P M A R K E T E CO -TO U R I S M … Damaraland Camp
F O R A S H E B E E N -T H E M E D B A R … Oshebeena Bar at Etosha Safari Lodge
F O R D E S E R T LUXU RY… Little Kulala
FOR WINE WITH URBAN FLAIR… The Wine Bar & Wine Shop
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SCAN AND BOOK YOUR TABLE NOW
So much more than just another restaurant. For people who still dream of a truly great escape. +264 61 232 457 | info@joesbeerhouse.com | www.joesbeerhouse.com
SOSSUSVLEI A vast salt and clay pan surrounded by a landscape of undulating red dunes.
LANDMARK AT T R A C T I O N S
SANDWICH HARBOUR At this deserted harbour, dunes of up to a hundred metres high plunge dramatically down into the ocean.
CAPE CROSS SEAL RESERVE This reserve has a breeding colony of more than 100,000 Cape fur seals. 16 | Outlook Travel issue 02
NAMIBIA TRAVEL GUIDE
“Where true adventure begins” Khowarib Lodge & Safaris offers guests a true outdoor getaway, providing luxury Kunene Accommodation set alongside the Hoanib river and in the beautiful Khowarib Gorge
KHOWARIB LODGE OFFERS: A warm and welcoming atmosphere
Comfortable accommodation
Friendly and helpful staff
Good and plentiful food
Tel/Fax (Office hours) +264 64 402 779 Cell (Lodge direct) +264 81 219 3291 Email reservations@khowarib.com www.khowarib.com
LOCAL PRODUCTS, INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS Namibia is proud to be among the SADC countries that export to niche markets. Meatco serves premium market segments as its products are of international standards.
CAffairs@meatco.com.na | www.meatco.com.na
Outlook Travel issue 02 | 17
joe.palliser@outlookpublishing.com Tel: +44 (0) 1603 959 676 jordan.levey@outlookpublishing.com Tel: +44 (0) 1603 959 668 krisha.canlas@outlookpublishing.com Tel: +44 (0) 1603 959 682 matt.cole-wilkin@outlookpublishing.com Tel: +44 (0) 1603 959 669 w w w. o u t l o o k t r a ve l m a g . c o m