LAKE OANOB RESORT Celebrating 25 years

from Travel News Namibia 2020

Once Upon a Time

25 Years Lake Oanob Resort Celebrates

The popular Lake Oanob Resort on the banks of the Oanob Dam recently celebrated its 25 th year of operation. An impressive milestone for a business that started humbly, but always with a bigger vision in mind.

Oanob Dam attracts water-loving Namibians like moths to a flame, especially during those boiling hot summer months. Only an hour away from the capital, Lake Oanob Resort is particularly popular as a weekend getaway, but its world-class facilities also attract scores of foreign visitors. What started as a vision, shared by a few people, of the recreational potential of the dam and its surrounds, has proven a dream to be a reality for 25 years already.

A lot more was envisioned for the resort than purely aquatic recreational activities and accommodation. In the year 2000, the development of a small game park started with the construction of a game-proof fence and the introduction of some indigenous game species. Giraffe, sable antelope, eland, gemsbok, zebra, waterbuck, hartebeest, wildebeest, springbok, impala, nyala, blesbok, kudu and ostrich have since been successfully introduced to the scenic 6 200 hectare area that the resort is situated on.

By creating a game reserve, Lake Oanob Resort was able to add game drives to its list of activities, which includes boat rides, canoeing, aqua cycling, tube rides, swimming and birding. The resort is also popular among casual hikers because of the wildlife and the beautiful routes available.

The Rustic Bar was the first building completed and opened its doors to the public on 5 December 1994. Construction of the marina, the reception area and a few campsites started in 1995. A year later the first

luxury chalet, named Mufasa, was built. Unfortunately it burnt down only a month after it was completed. The fire, however, was just a small speed hump on the road and the chalet was rebuilt the same year together with a second one, Rafiki.

n terms of lakeside accommodation, guests have a choice of options depending on preference. The resort boasts 13 comfortably furnished selfcatering luxury chalets and 10 ensuite rooms which together can house just short of a hundred people. For the more adventurous there are 31 campsites, each with its own unique character.

Completed in 1990, Oanob Dam was built in the mountainous area 7 km west of Rehoboth to provide the small town with freshwater. The dam is fed by the Oanob River that flows eastward from

the central highlands. It is considered part of the Nossob-Auob Basin which is located in south-eastern Namibia across part of the Hardap, Karas, Khomas and Omaheke regions and is predominantly characterised by the Kalahari Desert shared across the Namibian-Botswana borders. The dam collects water that would otherwise seep into the sand south of Rehoboth.

Several local business people saw the recreational potential that the large body of water has and decided to put their heads together to make a dream a reality. In 1992 they established the Acasia Resorts company with 42 shareholders, each of whom contributed N$ 1 000 as an initial investment. Negotiations to lease the piece of land surrounding the dam were initiated the same year and an agreement was approved by the Namibian

cabinet during 1994. On 11 November that year the lease was signed and construction work started immediately.

Starting with only two employees in 1994, Lake Oanob Resort has grown substantially, serving around 36 000 guests in 2019 alone, and currently employs a staff of 80. The popularity of the resort is evident in the number of guests received each year both from Namibia and abroad.

In an effort to reduce the resort’s carbon footprint, two solar plants have recently been set up. Furthermore, a vegetable garden has been established for the restaurant and achieve a measure of self-sufficiency. Because of the existing drought, barley has been planted to provide feed for the fenced-in game of the small reserve. TNN

the Gateway to Damaraland Uis

Text and Photographs Le Roux van Schalkwyk

Host to an annual sports flying weekend and a Land Rover festival, Uis is a small town that offers loads more than what it’s dusty exterior and old mine dumps suggest. Mining towns are usually prosperous while the mine is extracting whatever sought-after mineral is found there. Creating not only employment, but also business opportunities that come with the influx of new people into the settlement. Unfortunately mines have a limited lifespan and their viability also depends on the global market and prices of the minerals they extract. This can result in those small towns becoming ghost towns when the mines are forced to close down. The tiny town of Uis was faced with this situation when its tin mine had to close its doors right after independence in 1990. Through ingenuity and determination, however, its residents shifted the focus from mining to tourism and brick manufacturing.

The tin deposits at Uis were discovered in the early 1900s. Although some small-scale mining did take place it was not until the 1950s that IMCOR Tin, a subsidiary of ISCOR, the well-known South African company, started full-scale operations. IMCOR Tin built Uis for its employees and developed the mine into the world's largest hard rock tin mine. It became the most important source of employment in Damaraland. The collapse of tin prices in the late 1980s was terrible news for the viability of the mine and it had to shut down in 1991, which meant a massive loss of employment and an exodus of people from Uis.

In 2006 Namclay Bricks and Pavers found a unique way to create employment and at the same time partly rehabilitate the mine. The company uses a special process to extract clay from the former mine’s slimes dam which is used to produce high strength weather-proof bricks. Due to their high thermal mass the clay bricks are natural insulants, making them an ideal building material to regulate indoor temperatures in Namibia’s hot climate. The bricks from Uis are instantly recognisable by their light yellow-brown clay colour.

Its location makes it an excellent gateway to popular Damaraland, where travellers can fill up with fuel at the petrol station or do some last minute shopping before continuing on their way.

popular Damaraland, where travellers can fill up with fuel at the petrol station or do some last minute shopping before continuing on their way.

The Brandberg Rest Camp is well-known in the area as a base for exploring further into Damaraland. The rustic bar and restaurant with its eclectic mix of locals and tourists offers an ice cold drink and a hearty meal to the weary traveller. The large pool is also very inviting during the boiling hot summer months.

Uis is just over 30 km away from the White Lady rock painting in the Brandberg, the highest mountain in Namibia. This ancient art, painted by the San inhabitants of the area in prehistoric times, has baffled scientists for years. Only theories exist as to what the figure of the "white lady" represents. First discovered in 1918 by German explorer and topographer Reinhard Maack and described by him as having an Egyptian-Mediterranean style, the painting has enticed many anthropologists and amateurs to try and unearth the true meaning of this image. One theory suggests that the Brandberg may have been visited by travellers from the Mediterranean Sea, while another claims that the white figure might have been a visitor of Viking descent. Modern theories take a simpler stance, assuming that it depicts a shaman painted in white during a ritual dance.

The amount of earth that was moved during mining operations is impressive. Sadly, the towering mine dumps are the welcoming feature when entering Uis, as a reminder of the town's history. Recently, mining operations have slowly started again, but at least this time around Uis has made a name for itself as more than just a mining town. TNN

OUR ETOSHA RESORTS SOME OF OUR PRIZED POSSESSIONS

1 2 3 ONKOSHI RESORT HALALI RESORT OLIFANTSRUS CAMP NAMIBIA WILDLIFE

 +264 855 502 342  +264 67 687 362 OVERVIEW L ocated 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. 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.  +264 67 229 400  +264 67 229 400 OVERVIEW H aLaLi 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. 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. RESORTS AT THE COAST The Miles offer leisure activities such as fishing, sun-bathing etc. There are tourist attractions in the surrounding areas such as seal watching at Cape Cross or visiting the Dead Sea and climbing to the top of the Namib’s massive dunes.  +264 65 685 809  +264 65 685 885

OVERVIEW L 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. 1. Mile 14 2. Mile 72 3. Mile 108

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.

NAMUTONI RESORT MILE 14

OKAUKUEJO RESORT MILE 72

 +264 67 229 300  +264 67 229 306 OVERVIEW B 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. M ile 14 is situated in the northern outskirts of the popular holiday town of Swakopmund. It is the perfect place to sit back and relax, just a few minutes’ drive from the buzz of town and just a stone’s throw from the ocean.

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.

 +264 67 229 800  +264 67 229 852 OVERVIEW o 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. A short distance from popular fishing town, Henties Bay, Mile 72 is the campsite of choice due to its lovely weather and proximity to fantastic fishing waters. With 240 campsites that can accommodate up to six people, the campsite is the perfect choice for small groups and big.

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.

DOLOMITE RESORT MILE 108

 +264 65 685 119  +264 65 685 116 OVERVIEW D 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. A pristine landscape of endless horizon and unblemished beach, Mile 108 is a great option for the more adventurous. Mile 108 is situated a short distance from Cape Cross, the largest seal colony and one of the most-visited destinations in Namibia. The fishing waters in the surrounding area is known for surf sharks and kabeljou. The camp has 170 campsites with a maximum of six people per site.

BOOK ON THE GO

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