Namibia Holiday and Travel 2019/20

H O L I D A Y

&

T R A V E L

2019/20 THE OFFICIAL NAMIBIAN TOURISM DIRECTORY

w w w. n a m i b i a h o l i d a ya n d t r a ve l . c o m

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WHEN ELEPHANTS THRIVE,

WE THRIVE. As a keystone species, elephants support entire ecosystems. That’s why we, a custodian of the African elephant, support various smart conservation initiatives. In Namibia, Wildlife Credits reward communities through per formance payments for actively protecting wildlife.

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AMARULA NAMIBIA

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Welcome

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Savanna, the unapologetic cider

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MESSAGE FROM THE NAMIBIA TOURISM BOARD

Visitors from all over the world continue to be enraptured by the country of vast open spaces: Namibia attracted more than 1,499,442 tourists in 2017, seeing a growth of 2.1 per cent. 311,636 tourists came from Europe (+ 5.7 per cent). Germany, with 123,022 tourist visitors, continues to be the biggest source market outside of Africa.

Namibia continues to develop positively. This is shown by the arrival figures in 2017, which were released in December 2018 by Hon. Pohamba Shifeta, Minister of Environment and Tourism. The total number of foreign arrivals to Namibia was 1,608,018 (+ 2.2 per cent). The largest group, accounting for 93.2 per cent (1,499,442 people), were tourists (tourist arrivals). 408,893 people visited Namibia from overseas. The top 10 markets in 2017 were Angola, South Africa, Zambia, Germany, Zimbabwe, Botswana, United Kingdom, France, USA and Switzerland. The largest numbers of tourist visitors in 2017 came from Namibia’s neighbouring countries (1,090,549 tourists), including Angola (+ 1.1 per cent to 403,129 tourists) and South Africa (- 4.7 per cent to 325,968 tourists). African tourists, however, came not just for a holiday (23.9 per cent) but also to visit family and friends (55.7 per cent). For tourists from overseas, the main reason for visiting Namibia was for a holiday (78.4 per cent). Arrivals from Germany were once again at a very high level. Following record growth in 2016, the number of German tourists in 2017 increased to 123,022 (+ 0.7 per cent). There was also major growth in the number of tourists travelling

to Namibia from Austria and Switzerland. Visitor numbers from both countries surged by 31.2 per cent (Austria) and 14.5 per cent (Switzerland) to 9,997 and 19,670 tourist visitors respectively. The second biggest European market after Germany continued to be the United Kingdom (+ 6 per cent to 33,450 tourists), closely followed by France, the biggest European growth country registered, at 35.2 per cent (31,758 tourists). There was also an increase in the number of visitors from Italy (+ 26.3 per cent to 16,703 tourists), Scandinavia (+ 9.9 per cent to 11,839 tourists), Spain (+ 11 per cent to 9,146 tourists) and Belgium (+ 2.9 per cent to 11,830 tourists). The only decline in visitor numbers to Namibia was from the Netherlands (- 5.8 per cent to 18,997 tourists) and Portugal (- 2.4 per cent to 10,723 tourists). With a total of 14,584 tourist arrivals (+ 16.6 per cent), China is the biggest Asian market. For the United Arab Emirates, a growth of 24.1 per cent (4,598 tourists) was recorded. Notably strong visitor growth from Brazil was also recorded. In 2016 Namibia received 1,812 Brazilians and in 2017 this increased to 3,392 tourists (+ 87.2 per cent). The North American market also grew once again (+

11.1 per cent to 39,576 tourists). Visitor figures for Japan (4,044) and Russia (3,573) were recorded for the first time. We are delighted that Namibia was able to achieve such positive growth again in 2017. The strategic marketing and PR work of the Namibia Tourism Board and the continuous committed dedication of our tourism partners has helped Namibia not only maintain the high level of 2016 but also build on it further.

Digu //Naobeb CEO: Namibia Tourism Board

NTB Head Office C/O Haddy & Sam Nujoma Drive Private Bag 13244, Windhoek Tel (+264 61) 290 6000 Fax (+264 61) 254 848 info@namibiatourism.com.na www.namibiatourism.com.na

NTB South Africa 25th Floor, Atterbury House, Unit 2502 9 Riebeeck Street, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa Tel. +27 (0) 21 4223298 namibia@saol.com www.namibiatourism.com.na

NTB Europe Schiller str. 42-44 60313 Frankfurt/Main, Germany Tel (+49 69) 133 7360 Fax (+49 69) 133 73625 info@namibia-tourism.com www.namibia-tourism.com

NTB Trade & PR Representative in United Kingdom c/o HB Portfolio, Colechurch House 1 London Bridge Walk London, SE1 2SX Tel (+44 0) 20 7593 1777 Fax (+44 0) 20 7022 8662 Namibia@hbportfolio.co.uk www.travelnamibia.co.uk

NTB Trade Representative in China c/o DPS Consulting Co. Ltd Room 201, Zhongguancun Development BuidlingNo.3 Xiaoyunli, Chaoyang District Beijing 100025, China Tel (+86 10) 844 66463 Fax (+86 10) 658 22772 huhm@dps-china.com

NTB PR Representative in China c/o Oriental Gateway Consultancy Room 405, No.7, Building A, Lane300, Panyu Road, Changning District, Shanghai, 200052, P.R.C Tel(+86 21) 6280 1700 Fax(+86 21) 6280 1078 zhuzheng0312@yahoo.com www.namibiatourism.com.na

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE To Exploring Namibia 1999-2019

CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE

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Windhoek, Surroundings and Central East

Kavango, Zambezi and Surroundings

NAMIBIA HOLIDAY & TRAVEL PO Box 21593, Windhoek, Namibia Tel (+264 61) 383 450 e-mail: info@venture.com.na

Managing Editor Production Manager Public Relations and Sales

Etosha National Park and Owambo

Layout Admin and Enquiries Printing Cover Photographs

Rièth van Schalkwyk Elzanne Erasmus Janine van der Merwe Liza de Klerk Bonn Nortje John Meinert (Pty) Ltd Annabelle Venter Xenia Ivanoff-Erb Elzanne Erasmus

Kaokoland and the Kunene Region

Coastal Strip

Tarry Butcher

All photographs used in this publication are from the TALA image library, unless the photographer is otherwise identified.

Waterberg, Khaudum and Surroundings

Sossusvlei and the Namib-Naukluft Park

Damaraland, Brandberg and Twyfelfontein

Fish River, Coastal and Deep South

Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of this publication, no liability can be accepted by the publishers for any errors or omissions that may have occurred. The publication is the exclusive property of the publishers and it is a criminal offence to reproduce any copyright material from it without written permission from the publisher.

ELZANNE ERASMUS

CONTENTS 2019 3 4 6

Message from the Namibia Tourism Board About Venture Media Map of Namibia

TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS

10

10 Travelling Tips 20 Plan Your Trip 32 First-timer Route 38 Camping 42 Namibian Lodge Groups

ADVENTURE 52 54 55 56 57 58 59

Tigerfishing Game Viewing Mountain Biking Rock Climbing Horse-back Safaris 4x4 Desert Trips

CULTURES 60 62 64 66 68 70 72 74

The People of Kavango and Zambezi The Owambo - People of the north The Himba - The last true nomads The Herero - From the great lakes of East Africa The San - Namibia’s earliest inhabitants The Damara - An enigmatic race The Nama - Denizens of the south

WINDHOEK & SURROUNDINGS

76

78 Windhoek and surroundings 78 Walk through Windhoek 79 Map of the region 81 National archives and library 82 Botanical Garden 82 Day trips from Windhoek 83 Towns close to Windhoek 84 Khomas Hochland 86 Accommodation

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96

KAVANGO & ZAMBEZI

98 Kavango East and West 99 Map of the region 100 The Zambezi Region 100 Parks in Zambezi 103 Basket traditions 103 KAZATransfrontier Conservation Area 104 Accommodation

108

ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK & OWAMBO

110 Etosha National Park 111 Map of the region 113 Gateways to Etosha 114 The traditional land of the Owambo people 114 Towns north of Etosha 116 Main tourist attractions in Owambo 116 Accommodation

124

KAOKOLAND & THE KUNENE REGION

126 The desert elephants 127 Map of the region 128 The desert lions 128 Epupa Falls 128 Opuwo 128 Camping on the Kunene 129 Accommodation

132 WATERBERG, KHAUDUM & SURROUNDINGS 134 Waterberg Plateau Park 135 Map of the region 136 Hoba Meteorite 136 Dinosaur footprints 136 Dragon’s Breath 136 Towns in the region 139 Okakarara community cultural tourism and centre 139 Khaudum National Park 140 Accommodation

DAMARALAND & SURROUNDINGS

172

142

144 Twyfelfontein & surrounds 144 Khorixas and environs 145 Map of the region 146 Kamanjab 146 Messum Crater 146 The Brandberg 146 Omaruru 149 Spitzkoppe 149 The Erongo Mountains 149 Karibib 150 Otjimbingwe 150 Usakos 150 Accommodation

COASTAL STRIP

174 Dorob National Park 175 Map of the region 176 Swakopmund 180 Walvis Bay 184 Sandwich Harbour 184 Henties Bay 185 Cape Cross Seal Reserve 185 Skeleton Coast Park 186 Accommodation

192

FISH RIVER & SURROUNDINGS

194 Top attractions in the South 194 Fish River Canyon & /Ai-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park 195 Map of the region 196 Lßderitz 200 Aus, Rosh Pinah, Oranjemund 201 Tsau//Khaeb National Park 202 Bethanie, Keetmanshoop 203 Seeheim 203 Quiver Tree Forest and Giant’s Playground 204 Brukkaros Mountain 204 Helmeringhausen, Warmbad 205 Accommodation

SOSSUSVLEI & THE NAMIB NAUKLUFT PARK 156 158 Namib section 159 Map of the region 160 Sossusvlei 160 Naukluft section 160 NamibRand Nature Reserve 163 Duwisib Castle 163 Accommodation

KEYS FEATURED ALONGSIDE ADVERTORIALS

208

General information

220

General index

air conditioning

hiking

bath

nature drives

bureau de change

restaurant

honeymoon suite

bar

HAN member

bungalow (no. of )

playground

casino & entertainment

swimming facilities on site

villa

boating/ sailing

pets allowed

car rental

spa

credit cards accepted

television

online booking

campsites/ permanent tented camp

rooms (no. of )

conference facilities

telephone in room

extended tours

eco awards recipient

tented suite

coffee/ tea station

swimming facilities nearby

curio shop

wireless internet

game drives

windsurfing

stargazing

cultural tours

walks

fishing

ballooning

hunting

kite surfing

self-catering

facilities for the disabled

airstrip

horse riding

bird-watching

parking

canoeing

kiosk

www.namibiaholidayandtravel.com

9

TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS

ELZANNE ERASMUS

PAUL VAN SCHALKWYK

SEASONAL TIPS | ACCOMMODATION | TIME FACTS | MONEY MATTERS | PHOTOGRAPHING PEOPLE | RESPONSIBLE TOURISM | LOCAL LINGO | TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN | PUBLIC HOLIDAYS | HEALTH | NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES | KEY TOURISM ASSOCIATIONS

| TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS |

The Land of Open Spaces, as Namibia is affectionately known, with its undiscovered landscapes and unspoiled nature, makes for a perfect and widely diverse travel destination. The well-developed road infrastructure, the abundance of scheduled tours and charter companies, and the friendly welcoming people will ensure that your visit to Namibia is an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re in search of the perfect romantic breakaway, ultimate adventure or just wish to lose yourself in the wildlife, cultural diversity and mesmerising scenery reflecting Namibia’s untouched beauty, the following information and tips will leave you well equipped to explore even the remotest parts of the country.

SEASONAL TIPS • The best time to visit the capital and

•

•

•

•

surroundings is between May and September, when it is cool and dry. In the rainy season from November to March it is hot and somewhat humid, sometimes with heavy rains. December to January is the main school holiday season in Namibia, when much of the population heads to the coast, and some of the smaller shops and restaurants in the interior might be closed. If you’re visiting southern Namibia and the desert areas surrounding Sossusvlei it is best to avoid the summer months, as temperatures can be extreme. The period between May and September is generally better and more comfortable for visiting, but keep in mind that in winter, especially at night, it can be cold. The climate at Lüderitz and the southern coast is hospitable from February to May, but quite cool and misty year-round, and particularly windy in August. From October to March is the best time to go to the coastal areas of Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Henties Bay, as the weather is pleasant compared to the hot interior. When the dry easterly winds blow, however, it can also be very hot. The northern Skeleton Coast has

www.namibiaholidayandtravel.com

much the same moderate weather, with mist, wind and very little or no rain all year round. For fishing enthusiasts, this area is best visited between November and March. • In Kaokoland the best time to visit is from May to August, as it is dry and cool. The summer months bring extremely high temperatures and occasionally flash floods, as most rain falls between January and March. • The best time to visit Etosha is from April to September when the temperatures are tolerably cool, especially at night. This is also the best time for game viewing, as many animals gather at the waterholes to drink. For bird-watching, on the other hand, summer is the best time to visit, as migratory birds flock into the park after the summer rains. • The summer months are hot and humid in the northern regions of Kavango and Zambezi, but this is also the best time for birdwatching. Rains and seasonal flooding might make it difficult to travel there, as some of the roads might be inaccessible. It is advisable to check the condition of the roads before embarking on a trip. The months from April to October are the best time to travel to the Zambezi Region for game viewing, as it is much cooler and drier then, with practically no rain.

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ELZANNE GERHARDERASMUS THIRION

• April and May are pleasant months in Namibia. This is usually when the last rains of the season fall, the air is fresh and free of dust, and the land is green, vibrant and full of new life.

• During the winter months from June to August the country cools down and nights can become quite cold. As it becomes drier, game migrates to the waterholes, and is easier to spot.

• By September and October it warms up again and game viewing in most areas is at its best, although there’s often a lot of dust around and the vegetation has lost its vibrancy.

• November is a highly variable month. Sometimes the hot, dry weather will continue, at other times it might be humid, the sky will fill with clouds, and the first thunderstorms and rains might occur.

ACCOMMODATION

Any person intending to operate an accommodation establishment or conduct a regulated business in Namibia is required by law to be registered with the NTB. Before such registration is granted, the premises and facilities are inspected by a tourism official who recommends whether approval for registration should be granted or not.

Establishments are classified as: • Backpackers’ hostels • Bed-and-breakfast establishments • Campsites • Camping and caravan parks

• Guest farms and guesthouses • Hotels and pension hotels • Lodges (other than tented lodges) • Rest camps

• Self-catering establishments • Permanent tented camps and tented lodges

The majority of resorts run by Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) are situated in state-owned conservation areas. They consist of accommodation ranging from luxury flats to bungalows, tents, camping and caravan sites. Major towns have municipal caravan parks or rest camps. Community-based camps and lodges situated in conservancies comply with the concept of ecologically-oriented tourism, and have a low impact on the environment. Exclusive game lodges offer air-conditioned en-suite facilities, combining four-star luxury with nature and wildlife. Guest farms offer accommodation for visitors wishing to experience the warmth and hospitality of life on a farm or game ranch.

HEALTH

Malaria is potentially a serious disease that could be fatal if not treated timeously and properly. • It is transmitted to people through the bite of a mosquito, usually after dark. • It is prevalent primarily in the north of the country, mainly in summer during the rainy season. • The risk of malaria can be reduced by using personal protection measures and prophylactics.

Take Note

If any flu-like symptoms are experienced on the way home, seek immediate medical attention and inform your doctor that you recently visited a malaria-prone area. Visit our website for more information on malaria and precautions that can be taken.

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| TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS |

40 U N I QU E S H OP S

CRAFT CAFÉ ART GALLERY B OOK S H OP S

MONEY MATTERS Currency and credit cards

• The Namibian dollar (N$) is fixed to and equals

the South African Rand (ZAR), which is also legal tender in Namibia. Please note: the Namibian dollar is not legal tender in South Africa. • International Visa, Diners Club, American Express and MasterCard credit cards are generally accepted, while Speedpoint and ATM facilities assure quick and efficient service. • Note: Petrol can be bought with internationally accepted debit or credit cards if the service station has point-of-sale devices.

www.namibiacraftcentre.com

craftcentre@iway.na | 061 242 222 | Old Breweries Complex, 40 Tal St Windhoek OPEN: Monday - Friday 09:00-17:30, Saturday 09:00 – 16:00, Sunday and Public Holidays: 09:00 – 13:30

Formalities concerning trophies are handled by the professional hunter concerned, who contacts a forwarding agent to make arrangements for the trophy to be sent to the hunter’s destination.

Tax and customs

Duty-free allowances

15% on goods and services at the point of sale. Foreign visitors to Namibia can claim VAT on holiday purchases exceeding N$250 when they leave Namibia via Hosea Kutako International Airport and at the border posts at Ariamsvlei and Noordoewer. www.airports.com.na

• •

• Value-added tax (VAT) is levied at a rate of

VAT on services rendered or goods consumed cannot be refunded. No VAT is payable on exports of goods when sold, consigned or delivered by the seller to the purchaser at an address outside Namibia. No customs duties are applicable within SACU (Southern African Customs Union) countries, these comprising Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Firearms must be declared and need a temporary import permit, obtainable on arrival. Only hunting rifles with magazines not exceeding a five-round capacity may be brought into the country. The importation of handguns is prohibited.

While all goods and gifts acquired abroad or in a dutyfree shop, including goods bought duty-free on an aircraft, are subject to payment of customs duty and VAT when brought into Namibia, travellers may qualify for the following concessions: Certain duty-free allowances A flat-rate assessment on goods brought into Namibia as accompanied baggage.

Visitors are allowed the following goods duty free: • 400 cigarettes • 50 cigars • 250 grams of cigarette or pipe tobacco • 2 litres of wine • 1 litre of spirits or alcoholic beverages • 50 ml perfume • 250 ml eau de toilette • New or used goods to the value of N$1 250

TIME FACTS Central Africa Time zone in Namibia (GMT+2)

www.namibiaholidayandtravel.com

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• Make friends with the locals. If you’re

•

•

• •

•

planning on taking photos of them in their private surroundings, it’s always best to have a local guide take you around to converse with them and overcome the barrier of photographer versus subject. Always ask before you photograph someone. Not everybody likes to have his or her picture taken, so avoid conflict by asking first. Some people will expect payment for having their picture taken. This includes the Himba and Herero people, who still dress traditionally and are thus interesting subjects. They spend considerable time and effort on their appearance and if you ‘steal’ their image without asking their permission and offering payment, it might make them angry and put you at a disadvantage. The best option is to ask them first and agree on a price before taking the photo. Young children are often fond of being photographed, but it’s always best to ask a guardian or parent first. Older people might be more hesitant to have their picture taken. Once again, with friendliness you will achieve more. If you take a digital photograph of someone, show it to him or her afterwards. Many people don’t own cameras and are amazed by the possibilities of technology. This gesture will make them warm to you, and might result in you taking a great photograph.

• If possible, try to send a printed copy

of the picture to the person you’ve photographed. Those living in rural areas will truly appreciate it. But don’t promise to do so and then not deliver. If you’re not sure whether you’ll get round to sending the photo, rather not make the promise. • Remember that it’s illegal to take photos of men and women in uniform, except when they are performing in a public parade, or something similar. Taking a picture of a police officer on duty is therefore out of the question. • When taking photos at a cultural village, at a cultural performance, or on a pre-arranged photographic tour, it’s not necessary to ask permission. To be on the safe side, check with your guide or local companion first. • When on an organised tour, many photo opportunities are pre-arranged, making it easy for you to just snap away, while leaving the formalities to your guide. Ask your guide about this if you’re not sure.

and lodges are graded according to international standards, hence prices will more or less tally with international prices. • Namibians are very relaxed people, so please be patient with them!

Best-culture practice

• It is polite to begin conversations with a courteous greeting.

• If you wish to stay in a traditional

village, request permission from the headman. • If you want to draw water from a community well, permission must be sought. • In a Himba village, it is disrespectful to walk between the sacred fire and the kraal (animal enclosure) or the headman’s hut. • Show respect when approaching a traditional Herero or Himba grave, often indicated by an array of cattle horns.

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

• Respect the customs and traditions of your hosts.

• Support local people and their • • • •

products by spending your money within the local economy. Bargain fairly. Don’t insult Namibians by turning them into beggars. Try to learn a new local word every day, and be open to friendship. Keep the realities of the economy in mind. Even though Namibia is a developing country, the hotels

NINA VAN SCHALKWYK

TIPS FOR PHOTOGRAPHING PEOPLE

LOCAL LINGO The following words are typical local vernacular, influenced by Afrikaans – still largely the lingua franca – and other indigenous languages. Using these words will do much to improve your communication with locals. aweh – said in excitement. The word has many meanings and uses, including hello, goodbye, and yes bakkie – a pickup truck biltong – dried and seasoned meat (like jerky), a popular snack braai – a barbecue. Braaing – a national pastime that traditionally entails turning the meat with one hand while holding a beer in the other – is taken very seriously brötchen – a bread roll, offered with different toppings, to be eaten as breakfast, lunch, supper or a snack dorp – small town droëwors – dried sausage, a snack often eaten with biltong efundja – periodic flood in the Owambo regions, northern Namibia eish! – an interjection expressing resignation jol – to have fun, to party 14

just now / now-now – meaning anytime within the next 50 years other than right at this moment kapana – traditionally barbecued meat, usually sold in the townships and at the side of the road lekker – nice, good, great, tasty, awesome mémé – respectful form of address for an adult female oshana(s) – shallow pools and watercourses in the Owambo regions, northern Namibia pap – traditional maize porridge plaas – farm potjie – a three-legged cast-iron pot used for cooking stews over the fire robot – a traffic light shebeen – an informal bar that’s open 24 hours sosatie – meat (traditionally lamb) and vegetables skewered on a stick, usually accompanying other meat on a braai táté – respectful form of address for a male vetkoek – deep-fried bread dough, often sold with kapana wors – spicy sausage for accompanying meat on a braai yoh – an expression of surprise

| TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS |

TIPS FOR TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN

• Arrive at your destination in the early

• • •

• • • •

ELZANNE ERASMUS

•

afternoon to give your children an opportunity to work off their surplus energy. Even in the middle of winter, it is warm enough to swim in the middle of the day. Children too young to take malaria prophylactics should not visit northern Namibia. We recommend itineraries that include fewer destinations, with more time to spend on activities. If the family is interested in conservation, make sure to include places with an education centre, rehabilitation programme or other conservation activities. Visits to ‘living museums’ are enjoyable for children, as guests are invited to join in the dancing and participate in everyday activities. Keep in mind that destinations can be quite far from each other and children might become bored or frustrated on the road, so make sure they have enough to keep them busy. It is also advisable to stop frequently to stretch your legs and admire the surroundings. Many accommodation facilities cater for children, but not all of them, so it is advisable to establish this when making a booking. Some guest farms have tame animals such as meerkats that children can pet and play with, while other establishments offer them the opportunity to come into contact with wild animals such as cheetahs and lions. Depending on the age of the children, adventure activities such as quad-biking, dune-boarding and dolphinwatching can be a lot of fun.

KEY PHRASES IN SOME OF THE LOCAL LANGUAGES Afrikaans Goeie môre Hoe gaan dit? Goed dankie Asseblief Dankie Totsiens

Good morning How are you? Fine, thanks Please Thank you Goodbye

Batswana Dumela O kae? Ke a leboga Sala sentle

Hello How are you? Thank you Goodbye

Caprivian Ma lumele sha! I greet you!

Ni itumezi Thank you Na lapela Please Mu siale hande Goodbye

Kavango Morokeni! Na pandura

Hello! Thank you

Owambo Wa lelepo nawa? Eee! Nawa! Tangi unene Kalapa nawa

Nama/Damara Matisa? Ayo Moro Gaiseha

How are you? Thank you Good morning Goodbye

San Am thai? Mem ari gu Mem tlabe

How are you? I am thirsty I am hungry

Did you sleep well? Yes! Well! Thank you very much Goodbye

Herero/Ovahimba Perivi? Are you well? Nawa Yes, well Okuhepa Thank you Kara nawa Goodbye

2019 NAMIBIAN PUBLIC HOLIDAYS New Year’s Day:

1 Jan

Workers’ Day:

1 May

Heroes’ Day:

26 Aug

Independence Day:

21 March

Cassinga Day:

4 May

Human Rights Day

10 Dec

Good Friday:

19 April

Africa Day:

25 May

Christmas Day:

25 Dec

Easter Monday:

22 April

Ascension Day:

30 May

Family Day:

26 Dec

TOURIST INFORMATION Tourism promotion, the registration of accommodation establishments and tour guides, and the provision of tourist information are the functions of the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB), which has its offices on the corner of Haddy Street and Sam Nujoma Drive in Windhoek. Tel (+264 61) 290 6000, e-mail: info@namibiatourism.com.na, website: www.namibiatourism.com.na. For further information on NTB offices abroad, see page 3.

www.namibiaholidayandtravel.com

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ELZANNE ERASMUS

ACTIVITIES From day trips, nature walks, hikes and bike rides, to the more out-there and epic experiences, each region of Namibia is host to exciting activities to keep you on your toes and entertained. Information on must-do activities can be found in each region section from page 78.

Welcome to Archer's Land on Farm Monte Christo, only 30 km north of Windhoek. We offer Namibia's only 3D trails for traditional archery.

A hot air balloon safari over the Namib Desert will be the best experience of your trip +264 63 683188 info@namibsky.com

Enjoy a cold drink on our terrace after your walk through the bush or pitch your tent on the beautiful campsite. Suitable for beginners. Equipment available for rent.

NAMIBIA AS CONFERENCE DESTINATION Figures have shown that about 10–13% of foreign visitors to Namibia visit the country for business purposes. The infrastructure in Namibia that caters for the MICE (Meetings Incentives Conference Exhibitions) market is extensive, with Windhoek featuring the widest selection of conference facilities. Conferences cater for small to large groups in many parts of the country, be it in the desert in mobile settings, on a game lodge or in the capital.

In the peace and serenity of the Namibian Bush.. We have: » Conference facilities » accommodation » walking trail » Wi-Fi » Buffet Restaurant

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(062) 506 001 081 725 5991 info@rocklodge.com.na www.rocklodge.com.na

| TOURISM & TRAVEL COMPANIES |

LIZA DE KLERK

Opening times at border posts Noordoewer: 24 hours Ariamsvlei: 24 hours Buitepos: 07:00–24:00 Wenela: 06:00–18:00 Ngoma: 07:00–18:00 Mata Mata: 08:00–16:30 Sendelingsdrift: 08:00–16:30 Dobe: 07:00–16:30 Impalila/Kasane: 07:00–17:00 Oshikango: 08:00–19:00 Katitwe: 08:00–18:00 Velloorsdrift: 08:00–16:30 Klein Manasse: 08:00–16:30 Oranjemund: 06:00–22:00 Ruacana: 08:00–19:00 Omahenene: 08:00–19:00 Muhembo: 06:00–18:00 Hohlweg: 08:00–16:30

The Orange River, the southern border between Namibia and South Africa.

LINK YOUR TRIP WITH A VISIT TO NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES TO Botswana

Fly from Windhoek’s Hosea Kutako International Airport to Gaborone and then onward to Maun for a safari in the Okavango Delta OR Fly from Windhoek to Katima Mulilo (Mpacha Airport), for a safari in Chobe National Park and on to the Okavango Delta OR Link a self-drive safari through Namibia with a visit to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in South Africa, Botswana and the Kalahari in eastern Namibia.

TO South Africa

Fly from Windhoek to Cape Town or Johannesburg on any of the

frequent daily scheduled flights

OR

Link a self-drive safari to southern Namibia with a visit to the Richtersveld in South Africa

OR

Link a self-drive safari through Namibia with a visit to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in South Africa, Botswana and the Kalahari in eastern Namibia.

TO Zimbabwe

Fly from Windhoek’s Hosea Kutako International Airport to Harare or Victoria Falls

OR

Include Victoria Falls in a self-drive safari that includes a visit to the Zambezi Region.

TO Zambia

Fly from Windhoek’s Hosea Kutako International Airport to Lusaka on a scheduled flight OR Include Livingstone in a self-drive safari that visits the Zambezi Region.

TO Angola

Fly from Windhoek’s Hosea Kutako International Airport to Luanda

OR

Include Iona National Park, Angola, in a self-drive itinerary to northern Namibia.

SEE FOUR OF OUR FIVE NEIGHBOURS Visit the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area and see Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

DID YOU KNOW?

KAZA is the largest conservation area in the world! Visit www.kavangozambezi.org or see page103 for more information.

Business-to-Business ( B2B ) solution Real- time availability and rates for accommodation and tourism products An efficient system for a seamless experience

Car Rental A professional service ensuring the right vehicle for your travel routing

Adventure Travel A Namibian experience off the beaten track, offering you insight into little known tour and safari highlights.

Accommodation From luxurious, comfortable or the budget conscious, we have what you are looking for…

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KEY TOURISM-RELATED ASSOCIATIONS Federation of Namibian Tourism Associations (FENATA)

Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN)

FENATA acts as an umbrella organisation for tourism associations in the private sector. (+264 61) 23 0337, welcome@fenata.org, www.fenata.org

Its members are: • The Namibian Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA) • Tour and Safari Association (TASA) • Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) • Namibian Academy for Tourism and Hospitality (NATH) • B&B Association of Namibia (B&BAN) • Car Rental Association of Namibia (CARAN) • Tour Guides Association of Namibia (TAN) • Namibian Association for Community Based Natural Resources Management Support Organisations (NACSO) • Association of Namibian Travel Agents (ANTA) • Tourism Related Enterprises and Business Association (TRENABA) • Emerging Tourism Enterprises Association (ETEA) • Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) • FNB – Tourism Desk • Namibian Association for Protected Desert Areas (NAPDA)

With the people, for the peop le; to

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The Hospitality Association of Namibia has since its inception in 1987, grown from an initial 16 members to a total of close to 400 members. HAN represents the full spectrum of the hospitality industry, from hotels, to guest houses, guest farms, lodges, rest camps, restaurants, conference centres and catering services. Over the years, more and more tourism and hospitality related businesses also joined the Hospitality Association, making HAN a true umbrella-body and an important factor in the tourism & hospitality industry of Namibia in general. (+264 61) 22 2904, info@hannamibia.com, www.hannamibia.com

Tour and Safari Association of Namibia (TASA)

Founded in 1989, TASA is a voluntary private-sector body that acts on behalf of its members, encourages the development of responsible tourism in Namibia, ensures standards and reliability in the Namibian tourism industry and furthers the common interests of Namibian Tour Operators. (+264 61) 23 8423, info@tasa.na, www.tasa.na

A• N

H•A•N members • offer a total of over 10 000 beds and close to 6 000 rooms in Namibia • enjoy special deals and rates from a number of companies and suppliers H•A•N offers • its members representation at all levels, official, commercial and internal • ongoing information flow and communication via electronic channels

www.hannamibia.com www.namibiaholidayandtravel.com

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PLAN YOUR TRIP

ELZANNE ERASMUS

GETTING AROUND | DRIVE | FLY | EAT | SHOP | TOUR | CAMP | ROUTE | ADVENTURE

Crystal clear natural rock pools in the Naukluft Mountains.

| PLAN YOUR TRIP |

GETTING AROUND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS Foreign nationals must carry a passport that is valid for at least six months after the date of entry. A visa is required from all visitors except nationals of countries with which Namibia has the necessary visa abolition agreement. • No visas are required by bona fide South African passport holders travelling as tourists. • All other South African citizens, including business people, require visas. • Business visas are granted at the discretion of the immigration authorities. • Holidaymakers and tourists are welcome to remain in the country for 90 days.

The process for a UNIVISA (a common EU Schengen-style visa) by RETOSA (the Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa) in conjunction with the relevant Southern African Development Community (SADC) documentation allowing the free movement of visitors from SADC countries within the SADC Region is still ongoing. www.mha.gov.na, www.retosa.co.za Visas can be obtained from the Ministry of Home Affairs, at Namibian embassies and the NTB office in Cape Town. Please note: • Immigration officials are authorised to grant duration of stay based on the information provided on the arrival form. • Tourists are advised to check their passports and documentation to ensure that the visa granted matches the duration of stay intended. • Visas cannot be obtained at points of entry. • Visas can be extended only by applying at a Home Affairs Office, with prescribed fees applying. • If visitors to Namibia have tourist/

www.namibiaholidayandtravel.com

holiday visas, they are not allowed to engage in any employment while in the country. • Visitors wishing to work in the country should apply for an employment permit in their country of residence prior to entry. • This also applies to study permits.

TRAIN TRAVEL

Affordable train travel between Windhoek and all the main towns is offered by TransNamib’s Starline Passenger Service. Several South African trains visit the country on regular scheduled services. Situated in the Windhoek Railway Station building at the bottom of Bahnhof Street, the TransNamib Railway Museum is a veritable mine of information for railway enthusiasts, as well as for the general public.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

In Windhoek locals use a 24-hour taxi service, while a daily bus service provides them with transport to and from work. A scheduled bus service and private operators transport passengers in registered taxis to and from Hosea Kutako International Airport and the capital, while daily shuttle services transport guests between Windhoek and Swakopmund or Walvis Bay. Informal minibuses travel all over the country. A bus service (www.intercape.co.za) runs between major centres in Namibia and connects with Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, Upington and other towns and cities in South Africa. This service is also available between Windhoek and Walvis Bay, Victoria Falls and Livingstone. Another service connects Windhoek with Katima Mulilo, Oshakati, and Lusaka twice a week and covers the Cape Town route three times weekly. There is also a twice-weekly service from Windhoek to Gaborone.

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Wide open spaces in the Kaokoland in the far northwest of Namibia.

DRIVE TIPS FOR CAR RENTALS AND SELFDRIVES Namibia has an excellent road system that extends to just about every popular tourist destination in the country. However, the majority of the roads are gravel, and in the more remote areas they become tracks, which require careful driving, and for safety considerations, a second vehicle. These areas are not recommended for the inexperienced driver, for whom guided tours or organised safaris are recommended.

Which vehicles are the most suitable to rent?

The main choices are: • Any 2WD with good ground clearance and standard high-profile tyres. • Any 4WD with suitable tyres as described above. • A camper van or motor home with suitable tyres as described above.

Important facts to consider

Your final choice will be a question of where you intend travelling and your budget.

GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS • In Namibia we drive on the left side of the road. • The driver and all passengers must wear seatbelts. • It is compulsory to drive with headlights on dim •

• 4WD vehicles cost more to hire and run, but have good

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NOTE: When you reserve a vehicle with a CARAN member, enquire about the class of vehicle for which you have been given a quotation. CARAN vehicles are classed in five categories, ranging from Class 1 representing the latest vehicles with the lowest mileage available for rent to Class 5 representing the oldest vehicles with the highest mileage available for rent. You will obviously pay more for a Class 1 vehicle than for a similar model Class 5 vehicle.

ground clearance and are normally fitted with tyres that are better suited to Namibian roads. 2WD vehicles have less ground clearance and carry less. 2WD camping cars come equipped with everything you’ll need. 4WD camping cars also come equipped with everything you’ll need, but are more versatile than normal sedans or other two-wheel drive vehicles equipped for camping. Motor homes are usually better suited to tarred roads, as they tend to be top-heavy and have poor ground clearance.

• •

during daytime on any road outside municipal areas. You need a valid driving licence and must carry it with you when you are driving. If your driver’s licence is not printed in English, it is advisable to travel with an International Driver’s Licence. Make sure you are fully insured. Make sure the brakes of your vehicle are in good working order. Your tyres must have the correct air pressure. Always carry at least one spare tyre. Take two, if possible. Four-by-four vehicles are recommended when travelling through remote areas. Carry a well-equipped first-aid kit. Plan your trip carefully, ensuring that you have enough fuel for the journey. Fill your tank at every opportunity available, even though you may not be in immediate need.

| PLAN YOUR TRIP |

• Always carry water when you travel. • It is advisable to leave your itinerary with your tour

•

• • • • •

•

operator, hotel or friends, so that in the unlikely event that you might become lost, authorities will be able to find you. Make sure you have a current, authoritative map before you leave on your trip. When you leave the official roads marked on your map, there may be no road signs to direct you, and the condition of the roads may be poor. Listen carefully to the safety briefing given by your car-hire company. Ask advice on the condition of the roads in the areas you plan to visit. If your car has extra tanks for fuel and water, use them. Watch out for animals crossing the road or grazing near the roadside. Avoid travelling at night. Wildlife is most active at dusk, and the possibility of a collision at this time of day is vastly increased. When entering any game park or other area where there are wild animals, read the safety guidelines provided. It is dangerous to leave your vehicle when you are in a wildlife area. Destinations are far apart, so take regular breaks.

TIPS ON TRAILER TOWING • Ensure that your trailer is in a good roadworthy condition.

• The tyres fitted to your trailer should match the towing

vehicle's in size and should be in good condition, as they will travel the same roads. Having that extra spare for the vehicle may be a lifesaver.

• Tyre pressure should be the same on the trailer and the tow vehicle.

• It is advisable to have a break coupler that may be

locked to de-activate the brake system. Excessive and unnecessary stress is placed on a trailer’s breaking system during severe off-road conditions. • Maintain a manageable and safe travelling speed at all times. • Pack the trailer to place a positive weight distribution of between 30 kg and 80 kg on the tow ball of the vehicle.

BEWARE OF FLASH FLOODS • Due to the erratic nature of Namibia’s rainfall, the rivers in the interior are ephemeral and usually dry.

• Runoff occurs only when the intensity of a rainstorm is high or if it lasts long enough to produce runoff.

• In terms of driving, all dry riverbeds should be

considered as hazardous during the rainy season, especially when clouds are visible on the horizon. • Devastating flash floods can occur especially in the period between late afternoon and early morning. Visitors should therefore never drive along a dry riverbed or camp near the river in the rainy season.

DRIVING IN SAND • The keys to successful sand driving are momentum and tyre pressure. Momentum and speed stop the vehicle from becoming mired in the sand, while dropping your tyre pressure creates a bigger tyre ‘footprint’, spreading the vehicle’s weight over a larger area and giving you more grip. • Remember that fast cornering on soft tyres is highly

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| PLAN YOUR TRIP - DRIVE | dangerous, as you can roll the tyre off the rim.

• Don’t forget to re-inflate when you are back on hard

ground. • Never brake hard in soft sand. Your wheels will dig in and you’ll stop faster than you expect. Simply decelerate, as the loss of momentum will halt the vehicle. • Always stop on a downhill or on the flat. • Avoid wheel-spin – the vehicle will simply dig into the sand.

SELF-DRIVERS, TAKE NOTE • The Namibian landscape is extremely fragile, so please

• •

SPECIAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR GRAVEL ROADS Not all gravel roads are the same. Be aware of this and drive accordingly. Take note of the following before you set out: • Punctures are common on gravel roads, so carry two spare tyres. • Do not exceed the prescribed speed limit. • Observe road traffic signs conscientiously, particularly those indicating a gentle or sharp curve ahead, and reduce your speed accordingly. • In dusty conditions it is advisable to switch on the headlights of your vehicle. • When there is oncoming traffic, reduce speed and keep to the left of the road as far as possible. • In rainy or wet conditions, beware of slippery roads, sections of the road that have washed away, and running and/or stagnant water at drifts and/or causeways. • Be on the lookout for animals, domestic and wild, at all times. • Be constantly on the lookout for the unexpected, such as loose and sandy patches, potholes or a sharp bend in the road. • Other hazards are dry riverbed crossings and dips in the road. These are often eroded or rocky. • Be constantly on the alert, as road signs have sometimes been removed or run over. • Overtaking on gravel roads is dangerous. Draw the attention of the driver in front of you by flicking your headlights, indicating that you wish to overtake. • The simple rule when going into a skid is: skid left, steer left – skid right, steer right. Gently! Take your foot off the accelerator for a moment as the car is gently brought under control, and stay off the brakes! • Be careful when you approach the top of a blind rise, as there is often a slight bend just out of sight that could catch you off-guard. • The major hazards when driving on gravel roads are: driving TOO FAST, not concentrating, or taking a chance by overtaking ‘blind’ into the dust of another vehicle.

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follow only well-defined tracks and roads. In certain areas, such as the gravel plains, a single set of tracks can remain visible for decades. Deviating off existing tracks not only spoils the scenery and enjoyment of others, but also destroys plants and small creatures. Respect the culture and traditions of those inhabiting the area through which you are travelling. Disrespect causes resentment and ill feeling towards other tourists. Bear in mind that assistance could be days away in the event of an unexpected breakdown. A minimum of two vehicles travelling together is, therefore, strongly recommended. Engage four-wheel drive and manually lock front hubs (if required) before negotiating difficult terrain or steep inclines or declines. Inspect the terrain for obstacles and plan your route accordingly. In sandy terrain, deflate the tyre pressure to about 1 kPa (front) and 1.2 kPa (rear). If the vehicle becomes stuck, remember that brute force will not get you out of trouble. If anything, you’ll become bogged down even more. Check whether the vehicle is engaged in four-wheel drive and the front hubs are locked, and clear the sand in front and behind the wheels. Other options are to deflate the tyres a little more or jack the vehicle up and place stones or dead branches under the wheels.

SPEED LIMITS: Tarmac: 120 km/h | Gravel: 80 km/h | Towns: 60 km/h

| PLAN YOUR TRIP - DRIVE |

EXPLORE NAMIBIA WITH for SOUTHERN AFRICA

Tel.: +264 61 256323 | A/H: +264 81 162 5791 Mail: info@caprivicarhire.com | Web: www.caprivicarhire.com

Tel: +264 61 223 269 Cell: +264 81 127 2222 E-mail: info@odysseycarhire.com Webseite: www.odysseycarhire.com

LAND OF CONTRASTS AND SWEEPING VISTAS

info@namibiacarrental.com Office: +264 61 249239 Mobile: +264 81 122 2500

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| PLAN YOUR TRIP - DRIVE |

“Rental of specialised 4x4 vehicles in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique”

info@ascocarhire.com

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| PLAN YOUR TRIP - DRIVE |

Easy. Up-close. Unforgettable. These are the three words that should resonate with anyone who makes use of the hassle-free vehicle rental. Choose between the spunky Renault Dusters and rugged Toyota Hiluxes on offer, both options with four-wheel drive capabilities. Travelling to Namibia should be spectacular adventures – don’t hesitate.

Dusters – Spiffy and full of personality these little 4x4’s tick all the boxes for an exciting Namibia escape. Full specifications can be viewed on the Namibia2Go website.

Hilux – Powerful and rugged, these vehicles come in two options – fully equipped or standard. For the outdoor enthusiast, look no further than the fully equipped Namibia2Go Hilux. Full specifications can be viewed on the Namibia2Go website.

info@namibia2go.com • www.namibia2go.com www.namibiaholidayandtravel.com

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FLY Scenic flights and fly-in safaris in Namibia offer the discerning traveller the chance to explore parts of Namibia that are almost exclusively off-limits from the ground. Flying by plane, the landscape unfurls before you and the breathtaking views make for once-in-a-lifetime photographs. Flying gets you to your destinations in a short period of time. As opposed to driving vast distances on dusty roads, take to the skies instead. A flight to Namibia’s northwest passes over its dramatic desert landscapes, all along the coast and over famous fishing-waters off Swakopmund, Wlotzkasbaken and Henties Bay. See shipwrecks abandoned along the lonesome beaches and the bright orange lichen fields all the way up to the Kunene River. Admire the line where Namibia’s sand dunes and the dark blue waters of the Atlantic coast meet. From above, the Skeleton Coast becomes completely open to visitors. The area is unlike anywhere else in the country. The isolation and desolation lend themselves to the legendary area’s dramatic name. This is a part of Namibia that up until

recently very few people had the opportunity to see, and it continues to be one of the least-visited places in the country. Further east, moving inland towards the Kaokoland and Kunene River, visitors have the opportunity to land in the heart of the Himba community and pay a visit to one of the last semi-nomadic cultures in the world. The landscape might even offer a rare sighting of an endangered desertadapted rhino. Many Namibian companies offer day trips along Namibia’s coast, setting off from Swakopmund and looping around the area. Other flights are available to lodges from Eros Airport in Windhoek, and between lodges around the country.

AIR TRAVEL

The national carrier, Air Namibia: • Maintains direct international flights between Windhoek and Frankfurt on a daily basis. • Flies directly between Windhoek and Accra (Ghana), Lusaka (Zambia), Luanda (Angola), Harare and

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Foreign airlines flying to Windhoek: • South African Airways • TAAG Angola Airlines • Condor • Qatar Airways • KLM Royal Dutch Airlines • British Airways/Comair • Ethiopian Airlines

A unique fly-in safari experience with the Schoeman family. Namibia’s Skeleton Coast conjures up mysterious visions of mist-enshrouded beaches strewn with bleached whalebones and rusted shipwrecks. As members of the Schoeman family who grew up here, we have the very secrets of the Skeleton Coast etched on our souls and we would like to share the uniqueness of this remote wilderness with you. Everything is planned to surprise and delight adventurous souls. Tel +264 61 22 4248 info@skeletoncoastsafaris.com www.skeletoncoastsafaris.com

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Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), Gaborone (Botswana) and Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town (South Africa). Flights between Gaborone and Durban are also available. Provides domestic flights to local destinations such as Walvis Bay, Katima Mulilo, Rundu, Lüderitz, Oranjemund, and Ondangwa. Operates scheduled regional and international freight services to and from Namibia. The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) provides and facilitates airport infrastructure, facilities and airport services. The NAC owns and manages eight airports: Hosea Kutako International, Eros, Walvis Bay, Lüderitz, Keetmanshoop, Ondangwa, Rundu and Katima Mulilo.

| PLAN YOUR TRIP - FLY |

WHEN LUXURY IS THE DESTINATION Your journey to the far reaches of Namibia should be as comfortably indulgent as your breathtaking destination. A 40-year heritage of luxurious interiors and unrivalled capability. - The King Air 350 is the perfect aircraft for your ultimate flying safari experience.

t +264 839378247 w westair.com.na e reservations@westair.com.na PO Box 407, Aviation Road, Eros Airport, Windhoek, Namibia

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| PLAN YOUR TRIP - FLY |

ADVENTURE AWAITS

Windhoek Office: Tel: +264 61 249 268 Email: windhoek@scenic-air.com

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www.scenic-air.com

Swakopmund Office: Tel: +264 64 403 575 Email: swakopmund@scenic-air.com

| PLAN YOUR TRIP - FLY |

www.namibiaholidayandtravel.com

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TARRY BUTCHER

THE ULTIMATE NAMIBIA ROUTE FOR FIRST-TIMERS

Travelling through Namibia is like a good red wine, it’s meant to be savoured, not rushed. Time should be taken to enjoy every detail. The more time you have to discover the finer intricacies, the more you will be able to unearth the hidden memorable tones and thus be greatly rewarded by the experience. Keeping this in mind, Namibia is a large country and if the time for your visit is limited don’t try to do too much. You will miss out on the hidden gems. For those first-time visitors this is an itinerary that showcases what Namibia has to offer while still allowing enough time to appreciate your surroundings and relax. It also makes for a great introduction to the country and will allow you to plan future Namibian trips in finer detail.

Day 1:

After a long and tiring flight you will not be too keen to immediately get into your car and drive to your next destination. Take time to explore the capital, Windhoek, with its historical monuments and buildings on foot. Visit the local museums or take a city or township tour to gain some firsthand knowledge about the country and its people, before setting off on your adventure. Taste local cuisine, like Oshiwambo chicken or spicy mopane worms, at Xwama Restaurant – or if you are not so brave, head to Joe’s Beerhouse for their mouth-watering selection of game steaks and more.

Day 2:

Drive north on the B1 to your first stop, Waterberg National Park. Keep an eye out during this three hour trip, as you’ll be able to spot wildlife on the commercial farms on either side of the road. Towering above the surrounding landscape, Waterberg with its steep sandstone cliffs and lush vegetation on the plateau is the perfect wildlife sanctuary. Stretch your legs and go for a hike to the top to have a bird’s eye view of the landscape, or join a guided

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tour on the plateau to see some of the rare animals that reside there, i.e. rhino and buffalo.

Day 3:

Etosha National Park is your next destination and is reached by continuing north on the B1. History buffs can stop at the small town of Otavi and try to locate the Khorab Memorial where Imperial Germany surrendered to the Union of South Africa in 1915, marking the first permanent victory for the allied forces. Further north, some 20 km northwest of Tsumeb, is Lake Otjikoto. A sinkhole significant not only for its natural mystery, but also for the weapons dumped into the lake by the German Schutztruppe during World War I. A last 80 km trek will take you to the Von Lindequist Gate, the western entrance to Etosha National Park.

Day 4:

Experience wildlife from up close and watch the interaction between species at different waterholes dotted all along the road from Namutoni to Okaukuejo inside the park. The drive will also take you along the vast white salt pan that

Etosha is known for. Spend the night next to the world-famous Okaukuejo waterhole where predators like lions and other species such as rhinos like to drink after dark.

Day 5:

Drive through the less frequented western part of the park and notice how the landscape and vegetation changes. Exit through the Galton Gate and drive south towards Kamanjab. From Kamanjab it’s only 100 km to Grootberg. Marvel at the view from the top of the Etendeka Plateau, looking down on the Klip River Valley. This will be one of the best views you’ll have in Namibia. Be sure not to miss the opportunity to track the famous desert adapted elephants.

Day 6:

A short 130 km drive south will take you to Twyfelfontein where one of Africa’s largest concentrations of rock engravings can be found. Interesting geological formations in this area are the Burnt Mountain and the Organ Pipes. Another fascinating site is the Petrified Forest with its 280 million year old petrified trunks.

| FIRST-TIMER ITINERARY |

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o Au

Salt Flats

B M I N A

Meob Bay Black

ob

Tsondab Vlei

ss No

ts an Olif

C14

Conception Bay

Gob

Arnhem Cave

Auasberge

Kupferberg Pass

Khomas

Germa

Witvlei

Fort

Spreetshoogte Pass

Kuiseb

Black Cliff

CH

KO

Zebra Pan

MIT

O SH

Kuiseb Pass

Kuiseb Canyon

MIT PER

PER

A OM

HOSEA KUTAKO (International

IT

C14

Namib-Naukluft Park

Sandwich Harbour

Von François Fort

Tinkas Nature Trail

Rock Sculpture Trail

Sweet Thorn Hiking Trail Daan Viljoen Game Park

Usib

Old Rhenish Walvis Bay Mission Dune 7 Church & Hope Walvis BayBoundary Post, Locomotive Nature ReserveKuiseb River

Tsaobis Leopard Nature Park

Welwitschia Plains

Wit-Nossob

B1

Powder Tower

op

ak Sw

aa

Walvis Bay

Sandwich Harbour

an

Arandis

PE R

No

P st o a ccess

Kamanjab

MIT

n to le ke

Moringa Forest Andersson

Palgrave Point

Travel deep into the desert on the

Ovamb

Okevi Fort Namutoni Okerfontei n Von Chudo Springbokfontei Lindequi bKalkheuwe st n l Rietfontei n

Etosha

Etosha National Park

Duinevel d

ib

Salt Flats

Day 11:

Cuvelai and Etosha Pan Groot Klein Okevi

Dorslandtrekkers Monument

n oa

Namibia’s main harbour, Walvis Bay, is 40 km south of Swakopmund. There you’ll find the Walvis Bay lagoon, a Ramsar site and birder’s paradise, with the main attraction being the lesser and greater flamingos foraging in great numbers in the shallow waters. Activities in and around the harbour town include boat cruises, kite surfing, kayaking and 4×4 trips into the dunes. A day trip to Sandwich Harbour, where the Namib dunes run straight into the Atlantic Ocean, is also a wonderful adventure. Don’t forget to visit the highest dune in the area, Dune 7, just outside Walvis Bay.

Natukanaok a Pan

State Forest

Robbie's Pass

Dune

Day 10:

Khaudum

Nehale Lya Mpingana

JOUBERTBERGE

Fort Sesfontein

H

Ongula Village Homestead Lodge

Ondangwa

Dorsland Trekkers Monument & Ruin

E

bli Pu

Rocky

si aru Ho

Od

S

Re s

Cuangar

ila

Oshakati

Opuwo

i us ar Ho

Spring

AN D

ANGOL

State Forest

i

S MT

State Forest

After enough time spent inland it is Kaokoland time to travel west on the B2 to visit the small coastal town of Swakopmund. This town with its German colonial architecture that dates back more than a century is best explored on foot or by bicycle. Also visit the surroundings and acquire a permit to drive into Namib-Naukluft National Park. The Welwitschia Drive will take you past fields of Welwitschia, a plant endemic to the Namib Desert that can live up to 2000 years. On this route you will also enjoy great views of the barren and inhospitable Moon Landscape. The more adventurous can go skydiving, quad-biking or sandboarding in the dune belt just south of Swakopmund. Ac ces s

Oshikang

Uutapi (Ombalantu)

at a

NN

GIR

N

FE

AF

Salt Flats

ng

IPA JIH OT MTS

MA RT

HA

Otjijandjasemo Hot Spring

Van Zyl's Pass

Otjiv ero

Day 9:

Naulila

Calueque

ZE BR AM TS

ne

Cune

Salt Flats

Day 14:

Have an early start to visit the much Heading back home is always the worst photographed Dead Vlei and its part of any holiday, but at least the drive neighbour Sossusvlei. Get your heart back to Windhoek will take you through Ondjiva A N G O L surroundings. pumping by climbing one of the big some Ascenic After driving dunes, like Big Daddy or Dune 45. up the escarpment which connects When the heat of the day subsides, the desert with the Khomas Hochland, take a hike down into Sesriem Canyon makeOhangwena time for a pit-stop on top of and uncover its hidden nooks and Spreetshoogte Pass. Take it easy on the crannies. After a long day’s exploring last stretch of gravel road to Windhoek Oshana Oshikoto Omusati enjoy a desert sundowner with barking and start planning your next Namibian geckos as your soundtrack. adventure.

Gun

Epupa

Day 12:

Start your day with a sunrise balloon trip over the breath-taking scenery of the Namib Desert. This is a great way to appreciate the vastness of the Namib Sand Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which lies to the west. On landing you will be spoilt with a champagne breakfast in the middle of nowhere. Make sure to thoroughly absorb the freedom and space of the desert before you have to go back to reality.

Kava

The next leg of the journey, on the D1930, will take you to the Spitzkoppe, a striking group of bare granite peaks that seemingly rise out of nowhere. Take a swim in one of the natural rock pools when doing some exploration of the weathered granite domes. Have your camera and a sundowner drink ready, for when the sun starts dipping on the horizon the light reflected off the granite makes for a magical experience.

Day 13:

k

Day 8:

C14 towards Sossusvlei. Be sure to get away early as the gravel road can be busy and in poor condition due to heavy traffic. The route takes you through Namib-Naukluft National Park and up the Kuiseb and Gaub passes – note the sign marking the Tropic of Capricorn – and eventually to the desert oasis of Solitaire, where good coffee and freshly baked apple crumble pie will fortify you for the last leg of the journey.

Om

Continuing south, another short drive will take you to Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain. Visit the mysterious White Lady rock painting deep in the mountain. Keep your eyes open for desert adapted elephants which are often seen browsing in the Ugab River just north of Brandberg.

Fish

Day 7:

33

T K

RO

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34

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| TOUR COMPANIES |

Miracle Africa offers creative and innovative ideas to allow the maximum enjoyment of the richness of our country, providing a personalized and efficient service, with the backing of professionals of vast experience in the field of tourism. Among the services offered by the company stands out the coordination of itineraries for individuals or groups, including hotel reservations, transport, tours, car rentals, local flights, logistical support activities and any other special requirements necessary.

Scheduled Guided Tours / Fly-in Safaris A scheduled approach, without compromising on a unique personal experience Private Guided Tours: An expertly planned itinerary to explore our country Add on Packages An easy, exciting and trouble-free way of filling extra days prior to or after a tour Self-Drive Travel On the road to discover Namibia’s many secrets Special Interest For travellers looking for a more focused itinerary centred around a unique passion or interest Our Fleet We own and operate our own fleet of vehicles designed and custom built to suit the Namibian road conditions! Linger Longer: Stay for 3 nights, pay for 2

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NAMIBIA

www.namibiaholidayandtravel.com

37

CAMPING

COMMUNITY CAMPSITES ACROSS THE COUNTRY The interesting and diverse cultures of the people of Namibia – their customs, traditions, languages and beliefs – have fascinated visitors for centuries. Namibia’s richness in cultural and natural heritage is the basis for the development of cultural tourism. Also referred to as communitybased tourism, cultural tourism is particularly valuable because it gives local communities an alternative means of earning an income that benefits them directly.

NORTH-CENTRAL REGIONS 1 The Nakambale Museum and Restcamp in the village of Olukonda can be visited 14 km southwest of Ondangwa. 2 The Omauni Community Campsite

is located at the Centre for Sustainable Forest Management, east of Okongo.

3 The Ombalantu Baobab Tree

Campsite is situated on community land behind the brightly-painted open market in Outapi. It is a heritage site with a large baobab tree at the centre of the campsite.

4 Hippo Pools Campsite, 12 km west

of Ruacana, has shady campsites situated under leadwood and mopane trees, with superb views over the Kunene River.

5 The Uukwaluudhi Traditional

Homestead in Tsandi, the former home of King Josia Shikongo Taapopi, is an opportunity for guests to visit a traditional Owambo palace.

ERONGO REGION 6 Nestled between the huge

boulders in the magnificent mountain world of the Spitzkoppe is the Spitzkoppe Rest Camp.

7 Ozohere Campsite is located

between and around huge boulders under shady trees, on the banks of the Ugab River between Khorixas and Uis.

38

OMAHEKE REGION 8 Kambahoka Restcamp can be found next to the Aminuis Saltpan, 180 km southeast of Gobabis. 9 For an excellent and educational San experience in the extreme east of Namibia, visit Sãa Ta Ko close to the Botswana border. 10 Boiteko Campsite, positioned at the

top of the hill on the Epukiro Roman Catholic Mission Grounds, is part of the Tswana village, Metsweding.

11 For those travelling to Bushmanland

and the Tsumkwe area via Gam, Kaumbangere Restcamp, located 5 km south of Otjinene, makes for a good stopover.

OTJOZONDJUPA REGION 12 Accessible from the C44, 87 km

on the way to Tsumkwe, Omatako Valley Restcamp is a !Kung San community campsite.

13 Southeast of Tsumkwe is the

Djokhoe Camspite.

14 Further east is the Makuri Camspite,

situated in an area hosting several pans that attract birds and wildlife.

15 The Living Museum of the

Ju/’Hoansi San provides an opportunity to view and learn about this subgroup of the San.

| CULTURAL CAMPING |

KAVANGO AND ZAMBEZI

19 Situated in Bwabwata National Park

23 Near Nkasa Rupara National Park is

20 Salambala Campsite can be found in

HARDAP AND KARAS

is the Nambwa Campsite on the banks of the Kwando River.

16 Mbamba Campsite has reed-

lined lapas situated on the banks of the Shamangwe tributary to the Okavango River.

the Wuparo Campsite, each site with its own reed and thatch ablution facility.

mopane woodland next to a small pan and waterhole.

17 White Sands - N//goabaca Campsite

24 Camp at Bruckaros near Berseba in

beautiful mountain surroundings. The facilities are basic so be self-sufficient.

21 Mafwe Campsite, another community

is situated next to Popa Falls, a series of rapids in the Okavango River.

campsite managed by the Living Culture Foundation, overlooks the Kwando River.

18 Chobe Community Campsite

is owned and managed by the local conservancy and receives management support from the nearby lodge Chobe Camp.

25 In the very south of the country,

Warmbad Hotsprings Lodge is an interesting historical and cultural stopover.

22 Treesleeper Camp is surrounded by

tamboti, leadwood and buffalo-thorn woodland, with wooden decks built into the trees for optimal viewing.

26 Garies Restcamp provides a glimpse

of Baster hospitality in an anotherwise undeveloped area.

43 42

Oshikango

Omahenene

Ruacana

4

44

Uutapi (Ombalantu)

3

41 45

18

Cuangar Rundu

Ondangwa

5

Opuwo

Katitwe

2

Oshakati

1

B8

B8

Mangetti National Park

Khaudum National Park

22

B1

Etosha National Park

Namutoni

36

15

A I B

t as Co

M

35

rk Pa

7

23

12 Dobe

13 14

Waterberg Wilderness Trail Waterberg Walks

Otjiwarongo

34

21

B8

Waterberg Plateau Park

Outjo Khorixas

33

Grootfontein

Otavi

Kamanjab

38

17

19

Tsumeb

Halali Okaukuejo

N

on et el Sk

39 40 37

20

16

Kalkveld

Ugab Guided Trail Brandberg

11

B1

Omaruru

6

Dorob National Park

Karibib

N

B2

M I B

Arandis

Von Bach Recreation Resort HOSEA KUTAKO

Sweet Thorn Hiking Trail Daan Viljoen Game Park

Tsaobis Leopard Nature Park

Rock Sculpture Trail

Swakopmund

B2

Walvis Bay

10

Okahandja

Gross Usakos Spitzkoppe

A

Henties Bay

EROS

B6

Witvlei

Gobabis

WINDHOEK

Namib Desert Park

Walvis Bay Nature Reserve

Buitepos

(International Airport)

Auasberge

9

Rehoboth

Namib-Naukluft Park

Leonardville

Dassie Trails

26

B1

32 Kalkrand

B M I N A

31

D E

Sossusvlei

Stampriet

Gochas

Maltahöhe

S

E

R T

NamibNaukluft Park

Gibeon

30

Namib Rand Nature Reserve

Mata Mata

Tses

Berseba

24

Great Tiras

Lüderitz

Aranos

Hardap Recreation Resort Mariental

Naukluft Hiking Trail

8

*Many of the campsites mentioned are often difficult to get in touch with and information regarding them may vary through the course of the year.

Bethanie Aus

Rosh Pinah

Koës

28 Klein-Menasse

Naute Recreation Area

27

Aroab

B1 Hohlweg

Fish River Canyon Conservation Area

Grünau Karasburg B3

e

ang Or

29

Keetmanshoop

B4

Ai-Ais/ Richtersveld Transfrontier Park

Brukktaros Mountain

Sendelingsdrift

(Gariep)

Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail

Ariamsvlei

25

This is just an approximate indication of where these establishments are situated

Oranjemund

Vioolsdrif

Velloorsdrif

Noordoewer

Velloorsdrif

Copyright © Map Studio 2010

www.namibiaholidayandtravel.com

39

| CULTURAL CAMPING | 27 Situated in a scenic rocky mountain

area, the sites at Snyfontein Camp overlook an attractive section of the Fish River.

28 ≠Nudi Campsite is set amongst

quiver trees and dolerite rock formations in the !Knob !Naub Conservancy.

29 Situated northeast of Tses is

Ganigobes Campsite, a basic facility with views over a riverbed.

30 Goamus Campsite is surrounded

by the striking mountain landscape of Gibeon, a historical area where the Nama fought against and hid from the Germans in colonial times.

31 Located in Maltahöhe, //Hai-Sores

Campsite comprises six sites and several demonstration Nama huts.

32 Hoachanas Campsite, 53 km from

Kalkrand, is situated in the Hoachanas settlement, a historically important location for the Nama people.

KUNENE REGION 33 The Aba-Huab Campsite is a busy,

bustling campsite located 9 km from the Twyfelfontein rock engravings.

34 Doro !Nawas Granietkop Campsite,

20 km southeast of Twyfelfontein, offers exclusive, private sites in alcoves created by granite boulders.

35 Situated near the town of Kamanjab,

Hoada Campsite is surrounded by golden-yellow grass and mopane trees, boulders and birdsong.

36 Perched on a hill in the midst of

mountains overlooking a dry river course, is the Khowarib Campsite.

37 The Figtree Campsite, situated close

Bush Lodge, with Himba settlements close by. 41 Situated on the Khumib riverbank,

the Marble Campsite is an attractive and well-equipped facility that represents a veritable oasis in the rugged surroundings.

42 The Okarohombo Community

Campsite is shaded by giant ana trees in the remote Marienfluss Valley along the Kunene River, with the mountains of Angola looming on the other side.

to the Sesfontein Conservancy office, consists of four large sites in a grove of ancient sycamore fig trees surrounding one of the six Sesfontein springs.

43 At the Epupa Falls Campsite, spread

38 Fonteine Community Restcamp

44 The Van Zyl’s Pass Campsite is

39 Puros Campsite is positioned on the

45 House on the Hill is a self-catering

can be found in the Twyfelfontein area of Damaraland. It offers campsites to travellers passing through. banks of the Hoarusib River, stamping ground of Namibia’s desert-adapted elephants, which often wander through the campsite.

out among waving makalani palms, water rushes toward the falls and fine mist hovers in the air. only for those who are extremely well prepared for negotiating difficult and rough terrain to get there. stone cottage situated on a slope adjacent to the Marble Campsite.

40 Providing affordable self-catering

accommodation in the area, is Puros

CAMPING TIPS

ELZANNE ERASMUS

Apart from the usual gear – tents, sleeping bags, cooking utensils, food, emergency supplies and a first aid kit – consider packing the following to make your adventure more enjoyable: • Binoculars for catching sight of free-roaming game. • Toilet paper – handy in all sorts of emergencies. • Hand sanitiser, as it can be difficult to find clean water or facilities in some places. • Items for campsite fun, such as balls, kites, frisbees etc., especially when travelling with children. • Insect repellent for those buzzing and flying annoyances. • Books and magazines for when relaxing under a tree. • Water, water, water – rather too much than too little. Remember, Namibia is a desert country. • Rope, which can be used to pull your car out of thick sand or even as an emergency washing line. • Sunscreen – with Namibia’s bountiful sunshine, it’s always a good move to cover your sensitive areas with a protective layer of UVA + UVB cream (at least factor 30). • Locks and protective covering for your valuables. Holiday stories are just not the same when the camera disappears halfway down the line. Also keep in mind: • Firewood should always be purchased in a prepacked form, not collected from the veld. • Take along a small hatchet, firelighters and matches, two powerful torches and plenty of spare batteries. • Vehicle spares should include a spare wheel (preferably two), air compressor or pump, tyre gauge, battery leads, towrope, shovel and basic toolkit.

40

GERHARD THIRION

Elephants living in Namibia's north-western Kaokoveld have adapted to survive in the desert.

42

LODGE GROUPS

| NAMIBIAN LODGE GROUPS |

Namibia is home to dramatic sceneries, stunning vistas and endless horizons. From one corner of the country to the other, the topography and biodiversity transform dramatically. From the wet wonderland of the Zambezi Region, with its perennial river systems, to the large panoramic plains of the south that morph into canyons and mountain ranges, Namibia is an incredibly diverse and enigmatic land. Etosha National Park, the jewel in the crown of Namibia, is home to the famous Etosha Pan and teems with wildlife. At the heart and soul of this land of endless horizons lies the Namib Desert, the oldest desert in the world. With a host of lodges, hotels, accommodation establishments and campsites throughout the country, and 18 state-owned conservation areas encapsulating all of this African gem’s natural wonders, exploring Namibia should be on every traveller’s bucket list. Here are a few companies who pride themselves on offering a wide range of establishments, activities and circuits to visitors, so that no corner of this epic land is overlooked!

www.namibiaholidayandtravel.com

43

6 4

NAMIBIA COLLECTION

5

7 1

2

Our portfolio includes a collection of hotels, lodges and leisure activities, from the Atlantic coastline to the saltpans of Etosha. We provide well appointed, comfortable accommodation in a relaxed atmosphere, with warm-hearted Namibian service and hospitality. Whether you are on business or leisure, we ensure that your experience is memorable and that you leave with a longing to return. Our hospitality team is ready to welcome you to our beautiful hotels and lodges.

3

1

2 3 4

Atlantic Villa Boutique Guesthouse See page 188

Swakopmund Plaza Hotel See page 188

Beach Hotel Swakopmund

5

Eagle Tented Lodge See page 121

6

Olupale Safari Lodge See page 121

7

See page 188

Driefontein Safari Lodge See page 153

Epacha Game Lodge and Spa See page 121

www.namibia-collection.com

7

6

2 4

3

JOURNEYS NAMIBIA 1

Journeys Namibia is a reputable management company that takes the strain off lodge owners by taking care of the day-to-day running of lodges. We have many years of experience in the tourism industry and share an intimate passion for Namibia’s unique landscapes and its people. 1 2

5

3 4

Auas Safari Lodge

5

Hobatere Lodge

6

Hoada Campsite

7

See page 86

See page 116 See page 151

Grootberg Lodge See page 151

www.journeysnamibia.com 44

Fish River Lodge

See page 205

Shipwreck Lodge See page 129

Kunene River Lodge See page 129

| NAMIBIAN LODGE GROUPS |

1

5

WILDERNESS SAFARIS

3 2

As Africa’s leading authentic and sustainable ecotourism company, Wilderness Safaris prides itself on offering life-changing journeys to our guests. The company was formed in 1983 when we fell in love with the remote and wild places in Africa. We now operate in eight countries where we continue to conserve and restore Africa’s wilderness and wildlife.

4

1 6 7 2 3 4

Serra Cafema Camp

5

Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp

Damaraland Camp

6

Kulala Desert Lodge

Desert Rhino Camp

7

Little Kulala

See page 130 See page 151 See page 151

See page 130 See page 163 See page 163

Doro Nawas Camp See page 150

www.wilderness-safaris.com

4 1

O&L LEISURE 3

2

Owned by the Ohlthaver & List Group, which was founded in 1919, O&L Leisure Hotels & Lodges is a proudly Namibian hospitality company. O&L Leisure is committed to offering our guests a unique, genuine sense-of-place experience. It’s our warm, down-to-earth nature, and love of our country, that turns staying at our resorts into an unparalleled experience. 1 2

Mokuti Etosha Lodge

3

Midgard Country Estate

4

See page 116 See page 87

Strand Hotel Swakopmund See page 186

Chobe Water Villas See page 104

www.ol-leisure.com www.namibiaholidayandtravel.com

45

ONDILI LODGES & ACTIVITIES Ondili Maeumbo is an expression from the Owambo language that means: “I am at home“. We chose that name because it expresses exactly what we want for our guests: to feel at home, to feel at home in Africa, the cradle of mankind. Enjoy our hospitality in three of the most impressive landscapes of Namibia, the Kalahari Desert, the Namib Desert and the Erongo Mountains.

7 8

5 6

1 2 4

3

1

Teufelskrallen Lodge

5

Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge

6

2

See page 89 See page 89

3

Desert Homestead Lodge See page 169

4

Desert Homestead Outpost See page 169

www.ondili.com 46

7 8

Hohenstein Lodge See page 155

Ti Melen See page 89

Etosha Oberland Lodge Etosha Oberland Outpost

| NAMIBIAN LODGE GROUPS |

NAMIBIA WILDLIFE RESORTS Namibia Wildlife Resorts is a state-owned enterprise, mandated to run the tourism facilities within the protected areas of Namibia. Its only shareholder is the Government of the Republic of Namibia; hence, it belongs to the Namibian people. NWR offers something for everyone – whether it is photography, nature, wildlife, landscapes, geology, camping, fishing, birding, history, culture or just the pure exhilaration of finding yourself surrounded by the essence of Africa – NWR is your willing partner and host.

2 7 6

5

4

1 3

8

1

Popa Falls Resort

2

Onkoshi Resort

9 10

11

See page 117 3

25 24 23

4

14

5

16

Namutoni Resort See page 117

12 13

See page 104

6

17

15

18

Halali Resort

8

21 22

9

www.nwr.com.na

16

Sesriem Campsite See page 164

Hardap Resort

19

Duwisib Castle

Olifantsrus Camp Dolomite Resort Terrace Bay

20

Gross-Barmen Resort

See page 88

Shark Island Resort See page 205

21

Fish River Canyon & Hobas Camp See page 205

22

Khorixas Camp Waterberg Resort

See page 163

See page 164

Torra Bay

See page 141 12

See page 164

18

See page 153 11

15

See page 117

Okaukuejo Resort

See page 186 10

Sun Karros Daan Viljoen Sossus Dune Lodge

Naukluft Camp

See page 186

20

14

17

See page 117

19

Mile 4 Campsite

See page 117

See page 117 7

13

/Ai-/Ais Hotsprings Spa See page 205

24

Mile 72 Mile 108

25

Jakkalsputz

23

See page 86

www.namibiaholidayandtravel.com

47

N/A’AN KU SÊ COLLECTION 2 1

3

N/a’an ku sê Conservation Journeys: Rudie and Marlice van Vuuren, with friends Chris Heunis and Jan Verburg, started the N/a’an ku sê Foundation in 2006 to protect and improve the lives of Namibia’s people and wildlife. “Our vision is an Africa where humans and wildlife can live and thrive together. Our mission is to conserve the land, cultures and wildlife of Namibia and rescue species threatened by an ever-shrinking habitat.”

4 1

N/a’an ku sê Lodge and Wildlife Sanctuary

3

Utopia Boutique Guesthouse

4

See page 88 2

Neuras Wine and Wildlife Estate See page 165

See page 88

Kanaan N/a’an ku sê Desert Retreat See page 164

www.naankuse.com

3

4

PROTEA HOTELS BY MARRIOTT 5

2

1

6

Protea Hotels by Marriott is one of the most widely recognised hospitality brands in Africa. With 6 hotels strategically located in Namibia and with over 4000 hotels across the world, you know you are in good hands. Our hotels offer modern design and amenities, with a unique blend of global standards combined with proactive and personalised service so that every guest feels important and cared for. 1

Thuringerhof

4

Fürstenhof

5

Zambezi River Lodge

6

See page 95 2

See page 116

See page 107

www.protea.marriott.com 48

Pelican Bay See page 190

See page 95 3

Ondangwa

Walvis Bay See page 190

| NAMIBIAN LODGE GROUPS |

NATURALLY NAMIBIA 2 1

Naturally Namibia is a collective of Namibia’s most characterfilled independent experiences. Owner-run and original is the way we like it. We collectively agree on sharing a warm welcome, unsurpassed local knowledge and our pride in every element of service.

9 8 7

6

4

11

10

5

1 2 3

3

4 5 6

The Mushara Collection

7

Skeleton Coast Safaris

8

See page 120 See page 28

Ai Aiba Lodge See page 152

Etendeka Mountain Camp See page 153

Namib Sky Balloon Safaris

9

Villa Margherita

10

AfriCat Namibia

The Olive Exclusive

11

Okonjima

See page 16

See page 187 See page 91

Erongo Wilderness Lodge

Ongava

See page 118 See page 140 See page 140

See page 152

www.naturallynamibia.com www.namibiaholidayandtravel.com

49

4

3

1

2

NATURAL SELECTION On a Natural Selection Namibia safari, we’ll take you to the most remote corners of Namibia, and best of all, the experience is never shared with anyone but the wildlife.

1

Etosha Mountain Lodge

3

Hoanib Valley Camp

2

Safarihoek Lodge

4

Shipwreck Lodge

See page 123 See page 131

See page 131 See page 129

www.naturalselection.travel

3 9 10 8 2

1

4

CLASSIC COLLECTION

5

7

6

Classic Collection creates memorable experiences in exclusive and stylish properties built in magical settings, which reflect and enhance the natural beauty of the surroundings. Inspired by the colours and textures of the natural landscapes, there is a mixture of elegance and earthiness in all the lodges in the group. These properties are ideally situated to provide discerning travellers with an ideal circuit to visit Namibia in style.

Onguma Nature Reserve

7 See page 170-171

2

Okahirongo Elephant Lodge

8 See page 188

3

Okahirongo River Camp Mowani Mountain Camp

9 See page 104

1

See page 122

4

See page 155 5

Camp Kipwe See page 154

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6

Wolwedans

Swakopmund Guesthouse

Nambwa Lagoon Camp Nambwa Tented Lodge

10 See page 104

Kazile Island Lodge See page 104

| NAMIBIAN LODGE GROUPS |

GONDWANA COLLECTION At this place where fantasy meets reality, you'll find the Gondwana Collection safely positioned. Take our outstretched hand and let us introduce you to our extraordinary country, Namibia. From the massive chasms of the Fish River Canyon, the fossilised dunes of the Namib Desert and the red sands of the Kalahari Desert to the waterways of the Kavango and Zambezi, there are countless marvels to behold. This is the Gondwana feeling: Namibia with heart and soul. 19

14 13

11 12

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Canyon Collection

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10

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15

16.1

11 Hakusembe River Lodge &

Campsite Canyon Lodge See page 105 1.2 Canyon Village 1.3 Canyon Roadhouse & Campsite 12 Namushasha River Lodge & Campsite See page 206 See page 106 1.1

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2

Klein Aus Vista & Campsite

Desert Horse Inn 2.2 Eagle's Nest See page 206 2.1

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3 4 5

3

16.2

6

See page 165

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17.2

17.1

Namib Desert Lodge & Campsite Namib Dune Star Camp See page 166

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The Desert Grace See page 166

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Kalahari Anib Lodge See page 94

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1

8

Kalahari Farmhouse See page 94

The Delight Swakopmund See page 187

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Damara Mopane Lodge See page 154

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Etosha Safari Lodge & Camp

10.1 Etosha Safari Lodge

www.gondwana-collection.com

10.2 Etosha Safari Camp & Campsite

See page 123

www.namibiaholidayandtravel.com

13 Zambezi Mubala Lodge

See page 105

14 Zambezi Mubala Camp &

Campsite See page 105

15 Chobe River Camp &

Campsite See page 105

16 The Secret Collection

Namushasha River Villa See page 106 16.2 Desert Whisper See page 165 16.1

17 Camping2Go

Namib Desert Kalahari Anib See page 165

17.1 17.2

18 Palmwag Lodge & Camp

See page 154

19 Omarunga Epupa-Falls

Camp

See page 130

20 Etosha King Nehale

See page 123

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JACO VENTER

ADVENTURE

| ADVENTURE IN NAMIBIA |

Namibia is for the active. For the energetic spirit. For soulsearching and delving in deep. It’s for the adventurous among us, but also for those who seek respite from the overwhelming modern world. Namibia is for the free and young at heart. For those looking to truly touch, feel and experience nature. It will never leave you wanting. It will never leave you bored. Whether you’re looking for epic adrenaline-fuelled quests, to convene with the wilderness or to enjoy the thrill of a sporting activity, there’s something for everyone in the land of dramatic landscapes and open spaces. Here are some of the most enticing and exciting adventures to partake in on your visit to this special corner of Africa.

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TIGERFISHING “The tigerfish is Africa’s premier freshwater game fish. With its large razor-sharp teeth and torpedo-shaped body, there is nothing quite like it out there. It is the ultimate high-speed killing machine. It’s a fierce and wily creature that demands respect from all forms of life that happen across its path.” – Haydn Willans of Tiger Fish Frenzy The major rivers of Namibia’s Zambezi Region – formerly known as the Caprivi Region – include the Zambezi, Chobe, Kwando, Linyanti and Okavango. This water wonderland is home to more than 84 species of freshwater fish. Culminating in what can only be described as a fisherman’s paradise, the region is undoubtedly the perfect location for a Namibian angling adventure. The waterway system consists of wide rivers, shallow sandbanks, islands, lagoons, raging rapids and isolated pools with calm waters. This part of the country is an ideal location for everything from fly-fishing from the riverbanks to trawling from small fishing boats. Fishing in the region is

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done on a catch-and-release basis. While the wide variety of fresh-water fish – not one of which is an exotic or introduced species – is an appealing feature in its own right. The most important item at the top of the angler’s to-catch list is most certainly the feisty tigerfish. Throwing in your line and letting it draw behind a slow-moving boat, while lazily watching passing mukoros, with kingfishers flitting in and out of the river, makes for a relaxing day on the water. The relaxation gives way to pumping adrenaline when that line, laden with sardines, bulldogs or artificial bait, tightens and the heartpounding struggle to pull in the fiercest fish of them all begins. Even the most experienced anglers often forget the basic tips of tigerfishing under the extreme extent of their excitement. The thrill of hunting the notoriously hard-to-capture ‘tiger of the Zambezi’ is what draws fishermen back time and time again, especially if they’re on a mission to capture the ‘one that got away’. Tigerfish are known for their

aggressive temperament, supreme speed, aerobatic capabilities and steel-like jaws. They hunt in schools of like-sized fish, and have silver-striped bodies with bright-red and yellow fins and tail, often reaching up to 10 kg in weight. But anglers take note: all tigerfish weighing over 2 kg are female and should be released. The good fishing spots often depend on the season. However, known hotspots are areas where there are deep pools, reed edges and, most commonly, fast-moving water. The location chosen will influence the choice of tackle, bait and lures. Most lodges and campsites along the river provide information, as well as eager-to-help guides who give expert advice and can provide fishing boats for their guests. Annual competitions are also a big draw card for adrenalin junkies and enthusiastic anglers in search of proper sport fishing. Anglers are required to have a freshwater angling licence obtainable at Regional Council offices in Rundu and Katima Mulilo.

ELZANNE ERASMUS

| TOP ADVENTURES |

GAME VIEWING Etosha National Park is an internationally known game reserve, famous for its abundance and variety of wildlife. More than 100 years old, the park boasts dramatically successful animal rehabilitation and conservation initiatives, and is your best option for a wide variety of animal sightings. The conservation efforts in the park over the past 100-plus years have led to the successful reintroduction and rehabilitation of animal species that had been eradicated from the area. Etosha is Namibia’s flagship national park and one of its most important tourism draw cards. These factors make it the perfect destination for the keen adventurer to enjoy Namibia’s abundance of game, whether exploring the park as a selfdriver or as part of a tour group. There are several guidelines to keep in mind when setting off on your Etosha adventure. Game can be viewed from the comfort of your vehicle – next to the roads, on the plains or pans, and at waterholes throughout the park – as well as at waterholes in one of the five rest camps. These are, from east

to west: Onkoshi, Namutoni, Halali, Okaukuejo, Olifantsrus and Dolomite. All five of these rest camps have shops and restaurants, and Namutoni, Halali and Okaukuejo have petrol-station facilities. Waterholes are great places for observing animals, especially during the dry season when the surface water in the depressions and pans has dried up. It is especially useful to consult the visitors’ animal-sightings books at the rest camps, and to ask park rangers for advice on recent sightings. Paying attention to animal behaviour at waterholes can also benefit those in search of predators, such as when antelope are gathered at one side, checking the bushes or tree line at the opposite side for predators resting or hiding in the shade. Also keep in mind that different species of animals drink at different times of the day. Guidebooks to waterholes are stocked in the restcamp shops, enabling visitors to gain useful information on game viewing in the park. The early morning and late afternoon hours are considered to be the happy hours for animal spotting, so

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setting off early is always a good idea. Allow yourself plenty of time, so that you don’t miss out on great sightings such as lions, elephants, rhinos and possibly even leopards. The park is home to four of Africa’s Big Five. In fact, Etosha is frequented by more than 486 different species of vertebrates – including reptiles, birds and mammals – for spotting and ticking off lists. While three days will enable you to see the whole park, five days will be more rewarding, as it will allow you to explore this famous animal kingdom at a leisurely pace. There are specifically demarcated roads for tourists to follow. However, some of these roads are closed off during the rainy season, as they become too wet and muddy for standard vehicles. Visitors are furthermore advised to take extreme caution when driving on them and to stick to the speed limits, as the hazards of gravel-road driving are as prevalent in Etosha as everywhere else in Namibia, but have the added risk of unexpected animal roadblocks. Speeding can cause harm to wildlife and tourists alike.

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ELZANNE ERASMUS

MOUNTAIN BIKING Namibia’s central plateau running from north to south with an average altitude of between 1 000 and 2 000 metres – a rugged mountainous escarpment that descends in the west into the Namib Desert and in the east rises into the rolling hills of the Khomas Hochland west of Windhoek – provides many opportunities for exhilarating and truly tough mountain biking and cycling. Mountain bikers across the globe would agree that the main focal points of any ride are the trail, the terrain and the ever-challenging surroundings that play host to truly daring mountainbike adventures. Technical sections in routes, hard climbs, and often dangerous, rocky terrain are all elements that lure adventure junkies and extreme sports enthusiasts. Namibia’s geographical diversity makes it the perfect location for a wide variety of such ‘gnarled’ routes. Mountain bikers and cyclists, both local and from abroad, flock to the rocky outcrops and steep passes in the country to get their fix. One of the most popular regions of Namibia, the ‘deep south’, has become home to many biking adventures in recent years. The rocky terrain and rolling hills there are

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interspersed with long, flat stretches of gravel, making for ideal mountain-bike and cycling locations. Mountain biking in the south ranges from short self-guided trips to longer safaris and cycling events. With striking vistas and challenging mountain routes, the /Ai-/Ais/ Richtersveld Transfrontier Park hosts cycle challenges and cycling tour groups alike. It is a unique environment for adventure sport activities, having spectacular mountainous scenery, a remote wilderness character and the presence of a major river within a desert environment. Routes have been established along the edge of the Fish River Canyon, while well-maintained gravel roads allow for beautiful rides through the pristine and untouched landscapes. Two of the major cycling events held in the south are the Fish River Marathon and Cycle, where participants can choose between a 104-km or 54-km cycle course, and the annual multistage MTB event, Desert Knights Cycle Challenge, combining five days of cycling, some of it at night

under the full moon, with one day of canoeing on the Orange River. There are numerous mountain bike events throughout the year in various parts of the country. The most popular ones are the Nedbank Cycle Challenge in February; the Klein-Aus Vista MTB Challenge, Windhoek Light Namib Quest and Kuiseb Classic MTB in May; the Otjihavera Xperience in August; the Desert Knights Cycle Challenge in September; the nine-day Cycling Namibia and Namibian Pick & Pay Cycle Classic in October; the 100 km of Namib Desert and Cycletec Spring Festival in November; and the famous Nedbank Desert Dash in December. Increasing numbers of cycling enthusiasts are attempting to push their limits by searching for more challenging mountain-bike adventures. In 2014 a group of cyclists even went head to head with the 300-metre high dunes of the Namib Desert in the Snow-2-Sand Fatbike Experience. Companies that facilitate guided tours in various parts of the country include Mountain Bike Namibia, H&I Adventures, DAS Bike Shop Adventure, Mabaruli Safaris and Be Local Tours.

ANNELIEN ROBBERTS

| TOP ADVENTURES |

ROCK CLIMBING Few people are aware of the many rock-climbing challenges Namibia has to offer. As hikers and climbers discover ever-more areas, the sport is becoming increasingly popular, both with locals and with visitors from abroad. The Spitzkoppe, at 1 728 metres, was first ascended in 1946. Since then it has attracted hundreds of climbers. As one of Namibia’s most recognisable landmarks, and often referred to by climbers as the Matterhorn of Africa, the Spitzkoppe rises above the dusty pro-Namib plains of southern Damaraland like a mirage. Considered a climber’s paradise, the Spitzkoppe and surrounding areas – including the Pondok [also spelt Pontok] Mountains (because they resemble the rounded Damara huts called pondoks) – boast over 30 natural and 30 sport climbs. Sport climbing entails routes that are secured with bolts, whereas natural climbing involves unsecured climbing techniques or ‘free climbing’. In Namibia, climbing routes are rated in accordance with the Ewbank system as measured in technical difficulty, exposure to the climber, length, quality

of rock, protection and other smaller components – the higher the rating, the more difficult the route. Popular climbs in the Spitzkoppe surrounds include the Goldfinger (21) on Rhino Horn route, a very sought-after climb that is well bolted. The South West Wall is home to many popular routes such as Watersports (20), the South West Wall Route (24), INXS (24) and Herero Arch (26). Then there’s Nothing in Moderation (25), a route Alex Honnald (a popular American rock climber best known for his free solo ascents of big walls) free soloed in September 2013. Along the highest peak of the Pondok Mountains – Pondok Spitz – you’ll find To Bolt or Not To Bolt (18), a five-star climb that’s not excessively difficult. Sugarloaf Mountain also has great bolted routes. A guidebook entitled Spitzkoppe and Pontoks Namibia by Eckhardt Haber contains all the route information of the area. To date, the highest peak of the Spitzkoppe has been reached by climbers more than 600 times. Members of Namibia’s rock-climbing community form part of the MCSA (Mountain Club of South Africa), which has a Namibian charter. The club facilitates and

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engages in mountaineering, climbing of all types including boulder climbing, hiking, international expeditions, mountain search and rescue, training, the conservation of mountain areas, and the procurement of access for mountaineering. Although the Spitzkoppe surroundings are considered to be the most popular climbing destination in Namibia, there are many other areas for climbers, including Omandumba in the Erongo Mountains, Aussenkehr on the southern border of Namibia and the Midgard Country Estate, 90 km northeast of Windhoek. There are a few climbing areas within 20 km of Windhoek, but these are usually on privately-owned property where the right of admission is reserved. The climbing company, Urban Friction, facilitates climbs in popular spots throughout Namibia. No experience is needed to join these climbing tours, and they are open to everybody, from amateurs to professionals. MCSA Namibia hosts regular outings to Spitzkoppe during winter. Dates for scheduled climbs can be found on the MCSA Namibia website: www.mcnam.org.

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NAMIBIA HORSE SAFARI COMPANY

HORSEBACK SAFARIS The Namib-Naukluft Park is famous for its wide-open spaces, massive dunes, endless grassy plains and variety of desert-adapted wildlife. One of the most exciting ways of exploring this unique part of Namibia is most certainly on horseback. The area allows for unrestrained riding that will enable you to truly appreciate the rich biodiversity and free-ranging plains game found here. The wild inhabitants of this desert landscape – one of the most scenic in the world – are much more accepting and less hindered by human intrusion when you are on horseback than when using any other form of transportation. A horseback safari truly is the best way to get up close and personal with nature. Horseback safaris in the NamibNaukluft Park often entail travelling along established horse trails into the surrounding plains and watercourses, over dunes and mountain paths, with passing gemsbok and springbok grazing languidly around you. Trips vary from sundowner and breakfast rides to sleep-outs that can extend from one to six-day trips, depending

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on the establishment. Such sleepouts cover distances ranging from 20 km to 50 km a day, and are usually accompanied by advance teams, which set up camps to welcome the riders at the end of a long day’s journey. Evenings on sleep-out rides are spent under a dazzling canopy of stars – something that the unpolluted Namibian night sky can offer par excellence. Rides are tailored to suit each rider’s ability, thus offering adventure for beginners ranging through to wellestablished riders. To make the most of the horseback safaris though, riders are advised to be fit and healthy. Confidence in the saddle will make this adventure all the more enjoyable and allow for better riding experiences and more choices of terrain and thus locations to visit. There are several companies that provide horseback adventures in the area, including Desert Homestead & Horse Trails and the Namibia Horse Safari Company that facilitates rides at Wolwedans, both in the NamibRand Nature Reserve. Horse trails at BüllsPort into the Naukluft

Mountains and Klein-Aus Vista environs, traversing the Sperrgebiet Rand Park, are also available. The Namibia Horse Safari Company also offers a number of additional riding opportunities in other parts of the country, including the Namib Desert Ride from the Khomas Hochland to the Atlantic coast; the Greater Fish River Canyon Ride along the edge of the world’s second-largest canyon; the Damara Elephant Ride, to search for the desert-adapted elephants in Damaraland and along the Skeleton Coast; and outrides at River Crossing Lodge, 3 km outside Windhoek. Other trips available in and around Windhoek include six to eightday rides at Okapuka Lodge with Okapuka Horse Safaris and a variety of trips and lessons offered by Equitrails Namibia, situated 15 km north of Windhoek. The Namibia Endurance Ride Association (NERA) holds endurance competitions across the country throughout the year, while other equestrian sports such as show jumping and dressage are organised by the Namibian Equestrian Federation.

| TOP ADVENTURES |

4X4 DESERT TRIPS From the challenging high dunes and slip faces of the Namib sand sea and the rugged byways of Damaraland and Kaokoland, where desert-dwelling elephant can be encountered, to the remote sandy tracks of Khaudum and Bushmanland and the wetlands of Zambezi there is literally a trail for every 4x4 driver’s skills level and interest. There are numerous opportunities to explore off-the-beaten track 4x4 destinations in Namibia. With the versatile and rugged landscapes of the Kalahari in the east, the uninhabited expanses of Kaokoland in the northwest, and the Namib Desert’s giant sand dunes along the coast beckoning adventurers and adrenalin junkies alike, Namibia is a 4x4 off-roader’s greatest challenge and most epic quest. Although there are many areas of the country that provide for great offroad adventures, the coastal strip – spanning a length of 1570 km with the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Namib Desert with its towering dunes and unexplored landscapes to the east – is by far the most beautiful

and most challenging expedition for an off-roader to undertake. Trails in the Dorob National Park offer a wide choice of 4x4 tracks for adventure seekers. There are a few popular off-road vehicle (ORV) zones in the dune belt between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay for short day trips. Two of the most popular 4x4 trails and destinations along the strip are Sandwich Harbour and the Skeleton Coast Park. A permit is needed to enter both these areas. Permits can be obtained from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) and Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) offices. It is advisable to travel with an experienced operator/guide, as the terrains can be hard to navigate and often serve up unexpected surprises. There are numerous tour groups that can be joined in this region. These 4x4 experiences are offered either as guided or self-drive tours. Concession tours have gained a great deal of popularity over recent years, and companies with concessions to certain areas can take you and your vehicle into regions of the coastal strip and national parks that are otherwise inaccessible to the public.

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Companies catering for the needs of would-be desert conquerors include Uri Adventures, Desert Magic Tours, Namab Desert Tours, Turnstone Tours Namibia, Sandwich Harbour 4x4, Dolphin Tours Namibia, Omalweendo Safaris, Westcoast 4x4 Namibia, Unique Tours & Safaris, and Coastway Tours Lüderitz, among others. These companies have a wide selection of set tours and itineraries, but often also cater for more specialised tours. Popular set trips along the coastal strip include trails from Lüderitz to Walvis Bay, through what used to be known as Diamond Area No 2, visits to Conception Bay, Meob Bay and Sandwich Harbour, as well as trips from inland destinations such as Sossusvlei and Solitaire to the coast. Popular off-road adventures in other parts of the country include the Dorsland Trek 4x4 tour, Kalahari Bush Breaks 4x4, Klein-Aus Vista 4x4 route, Brandberg-West 4x4 Route, Omaruru River 4x4 Route, Doros Crater 4x4 Route, Messum Crater 4x4 Route and the extremely challenging Van Zyl’s Pass, to name but a few.

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CULTURES www.namibiaholidayandtravel.com

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ELZANNE ERASMUS

THE PEOPLE OF KAVANGO AND ZAMBEZI THE KAVANGO

Forming the border between Namibia and Angola for more than 400 km is the Okavango River, lifeline of the Kavango people, who make a living from fishing, cattle farming and cultivating sorghum, millet and maize on the wide fertile plains on either side. Closely related to the Owambo, the Kavango also originate from the large lakes of East Africa. Archaeological diggings place the arrival of early Kwangali settlers around the 1600s, although the VaGciriku, VaSambyu and Hambukushu might have arrived later. They first settled near the Kwando River in Angola, moving south of the Okavango River between 1750 and 1800. Today the Kavango people consist of five individual tribes, namely the Kwangali, Mbunza, Shambyu, Gciriku and Mbukushu, each inhabiting an area of its own along the southern bank. The Kwangali and Mbunza tribes have similar social practices, such as preparing young boys for manhood and young girls to take care of a household. The two tribes speak the same language, namely Rukwangali. The split between the Shambyu and Gciriku tribes occurred when they were settled on the southern bank of the

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Okavango River 47 km east of Rundu, opposite Rundjarara. The languages spoken by these tribes, Rushambyu and Rugciriku, are very similar. The Mbukushu, who speak Thimbukushu and live in the eastern part of Kavango, differ socially and ethnologically from the other four tribes. Each tribe is ruled by a traditional chief or chieftainess, assisted by headmen. The chief has the overall ruling power over his tribe and custodial power over the land that falls within the jurisdiction of that tribe. Like most other groups in northern Namibia, the Kavango social organisation is based on the matrilineal system. This penetrates all spheres of social life, in particular family law, the law of inheritance and succession, the marriage system, political structure and traditional religious system. The traditional economy in Kavango is based on a combination of horticulture (pearl millet, referred to locally as mahangu, sorghum and maize) and animal husbandry (cattle and goats). Today, thousands of young Kavangos work as migratory labourers on farms, in mines and in urban centres. An important local industry is woodcarving. Bowls, masks,

ornaments, furniture and other functional items are produced for the tourist and other markets. Woodcarvings ranging from animals to carved doors are also sold at the Ncumcara Craft Shop, 35 km south of Rundu in the Kavango Region. Much of the rapid population growth in Kavango has been the result of immigration from Angola.

Social structure and lifestyle

The fifth Living Museum, the Kavango Living Museum, was opened in 2011 in the Kavango Region at Samsitu Lake, 14 km west of Rundu. It represents a traditional village of the Kavango people, who have lived in this area for centuries. With the demonstration and preservation of the fishing and land-cultivating culture of the Mbunza an essential part of its interactive programme, the main focus of the Mbunza Living Museum is to provide visitors with a detailed insight into traditional, pre-colonial culture.

THE ZAMBEZIANS

Of about 90 000 Zambezians, previously known as Caprivians, recorded in the 2011 census, 86 000

| THE PEOPLE OF NAMIBIA | live in East Zambezi, which borders on Angola, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana, and 4 000 in scattered settlements in West Zambezi. There are two main tribal groups, the Fwe in the west and the Subia in the east. The vast majority of Zambezians live along the riverbanks next to the major roads; or in and around the main centre Katima Mulilo and the villages of Sibinda, Sangwali, Linyanti, Chinchimane, Bukalo, Ngoma and Isize. In addition to fishing, Zambezians till the soil, planting maize, millet, beans, sweet potatoes, groundnuts, pumpkins, melons and sugar cane. They are also gatherers and pastoralists, with wellstructured usage of the communal grazing areas. Their isolation and remoteness from the rest of the country are largely responsible for their continued dependence on this traditional subsistence economy. Most Zambezians are linguistically related to the Lozi and Makololo of Barotseland in Zambia. The Valozi are the descendants of the Kololo Kingdom, established by Chief Sebetwane of the Bafokeng (originally from the Orange Free State in South Africa), who crossed the Zambezi River in 1838 and overpowered the Luyi. The largest Zambezian tribal groups are the Masubia and Mafwe. Other tribes are the Mayeyi, Matotela, Mashi and Mbukushu. As a result of their historical social interaction with Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana, the majority of Zambezians speak English as a second language. In addition, many of the men worked for some time on mines in Johannesburg, and hence learned to speak Fanagalo. This is the only region in Namibia where Afrikaans is spoken minimally.

Social structure and lifestyle

Within communal areas there are different levels of traditional authority. In eastern Zambezi each village has a headman, generally the most senior male member. He advises the senior headman, who represents several villages. The senior headmen act as local representatives on the tribal council or kuta, over which the ngambela (chief councillor) presides. The kuta is the highest legislative, administrative and judicial body in the tribal area. In western Zambezi, traditional authorities are less structured, but are similar in that

authorities range from the local village headmen to a chief who is in charge of a large area. In Zambezian society the family is the most important socioeconomic unit. Families usually live in villages. Two systems are distinguishable in the social organisation. The Masubias are patrilineally oriented, while the Mafwe reflect distinct matrilineal features in their rules of succession. The form of government consists of hereditary chieftainships, one for the Masubia and one for the Mafwe. Most Zambezians are subsistence farmers who make their living on the banks of the Zambezi, Kwando, Linyanti and Chobe rivers. Land is cultivated under a system of individual right of occupation as allocated by the people’s authorities. Grazing and veld products are used on a communal basis. In addition to fishing, a significant but not exclusive element of the local economy, they keep cattle and cultivate the land. When the Zambezi and Chobe rivers come down in flood, more than half of Zambezi east of the Kwando may be under water. During this period Zambezians use their mokoro (dug-out canoes) to traverse the routes normally used by trucks and pedestrians.

Crafts in Zambezi

In the Zambezi Region baskets are still used by women in the mahangu fields when harvesting and winnowing their grain, which has enabled many women to create a vibrant and successful craft industry and establish a valuable source of income. Situated 118 km west of Katima Mulilo in Kongola on the road that leads to West Zambezi, the Mashi Tourism Hub is a centre for selling crafts produced in the conservancies of the area. The centre offers a great variety of different items, such as the unique khwe fruit collection baskets of West Zambezi, once used to carry fruits from the field, and the open East Zambezi baskets used when harvesting crops and sifting millet and maize flour. Necklaces made from mbono and other seeds are also for sale here. Once ground and boiled in oil, the mbono seeds were used as a lotion for skin and hair. The crocheted bags were introduced when there weren’t sufficient palm leaves for weaving. They are made from narukuku, fibres taken from fields and soaked in water. Reed mats and woodcarvings can also

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be found in this stylish craft centre. Information on local produce, tourism attractions and the well-appointed community campsites is displayed at Mashi. An informative poster display provides an opportunity to find out more about the conservancies, community forests and parks in the area, the flora and fauna, history, topography and details about the culture, basket-making and other traditions in the region.

Potters of the Zambezi

The Zambezi is home to many fine potters, due to their free access to clay soils and wood for the ovens. Because the region lies sandwiched between Botswana, Angola and Zambia, the Zambezian craft-makers are influenced by an active crafts industry in neighbouring countries. The Zambezian artists have possibly been more receptive to the western notion of producing art for art’s sake than artists in other regions, as can be seen in their sculptural guns and bicycles carved from wood. While traditional pottery is produced in Owambo and Kavango, the art of the potter in Zambezi has evolved over time. Beautiful pots with spherical bodies and slender necks are created, often with intriguing patterns and interesting firing techniques, making them much sought-after by collectors.

Community forests

While Namibia isn’t commonly associated with woodlands, forests and forest management, in Zambezi forests cover large areas of land. As well as providing livelihoods for many of the rural poor, these forests are essential as the safekeepers of the water-support system and wildlife habitats of the country. In 2004 the Namibian Government established the Community Forestry Programme in the north, targeting forest, woodland and savannah areas owned by local communities. The premise is that if local people are obliged to manage their community forests sustainably, they will in turn receive the right to manage and market forest products and other natural resources to generate income. This combination of conservation and business opportunities is a driving force in poverty reduction and enhancement of rural livelihoods.

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THE OWAMBO - PEOPLE OF THE NORTH The people referred to collectively as the Aawambo live in central northern Namibia and southern Angola. In about 1550, migrations of these people, who have a common origin and culture, moved southwards from the Great Lakes in East Africa and settled between the Kunene and Okavango rivers. Today four of these groups live in the Cunene Province in southern Angola and eight in northern Namibia, the latter representing just over half of Namibia’s population. The Kwanyama constitute the largest of the eight Owambo tribes. The others are the Aandonga, Ovakwanyama, Aakwambi, Aangandjera, Aakwaluudhi Aambalant(h)u, Aakolonkadhi, Aabandja, Unda. The Owambo languages are Bantu in origin. They are closely related to one another and are commonly understood by Oshiwambo speakers. The Kwanyama and Ndonga languages have been developed into written languages. Traditionally called Ovamboland and today loosely referred to as Owambo, the highly populated northern region of Namibia was divided into

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the Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions following independence in 1990. According to the 2011 population census, the Ohangwena Region has the second-largest population in the country, and the Omusati Region the third largest. While the majority of Namibia’s Owambo live in these four so-called O regions, many have migrated southwards to other parts of the country. Since 1870, following the advent of the Finnish Mission in Owambo, and subsequently the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches, Christianity has played a major role in the lives of the Owambo people. Today more than half of the population has some link with these denominations. The Finnish Mission Church developed into an independent Owambo/ Kavango Church, which also has adherents among the Kavango people of the northeast. In the pre-colonial structure of Owambo society the different tribes were ruled by kings or a council of headmen. Judicial powers were vested

in village and regional courts, with the highest court being the Supreme Court of the King, where the King was assisted by his headmen. This system reflects influences from the great medieval states of central Africa characterised by the sacred king having almost unlimited power.

Social structure and lifestyle Today only three of the Owambo clans – the Ndonga, Ngandjera and Kwaluudhi – still recognise their kings and are ruled by chiefs-in-council. The rest have a system of senior headmen forming a council and administering their tribes by joint action. An important function of these officials is the regulation of the system of land ownership. About a quarter of the Owambo regions has been claimed by individual landowners, each occupying farms of several thousand hectares. Owambo houses are traditionally of the rondavel type, mostly surrounded by palisades and often connected by passages. Cattle kraals usually form part of the complex, which is surrounded by cultivated lands. The

| THE PEOPLE OF NAMIBIA | Owambo practise a mixed economy of agriculture, mainly mahangu (pearl millet), sorghum and beans, and cattle husbandry, supplemented by fishing in shallow pools and watercourses called iishana. Traditional land is utilised according to traditional right of occupation usually acquired by payment of cattle to the ‘owner’ of the ward (omkunda). Grazing and utilisation of veld and bush products are communal but subject to the laws of the people. Trading runs in the Owambos’ blood, as is borne out by the more than 10 000 stalls, cuca shops and numerous locally owned shopping complexes in the region. Large numbers of Owambo people now work in other parts of the country, so that today’s workforces in the mining and fishing industries consist primarily of Owambo people. Most senior civil servants and political leaders speak Oshiwambo. Home industries such as dressmaking, wood carving, pottery and basketry provide an income for many Owambo women, who traditionally cultivated the land and raised the children. Today Owambo women are increasingly entering the labour market as nurses, clerks, shop assistants and teachers. The most striking feature of the traditional Owambo social system is the predominance of matrilineal descent, which determines the laws of inheritance and succession, as well as post-marital residency. In recent years, as a result of external factors such as the Christian doctrine, migrant labour and economic independence, there has been a distinct shift towards a patrilineally organised society. The Owambo people have always played an active role in politics. Namibia’s ruling party, SWAPO (South West Africa People’s Organisation), started as a non-violent pressure group referred to as the Owambo People’s Organisation. It was led by Andimba Herman Toivo ya Toivo and Samuel Shafiishuna Nujoma, the man destined to become the first president of an independent Namibia.

CULTURE AND CRAFTS Historical landmarks

A good opportunity to learn about Owambo culture firsthand is by visiting the Uukwaluudhi Traditional Homestead at Tsandi in the Omusati Region. Uukwaluudhi, one of very few

traditional kingdoms still in existence, is occupied by the King of the Tsandi area, which falls within the Uukwaluudhi Conservancy. Trained local guides take visitors through the homestead, pointing out the customs and history of these complex family homes. The Nakambale Museum and Restcamp is a community-based tourism institution established at Olukonda in 1995 by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN). It offers exhibitions on the premises of the National Monument, the Nakambale Church was built in 1889, 19 years after the first Finnish missionaries settled in Owambo. The church is flanked by the Nakambale Cemetery, where Finnish missionary Martti Rautanen, some of his family members, and a number of traditional leaders were laid to rest. Guided excursions to sites of interest such as the Oponono Lake, Omandongo mission station, Onoolongo cattle post and Ombuga grass plains are also offered. Visitors are treated to traditional Owambo food, music and dancing. A visit can be arranged to the historical Omuguluwombase, where the guerrilla warfare waged by SWAPO forces for Namibia’s independence was launched.

Traditional jewellery

Ekipas are ornamental buttons made from ivory or bone that were worn by Owambo women in earlier times. Displayed at the back on two leather straps hanging down to the waist, the number of ekipas worn gave an indication of the woman’s status and the wealth of her husband. Ekipas were carved into oval, round, square, multi-cornered or oblong forms with a raised centre, resembling a tiny beehive or rounded pyramid. They were usually engraved with a border in different geometric patterns around the outer edge. Some were fashioned from hippopotamus tooth or bone, and less frequently from vegetable ivory. Today ekipas have become intrinsically and unmistakably Namibian. The ekipa is currently regarded as a cultural artefact that can be sold as a personal belonging in terms of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has placed a temporary moratorium on the sale of elephant ivory. This

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affects all artefacts made from ivory, including old as well as new ekipas.

COMMUNITY-BASED TOURISM

A visit to the four north-central Owambo regions provides an opportunity to meet the Oshiwambospeaking people, who comprise approximately half of the Namibian population. This distinctive part of the country is characterised by makalani palms, iishana (depressions of water that fill up annually during the rainy season, providing the inhabitants with an ample fish supply), mahangu (pearl millet) fields and fenced traditional homesteads. Here visitors can experience the local culture, taste the food and visit the traditional homesteads of these friendly and courteous people. Travelling through the area can be done with ease, as there is a comprehensive network of wellmaintained roads. It also provides a linkage with the rest of Namibia, making a good circuit if travelling from the northwest or Epupa Falls to the Zambezi/Kavango Region or into Etosha via the King Nehale Gate, only 44 km from Namutoni. The Nakambale Museum and Restcamp in the village of Olukonda, 14 km southwest of Ondangwa, consists of the old Finnish mission house (now a museum), a highroofed church and a traditional Ndonga demonstration homestead, with its mopane-pole palisade and huts connected by a labyrinth of passages. Accommodation is available in five tented huts, the traditional huts of the homestead, or at camping sites. A craft shop displays and sells crafts produced in the area. The Uukwaluudhi Traditional Homestead in Tsandi, the former home of King Josia Shikongo Taapopi, is an opportunity for guests to visit a traditional palace. Worlds apart from European palaces, the royal homestead is a typical Owambo homestead, surrounded by a mopane-pole palisade. This African-style palace offers a unique cultural experience, incorporating the customs, beliefs and accommodation style of the Oshiwambo-speaking people into the royal residence. Local crafts of the area can be bought at a craft shop.

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THE HIMBA - THE LAST TRUE NOMADS ORIGIN AND GEOGRAPHY

The Himba, Tjimba and other Herero people who inhabit Namibia’s remote north-western Kunene Region are loosely referred to as the Kaokovelders. Herero in terms of origin, language and culture, they are semi-nomadic pastoralists who tend to trek from one watering place to another. They seldom leave their home areas and maintain, even in their dress, a tradition of their own, on which other cultures have made little impression. For many centuries they have lived a relatively isolated existence and were not involved in the long struggle for pasturelands between the Nama and the Herero to any noteworthy extent. The largest group of Kaokovelders is the Himba, semi-nomads who live in scattered settlements throughout the Kunene Region. Tall, slender and statuesque, they are characterised especially by their proud yet friendly bearing. The women especially are noted for their unusual sculptural beauty, enhanced by intricate hairstyles and traditional adornments.

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The homes of the Himba are simple, cone-shaped structures of saplings, bound together with palm leaves, and plastered with mud and dung. The men build the structures, while the women mix the clay and do the plastering. A fire burns in the headman’s hut day and night, to keep away insects and provide light and heat. A family may move from one home to another several times a year to seek grazing for their goats and cattle. Men, women and children wear body adornments made from iron and shell beads.

SOCIAL STRUCTURE AND LIFESTYLE Head and hair ornamentation

In the Himba culture, ornamentation of the head and hair traditionally featured prominently, and in many parts of Kaokoland still does. A young girl typically has plaits (ozondato). Once she has completed her puberty ceremony, she wears the ekori headdress made from tanned sheep’s hide or goatskin with three leaf-

shaped points, often decorated with iron beads. Himba males also wear different hairstyles, such as the single plait, the ondato, worn by young boys down the back of the head; the two plaits, ozondato, are worn by Himba men of marriageable age; and the ombwiya head-dress, a scarf made from fabric covering the hair and decorated with an ornamental band. A Himba woman spends as much as three hours a day on her toilette. First she bathes, then she anoints herself with her own individually prepared mixture of butter fat, herbs and ochre. This mixture not only protects her skin from the harsh desert sun, but also keeps insects away and prevents her body hair from falling out. She uses another mixture of butterfat, fresh herbs and black coals to rub on her hair, and ‘steams’ her clothes regularly over the permanent fire. Virtually all tour operators to this remote region take their guests to Himba settlements to meet these extraordinarily resilient and physically beautiful people who have retained so much of their traditional culture. In Kaokoland Himba women make

| THE PEOPLE OF NAMIBIA | unusual, finely woven baskets with beautiful sculptural shapes. Traditionally they used these baskets to store milk or fat, and in many areas still do. Shapes vary from a bottle with a neck and narrow mouth to a deep pail. Most have a leather handle with iron-beaded decoration so that they can be hung in the ondjowo (dwelling). Bowl-shaped baskets are also made and used for winnowing the grass seeds collected from ants’ nests. Some years ago locals in the north-western Kunene Region started harvesting the golden resin that falls from the resilient omumbiri tree (Commiphora wildii), resulting in the initiation of the Commiphora wildii Resin Project. The resin, used traditionally by Himba women as a perfume, is harvested and exported to Europe, where it is used in the preparation of primarily French perfumes.

Hizetjitwa Festival

The Hizetjitwa Indigenous Peoples Organisation (HIPO) introduced its first two-day cultural festival in August 2011. Consisting of traditional performances by the Himba, Zemba, Tjimba and Twa tribes, it was held in an open area on the outskirts of Opuwo in the Kunene Region. There are about 2 000 HIPO members from 85 registered villages in the region. HIPO is an organisation that works towards helping indigenous people in Namibia and Angola to retain their culture and values, meet the challenges of contemporary society and improve their living conditions. The festival is an annual event.

COMMUNITY-BASED TOURISM

For those visiting Puros along the Hoarusib River, the Marienfluss, the Hartmann Valley surroundings, Opuwo, and Epupa Falls via Sesfontein, there are several community campsites in the area. Perched on a hill surrounded by mountains with a seasonal river running below, the Khowarib Campsite, 33 km south of Sesfontein, is a well-positioned and attractive community facility consisting of four private sites. Each has a lapa area with a basin (and tap) and a railwaysleeper counter top. Guided visits to the Anmire Traditional Damara Village and the Bushman paintings are offered. If you’re well prepared and

set on travelling the difficult terrain of Van Zyl’s Pass into the Marienfluss, then Van Zyl’s Pass Campsite provides a good stopover. The camp is situated 20 km before the pass, near the village of Otjihende. Take note that this route should only be undertaken by those experienced in four-wheel driving. At the Epupa Falls Campsite, spread out under makalani palms, water rushes toward the falls and fine mist sprays into the air. The campsite is within walking distance from the falls. The Kanamub Mountain Camp, 24 km from Sesfontein en route to Puros, is positioned against a mountain between huge granitegneiss boulders with a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside. It is situated under a large rocky overhang, with a tap, kitchen counter and shower built into a boulder alcove of rock walls, and a donkey boiler providing hot water. For those driving on to Puros, a fourwheel drive vehicle is necessary for the sandy roads. The Puros Campsite is positioned on the banks of the Hoarusib River, home to the desertadapted elephants, which often wander through the campsite. Six sites are positioned under large camelthorn trees, each with its own private ablution block with hot water and flush toilets. Guided trips to a nearby Himba demonstration village and the surrounding areas are offered. Close to Puros Campsite is the Puros Bush Lodge, which offers accommodation to travellers who do not want to camp. This is a self-catering lodge with en-suite accommodation in six twinbedded rooms. A family room with twin beds and a bunk bed is also available. At the Puros Traditional Village striking Himba women of varying ages dressed in traditional attire and covered in red ochre are willing to show you the various Himba rituals, offering snippets of interesting Himba information and intriguing demonstrations. A shop stocked with Himba crafts sells Himba jewellery, makalani palm kernels carved into key rings, baskets, beadwork and bracelets. Situated approximately 200 km from Opuwo, the Marble Campsite is an attractive and well-equipped facility that is a veritable oasis on the rough roads of the area. Its five sites all have their own kitchen counter and barbecue area, and share a stylish communal ablution block made of local stone and thatch. Two hiking trails routed around the camp and a visit to

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a Himba village offer alternatives to resting and relaxing. A joint venture between the Orumpembe Conservancy and local entrepreneur and artist, Trevor Nott, House on the Hill is a selfcatering stone cottage situated on the hill adjacent to the Marble Campsite. Conservancy Safaris – Namibia (CS-N) enables the discerning traveller to Namibia to make a real difference by improving the future of five remote communities which collectively own the local company and which receive all profits. Thus the CS-N is helping to ensure a future for wildlife in some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world. Nearly 2 000 Himba and Herero people in the far north-western Kunene Region benefit from these operations through their membership in five conservancies – Marienfluss, Orupembe, Santitatas, Okonjombo and Puros. A further jewel in the crown is Etambura Camp. Co-owned by CS-N and the Orupembe Conservancy and set on a hilltop with magnificent 360-degree views, the camp has five tented units, each with its own en-suite bathroom and private deck area. www.kcs-namibia.com.na

HIMBA CRAFTS

Traditional jewellery

In Namibia, as in other countries, the tradition of adorning the body goes back thousands of years. Today it is primarily the Himba who still adorn themselves with traditional jewellery. Both men and women wear large numbers of necklaces and arm and leg bracelets made from ostrich eggshell beads, grass, cloth and copper. Ironoxide powder with its shiny effect is worn like western glitter, while ochre mixed with fat is rubbed into the skin to give it a warm terracotta glow. The large white shell worn on the breast by Himba (as well as Owambo and Herero) women is called the ohumba. When travelling through Namibia’s rural Kunene Region, an especially visible form of folk art is the hand-carved makalani palm nut, referred to as vegetable ivory. Carvers transform the kernel into distinctive and decorative buttons, which are sold as simple ornaments or featured in formal and informal jewellery, and in functional items such as key rings and bottle openers. The carved nuts usually depict animals – elephant, rhino, giraffe, gemsbok and springbok – or topical themes such as the Namibian flag and domestic scenes.

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ELZANNE ERASMUS

THE HERERO - FROM THE GREAT LAKES OF EAST AFRICA The Herero are a pastoral cattlebreeding people who migrated to Namibia several centuries ago. It is believed that they formerly lived in a country with water and reeds, known as Roruu, before migrating further south. No one has, however, succeeded in tracing this legendary African marshland. According to oral tradition, they moved southwards from the great lakes of East Africa, crossed into present-day Zambia and southern Angola, and arrived at the Kunene River in about 1550. After inhabiting Kaokoland for some 200 years, a large splinter group led by Maendo migrated further south, leaving the Himba and Tjimba tribes behind. They reached the Swakop River valley towards the middle of the 18th century. During the 19th century they moved eastwards, eventually establishing themselves in the northern-central areas of the country. In the first half of the nineteenth century, the Herero and Mbanderu were still living in family units headed by an omukuru. The absence of a political structure can be attributed to the system of dual descent. A

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person’s status in the family hierarchy, the place of abode, and traditions, are determined by the paternal line, oruzo. Control and distribution of all movable property, on the other hand, is determined by the maternal line, eanda. The matriclans exert control over most people’s property, especially cattle, and supervise the application of traditional laws of inheritance. The localised patriclans, on the other hand, take responsibility for sacred objects and the holy cattle (ozohivirikwa), the exercising of authority in the family, succession of chiefs, priesthood, ancestral fires and the ritual food taboos. The pre-colonial wars and the Herero-German war of 1904–1907 resulted in a drastic decrease of the Herero population. Under General Lothar von Trotha and his infamous Vernichtungsbefehl (proclamation of extermination), a large number of Herero were massacred. Left without land and cattle, the survivors practically disintegrated as a group. Many fled to Bechuanaland (Botswana). When South Africa took over administration of South West Africa in 1915, the refugees

began to return and were gradually allocated home areas such as Aminuis, Epukiro, Waterberg East, Otjohorongo and Ovitoto.

Social structure and lifestyle

Despite the suppression of their traditional culture, confiscation of tribal lands and the restrictions of labour laws, the remaining Herero managed to keep their bonds of family life, tribal solidarity and national consciousness alive, as is demonstrated by the annual Herero Festival on Maharero Day in August when various units of paramilitary organisations parade before their leaders in full dress uniform through the streets of Okahandja. Similarly, the Mbanderu and the Zeraua tribes honour their captains at festivals in Gobabis and Omaruru respectively. In the nineteenth century, under the influence of the wives of the missionaries, Herero women developed the voluminous Victorian-style dresses that the more traditional of them wear to this day. The distinctive headdress with its two points symbolises cattle horns. Today, Herero-speaking Namibians number over 130 000. They can be

| THE PEOPLE OF NAMIBIA | subdivided into the following groups: the Herero proper, with the traditional chiefdoms of Maharero (Okahandja), Zeraua (Omaruru) and Kambazembi (Waterberg); the Ndamuranda; the Tjimba Herero of Kaokoland (Kunene Region); the Mbanderu, who live in eastern Namibia, especially in the Gobabis District and the reserves of Epukiro, Otjombinde and Omongua (known more commonly by the Nama name, Aminuis); the Himba of the Kunene Region (see above); and other smaller factions in northern Kunene and south-western Angola. Their language belongs to the Bantu group of languages.

Herero headdresses

The traditional ekori headdress of adult Herero women consisted of a threepointed leather cap with a veil in front, usually worn rolled up. This ekori differs in shape from that of the Himba, and has higher points. After the advent of the missionaries, an older Herero woman’s ekori was replaced by the otjikaeva, a headscarf made from fabric, still worn today as a triangular otjikaeva by older Herero women, the two lateral points representing cattle horns, cattle being central to the Herero culture.

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES The Omaheke Region is home to different language groups, with festivals giving them the opportunity to display their different cultures. Participants are mostly pupils from

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primary and secondary schools in the area showcasing their different cultural performances to onlookers.

Okaepe Living Museum and School Project

Okaepe is a small village located 54 km east of Okakarara off the tarred road (D3822) in the direction of Coblenz. Inspired by headmistress, Batseba Rukero, children of the primary school in Okaepe village have been trained to entertain tourists with traditional dances, games and songs, ceremonies and scenes from everyday life. Performances depict the traditional Herero way of life, the close relationship of the Herero with their cattle, the bravery of the herders when defending their herds against predators and Herero wedding ceremonies. Tours are undertaken to the San community where visitors learn about the San history and way of life.

Community-based tourism

Located in the small settlement of Okakarara, the Okakarara Community Cultural and Tourism Centre was inaugurated in August 2004 during the 100 years commemoration of the Battle of Ohamakari, fought in the early liberation struggle of Namibia’s indigenous people. The centre serves as a link between present and past, and between visitors and residents, and works towards enhancing a common future in and around the traditional lands of the Herero people. The site hosts a café

and kiosk, a small souvenir shop and a dialogue circle for meetings and team-building exercises. Camping sites are also available. Kambahoka Restcamp, situated next to the Aminuis saltpan, 180 km southeast of Gobabis, consists of seven campsites, each with a table and barbecue area, and basic facilities. Visitors are informed about cultural aspects such as the significance of the ‘sacred fire’, an essential facet of the traditional Herero household, for spiritual well-being and connection with the ancestral spirits. Activities offered at Kambahoka include San, Batswana and Bakalahari singing and dancing, a walk in the pan and a trip to the site of a former German camp in the Herero-German war of 1904. For those travelling to Bushmanland and the Tsumkwe area via Gam, Kaumbangere Restcamp located 5 km south of Otjinene makes for a good stopover. The rest camp has four bungalows, one rondawel, a campsite, a bar and a restaurant that serves meals on request. Kaumbangere offers a cultural tour to Otjinene where guests are able to see how the local people live, including how they prepare their food and make the sour milk they favour. They also offer a historical tour to Ozombu zo vindimba, a significant site for the Herero people, as it served as a German base during the HereroGerman war of 1904, and from which Adrian Dietrich Lothar von Trotha made his infamous proclamation against the Herero people.

ANNELIEN ROBBERTS

A Herero woman works on handmade crafts at Myeisha. She wears a traditional otjikaeva headscarf.

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PAUL VAN SCHALKWYK

THE SAN – NAMIBIA’S EARLIEST INHABITANTS The earliest known inhabitants of Namibia are the San (Bushmen), who belong to the Khoesan peoples. Generally short in stature, they have light yellowish-brown skins, while their language, which differs among the different groups, is characterised by numerous click sounds. These hunter-gatherers – which include the Ju/’Hoansi, Kxoe and !Kung – roamed the vast plains of Southern Africa for thousands of years before migrants armed with weapons and searching for new land on which to graze their animals and plant their grain, drove them further and further east into the Kalahari Desert. Most San people now live or work on farms in eastern Namibia or live in remote communal areas in Otjozondjupa and Omusati. There are approximately 35,000 San people in Namibia. The wealth of rock paintings and engravings found in mountains and hills throughout Namibia bear witness to the San's former habitation in many parts of the country. The oldest rock art dates back some 28,000 years. Examples are the famous White Lady painting of the Brandberg and the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein, one of the richest collections in Africa.

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Social structure and lifestyle

Renowned as great storytellers, the San express themselves eloquently in prose, music, mimicry and dance. Their simplest instrument is the hunter’s bow, strung with animal hair and played with a hollowed-out melon or an empty can as a sound box. Moth cocoons filled with stones or seeds are attached around their ankles to provide rhythm while they dance. The San in Namibia are divided into five language groups, among them the Hai//om (who traditionally inhabited Etosha) in the Oshikoto, Kunene and Kavango East regions, the !Kung (which include the Ju/’hoansi in Bushmanland and the Omaheke Region). While a small number of these legendary people still practise their traditional, nomadic lifestyle, the majority lead a settled existence in villages, having been influenced by Western culture, economies and lifestyles.

Traditional San crafts

For centuries, the San have adorned themselves with beadwork. Glass beads were traded or new beads were fashioned from ostrich eggshell. The techniques of making jewellery and

other items such as collecting bags from animal skin, have changed little. Production of such items is often shared. Beads, for example, are carved by the men and threaded by the women. Most materials used, such as seeds, segments of porcupine quills, nuts, roots and berries, are collected in the bush. Functional items, such as bags traditionally used for collecting wild fruit and berries, or storing tobacco and matches, are made from softened antelope skin. Crafts produced in the Omaheke Region are marketed by the Omaheke San Trust, an organisation that provides a livelihood to hundreds of marginalised San families living in the region. G!hunku Crafts is situated next to the Nyae Nyae Conservancy office in Tsumkwe, well positioned for tourists to stop by on their way to Botswana or the Khaudum National Park. This is a community-based craft project selling traditional San ostrich eggshell and tamboti-wood jewellery, amongst other traditional items. The striking Art-i-San beaded artwork and ostrich-eggshell jewellery made by San communities in the Omaheke Region can be bought at the Namibia Craft Centre in Windhoek. Started in

| THE PEOPLE OF NAMIBIA |

LIVING MUSEUMS

Living open-air museums where visitors can learn about the traditional culture and original way of life of Namibia’s indigenous peoples are truly ‘Living Museums’. The aim is to generate an income for the community involved and to keep traditional, rapidly vanishing cultures alive by showing and demonstrating traditional dances, music instruments and habits. The first such facility established in Namibia was the Living Museum of the Ju/’Hoansi-San at Grashoek, which opened in 2004. The San living in this area are the only San still allowed to hunt traditionally. Apart from learning about the ancient culture of the Ju/’Hoansi, native to the Kalahari Desert for thousands of years, the focal point is experiencing a real hunt with hunters from the Living Museum. The traditional bow hunt with poisoned arrows, digging

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PAUL VAN SCHALKWYK

Many San still live a traditional huntergatherer lifestyle. Their skills are honed for survivial in the most unforgiving environments.

out springhaas (spring hares) and porcupines, and catching guinea fowls, korhaans and other birds in snares for food was never halted. In 2010 a second one, the Living Hunter’s Museum of the Ju/’HoansiSan, near Tsumkwe, was opened. This museum also gives visitors to the former Bushmanland tribal area first-hand experience of the traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle of Namibia’s earliest ancestors, and the opportunity to meet traditionally dressed Ju/’Hoansi-San people, and learn about their culture through demonstrations of what it takes to survive in the wild armed with only a bow and arrow, a digging stick and an intimate knowledge of the environment passed down for generations. Accommodation is provided at the Elephant Song Campsite. A basic campsite is situated in a glade in close proximity to the Living Museum and Craft Shop, a worthwhile stop in the middle of the Kalahari. Apart from the fascination that an indigenous San lifestyle holds for visitors, the attraction of this area lies in its unspoilt nature. It provides a true bush experience, as there are no ablution facilities and no running water or electricity. Programmes include bush walks with hunting, snaring, tracking and collecting bush food; singing, dancing and games around the fire; demonstrating how traditional

San crafts are made; action days; and two-day walks into the wild, guided by San.

COMMUNITY-BASED TOURISM

Situated off the C44, 87 km on the way to Tsumkwe, Omatako Valley Restcamp in the Otjozondjupa Region is a !Kung San community campsite offering bushwalks on which traditional bush food and medicines are pointed out and tracking knowledge is shared. Added attractions are a village tour visiting houses around the campsite, and viewing traditional singing and dancing. Tsumkwe is situated in the middle of the Nyae Nyae Conservancy, where residents have the right to manage their wildlife and natural resources themselves. Southeast of Tsumkwe is the Djokhoe Campsite, situated near the Holboom Baobab, and further east is the Makuri Campsite. The area has several pans that attract birds and wildlife. For a good San experience, Sãa Ta Ko in the extreme east close to the Botswana border, is situated a short drive past the Corridor 13/Motsomi town. Bush walks, a visit to the San demonstration village, and singing and dancing are the highlights of a visit to the campsite, as is the opportunity to have a San experience on San land.

PAUL VAN SCHALKWYK

2008 as a small project to provide an alternative source of income to rural poor and marginalised San women, Baraka Beads combines the existing artistic beading skills of the Ju/’Hoansi San with modern, contemporary designs.

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ANNELIEN ROBBERTS

THE DAMARA – AN ENIGMATIC RACE The origins of the Damara people are an enigma to anthropologists. One of several puzzling aspects is that while they differ physically from the Nama and Hai||om people, they also speak the Khoekhoegowab language. Another is that although they are dark skinned, in most other respects they differ from other people of Bantu origin in Namibia. Traditionally the Damara community consists of a number of subdivisions called haoti. These are clusters of clans and extended families that were formerly concentrated in specific areas, consisting of about eleven sub-groups. Phonological research of Khoekhoegowab dialects has provided evidence that the Damara were Khoe-speakers before they came into contact with the Nama. Their original distribution in the central part of Namibia extended from Otavi southwards to Rehoboth and the Khomas Hochland west of Windhoek, as well as the area between the Kuiseb and Swakop rivers. Other

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areas inhabited by the Damara included the Tsumeb, Grootfontein and Otavi triangle, as well as the arid pro-Namib from Sesfontein southwards to the Brandberg. The Damara were ousted from their traditional areas by the advancing Nama and Herero. In German colonial times they settled in the Okombahe environs. In 1973 an area of approximately 4.7 million hectares was proclaimed as Damaraland, with Khorixas as its administrative capital. Following independence, this area became part of the Erongo Region. According to the latest census (2011), about 150 400 people live here, 42 400 more than in 2001.

Social structure and lifestyle

Before the arrival of the white settlers, the Damaras’ way of life was similar to that of the nomadic San insofar as they lived from hunting and veldkos. There is also ample archaeological evidence that they kept small herds of stock, especially goats, for centuries.

The small family group formed the nucleus of socioeconomic activities. At the heart of their religion lay the so-called ‘sacred fire’, associated mainly with their hunting activities. In addition, they practised smallscale horticulture, growing primarily tobacco and pumpkins, and mined and smelted copper, trading with articles made from copper and soapstone. Nowadays rural Damara people cultivate corn and vegetables, while livestock production has become an important source of income. Many work on commercial farms; others in mines, with some making a living from small mining in the Erongo Region. A relatively large number are employed in urban centres as teachers, clerics and officials. Some of Namibia’s most eloquent and influential politicians are Damara, notable examples being President Hage Geingob, and the former speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Theo-Ben Gurirab, also a former Prime Minister.

| THE PEOPLE OF NAMIBIA |

The Damara Living Museum

The first traditional Damara project was established close to the world-famous rock-engraving site of Twyfelfontein, where a group of Damaras built a Living Museum to show their precolonial dress styles and demonstrate their ancient traditions. The museum features a village with a range of huts, livestock, demonstrations of singing, dancing and games, craft-making and a blacksmith’s shop in which traditional iron tools are produced. On an interesting bush walk, visitors are shown trapping and snaring methods, and different bush food. The museum is located 8 km east of Twyfelfontein, off the D2612.

Damara Festival

The two-day annual Damara Festival takes places during November at Okombahe in the Dâures Constituency. It is aimed at commemorating deceased Damara leaders and raising awareness of Damara traditions among the younger generation through the inclusion of cultural performances. Chief Justus //Garoëb is currently serving as King of the Damara clan. He was officially crowned in 1993, after serving as acting chief from 1976 to 1993 as part of an arrangement with the late Damara King, David Goreseb.

Community-based tourism In the Erongo Region in central Namibia, mountains jut into the sky in earthly magnificence, begging

exploration. Here visitors will find the Brandberg, the highest mountain in Namibia, which peaks at 2 573 metres (Königstein) and is famous for its San rock paintings, especially the famous White Lady. The Spitzkoppe massif, a group of rounded granite mountains situated 60 km northwest of Usakos en route to Swakopmund, is both a popular rock climbing and camping destination. With its main peak resembling the famous Swiss mountain, it is often referred to as ‘The Matterhorn of Africa’. The Dâureb Mountain Guides offer excursions from the base of the Brandberg to view the White Lady painting in the Maack’s Shelter overhang, during which they also provide interesting information on the flora and fauna of the mountain. The paintings that can be seen on the massive Brandberg are estimated to be between 2 000 and 4 000 years old. In the heart of the old mining town of Uis, 42 km to the south, the Uis Information Centre gives advice about the area and in particular about the Brandberg, the Dâureb Mountain Guides and the walks offered to view the rock paintings. Dâureb Crafts stocks items handmade by women from the community, while Vicky’s Coffee Shop, open daily from 8:00– 17:00, makes for a pleasant stop for a tasty cappuccino, muffin, salad, light meal or omelette.

Nestled between the huge boulders in the magnificent mountain world of the Spitzkoppe in the Gaingu Conservancy is the Spitzkoppe Rest Camp. Run by the local community, the camp offers 12 private campsites with basic facilities, surrounded by quiver trees, acacia, shepherd’s and cobas trees, and set against a blue sky and ochre rock. A small restaurant offers simple meals on request and the bar sells cold drinks, beer and a few snacks. Simple showers and flush toilets are positioned near the entrance. If you’re in need of a soft bed, there are two bungalows, each with two rooms. The facilities are currently being upgraded, but are still open for visitors. Excursions are offered with local community guides from the Twyfelfontein Information Centre to view the 2,000-plus rock engravings at Twyfelfontein, a site declared a National Monument in 1952 by the government of the time, and as Namibia’s first World Heritage Site in 2007 by UNESCO; the two colourful geological curiosities, the Burnt Mountain and Organ Pipes; and the Petrified Forest, a collection of fossilised pieces of tree trunks (lying scattered among a stand of small welwitschia plants) that was declared a National Monument in 1950. En route to these features is the Aba-Huab Campsite, a busy, bustling campsite located 9 km from the Twyfelfontein engravings. With a bar, pool table, restaurant and communal ablutions, this privately owned facility is for campers who like social interaction. Fifteen sites are positioned on one side of the road and three more private ones on the other. The majority of the sites overlook the Aba Huab riverbed.

ANNELIEN ROBBERTS

Two enchanting campsites are Doro !Nawas Granietkop Campsite, 20 km southeast from Twyfelfontein off the D2612, and Hoada Campsite off the C40 Grootberg Pass, near the town of Kamanjab. Each has three campsites nestled among the granite boulders, with showers and toilets sheltered by the rocky features.

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At a Damara Living Museum, or cultural village, locals teach visitors about ancient skills and traditional games.

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ANNELIEN ROBBERTS

THE NAMA – DENIZENS OF THE SOUTH The only true descendants of the Khoekhoe in Namibia are the Nama, whose ancestors originally lived north and south of the Orange River. Eight Nama tribes were already living north of the river when Jager (father of Jan Jonker) and Jonker Afrikaner crossed it with the Afrikaner tribe. The Afrikaners and four other tribes represent the socalled Oorlam group, which entered the country during the nineteenth century. Pushed continuously northwards by a rapidly advancing white farming community, the Nama, led by the famous Jan Jonker Afrikaner, settled further north in the southern and central parts of the country. Another important Nama chief was the nephew of Jonker Afrikaner, Hendrik Witbooi, who was an early resistance leader against European colonisation. His face is portrayed on the Namibian dollar note, and a statue, erected in his honour in the Parliament Gardens in Windhoek, stands among other statues of historical figures. As pastoral nomads, the Nama traditionally had little need to build permanent structures. Their beehiveshaped rush-mat houses were ideally suited to their lifestyle. The concept of communal land ownership still prevails with all tribes, except for the

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=|Aonin or Topnaars, whose !nara fields are the property of individual lineages. Today most Nama live in permanent settlements. They have adopted western lifestyles and the Christian religion, and work within the formal economy. The Nama have much in common with the San. They are comparatively light in colour and generally short in stature, with certain distinctive characteristics, such as the women’s small and slender hands and feet. They also share their linguistic roots with the San, speaking with distinctive clicks. The Khoekhoegowab Dictionary with an English– Khoekhoegowab Index, compiled by Professor Wilfrid Haacke and Eliphas Eiseb, was published in 2004.

Social structure and lifestyle Traditionally the Nama are cattle farmers. Their socioeconomic unit is the patrilineal family group, which functions within the wider Nama group. The individual groups originally functioned separately under chiefs and councillors who sometimes united against a common enemy such as the Herero but often clashed with one another. With the entry of the Herero and their intrusion into the

pasturelands of the Nama, a fierce and prolonged conflict arose between these two groups. The struggle was brought to an end by German colonial forces in the late 1800s, and home areas such as Berseba, Bondels, Gibeon (Krantzplatz), Sesfontein, Soromas and Warmbad were placed at the Namas’ disposal. Numbering approximately 117 000, the Nama consist of thirteen tribes or groups. These are the !Kharkoen (Simon Koper), |Hôa-|aran (also referred to as //Aixa-//ais meaning Angry Nation), =|Aonin (Topnaar), Kai// Khaun, Khauben (Rooi Nasie), |Hai|Khauan (Berseba tribe), Oorlams (Vaalgras), //Haboben (Velskoendraers), Kharo-!oan (Keetmanshopers), //Khau/gôan (Swartbooi), !Gami-=|n˜un (Bondelswarts), |Khobesen (Witbooi), // Okain (Groot Doders) and Kai|khauan or Gaikhauan (Lamberts). Nama people have a natural talent for music, poetry and prose. An example of a traditional dance is the well-known Nama stap. Numerous proverbs, riddles, tales and poems have been handed down orally from generation to generation. Nama praise poems range from impromptu love songs and formalised praise of heroic figures, to

| THE PEOPLE OF NAMIBIA |

Dancing, sewing and embroidery

In the Naukluft environs an insight can be gained into the lifestyle of the Nama people by visiting the small community at Nabasib, halfway between Mariental and Maltahöhe. To help alleviate poverty, the guest farms and the community have formed the Naukluft Foundation. The Foundation supports the Nabasib School Choir and dance group by providing material for the Nabasib women to make the waistcoats and traditional dresses they wear when they perform. The Nabasib kindergarten, pre-primary and school are also supported by the Foundation. To preserve the art and tradition of sewing and embroidery in the south, local entrepreneurs have initiated several projects, including Gibeon Folk Art. A craft typical of southern Namibia is the kaross, a rug or blanket made from skins sewn together, formerly worn by Khoesan people, and nowadays used as bed coverings or on the floor. These typically Namibian leather/pelt blankets can be bought when driving in the southern region along the B1, often draped over fences, especially in the vicinity of Duineveld. While springbok pelts are the most popular, goat, sheep, jackal, seal, kudu, blesbok and gemsbok hides are also used. In addition to karosses, carpets, cushion covers, waistcoats, jackets, traditional

dresses, handbags and place mats are also manufactured. One of the techniques applied is patchwork, at which the people of the south excel. In Keetmanshoop, the Empowering People in Need group is a non-profit organisation that employs traditional Nama skills of sewing and embroidery. The Wake Centre, where these crafts are produced and can be purchased, is situated in the Tseiblaagte Township. These crafts can also be bought at the Namibia Craft Centre in Windhoek and at Klein-Aus and Amber Moon in Swakopmund. The Maiteko Cultural Group in the Hardap Region started off by performing Setswana cultural dances and songs for entertainment in the local community. It was founded to develop a culture of unity amongst the youth and to make the Aranos youngsters aware of their cultural background and roots. Another cultural group is Ama Buruxa, established in 2001 at the Daweb Junior Secondary School in Maltahöhe. The Ama Buruxa song-and-dance group consists of Nama youngsters aged between 12 and 18 years. Their repertoire is aimed at strengthening and keeping Nama traditions alive and has led to the establishment of a regional cultural festival, which resulted in the production of a CD.

BELOW

A Nama cultural group dances and celebrates at an annual event.

Community-based tourism

Stopovers en route to the main tourist attractions in the south provide an opportunity to meet the interesting people of the south. Ten kilometres from Berseba is Bruckaros Campsite in beautiful mountain surroundings. With minimum facilities, and no running water, the attraction here is the scenic landscape. In Keetmanshoop, Adonai Tours offers an introduction to Nama culture and an opportunity to experience some of the highlights of the south. The tours visit the Keetmanshoop township, Tseiblaagte, to view Nama singing and dancing, taste typical local food, learn about traditional dress and participate in a Nama wedding. The Warmbad area is inhabited by the Bondelswarts or !Gami-nun, one of the 13 Nama groups living in Namibia. The small museum in Warmbad, housed in the renovated German jail, displays information on the guerrilla wars fought between the Bondelswarts and the Germans based there in the early 1900s.

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ANNELIEN ROBBERTS

songs of the animals and plants in their environment. Nama women are highly skilled in needlework. Their embroidery and appliqué work, regarded as a traditional art form, consists of brightly coloured motifs inspired by the rural environment and lifestyles of the Nama people. The content of the work is often expressive and humorous. The traditional patchwork dresses that the Nama women wear are especially typical. Two projects in the south which co-ordinate these talents and market the products are House of Anin, situated on a farm between Uhlenhorst and Hoachanas, and Gibeon Folk Art in the village of Gibeon. Kaross floor rugs or blankets made with skins of domestic animals or antelope are a speciality of the area. They are produced by Namas as well as Basters, and are sold by vendors along the main tarred road leading south.

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WINDHOEK, SURROUNDINGS & CENTRAL EAST

ANNELIEN ROBBERTS

• Windhoek is Namibia’s capital and largest city • It is known by the traditional names of /Ai//Gams (Khoekhoe for ‘hot springs’) and Otjimuise (Otjiherero for ‘place of steam’) • Windhoek is the economic, social, cultural and political centre of Namibia • There are many historical sites of colonial German heritage, which contrast the contemporary architectural styles of modern buildings

The Windhoek, Surroundings and Central East Region is dominated by its capital, a bustling city with an estimated population of 340 900 (based on the 2011 census). Windhoek lies in an airy basin in the central highlands, surrounded by the Auas Mountains in the southeast, the Eros Mountains in the northeast and the Khomas Hochland in the west. Windhoek is often described as a city with a ‘continental’ atmosphere. This can be ascribed to its architecture – historical buildings dating back to German colonial rule – as well as to its cuisine, culture, dress codes and educational institutions. At the same time Windhoek has the colour, sounds and pace of a modern African city. Pavement displays of African drums and woodcarvings from the north contrast with elegant shops offering sophisticated Swakara garments and Namibian gemstones set in individually designed jewellery. While some shops display clothing, silver and glassware imported from Europe, others stock casual and colourful garments from West Africa. Because of the many hot springs in the area, Windhoek was initially known as Ai-gams (correctly spelt /Ai //Gams to indicate the click sound), a Nama word meaning ‘firewater’, ‘steam’ or ‘smoke’, and Otjomuise, a Herero word meaning the ‘place of steam’. The Nama captain, Jan Jonker Afrikaner,

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gave the town the name it carries today. In the early 1840s Afrikaner settled where the most powerful spring reached the surface. It is thought that in a moment of nostalgia he named the place after Winterhoek, the farm in the Cape where he was born. During the German colonial administration the town was called Windhuk, which was subsequently changed to Windhoek. Public transport in the city consists mainly of taxis, while a bus service transports passengers between Katutura and Khomasdal to Windhoek and its various suburbs.

WALK THROUGH WINDHOEK

If you’re keen on walking and would like to orient yourself in the capital, a leisurely circular route starting and ending at the golden Independence Museum in Robert Mugabe Avenue will give you a good idea of what the city has to offer, and a glimpse of Namibia’s cultural diversity.

ACTIVITIES AND ADVENTURES Take a walk through Windhoek, find your bearings, meet the locals, see all the main attractions and exercise those jet-lagged legs Visit the Namibia Craft Centre to stock up on goodies for those who stayed at home, and get a sense for traditional artwork Have a picnic in the Parliament Gardens, admire the age-old trees and get acquainted with the history of the adjacent ‘Ink Palace’ Go on a bicycle tour through the ‘Kasi’ and see how the majority of Windhoek’s population spend their days, try some kapana and the locally brewed concoction called oshikundu

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detour to the right into Rev. Michael Scott Street to look at the Supreme Court building, the only development after independence that reflects an African, albeit northern African, style of architecture. Having viewed this imposing building, head back to Sam Nujoma Avenue and proceed down to Independence Avenue. On your right you will be greeted by Namibia’s first five-star accommodation establishment, the Hilton Windhoek, which was opened in 2011. On your left in front of the Municipality Building is the statue of Curt von Francois, commander of a small force of Schutztruppe, who established the Alte Feste as his headquarters in Windhoek in 1889, and who is regarded by some historians as the city’s founder. Go one more block further down and turn left into Tal Street, where you will find

ELZANNE ERASMUS

ANNELIEN ROBBERTS NINA VAN SCAHLKWYK

After a visit to the Independence Museum, dedicated to the Namibian liberation struggle, make a stopover at the neighbouring Alte Feste (old fort), built in the early 1890s to protect the new settlers in Windhoek and provide accommodation for members of the Schutztruppe. At the time of going to print the Alte Feste was closed for renovations, but expected to open in early 2019. Opposite, in the historical Emma Hoogenhout building, are the administrative headquarters of the National Museum of Namibia. Further south along Robert Mugabe Avenue, on the right, is the Office of the Ombudsman, built in 1906 as a residence for senior government officials and converted into offices following independence. Take a sharp turn right into Sam Nujoma Avenue, and at the first traffic light, do a quick

the Namibia Craft Centre in the Old Breweries Building. The best examples of handiwork by Namibia’s craftspeople can be viewed and purchased here, and the Craft Café offers delectable refreshments. From here return to Independence Avenue and stroll northwards until you reach the Gustav Voigts Centre. Built in the early seventies and conveniently central, the Gustav Voigts Centre offers a great deal more than convenience stores and banking facilities, such as outlets for handcrafted jewellery, Swakara garments, camping and safari gear, curios and hand-made souvenirs, maps and books and other utility stores. The historical Wecke &Voigts store can be found here. The centre is flanked by the Carl List Mall, also a great place for shopping or a cup of tea. From the Gustav Voigts Centre, cross

| WINDHOEK AND SURROUNDINGS | Independence Avenue at the first set of traffic lights, taking note of the crafts displayed on the corner, then cross Fidel Castro Street to Zoo Park. Here you will see a curious two-metre-high stone column sculpted by well-known Namibian artist, Dörte Berner. The monument marks the place where the remains of elephant bones were excavated in the fifties, now on display at the Geological Survey Museum near Eros Airport. Also in the park is the Witbooi Memorial, unveiled in 1997 to commemorate the lives of soldiers lost in battles fought between the Schutztruppe and the legendary Nama chief, Hendrik Witbooi. Cross Independence Avenue for a short detour down Post Street Mall.

FROM TOP, LEFT TO RIGHT The Christuskirche, an iconic sight in the centre of the city • The Tintenpalast gardens • The National Independence Memorial Museum • A display of some of the Gibeon Meteorites at the Mall.

Completed shortly after independence, the Mall has a large number of shops and boutiques and is a favoured venue for street vendors selling rural art, African-style clothing, curios and jewellery. While the new structures blend with Windhoek’s historical German architecture, bright colours such as blue, pink, cerise and purple give them a modern and lively appearance. Town Square, an addition to the Mall, offers more dining and shopping opportunities. Developed around one of Windhoek’s oldest hotels and accessible from the Mall is the genial Kaiserkrone Shopping Centre with its palm trees, beer garden, restaurant with seating outside and a variety of shops and stalls. Mounted on steel columns and adding special interest to the Mall is the Gibeon Meteorite Fountain, where 31 of the original 77 Gibeon meteorites are displayed. The Gibeon meteorite shower occurred in southern Namibia southeast of Gibeon, and is the largest known shower of its kind in the world. Return to Independence Avenue, cross to the Main Post Office, turn right into Daniel Munamava Street and then left into Lüderitz Street, proceeding down the hill until it runs into Independence

Avenue again. On your right you will pass the Public Library, then the Magistrate’s Court and, on the corner with John Meinert Street, the Old Supreme Court. The bronze kudu mounted on a high stone plinth on the corner to your left is a landmark often used by locals when giving directions. From here you turn right into Independence Avenue, cross at the traffic lights, and at the next set of lights, veer left into Bahnhof Street. At the bottom of Bahnhof Street on the right is the historical Windhoek Railway Station, built in 1912/1913. In front of the building is a narrow-gauge locomotive, and on the first floor is the TransNamib Railway Museum, well worth a visit. Double back up Bahnhof Street, cross Independence Avenue and proceed eastwards until you reach Robert Mugabe Avenue, having taken note of the Turnhalle Building on the right-hand corner. On the opposite corner is the FrancoNamibian Cultural Centre (FNCC), one of the most important players in Namibia’s cultural scene. When you proceed southwards down Robert Mugabe to where it crosses John Meinert Street, you will find the National Art Gallery of Namibia, well worth a visit to see the Permanent Collection established and owned by the Arts Association Heritage Trust, which features historical and contemporary Namibian art. Next door is the National Theatre of Namibia, and opposite the Namibia Scientific Society, where a wide selection of authoritative publications on the country published by the Society can be purchased. Up the hill on Robert Mugabe (on the right) is the former State House, a renovated version of the original house occupied by the former South West African administrators and now the official residence of Namibia’s prime minister. At the top is the Christuskirche, an Evangelical Lutheran Church, one of the city’s most striking landmarks, built from local sandstone and completed in 1910. Its design was influenced by Romanesque, neoGothic and Art Nouveau styles, and its stained-glass windows were donated by Kaiser Wilhelm II. To the east of the church is the famous Tintenpalast, meaning Ink Palace. This is Namibia’s original Government Building, completed in 1914 in time for the first session of the Landesrat. Since then it has housed a series of successive administrations and governments. After independence it

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was renovated to accommodate the current Namibian Parliament. In front of the Tintenpalast are the Parliament Gardens, a great place for relaxing with a book under age-old trees. When you’re done in the garden, walk back to the Independence Museum from where you started.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND LIBRARY

The National Archives and the National Library of Namibia share a modern archival building with spacious reading rooms at 1 Eugene Marais Street. Both institutions are open to the general public. The National Archives of Namibia hold the memory of the nation, with about 7 km of shelving filled with government records dating back to the beginning of German colonisation in 1884. Computerised registers make it easy to search for people, places and subjects. Apart from government records, a variety of private papers are preserved in the collection, some of them dating back to the pre-colonial times of the mid-19th century, as well as some 15 000 indexed photographs, 6 000 maps and plans and posters, and a film, video and oral history collection. Of particular interest are the correspondence books of the famous Namibian leader, Captain Hendrik Witbooi (1835–1905), a treasure whose international importance is recognised by an inscription on the Unesco Memory of the World register – one of very few African items on that list. The National Library of Namibia keeps the largest collection of Namibiana, that is publications from and about Namibia, in existence. This includes the very first travel report about Namibia by the Frenchman Le Vaillant, published in 1790; an almost complete collection of all Namibian newspapers since the first one appeared in 1896; and books on Namibia published in 50 languages and in 80 countries. Namibian-published and archival heritage is also preserved by two private scientific societies. The Namibia Scientific Society in Windhoek, which publishes a scholarly journal, maintains a reference library on Robert Mugabe Avenue opposite the National Theatre. The Society of Scientific Development in Swakopmund maintains not only the well-visited Swakopmund Museum, but also the Sam Cohen Library and Otavi Railway Station. Both libraries are open for research and include archival material, photographs and maps.

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ELZANNE ERASMUS

Zoo Park in Independence Avenue

BOTANICAL GARDEN

The National Botanical Garden of Namibia (NBGN) in the heart of Windhoek is undoubtedly one of the capital’s gems. Situated on the slopes of a hill that forms a natural divide between the city centre and the suburb of Klein Windhoek, it was proclaimed a conservation area in 1969. In 1990 the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) moved to the site above the garden. Since then, the Botanical Garden has become a versatile paradise of greenery and flowers, providing sanctuary to many small creatures and birds. Wandering along the paths you can learn about plants from Namibia’s other regions, identifying them by their nametags, and rest on a bench while enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and watching the visitors to the birdbaths. The entrance to the grounds is at the NBRI, 8 Orban Street. The garden is open on weekdays during office hours (8:00 to 17:00). A tour is conducted on the first Saturday of each month by a member of the Botanical Society of Namibia, Tel (+264 61) 202 2014. The tour starts at 8:00.

DAY TRIPS FROM WINDHOEK

There are several recreation resorts and guest farms close enough to Windhoek in the Central Region for day and weekend excursions. These include the Daan Viljoen Game Park,

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the Gross-Barmen Hot Springs Resort about 100 km northwest of the capital, the Von Bach Recreation Resort, 65 km north of Windhoek off the B1 (a popular venue for aquatic sports and freshwater angling enthusiasts), and the Hardap Recreation Resort, 250 km south of Windhoek.

Von Bach Recreation Resort

Accessible from the B1 from Windhoek to the north, sign-posted about 3.5 km south of Okahandja, the Von Bach Dam and Game Park extends over an area of 43 km². The facility, proclaimed in 1972, has become a popular venue for aquatic sports such as water-skiing, yachting, windsurfing and boating. The dam is popular among freshwater angling enthusiasts, as it has been stocked with large-mouth bass, blue kurper and small-mouth yellow-fish. Carp and barbel also occur here. Visitors can explore the surrounding nature reserve on foot. While gameviewing opportunities are limited, kudu, baboon, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, gemsbok and red hartebeest are seen here. Facilities at the dam, which are on a 50-year lease by Tungeni Investments and have recently been completely revamped, include 22 en-suite bungalows, 12 campsites, picnic sites for day visitors, and the Daw Restaurant that overlooks the dam. Activities include taking a ferry ride on the dam, cruising in a canoe, and fishing.

Gross-Barmen Hot Springs Resort

About 100 km northwest of Windhoek off the B1, the Gross-Barmen Hot Springs Resort is another popular day and weekend destination. The main feature of this facility is the large dome-shaped and glassenclosed thermal hall, which houses a communal bath of steaming spring water (65˚C). Under management of Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR), the resort was closed in November 2010 for renovations. Now that it has been completed, it caters for health and beauty enthusiasts as well as for fitness, leisure and adventure fans.

Hardap Game Reserve

Built in the 1960s with a capacity of 320 million cubic metres and a surface area of 25 km², Hardap was Namibia’s largest dam until the opening of Neckertal Dam near Keetmanshoop in 2018. The 252 km² game reserve and recreation resort were proclaimed in 1968. Accessible from the B1, Hardap lies 250 kilometres south of Windhoek, and 20 kilometres northwest of Mariental. Namibia Wildlife Resorts' Hardap Resort, situated at Hardap Dam, reopened its doors to the public in 2016. The revamped establishment, along with swimming pool, restaurant, 5 VIP bungalows, 15 family chalets and 30 bush chalets, is now ready for guests. A national club championship and two international angling championships are arranged

| WINDHOEK AND SURROUNDINGS | at Hardap every year. Namibian, South African and Zimbabwean anglers take part in the competitions.

TOWNS CLOSE TO WINDHOEK Okahandja

Directly north of Windhoek lies Okahandja, a town of great significance to the Herero people because it was once the seat of the famous Chief Samuel Maharero. Every year on the weekend closest to 26 August – with the exception of 2011 when it was held in Gobabis, and referred to as Heroes’ Day – thousands of Hereros converge on the town to pay homage at the graves of their great chiefs. Some of the women are dressed in traditional red and black, others in green and black, while the men wear full military regalia, complete with medals. Visitors are welcome to view this rich and colourful ceremony. According to historian Dr H Vedder, the name Okahandja comes from Herero and means ‘small widening’, the place where the rivers meet. The earliest records of the town date back to 1844 when the first two missionaries arrived there. The year 1894, however, is regarded as the birth of the town, as Okahandja became a military base that year and a fort was built. On 26 August 1923, Chief Samuel Maherero was laid to rest in Okahandja at a funeral attended by approximately 2 000 people. Since then this day has been celebrated annually at Okahandja by the Herero people. The town is an important centre for woodcarvers from the north. They practise their ancient skills at the woodand-thatch Mbangura Woodcarvers Market next to the main road, both at the entrance and at the exit of the town. Also at the main entrance to the town, right next to the service station, is a biltong, coffee and gift shop that makes for a good pit stop. Okahandja is also a good place to buy biltong, at CLOSWA and Piet’s Biltong.

Gobabis

The largest town east of Windhoek is Gobabis, an important cattleranching centre. A monument of a bull welcomes visitors at the entrance to the town. Gobabis is the gateway to the Trans-Kalahari Highway, linking Namibia to Botswana and South Africa. The completion of this highway

resulted in the development of several new tourist lodges in the surroundings. Gobabis developed around a mission station established in 1856 by Friederich Eggert of the Rhenish Missionary Society. In the latter half of the 1800s and the early 1900s, several conflicts flared up between the Mbanderu and Khauas Khoekhoe, as well as between the settlers and the indigenous people. The Gobabis district was proclaimed by the German authorities in February 1894, and in June the following year, Gobabis was occupied by a German garrison. While the military fort, built in 1896/7, has long since disappeared, one of the few buildings dating back to that era is the field hospital, or Lazarett, which has been declared a national monument. Of special interest is the Gobabis Museum, recently rehoused by the Museum Association of Namibia in the old library building with a grant of N$20 000 from the Federal Republic of Germany. The new museum was established with the support of Eberhard and Elfriede Einbeck, the couple who ran a private museum in Gobabis for many years. The Uakii Wilderness & Gobabis Info and Coffee Shop in Gobabis is the only tourism information office in the Omaheke Region. It offers services such as bookings, tour facilitator services, a coffee shop, Internet facilities, camping and ‘information with a warm smile’. In 2011 the former Horizons Hotel was revamped and renamed the Kalahari Convention Centre, becoming the first black-owned hotel in the Omaheke Region. Another first for the region and the country, was the construction of the first house made up of tightly packed sandbags, instead of bricks, held together by a timber framework. This innovative and eco-friendly concept was used when building the kitchen for the Omuhaturua Primary School hostel and is part of an overall scheme by the Catherine Bullen Foundation to develop a canteen, kitchen and outdoor recreation area at the primary school. Approximately 100 kilometres northeast of Gobabis, the Harnas Wildlife Foundation and Guest Farm is one of the few wildlife orphanages and welfare centres in Southern Africa. The foundation focuses on the rehabilitation of neglected, abused and abandoned wild animals, while the guest farm provides a variety of accommodation. Southeast of Windhoek is the historical town of Dordabis, where

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cattle farmer and local businessman Michael Krafft of Farm Ibenstein has taken on the massive task of renovating the historical buildings of Dordabis. The Krafft family has lived in the Dordabis environs for many years. Michael is the grandson of August Stauch, the diamond pioneer of Kolmanskop, who developed Dordabis as a trade centre in the 1920s. Michael has restored the old stone house – once the residence of August Stauch and his wife Ida – to its former glory and uses it to accommodate hunters. He has also restored several other historical buildings, such as the dairy and abattoirs built in the 1920s. Four kilometres from Dordabis, producers of karakul carpets can be visited at Ibenstein Teppiche. Also in this area is the farm Peperkorrel, where the well-known Dorka carpets are made. Peperkorrel also houses a sculpture studio, with works by local artist Dörte Berner.

Rehoboth

Some 88 km south of Windhoek, amongst a relatively dense acacia woodland of camel-thorn, sweetthorn and candle-pod acacia, is the historical town of Rehoboth. It is inhabited by the Baster community, descendants of people of mixed parentage who trekked across the Orange River under their leader Hermanus van Wyk and settled at Rehoboth in 1870. The history of the Rehoboth Basters is recorded in the Rehoboth Museum, established by Namibian anthropologist and archaeologist, Dr Beatrice Sandelowsky. Displays detail the cultural heritage of the Basters and archaeological finds in the area, such as an open-air burial site. Representing a vital component in the preservation of Rehoboth’s past, displays of minerals and volcanic rocks give an insight into the geological formations on the African continent in general and in Namibia in particular, while fossil remains provide a glimpse into the evolution of man on the continent. Augmented by the many historical items representing the lives and stories of this interesting people, the reference library contains further reading on the national heritage of the Rehoboth Volk. In earlier times a camel-thorn tree referred to as Kaptein’s Tree was the venue for the meetings of the Kapteinsraad, an

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equivalent to a Chief’s Council. Just west of Rehoboth is Oanob Dam, which supplies Rehoboth with water. Overlooking the dam are picnic places with barbecue facilities, a restaurant, bungalows and a number of walking trails. Oanob is a favoured venue for day and weekend outings, for locals as well as bird-watchers and water sports enthusiasts. An area of some 8 400 ha referred to as the Acacia Forest and well-known for its large camel-thorn trees (some estimated to be 2 000 years old) lies within the municipal boundaries of Rehoboth. The possibility of proclaiming the area as a community park is being considered.

Mariental

Situated 178 km south of Rehoboth off the B1, Mariental is a small, quietly flourishing market town. Nearby Hardap Dam is the second largest reservoir in Namibia and provides water for irrigation, enabling the cultivation of animal fodder, as well as some fruits and vegetables. A local ostrich abattoir caters for this increasingly important industry, and what survives of the karakul trade in the south is centred around Mariental. Sitting astride the main route into the Kalahari and Namib deserts, Mariental also services the needs of farmers in these areas. Mariental is home to a large number of Nama-speaking people, descendants of the early Khoi inhabitants of Namibia.

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KHOMAS HOCHLAND

When travelling in a circular route in the Gamsberg surroundings, the scenery is spectacular, especially along the Gamsberg, Spreetshoogte and Remhoogte passes. Dominating the landscape 120 km southwest of Windhoek and characterised by its conspicuous cap of weather-resistant quartzite sandstone is the Gamsberg, a large table-topped mountain that rises some 500 metres above the surrounding Khomas Hochland. At a height of 2 347 metres, it is Namibia’s fourth-highest mountain. The plateau is regarded as an outstanding site for astronomical observations, as the night sky is extraordinarily clear and the absence of towns and the resultant darkness of the surroundings makes it an ideal location from which to study the stars of the southern hemisphere. Many of the farms in the environs are involved in tourism, and can be visited to have a meal, spend a night or two, or simply relax over coffee and cake. Hakos Guest Farm is situated above Gamsberg Pass on the C26, 135 km from Windhoek and 240 km each from Walvis Bay and Sesriem. Nestled against the Hakos Mountains, Hakos Guest Farm offers incomparable views. An observatory, run by the IAS (International Amateur Observatory Society) to keep Gamsberg accessible for astronomy, is situated on the farm and guided stargazing sessions form part of the Hakos experience.

LEFT Go on a hiking adventure in the Khomas Hochland

RIGHT Hartmann's mountain zebra

The Windhoek Green Belt Landscape

The Windhoek Green Belt Landscape is one of five Protected Landscape Conservation Areas launched in 2011, each including a state protected area at its core. With the other PLCAs – around Waterberg Plateau Park (18 763 km²), Sossusvlei (5 730 km²), Fish River Canyon 7 621 km²) and Mudumu (2 047 km²) in north-eastern Namibia – almost sixteen thousand square kilometres are under protected management. These are demonstration sites, but the long-term vision of the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism is to expand such areas into a largescale network in order to address the loss of habitat and other threats to species, to conserve biodiversity and ecosystems, and to establish corridors to sustain viable wildlife populations. Close to Windhoek the PLCA covers 760 km² in the Khomas Hochland plateau west of the capital. The area includes several state and freehold farms used for cattle, game farming, hunting and tourism, and has the Daan Viljoen Game Park at its core.

| WINDHOEK AND SURROUNDINGS |

THE N/A’AN KU SÊ FOUNDATION AND COLLECTION This is a story that has been told many times over, but perhaps still not enough. A story that branched from one person’s love for animals and nature, to a dynamic duo that created a conservation empire with far-reaching benefits to the future of Namibian carnivore, landscape and even cultural safeguarding. A story that has reached international audiences, garnered world-famous devotees-turned-friends and has even reached people’s living rooms as it branched onto the small screen.This is the story of Rudie and Marlice van Vuuren and the N/a’an ku sê Foundation. Marlice, the girl who was born to love the Namibian bush and dedicate her life to the conservation of the magnificent animals and people who make this “Land God made in Anger” the unique country that it is. N/a’an ku sê is an established and acclaimed conservation enterprise focusing on the preservation of land, cultures and wildlife in Namibia, with numerous successful projects, including the translocation and the rehabilitation of large carnivores and other wildlife. Marlice’s love of animals is a pillar of their operation. The N/a’an ku sê Collection is another. The N/a’an ku sê Sanctuary is a haven where orphaned animals are raised with dedication, their natural needs being carefully considered, tending away from the feeling of “captivity” – instead creating an environment where their instinctive behaviours are nurtured and encouraged. Only those carnivores too ill, abused or habituated remain

at the sanctuary. This is done purely for their safety and survival chances. The release of powerful cats, both cheetahs and leopards, is a top priority at N/a’an ku sê – “returning wildlife to the wild” being the mantra that forms the backbone of our projects. N/a’an ku sê's on-site research team constantly accumulates vital data in the continued effort to reduce human-wildlife conflict. N/a’an ku sê passionately believes that landowners and large carnivores can co-exist in Namibia. Where tourism ensures the future of conservation. The tourism branch of their operation started on a small scale and they hope to continue it as such. As it developed, it started generating crucial funds that could then in turn be plunged back into active conservation efforts. “N/a’an ku sê is a conservation project, with tourism as an economic driver. Responsible tourism has a different meaning to us than to the rest of the industry. Our job is to change people’s perception about animals and what conservation is all about. We can’t do it on a large scale. It needs an intimate and direct approach,” states owner Rudi van Vuuren. Through the establishment of four different tourism hubs as well as their highly successful Voluntourism programs, N/a’an ku sê has been able to efficaciously bridge the gap between tourism and conservation, making it a cohesive and integrated process, rather than an either-or scenario.

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... so much more than just a sanctuary. N/a’an ku sê embodies passion, vision and innovation; makes dreams come true, saves lives and adds value to the same, whether it be humans or animals. “Tourism needs to create the opportunity for conservation to flourish.” Take a place like Kanaan Desert Retreat – out of the main tourism buzz point of southern Namibia, bordering on the Namib-Naukluft National Park, they have been able to rehabilitate an area which was once covered in fencing and roads. Now it is a refuge of 33 000 ha of unspoilt nature, with all the wonders of Sossusvlei. Neuras Wine and Wildlife Estate, a unique winery set on the edge of the Namib Desert, might only produce an exclusive amount of wine per year, but recycles 9000 litres of water per week. How is that for sustainable development? In the capital, a small yet beautiful haven, quite literally named Utopia Boutique, serves as a quaint home away from home for those travelling through the city. The collection’s flagship, N/a’an ku sê Lodge and Wildlife Sanctuary, is not only home to beautiful chalets only a 30-minute drive from the capital, but also a large rehabilitation and research centre which acts as the hub of their operations. Here, activities for visitors and collaborative work with volunteers from afar, creates a continuous flow of awareness and funds to keep their projects thriving for the future of the country’s natural and cultural conservation. That is the N/a’an ku sê story. www.naankuse.com

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Hardap Dam

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Auas Safari Lodge PO Box 91045, Windhoek Reservations Tel: (+264 61) 22 8104 Lodge Direct Tel: (+264 61) 24 0043 Email: auassafarilodge@journeysnamibia.com Web: www.auas-safarilodge.com

First encounters with nature Located in African savannah embraced by the Auas Mountains, Auas Safari Lodge celebrates landscape and animals. A 45-minute drive from Hosea Kutako International Airport, the lodge provides an ideal place to start and end your Namibian visit. Guided walks and game drives are a highlight, with giraffe, waterbuck, kudu, wildebeest and ostrich frequenting the sprawling savannah. Fourteen rooms provide a comfortable retreat, while the thatched lapa and turquoise swimming pool are favourite places to relax. Dinner is served indoors or on the patio under a starlit sky. Friendly staff, magnificent scenery and intriguing wildlife merge to impart the sweet taste of Africa. 14

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Gross-Barmen Resort P/Bag 13378, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 285 7200, Fax: (+264 61) 22 4900 Email: reservations@nwr.com.na, Web: www.nwr.com.na

Gross-Barmen has always been a popular destination for people living in Windhoek, Okahandja and the surrounding areas. Over the past years the resort has undergone major renovations and upgrading aimed at putting it on par with all the other Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) establishments around the country. The resort now offers state-of-the-art spa and wellness facilities, a conference centre and upgraded bungalows and restaurant, and improved indoor and outdoor swimming pools. For those looking for a home away from home for weekends and holidays, GrossBarmen is the place to go. 43

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Midgard Country Estate

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Central Reservations Tel: (+264 61) 431 8002 Email: midgard.res@ol.na, Web: www.ol-leisure.com

Midgard Country Estate is an ideal family hide-away, a first or last stop for international visitors, the perfect venue for intimate meetings, team-building events or weddings. Acquired in 1937, Carl Werner List originally farmed the 12 000 hectare estate, developing this private and intimate world into a household name in Namibia. Midgard Country Estate was born. Today we invite our guests to enjoy the tranquillity, while marveling at the pioneering German Settler spirit which gave birth to it all. “Midgard”, a word found in Old Norse, Middle English and High German languages, has varying meanings, but is popularly thought to mean “A paradise where the earth rises again, fertile and green, creating a protected world and a safe empire for the people”. 46

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Hotel Heinitzburg 22 Heinitzburg Street PO Box 458, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 24 9597, Fax: (+264 61) 24 9598 Email: heinitzburg@heinitzburg.com Web: www.heinitzburg.com

105 Years Heinitzburg 2019

This castle, built at the turn of the 20th century by Count von Schwerin for his fiancée Margarethe von Heinitz, offers accommodation in plush romantic elegance. This year, Hotel Heinitzburg is celebrating 25 years of being the jewel in Namibia's tourism crown. Perched high above Windhoek, Leo’s Restaurant offers spectacular vistas of the city lights below, not to mention unrivalled African sunsets. Savour masterfully prepared game dishes and relish fine wines from Namibia’s largest private wine cellar. The Raith family is looking forward to welcome you at Hotel Heinitzburg! 16

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River Crossing Lodge PO Box 97448, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 40 1494, Fax: (+264 61) 24 3079 Email: reservations@rivercrossing.com.na, Web: www.rivercrossing.com.na

Just two kilometres outside Windhoek on a pristine game farm, River Crossing Lodge offers sumptuous accommodation in 20 private chalets. With high-pitched corrugated roofs, wide balconies and gorgeous pots of geraniums, the German architecture rediscovers nuances of a bygone era of farm life. We are environmentally friendly, offer unparalleled service and a selection of function venues. We also train aspirant Namibians to make a cutting-edge contribution to lodge operations. In fact, there’s very little that’s not possible at River Crossing.

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Hardap Resort P/Bag 13378, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 285 7200, Fax: (+264 61) 22 4900 Email: reservations@nwr.com.na, Web: www.nwr.com.na

Situated about 260 km south of Windhoek, the Hardap Resort encompasses Namibia’s second largest dam, Hardap, which is on the Fish River. In terms of accommodation options at the resort, there are VIP rooms, family and bush chalets, a dormitory and camping sites. Other amenities and facilities include a swimming pool, conference facility, restaurant and shop. Hardap is well known as an angler’s paradise, with annual competitions held regularly for enthusiasts. But few know that the small Hardap Game Reserve is a haven for black rhino and that the dam and surroundings accommodate one of Namibia’s most strategic Great White Pelican breeding colonies and a thriving freshwater fish institute that is supporting the country’s growing aquaculture industry. 50

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Belvedere Boutique Hotel 76 & 78 Dr Kwame Nkrumah Road, Ludwigsdorf, Windhoek Tel/Fax: (+264 61) 25 8867 Cell: (+264 81) 127 2037 Email: belvedere@afol.com.na, Web: www.belvedere-boutiquehotel.com

Nestled in the quiet heart of Windhoek’s residential area lies a hotel that welcomes guests to feel like a local while experiencing the pampered indulgence of being a guest. Timeless elegance encapsulated with simple white exteriors, chic detailing, a fresh green garden and a water-saving artificial lawn perfect for the arid city. Guests can work up a sweat on the fully maintained tennis court located on the premises that is a stone’s throw away from the rooms. The main areas offer wide open views of the Klein Windhoek hills and surroundings. The sky forms a wide arc of friendly blue through the huge windows. Practice your putt underneath the charming purple Jacaranda trees or take a swim in the refreshingly cool swimming pool to wash off the heat of a day exploring the capital. 18

Utopia Boutique Guesthouse Tel: (+264 61) 21 1299, Cell: (+264 85) 588 7704 Reservations: info@utopiaboutique.com Email: reservations@utopiaboutique.com, Web: www.utopiaboutique.com Located in the heart of the Capital Windhoek: Corner of 66 Nelson Mandela Avenue and Barella Street, Klein Windhoek, Windhoek, Namibia

This N/a’an ku sê owned business-meets-leisure Boutique is unique to the otherwise standardised accommodation offered in the heart of Windhoek. The modern, up-market Utopia Boutique offers serene rooms and luxurious suites situated amidst beautiful, green lush gardens. It is also conveniently situated in the most tranquil suburb, Klein Windhoek. Utopia combines business and leisure in a modest, unseen manner, simultaneously welcoming all modern travellers and tourists in need of relaxation. Boasting 14 standard rooms, 6 luxury suites, 1 executive suite and 1 self-catering unit, the Utopia Boutique Guesthouse creates a perfect hideaway making you feel at home away from home.

ELZANNE ERASMUS

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N/a’an ku sê Lodge and Wildlife Sanctuary PO Box 99292, Windhoek Tel (+264 61) 30 7338, Cell (+264 81) 859 4608 Email: lodge@naankuse.com, Web: www.naankuselodge.com Directions: 45km outside Windhoek in an easterly direction (towards the international Airport) on the MR53. GPS Coordinates: South: -22° 21’ 51.82” East: 17° 22’ 44.80”

On a 3,200-ha reserve near the Hosea Kutako International Airport and central Windhoek our Activity centre offers Carnivore Feeding Tours, Ancient Skills Academy, stargazing dinners, cheetah experiences and the ‘Behind the Scenes’ tours. You have a choice of staying in one of our six individual chalets or family villas. We offer a dining area where we serve award-winning cuisine, with stunning views, a bar and a swimming pool – in short, a delightful blend of rich ethnicity and modern luxury. The N/a’an ku sê Lodge is the only Charity Lodge in Namibia, with all the profits going back to our charitable projects. 6

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Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge PO Box 113, Kalkrand Bookings: Tel +264 (0) 61 24 0020, Email: reservations@redduneslodge.com Tel: (+264 63) 26 4003, Fax: (+264 63) 26 4029 Email: info@redduneslodge.com Web: www.redduneslodge.com, www.ondili.com

Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge is a veritable Luxury of Solitude that offers its visitors abundant space and privacy. The main house consisting of a reception area, lobby, restaurant, bar, pool and shaded deck is situated in a dry vlei (pan). A 120-metre-long boardwalk connects the main building with the chalets. These are nestled around the vlei, which is often frequented by game. Each chalet has a tented and stone- and thatch-roofed section, as well as a private terrace. There is also one superior unit. During the nature/game drives and nature walks, visitors are given the opportunity to experience the breathtaking beauty of the Kalahari with its up to 30-metre-high red dunes and huge variety of game. 12

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Teufelskrallen Lodge PO Box 113, Kalkrand Bookings: +264 (0) 61 24 0020 Tel: +264 (0) 63 264003 Email: reservations@teufelskrallenlodge.com Web: www.teufelskrallenlodge.com, www.ondili.com

Situated on the first Kalahari dune from the western side, Teufelskrallen Lodge offers visitors a panoramic vista across the endless plains and stretches of typical Kalahari dunes. The comfortable, fully furnished tent-houses all have a large viewing deck and an own private bathroom. A short boardwalk connects the tent with the bathroom. The old farmhouse, located three kilometres away from the tents, hosts the reception area, restaurant and swimming pool. On nature walks and nature and game drives, guests will experience the breathtaking beauty of the Kalahari Desert with its sinuous, red dunes up to 30 metres high, and the wide variety of game. 6

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Ti Melen Schuckmann Street, Avis, Windhoek Bookings Tel: +264 (0) 61 24 0020 Tel: +264 (0) 81 1467233 Email: timelen@iway.na www.timelen.com, www.ondili.com

Ti Melen, a quiet and peaceful haven surrounded by nature, offers the advantage of being only 5 minutes by car from the city centre of Windhoek. Situated on a small hill, it offers its visitors a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains. Here you can unwind or do some bird-watching in the beautiful and tranquil garden, or cool down in a small pool with Jacuzzi. WiFi is complimentary. For the more active guest, the beautiful Avis Dam, only 5 minutes on foot from Ti Melen, offers ample opportunity for relaxed strolls or longer hikes. The international airport is only 40 km away. 8

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Casa Blanca

Cor. Gous & Fritsche Street, Pionierspark, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 24 9623, Fax: (+264 61) 24 9622 Email: Casablanca@afol.com.na Web: www.casablancahotel.com.na

Welcome to Casa Blanca, an oasis of easy and carefree living! With its Spanish-style architecture and tranquil garden, this boutique hotel pension provides relaxed accommodation for business travellers and tourists alike. Our Ă la carte restaurant is open six days a week Sunday to Friday (for resident guests only). Its welcoming ambience and inside seating makes it a perfect place for travellers and locals alike. Come and relax at our private bar and outdoor lounge area with friends, family or business associates. The pension hotel provides complementary gym facilities and a swimming pool area. Come and enjoy our warm hospitality and personalised service. 16

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GocheGanas Nature Reserve & Wellness Village Tel: (+264 61) 22 4909, Fax (+264 61) 22 4924 Email: reservations@gocheganas.com, Web: www.gocheganas.com

GocheGanas, a perfect beginning and a superb ending to your safari and adventure in Namibia. A luxurious private nature reserve and wellness village, nestled on a hilltop, surrounded by majestic mountains. Sweeping views of the 6 000 hectare pristine wilderness - an awesome Namibian landscape from your private luxurious accommodation - 16 totally private thatched chalets. Only 29 km from the capital city of Windhoek and 76 km from the Hosea Kutako International Airport. The GocheGanas Wellness Village boasts a top of the range selection of wellness treatments, products and services with 11 specialist treatment rooms featuring state-of-the-art equipment. A large variety of special packages and wellness treatments are offered, ranging from outdoor massages to de-stress and detoxification packages as well as personal training and nutritional consultations. Other spa facilities include a crystal bath, hydrotherapy bath, a vichy shower, as well as an indoor swimming pool under a cathedral-like masonry vault, an outdoor swimming pool on the Oasis Peninsula affording breathtaking views, a granite bath (cave sauna), Kneipp showers, a fitness gym, as well as a fruit and juice bar. 32

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Omaanda Farm n° 78, Rest of Ondekaremba Farm - Kapps Farm - Windhoek East Tel: 081 127 2425 Email: contact@omaanda.com Web: www.omaanda.com

Omaanda is a luxurious lodge set within the Zannier Reserve by N/a’an ku sê, an incredible private animal conservancy reserve of 9000 hectares near the capital Windhoek. Overlooking the boundless savannah, the camp offers ten spacious round thatched huts, whose warm design, evocative of the earth, is inspired by the traditional architecture of Ovambo.The authentic restaurant serves a refined cuisine, from home-made breakfast to delicious dishes to share, including generous pieces of game meat on a spit. Melting into the incredible background, the bar on the edge of the heated outdoor infinity pool offers a refreshing retreat after unforgettable made-tomeasure excursions and conservation tours. The friendly ambiance is energised with the cozy bar and the nearby boma, where guests can meet and mingle around an open fire. The atmosphere of timeless intimacy continues in the spa, where massages inspired by Namibian traditions are provided in two double treatment rooms. 10

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The Olive Exclusive

| WINDHOEK AND SURROUNDINGS |

22 Promenaden Road, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 38 3890, Fax: (+264 61) 23 4971 Email: info@theolive-namibia.com Web: www.theolive-namibia.com, www.bigsky-namibia.com

The Olive Exclusive – the first ultra-luxurious sanctuary of its kind in the Namibian capital – is cool, contemporary and stylish, but beats with a warm heart and authentic African soul. Its sleek, modern lines are complemented by organic textures, natural furnishings, an eco-friendly approach and dedicated personal service. The seven suites are individually decorated so that each reflects a different region in Namibia. Each has its own lounge area with fireplace and dining room, enabling private dining. Wide glass doors open onto spacious decks where you can relax on a shady day bed, enjoy al fresco lunches or, if yours is a premium suite, take a dip in your own private plunge pool. Elegant, inspired, never formal. 7

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Hillside @Tenbergen C/O Lazarett & Robert Mugabe Ave, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 400 340 Email: tenbergen@hillsidewindhoek.com Web: www.hillsidewindhoek.com

Hillside@Tenbergen is located near Maerua Mall and Veld Street business area at the c/o Robert Mugabe Ave and Lazarett St. Our finishes and European style will suit the executive businessman wanting more than just the normal. Hillside@Tenbergen offers all the amenities any well-travelled businessman or tourist would expect from a multi-star hotel, including a restaurant and 3 conference facilities. The luxury suits have an extra touch that includes a full DSTV Bouquet. The family rooms have a sleepercouch suitable for two children. Our location, spacious rooms, good food and superfast WiFi are unique in the hotel industry. 17

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Okapuka Ranch PO Box 5955, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 25 7175, Fax: (+264 61) 23 4690 Email: okapuka@iafrica.com.na Web: www.okapuka-ranch.com

Sometimes dreams do come true, and Okapuka Ranch is living proof of this. 29 rooms and a suite offer stunning views onto the bush and mountain landscape - as do the Park Restaurant, serving local game specialties, and the Hyena Bar, where peacefully grazing antelope may be observed from close up. Activities include game viewing, mountain drives, hiking, sunset drives and others. With an award winning wine cellar, a secluded wooden mountain cabin, and a conference room, the ranch offers various venues to make your event private, unique and special. 30

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DĂźsternbrook Safari Guestfarm Tel: (+264 61) 23 2572 Cell: (+264 81) 864 3000, Emergency Cell: (+264 81) 124 1662 Email: info@duesternbrook.net, Web: www.duesternbrook.net

DĂźsternbrook Safari Guest Farm was the first guest farm in Namibia (since 1961). DĂźsternbrook (14 000 ha) with its renovated colonial buildings (1908), is situated on a hill and has a spectacular view in the surrounding landscape. We are 50 km northwest of Windhoek and 90km from the international airport en-route to Etosha and Swakopmund.

Accommodation: (31 beds) from 1- to 4-star, from DBB to self-catering chalets. 3- and 4-star have aircon, all rooms (except the tents and chalets) have free Wi-Fi. For real nature lovers we offer remote chalets situated at water spots (3 and 5 km from the farmhouse). Camping: 12 sites, 6 with 24/7 220 V electricity.

Activities: 1. cheetah-leopard drives 2. game drives 3. early mountain drives 4. horse riding Hiking: short distance from 1 to 5 hrs, weekend hikes (1 or 2 nights) or long distance hikes KHHT 54 km (4 days) or 100 km (6 days). Big swimming pool for long summer months.

Game (20 different species) to see in our private nature reserve: from gemsbok, kudu, giraffe, zebra, hippo, sable, impala, ostrich, warthog, eland, springbok etc. as well as a rich bird life. Day visitors are welcome. We participate in the Namibia Eco Awards and have been awarded 5 flowers (the highest award) in 2015. Criteria include conservation, water, waste and energy management, sense of place construction and landscaping, guiding, staff development, social responsibility and human welfare. This authentic farm is simply a place to visit, ideal for the beginning or end of your stay in Namibia. This family-run guest farm, with warm Namibian hospitality, is looking forward to welcome you. Opt for our smart price: 2 nights including one activity.

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| WINDHOEK AND SURROUNDINGS | 20

Otjimbondona PO Box 11013, Windhoek, Namibia Cell: (+264 81) 243 5478, Anita Slaney, (+264 81) 127 4358, Wilfried Slaney Email: welcome@otjimbondona.com Web: www.otjimbondona.com

Cradled amongst camel thorn trees with vistas of undulating Kalahari landscape, Otjimbondona offers those seeking tranquillity, exclusivity and luxury the ideal African holiday. Situated 120km southeast of Windhoek and 80km from the Hosea Kutako International Airport on a 3000-hectare Private Nature Reserve on the fringes of the Namibia Kalahari basin, this boutique retreat is the perfect getaway to relax and unwind. The Manor House is the original homestead of the Slaney family, which was built in 1923 and now consists of a large lounge, dining area and infinity pool with deck boasting breath-taking views over the surrounding bush veld. The Manor House holds a historical charm, which invites intimacy, tranquility and the romance of a bygone era. Stay in one of the four luxurious Villas offering modern comforts, each decorated to depict a different theme and offering complete privacy to complement the romantic setting. This is a home away from home experience where you can enjoy delicious al-fresco dining, ultimate flexibility whilst viewing giraffe, plains game and numerous bird species on nature walks, game drives or on a fat bike.

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Ombo Rest Camp PO Box 368, Okahandja Tel: (+264 62) 50 2003 / (+264 81) 206 2791, Fax: (+264 62) 50 3768 Email: omborestcamp@africaonline.com.na Web: www.ombo-rest-camp.com

Ombo Rest Camp offers you a peaceful retreat just outside of Okahandja. Our self-catering bungalows are fully equipped with airconditioners, kitchen and barbecue facilities, and each bungalow offers safe and secure parking. Guests are welcome to stay on a B&B basis, or enjoy dinner at our A-La-Carte Restaurant, which is open daily from 8h00 to 14h00 and serves dinner on request. Dishes include everything from ostrich and crocodile to traditional Namibian Omajovas, during the rainy season. Ombo Rest Camp’s campsites have power points, hot showers and their own barbecue areas and backpacker rooms adjacent to the campsites can also make use of these facilities. Daily Ostrich & Crocodile Tours can be enjoyed between 9h00-12h00 and 14h00-16h00, or you can choose to watch game at our waterhole from the comfort of your bungalow or the restaurant. We also offer a hiking trail and nature walk for birding enthusiasts. Day visitors welcome. 7

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Onjala PO Box 90938, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 25 9325 Cell: (+264 81) 122 7171 Email: res@onjala.com Website: www.onjala.com

Situated only 75 km northeast of Windhoek and 45 km from Hosea Kutako International Airport, Onjala is easily accessible and child-friendly. The lodge invites you to relax and enjoy the serenity of the surroundings in peace and tranquillity. Stargazing with one of the world’s best Zeiss refractors, game drives, a wellness centre with an exquisite bush spa and two swimming pools are just a few of the activities you can choose from. Uniquely designed rough natural stone en-suite double rooms and freestanding bungalows, tucked away in the bush, as well as luxurious and private panorama suites offer quality accommodation in a warm and creative African ambience. Transfers between the lodge, the airport and Windhoek can be arranged on request. 8

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Kalahari Anib Lodge Tel: +264 (0)61 427200 Email: bookings@gondwana-collection.com Web: www.store.gondwana-collection.com Kalahari Anib Lodge, Camping2Go & Campsite, 30 km northeast of Mariental on the C20

Savour the Kalahari Desert at this easily accessible lodge. 30 rooms flank a shady courtyard, with another 22 overlooking the Kalahari savannah. Stretch legs on walks and join the afternoon drive to experience the red Kalahari sands aglow with an inner fire.

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Kalahari Farmhouse Tel: +264 (0)61 427200 Email: bookings@gondwana-collection.com Web: www.store.gondwana-collection.com Kalahari Farmhouse & Campsite, 63 km northeast of Mariental in Stampriet

A lush secret garden in the arid Kalahari. This intimate lodge has 11 cottages finished with colourful quilts, fireplaces and cosy farmhouse charm. Visit the adjacent Self-Sufficiency Centre, join a trip into the Gondwana Kalahari Park to watch the sunset over the fiery red dunes.

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NUST Hotel School Beethoven Street, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 20 72233 Email: hotel@nust.na, Web: www.nusthotelschool.com.na

The three-star NUST Hotel School is surrounded by the hustle and bustle of central Windhoek, entrenched in a scholarly atmosphere, with an innovative and technologybased approach. Earthy tones, secluded corners with water features and glimpses of open blue skies all come together to create a tranquil and relaxed environment. Escape to comfortably furnished rooms with private patios, enjoy leisure time in the gym or relax around the private swimming pool. All rooms are air-conditioned, offer Wi-Fi, TV and a mini-bar. We offer numerous conference facilities for 10 - 50 persons. The banqueting hall caters for small exclusive events with a maximum of 100 guests in winter and 150 in the summer. The Aloe Restaurant & Cocktail Bar offers elegant dining. Alternatively, guests can enjoy a hearty meal al fresco-style in our courtyard. 20

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Lake Oanob Resort PO Box 3381, Rehoboth, Namibia Tel: (+264 62) 52 2370, Fax: (+264 62) 52 4112 Email: reservations@oanob.com.na Web: www.oanob.com.na

Situated on 6200 hectares in the beautiful Hardap Region and only 100 kilometres south of Windhoek, Lake Oanob Resort is a unique resort featuring spacious luxury chalets, cosy rooms and unique campsites. Open all year, Lake Oanob Resort offers superb lake views, genuine, heart-felt hospitality and is the perfect place to relax and be invigorated. Some activities you can enjoy year-round include nature drives, hiking, boat rides, canoeing, aqua cycling, pool bar, swimming in our outdoor pools or in the lake. 10

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Eningu Clayhouse Lodge PO Box 11558, Windhoek Tel: (+264 64) 46 4144, Fax: (+264 64) 46 4155 Email: info@eningulodge.com Web: www.eningulodge.com

Space and tranquillity – creativity, style and inspiration – archaeology and art – fine food and good company… This is Eningu, the Clayhouse Lodge in the Kalahari. Eningu is a window on the Kalahari Desert, providing a creative view from a place of style and beauty. It is a lodge imbued with warmth, handcraft and art, nestled in camel-thorn savannah where the last rocky outcrops of the central Namibian highlands dip their jagged edges into deep red sands, creating the gentle ripples that are the first dunes of the Kalahari. Eningu Clayhouse Lodge, situated on Farm Peperkorrel, offers nine private, individually styled guestrooms, a swimming pool, a rooftop sundeck, a lounge, indoor and outdoor dining areas, an archery range, a wine cellar, a souvenir shop and much more. Complete your stay with a visit to the Home of Sculptures by Dörte Berner, an internationally recognised sculptor. 6

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Protea Hotel by Marriott Fürstenhof 4 Dr. Frans Indongo Street Windhoek Tel: +264-61-237380 Email: cro@proteahotels.com.na / fo.furstenhof@proteahotels.com.na Web: www.protea.marriott.com

Experience the alluring charm of true old-style Namibian hospitality in a modern setting at Protea Hotel by Marriott’s first hotel in Windhoek. Protea Hotel by Marriott Fürstenhof is only five minutes’ walk from the city center and offers easy access to taxis. Friendly people and sunny skies make this the ideal place for leisure and corporate guests to do business and unwind. It’s a hotel that complements your travel style. The hotel has a sparkling swimming pool, same-day laundry services, SPA and a shuttle service. The decor is fresh and modern, offering a true escape from anything average. The hotel offers 33 en-suite rooms with balconies overlooking the city of Windhoek making it ultimate placate relaxation. The refreshing rooms are all air-conditioned, with satellite television, digital safes, tea and coffee making facilities and complimentary Wi-Fi . 33

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Protea Hotel by Marriott Thuringerhof Corner of Bahnhof & Independence Avenues Windhoek Tel: +264-61-226031 Email: cro@proteahotels.com.na / fom.thuringerhof@proteahotels.com.na Web: www.protea.marriott.com

Whether it’s a family getaway or business trip, this modern hotel provides every amenity for a comfortable and relaxed stay. Protea Hotel by Marriott Thuringerhof is set in the business district of Windhoek, and is a cozy hotel that offers connecting family rooms to make you feel at home. A restaurant and bar are available at the hotel; leisure activities like swimming, tennis and golf are nearby, so the only challenge is deciding what to do first. The hotel also offers business facilities, such as Wi-Fi connectivity and conferencing facilities that can accommodate up to 130 delegates and is only 1 km from the closest convention center, making it ideal for all corporate travelers. Conveniently located a mere 5 km from Eros Airport, there’s no better place to make your stay. 43

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ANNABELLE VENTER

& ZAMBEZI

KAVANGO www.namibiaholidayandtravel.com

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PAUL VAN SCHALKWYK

• Top activities are fishing, game viewing and bird-watching • The regions are home to five of Namibia’s parks • Local artists and craftspeople abound • The area enjoys the highest rainfall in the country • The northeast is rural Namibia at its best

The lure of the area is its wild and untamed quality, which gives visitors a peek into authentic African lifestyles. Perennial rivers and expansive floodplains, lush tropical vegetation, an abundance of game and birds, and scattered settlements provide a complete change of scenery from the rest of the Namibian landscape. The 575-kilometre tarred Trans-Caprivi Highway provides easy access to the region.

THE KAVANGO EAST AND KAVANGO WEST REGIONS The Okavango River and its broad floodplains make the Kavango East and Kavango West regions considerably greener than the rest of Namibia. The river forms a natural boundary between Namibia and Angola for more than 400 km and is the lifeline to the Kavango people, who make a living from fishing, tending cattle and cultivating sorghum, millet and maize.

Rundu

The main town in the Kavango Region is Rundu, situated on the banks of the Okavango River. This is the home of Namibia’s well-known Kavango woodcarvers. Their ancient craft, handed down over generations, is a flourishing industry today. Wood carvings are made and offered for sale at the Mbungura Woodcraft Cooperative, which has its main

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workshop and office in the town. Another worthwhile stop is the Rundu Open Market, to taste some local delicatessen and experience the unique culture of the region. Here you’ll also find the Kavango Basket Project, providing a source of income for local women. Rundu Airport is situated 5 km south-west of the town. Air Namibia offers flights from Windhoek to Rundu four times a week. Thirty kilometres east of Rundu is the Sambyu Museum, an art and crafts facility displaying woodcarvings and traditional crafts from the Kavango Region and southern Angola, and stone tools found locally.

Mangetti National Park

Previously managed as a game camp for breeding rare and endangered species such as black and white rhino, the Mangetti conservation area was proclaimed as the Mangetti National Park in 2008 to protect its wildlife and vegetation and provide tangible socioeconomic benefits to

local communities through careful tourism development. Situated some 100 km southwest of Rundu in the Kavango Region, the park extends over some 420 km² and is managed jointly by the Ukwangali Traditional Authority and

ACTIVITIES AND ADVENTURES Take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River Visit the Living Museum of the Mafwe and learn more about the local population Do some wildlife watching in one of the five surrounding parks Appreciate arts and crafts, next to the road, or at any of the craft outlets in the region Take to the river for a canoe trip with a qualified guide

| KAVANGO & ZAMBEZI |

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the MET. Animals seen here include eland, blue wildebeest, African wild dog, leopard and hyaena. Additional species such as common impala, gemsbok, kudu, giraffe and Burchell’s zebra were translocated through the Enhancing Wildlife-based Economy in Rural Areas Project from Etosha National Park and the private sector.

THE ZAMBEZI REGION

Formerly referred to as the Caprivi, the Zambezi Region is a fertile wilderness of riverine forests, flood plains, swamps and open woodland created by a complex network of rivers and relatively high summer rainfall. For freshwater angling enthusiasts, canoeists and whiteriver rafters, Zambezi offers much excitement and challenge. Well over 400 of Namibia’s bird species occur in this part of the country, and the region is steadily gaining a reputation as a retreat for bird-watchers, nature lovers and specialist travellers. It is also of growing interest to scientists studying the wetlands system and its flora and fauna. Formerly known as Itenga, Zambezi was ruled by the Lozi kings until it became part of the British Protectorate of Bechuanaland, today’s Botswana. In 1890, at the Berlin Conference, Germany acquired the territory, named it after German Chancellor, Count Georg Leo von Caprivi, and added it to German South West Africa. The capital of the then Caprivi was Schuckmannsburg (renamed as Luhonono in 2013) until 1935, when it was moved to Katima Mulilo, a name that means ‘put out the fire’. Katima Mulilo has since become a busy tourist centre and gateway to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and the Chobe National Park in Botswana. Travelling from Ngoma on the B8, a 64-km stretch takes visitors along the Chobe River to Impalila Island, from where a high lookout point offers views of Namibia, Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. The link for these attractions is the 575-kilometre TransCaprivi Highway, a wide, tarred road that has replaced the dusty gravel tracks of the past. The route runs through a region of which one third is a floodplain, and where the population is small and the human impact limited. Providing access to three state-protected game reserves, it lies in the geographic heart of

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the Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area. Read more on KaZa further down in this section.

Katima Mulilo

The largest town in Zambezi, Katima Mulilo lies on the banks of the Zambezi River, at the crossroads of Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Angola. It beats with the pulse of Africa and is a microcosm of Zambezi, a place where seven different languages and many more dialects are spoken, with traditional villages bordering the town and open markets resonating with more modern conveniences. Dirt tracks and freshly paved roads in the centre of Katima Mulilo lead you to a mixture of old and new shops, banks and small businesses. An interesting feature of the town is the public flush toilet housed in the hollowed-out trunk of an ancient baobab tree. In the centre of Katima Mulilo a large, vibrant African market provides a glimpse into the daily lives of Namibians in this lively town. Zambezi pots and baskets are noted for their distinctive beauty and symmetry. The fine workmanship of the Zambezians can be seen in the crafts offered for sale at several outlets, including the Katima Craft Centre next to the open market in Katima Mulilo; the Ngoma Crafts Centre near the Ngoma border post where travellers cross into Botswana; the Mashi Crafts at Kongola; and at the Lizauli Traditional Village, where a programme of traditional music and dance gives visitors an insight into Zambezian culture. The Baobab Bistro is a great place for a meal, and also provides information on what to see and do in the area. If you’re looking for entertainment on the banks of the Zambezi River, Bezi Bar is a favoured hangout for locals and visitors alike. The Katima Mulilo Airport is situated 20 km outside the town within two hours’ drive from Victoria Falls and not more than four hours’ drive from the Okavango Delta in Botswana. Air Namibia offers flights to Katima Mulilo four times a week.

PARKS IN ZAMBEZI Mudumu National Park

Centred on the Mudumu Mulapo fossil river course, this vast 1 010 km² expanse of dense savannah and

mopane woodlands bordered in the west by the Kwando River, was proclaimed a national park in 1990. Dense mopane woodlands are at the core of Mudumu, the combination of forest and water ensuring a wealth of wildlife. The park is home to small populations of sitatunga and red lechwe, while spotted-necked otter, hippo and crocodile inhabit the waterways. During a game drive, animals likely to be encountered are

FROM TOP, LEFT TO RIGHT

The riverine marshes and wetland ecosystems of the Zambezi are in stark contrast to a perceived 'desert' country • Hippo are a common sight in the rivers of the northeast • Storm clouds gather over the Okavango • Two White-fronted bee-eaters in front of their nest on a sand bank

elephant, buffalo, roan antelope, kudu, impala and Burchell’s zebra. The park is alive with more than 400 species of birds. Of particular interest are slaty egrets, Hartlaub’s babblers, greater swamp-warblers (in the papyrus swamps), chirping cisticolas, and swamp boubous. Other noteworthy species include black coucals (an intra-African migrant), coppery-tailed and Senegal coucals, wattled cranes (floodplains) and rosy-throated longclaws. In the backwaters and swamps, African pygmy-geese and comb duck (between September and April), Allen’s gallinules (between December and April), and African and lesser jacanas are found. The infrastructure and facilities of the park were upgraded in 2012.

Nkasa Rupara National Park

The 320 km² Nkasa Rupara National Park, proclaimed in 1990, has the distinction of being the largest wetland area with conservation status in Namibia. The park is characterised by a complex network of channels, reed beds, oxbow lakes and islands, with the focal point on Nkasa and Lupala, two large elevated areas that punctuate the floodplains. Up to 80% of the park can be inundated during wet periods, leaving Nkasa and Lupala isolated as islands amid a sea of water. The same bird and animal

POMPIE BURGER

ELZANNE ERASMUS

Formerly referred to as the Caprivi, the Zambezi Region is a fertile wilderness of riverine forests, flood plains, swamps and open woodland created by a complex network of rivers and relatively high summer rainfall.

ELZANNE ERASMUS

TARRY BUTCHER

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ELZANNE ERASMUS

POMPIE BURGER

TARRY BUTCHER

POMPIE BURGER

| KAVANGO & ZAMBEZI | species occur in Nkasa Rupara as in Mudumu National Park. Camping is not permitted in Nkasa Lupala National Park, but campsites with shared hot-water ablutions, braai places and water taps, as well as selfcatering chalets are available at Rupara, 3 km south of the park entrance.

FROM TOP, LEFT TO RIGHT

Prolific birdlife in the region • Popa Falls are a series of cascades on the Okavango River • African Darter • A herd of kudu in Bwabwata National Park

Please note: Visitors must be completely self-sufficient in respect of food and fuel. Four-by-four vehicles are necessary here and twovehicle parties are essential during the rainy season.

Bwabwata National Park

In 2007 the former Caprivi Game Park, proclaimed in 1966, was incorporated into the 6 100 km² Bwabwata National Park, inclusive of the Kwando or Golden Triangle, and the Buffalo and Mahango (the former Mahango Game Park) core areas. This heralded a new generation of parks in terms of an integrated approach towards park management. Bwabwata was designed not only to protect the environment, but also to accommodate the people living in the park. The central area of the park is zoned for community-based tourism, including trophy hunting, human settlement, and development. Cattle movement is controlled to prevent the spread of diseases, and communities living in the park or neighbouring areas are given conditional tourism rights to establish – either on their own or in joint ventures – tourism facilities within the park confines. Bwabwata has three distinct areas: the perennial Okavango and Kwando rivers, their riparian vegetation and floodplains characterised by reedbeds, floating grass mats and woodlands with jackal-berry, mangosteen, apple-leaf, knob-thorn and wild date palm; a parallel system of drainage lines (omiramba) that run west-north-west or east-south-west; and deep windblown Kalahari sands that form dunes between 20 to 60 metres high and support deciduous

woodlands dominated by seringa, Zambezi teak, wild teak and several wild raisin and bushwillow species. The park is sanctuary to 35 large game species – including elephant, buffalo, impala, reedbuck, red lechwe, sitatunga, hippo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, Chobe bushbuck, tsessebe, and sable and roan antelope – and numerous small-game species. Predators such as lion, leopard, cheetah and African wild dog also occur in Bwabwata. Because there is no surface water, most species congregate along the Okavango and Kwando riverbanks and at the Malombe and Ndwasa pans in the northeast. Visitors are cautioned that there are crocodiles and hippos in the river. Bwabwata takes its name from a village in the park, and refers to the sound of bubbling water. It forms part of the 278 132 km² KavangoZambezi (KaZa) Transfrontier Conservation Area, the world’s largest conservation area. The infrastructure and facilities of the park were upgraded in 2012.

Popa Game Park

Rushing rapids, melodious birdsong and the rustling leaves of shady, riverine trees are sounds that typify Popa Game Park. Located on the Okavango River opposite Bwabwata National Park, Popa Falls is famous for its lush setting and the sound of the rapids cascading down the rocky descents in the river. Over 400 species of birds have been recorded here. Tigerfish, threespot and green-headed tilapia are just some of the game fish that occur in the Okavango River, making it a popular destination for anglers. Popa Falls Resort (managed by NWR) was renovated in 2014.

BASKET TRADITIONS

A basket-making tradition has survived in Kavango and Zambezi, where the time-honoured baskets still used by women in the mahangu fields for harvesting and winnowing their grain are ideal containers for transporting goods when on foot and for storing the grain in homesteads. The revival of inherent traditional skills, seemingly rendered redundant by modern times, and the acquisition of new skills in marketing and sales, have enabled women especially to create a vibrant and successful craft industry. Although baskets vary from region to region, they are generally made from the leaves of the makalani palm,

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Hyphaene petersiana, using the coil technique. Shades of brown, purple and yellow are obtained by boiling the leaves, bark and roots of various shrubs and trees with the strands of prepared palm leaves. Musemes, the Lozi name for reedfloor mats, are made from papyrus by Zambezian women. Each reed is halved lengthwise and dried in the sun to allow the inner pith to shrink, thus making the reed curl inwards, which makes it more durable. The reeds are then sewn together tightly, using string made from the locally grown mafuu (mother-in-law’s tongue) and narakuku plants.

KAVANGO ZAMBEZI TRANSFRONTIER CONSERVATION AREA

In 2011 a treaty was signed at the SADC Summit in Luanda, Angola, by the Presidents of the republics of Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, which formally and legally established the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA). Spanning over 444 000 km² (similar in size to Sweden), KaZa is the world’s largest conservation area. It includes about 40 formally proclaimed national parks, game reserves, community conservancies and game management areas in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Namibia has designated Bwabwata National Park, Mudumu National Park, Nkasa Rupara National Park, Khaudum National Park, Mangetti National Park, the Caprivi State Forest and Conservancies, and community forests between and around these protected areas for inclusion in the KAZA TFCA. Over 400 bird species have been recorded in this area. A key objective of a TFCA is to join fragmented wildlife habitats into an interconnected assortment of protected areas and trans-boundary wildlife corridors. This will facilitate and enhance the free movement of animals across international boundaries. The KAZA TFCA incorporates the largest contiguous elephant population on the African continent, while it also includes some of the world’s renowned natural features and tourist attractions, such as the Victoria Falls and Okavango Delta, the largest Ramsar Site in the world.

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Chobe Water Villas Central Reservations Tel: (+264 61) 431 8002 Email: chobe.res@ol.na Web: www.ol-leisure.com

Chobe Water Villas is an exclusive and intimate boutique lodge on the banks of the Chobe River, located on the eastern tip of the Caprivi Strip of Namibia. Situated only 15 minutes by River Safari Boat from the adventure town of Kasane in Botswana. Guests can enjoy the spectacular views of world renowned Chobe National Park and Sedudu Island. Chobe Water Villas promises guests a warm Namibian welcome. We offer 16 free-standing water villas located at or over the Chobe River 16

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Nambwa Tented Lodge Tel: (+264 81) 125 2122 Lodge Tel: (+264 81) 125 1465 Email: reservations@africanmonarchlodges.com Web: www.africanmonarchlodges.com

Nambwa Tented Lodge together with its sister lodge, Kazile, are the only two lodges within Bwabwata National Park. The lodge offers ten luxurious tents nestled high in the majestic jackalberry, sausage and knobthorn trees. Respecting the elephants’ right of way, the lodge is built in exquisite comfort above the African wildlife. Our unquenchable desire to create the most authentic African experience takes you drifting down the unspoilt Kwando River. The famous Horseshoe Lagoon is the ideal spot for a sundowner after a riveting game drive. Soak up the breathtaking sunsets together with hippos and large herds of elephants silhouetted in purple hues over the water. An exclusive night drive to view the nocturnal wildlife takes you back home where a bubble bath awaits you. 10

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Kazile Island Lodge Tel: (+264 81) 125 2122 Lodge Tel: (+264 81) 828 1756 Email: reservations@africanmonarchlodges.com Web: www.africanmonarchlodges.com

Kazile Island Lodge is situated on a private island on the banks of the Kwando River, within the heart of KAZA. The only way to reach the lodge is via a leisurely boat ride amongst hippos. Kazile together with its sister lodge Nambwa are the only lodges in Bwabwata National Park. The lodge offers ten Meru tents nestled within a Mangostene forest. Tents overlook the Kwando River as well as the expansive floodplains between the island and the famous Horseshoe Bend. Here, herds of buffalo and elephant traverse the wet Zambezi landscape. Sitatunga, an elusive aquatic antelope, are often spotted along the floodplains and marshes. Fall in love with this enigmatic corner of Namibia as the sun rises over the tree canopies. Enjoy the sounds of birds chirping from your tent, explore the waterways and absorb the ambiance of this beautiful wilderness. 10

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Popa Falls Resort P/Bag 13378, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 285 7200, Fax: (+264 61) 22 4900 Email: reservations@nwr.com.na, Web: www.nwr.com.na

With its perennial rivers, magnificent indigenous riverine forests, expansive floodplains and reed-lined channels, Popa Falls Resort is the ideal destination from which to explore Bwabwata National Park, comprised of the former Caprivi, Kwando, Buffalo and Mahango core areas. Over 450 bird species and a wide variety of wildlife species – including elephant, hippo, African buffalo, crocodile, red lechwe, reedbuck, roan and sable antelope and the elusive sitatunga – can be viewed here. The main viewpoint of the ‘falls’ – a series of cascades created by a quartzite ledge that splits the river into numerous channels – is from the resort. 13

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| KAVANGO & ZAMBEZI | 5

Hakusembe River Lodge Tel: +264 (0)61 427200 Email: bookings@gondwana-collection.com Web: www.store.gondwana-collection.com Hakusembe River Lodge & Campsite, 16 km west of Rundu on the B10

A lush green oasis on the banks of the Okavango River. Absorb river peace from one of the 20 chalets, hop aboard the Hakusembe River Queen, stroll to the cultural village or just relax on the deck listening to the soft symphony of feathered friends.

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Zambezi Mubala Camp Tel: +264 (0)61 427200 Email: bookings@gondwana-collection.com Web: www.store.gondwana-collection.com Zambezi Mubala Camp & Campsite, 40 km east of Katima Mulilo off the B8

Tucked away along the bank of the mighty Zambezi River, the Zambezi Mubala Camp awaits those who want to experience the true colours of the Zambezi Region. Ideal for birding and fishing enthusiasts, the property offers 10 self-catering tented chalets and additional campsites. The ideal camping escape for those in need of some comfort, with restaurant and bar ready to welcome you. 16

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Zambezi Mubala Lodge Tel: +264 (0)61 427200 Email: bookings@gondwana-collection.com Web: www.store.gondwana-collection.com Zambezi Mubala Lodge, 40 km east of Katima Mulilo off the B8

A bird-lover’s dream, this lodge is home to one of the largest colonies of Carmine Bee-eaters, that live along the banks of the majestic Zambezi. Birds are often joined by the occasional hippo or crocodile, baking in the shallow waters along the banks. Guests can relax and watch the colours of life sail along the steady current of the river.

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Chobe River Camp Tel: +264 (0)61 427200 Email: bookings@gondwana-collection.com Web: www.store.gondwana-collection.com Chobe River Camp & Campsite, 4 km from the Ngoma Border Post between Namibia and Botswana.

Gaze over the floodplains and enjoy the blissful solitude on the banks of the Chobe River. 20 light and airy tented chalets overlook the natural beauty of the breath-taking setting. Enjoy the unique landscape on a cruise along the Chobe waterways.

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Namushasha River Lodge & Villa Tel: +264 (0)61 427200 Email: bookings@gondwana-collection.com Web: www.store.gondwana-collection.com Namushasha River Lodge & Villa, 24 km south of Kongola on the C49

Experience the Zambezi kingdom from 24 chalets dotted along the leafy riverbank. Join the Caprivians in song and dance at the traditional heritage centre, salute wizened elephant giants in the Bwabwata National Park and glide through wild waterways. Revel in Namushasha gold. Enjoy privacy in the Namushasha River Villa, anchored in its own channel of the Kwando River, where the wildlife of the Bwabwata National Park lazily moves along the banks. Guests are ferried to and from the Villa and can expect a luxurious breakaway from the travelling norm. 16

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Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge Reservations Tel: (+264 61) 22 4712 Lodge Tel: (+264 66) 686 101 Email: info@nkasalupalalodge.com Web: www.nkasalupalalodge.com

Located on the banks of one of the many channels in the Kwando-Linyanti river system is Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge. This unique Namibian wetland paradise in eastern Zambezi was proclaimed as Mamili National Park in 1990 and recently renamed Nkasa Rupara NP. The Lodge offers ten luxury tents with en-suite facilities and is 100% powered by solar energy. Be ready to experience a truly eco-friendly holiday in one of the most exclusive and unknown parks of Namibia. This is sustainable tourism at its best! The Italian owners/managers are looking forward to welcoming you. A renovated campsite and new self-catering chalets are now available. 10

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Taranga Safari Lodge Reservations: (+264) 81 1692186, Lodge: (+264 66) 257 236 Email: info@taranganamibia.com Web: www.taranganamibia.com

Taranga Safari Lodge is one of very few luxury bush lodges in the Rundu-Kavango region. With 2 Deluxe and 8 Classic Luxury open fronted riverbank tented cottages, situated amongst tall riverine trees and a green campsite, guests are offered ample opportunity to take in the sights and sounds of the African bush with views across the river into the nearby floodplains and, during season, the lily covered wetlands. The Okavango River, which is home to crocodile and hippo, flows from west to east past the lodge on its journey towards the Okavango Delta. There are daily guided river safaris taking you out for an adventure; an early sunrise cruise through the rising early morning river mist or a late afternoon sundowner or fly fishing. You may plan to go on a bushwalk, traditional village tour or choose to celebrate the end of a lazy day by spending memorable time at night stargazing by the firepit. The large wooden decks offer a private and idyllic location for those wishing to unwind. You’ll find a swimming pool at the main deck to keep everyone cool or allow you to just relax and enjoy the African sun. 10

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| KAVANGO & ZAMBEZI | 12

Jackalberry Tented Lodge Tel: (+264 66) 686 101 Tel Reservations: +264 (0)61 250725 Email: Jackalberry[at]resdest.com Web: jbcamp.com

Jackalberry Tented Camp is built inside Nkasa Rupara National Park. The ONLY 4 luxury tents are situated close to the banks of the Linyanti River and the fact that there is no fence allows large mammals and other animals to roam freely in the surroundings and to be sighted from the rooms. Jackalberry Tented Camp welcomes guests to one of the most unique areas in the Zambezi Region, the wetland paradise for ultimate adventure. This enhances the sense of remote wilderness and adventure. Guests will experience an environment like the Okavango Delta, combining wetland, woodlands and open plains, which is characteristic of the Zambezi Region and unique to Namibia. The lodge offers four double rooms and one double guide room, restaurant, bar, lounge area, transfers, specials & activities, and birding. Both Visa and Master cards are accepted. 4

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Serondela Lodge

Tel: +264 (0)81 1477798 Tel Reservations: +264 (0)66 252677 Email: info(@)serondelalodge.com/ reservation(@)resdest.com Web: www.serondelalodge.com

Serondela Lodge is located on the Namibian side of the Chobe River, precisely in front of the famous sighting spot in Chobe NP called Serondela. With only 8 rooms, the guest at Serondela will have a dedicated service with a smile. The free boat transfer from Kasane situated 17 km away is in itself a unique game viewing experience. All the rooms are on high ground overlooking the banks of the Chobe River. The southwestfacing balconies overlook the Serondela area, especially famous for big herds of elephants and many other animals that come to feed and drink. 16

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Protea Hotel by Marriott Zambezi River Ngoma Road, Katima Mulilo Tel: +264 66 251 500 Email: cro@proteahotels .com.na / res.zambezi@proteahotels.com.na Web: www.protea.marriott.com

Set on the banks of the Zambezi River bordering Katima Mulilo in the eastern Zambezi Region, this hotel is ideal for an overnight stay en-route to the many tourist destinations in the area. Protea Hotel by Marriott Zambezi River is your gateway to Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park. The hotel has 38 standard twin and four luxury double en-suite rooms overlooking the Zambezi River, garden or pool areas. The TafuleYaka Restaurant and bar offers the perfect place to take a break and soak up the beauty of the hotel’s natural surroundings. It’s a hotel that complements your travel style. The hotel has conferencing facilities that can accommodate up to 90 guests and offers standard equipment. The hotel can also arrange day trips to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Chobe National Park in Botswana. 42

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Caprivi Mutoya Lodge Kalimbeza Road, Katima Mulilo, Namibia Tel: (+264 66) 253 553, Cell: (+264 81) 287 5438 Email: info@caprivimutoyalodge.com Web: www.caprivimutoyalodge.com

Caprivi Mutoya is an intimate owner-run lodge that offers a variety of comfortable accommodation, which includes en-suite chalets and luxury tents, as well as a lawn campsite set under large ancient indigenous trees. From the restaurant/bar deck guests can enjoy fabulous scenery and sunsets while having an ice-cold drink. Delicious meals are available in the restaurant. The lodge is situated on the banks of a tranquil backwater lake of the Zambezi River, approximately 24 km east of Katima Mulilo. Activities include boat cruises for photography and bird watching, fishing, canoeing, nature walks, cultural village tours and floodplain drives.

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LIZA DE KLERK

Plains zebra congregate at a waterhole in Etosha National Park.

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& OWAMBO

ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK www.namibiaholidayandtravel.com

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ANJA DENKER

• Etosha was first proclaimed a game reserve in 1907 • Today’s Etosha National Park spans over 22 912 km² • The Etosha Pan covers 23% of the surface area of the park • It is the largest saltpan in Africa, visible even from space • The park hosts 114 mammal species and 340 bird species

The internationally renowned Etosha National Park – undoubtedly Namibia’s most popular tourist attraction – is the heart of the north-central region. The park serves as the ultimate stopover before heading for the arid northwest, the water-rich northeast, or the largely unexplored culturally rich Land of the Owambo People. Due to the constant maintenance of the infrastructure – including the completion of the tarred road between Rundu in the Kavango Region and Elundu in Ohangwena – the region is easy to navigate and allows travellers a glimpse of rural roadside life. Slowly opening up to tourism, the northernmost region of Namibia plays host to our largest population group, the Owambo.

ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

Etosha owes its unique landscape to the Etosha Pan, a vast, shallow chalky white depression of approximately 5 000 km² that forms the heart of the park. Once a large inland lake fed by rivers from the north and east, it dried up 120 million years ago as continental drift changed the slope of the land and the course of the tributaries. A series of waterholes along the southern edge of the pan guarantee rewarding and often spectacular game viewing. In good rain years the pan fills with water draining southwards from Angola via a delta-like system of shallow rivers and oshanas, drying out in the winter to become an austere expanse of white cracked mud, shimmering with mirages and upwardspiralling dust devils. What we call Etosha today was proclaimed as Game Reserve No 2 in 1907 by the then German Governor Friedrich von Lindequist. With

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subsequent additions it became the largest game reserve in the world, covering a vast area of ±80 000 km². For political considerations its size was progressively diminished, until by 1975 it had been reduced by 77 per cent to its present surface area of 22 912 km². Nevertheless, it is still one of the largest game reserves in Africa. Of the 114 mammals species found in the park, several are rare and endangered, such as black rhino and cheetah, and the lesser-known blackfaced impala, which is endemic to northwestern Namibia and southwestern Angola. Etosha’s current population of black rhino represents one of the largest populations of black rhino in the world. Other large mammals in the park include elephant, giraffe, blue wildebeest, mountain and plains zebra, hyaena and lion. Cheetah and leopard complete the trio of ‘big cats’. Antelope species range from kudu, gemsbok and the large and stately eland, to the diminutive Damara dik-dik. Smaller mammals

include jackal, bat-eared fox, honey badger, warthog and the ubiquitous ground squirrel. For the greater part of the year (the dry season) Etosha’s

ACTIVITIES AND ADVENTURES Spend time game-viewing at any of Etosha’s waterholes Learn about life in the northern regions at the Nakambale Museum Support the traditional dancers and musicians at the Tsumeb Arts Performance Centre Sleep over in a traditional village at the Ongula Village Homestead Lodge Indulge in birding in Etosha National Park and surrounding areas

| ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK AND OWAMBO |

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State Forest

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TARRY BUTCHER TARRY BUTCHER

ELZANNE ERASMUS

ANJA DENKER

ANJA DENKER

Etosha National Park is the jewel in Namibia's crown. It is one of the best places in the world to view Africa's unique wildlife and one of the most famous national parks on the continent.

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| ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK AND OWAMBO | animals and birds are dependent on about 30 springs and waterholes. These provide excellent game viewing and photographic opportunities. A good policy before setting out is to enquire from camp officials what the current game movements are. During the rainy season, the bird life at the main pan and Fischer’s Pan is well worth viewing. Etosha’s vegetation varies from dwarf shrub savannah and grasslands, which occur around the pan, to thorn-bush and woodland savannah throughout the park. Eighty per cent of all of Etosha's trees are mopane. West of Okaukuejo is the well-known Sprokieswoud – Fairy, Phantom or Haunted Forest – the only location where the African moringa tree, Moringa ovalifolia, grows in a flat

FROM TOP, LEFT TO RIGHT Springbok • The King of the Jungle, or the bush, the lion. • Cheetah • African elephant (Loxodonta africana) on the edge of the Etosha Pan.

area. Etosha is open throughout the year and is accessible by tarred roads via the Andersson Gate on the C38 from Outjo, the Von Lindequist Gate in the east from Tsumeb on the B1, the Galton Gate in the west from Kowares on the C35 and the King Nehale Gate located on the Andoni plains just north of the Andoni waterhole, which provides access from the north-central Owambo regions on the B1 from Onyati.

Birding in Etosha

About 340 bird species occur in Etosha, about one third being migratory, including the European Bee-eater and several species of wader. Larger birds include Ostrich, Kori bustard and Greater and Lesser Flamingo, of

REGULATIONS IN THE PARK • Gates are open from sunrise to sunset

• Entry fees are payable at the tourist • • • •

camp reception offices Stay inside your vehicle Never drive off the tourist roads Remain within the speed limit of 50 km/hour Do not make unnecessary noise

which tens of thousands congregate on the pan to breed during a good rainy season. Ten of Etosha’s 35 raptor species are migratory. Those most commonly seen are Lappet-faced, White-backed and Hooded Vultures, while sightings of the Cape, Egyptian and Palm-nut Vultures have been recorded. There are eight species of owl, including the Pearl-spotted Owlet and Southern White-faced Scops-owl, and four species of nightjar.

GATEWAYS TO ETOSHA Outjo

Located amidst a cluster of low hills is the town of Outjo, an important cattle-ranching centre and regarded as Etosha’s gateway to the south. Situated on the C38, Outjo is about 100 km from the Andersson Gate. The history of the town and surroundings is depicted in the Outjo Museum, where the focus is on gemstones and wildlife. The museum is housed in Franke House, built in 1899 for the German commanding officer, Hauptmann Franke. Other places of interest are the Naulila Monument, erected in 1933 to commemorate the 12 soldiers who lost their lives on 18 December 1914 under Major Franke; and the Water Tower, constructed in 1900 to provide fresh water for German soldiers, their horses, and the hospital. Outjo Bakkery, a good place to stop for refreshments, offers tasty freshly baked German delicatessens, while The Farmhouse, which is open from breakfast to dinner has a shaded beer garden. The regional tourist information centre, Etoscha i Büro, is situated in Hage Geingob Street. Besides providing information on the town and surroundings, it also sells a large variety of local gemstones. On the road leading to Otavi, east of Outjo are the Rare and Endangered Species Trust (REST) headquarters, originally founded to help conserve the Cape Vulture, but later expanded to support other sensitive species representing biodiversity within the land ecosystem of Namibia. Etoscha i Büro Tel (+264 67) 31 3072

Tsumeb

Accessed from the B1 and situated about 96 km from the Von Lindequist Gate, the town of Tsumeb was founded in 1905. While initially closely linked to the mining industry, operations have been scaled

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down considerably. The colourful jacarandas, flamboyant trees and bougainvillea that line the town’s streets have earned Tsumeb the title 'Namibia’s garden town'. The history of the town is depicted in the Tsumeb Museum, where a comprehensive collection of rare minerals can be viewed. An interesting facet of the Tsumeb Museum is the Khorab Room, displaying a collection of restored cannons and other armaments dumped into Lake Otjikoto by retreating German forces shortly before the signing of the Khorab Peace Treaty. It is estimated that at least 30 cannons and 4 500 boxes of ammunition were plunged into the lake. The museum is housed in the former German Private School Building, constructed in 1915, and is today a national monument. The Tsumeb Arts and Crafts Centre, situated in the main street, is run by an educational trust promoting traditional arts and crafts. An African style, open-air market on the outskirts of Tsumeb gives small traders the opportunity to sell their wares. The Arts Performance Centre is another popular attraction in Tsumeb. The Centre presents concerts, African dance, music, and typical plays from the north of Namibia for tourists. The Tsumeb Cultural Village, also known as the Helvi Mpingana Kondombola Cultural Village – named after founding president Sam Nujoma’s mother – is located in the southern outskirts of town. This community project is presented as an open-air museum, while exhibits display the life, history and culture of the majority of Namibians. The centre also hosts a curio shop and bungalows for overnight guests. The oldest building in town is the Otavi Minen und Eisenbahn Gesellschaft (OMEG) Minenbüro, completed at the end of 1907, while the Second Director’s House, erected in 1912, is the second-oldest building. The latter still houses some of the original furniture and retains its original appearance. St Barbara’s Roman Catholic Church, which was built in 1913, is one of the town’s most prominent landmarks. Popular places to dine at or stop for a refreshment include the Etosha Café & Beergarten, Sindano Court, and Cosmos Nursery. The Tsumeb Airstrip meets International Civil Aviation Organisation standards and

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is the closest commercial airstrip to Etosha National Park.

Otjikoto and Guinas lakes

Lake Otjikoto, located 24 km northwest of Tsumeb in the Oshikoto Region, was used as a unique underwater dumping site in 1915 when retreating German forces disposed of their military equipment into it during the South West Africa Campaign. South African divers of the Ministry of Works recovered armaments in January 1916 while several more pieces of armaments were brought to the surface during subsequent diving expeditions. What’s left of these interesting relics can be inspected by qualified divers. Today the majority of the armaments are on display in the Tsumeb Museum. The 130 metre-deep Lake Guinas, which lies northwest of Otjikoto, is noted for its beautiful setting and the dark inky-blue colour of its water. However, since it is on a farm, permission to view it needs to be obtained from the farmer. Visitors to Namibia who are qualified divers are welcome to join club members on a journey of underwater exploration to view these two interesting curiosities. A rare, mouth-breeding species of tilapia or dwarf bream is found in both of these subterranean lakes.

THE TRADITIONAL LAND OF THE OWAMBO PEOPLE

A large percentage of Namibia’s inhabitants live in the Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions between Etosha National Park and Namibia’s northern border with Angola. After the capital, this region has the largest urban concentration of people in the country. The major portion of these four regions, which have a total surface area of just over 56 100 km², consists of communal farming land - that is land where there is no individual ownership or demarcation and where the majority of the inhabitants live from subsistence farming. Life on the vast plains of these essentially agricultural regions depends on the seasonal efundja, the floods that feed the rivers and iishana. The latter are flat, shallow depressions, many of which light up with copious growths of white lilies soon after they have filled with water in the rainy season. The highlands of Angola are the origin of these waters.

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After a long journey southwards, the Cuvelai River disperses its contents into many channels, covering the sandy flats of southern Angola and spreading into northern Namibia to form a large expansive delta of rivulets and oshanas. These, in turn, provide drinking water for humans and animals, protein in the form of fish and a habitat that supports large numbers of aquatic birds. The essentially flat landscape is characterised by huge expansive spreading marula trees and sporadic stands of the tall makalani palm, Hyphaene petersiana. Sap is tapped from the growing tip of the stems of these palms and left to ferment into a potent drink called palm wine. The fruit of the makalani palm takes two years to mature, and has a white, bony kernel. Referred to as vegetable ivory, the hard kernel is suitable for carving small ornaments, jewellery and curios. The best time of the year to visit these regions is April or May, after the rains. By this time the roads are suitable for driving on, the heat of the summer has abated, and the wetlands still host many water birds, such as cranes, storks, ducks, herons and small waders.

TOWNS NORTH OF ETOSHA Oshakati, Ongwediva, Ondangwa

Owambo’s two main centres, Oshakati and Ondangwa, are in the Oshana Region. These two bustling towns have the same informality and happygo-lucky character as urban centres throughout much of Africa. Their main streets are lined with a haphazard arrangement of residential houses and shops, and the traffic varies from donkey carts to the latest in luxury fourwheel-drive vehicles. The Oshakati Omatala (open market) is the largest in Namibia and a big tourist attraction in the north. The Tulipamwe Sewing Project in the main street of Oshakati – marked by the vibrant pink materials on display – is a great place to learn about traditional Oshiwambo attire and buy yourself some unique clothing. The Ongwediva Trade Fair has been held annually since 1995. Apart from an array of local stands, it also hosts exhibitors from Botswana, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya and Zimbabwe. Situated across the road from Ongwediva Medi Park, Bennie’s Entertainment Park and Lodge is a popular meeting place that provides

leisure activities in many forms. Afrika Stadt Haus is another good place to enjoy a meal or a drink. The town hosts two modern shopping malls, which feature the most popular fast-food restaurants, including a Silver Wolf Spur, and an assortment of retail outlets. Since independence, the OshakatiOngwediva-Ondangwa complex has experienced dramatic urban growth. The complex plays an increasingly important commercial role in the north and has considerable industrial potential. The Ondangwa SME Start-Up and Tourist Information Centre is a good place for visitors to find their bearings and gain access to information on the surrounding area. Call the Ondangwa

FROM TOP, LEFT TO RIGHT

Lake Otjikoto, near Tsumeb • The Nakambale Museum near Olukunda portrays the history of the region • The famous Ombalantu Baobab at Outapi is a national heritage site • The church at Nakambale is also open to visitors.

Town Council at 065 24 0101 to be transferred to the centre. In close proximity to the town, at Olukonda, is the oldest building in northern Namibia, the Nakambale Mission House. A new concept for Namibia, the Ongula Village Homestead Lodge allows visitors to experience authentic village life at an Owambo homestead. Situated in the Omusati Region, west of the Oshana, is Uukwaluudhi Safari Lodge from which guests can further explore the Owambo culture through visits to the Uukwaluudhi Royal Homestead and Museum at Tsandi. Situated about 85 km from Opuwo, Uukwaluudhi Safari Lodge also offers the opportunity to learn more about the nomadic Himba people living in the area. Air Namibia conducts flights to and from Ondangwa, twice daily, seven days a week.

Mahangu Festival and Championship

The annual Mahangu Festival and Mahangu Championship, locally known as Oshipe, and held after the harvest in August/September, is hosted in the region of the Overall National Crown Champion, which includes all the northern and north-eastern regions, where mahangu (a kind of pearl millet) is the staple food for many. The festival creates a platform for mahangu farmers

NINIA VAN SCHALKWYK

ANNELIEN ROBBERTS

The rich cultural heritage and vibrant people and landscapes are what draws visitors to Owambo.

NINIA VAN SCHALKWYK

TARRY BUTCHER

| ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK AND OWAMBO |

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to share ideas, motivate each other, and engage in healthy competition while showcasing their products. Important topics of discussion include the improvement and modernisation of mahangu production by introducing new technologies and cultivation methods, and by improving soil fertility. The festival is organised by the Namibian Agronomic Board.

MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN OWAMBO

Tourism in this vast flat region, typified 1

by oshanas, makalani palms and herds of cattle, used to be virtually non-existent. However, these days it is steadily increasing. The area has a rich and interesting cultural and historical tradition, which can be explored by visiting some of the sites in the surroundings. The town of Oniipa hosts the historical Onandjokwe Lutheran Hospital, built in 1911 by the Finnish Missionary Society. It is still in use today, serving as the primary health-care facility for the Onandjokwe District. The Eenhana Heroes’ Memorial Shrine depicts the history of the

Hobatere Lodge Reservations Tel: (+264 61) 22 8104, 067330118/9 Email: hobatere@journeysnamibia.com Fax: +264 (0)88625903 Web: www.hobatere-lodge.com

Become one of the pride Hobatere Lodge is strategically located 65 km north of Kamanjab on the western border of Etosha National Park. The lodge boasts an airstrip in this concession area of 8,808 ha which is home to an abundance of game, including elephant, giraffe, eland, and Hartmann’s zebra. Are you seeking the thrill of rubbing shoulders with wild animals? Choose from our early morning and night drives on offer in open vehicles. Encounter nocturnal animals, such as aardvark, Cape fox, bat-eared fox, aardwolf, genet and … many more. We also offer guided tours into Etosha National Park. The lodge belongs to the #Khoadi //Hoas Conservancy. Our lodge's primary objectives are to increase the benefits of the local community, reduce human-wildlife conflict and contribute to the conservation of the area. On this note, we work closely with AfriCat. 18

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Mokuti Etosha Lodge Central Reservations: Tel: (+264 61) 431 8001/3 Email: mokuti.res@ol.na, Web: www.ol-leisure.com

Mokuti Etosha Lodge in Namibia is the perfect venue for travelers wanting to explore the famous eastern side of Etosha National Park. Known for its excellent and diverse wildlife encounters, this Namibian icon has become a popular destination resort for international, Namibian and SADC visitors. As the closest lodge to Etosha National Park, Mokuti is only a four-minute drive from the eastern Von Lindequist Gate near the historical Namutoni Fort and is located on its own private 4 000 hectare nature reserve, which shares a common border with Etosha National Park. Our rooms are available as Standard, Luxury and Luxury Family-Rooms. 106

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Protea Hotel by Marriott Ondangwa Main Street, Ondangwa Tel: +264 65 241 900 Email: cro@proteahotels.com.na / res.ondangwa@proteahotels.com.na Web: www.protea.marriott.com

Situated in the cultural heartland of Namibia, this oasis is approximately 92 km from the spectacular Etosha National Park, 60 km from the Angolan border and 4.5 km from Ondangwa Airport. This town in Owambo is alive with cultural flavours, giving leisure guests a host of experiences. The hotel ensures absolute convenience and comfort for business and leisure guests alike. Overnight guests can relax and unwind at the hotel's large swimming pool with lounge chairs and umbrellas or at the in-house casino. Relax at the Chatters Bar or savour mouth-watering buffets at the restaurant that also offers an à la carte menu, carvery meals and barbeques on request. Complimentary wireless internet access is available in public areas. For events the hotel has a conference centre and a meeting/conference room. Protea Hotel by Marriott Ondangwa offers 67 air-conditioned, en-suite rooms. It’s a hotel that complements your travel style in this northern part of Namibia. 67

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liberation struggle, and acknowledges the courage of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) of the combatants of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) and the civilians who supported them. The main attraction at the Ombalantu Baobab Heritage Centre is a huge Baobab tree estimated to be around 700-750 years old. During tribal wars the tree served as a hiding place and was later also used as a post office and a chapel. The centre, located in Outapi, also offers camping sites laid out under the tree, a small kiosk, a craft centre and facilities for day visitors.

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Etosha National Park - Namibia Wildlife Resorts PO Box 13267, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 285 7200, Fax: (+264 61) 22 4900 Email: reservations@nwr.com.na, Web: www.nwr.com.na

4a Dolomite Resort is in the previously restricted western third of the 4b Onkoshi Resort is a low-impact environmentally friendly

park, where animals abound. Built by hand atop a dolomite ridge, Dolomite offers panoramic views unique in Etosha. The ecologically designed thatched chalets blend into the mountaintop, creating a sense of being one with nature. Three of the twenty chalets are deluxe, with their own plunge pools. One chalet was designed for the physically challenged. There is a large pool at the camp, with several pavilions and other structures, such as a fireside boma for game viewing, dining, and relaxing. There are more than fifteen waterholes in the vicinity of Dolomite Resort and game drives are organised to venture into areas of the park that have been closed to visitors for fifty years. Distances between Dolomite Resort and the other resorts in Etosha are Okaukuejo (180 km), Halali (250 km), Namutoni (320 km) and Onkoshi (350 km).

upmarket accommodation facility on the eastern edge of the Etosha Pan. Built on elevated wooden decks, it offers 15 units (30 beds), a restaurant and bar area, and an infinity pool overlooking the pan. Guests enter the park at Namutoni. The road between Namutoni and Onkoshi Resort, which was previously only accessible by NWR vehicles, is now open to guests, who can drive through with any vehicle. The road is situated on a secluded peninsula overlooking the immense Etosha Pan and Onkoshi is completely out of view of current tourist routes. It offers a pristine, tranquil and unique experience to its guests. Activities include professionally guided game drives.

4c Okaukuejo is located 17 km from the southern entrance of the 4d Halali is situated at the base of a dolomite hill, amongst shady

park. The resort is famous for its floodlit waterhole where visitors can observe at close quarters a spectacle of wildlife congregating and interacting. The waterhole experience has been enhanced by reducing disturbance in this area. Five of the waterhole chalets are premier double-storey units with a balcony overlooking the waterhole. Accommodation suits every need, from premier bush chalets overlooking the waterhole to family chalets, bush chalets, double rooms and camping.

mopane trees. A flood-lit waterhole which is viewed from an elevated vantage point provides exceptional wildlife viewing day and night. Accommodation units have sliding doors to the outside, allowing visitors to experience and benefit from the natural surroundings. The largest swimming pool in the park provides a welcome respite. Other facilities include a restaurant, bar, shop and fuel station. Accommodation is in family chalets, two- and four-bed bush chalets, double units and camping.

4e Olifantsrus, a historical site in Etosha National Park, situated in 4f Namutoni is located on the eastern side of Etosha National

the less utilised western section of the park, approximately 60 kilometres from Galton Gate, has become the newest campsite in the world-renowned park. And it boasts what some describe as the greatest wildlife observation hide in southern Africa. Olifantsrus Camp is situated conveniently between the Galton Gate entrance at the western side of Etosha National Park, and Okaukuejo – one of the park’s oldest accommodation sites. The campsite consists of 10 sites with a maximum group of 8 people per site.

Park. It centres around an old German Fort, overlooking the King Nehale waterhole. Namutoni has been redeveloped to highlight the fort itself, which is a National Monument. Privacy for each unit has been enhanced. Accommodation is in comfortable double rooms or bush chalets. Camping sites are also available.

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OLWEN OEVANS

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Ongava PO Box 58, Okaukeujo Tel: (+264 83) 330 3920 Email: hello@ongava.com Web: www.ongava.com

Nestled in the mountains and plains, Ongava Game Reserve provides visitors with the ultimate in accommodation, offering comfort, luxury and a connection to the earth. Each lodge on Ongava has its own unique style, layout and atmosphere; but all offer the same wonderful sense of luxurious seclusion. Built from local materials in traditional fashion, they blend tastefully into the surrounding landscape, allowing visitors to feel at one with nature. Little Ongava Designed for privacy, luxury and intimacy with the land, Little Ongava is set on a high hill with pristine views across the plains. A boardwalk meanders over rocks and trees, connecting the beautiful main lounge and dining area with one of three secluded en-suite thatched bungalows. Each bungalow is like a home, featuring a large sitting room with a fireplace, a private deck, infinity pool and sala. The overall impression is one of pure natural indulgence indoors, surrounded by untamed nature outdoors. Facilities at the villa also include air conditioning, Wi-Fi in rooms, sitting room & viewing deck, veranda, fireplace and bar-fridge. Your lodge experience includes a thatched/ outdoor dining area with waterhole views, a dedicated guide and game drive vehicle. Activities on site include bird watching, game drives, game viewing, nature walks, white rhino approaching and the photographic hide. The Ongava Research Centre and planetarium will be opening in March 2019. Ongava Lodge Ongava Lodge is one of Namibia’s premier lodges on one of the country’s most important private game reserves. Perched on a ridge with seemingly endless views across the plains, Ongava Lodge’s fourteen air-conditioned brick, rock and thatch chalets, each with en-suite facilities, offer a relaxing retreat in the African bush. Gather at the main thatched dining area and enjoy a drink at the bar while watching wildlife congregate and interact at the floodlit waterhole. Your lodge experience includes a dedicated guide and shared game drive vehicle, swimming pool, curio shop and Wi-Fi in the lounge. Onsite activities include: bird watching, game drives, game viewing, nature walks, white rhino approaching, photographic hide. The Ongava Research Centre and planetarium will be opening in March 2019.

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TOM HAZEL TOM HAZEL

Ongava Tented Camp Immersed in the African mopane bush, Ongava Tented Camp is a natural extension of this wild, wonderful landscape. Eight large, comfortable walk-in tents with views of a prolific waterhole are evocative of this classic African safari. Tents are ensuite with double basins, plus indoor and outdoor showers. Your lodge experience includes stone/ thatched dining area, bar & deck with campfire and waterhole views, curio shop, swimming pool, a dedicated guide and shared game drive vehicle. On-site activities include bird watching, game drives, game viewing, nature walks, white rhino approaching. The Ongava Research Centre and planetarium have opened in March 2019.

OLWEN OEVANS

TOM HAZEL

OLWEN OEVANS

| ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK AND OWAMBO |

Andersson’s Camp Opening mid-March 2019 . Andersson’s Camp has recently undergone a facelift. The new camp now offers an infinity pool and surrounding lounge area for relaxing in sheltered nooks with views of the waterhole. The social area, where guests gather for meals and to meet fellow wildlife enthusiasts, encompasses an undercover and open-air dining area, a spacious lounge and bar, a sunken observation terrace, and open fireplaces, as well as a dedicated photographic nook for reviewing and editing images. Additional features include an underground hide, curio shop, library, complimentary Wi-Fi, and connectivity to the research data gathered over years of cutting-edge scientific endeavours on Ongava. The Ongava Research Centre is based a short walk away where resident scientists conduct important research. Guests can walk through the self-guided exhibition area at their own pace. The adjacent 36-seat auditorium is designed for interactive presentations and discussions.

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The Mushara Collection PO Box 1814, Tsumeb Tel: (+264 67) 22 9106 Email: mushara@mushara-lodge.com Web: www.mushara-lodge.com

Booking Office: Tel: (+264 61) 24 1880 Email: reservations@mushara-lodge.com

Located only 10 km from the Von Lindequist Gate on the eastern boundary of Etosha National Park, The Mushara Collection is ideally situated for visitors to the world-famous game reserve.

Mushara Lodge Mushara Lodge consists of ten spacious chalets, one family unit, a room for three, and two single rooms. The thatched public area houses a small library with a good selection of books, a bar with an extensive wine cellar, an airy lounge complete with welcoming fireplace for winter evenings, a dining area, and a well-stocked curio shop. A great deal of attention has been paid to the décor, an eclectic blend of traditional African and modern works of art mixed with more traditional paintings.

Villa Mushara Villa Mushara, designed with exclusivity in mind, comprises only two exclusive villas, creating an ideal retreat from the stresses of modern-day life. With its aura of tranquillity and contemplation, Villa Mushara is a place that will leave you yearning for more long after your departure.

Mushara Outpost Mushara Outpost accommodates 16 guests in custom-built tent-like wood-and-canvas structures nestled on the banks of an ancient dry riverbed, known as an ‘omuramba’ in the Herero language. Mushara Outpost is all about old-fashioned hospitality and a warm, friendly and personalised service provided on the doorstep of the wonderful Etosha National Park. The main house at the lodge has been styled like an old farmhouse with high walls, a corrugated-iron roof and a large wrap-around veranda facing northeast to take advantage of the shade. The ambience is similar to that of a well-lived-in house – friendly and extremely comfortable with a light feel to it.

Mushara Bush Camp Mushara Bush Camp accommodates 32 guests and eight children in custom-built tent-like structures, offering a down-to-earth bush-camp experience and providing an exceptionally affordable base for independent travellers and families en route to explore the magical Etosha National Park. The main structure is thatched and has a true bush-camp feel to it. The early evenings are spent around a campfire for guests to exchange stories of the day’s wildlife sightings. Mushara Bush Camp is your optimal family destination on the doorstep of one of the world’s top wildlife havens. 17

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Epacha Lodge 30 Blohm Street, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 375 300 Email: info@namibia-collection.com Web: www.namibia-collection.com

Epacha Game Lodge is located on top of the hills of the 13,000 ha Epacha Game Reserve near Etosha National Park. The Lodge offers 18 luxury chalets spread over the hills overlooking the private game reserve. A Villa is available for exclusive use to larger families or smaller groups. Activities includes morning, afternoon and night drives on the Epacha Game Reserve, a full day drive to the world renowned Etosha National Park, Clay Pigeon shooting, a visit to a local Himba village as well as a spa. 18

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Eagle Tented Lodge 30 Blohm Street, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 375 300 Email: info@namibia-collection.com Web: www.namibia-collection.com

At Eagle Tented Lodge you stay closer to nature in authentic Safari Tents without compromising on any of the comfort or luxury of a room. This unique lodge, hosting 16 comfortable tents in the hills, offers you an unforgettable stay close to nature and an amazing view over the Epacha Game Reserve. When the day is done, there is no better place to watch the sunset than on your tent's private terrace. Activities include game drives on the Epacha Reserve as well as a full day drive to Etosha National Park, a visit to a local Himba village and spa treatments at the well-known Mystique Spa. 16

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Olupale Safari Lodge 30 Blohm Street, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 375 300 Email: info@namibia-collection.com Web: www.namibia-collection.com

Situated on the northwest boundary of Etosha National Park, within the Iipumbu Conservancy you will find the luxurious Olupale Safari Lodge. The lodge overlooks a salt pan and boasts a 180 degree panoramic view of the area. Relax in our Lodge, with chalets offering everything that you would expect from superior hotel accommodation. The carefully positioned lounge, pool deck bar are there for the guests to enjoy the beauty of the landscape. The restaurant provides a different Namibian culinary experience for guests, complimented be the very best in southern African wines. Olupale Safari Lodge is accessed via Etosha National Park with its own private gate to and from the park. Opening early 2020, Olupale Safari Lodge, will include 40 Chalets, lounge, restaurant, bar and swimming pool. Lodge activities include game viewing in Etosha National Park and visiting the Salt pan and surrounding area. 40

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Etosha Village Taleni Africa Reservations: Tel: (+27 21) 930 4564, Fax: (+27 21) 914 9930 Tel: (+264 67) 333 413 (for last minute reservations only) Email: reservations@etosha-village.com, Web: www.etosha-village.com Location: C38 on the Outjo - Okaukuejo Road, GPS Coordinates: S19°21’ 8.374” E015°55’ 47.855”

Situated only 2 km from the Andersson Gate to Etosha National Park, Etosha Village uniquely combines affordability with comfort, style and exquisite cuisine. 45 individual suites offer a fully air-conditioned bedroom with a unique semi-open en-suite bathroom and a patio to enjoy the beauty that surrounds you. Two small children (under 12) can be accommodated with their parents on a fold-out sleeper couch in the unit. Facilities include a unique open-plan bar with big screen television, 2 sparkling pools plus a kiddie pool, a restaurant with delectable cuisine as well as a fully stocked utility and curio shop. Enjoy exciting activities including guided walking trails, stargazing sessions, sundowner drives and excursions to Etosha National Park. 45

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Onguma Nature Reserve PO Box 24046, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 23 7055, Fax: (+264 61) 23 5677 Email: reservations@onguma.com Web: www.onguma.com

Sharing the eastern border of Etosha National Park, Onguma Nature Reserve is a beguiling mixture of sophistication and relaxation, of elegance and the earth. In the local Herero language, Onguma means ‘the place you don’t want to leave’, and the 34 000-hectare reserve certainly lives up to its name. Onguma The Fort - iconic luxury The Fort, unlike any other, is built in a perfect spot to give guests a stunning sunset view across Etosha Pan and the waterhole. The Moroccan inspired Fort consists of 11 Bush Suites, one Honeymoon Suite and one Sultan Suite, all completely private and about 50 metres apart, each with a bar fridge, a fireplace and air-cooling system. The spacious bathroom has an inside and an outside shower. From every area of the room, wooden decks lead you to the outside seating area with sun loungers for relaxing and enjoying the extraordinary view across the Pan. Etosha Aoba Lodge – for a secluded bushlodge experience Etosha Aoba is an intimate, relaxed bush lodge with a natural character that gives guests a taste of wilderness and yesteryear safaristyle. Featuring thatched roofs, slasto floors and wooden furniture, the 11 bungalows and central area are surrounded by nature and a small waterhole. The down-to-earth friendly character of the lodge and staff introduces you to the true spirit of the Namibian bush. A well-stocked wine cellar complements hearty meals served under the stars. Onguma Bush Camp - ideal for families Onguma Bush Camp offers guests a stunning waterhole around which the main guest areas are positioned, ensuring there is something to see while enjoying every meal. Thatch, wooden decks and canvas ensure the feel of Africa is experienced by all the senses. The 18 rooms provide varied accommodation for singles, couples and families. Since the camp is fenced, it is perfectly suitable for families, allowing little ones to stretch their legs while parents relax around the pool. Onguma Tented Camp – the ultimate in safari chic Onguma Tented Camp has a stunning main building and seven tents providing private, exclusive tented accommodation. The seven spacious tents extend the U-shaped design, allowing both for privacy and for fantastic views across the waterhole. Each tent was designed with attention to detail and has an indoor and an outdoor shower, a gorgeous modern interpretation of an old zinc bath, a separate toilet, two stone basins and a private sitting area with uninterrupted views of the waterhole. Onguma Tree Top Camp – up among the tree tops Onguma Tree Top Camp is small and intimate, especially designed for those travellers who like to truly experience the bush in all its raw splendour. The camp, with only four tents, was built on wooden stilts amongst the tree tops with full views over one of the most beautiful waterholes on Onguma Nature Reserve. It is ideal for small groups or families travelling together and can be booked in its entirety – with private chef, host and guide. What better way to experience the wilderness? Onguma Tamboti Campsite - the ultimate in luxury camping Newly built Tamboti Campsite boasts a lovely restaurant overlooking the waterhole - for days when you just want to relax and enjoy a hearty meal. The 15 campsites are well placed to offer privacy and each one is equipped with generous private ablutions and ample plugs for charging cameras and equipment. The swimming pool and small supply shop ensure campers want for nothing! Game drives can be booked at reception.

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| ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK AND OWAMBO | 12

Etosha Safari Lodge and Camp Tel: +264 (0)61 427200 Email: bookings@gondwana-collection.com Web: www.store.gondwana-collection.com Etosha Safari Lodge, 10 km south of Andersson Gate on the C38

Experience the awe-inspiring sights of Etosha National Park and its wildlife splendour. Breathtaking vistas and African beats meet here where the legends of Africa make their home.

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Etosha King Nehale Tel: +264 (0)61 427200 Email: bookings@gondwana-collection.com Web: www.store.gondwana-collection.com

A gateway to the Kingdoms of Namibia’s northern reaches, this lodge will open on 01 July 2020 and promises to be an experience worth remembering. Located just 2 km from the King Nehal Gate entering Etosha National Park, this lodge will offer great access to the mighty legends of the Etosha Pan, as well as the diverse communities of the area.

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Etosha Mountain Lodge Tel: (264) 67 312 521 Email: resnam@naturalselection.travel Web: www.naturalselection.travel

Along with good wine, cheese, and the founders of Natural Selection, some things get better with age – and Etosha Mountain Lodge is one of them. Located in the exclusive Etosha Heights Private Reserve on the southwest border of Etosha National Park. Ten safari-chic chalets, all with 180 degree, camera-loving panoramas of the wilderness, a beautiful main ‘lapa’ area, and a cool swimming pool for the hot Namibian days. And the activities certainly won’t disappoint either. Think morning and afternoon game drives in the private reserve, a former hunting concession, and one which we are pleased to be rehabilitating into a photographic safari area. Go out in search of big cats and watch for signs of elephant on the horizon; watch all the action at the waterhole in front of camp; hop on a night drive with some of the best guides out there; and, of course, track endangered rhino, the icons of the area. 10

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GERHARD THIRION

Namibia's famous desert-adapted elephants.

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KAOKOLAND & THE KUNENE REGION www.namibiaholidayandtravel.com

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ELZANNE ERASMUS

• The region hosts one of the largest waterfalls in Africa • It is the stamping ground of the world-famous desert-adapted elephant • The semi-nomadic Himba call this arid land home • The area is a geological wonderland • It has off the beaten track destinations aplenty

Kaokoland extends from the Kunene River southwards across a sparsely populated and harsh environment down to the Hoanib River. The area holds a special allure for lovers of remote and wild places to negotiate its challenging and rugged terrain in four-wheel-drive vehicles. Attractions include the desert-adapted elephants, scattered Himba settlements, the impressive Epupa Falls, off the beaten track destinations such as the expansive Marienfluss and Hartmann valleys, the wild and beautiful Khowarib Schlucht, and Witbooisdrift, site of a Dorslandtrekker monument.

KAOKOLAND’S FAMOUS ‘DESERT ELEPHANTS’

The African elephant, a strong and majestic giant, is a key feature on the plains, in the forest aand across other landscapes in Africa. In remote parts of nnorth-western Namibia these gentle giants have adapted to survive in harsh desert conditions. In Kaokoland the desert-adapted elephant home ranges cover as much as 3 000 km², with the animals trekking up to 200 km in search of water. It was thought initially that these elephants were a different species to the African elephant, Loxodonta africana, because they have longer legs, are taller and have larger feet. However, because they have less to eat than their Etosha counterparts, they don’t carry the same body mass, and therefore appear to be taller and have longer legs. But they do have larger feet, an environmental adaptation caused by walking primarily on soft sand all their lives.

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Kaokoland’s desert-adapted elephants rotate the home ranges that they occupy as the seasons change to where food and water can be found. Herds are led by a matriarch, who is usually the oldest female and has accumulated as much as 30 years’ experience of the climatic conditions in her home range. By definition, desert-dwelling elephants occupy an arid habitat for at least part of the year and have special behavioural characteristics, large annual and seasonal ranges, and a social structure and daily activities suited to an arid environment. When feeding, these denizens of the desert take far greater care than their relatives in Etosha. They hardly ever fell trees, break fewer branches and debark much less than other elephants. Whereas adult elephants on average drink between 100–200 litres of water a day, in Kaokoland they drink only once every three or four days. During droughts they dig deep, narrow holes (gorras) in dry riverbeds with their tusks, trunk and feet to find water.

ACTIVITIES AND ADVENTURES Track the desert-adapted elephant and rhino with a qualified guide Visit a Himba settlement Cool off in a rock pool at Epupa Falls Camp on the banks of the Kunene River Take your 4x4 and tackle a proper off-road challenge Enjoy the abundance of birdwatching on offer Take a canoe onto the river with a qualified guide Test your mountain bike on the rugged terrain of the region

| KAOKOLAND, THE KUNENE REGION |

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THE DESERT LIONS’ FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL

Another curiosity of the area is the remarkable desert-adapted lion. With approximately 120 of their kind left, the desert lions are a rare group of carnivores that have adapted to survive in one of the harshest, most unforgiving landscapes on earth. With their numbers dwindling as poaching and human encroachment threaten their future, sightings are few and far between. For more information on the desert lions of the Namib visit www.desertlion.info.

EPUPA FALLS

With its scenically beautiful surroundings, Epupa is one of Namibia’s prime tourist destinations. The falls are a series of cascades where the Kunene River drops a total of 60 metres over a distance of about 1.5 km, separating into a multitude of channels and forming a myriad of rock pools. Enhanced by richly coloured rock walls, a variety of trees including wild figs, baobabs and waving makalani palms, spectacular sunsets and perennially flowing waters, the Epupa area offers much to see, do and experience. Bird-watching is rewarding, especially for the rare Rufous-tailed Palm Thrush. Also seen are Bee-eaters, African Fish Eagles, Kingfishers ranging from the Giant to the tiny Malachite Kingfisher, Rosy-faced Lovebirds, Paradise Flycatchers, Turacos, Bulbuls, Hornbills and Rollers. Scattered settlements of Himba are an especially interesting feature of the area.

OPUWO

Although officially declared as a town only at the end of 2000, Opuwo has long acted as the capital of the Kunene Region, and as the gateway to Epupa Falls and the land of the Himba people. The town itself doesn’t offer much for the tourist, except in the form of hand-made jewellery and other crafts, which can be found at street stalls and at the open market. The Kunene Craft Centre is also a good place to stock up on souvenirs from the area. Opuwo has well-stocked grocery shops, Internet cafés, a post office, banks, fuel stations, a hospital, and everything else a traveller might need. Opuwo is connected to Kamanjab and Windhoek by a tarred road that is in excellent condition. There’s an airfield

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in town, managed by the Opuwo Country Hotel.

to view the falls and the NamPower hydroelectric power station.

The Ovahimba Living Museum

The Mysterious Lone Men

A newly opened Living Museum now allows visitors to discover the mysteries and wonders of Ovahimba culture. An exhilarating, energetic demonstration, the living museum gives you the opportunity to learn about the intriguing traditional life of the Himba people. This includes their dress, food and crafts (wood carving and metal work). Guests learn about how the homestead is built, with the Holy Fire at its heart, where all the important communication with the ancestors takes place. They also have the unique opportunity to sit in a hut with a bevy of Himba women learning about their intricate beauty rituals. The Ovahimba Living Museum opened officially in November 2016 and is the sixth of its kind. The museum can be found on the C43, 40 km north of Opuwo.

Ruacana Falls

At 120 metres high and 700 metres wide, the Ruacana Falls on the Kunene River are one of the largest waterfalls in Africa. However, for most of the year the waterfall is dry, due to the Ruacana Hydropower Plant upstream, which meets more than 50% of Namibia’s electricity requirements.

CAMPING ON THE KUNENE

Amidst spectacular scenery and splendid solitude, the Okarohombo Community Campsite on the banks of the Kunene River offers four separate campsites under giant Ana trees. A very exclusive camping spot is Enyandi Camp, located at the junction of the Enyandi and Kunene rivers. The camp is accessed from the road between Swartbooisdrift and the Epupa Falls, and only seasoned 4x4 drivers in well-equipped vehicles should attempt to drive there. As far as amenities go, there is no water other than from the river. The camp is managed by the Kunene Conservancy. The Hippo Pools Campsite, accessible from the C46 road from Oshakati, is located 37 km west of Ruacana, within hearing distance of the Ruacana Falls in the Kunene River. It has well-appointed ablution blocks, and each campsite has its own braai facilities. Guided walks are offered

Kaokoland has long been described as a forelorn and mysterious place, often called the Wild West of Namibia. But, a new mystery has recently emerged, one that adds to the atmosphere of this

FROM TOP, LEFT TO RIGHT

The gorge at Epupa Falls, where water drops 36 m. The main fall carries an estimated one third of the Kunene River's water • Visit a local Himba village and stock up on hand-made crafts • One of the mysterious Lone Men of the Kaokoland, a rock and wire statue. No one knows exaclty who made them and how many are scattered around the region.

fascinating desert wilderness: the Lone Men of Kaokoland. Nearly life-size rock sculptures of men have started appearing across the area three years ago. Made from the rock prevailing in the area, they blend in perfectly with their surroundings and take on different poses, catching you by surprise with their lifelike gait or posture. One figure sits on a hilltop, surveying the arid landscape, another one – referred to as the Dapper Stapper – strolls across the stony plains carrying a bundle on the end of a stick like an old-time traveller, another appears to be deep in thought, while yet another strides across the rugged land with a strong sense of purpose. Each figure has an aluminium disc attached to it, with a number and a message as to where it is going. The sculptures have been spotted along the road on the routes between Puros in the south, Van Zyl’s Pass in the east, Otjinungua in the north and the Skeleton Coast Park in the west.

TIPS FOR VIEWING DESERT ELEPHANTS • Avoid areas where the animals might feel trapped.

• Don’t obstruct their movement when you encounter them.

• Drive slowly and keep your noise levels down.

• Keep to existing roads and tracks. • Stay in your car when encountering an elephant herd.

• Don’t camp at waterholes; use nearby campsites instead.

ELZANNE ERASMUS

PAUL VAN SCHALKWYK

ELZANNE ERASMUS

| KAOKOLAND, THE KUNENE REGION |

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Shipwreck Lodge Reservations Tel: 061 228 104 Email: shipwreck@journeysnamibia.com Web: www.shipwrecklodge.com.na

Shipwreck Lodge is located between the Hoarusib and Hoanib Rivers in the Skeleton Coast Park, only 45 km north of Möwe Bay. The lodge is nestled between the dunes with a view of the Atlantic Ocean. There are day excursions by vehicle to the Möwe Bay seal colony. Guests will see the remnants of the Suiderkus Shipwreck, the remains of the Karimona Shipwreck and the Ventura Bomber, the abandoned Westies Diamond Mine, and the Flamingo pools. A sundowner drive will take you to the roaring dunes. Take a 4x4 trip to the clay castles, a natural geological formation. Guests can enjoy lunch on the beach. Fishing is possible weather permitting.

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Kunene River Lodge Reservations Tel: 061 228 104, Lodge Tel: 065 274 300 Email: kuneneriverlodge@journeysnamibia.com Web: www.kuneneriverlodge.com

Kunene River Lodge lies on the banks of the Kunene River 64 km west of Ruacana. Accommodation in air-conditioned Deluxe Rooms, A-frame chalets or beautiful riverside campsites. Discover the beauty, peace and tranquillity of Kunene River Lodge, on the banks of the mighty Kunene River, overlooking Angola. A shining jewel in the heart of a vast African wilderness. Experience the thrill of white-water rafting, seek out rare bird species, meet local Himba people to learn about their culture, and wind down to the pace of the river during a sundowner or birding cruise. Discover traditional Namibian hospitality, wine and dine while relaxing on the river deck and rest in comfortable well-equipped accommodation. Discover `A Piece of Paradise´. Discover yourself! 13

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Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp PO Box 6850, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 27 4500, Fax: (+264 61) 23 9455 Email: info@wilderness.com.na Web: www.wilderness-safaris.com

The Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp is found in one of the most remote areas of Namibia, straddling the Palmwag area and Skeleton Coast National Park. The stunning camp is set within an intriguingly diverse landscape offering eight luxurious en-suite tents. Guests have the chance to explore the dramatic rugged landscapes, dry riverbeds, soft sand dunes and a series of phenomenal oases in search of remarkable desert-adapted wildlife, as well as to take a scenic flight (weather permitting and only a 3-night stay) that reveals the wonders of the harsh Skeleton Coast with its enormous seal colonies and fascinating shipwreck remains. 8

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Serra Cafema PO Box 6850, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 27 4500, Fax: (+264 61) 23 9455 Email: info@wilderness.com.na Web: www.wilderness-safaris.com

Undoubtedly one of the most remote camps in southern Africa, Serra Cafema is located in the extreme northwest of Namibia on the banks of the Kunene River in the Hartmann’s Valley. Serra Cafema is an intimate, peaceful camp inspired by the area’s Himba people, with a unique mix of rustic and luxury elements, and nestled amongst shady albida trees. Accommodation consists of eight riverside wood, canvas and thatched villas on spacious, elevated decks blended smoothly into the picturesque surroundings. Each tent has an en-suite bathroom, ceiling fan and mosquito nets. One of these rooms is an intimate, luxurious honeymoon villa with exceptional views, while another accommodates a family.

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Omarunga Epupa-Falls Camp Tel: +264 (0)61 427200 Email: bookings@gondwana-collection.com Web: www.store.gondwana-collection.com

Waving Makalani Palms welcome guests into their embrace as they arrive at this unique destination. With the Epupa Falls just a stone’s throw away, this is a place of stunning tranquillity. Home to various traditional Himba Tribes, striking sunsets and access to the beautiful Kunene River.

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Epupa Falls Lodge Cell: 081 250 8225 Email: reservations@epupafallslodge.com Web: www.epupafallslodge.com

The Kunene Region is a popular destination for cultural enthusiasts who want to meet the Ovahimba Tribe. We now have a new dimension to our top destination: Epupa Falls Lodge. Experience the breath-taking view of the falls from any of our 5-Twin chalets. Not only are the chalets built from mostly local materials, they are also built on stilts which ensures better views of the falls and better birding. You also have the luxury of a sitting area to enjoy the view during the heat of the day. All chalets are equipped with mosquito nets. Epupa Falls Lodge & Campsite has become famous for its deck and restaurant. Christa's Kitchen serves the best food in the area while you either enjoy the spray of the falls or a chat around the bar. Epupa Falls Lodge runs on solar power and tries to be as green as possible while we still provide our guests with wireless internet as well as the option to charge camera equipment etc. For the returning traveller, it is the isolation of the Epupa area that appeals. On closer inspection, you will not only find the very interesting nomadic Himba, but also an incredibly wide range of plant and bird life. 12 9

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Safarihoek Lodge Tel: (264) 67 312 521 Email: resnam@naturalselection.travel Web: www.naturalselection.travel

In the middle of northern Namibia’s arid, captivating savannah, bordering the world-famous Etosha National Park, is Safarihoek Lodge. Perched on top of a hill, overlooking the plains below, Safarihoek is a stylish retreat, and you’ll find cool, thatched chalets all with private decks, a double-storey photography hide, and a swimming pool with 180-degree vistas of the brilliant savannah. If there’s one thing about Safarihoek, it’s the location. Everywhere you turn, the rugged Namibian savannah stretches into the distance, with only a spangly tree here, and a spiky bush there. The wildlife roams freely across the never-ending space, unhindered and unobstructed. This is a place of silence and solitude, and a rare opportunity to be at one with nature and the animals that thrive here. 11

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Hoanib Valley Camp Tel: (+264) 61 225 616 Email: resnam@naturalselection.travel Web: www.naturalselection.travel

In a country jam-packed with vast, spectacularly beautiful landscapes, Kaokoland may just be the most incredible of them all. Deep in north-western Namibia, the area is a melee of towering mountains, sand dunes, and huge expanses of desert, scattered with unique wildlife and nomadic Himba settlements. It’s also one of Namibia’s most remote and wild environments, and one that not many will get the chance to discover in a lifetime. And that’s exactly why we’ve decided to build Hoanib Valley Camp. A joint venture between the local communities and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, the world’s only Africa-wide giraffe conservation organisation, the camp is an elegant, intimate affair that immerses you into the wilds of the desert. The six rooms blend seamlessly with the environment, offering a simple aesthetic that matches the rugged landscape down to a tee. Days are spent tracking endangered rhino, desert-adapted elephant, and of course desert-adapted giraffe, before retiring to your private veranda to marvel at the magnitude of your surroundings (G&T in hand). 6

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KHAUDUM AND SURROUNDINGS

WATERBERG, www.namibiaholidayandtravel.com

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ELZANNE ERASMUS

• The Waterberg Plateau rises 200 metres above the surrounding savannah • The Hoba Meteorite is the largest known meteorite in the world • Tsumkwe and surroundings are home to Namibia’s earliest ancestors • Dragon’s Breath is the world’s largest known underground lake • Dinosaur footprints are found in the area

Rising as an island of colour some 200 metres above the surrounding African bush and savannah, the Waterberg Plateau, with its flamboyant brick-red sandstone formations and lush green vegetation, is without a doubt the main drawcard of the region. Other attractions are the Hoba Meteorite, the Otjihaenamaparero dinosaur footprints and the Dragon’s Breath underground lake. Tsumkwe, the main town in Bushmanland and home to a large percentage of Namibia’s San population, is the only place in the immediate vicinity where fuel is available.

WATERBERG PLATEAU PARK

The 405 km² Waterberg Plateau Park was proclaimed in 1972 as a reserve for endangered and protected species. The history of the park began on 15 June 1956 with the declaration of two portions of the plateau as natural monuments. This came to pass after representations were made to the then SWA Administration by the Kameradschaft Ehemaliger Deutscher Soldaten, members of the Scientific Society, the Monuments Commission, and other interested parties. The two areas – the Omuverume Plateau and the Karakuwisa Mountain Range – were, however, divided by farms that had been allocated to farmers in the past. The Omuverume Plateau is probably the only sandveld vegetation type that developed for many centuries without being disturbed, due to the vertical cliffs and flora there having reached a unique stage of climate development. Interestingly enough, the original motivation for the proclamation of the entire Waterberg Plateau as a park was to create a reserve for eland. It was reasoned

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that ‘there are about 800 eland in the Waterberg area that move from farm to farm and cause a nuisance. As soon as the farmers obtain ownership of the game on their land, the future of these eland will be in jeopardy because the farmers do not tolerate eland on their land’. How wrong this statement proved to be! It was only when farmers were granted ownership of their game, that game populations in the country began to flourish and increase. The Waterberg Plateau Park of today is home to some 25 game and over 200 bird species. Rare species such as roan and sable antelope, Cape buffalo and tsessebe occur in large numbers. Species such as black and white rhino are also firmly established on the plateau. The vegetation changes dramatically from acacia savannah at the foot of the plateau to lush green sub-tropical dry woodland with tall trees and grassy plains at the top. Ten fern species have been recorded at the Waterberg, of which one is endemic to Namibia and Angola. There is also an impressive range of flowering plants, including the conspicuous flame lily, Gloriosa superba.

On the site of the historic Battle of Waterberg, at the foot of the plateau, a graveyard serves as a reminder of a turbulent period in history. Schutztruppe soldiers who died in the battle fought between the Herero and German

ACTIVITIES AND ADVENTURES Become acquainted with the San people Learn more about large cat conservation Behold Hoba, the largest meteorite in the world Try your hand at birding in the park Endeavour to find and watch as much game as possible on a guided tour in one of the national parks Explore the parks and surroundings on a proper 4x4 offroad and camping adventure

| WATERBERG, KHAUDUM AND SURROUNDINGS | Ondjiva

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Rietfonte 135

colonial forces in 1904 are buried here. At the eastern extremity of the park is the Okatjikona Environmental Education Centre, a facility run by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism that provides the opportunity for visiting groups, mainly schoolchildren, to learn about the importance of environmental conservation. The superb natural beauty of the Waterberg can be enjoyed by vehicle on a guided game-viewing tour conducted by NWR or easy walking routes along the base of the plateau.

HOBA METEORITE

The largest known meteorite of its kind in the world, Hoba Meteorite, lies in a shallow depression on the farm Hoba-West, about 20 km west of Grootfontein. The 50-tonne mass of iron and nickel is between 100 to 300 million years old. It crashed into earth some 30 000 to 80 000 years ago. Discovered by Jacobus Hermanus Brits in the 1920s, it has periodically been subjected to vandalism. Measures to protect the meteorite were taken in the 1980s in a joint venture between Rössing Uranium Ltd and the National Monuments Council. A stone amphitheatre was built around it to allow for convenient viewing, with a museum wall at the entrance displaying information about the meteorite. An interesting variety of birds such as Kalahari Robins and several species of waxbills inhabit the surroundings, and there are barbecue facilities at the site.

DINOSAUR FOOTPRINTS

Tracks of a two-legged, three-toed dinosaur can be viewed 29 km north of the town of Kalkveld on the farm Otjihaenamaparero. The cluster of small, shallow indentations in the rock surface – declared a national monument in 1951 – is estimated to be 150 million to 185 million years old. Visitors are required to pay a fee, and overnight and picnic facilities are provided on the farm.

DRAGON’S BREATH

On the farm Harasib, 46 km northwest of Grootfontein off the C42 to Tsumeb, is the world’s largest known underground lake. It lies about 60 metres below ground level in a cave referred to as Dragon’s Breath, an enormous cavern of solid rock accessed from above using ropes and caving equipment. The lake has crystal-

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clear water and a surface area of almost two hectares. It is currently accessible only to professional cavers and divers. On the same property is Harasib Lake, where a group of cave divers, reaching depths of 147 metres in July 2012, set a new record. Though an interesting feature of the area, Dragon's Breath is unfortunately not open to the public.

TOWNS IN THE REGION Grootfontein

The small town of Grootfontein serves the surrounding cattle-ranching community and is the last urban centre on the road to Rundu and the far northeast. Its history and character are personified in its coat of arms by depictions of the Hoba Meteorite, a palm tree, kudu, eland and cheetah. The Herero name of the town – Otjiwanda Tjongue – means leopard’s crest, and these secretive, nocturnal cats still occur in the surroundings. Due to the relatively high rainfall and large number of springs in the area, the San and Damara who lived here during the first half of the 19th century called the place Gei-/ous, which translates as Grootfontein (Afrikaans for large spring). A historic fort from the German era, built in 1896, houses the Grootfontein Museum with its extensive mineralogical collection, ethnical display – including an extensive exhibition on the Himbas – implements for making ox wagons, utensils used in the Kavango Region and an exhibition featuring the German colonial Schutztruppe. The museum celebrated its 30th year in 2013. It hosts an annual Christmas market on the last weekend of November, as well as movie nights throughout the year. Housed in the same building in Eriksson Street is the Tourist Information Centre. Close by is the fountain that gave rise to the town’s name, encircled by the Tree Park with its collection of exotic trees. Providing a break from fast foods, Coffee Bloom in Hidipo Hamutenya Street serves balanced, home-cooked meals, cakes and light refreshments, and sells small gifts and jewellery. Situated in the Grootfontein district, northeast of the homestead of the farm Keibib, is a large baobab tree that was declared a national monument because it was regarded as the largest of its kind in the commercial farming area. On the farm Rietfontein is the grave of Axel W Eriksson, well-known traveller, hunter and pioneer in South West

Africa during the second half of the 19th century. Grootfontein Museum/ Tourist Information Centre Tel (+264 67) 24 2456

Otavi

The small towns of Otavi, Grootfontein and Tsumeb demarcate the so-called Maize Triangle, a relatively high-rainfall area with a flourishing agriculture sector centred mainly around the cultivation of maize and lucerne, some of which is under irrigation. While the town itself doesn’t offer much in terms of tourist attractions, the surroundings do. The Khorab Memorial – about 3 km from Otavi and dating back to the First World War – marks the spot where a ceasefire was signed at Khorab on 9 July, 1915. On the farm Ghaub, 35 km northeast of Otavi, a historical mission station built in 1895 was converted into Guest Farm Ghaub. There is much of interest in the surroundings, including the Ghaub Caves, remarkable for their stalactites, and San paintings, which have been declared a national monument. The Fourways Stopover at the intersection leading to Tsumeb and Grootfontein hosts a petrol station, car wash, biltong shop and butchery, takeaway outlet, chicken-and-chips shop, pizzeria, fresh vegetable market, and a small nursery. There are also braai facilities for truckers, and the Camel Inn Restaurant and Bar, which is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Otjiwarongo

The town of Otjiwarongo, a Herero word meaning ‘a good place’, is an important centre for cattle ranching. It is situated about 250 km north of Windhoek, on a slope amid undulating plains. The Otjiwarongo Crocodile Farm, where you can get close-up views of crocodiles of various ages, is well worth a visit. The restaurant, which has indoor and outdoor seating, serves light meals, including crocodile delicacies. There is also a kiddies’ playground. The AfriCat Foundation, a non-profit organisation committed to the longterm conservation of Namibia’s large carnivores, is based at Okonjima, south of Otjiwarongo. Also in the area, albeit east of Otjiwarongo, are the headquarters of the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF).

ELZANNE ERASMUS

TARRY BUTCHER

LIZA DE KLERK

| WATERBERG, KHAUDUM AND SURROUNDINGS |

TARRY BUTCHER

FROM TOP, LEFT TO RIGHT

The Hoba Meteorite is the largest known meteorite of its kind in the world • Pangolin, though hard to spot, can be found in the region • A graveyard at the site of the historic Battle of Waterberg • A cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) relaxing.

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NINA VAN SCHALKWYK

ELZANNE ERASMUS

ELZANNE ERASMUS

TARRY BUTCHER

ELZANNE ERASMUS

| WATERBERG, KHAUDUM AND SURROUNDINGS |

FROM TOP, LEFT TO RIGHT

Damara dik-dik • Leopard are a top predator in the region • Kudu bulls spotted in Khaudum National Park • Lilac-breasted Roller • The Nyae Nyae Pans to the south of Tsumkwe.

The Cheetah Conservation Fund is an acclaimed organisation dedicated to saving the cheetah in the wild. Founded by Dr. Laurie Marker in 1990, CCF has created a set of integrated programs aimed at addressing the principle threats to the cheetah. Using this research as an underpinning, CCF has created a set of integrated programs that together address the threats both to the cheetah and its entire ecosystem, including human populations. CCF is open to the public every day of the year except Christmas Day. Visitors to CCF can enjoy a variety of activities and experiences, including: • Centre Tours – a walking tour of the main facility and an introduction to the cheetahs, dogs and livestock that live at the centre. • Cheetah Drive - a drive through the Elandsvreugde cheetah enclosure in search of some of the female cheetah who live there. An experienced guide will be on hand to explain how cheetah such as Samantha, Rosie and Solo came to be at CCF, • Cheetah Runs – see the resident cheetahs stretch their legs on a lure course and experience the wonder of watching the world’s fastest land animal in action.

OKAKARARA COMMUNITY CULTURAL AND TOURISM CENTRE

Located in the small settlement of Okakarara, the Okakarara Community Cultural and Tourism Centre (OCCTC) was inaugurated in August 2004 during the 100year commemoration of the Battle of Ohamakari, fought in the early liberation struggle of Namibia’s indigenous people. The centre serves as a link between present and past, as well as between visitors and residents, and works towards enhancing a common future in and around the traditional lands of the Herero people. The site hosts a café and kiosk, a small souvenir shop

and a dialogue circle for meetings and team-building exercises. Camping sites are available. Tel (+264 67) 31 7603/7604

Tsumkwe

The main town in Bushmanland – home to the San people – is Tsumkwe. It is reached by turning onto the C44 ,which is signposted on the B1, 55 km north of Grootfontein. A further 220 km along the C44 will get you to Tsumkwe. Further south and east is a vast expanse of wooded savannah where animals such as roan antelope and elephant roam. A distinctive tree found in the area is the baobab, easily recognised by its grotesquely fat trunk. Exclusive tours to introduce visitors to the San and their vanishing way of life are offered by several safari companies. Groups usually leave from Tsumkwe, visit Khaudum National Park, and are introduced to San communities such as the Ju/’Hoansi. Depending on the tour company, the San act as hosts, demonstrating skills such as tracking and food gathering, and sharing their knowledge of local customs and beliefs with their guests. Several tour operators offer guided tours to traditional San villages in the area. The itineraries include bush walks with San trackers, who demonstrate hunting, snaring and tracking skills, and how bush food is collected. Ninety per cent of the proceeds generated by these tours remains with the San. The general dealer at Tsumkwe can usually supply petrol and diesel, but this may not always be the case. If travelling towards Tsumkwe, be sure to rather fill up with petrol at Grootfontein and Tsumeb and also carry extra jerry cans of fuel. It is also recommended to stock up with provisions and to carry extra water.

KHAUDUM NATIONAL PARK

Khaudum National Park is a densely wooded wilderness reserve that borders Botswana in the east and can be explored only in 4x4 vehicles. It is the only conservation area in Namibia where the northern Kalahari sandveld biome is protected. The Khaudum Game Park was proclaimed in 1989. In February 2007, the 3 842 km² reserve was

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given national park status and its name was adapted accordingly. The wilderness harbours several big game species and a multitude of birds. However, as a result of the dense vegetation, game viewing in the Khaudum requires considerable patience. Large animals found throughout the park are elephant and giraffe, while predators are lion, leopard, spotted hyaena, and sidestriped and black-backed jackal. African wild dogs also occur here. Game numbers vary considerably, as Khaudum is largely unfenced, enabling the animals to follow their natural migration routes. Khaudum is the stronghold of Namibia’s roan antelope. Other animals seen here are kudu, steenbok, gemsbok and blue wildebeest, while tsessebe, hartebeest, eland and reedbuck occur in the central areas. About 320 bird species have been recorded at Khaudum. Rare species include Coppery-tailed and Senegal Coucals, Bradfield’s Hornbills, Rufous-bellied Tits, Black-faced Babblers and Sharptailed Starlings. Please note: A minimum of two 4x4 vehicles per group are required to travel in the park. There are two campsites, Sikereti and Khaudum, the latter of which has been privatised and upgraded. You are advised to bring your own drinking water, wood, fuel and provisions. In the Kavango Region to the north of the park, petrol is sold only at Bagani, Divundu, and Rundu.

What used to be known as Bushmanland is the traditional home range of the San people - an enigmatic tribe with more genetic diversity between them than any other population of people on earth. 139

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Okonjima – home of the AfriCat Foundation Okonjima Lodge Tel: (+264 67) 68 7032/33/34 Emergency Cell: (+264 81) 127 6233 Fax: (+264 67) 68 7051, (+264 67) 30 4565 Email: info@okonjimalodge.com Web: www.okonjima.com

The AfriCat Foundation Tel: (+264 67) 30 4566 Email: info@africat.org Web: www.africat.org

Welcome to Okonjima, home of the AfriCat Foundation - your perfect leopard safari in Namibia. West of the Waterberg Plateau, the vast plains are occasionally broken by the remnants of ancient Sandstone outcrops, which once covered large areas of northern Namibia. Nestled among the Omboroko Mountains lies Okonjima - a Herero name meaning Place of the Baboons. Okonjima Nature Reserve (22000ha) will be the high-light of your Namibian Safari! Both Okonjima & AfriCat are dedicated to creating conservation awareness through education; Environmental education at all ages and levels, provides solutions to human-wildlife conflict issues and conducts constructive wildlife research. Okonjima activities include tracking the elusive leopard from a game-viewing vehicle, visiting the AfriCat Carnivore Care & Information Centre, and also offers the "Off The Beaten Track" family activity. Birding and Game drives are also offered. Learn about Namibia’s carnivores and their fight for survival, and the Human-Wildlife Conflict challenges that face both man and carnivore.

The grand AFRICAN VILLA, be hosted and pampered in your private The select, private BUSH SUITE, exclusively for you and your family or Bush Villa. friends.

The luxury BUSH CAMP, old style Safari PLAINS CAMP The Barn, the dining and OMBOROKO CAMPSITE, private with a under thatch. lounge area, the pool and the curio-shop “cool” pool.

ACTIVITIES, an experience and an insight. 35

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AfriCat’s Carnivore Research and Care

AfriCat’s Environmental education – Conservation through education

| WATERBERG, KHAUDUM AND SURROUNDINGS | 2

Waterberg Resort P/Bag 13378, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 285 7200, Fax: (+264 61) 22 4900 Email: reservations@nwr.com.na, Web: www.nwr.com.na

The Waterberg Plateau, towering some 200 metres above the surrounding landscape, is one of the most spectacular features of the region. Nestled along the base of the cliffs, amongst towering trees, the Waterberg Resort offers comfortable premier bush chalets, twoand four-bed bush chalets and double rooms. Amenities include a restaurant, bar and kiosk, housed in the historic Rasthaus originally built in 1908, and a shop, swimming pool and camping site. Guided drives are offered daily to the plateau, which is managed as a breeding area for rare and endangered species such as rhino, buffalo, sable and roan antelope. The natural beauty of the area can also be explored on foot. 68

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TUCSIN Tsumkwe Lodge Tel: (+264 67) 240 901/3/4 Cell: +264 (0)812763974 Tel (Lodge): (+264 67) 687 055 Email (Reservations): reservations.tsumkwe@travel-weaver.com Web: www.tsumkwe-lodge.com

Visitors to TUCSIN Tsumkwe Lodge will not only be able to experience the ancient and unique culture of the San community but will also be contributing to the improved livelihoods of the local San people. A hands-on approach to work should lead to training, study and eventual employment in order to support them to develop an income for themselves and their families. With its close proximity to the Nyae Nyae Pans and Khaudum National Park, TUCSIN Tsumkwe Lodge is an ideal adventurous starting point to reach the Zambezi (Caprivi) Region as well as Botswana via the Dobe border post to experience the famous Okavango-Delta. Tsumkwe is still a wilderness paradise, off the beaten track! Accommodation in 21 twin rooms and 1 family room with 24-hour electricity, hot water, bathroom amenities and towels as well as six campsites, each with electrical point, water point, braai (BBQ) area with grid (BBQ), communal washing & toilet facilities.

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Roy's Rest Camp Tel: (+264 67) 240 302 Fax to Email: 088627432 Email: royscamp@iway.na, Web: www.roys-rest-camp.com

Here it is all about good, old-fashioned hospitality and a relaxing atmosphere. All en-suite bungalows are of unique rustic design nestled in Roy's Rest Camp gardens. Each bungalow is equipped with air conditioning, mosquito nets and tea/coffee facilities. To fill the days, we offer exciting activities such as 4x4 road trips to the Ju/'Hoansi Living Museum, peaceful walking trails, spectacular close-up game viewing at the hide and waterhole, relaxation at the swimming pool or enjoying a laid-back sundowner around the campfire. For some cultural inspiration visit the 66-ton iron-nickel meteorite on the Hoba West farm just 20 km south of Grootfontein, or visit the Old Fort Museum in Grootfontein which was the military fort and administrative post built in 1896 by the Schutztruppe and the native population. 10

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CHEETAHCONSERVATION FUND Witness Conservation in Action!

Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) is an award-winning cheetah research, education and conservation institution open to the public 364 days each year. Visitors are encouraged to interact with researchers and animal keepers while learning about the world’s fastest land mammal. Cheetah tours and activities provide ample opportunities to experience and photograph this magnificent animal (*some must be booked in advance*). Walking tours and Cheetah Drives daily. Open from 08:00 to 17:00. Overnight lodging available at Cheetah View Lodge and Babson House. For bookings or queries contact us: Exclusive Reservations Online: www.cheetahecolodge.com Phone: +264 (0)61 237 294 Email: visit@ccfnamibia.com / ccfadmin@cheetah.org www.cheetah.org Otjiwarongo, Namibia

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ELZANNE ERASMUS

www.namibiaholidayandtravel.com

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BRANDBERG & TWYFELFONTEIN

DAMARALAND,

ELZANNE ERASMUS

• The region hosts Twyfelfontein, Namibia’s first World Heritage Site • It is home to the ancient Damara people • It offers arts and crafts aplenty • The region is dominated by the Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain • Rock paintings and mineral deposits abound in the surroundings

The highlight of this region is Twyfelfontein – Namibia’s first World Heritage Site – with its wealth of rock engravings. Other special attractions are the majestic Brandberg with its treasure trove of ancient San rock art and daunting backpacking challenges, the Petrified Forest, Burnt Mountain, Organ Pipes, the Spitzkoppe, and the Erongo Mountains.

TWYFELFONTEIN AND SURROUNDINGS

Namibia’s first World Heritage Site (status awarded in 2007), Twyfelfontein (meaning doubtful fountain), is a massive, open-air art gallery that is of great interest to international rock-art connoisseurs. The 2,000-plus rock engravings, estimated to be 6,000 years old, represent one of Africa’s largest and most noteworthy concentrations of rock art. It is believed by many that the creators of the rock art were the medicine people or shamans, who incised their engravings as a means of entering the supernatural world and recording the shaman’s experience among the spirits. The rock-engraving process could prepare the shaman for a state of trance by the repetitive chipping and concentration of energy. Etched into the rock are thus stories within stories, eternalised as our legacy of the past. About 50km away is the Petrified Forest, where a cataclysmic event millions of years ago deposited giant tree trunks that subsequently turned to stone.

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Today the Namib’s living fossil plant, Welwitschia mirabilis, grows among these prostrate fossilised trunks. South of Twyfelfontein is the Burnt Mountain, a panorama of desolation with coloured rocks contrasting vividly against the grey-black surroundings. The Organ Pipes, a mass of vertical basalt columns in a ravine gouged out by a river, is another geological curiosity in the area. Southwest of Twyfelfontein is the Doros Crater, where fossil remains have been found among the rocks.

KHORIXAS AND ENVIRONS

Khorixas, the unofficial capital of the former Damaraland, is a useful stopover for refuelling your vehicle and stocking up on basic supplies. Although the town itself has little to offer, the surroundings feature rare and unusual rock formations, ancient rock engravings and strange geological wonders, tempting geologists and many other travellers to the region. Near the hot-water spring at Warmquelle is Sesfontein Fort. A desolate and

rapidly disintegrating ruin for many years, it has been reconstructed and equipped to accommodate tourists. Sesfontein derives its name from the six fountains that have their

ACTIVITIES AND ADVENTURES Admire 6 000-year-old rock engravings at the Twyfelfontein World Heritage Site Stock up on locally sourced crystals at the craft market near the Spitzkoppe Buy a marble souvenir at the Karibib Marble works Go arty in Omaruru Visit the Damara people at their Living Museum Go on a guided horseback excursion through the area Take part in one of the annual endurance running or cycling events held in the area

D2

D27 82

Goreis

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Sw

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Namib

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T Park www.namibiaholidayandtravel.com

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Moordkoppie

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Mowani Mountain Camp

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Sweet Th Hiking T Daan Viljoen Game Park

Fort Brandberg White Lady Bosua Pass Lodge

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Chaibis

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Ombo Ostrich Farm

237 D1

Old Rhenish Mission Church & Hope Locomotive

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Walvis Bay

Waldau

Hohenstein Powder Lodge

Otjimbingwe

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Okazize

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source in the vicinity. The palm trees at the fort were planted by colonial German police officers who manned it to combat weapon smuggling and elephant and rhino poaching. Close by is Signal Hill, a lookout point, where a heliograph station was constructed by German troops.

Finger rock

Dominating the landscape when travelling westwards en route to Khorixas, 95 km west of Outjo, is the Ugab Vingerklip (Finger Rock) situated amongst the rugged Ugab Terraces. About 35 metres high, this distinctive monolith was shaped by erosion spanning many millennia.

KAMANJAB

Although not offering much in terms of tourism, the small settlement of Kamanjab’s Pots of Hope project is well worth a visit. Here, a group of rural women and young people combine their skills to create unique, hand-made pottery items. Founded by Alexia /Naris, the project supports poor, stigmatised and abused women and girls, providing them with an alternative means of income based on their creative skills. The girls and women create products ranging from vases, tea sets and milk jugs to garden pots, goblets and plates. Contact Alexia at 081 288 4581.

MESSUM CRATER

Fine specimens of the desert plant, Welwitschia mirabilis, can be seen at the Messum Crater southwest of the Brandberg. Between 132 and 135 million years old, Messum has a diameter of 18 km. Messum is regarded as a volcanic feature that forms part of the Goboboseb Mountains to the northeast. It dates from the Etendeka period and, according to geologists, was the source of many of the intrusive and quartz-like extrusive rocks found in the area today. The crater was named after Captain W Messum, who was an explorer of the coastal regions of Southern Africa, which he surveyed from the ocean between 1846 and 1848. While driving to the Messum area you should, however, not overlook the lichen fields. Scientists marvel at the composition of lichens. Rather than plants, they are organisms that represent a mutualistic relationship between algae and fungi.

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THE BRANDBERG

The imposing Brandberg massif is a challenge to hikers, especially its peak, Königstein, which at 2 573 metres is the highest point in Namibia. The Brandberg is famous for the rock painting known as the White Lady, which can be seen on an overhang in Maack’s Shelter, named after the surveyor who discovered it in 1918. Maack’s Shelter lies in the Tsisab Gorge, a wild and beautiful ravine located amongst a vast jumble of rocks that are remnants of many ancient landslides. Although the figure of the White Lady, surrounded by paintings of numerous animals, has faded over the years, a pilgrimage to see it is well worth the effort. The walk, which takes about one hour along a well-marked route, should not be undertaken at midday. The paintings at the Brandberg rockart site are estimated to be between 2 000 and 4 000 years old. This massive outdoor gallery has been nominated for proclamation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Acacia montis-usti trees, conspicuous in the Brandberg valley, are endemic to this region. To preserve the extremely rich rock painting heritage of the Brandberg, hikers planning to ascend the mountain must be accompanied by a guide provided by the National Heritage Council. The guides know the mountain intimately, including where to find water which can be a challenge for those unfamiliar with the Brandberg. The National Heritage Council (NHC) of Namibia has announced: • A letter of permission issued by the NHC is required by a person or group before hiking and camping on the mountain. In order to obtain a letter simply contact the NHC in Windhoek requesting permission.Their number is 061 244 375 and they are located at 52 Robert Mugabe Avenue in Windhoek. • You need to indicate the number of days you will stay and how many are in the group. • A permit is required for any other activities such as research or filming. For more information contact the National Heritage Council directly at www.nhc-nam.org or +264 61 244 375.

OMARURU

Omaruru in central Namibia is a splendid example of a town that continues to reinvent itself and thrive in the process. Having evolved in recent years as a haven for an active artists’ community, it is a small town with big ideas.

FROM TOP, LEFT TO RIGHT The Ugab Vingerklip, or Finger Rock • Geological marvels, like the Organ Pipes, are prolific here • Track desert elephants in the dry rivers of the region.

Like many towns in Namibia, it originated as a mission station. The missionary Hugo Hahn was the first European to set foot here. When Omaruru was besieged by Herero forces during the Herero/German war, it was freed by Captain Victor Franke and his men. The Franke Tower, built to commemorate this event, was inaugurated in 1908. The oldest building in Omaruru, the Old Rhenish Mission House, now serves as the town museum. At the Namibia Stone Processing plant, items from local marble and granite are manufactured. In 1907 Omaruru officially acquired municipality status. By this time Willi Wronsky had built his residence, today’s Wronsky House, at the north end of Main Street; the small Roman Catholic Church on Main Street had been built and dedicated; and the Omaruru River had run above ground for the entire winter, most unusual in this dry part of the country. Every year the artists’ community of Omaruru presents an Artists’ Trail. Over the first weekend in September, open studios and outdoor exhibits draw visitors to Namibia from around Southern Africa and beyond. During 2009 the Omuntu Garden was opened with an exhibition of over 50 sculptures by five Namibian sculptors. The creator of Omuntu, Hanne Alpers, maintains the garden as a permanent display area for sculptural art. Omuntu means ‘human being’ in Oshiwambo. The Main Street Café is open for breakfast and lunch. It specialises in home-made fare, including cheese, cheesecake and sausages made with locally sourced ingredients.

This region is home to the largest population of free-roaming black rhino on earth.

GERHARD THIRION

TARRY BUTCHER

GERHARD THIRION

LIZA DE KLERK

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TARRY BUTCHER

LIZA DE KLERK

TARRY BUTCHER

ELZANNE ERASMUS

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Local crafts and small industries

On the south-eastern edge of town you will find Tikoloshe Afrika, a vibrant gallery and workshop where visitors can watch awardwinning woodcarvers in action. In an open-air studio they transform weather-worn roots and tree trunks into unique sculptures of animals, varying in size from 10 cm to 10

FROM TOP, LEFT TO RIGHT

The Brandberg, Namibia's tallest mountain • A chameleon • Twyfelfontein is the site of one of the largest collections of rock engravings in Africa. • The iconic Spitzkoppe near Usakos.

metres high. Kashana Landhaus is a group of buildings on the banks of the Omaruru River initiated by local artists to accommodate studios and creative outlets such as the jewellery design workshop of German-trained goldsmith Annette Meyer, and Heavenly Herbs, a shop devised by local artist, Hanne Alpers, who also owns the Naua Naua Art shop and gallery on the same premises. Urte and Kalli Dörgeloh of Dörgeloh Chocolates practise a time-honoured German tradition, producing a fine range of handmade chocolates. Employing original Omaruru recipes and vintage moulds dating back to the early fifties, the Dörgelohs use only the finest ingredients, including local dates, rosella, kumquat, oranges, choc-mint and honey, making their products truly Namibian. Since June 2004, the Kristall Kellerei in Omaruru has been manufacturing its own brandy. It also produces wines, which compare favourably to international standards. A range of Schnapps is distilled from prickly pears, prosopis roots, lemons and, naturally, grapes. Well worth a visit is the Erongo Mountain Winery situated on the fringe of town along the Omaruru River. The boutique winery is open for personal tours and tastings of their interesting and innovative wines and spirits.

Rock paintings

The area surrounding Omaruru is rich in rock paintings. Paula's Cave

contains interesting specimens, although they have weathered away to some extent due to the lighting of fires inside the cave. At Etemba there are six main sites with rock paintings. The largest of these is the Etemba Cave, where a large number depict humans and animals.

SPITZKOPPE

The Spitzkoppe is a group of rounded granite mountains situated northwest of Usakos, en route to Swakopmund. A favourite with climbers, the Spitzkoppe peak – affectionately known as Namibia’s Matterhorn because of its resemblance to the famous Swiss mountain – was first climbed in 1946. The Spitzkoppe group peaks at 1 728 metres above sea level. Seventy metres above the surrounding gravel plains are Sugarloaf Mountain and the Pondok Mountains (resembling the rounded Damara huts called pondoks). Rising 600 metres above the Kaokoveld plains, the main inselberg (island mountain) of the Spitzkoppe is approximately 700 million years old. After good summer rains, tall grass sways on the plains and small pools of water collect on the granite rocks of the mountain in shallow hollows. The group also has a minor peak, Little Spitzkoppe, which extends into the Pondok Mountains. On the eastern side is Bushman’s Paradise, with a walk up the steep incline made possible by the use of a fixed steel cable. Remains of San paintings can be seen in the overhang. Unfortunately, like most rock art in the Spitzkoppe area, they have been vandalised. Other rock paintings can be seen at the Small Bushman’s Paradise and Golden Snake sites. At the Spitzkoppe turn-off, where the D1918 meets the B2, is the popular Ûiba-Ôas Crystal Market. Here the local community sells a variety of crystals, gemstones and minerals. The market is open seven days a week.

THE ERONGO MOUNTAIN AND TSISEB CONSERVANCIES

Incorporating the Erongo Mountains and western escarpment, the Erongo Mountain Nature Conservancy extends over approximately 200 000 hectares, encompassing one of the most environmentally diverse

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areas in Namibia, and including cultural artefacts such as rock paintings, rock engravings and prehistoric settlements. The region harbours high densities of leopard and brown hyaena. The members of the conservancy are committed to reintroducing species that formally inhabited the area, such as black-faced impala and black rhino. In terms of endemic species, the Erongo environment is one of Namibia’s hotspots, as it hosts a vast array of endemic and near-endemic plant, reptile, bird and mammal species. These include the Angolan dwarf python, White-tailed Shrike, Hartlaub’s Francolin, Ruppell’s Parrot, Rockrunner and Hartmann’s zebra. Rare species that have found refuge in the Erongo Mountains include the Peregrine Falcon and Booted Eagle. The striking Black Eagle can also be seen breeding in the mountains. The 8 083 km² Tsiseb Conservancy in the Uis and Brandberg environs is the second-largest conservancy in Namibia. The small town of Uis has a Multi-Purpose Information Centre, with a coffee shop and Internet facilities, enabling travellers between Swakopmund and Etosha to access information about the entire region and to book tours with the Dâureb Mountain Guides to climb the Brandberg.

KARIBIB

Known for the marble extracted at a nearby quarry, the small town of Karibib lies en route to Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. The marble and granite mined at the Karibib Marble Works is used commercially for tombstones and to enhance public buildings and private homes in Namibia. It is also exported to countries such as the USA, China, Italy and Thailand for building purposes. An interesting place to visit in Karibib is the Henckert Tourist Centre on the main street, an ideal refreshment stop for travellers between Windhoek and Swakopmund. The Navachab Gold Mine southwest of the town was established in 1987, two years after the discovery of gold on Navachab Farm. The gold is of a relatively low quality, however, as 750 000 tonnes of rock must be processed every year to make the enterprise viable. Brought to life by the construction of the railway line between

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Swakopmund and Windhoek, one of the oldest buildings in Karibib, the Rösemann Building, was built in 1900. It serves as an excellent example of the German architecture of the period, and is still in use today, housing a bank and some shops. The Hotel Zum Grünen Kranze, situated in Main Street and built in 1913, was one of six hotels in the town during the German colonial period. Hälbich House serves as the only reminder of the firm G Hälbich & Co (founded in 1873), the oldest trading company in the history of Namibia, and an integral role player in the development of Karibib. Another interesting building is Haus Woll, constructed with granite and marble sourced from the area. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century as a residence for Georg Woll. Other heritage buildings of interest are the Kubas Station Building, a white marble building erected in 1900, serving as a station building for the German State Railway until 1914; and the Proviantamt (Provisions Office), built in 1911 as a quartermaster’s store. The latter is currently used by the Karibib Marble Works. Situated at the northern edge of the town is Kaiserbrunnen, a water reservoir and drinking trough built in 1906. The well has since dried up.

first church was built in 1867. Historical features in the town include the Hälbich Trading Store, the Rhenish Mission Church, the Powder Magazine erected in 1872 to protect the local population against attacks by the Nama, and the old Windmill, which generated power for the wagon factory belonging to the Hälbich family. After Curt von Francois moved his garrison to Windhoek in 1890, the town began to fall into decline, and when the railway line between Windhoek and Swakopmund was completed in the early 1900s, Otjimbingwe was bypassed and soon fell into obscurity.

USAKOS

The small sun-baked town of Usakos, nestled in the valley of the Khan River, developed around a station on the old narrow-gauge railway built in 1900.

South of Karibib is a small, dusty, almost-forgotten village called Otjimbingwe, a name thought to mean ‘place of refreshment’ and referring to a spring in the Omusema River. Yet Otjimbingwe was proclaimed the administrative centre of the then Deutsch-Südwestafrika during German colonial occupation. A mission station was established here in 1849, and the

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ELZANNE ERASMUS

OTJIMBINGWE

Doro Nawas Camp PO Box 6850, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 27 4500, Fax: (+264 61) 23 9455 Email: info@wilderness.com.na, Web: www.wilderness-safaris.com

A joint venture between Wilderness Safaris and the Doro !Nawas community, Doro Nawas Camp sits atop a rocky hill commanding spectacular views of the Etendeka Mountains to the north, the red sandstone cliffs of Twyfelfontein in the south, and the plains of the dry Aba-Huab River below. Accommodation comprises 16 units that blend into a dramatic landscape of table-top outcrops, small canyons, dry riverbeds and grassland vistas. The camp provides an excellent base from which to experience phenomenal scenery, the acclaimed desert-adapted elephant herds that move through the area seasonally, and the spectacular rock engravings of the Twyfelfontein World Heritage Site. 16

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Beyond Usakos is the Trekkopje Battlefield, site of one of the most important battles fought during the short-lived 1915 campaign waged by South African against German forces. The Erongo Mountains north of the town are renowned for the rock art found at sites such as Philipp’s Cave, named after Emil Philipp, who owned farm Ameib when the cave was discovered. One of the most striking examples of prehistoric art, the White Elephant, is found in this rock shelter. A popular picnic spot for visitors to Ameib is a collection of giant boulders referred to as Bull’s Party. Philipp’s Cave can be reached only on foot, a walk that takes about 45 minutes. A popular stopover for visitors to and from the coast, the Namib Oasis farm stall is well known for its homemade biltong and droëwors, home-cooked meals and handmade gifts.

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Desert Rhino Camp PO Box 6850, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 27 4500, Fax: (+264 61) 23 9455 Email: info@wilderness.com.na, Web: www.wilderness-safaris.com

Lying amongst the rolling, rocky hills of the vast Palmwag Concession, the area around Desert Rhino Camp is known for its tranquil, minimalist beauty, surprising wealth of arid-adapted wildlife and the largest free-roaming black rhino population in Africa. Accommodation consists of eight raised Meru-style canvas tents with verandas taking in the sweeping views dotted with scattered euphorbia and ancient welwitschia plants, and the dramatic Etendeka Mountains. Adventurous rhino tracking activities take place daily in conjunction with Save the Rhino Trust – Wilderness Safaris and Desert Rhino Camp guests thus support this NGO in its vital work of protecting this endangered species. 8

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Damaraland Camp PO Box 6850, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 27 4500, Fax: (+264 61) 23 9455 Email: info@wilderness.com.na, Web: www.wilderness-safaris.com

Damaraland Camp is situated in the Torra Conservancy – an inspirational community partnership in one of the most pristine wilderness areas in Namibia. It is characterised by sensational views of the surrounding desert plains, ancient valleys and distant peaks of the Brandberg Mountains. New technology blends with ancient construction methods to create innovative, eco-friendly luxury in the desert, with the camp’s 10 elevated adobe-style, thatched units. The annual cycle of rainfall dictates the seasonal movement of wildlife along the Huab River, uncovered during game drives. Desert-adapted elephant, gemsbok, kudu, springbok, and occasionally lion, cheetah, and black rhino can be seen. 10

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Grootberg Lodge PO Box 91045, Klein Windhoek Reservations Tel: (+264 61) 22 8104, Lodge Tel: (+264 67) 33 3212 Booking Email: grootberg@journeysnamibia.com Web: www.grootberg.com

In the footsteps of giants Perched on the rim of the Etendeka Plateau, the Grootberg Lodge stands sentinel over the Klip River Valley. Fourteen rock-and-thatch chalets and two family units gaze out over the gorge, where Black Eagles hunt just below your private deck. Twelve thousand hectares have been set aside by the #Khoadi //Hoas community for conservation and tourism and it is through this pristine wilderness that you meander either on foot or by car to encounter the inhabitants of this remote biosphere. Activities on offer include tracking the elusive desert elephant, a Damara cultural tour, as well as educational guided walks to discover the myriad of smaller mammals, birds, reptiles, insects and plants that exist here. We also offer sundowner drives. 16 5

Hoada Camp PO Box 91045, Klein Windhoek Reservations Tel: (+264 61) 22 8104, Lodge Tel: (+264 67) 33 3212 Fax to Email: (+264 88) 63 5551, Booking Email: hoada@journeysnamibia.com Web: www.grootberg.com

Between a rock and a hard place Hidden among large granite boulders and mopane trees, Hoada Campsite offers travellers a serene home in the wilderness. The area is rich in a variety of animal species, and offers spectacular views. This sensational landscape is a natural habitat of Namibia’s uniquely adapted desert elephant. These, and a number of larger plains game, reptiles and invertebrates are abundant on the Grootberg Plateau. At night, uncountable stars offer a spectacular sight. The campsite was designed to be as eco-friendly as possible. The hot water system works in combination with the braai (BBQ) area to warm the water for your shower as you prepare your food. Light and sound pollution is virtually non-existent due to the absence of electric light and power points. The Hoada Campsite is situated 25 km east of Grootberg Lodge or 75 km on the C40 west from Kamanjab, in the #Khoadi //Hoas Conservancy, Damaraland. 32

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Ai Aiba Lodge

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Big Sky Lodges – Reservation Office: Tel: +264 (0)61 239 199, Fax: +264 (0)61 234 971, Afterhours/Emergency Cell: +264 (0)81 383 5991 Lodge Tel: +264 (0)64 570 330 Email: info@aiaiba-namibia.com Web: www.aiaiba-namibia.com, www.bigsky-namibia.com

Situated between Usakos and Omaruru amidst massive granite boulders overlooking the magnificent Erongo Mountain range is Ai Aiba Lodge. The Erongo Region is one of the most environmentally diverse areas in Namibia, hosting an array of endemic and near-endemic plant, reptile, mammal and bird species, as well as a wealth of cultural artefacts. Twenty thatched twin bedrooms, tastefully appointed with en-suite shower, offer the visitor a unique, luxurious African experience. The restaurant with its panoramic view, bar and crystal-clear pool nestling among the rocks add to the natural tranquillity of the surroundings. Co-ordinates: S2130 76.2 E01534 39.2 20

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Erongo Wilderness Lodge Big Sky Lodges – Reservation Office: Tel: +264 (0)61 239 199, Fax: +264 (0)61 234 971, Afterhours/Emergency Cell: +264 (0)81 383 5991 Lodge Tel: +264 (0)64 570 537 Email: info@erongowilderness-namibia.com Web: www.erongowilderness-namibia.com, www.bigsky-namibia.com

In a secluded valley of the Erongo Mountains, you will find twelve luxury tented chalets in a dramatic setting of granite boulders and breathtaking views. Raised wooden walkways and natural stone steps connect the chalets to the main area, where the restaurant, lounge, swimming pool and sundowner deck invite you to relax and unwind. Delicious and original meals, including sumptuous breakfasts and freshly-baked breads and pastries, are complemented by the spectacular setting. Nature provides compelling reasons for visiting this unique environment. Many rare, endemic and unusual animal, bird, and plant species thrive here, making this one of Namibia’s most diverse and wildlife-rich areas. 12

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Etendeka Mountain Camp Big Sky Lodges – Reservation Office: Tel: +264 (0)61 239 199, Fax: +264 (0)61 234 971, Afterhours/Emergency Cell: +264 (0)81 383 5991 Tented Camp Tel: +264 (0)67 332 808 Email: info@etendeka-namibia.com Web: www.etendeka-namibia.com, www.bigsky-namibia.com

Dramatically set in the foothills of the Grootberg massif, Etendeka Mountain Camp appeals to the traveller who is prepared to step outside of their comfort zone and experience this remote wilderness with its harsh beauty in an authentic way. Here one is reminded that we are all guests of Mother Nature. Pathways lead to ten private shaded en-suite Meru tents with their stunning eco-friendly open-air “bucket” showers. It is simple comfort in a rugged and harsh landscape. A rich and diverse environment to be explored on foot or on a scenic drive. The Etendeka basalt lava flows and flat top mountains are nothing short of spectacular and although seemingly inhospitable are full of hidden life. 10

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Khorixas Camp P/Bag 13378, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 285 7200, Fax: (+264 61) 22 4900 Email: reservations@nwr.com.na, Web: www.nwr.com.na

In the heart of the arid central Namibia, between Swakopmund and the Etosha National Park, lies Khorixas Camp, a port of call that provides a relaxing environment for travellers weary after a day’s exploration. Near Khorixas is the Burnt Mountain, the Petrified Forest and the famous rock-engraving site at Twyfelfontein, which achieved World Heritage Status in 2007. The lodge offers 29 bush chalets, two family chalets, a house for self-caterers, 10 single rooms, a camping site and a restaurant. Khorixas can be reached from Windhoek by taking the B1 northwards, turning onto the C38 from Otjiwarongo through Outjo and then the C39 to Khorixas. 32

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Driefontein Safari Lodge 30 Blohm Street, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 375 300 Email: info@namibia-collection.com Web: www.namibia-collection.com

Situated in the heart of a desolate landscape within the Torra Conservancy, Damaraland, you will find the luxurious Driefontein Safari Lodge overlooking a rocky outcrop adjacent to a riverbed and with beautiful panoramic views of the valley. Game can be viewed from the terrace of your chalet or via professional trackers who follow the desert rhino and elephant in the valley adjacent to the lodge. Relax in our lodge, with chalets offering everything that you would expect from superior hotel accommodation. The carefully positioned lounge and pool deck bar are there for the guests to enjoy the beauty the lodge surrounds. The restaurant provides a different Namibian culinary experience for guests, complimented by the very best in southern African wines. Driefontein Safari Lodge is located on the C39 road between Torra Bay and Khorixas, providing a convenient stop-over for the traveller between Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and the famous Etosha National Park, in northern Namibia. Opening early 2020, Driefontein Safari Lodge, will include 30 chalets, lounge, restaurant, bar and swimming pool. Lodge activities include the tracking of the desert lion and elephant. 30

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Palmwag Lodge & Camp Tel: +264 (0)61 427200 Email: bookings@gondwana-collection.com Web: www.store.gondwana-collection.com

Home to whispering palms and the western desert wilderness, Palmwag Lodge and Campsite is a retreat with a difference. Here is where you will find desert elephants and the largest predator population outside of Etosha National Park.

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Damara Mopane Lodge Tel: +264 (0)61 427200 Email: bookings@gondwana-collection.com Web: www.store.gondwana-collection.com Damara Mopane Lodge, 20 km east of Khorixas on the C39

Built in a labyrinth design, this innovative lodge has 55 chalets, each with its own vegetable garden. Savour the charm from your stoep where sunflowers peep over walls, refresh in the pool, visit the Twyfelfontein rock engravings 100km away and watch the sun sink into mopane woodland.

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Camp Kipwe Booking Office: Chiwani Business Trust PO Box 40788, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 23 2009, Fax: (+264 61) 22 2574 Email: reservations@cbt.com.na Web: www.kipwe.com

Blessings come in all shapes and sizes, and Camp Kipwe has all the features of a blessed camp in Damaraland. The Camp is nestled among boulders, with sweeping views across an ancient landscape. The nine air-conditioned rooms (and one spacious suite) are round in shape – an unusual and appealing novelty – and the outside deck chairs are perfectly placed for admiring the view. The partially open bathrooms adjoining the bedrooms have boulder, cement and rock walls with a roof of rough mopane branches, introducing a local Damara touch and giving it a natural organic feel. Showering under the stars and a waxing moon is a simply magical experience we partake in too rarely, and at Kipwe you are given the opportunity to luxuriate in starlight. A small swimming pool built into the rocks and a 360-degree viewpoint of breath-taking beauty, are two attractive outdoor features. Activities at the camp include our signature sundowner experience, self-guided walks, nature drives with the possibility of seeing desert-adapted elephants and excursions to Twyfelfontein to view the thousands-of-years-old hunter-gatherer rock engravings. 9

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Hohenstein Lodge PO Box 72, Usakos Bookings Tel: +264 (0) 61 24 0020, Tel: +264 (0) 64 53 0900 E-Mail: reservations@hohensteinlodge.com Web: www.hohensteinlodge.com, www.ondili.com

The Hohenstein represents the impressive western edge of the Erongo mountain range. In the evening, spectacular sunsets above the desert plains bathe the mountain in a fantastic red light. Have a drink on the terrace and enjoy this exceptional view. Accommodation is offered in 14 spacious en-suite rooms, each with a safe, shaded terrace. The reception area and restaurant are located in the main building, which is connected to the swimming pool and bungalows by paved walkways. Two of the rooms are wheelchair-friendly. Children of all ages are welcome. Activities: 2-day adventure package ‘ABSOLUTE ERONGO’, hiking trails, birdwatching, excursions to the mineral miners at Hohenstein Mountain. 14

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Mowani Mountain Camp Booking Office: Chiwani Business Trust PO Box 40788, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 23 2009, Fax: (+264 61) 22 2574 Email: reservations@cbt.com.na Web: www.mowani.com

Between the Ugab and Huab rivers in southern Damaraland lies a vast ancient unspoilt wilderness of unsurpassed desert scenery, unusual geological formations, interesting archaeological sites and a unique variety of desert fauna & flora. Africa has always been recognised for its uniqueness, and now Africa-uniqueness recognises Mowani Mountain Camp! The harshness of the countryside is complimented by the luxurious softness and pure comfort of the camp interiors. Inside and outside blend harmoniously as the dining-and-lounge area opens out, capturing the cooling south-westerly breeze and ensuring that you are never far from the breath-taking scenery. The best sundowner spot in Namibia sits atop an enormous boulder, affording guests spectacular vistas of the Aba-Huab Valley, the majestic Brandberg and the table top mountains and cone-shaped peaks in the distance. A man-made rock pool, carved skilfully out of the surrounding stone, blends perfectly with the natural surroundings and an adjacent wooden deck entices visitors to relax and soak up the sun. Guests stay in luxury rooms or suites, each with their own en-suite bathroom with shower and washbasin. The fastidious attention to detail ensures that the African theme is visible in all elements of the rooms. Individual verandas encourage guests to linger while admiring the unspoilt wilderness of the surroundings. Activities include daytime guided game and nature drives in search of the rare desert dwelling animals that survive here, and excursions to the ancient UNESCO Twyfelfontein rock-engraving site. Guests can also take a self-guided walk in the area. Mowani also has 7 campsites with private ablution facilities, again with lovely views of the valley. 2

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Brandberg White Lady Lodge Tel: (+264 64) 684 004 Cell: (+264) 81 791 3117 Fax: (+264 64) 684 006 Email: ugab@iway.na, Web: www.brandbergwllodge.com

You have travelled! You have seen places! Brandberg White Lady Lodge will add to your travel experience through Damaraland. This is our promise. Since its opening in 2002, Brandberg White Lady Lodge has become a destination of choice for natureorientated tourists looking for an experienced guide to take them on a wildlife safari in the Brandberg/Ugab River area. Our clients visit us from all over the globe not only for our experience and professionalism, but also for our hospitality, the friendliness of our staff and the tranquillity. Brandberg White Lady Lodge is a place where you will feel at home and enjoy a true warm-hearted hospitality and friendship. Whether you camp or stay in a chalet - there will be nothing you'll miss. Here, at the foot of Namibia's highest mountain, nothing has changed since the earth's early days. Clocks, cellphones and watches are not part of this world. Here, you have got time. 8

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SOSSUSVLEI & THE NAMIB-NAUKLUFT PARK

ELZANNE ERASMUS

• Sossusvlei is Namibia’s second-most popular tourist attraction • The dunes at Sossusvlei are up to 325 metres high • Namib-Naukluft Park is home to the famous Welwitschia mirabilis • The Naukluft Mountain massif is a geologists’ paradise • The Sandwich Harbour Lagoon is fed by fresh water seeping from an inland aquifer

Proclaimed in 1979, the Namib-Naukluft Park is an amalgamation of several areas into one nature reserve. It is the largest conservation area in the country and home to one of Namibia’s top tourist attractions, the legendary Sossusvlei, a spectacular white pan surrounded by some of the highest sand dunes in the world. On 22 March 1907, German Governor Friedrich von Lindequist proclaimed three nature reserves, one of which was Game Reserve No 3 in the central Namib Desert. Renamed as the Namib Desert Park in 1962, this tract of scenically beautiful desert was amalgamated with the Naukluft Mountain Zebra Park (proclaimed in 1968) and unoccupied state land in 1979, and proclaimed as the NamibNaukluft Park. Portions of the Diamond Area as far south as the Aus/Lüderitz road were subsequently added, which virtually doubled its size to 49 768km², making it the largest conservation area in Namibia, the fifth largest in Africa and one of the largest terrestrial parks in the world. The top attraction in the park and one of the country’s major tourist destinations, second only to Etosha National Park, is Sossusvlei, renowned for its spectacular, desiccated white pan surrounded by majestic

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star-shaped dunes with deep, warm hues, and close by, the eerie Dead Pan with its bleached skeletons of ancient camel-thorn trees. Other features in Namib-Naukluft Park are Sesriem, the Welwitschia Trail, Sandwich Harbour, the Naukluft Mountains and the Kuiseb Canyon.

NAMIB SECTION

This section lies between the Swakop and Kuiseb river valleys. Ostrich, springbok and gemsbok are conspicuous especially on the desert plains, while Hartmann’s mountain zebra, klipspringer and baboon frequent the canyons of the Swakop and Kuiseb rivers, and leopard and African wildcat move in and out of the Kuiseb Canyon. Larger predators found here are spotted and brown hyaena, and smaller predators are black-backed jackal and bat-eared fox. An intriguing host of small creatures

ACTIVITIES AND ADVENTURES Take on Dune 45 or Big Daddy and marvel at the beauty of Sossusvlei from a higher vantage point Hike through NamibRand, Namibia’s largest private nature reserve Explore the natural wonders of Namib-Naukluft Park Learn about dune flora and fauna at Gobabeb Enjoy the wonders of stargazing under the magnificent African night sky Take a balloon ride over the dunes of Sossusvlei at sunrise

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Sossusvlei Lodge

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Desert Camp Desert Quiver Camp

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Sossus Dune Lodge

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Desert Whisper

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Military Desert Homestead Great Tiras Cemetery 1867m Outpost D70

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Wild Horses of the Namib Prisoner of War Camp Memorial B4 Ausweiche

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Rocks This is just an approximate indication of where theseMarshall establishments are situated

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Neuras Wine and Wildlife Estate

Spencer Bay Mercury Island

Icaboe Island

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UKL 4x4 Trail UF T Olive Trail

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HOSEA KUTAKO (International Airport)

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Sweet Thorn Hiking Trail Daan Viljoen Game Park

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NAMIBIA

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have adapted to survive in the Namib dunes. The fog-basking beetle, Onymacris unguicularis, drinks water by positioning itself on the crest of a dune, dropping its head and extending its hind legs. Its back serves as a condensation surface for fog, which forms droplets and slides downwards towards its mouth. An intriguing ‘thermal dance’ is performed by the shovel-snouted lizard, Meroles anchietae, to cope with the extreme heat radiating from the dune surfaces. The Gobabeb Training and Research Centre on the banks of the Kuiseb River has an international reputation for researching Namib ecology. Gobabeb is generally not open to the public, except on open days.

SOSSUSVLEI

Many visitors to Namibia say that no part of the desert is visually more dramatic than Sossusvlei with its monumentally high dunes. These gigantic star-shaped mountains of sand – one of the largest was measured from the base as 325 metres high – are a sought-after topic for artists and photographers. The warm tints of the sand contrast vividly with the dazzling white surfaces of the large deflationary clay pans at their bases. One of these, referred to as Dead Pan, is a large ghostly expanse of dried white clay, punctuated by skeletons of ancient camel-thorn trees, carbon-dated as being between 500 and 600 years old. Sossusvlei’s mountainous dunes lie at the end of an erosional trough formed by the Tsauchab River. They are shaped by strong multi-directional winds, primarily the southwester, and have three to five sinuous crests, which meet at the highest point to give them their characteristic star shapes. Visitors are allowed access to Sossusvlei only between sunrise and sunset. The first 60 km of the road from Sesriem to Sossusvlei has a permanent surface and is suitable for sedan cars, whereas the last five-kilometre stretch of sandy track is negotiable by 4x4 vehicles only. A shuttle service is available for people who do not want to hike the last 5 km.

Sesriem Canyon

The permit office complex for entry to Sossusvlei and other destinations in this section of the park is at Sesriem. Four kilometres south from here is Sesriem Canyon, where the erosion of many centuries has incised a narrow

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gorge about 1 km in length. At the foot of the gorge, which plunges down 30–40 metres, are pools that become replenished after good rains. Sesriem derives its name from the time when early pioneers tied six lengths of rawhide thongs together to draw water from these pools. To early inhabitants, the gorge was an important water source in an otherwise waterless area. Even during very dry times there is water in the upper reaches of the canyon, where the deep clefts reduce evaporation. The Tsauchab River flows through the Sesriem Canyon and continues down to Sossusvlei.

Maltahöhe

About 110 km west of Mariental on the C19 en route to Sossusvlei is the small town of Maltahöhe, named by Hauptmann Henning von Burgsdorf, who supervised a police station of the German colonial administration there in 1895. He named the settlement after his wife, Malta. About 35 km north of Maltahöhe, on the farm Sandhof, lies an enormous salt pan that is usually bone dry, except in good rainy seasons. If the pan reaches a depth of over 15 cm, shoots break miraculously through the surface of the shallow water, seemingly out of nowhere, and burst into bloom. For hundreds of hectares, as far as the eye can see, a short-lived vista of iridescent amaryllis lilies appears in an ephemeral blaze of pink, purple and white. But, as soon as the flowers have formed, they wither, and an almost biblical horde of elephant beetles descends and devours them within the space of a few days. The single weekend in which the lily season falls, usually in January or February, is a hectic one for Maltahöhe. When on the way to attractions such as Sossusvlei and Sesriem, many visitors elect to stay in the Maltahöhe Hotel, one of the oldest country hotels in Namibia. The cemetery at Nomtsas, some 45 km north of Maltahöhe, contains the graves of some German pioneers and is a national monument.

NAUKLUFT SECTION

The Naukluft section of the park was created to serve as a sanctuary for Hartmann’s mountain zebra competing with livestock for grazing on farms. With its massive and varied rock formations, Naukluft is a geologist’s paradise. The intermittent layers of horizontally folded igneous rock, quartzite, dolomite and shale are impressive with their giant

symmetrical patterns. Five different vegetation communities within the park ensure a wealth of tree and shrub species, and a variety of aloes. Animals found at Naukluft in addition to Hartmann’s mountain zebra are kudu, gemsbok, klipspringer, duiker, steenbok, leopard, baboon, black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox, African wildcat, caracal and aardwolf. Naukluft’s steep cliffs are nesting grounds for various cliff-breeding bird species, including Verreaux’s Eagles.

Permits for Namib-Naukluft

Permits for the Namib-Naukluft Park are available at the permit offices of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism in Swakopmund (064 40 4576), Walvis Bay (064 20 5971) and Windhoek (061 284 2111). Permits are also available at Sesriem.

NAMIBRAND NATURE RESERVE

What originated as a dream to extend the frontiers of the Namib Desert by consolidating a large number of former sheep farms and rehabilitating the land into a sanctuary free of fences and other farm paraphernalia became the NamibRand Nature Reserve

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT

An early-morning climb onto one of Sossusvlei's tall dunes is a must! • Quiver tree (Aloidendron dichotomum) • Stop over at Solitaire on your journey south • Venture through Sesriem Canyon.

during the second half of the 1980s. Many facets of the Namib Desert are represented at NamibRand, creating a living tapestry of colour and contour that makes it a visual utopia for artists and photographers. Game species found on the reserve include gemsbok, giraffe, mountain and plains zebra, springbok, red hartebeest, bat-eared fox, spotted hyaena, Cape fox and African wildcat. In the more rocky areas, kudu, klipspringer, baboon and leopard can be found, while the dunes harbour a rich and diverse microfauna of lizards, beetles and spiders, and even the elusive golden mole. The reserve is also home to a rich variety of birds – over a hundred species have been recorded on NamibRand. The NamibRand Nature Reserve today comprises 15 former farms and extends

LIZA DE KLERK

TARRY BUTCHER

ELZANNE ERASMUS

TARRY BUTCHER

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ELZANNE ERASMUS

The Namib Desert is a tapestry of colour and contour and home to a wild array of fauna and flora.

| SOSSUSVLEI AND THE NAMIB-NAUKLUFT PARK |

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT

Duwisib Castle was built in 1909. • The mysterious Fairy Circles of the Namib • Namibia hosts 27 species of aloe • Scenic drive in the NamibRand Nature Reserve.

over an area of some 202 000 hectares, making it one of the largest private nature reserves in Southern Africa, and it is also an International Dark Skies Reserve. Situated on the reserve are the Namib Desert Environmental Education Trust (NaDEET) Centre, 1

and the NamibRand Desert Research & Awareness Centre.

DUWISIB CASTLE

About 72 km southwest of Maltahöhe, situated amongst rolling red hills, is Duwisib Castle, a solid rectangular structure of red sandstone with battlements and turrets on its corners. Built by the legendary Baron von Wolf for his American wife, Jayta, the castle was completed in 1909. Most of the construction materials and the

furniture were shipped all the way from Germany, off-loaded at Lüderitz and transported to Duwisib by ox wagon. The interior of the castle and much of its original furniture and artworks can be viewed. Accommodation is provided in five rooms in the castle, while camp sites, a restaurant, bar, tourist shop and picnic sites are also available. As the castle is protected as a historic monument, guest bedrooms and bathrooms were seamlessly fitted into the existing large rooms of the castle's century-old interiors.

Kulala Desert Lodge PO Box 6850, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 27 4500, Fax: (+264 61) 23 9455 Email: info@wilderness.com.na Web: www.wilderness-safaris.com

Kulala Desert Lodge boasts magnificent views of the famous sand dunes of Sossusvlei, breathtaking mountain scenery and vast open plains. Set in the 37 000 hectare Kulala Wilderness Reserve bordering the Namib-Naukluft Park, there is an abundance of space and silence. Accommodation at Kulala Desert Lodge comprises 23 thatched and canvas ‘kulalas’ with en-suite bathrooms and verandas. Bedrolls are placed on the flat rooftop for guests to sleep under the myriad stars of Namibia’s clear skies. Activities offered include early-morning guided drives to Sossusvlei. 23

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Little Kulala PO Box 6850, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 27 4500, Fax: (+264 61) 23 9455 Email: info@wilderness.com.na Web: www.wilderness-safaris.com

Little Kulala is a luxurious desert retreat situated in the private 27 000 ha Kulala Wilderness Reserve – the gateway to Namibia’s Sand Sea with its towering dunes and clear starry skies. Accommodation consists of 11 climate-controlled, thatched “kulalas” which merge impeccably into the desert landscape, each with private plunge pool, both indoor and outdoor showers and a rooftop star bed for romantic stargazing. An elegant entertainment area includes a library, wine cellar, craft boutique, lounge and dining areas. 11

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Naukluft Camp PO Box 13267, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 285 7200, Fax: (+264 61) 22 4900 Email: reservations@nwr.com.na, Web: www.nwr.com.na

The Naukluft section of the park was created to serve as a sanctuary for Hartmann’s mountain zebra, which are endemic to Namibia. Other wildlife includes kudu, gemsbok, klipspringer, duiker, steenbok, leopard, baboon, black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox, African wildcat, caracal and aardwolf. Naukluft’s steep cliffs are nesting grounds for various cliffbreeding bird species, including Black Eagles. Five different vegetation communities within the park ensure a wealth of tree and shrub species, and a variety of aloes. With its massive and varied rock formations, Naukluft is a geologist’s paradise. The intermittent layers of horizontally folded igneous rock, quartzite, dolomite and shale are impressive with their giant symmetrical patterns. The camp offers 6 modern guest rooms and 21 campsites. This area is a nature lover's playground where guests can enjoy hiking trails, 4x4 trails, nature walks and bird watching. 6

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Duwisib Castle

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PO Box 13267, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 285 7200, Fax: (+264 61) 22 4900 Email: reservations@nwr.com.na, Web: www.nwr.com.na

Replete with history and romance Duwisib Castle is an ideal stopover for visitors’en route to the south of Namibia. It is a historical site and a national monument, which is a convenient stopover when traveling from Sesriem and Sossusvlei. German Baron Von Wolf built the castle for his American bride Ms. Jayta Humphreys in the early 1900s. Apart from being a gift of love, the castle was a dream turned into reality for Baron Von Wolf. Unfortunately, his dream was short-lived as he was killed during World War I in Germany. His wife returned to America, leaving the castle with most of its contents behind. The museum houses a collection of 18th and 19th century antiques, armours and paintings. The castle has 5 rooms in which to accommodate guests and 10 campsites on the grounds. 5

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Sesriem Campsite

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PO Box 13267, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 285 7200, Fax: (+264 61) 22 4900 Email: reservations@nwr.com.na, Web: www.nwr.com.na

At the entry to Sossusvlei is Sesriem Canyon, where millennia of erosion have incised a narrow gorge about 1 km in length. At the foot of the gorge, which plunges down 30 to 40 metres, are pools that become replenished after good rains. Sesriem derives its name from the time when pioneers tied six lengths of rawhide thongs (riem) together to draw water from the pools. Explore the Sesriem Canyon from this great and scenic campsite. Sossusvlei is the reason you are staying here! The dunes are best seen early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Elim Dune – a petrified dune near the Sesriem Camp provides a popular spot to watch the sunset (for those not rushing back from a late afternoon visit to Sossusvlei). 24

Sossus Dune Lodge

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PO Box 13267, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 285 7200, Fax: (+264 61) 22 4900 Email: reservations@nwr.com.na, Web: www.nwr.com.na

Sossus Dune Lodge offers guests an evocative and life-changing experience. Situated within the park, guests will benefit from being able to reach Sossusvlei before sunrise, and to stay until after sunset, and on their return after an exhilarating day, to relax in the tranquillity and splendour of the Namib Desert, under the spectacular African sky. Sossus Dune Lodge offers professional guided tours to fully unleash the beauty and biological diversity of the desert environment to visitors. 24

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Kanaan N/a’an ku sê Desert Retreat Tel: (+264 63) 68 3119 Email: kanaan@naankuse.com, Web: www.kanaannamibia.com Directions: Approximately 550km south of the capital Windhoek, on the D707. GPS Coordinates: S -25°50'37.0" E 016°09'22.8"

This enchanting reserve borders the Namib-Naukluft Park with its breathtakingly photogenic dune belt to the west and the Tiras Mountains to the east. Kanaan N/a’an ku sê Desert Retreat is situated on 33 000 ha of unspoilt nature. Contrasting landscapes are never-ending, with rippled sand dunes glowing in the magical light of sunrise and sunset. Stay in one of our 8 en-suite luxury canvas tents surrounded by a most beautiful scenic setting. Enjoy a sundowner on your own private wooden deck and get spoiled in the restaurant area being served home cooked meals and refreshing drinks after a long hot day in the desert. Camping is also offered on the edge of the desert landscape. Our 8 campsites each host a shower, toilet, shading and braai facilities. Kanaan is ideal for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, geologists and hikers, or simply for those wanting to get away from it all. 8

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Neuras Wine and Wildlife Estate Tel: (+264 63) 29 3417 Email: neuras@naankuse.com, Web: www.neuraswines.com Directions: Approximately 270km south west of the capital Windhoek and 60km away from the Sesriem gate, on the D850. GPS Coordinates: South: -24° 27’ 42.92” East: 16° 14’ 12.24”

Our unique winery is set on the edge of the Namib Desert in the foothills of the majestic Naukluft Mountains. We produce an exclusive amount of bottles of red wines a year - of our delicious Shiraz, Neuras Triple Cultivar Blend, Neuras Triple Clone Shiraz and Namib Red Blend. Since 2015 Neuras has proudly broadened its product rage with a matchless first ever Namibian Brandy, Rum and a Dessert Ruby Red. Choose to stay in a rustic stone chalet or one of our luxury units accommodating 3 or 4 persons. Tented accommodation is also offered on a DBB basis. Experience a Neuras cellar and vineyard tour, taste our wines, or join our field research team on unforgettable excursions. We can also arrange an outing to see the Tsauchab River, Sossusvlei or the Honey Canyon. Spend a night at the Neuras Wine and Wildlife Estate perfectly situated just 1 hour away from the gate leading to Namibia’s most visited landmark – Sossusvlei. 8

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Camping2Go Tel: +264 (0)61 427200 Email: bookings@gondwana-collection.com Web: www.store.gondwana-collection.com

A new way to experience the Namibian outdoors, without the hassle of traditional camping. An effortless outdoor experience awaits anyone who enters the Camping2Go sites around Namibia. Tented chalets with four (4) beds, en suite bathroom facilities, and a fully equipped kitchen to boot. And to top it off, full access to all lodge facilities, including restaurant, bar, pool and activities. Sites available: Namib Desert Camping2Go Kalahari Anib Camping2Go Etosha Camping2Go coming soon

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Desert Whisper Tel: +264 (0)61 427200 Email: bookings@gondwana-collection.com Web: www.store.gondwana-collection.com

The Desert Whisper is nestled within the mighty Living Desert of the Namib and is an unique experience ideal for a breakaway from the norm. Intimacy and blissful solitude is the unique component offered with this destination.

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Namib Desert Lodge Tel: +264 (0)61 427200 Email: bookings@gondwana-collection.com Web: www.store.gondwana-collection.com Namib Desert Lodge, Camping2Go & Campsite, 60 km north of Sesriem on the C19

Set below striking fossilised dunes, the comfortable lodge provides a spectacular experience of the ancient desert. 65 rooms, two swimming pools and a waterhole are surrounded by sandy splendour. Breathe in the grandeur on a sunset drive and feel the earth underfoot. Relax in the arms of the Namib. 65

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The Desert Grace Tel: +264 (0)61 427200 Email: bookings@gondwana-collection.com Web: www.store.gondwana-collection.com The Desert Grace, 60 km north of Sesriem on the C19

Graceful spaces and gracious hospitality imbue this modern lodge with its elegance of old, spirited character and refreshingly stylish interior. Sip on a pink gin while appreciating the expansive desert scenery from one of the 24 bungalows, each with its own plunge pool. Outdoors, ancient golden desert; in-doors, pure love.

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Namib Dune Star Camp Tel: +264 (0)61 427200 Email: bookings@gondwana-collection.com Web: www.store.gondwana-collection.com Namib Dune Star Camp , 60 km north of Sesriem on the C19

Escape from the world. A short guided drive leads you into a vast desert wilderness and to nine wooden cabins. After the dunes have transformed to gold and the distant mountains glow purple, it’s time to wheel beds onto balconies for a night under the glittering sky of the Namib.

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Solitaire Namibia Solitaire Tel: +264 63 293 621 Web: www.solitairenamibia.com Instagram: instagram.com/solitairenamibia/

Historic Solitaire, at the edge of the Namib-Naukluft National Park, has something for everyone. Wildly beautiful, with desert vistas, it is an unfenced habitat to thousands of animals, and pristine dark skies, crowded with stars. The comfort of delicious food and carefully selected wine lists. Two accommodation choices including popular Solitaire Lodge in the tiny settlement made famous by writer Ton van der Lee’s best-seller Solitaire. And just 7 km away, nestled at the foot of the Rand Mountains, the 14-room Solitaire Desert Farm, a quiet, intimate hideaway with expansive Namib views, teeming with birds and wildlife. Both lodges have swimming pools and share an activity centre on the private 18,000 ha reserve with scenic drives, hiking and biking trails, fat bikes, and hot air ballooning by Samawati. It’s a prime fly-in destination popular with pilots from around the world for flights over the famous Namib Desert dunes, golden grasslands and the spectacular geology of Kuiseb Canyon. Day visitors enjoy McGregor’s Bakery, featuring espresso, fresh pizza, and the traditional homemade apple pie that became famous thanks to the late Percy Cross, aka Moose McGregor. Full lunch service is available at Cafe van der Lee with a bistro menu and Hansa draft on tap. The vintage General Dealer, filled with goods and fresh food, and the area’s original Dutch Reformed Church, make this a cultural stop for a glimpse of authentic farm life in the Namib in the mid-20th century.

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Sossusvlei Lodge Taleni Africa Reservations: Tel: (+27 21) 930 4564, Fax: (+27 21) 914 9930 Tel: (+264 63) 29 3636 (for last minute reservations only) Email: reservations@sossusvleilodge.com, Web: www.sossusvleilodge.com GPS Coordinates: S24°29’ 12.1” E015°48’ 15.0”

Situated at the entrance gate to the Namib-Naukluft National Park, Sossusvlei Lodge offers direct access to the towering red sand dunes, the famous pan of Sossusvlei, the scorched black trees of Dead Vlei and the remarkable depths of the Sesriem Canyon. The individual accommodation units at Sossusvlei Lodge are carefully laid out to perfectly blend in with the magnificent surrounding natural environment. Each luxury unit offers a fully air-conditioned bedroom, en-suite bathroom and a patio to enjoy views of the roaming wildlife and incredible desertlandscapes. Facilities include a sparkling pool, bar, sundowner deck, beer garden and an al fresco terrace where one can enjoy exquisite food, award-winning wines and magnificent views of the floodlit waterhole. The Sossusvlei Lodge Adventure Centre offers a range of activities to explore the area’s natural beauty. 51

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Desert Camp

Taleni Africa Reservations: Tel: (+27 21) 930 4564, Fax: (+27 21) 914 9930, Tel: (+264) 63 293 677 (for last minute reservations only) Email: reservations@desertcamp.com, Web: www.desertcamp.com GPS Coordinates: S24°28’ 57.7” E015°50’ 02.2”

Desert Camp is situated only 5 km from the entrance gate to Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon in the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Nestled under century-old thorn trees, Desert Camp offers an unsurpassed view over the desert landscape and surrounding mountains. The 28 affordable, twin-bedded units are equipped with an en-suite bathroom, shaded veranda with fitted kitchenette, barbeque, power points and a fold-out sleeper couch suitable for 2 small children (under 12). Facilities include a fully stocked bar with big screen television, a sparkling swimming pool and 2 communal boma-areas. Fresh food supplies can be ordered daily. Meals and exciting desert activities can be booked at the nearby Sossusvlei Lodge. A fully stocked shop, fuel and an Internet café are available at the Sossus Oasis Service Station a mere 5 km down the road. 28

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Desert Quiver Camp

Taleni Africa Reservations: Tel: (+27 21) 930 4564, Fax: +27 (0)21 914 9930 Tel: (+264 63) 29 3611 (for last minute reservations only) Email: reservations@desertquivercamp.com, Web: www.desertquivercamp.com GPS Coordinates: S24°29’ 14.2” E015°50’ 25.9”

Desert Quiver Camp uniquely combines modern self-catering accommodation with comfort and style. Conveniently located a mere 5 km from the entrance gate to Sossusvlei, the inspiring scenery characterised by granite outcrops, spectacular views and roaming wildlife will captivate your senses. The 24 twin-bedded self-catering accommodation units feature a fold-out sleeper couch to accommodate 2 small children (under 12), an en-suite bathroom with shower, a shaded patio with fitted kitchenette, barbeque and a wooden bench for seating. Utility boxes with most utensils are available at reception and fresh food supplies can be ordered daily. Facilities include a fully stocked bar with a big screen television, a sparkling swimming pool and 2 communal boma-areas perfect 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 are available at the Sossus Oasis Service Station. 24

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Sossus Oasis Camp Site Taleni Africa Reservations: Tel: (+27 21) 930 4564, Fax: (+27 21) 914 9930 Tel: (+264 63) 29 3632 (for last minute reservations only) Email: reservations@sossus-oasis.com, Web: www.sossus-oasis.com GPS Coordinates: S24°29’ 20.5” E015°48’ 04.6”

Perfectly positioned at the entrance gate to Sossusvlei and Sesriem, the Sossus Oasis Camp Site offers 12 individually shaded sites, each equipped with its own toilet and shower facilities, kitchen wash-up basin, barbeque and electricity points. Enjoy the unsurpassed views over the desert landscape, surrounding mountains and Elim Dune or relax in the sparkling pool in the centre of the campsite. Facilities within walking distance include a fully stocked shop with groceries, toiletries, beverages, ice, clothing, curios, internet café, fuel, diesel and a tyre workshop at the Sossus Oasis Service Station. At the adjacent Sossusvlei Lodge one can book meals at the restaurant and exciting activities to explore the area at their Adventure Centre. 12

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Landing Strip: 24°53’9.37”S - 16°11’27.18”E Tel: +264 81 146 3221 / +264 63 293 535 Email: hammerst@hammerstein.com.na Web: we-kebi.com

WE KEBI SAFARI LODGE

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In the almost forgotten tongue of the San Bushmen, We Kebi means "invitation." To hold true to the tradition of the ancient San people of the desert, we invite you to come and experience the solitude, tastes, smells and tranquillity of We Kebi Safari Lodge. Free range meets, organic farm grown vegetables and fresh herbs combine in mysterious ways announcing the feast to come unlike any to be found elsewhere. This moment can never be had again. Eland and zebra mowing the lawn, sociable weavers chatting in the tree branches about the days come and days gone, the stark blue of the glistening pool reflecting their wing flutters and beckoning travellers into its cool depth. The lounge area is built around a massive hearth, the smell of burning hardwood, buffed leather, and antique books mingling with the natural desert aromas of sand and grass, scenting the air like some unobtainable incense. Built on the premise of San huts, guests are housed in twelve individually furbished en-suite bungalows.

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Landing Strip: 24°53’9.37”S - 16°11’27.18”E Tel: +264 81 146 3221 / +264 63 293 535 Email: hammerst@hammerstein.com.na Web: hammersteinlodge.com

HAMMER STEIN

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LODGE

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Hammerstein Lodge

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Painted on nearby rock faces lingers the remnants of an ancient people, leaving us a glimpse of their connection to this wonderfully wild wilderness we call Hammerstein. Hammerstein is one of the oldest private owned lodges in Namibia. A place built by families for families, Hammerstein is filled with an atmosphere of hearty, wholesome and healthy experiences. Our guests have a choice between bungalows equipped for self-caterers, camping facilities or full board lodging. Only 60 kilometres from Sesriem, Hammerstein is situated between Swakopmund and Lüderitz, nestled between the Nubib and Tsaris mountains. It is an ideal budget stopover for travellers to the south of Namibia, especially to those wanting to admire the beautiful Sossusvlei region. 65

Landing Strip: 24°53’9.37”S - 16°11’27.18”E Tel: +264 81 146 3221 / +264 63 293 535 Email: hammerst@hammerstein.com.na Web: deserthillslodge.com

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Desert Hills Lodge

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A vast swathe of arid earth. A stretch of the Tsauchub River and the ever moving, land changing Hebron vault. This was the stage for the ancient San people to dance their adventures to each other within the safe glow of their evening fires, surrounded by their yellow grass huts. These resilient nomads etched out a living on the plains and mountains where Desert Hills Lodge rests today. In the more recent epoch new commercially minded people settled on these very same plains, mountains and dunes and would come to call it home; this time through the practice of animal husbandry. They named the piece of land Hebron meaning “the binding friendship place” and primarily farmed karakul sheep for their wool and skins. In 1981 the Porteus family acquired a portion of farm Hebron, and recently decided to open this incredibly beautiful piece of land to tourism. Desert Hills Lodge opened its doors in June 2018. The lodge comprises of 18 individual en-suite luxury huts, inspired by the San peoples grass huts of old. Guests can relax around the bar, refresh themselves at the pool or take their meals in the breath-taking restaurant, overlooking the magnificent vastness.

22

Landing Strip: 24°53’9.37”S - 16°11’27.18”E Tel: +264 81 146 3221 / +264 63 293 535 Email: hammerst@hammerstein.com.na Web: deserthillslodge.com

Along the spine of a ridge, Desert Hills Glamping Camp lies stretched out like a Rock Agama basking in the sun. The camp is a splendour of vistas, with valleys and mountains seemingly cutting you off from the outside world, to intimately and peacefully enjoy this place of solitude and meditation. Sharing the same history as Desert Hills Lodge, Desert Hills Glamping Camp combines the glamour of upscale boutique accommodation with the ruggedness and the adventure of camping. Reminiscent of the nomadic lifestyles of many ancient plains-settlers around the globe, it delivers surprising comfort and stillness. The main tent is not unlike that of a traveling chieftain, where you can lounge at leisure or be treated to the finest African cuisines and sating beverages. Spread out from either side of the main tent along the ridge, twelve tented units stand erect in defiance of the harsh desert elements. Each luxury tent has an en-suite bathroom and private furnished porch. 18

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DESERT HILLS GLAMPING CAMP

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Desert Hills Glamping Camp

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| SOSSUSVLEI AND THE NAMIB-NAUKLUFT PARK |

Sonop Sonop Farm - Road D707 - Karas Region Tel: +264 (0) 84 0000 888 Email: contact@sonop.com Web: www.sonop.com

Sonop is a luxurious tented camp nestled at the southern extremity of the Namib Desert, in the Karas Region.Constructed on top of boulders, the ten spacious tents aim to offer a unique journey through time, with a refined British colonial atmosphere from the 1920's. Richly furnished with antiques made of fine materials, colourful carpets and precious wood, they are an invitation to live the life of yesteryear’s wealthy explorers. Every evening, guests can enjoy an opulent gastronomic experience, where delicate silverware and black-tie set the mood. With its warm atmosphere, the cocktail & cigar lounge evokes with subtlety the splendor of colonial interiors. For guests' ultimate comfort, Sonop also offers a spa, a fitness center and heated outdoor infinity pool and private stables, all facing the desert’s vastness.The sophistication at Sonop is also in the views, all aweinspiring. A large list of adventures allows guests to admire the desert’s genuine beauty. 10

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Desert Homestead Lodge PO Box 113, Kalkrand Bookings: +264 (0) 61 24 0020 Tel: +264 (0) 63 29 3301 E-Mail: reservations@homestead.com.na Web: www.deserthomesteadlodge.com, www.ondili.com

The Desert Homestead lies three kilometres northwest of the C19 and D854 road junction, approximately 32 km southeast of Sesriem. The wide grassy valley is sheltered by the Nubib, Tsaris and Naukluft mountains with a view reaching the distant dunes of the Namib Desert in the west. In this exquisite position, we offer simple but stylish accommodation in thatched chalets designed with the fragile beauty of this remarkable environment in mind. The Desert Homestead will ensure you an unrivalled respite from the desert extremes. Tranquil surroundings, al fresco dining, delectably fresh farm cuisine, refreshing dips in the pool, stunning sunsets and sunrises are the basic pleasures at our lodge. 26

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Desert Homestead Outpost PO Box 113, Kalkrand Bookings: +264 (0) 61 24 0020 Tel:+264 (0) 63 683828 E-Mail: reservations@homestead.com.na Web: www.deserthomesteadoutpost.com, www.ondili.com

The Desert Homestead Outpost is situated 30 km southeast of Sesriem, the entrance to NamibNaukluft National Park, on a private nature reserve bordering the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Namib Sand Sea”. It is the ideal starting point for trips to Sossusvlei, Dead Vlei and the Sesriem Canyon. Other exciting activities offered by the Lodge are horse safaris, scenic drives and a guided walk from Desert Homestead Lodge to Desert Homestead Outpost, called the Namib Mountain Trail. Hot air balloon rides can be arranged on request. Nestled against the west side of the Namib Mountains, guests can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view over the vast open plains. The lodge offers 11 individual thatch-roofed comfortable and cosy chalets and an exclusive suite. The unique location in the vastness of the nature reserve offers complete peace and tranquillity. 12

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Wolwedans Collection NamibRand Nature Reserve PO Box 5048, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 23 0616, Fax: (+264 61) 22 0102 Email: info@wolwedans.com, Web: www.wolwedans.com

Wolwedans is more than a mere collection of camps. It’s a collection of dreams. Its ethos lies in setting an example in sustainability and continually fulfilling its commitment to the conservation of the NamibRand Nature Reserve. Wolwedans nestles into the dunes, set against a backdrop of extraordinary natural beauty. Located in the heart of the NamibRand Nature Reserve, our portfolio of camps provides the perfect base from which to explore vast stretches of awe-inspiring and undisturbed nature. Each camp is designed with the best interests of our guests at heart. For your home at Wolwedans you have a choice between the spacious and unique comfort of the Dune Camp, the more elaborate Dunes Lodge and Mountain View Suite, the quietly secluded Private Camp and our exclusive Boulders Safari Camp. No matter where you opt to stay, warmth and personalised service – embraced by a commitment to care for guest and nature alike – are our hallmarks. Wolwedans provides an intriguing window for you to experience the desert’s elusive grandeur and breathtaking beauty. If you are an open-minded and nature-loving individual in search of a distinctive desert experience far off the beaten track, Wolwedans is for you.

Dunes Lodge

The Dunes Lodge is perched on top of a dune plateau, overlooking panoramic vistas in all directions, capturing the desert in a most memorable way. The building style is a combination of wooden structures, large canvas blinds and windows that open up to the desert. The lodge reflects the ambience of a tented camp, but provides the comfort and protection of a permanent building. The lodge sleeps 22 and each of the ten spacious en-suite chalets sports a private veranda, connecting you to vast stretches of untouched desert. Sleeping with your canvas blinds open is just like sleeping under the stars. The Mountain View suite, a luxury suite that sleeps two, is set apart from the main lodge, offering complete privacy and exclusivity.

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Dune Camp

Positioned on the edge of a 250-metre high dune, the Dune Camp sleeps a maximum of 16 guests in a totally unspoilt setting. Guests stay in deluxe tents pitched on wooden platforms. A spacious deck, allowing for safe sleep-outs under the stars and an en-suite bathroom make for a civilised camping experience. Whilst the lodge accommodates guests in need of relaxed comfort and space, the camp provides a more down-to-earth experience. Its unique atmosphere courts the young and more adventurous traveller.

Private Camp

Situated in a quiet and idyllic valley, this splendid suite caters exclusively for six guests. It is the perfect getaway for honeymooners and individuals seeking uncompromising privacy and solitude. The Private Camp – a combination of wood and canvas that opens out into nature – offers three spacious en-suite bedrooms, a ‘sala’ where you can laze away having a siesta, a refreshing plunge pool, various decks and a central lounge, combining a study, living room, dining area and a fully equipped open-plan kitchen.

Boulders Safari Camp

Situated about 45 km south of Wolwedans and hugged by massive granite rocks, Boulders Camp is the southernmost of all the Wolwedans Collection. Sleeping a maximum of ten guests in five spacious tents, Boulders is the most exclusive camp at Wolwedans. The sheltered leisure area has both a dining and a lounge tent, with an open fireplace and an awesome sundowner spot overlooking the vast beauty of the reserve.

| SOSSUSVLEI AND THE NAMIB-NAUKLUFT PARK |

DUNES LODGE

DUNE CAMP

PRIVATE CAMP

BOULDERS CAMP

Activities at NamibRand

Nature drives, rides and walks Accompanied by experienced guides, visitors are introduced to the many facets of the desert habitat with its diverse fauna and flora – on foot, horse or by car. Our interpretive scenic drives in open Land Rovers with resident field guides reveal the fascinating wonders of the desert – as do horse riding through the dunes, picnics in the wild, sundowners on the dunes and dinners by candlelight. We also offer horse-back safaris and leisure rides. Scenic flights Scenic flights to the Diamond coast and Sossusvlei are undertaken during the late afternoon and/or in the early morning (if an aircraft is available). For guests staying three to four nights, a day trip by plane to the mighty Fish River Canyon and Lüderitz can also be arranged.

Hot-air ballooning A special attraction at NamibRand is hot-air ballooning. Soaring silently over the dunes and never-ending plains provides unforgettable and breathtaking 360-degree vistas. From the best viewpoint imaginable, you will have the opportunity to admire the stark beauty of the Namib for about an hour, before celebrating this extravagant experience with a champagne breakfast at the landing spot.

Getting there

There are many ways to get to Wolwedans, be it self-drive (as part of a longer tour), guided transfers, fixed air seat rate or private air charter or a combination. Please contact the Wolwedans Travel Desk to advise you on the best option, pending group size, times etc.

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COASTAL STRIP www.namibiaholidayandtravel.com

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PAUL VAN SCHALKWYK

• The coast is Namibia’s adventure Mecca • It offers abundant history, culture, arts and crafts • The Skeleton Coast Park protects one third of the Namibian coastline • The coastal strip is a haven for unique plants, animals and birds • It is the ultimate summer holiday destination for locals

The coastal strip houses the towns of Henties Bay, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, and the fishing settlement of Wlotzkasbaken. Dorob National Park – proclaimed to protect sensitive environmental areas – extends between the Swakop and Ugab rivers, while the Skeleton Coast Park covers the area north of the Ugab River up to the Kunene River, protecting the northern third of Namibia’s coastline. In 2013, the Namib Sand Sea – stretching from the Kuiseb River southwards to the northern boundary of Tsau//Khaeb National Park – achieved World Heritage Site status, making it Namibia’s second UNESCO World Heritage Site.

DOROB NATIONAL PARK

To protect the most frequented coastal area against damage caused by offroad driving, the stretch of coastline between the Kuiseb Delta and the Ugab River – eastwards from the lowwater mark of the Atlantic towards the boundary of the Swakopmund district – was proclaimed a national park in 2008, elevating the status of the West Coast Recreational Area (WCRA) to that of national park, and proclaiming it as the Dorob National Park. It includes the Walvis Bay Lagoon – a RAMSAR site – but excludes the municipal areas of Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Henties Bay, as well as Wlotzkasbaken. The Namibian coastline is a haven for numerous unique plants, animals and birds. A special feature of international interest is the occurrence of extensive lichen fields. Over a hundred lichen species have been recorded in the Namib Desert. A symbiotic composition of an algae and a fungus, lichens

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are dependent on coastal fog for survival. The continued existence of this intriguing form of desert life is a matter of serious concern to environmentalists, as lichens are extremely slow growing and are destroyed when vehicles driving offroad tread on them. The 200-km stretch of coastline between the Swakop and Ugab rivers is renowned for its excellent angling potential. Over the years popular angling spots along the coast were identified by dedicated anglers and named to indicate their distance from Swakopmund. New rules, regulations and law enforcement measures were implemented at the end of 2012. To drive in specially demarcated off-road areas, drivers must have a permit, which is issued free of charge and can be obtained from Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) offices in Swakopmund (064 40 4576) and Walvis Bay (064 20 5971). A free information pamphlet is also available from the abovementioned offices, as well as from coastal information offices.

ACTIVITIES AND ADVENTURES Go sand-boarding, quad-biking, fishing, wind-surfing, sailing, sky-diving, paragliding or dolphin cruising in one of the popular coastal towns Take a stroll through the centre of Swakopmund and admire the historical buildings Climb Dune 7 and see the world from a different perspective Go on a cultural township tour through Mondesa or Kuisebmond Admire flamingos and other avifauna at the Walvis Bay Lagoon, a RAMSAR site for coastal birds Take to the dunes and beaches atop a horse or camel on a guided tour just outside Swakopmund

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Kaoko Otavi

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Okatjiura

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Ganamub Fort Sesfontein

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Khowarib

Dubis

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Baadjie

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Otjitambi C35

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Wêreldsend

Bergsig

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Petrified Forest

Springbokwasser Gate

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Orusewa

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Omahoro D23

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Doros

Otjihorongo

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2573m White Lady Painting

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Rock Paintings

Hotel Schweizerhaus

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Villa Margherita

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Hotel Zum Kaiser

Flamingo Villas Boutique Hotel

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Desert Breeze Lodge

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The Delight Swakopmund

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The Stiltz

7

Swakopmund Guesthouse

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Swakopmund Plaza Hotel

Protea Hotel by Marriott Walvis Bay Protea Hotel by Marriott Pelican Bay

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Moon Landscape

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Welwitschia Plains

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Ganab C14

Namib-Naukluft Park Gobabeb Desert Research Centre

Black Cliff

Rock Sculpture Trail

Namib Desert Park

Dune 7 C14

Boundary Post, Walvis Bay Kuiseb River Rooibank Nature Reserve

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Walvis Bay 1711

This is just an approximate indication of where these establishments are situated

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Namib

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Sandwich Harbour

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Arandis

Rössing

Swakopmund

Old Rhenish Mission Church & Hope Locomotive

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PERMIT

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Regimental Badges

Rock Bay

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Wlotzkasbaken

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Strand Hotel Swakopmund

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Waterbank

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Trekkopje

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Oyster Box Guesthouse

Atlantic Villa Boutique Guest House

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Torra Bay

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Erongo

Beach Hotel Swakopmund

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Aukas

Ebony

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1728m Gross Spitzkoppe

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93

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18

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Henties Bay

1

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D193

Horing Bay

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Brandberg

Ugab Guided Trail

D23

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30

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D26

19

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Burnt Mountain

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1553m

C39

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94

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| COASTAL STRIP |

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175 Kuiseb

SWAKOPMUND

Swakopmund is much-loved by Namibians as a welcome respite from the heat in the interior. It is also popular among visitors because of its oldworld charm and relaxed atmosphere. Founded in 1892 during German colonial rule, it served as the territory’s main harbour for several years. Today this quaint town between the desert and the sea is enhanced by lush green lawns, elegant palm trees and carefully tended public gardens. It has a wide choice of hotels, guesthouses and restaurants, and several coffee shops selling traditional German cakes and pastries. The coast with its desert hinterland offers many options, both for adventure and for relaxation. Just before reaching Swakopmund from the interior, enclosed in a small glass-fronted structure, visitors can view the Martin Luther ‘steam-ox’ imported from Germany in 1896 to transport goods between the town and other settlements. When the steam tractor became irretrievably bogged down in the sand, it was dubbed Martin Luther, because of Luther’s historic statement in 1521, “Here I stand, may God help me, I can go no further.” The venue has a museum, toilet facilities and curios for sale. Quaint architecture from a bygone era adds to the place-out-of-time atmosphere of Swakopmund. When approached from the interior, domes, turrets and towers on the skyline appear like a hazy desert mirage. Much of the distinct German colonial character has been preserved and today many of the town’s old buildings house shops, offices and other services. The well-known information service, Namib i, belongs to Almuth Styles, who manages the centre as a general information outlet and marketing service for the Erongo Region. It also provides a comprehensive reservations facility and an Automobile Association (AA) stop in town. Another booking office is Swakop Info, which also has a craft shop and café on site. Namib i Tel/Fax (+264 64) 40 4827/3129 Swakop Info Tel (+264 64) 40 5488

What to see and do

Woermann House, built in 1905 to accommodate the Damara and

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Namaqua Trading Company and sold in 1909 to Woermann Brock, houses the Swakopmund Arts Association and Public Library. The Woermann Tower, which can be accessed at specified times, affords a panoramic view of desert and sea. It has a platform from which, in earlier times, a flag was flown whenever a ship of the Woermann Line was sighted at sea. The Living Desert Snake Park in Libertina Amadhila Street hosts a variety of interesting creatures for the whole family to enjoy. The historical Otavi-Bahn building served as the terminal for the mining railway line. The goods shed next to this building, built in 1911 and called OMEG-Haus, is a national monument. The old barracks, known as Die Alte Kaserne, were built by the German colonial government in 1905 to house the German Engineer Regiment responsible for the construction of the jetty and the railway line into the interior. It is now a youth hostel based on the concept of the International Youth Hostel Federation. The privately-owned Hohenzollern-Haus, embellished by a frieze of angels and lions and originally built in 1905 to accommodate visiting aristocracy from Germany, at one time functioned as a house of ill repute. Today this striking building serves as an apartment house, while the Prinzessin Rupprecht-Heim, built in 1902 to operate as a hospital, is now a guesthouse. The Kaiserliches Bezirksgericht (magistrate’s court) was built in 1901. Since independence the building has been serving as a summer residence for the President of Namibia. Next to it are the gardens of the Marine Memorial, commemorating marines who died in the 1904/5 Herero uprising. The elaborate Railway Station Building, erected in 1901, was transformed into a luxury 75room hotel and entertainment centre, complete with casino, cinema, bar and restaurant. Resembling a Bavarian villa with its ornamental exterior, the Swakopmund Jail is often mistaken by visitors for a hotel. One of the town’s most prominent landmarks, the Swakopmund Lighthouse, was completed in 1903, as was the harbour breakwater known as The Mole, today the southern boundary of Swakopmund’s main tourist beach. The Evangelical Lutheran Church, consecrated in 1912, is the secondoldest of its kind in the country. Closely associated with the history of the town,

is the Kramersdorf building (1912), with its architectural value lying in the wide, flat wooden bow. It traditionally served as a private residence, school hostel, and summer house. Today it is privately owned. Another historical landmark is the Old Iron Jetty, originally built in 1911 during the German colonial era. The jetty was frequented especially by anglers and tourists, but gradually fell into disrepair. Major repairs were done in 1983 when 17 pairs of the iron pillars were encased in concrete. In 1997 the Save-theJetty Fund was established and in 1998 the jetty was closed because it was deemed unsafe. Following a major N$3.7 million refurbishment in 2006, the front section was reopened to the public. In 2010 the back section was reopened and now includes an oyster bar and restaurant, with an observation deck on top. Laid out in stone in 1915, a selection of the regimental badges from the South West Africa Campaign can be viewed 27 km east of Swakopmund. The campaign was launched by the Union of South Africa on the Germans stationed in South West Africa at the outbreak of WWI. More regimental badges can be seen about 46 km east of the town. Similar badges and patterns, also laid out in stone, can be found between Swakopmund and Trekkopje, along the railway line. Other

TOP & MIDDLE LEFT

Swakopmund is well-known for its German colonial architecture.

MIDDLE RIGHT & BOTTOM

Visit the Kristall Gallerie and see the world's largest quartz crystal cluster. • Great White Pelican • Take a walk down the promenade at The Mole.

interesting sites in the area are small fortifications, the trenches, and the cemetery at the Trekkopje station.

Stepping into the past

A 27-million-year-old fossil, meteorite chunks, fossilised wood, and jawbones of our human ancestors mingle with Spanish coins, restored ox wagons and turn-of-the-century drawing rooms in the Swakopmund Museum, a small but comprehensive institution with displays ranging from natural history, mineralogy and botany to

ANNELIEN ROBBERTS

NINA VAN SCHALKWYK

ANNELIEN ROBBERTS

ANNELIEN ROBBERTS

XENIA IVANOFF-ERB

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NINA VAN SCHALKWYK

ELZANNE ERASMUS

ELZANNE ERASMUS

| COASTAL STRIP | historical and ethnological dioramas. A walk through the museum, founded by Dr Alfons Weber in 1951, takes you travelling through time, from ancient earth forming to a more recent colonial past. Situated on the seafront between avenues of palm trees, this treasure house holds a multitude of interesting artefacts. A large airy hall houses a People of Namibia exhibition with information on the diverse and distinct population groups of Namibia. Baskets, headdresses, amulets and ostrich eggs fill the many display shelves. The Emil Jensen Herbarium exhibits Namib flora. The entrance

FROM TOP, LEFT TO RIGHT

Visit the Swakopmund Aquarium or walk along the town's quiet streets • Go on a Living Desert tour to discover the desert's hidden creatures • An iconic sight , where the Namib Desert meets the Atlantic Ocean.

of the museum faces the Atlantic Ocean and the Mole which shelters a popular swimming beach. The Alte Brauereistube café has been added to one side of the building.

Libraries and archives

The Public Library has amenities for visitors, while the well-known reference facility known as the Sam Cohen Library comprises some 6 000 volumes and an impressive collection of historic photographs. This includes the renowned 2 000-title Africana collection of the late Ferdinand Stich. The archives, housed in the same building, give visitors access to a unique collection of newspapers dating from 1898 to the present day.

Small but modern aquarium On the beachfront next to the National Marine Information & Research Centre in Strand Street is the Swakopmund Aquarium, a popular facility that underwent extensive upgrades, additions and renovations, completed at the end of 2012. Its main feature is a large 12x8-metre transparent oval tank, with a glass walk-through viewing tunnel and a number of additional viewing panels, placed at different angles. The tank contains a variety of fish, including spotted shark,

sand shark, kabeljou, steenbras and galjoen, and many other organisms. The theme depicted in the tank is a typical west-coast reef with related flora. There are also 17 smaller viewing tanks, one of them in the form of a tube. Special features are the so-called touch pools containing typical intertidal flora and fauna. A new touch tank was added during the upgrades, hosting stingrays, and the top floor has been renovated into a welcoming educational environment for children. The complex also houses an auditorium, with seating for approximately 120 people. It is used for conferences, lectures, slide shows and other presentations and is fully equipped with audio-visual, interpretation and other amenities. Feeding takes place daily at 15:00. The aquarium is closed on Mondays, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, but is open all other days from 10:00 to 16:00.

Sport and adventure

The Mole and adjacent Palm Beach provide a popular if somewhat cold swimming area, with the lee of the Mole serving as a launching place for yachts and other pleasure crafts. The contestants in the annual triathlon, which takes place in December, end their swim at The Mole. Rossmund is a grass golf course with a unique desert setting located some 10 km inland from Swakopmund. The well laid-out 18-hole golf course has been described as one of the most scenic and unusual in Southern Africa, with herds of free-roaming springbok in the surroundings adding to its charm. The annual horse show, known as the Reitturnier, brings the best horses and riders in Namibia together. Other sports are skydiving, duneboarding, sand-skiing, paragliding, surfing and windsurfing, yachting, and angling from the beach or a boat. There are motocross and 4x4 rally facilities on the outskirts of the town. The latest development in town is the multimillion Swakopmund Indoor Sport Centre, also known as The Dome Swakopmund, the only multi-sport complex of its kind in Africa. Spanning over 7 000 m² and comprising five storeys, the centre accommodates more than 40 different sport codes and their supporting facilities and services. The Dome also houses a hotel, restaurant, bar, shops and a health and wellness centre.

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Where to shop

Accessible from Sam Nujoma Avenue and Roon and Moltke streets is the Brauhaus Arcade with its many small specialist shops offering handmade leatherwork, arts and crafts, furnishings and Namibian textiles, and embroidery. The Brauhaus itself is a popular German-style restaurant and bar with seating outside, popular for serving large beers in boot-shaped glasses. The main outlet for Art Africa is also situated here, selling quirky crafts and fine African tribal art, amongst others. Another branch is situated in Tobias Hainyeko Street, flanked by a corridor of craftsmen and the Art Africa Garden Café. The Woermann Brock Arcade, accessible from Sam Nujoma Avenue and Roon Street, features regular shops and several outlets selling Namibian products. It leads into the Ankerplatz complex, also accessible from Sam Nujoma Avenue. In Tribes Trading in the adjacent Woermann Mall, ‘Made in Swakopmund’ T-shirts are painted as you watch. Featuring animals in bright, primary colours, these make colourful children’s gifts. Next to the arcade on Sam Nujoma Avenue, Small World is an outlet for unique handmade Namibian jewellery and leather goods. Semi-precious stones, ostrich eggshell beads, Owambo ekipa buttons and Himba metal beads are fashioned into stylish and original necklaces, bracelets and belts. Also in Sam Nujoma Avenue, Ikhoba offers a range of well-crafted embroidered goods in vivid colours, produced by 400 women of various ethnic groups as part of the Ikhoba Textiles Farm Project. Meme Ikhoba, situated in Hendrik Witbooi Avenue, is another outlet for these goods. In the same street is Fleissige Biene, an outlet for home crafts. Karakulia Weavers sells woollen carpets and wall hangings made from karakul wool, woven into designs depicting Namibian animals and desert scenery. Heading south, Maid in Africa in Libertina Amathila Avenue stocks its own vibrant African fabric made into T-shirts, bags, cushions and placemats. The company also produces a range of artistic Namibian postcards, some with African proverbs, others capturing interesting township signs and slogans. The cards have an African rhythm and theme, yet are contemporary and modern. Another great place to shop is Kitsch Collectables, situated just down

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the road, selling a range of cleverly recycled products, as well as funky collectable items. The Hoeka Toeka gift shop next to the Total Service Station in Sam Nujoma Avenue offers unique, hand-made arts and crafts for sale. Namibian and African crafts are sold at two street markets. The first of these is situated opposite the old prison building on Moses Garoëb Street, and the second adjacent to The Mole, known as The Open Market. The Bonus Markt Plaza was reopened in 2017 after undergoing extensive renovations. It now houses a collection of businesses, including an art and photography gallery and an ice cream parlor reminiscent of the soft serve ice cream the centre was famous for many years ago.

Where to eat

A special feature of the coastal town is its outstanding jewellery shops, staffed by master goldsmiths and specialised craftsmen and women, who design individual pieces with local semiprecious stones in styles ranging from classic and contemporary to Namibian, African and European. One of Swakopmund’s top outlets for handcrafted jewellery is African Art Jewellers next to the Hansa Hotel on Hendrik Witbooi Street, with a second, duty-free shop in Sam Nujoma Avenue, Swakopmund’s main street. At the Imke Engelhard Design Studio, award-winning jewellery designer, Imke Engelhard, transforms locally produced traditional shell necklaces into one-ofa-kind works of art. An interesting museum-like shop to visit in terms of its mineral displays such as gigantic quartz crystal clusters is Kristall Galerie on the corner of Garnison and Bahnhof streets. It also offers jewellery featuring semi-precious stones for sale.

Swakopmund offers a plethora of restaurants, many testifying to the German heritage of the town, such as the Bistro Zum Kaiser, Brauhaus, Kücki’s Pub, and the Wurstbude. Coffee and German-style confectionery are served at Café Anton. Then there are Café Rosso, Wild Rocket Café, Pandora’s Box & Coffee Shop, Bojo’s Café, the funky Village Café, Slow Town Coffee Roasters, and Tea Time. Raith’s, the ever-popular Namibian bakery, deli, bistro and gelateria, is situated in the centre of town, and right around the corner the Art Africa Garden Café serves light, healthy meals. The Jetty 1905 offers seafood, sushi and oysters in a spectacular setting at the tip of the revamped jetty. At the Mole, the iconic Strand Hotel, which was reopened in 2015, hosts four eateries; Brewer & Butcher, The Ocean Cellar, Farmhouse Deli and Café Mole. Great light meals are served at the Tiger Reef beach bar. Then there’s De Kelder, The Secret Garden Bistro, The Wreck, The Tug, Desert Tavern, Western Saloon, Napolitana, Bits ‘N Pizzas, The Fish Deli, Driftwood, Garnish, Ocean Basket, Spur, and, and, and… A market with fresh produce from the Swakop environs is held every Saturday at Shalom Farm, just outside Swakopmund at the turn-off to Nonidas.

Art galleries

The Swakopmund environs

Hand-crafted jewellery

The Swakopmund Arts Association is situated on the first floor of the historical Woermann House. It showcases a wide range of diverse Namibian art, as well as a selection of works by European artists. There are several commercial galleries in Swakopmund where contemporary Namibian art and crafts can be viewed and purchased. These include the Art Gallery in the Brauhaus Arcade; Die Muschel, which also sells books and prints

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and hosts a coffee shop; and in Sam Nujoma Avenue the Fine Art Gallery, which presents regular exhibitions. The first Alliance Française Cultural Centre was opened in Swakopmund in September 2010. Art exhibitions and tea-and-cake afternoons are held, films are shown, a library is hosted and French classes are offered by the centre.

The environmentally friendly Swakopmund Saltworks north of the town have been registered as a private nature reserve. The shallow expanses of water created to allow evaporation in the salt-producing process are ideal feeding grounds for thousands of wetland birds, such as Greater and Lesser Flamingos. Damara Terns breed on the surrounding desert plains and bring their young to the salt works to feed. Other visitors are rare Great Crested Grebes and a large colony of Cape

Cormorants. The Swakopmund River Mouth is also a good place for bird-watching. Camel and horse rides are offered a short distance from the town. Cars and 4x4 vehicles can be hired to embark on day trips or safaris into the desert. Beach-buggy excursions to the beach, dunes or hinterland also include sundowner tours, hunting and fishing safaris, and dune and tyre surfing. Flights over the town and the shipwrecks along the coast can be expanded to include charter flights further afield, while specialised safaris take visitors to see the dune landscapes and plants of the desert. Reputable air-charter companies take visitors on short flips over the dunes.

FROM TOP, LEFT TO RIGHT

Thousands of flamingos flock to the Walvis Bay lagoon every year to breed • Seal colonies can be found all along Namibia's coastline • Some excited, or hungry, pelicans on a boat cruise • The lighthouse at Pelican Point.

WALVIS BAY

While Walvis Bay is Namibia’s major harbour town, it is fast developing into a sought-after seaside holiday haven. Attractions are the lagoon with its prolific bird life and variety of recreational possibilities; a desert golf course; modern and comfortable hotels and a choice of restaurants; and activities such as sightseeing in a donkey cart and kayaking on the lagoon at sunrise. The town has a well-developed and efficient port, while its fishing harbour is the hub of Namibia’s lucrative fishing industry. Entry permits to visit the harbour can be obtained from the Police Office at the Harbour Entrance on 13th Road. The Civic Centre complex of the harbour town contains the Walvis Bay information office and consists of the Town Hall, Mayor’s Office, a Museum and a Library, the latter with temporary membership facilities. The oldest building in Walvis Bay, and a national monument, is the Rhenish Mission Church, a timber structure built in Hamburg in 1880, then dismantled and shipped to Walvis Bay. Places of interest in Walvis Bay include the historic cemetery along Ben Amathila Avenue, historic monuments such as

GERHARD THIRION

GERHARD THIRION

GERHARD THIRION

TARRY BUTCHER

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ELZANNE ERASMUS

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XENIA IVANOFF-ERB

Namibia's coastline is 1570 kilometres long. Namibia is the only country in the world that federally protects its entire coastline.

| COASTAL STRIP | the railway locomotive in front of the station and old rail tracks on the airport road, and the horse-riding stables along Rikumbi Kandanga Avenue. A relic from the first attempts to introduce railroad transport to Namibia – the Old Railway Engine No 652 – which arrived from London in 1899, can be seen in front of the Walvis Bay station in a glass booth to shield it from the coastal weather. Interestingly, due to complications with the railway line caused by the prevailing southwesterly winds, the locomotive was put to little use during its brief lifetime. Outside the town, in the Kuiseb Valley, stands a wooden Boundary Post, erected in 1885 to demarcate the border between the newly founded colony of German South West Africa and the British enclave of Walvis Bay. The Walvis Bay Airport terminal building was recently upgraded. Air Namibia offers flights to Walvis Bay seven days a week.

TOP

The Zelia Wreck near Henties Bay.

BOTTOM

Namibia's beaches are among the most pristine in Africa.

Walvis Bay Tourism Centre

At the end of Union Street in Walvis Bay, bordering the desert and tourist area, the Walvis Bay Tourism Centre is a welcoming ‘one-stop shop’. The Centre is a novel concept, with much to offer, such as accommodation in four bungalows, a restaurant, Internet facilities, pro-golf shop and driving range, Information Desk, Levo Tours offices, and Photo Ventures – which offers photographic and other tours. Tel (+264 64) 20 0606

Cultural Township Tours

Accompanied by a local guide, visitors can go on self-drive township tours. Various options for sightseeing can be included in the package. Lasting from three to four hours, the tour includes stops at the Kuisebmond Market Hall; the kindergarten in Daniel Maxuilili Street where children present a special show; the Multi-purpose Community Centre; and Tutaleni Village. The tour ends at the Mola Mola shebeen, where traditional foods

such as mopane worms, makaka, oshifima porridge and beans can be sampled. The Tutaleni Village and Relocation Project in the township is an example of how the problem of overcrowding is solved by means of an innovative housing concept. More than 800 families have been relocated successfully and now enjoy amenities that previously seemed unattainable. The Tutaleni Village remains municipal property and will be treated as an ongoing project sustained through the joint efforts of the resettled communities, the local authority and the private sector.

Where to eat

Options in Walvis Bay include The Raft restaurant on the Walvis Bay Lagoon and Crazy Mama’s Restaurant for pizza lovers. The Fairway Restaurant & Bistro in the Walvis Bay Tourism Centre serves breakfast, lunch and homemade cakes, sundowners and pizza. Other places to eat are Anchors @ the Jetty, Buffalo’s Restaurant, Bonaroma Restaurant, Willi Probst Bakery, Restaurant & Boulevard Café, Steve’s Take Away and O’Heilie’s Steakhouse. The Lemon Tree Deli offers health sandwiches, sushi, fresh fish, and a selection of other seafood delicatessen. See the Walvis Bay Waterfront for an eclectic selection of eateries.

Walvis Bay Waterfront

The Walvis Bay Waterfront is abuzz with activity. Apart from the unique ocean atmosphere – with pelicans and other seabirds entertaining visitors with their playful antics – and operators offering ocean cruises, there is a wide selection of restaurants. Sara se Gat is a popular cocktail bar, and the Jetty Shoppe sells a wide variety of gift items. Cuppa Musselcracker has a rustic atmosphere and a great selection of light meals and drinks. Local crafters also sell their goods at the Waterfront.

Walvis Bay Lagoon

The Walvis Bay Lagoon takes pride of place as a scenic attraction in the Walvis Bay area. The tranquil body of water, its natural beauty accentuated by thousands of flamingos gathering at the rich feeding grounds, is over 3 000 years old. The lagoon has been silting up for hundreds of years, a process hastened by man’s activities.

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Because of its value nationally and internationally as a wetland area, it was designated as a RAMSAR site in 1995, RAMSAR being a convention on wetlands held in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. The lagoon is regarded as the most important wetland for coastal birds in Southern Africa. Wading birds including Lesser and Greater Flamingos and White Pelicans are seen here. A pleasant walk of just over 3 km leads to Lover’s Hill, which overlooks the lagoon.

The Walvis Bay environs

Midway between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund is Langstrand. Established by the Walvis Bay Municipality, the neighbourhood's main beach features tidal pools and ideal swimming conditions. The neighbouring Dolphin Park Recreation Resort has its own chalets, swimming pool, hydroslide and barbecue facilities. Dune 7, on the outskirts of town, is the highest dune in the area. Palm-treeshaded facilities for day camping and barbecues are ideal for family entertainment. The angling potential along the coast is particularly good. An angling area favoured by locals is Paaltjies, which consists of four angling spots south of the town. The ‘paaltjies’ are navigational beacons used by commercial fishermen. The first ‘paaltjie’ can be reached by ordinary vehicle, but a 4x4 is required to reach the other three further south. The Walvis Bay Lagoon is ideal for windsurfing, boating and regattas organised by the Yacht Club, in which Hoby Cats, Fireballs and catamarans compete. A tour operator offers skiboat trips for shark, bottom and game fishing. Beach-fishing trips in 4x4 vehicles along the coast specialise in shark fishing. Boating day trips are enjoyable pleasure excursions. If you’d like to lay your hands on some fresh fish, a good option is to catch it yourself by booking an ocean safari, or going on a fishing expedition along the beach. Set on the unspoilt beachfront 10 km north of Walvis Bay the development of a luxury neighbourhood, Afrodite Beach, is in progress. Once completed, it will comprise multiple seafront homes, villas, a luxury hotel, conference facilities, health spa, apartment blocks and commercial facilities.

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SANDWICH HARBOUR

The lagoon at Sandwich Harbour, situated 48 km south of Walvis Bay at the foot of towering ivorycoloured dunes, is a spectacular and sought-after destination. The lagoon, referred to in old texts as Sandfisch Haven, is a former bay that silted up over the years. Today especially ornithologists, photographers and nature lovers visit Sandwich. The Sandwich area has a strange mystique, enhanced by the legend that buried somewhere in the dunes above the high-water mark is a ship with a rich cargo of ivory, gold and precious stones. This treasure has been searched for by many fortune hunters, but to date has eluded all. The lagoon is fed by fresh water seeping from an inland aquifer, and it is a sanctuary for large numbers of coastal and freshwater birds. It is also an important breeding ground for a variety of fish species. Sandwich Harbour was proclaimed a RAMSAR site in 1995. It is one of five such protected wetlands in Namibia. Permits to visit Sandwich are obtainable from the MET offices in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Sossusvlei and Windhoek. Please note that Sandwich is accessible only by 4x4 vehicles; that in certain areas angling and vehicles are prohibited; that angling is not allowed from 25 January to 15 April; and that overnight camping is not allowed here.

HENTIES BAY

In 1929, Major Hentie van der Merwe, a motorcar dealer who operated from Kalkveld, discovered a freshwater spring in an old delta of the Omaruru River while on a rhino-hunting expedition in the desert. He fell in love with the surroundings and for years it was his private haven to which he escaped every December. Henties Bay has since become a popular proposition for holiday and retirement property investments, due to the relatively affordable property prices and the town’s popularity as a holiday resort. Its peaceful atmosphere and remote setting on the Skeleton Coast is one of its greatest assets. Henties Bay Tourism www.hentiesbaytourism.com

What to do in Henties Bay

A peculiar and probably one of the most photographed landmarks in Henties Bay is the Gallows, an old tree stump with a rope and a noose, put up in 1978 as a ‘friendly but firm’ warning to keep the

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town and beach clean – or else! Another surprising phenomenon is a fresh-water fountain situated almost on the beach in the so-called Valley, an old tributary of the Omaruru River. Apparently this fountain served as a lifesaver to many early explorers, one being Henties Bay’s own Major Hentie van der Merwe. One of the biggest events in Henties Bay is the annual Henties Festival in August eeach year which attracts visitors from all over Namibia, South Africa and even overseas. The annual Christmas Market, Angling Bonanza, and Touchies in December are events that have a high priority on the yearly calendar. Although shore fishing is still Henties Bay’s number-one attraction, there is much to do for those who don’t fish. The Jakkalsputz walking trail leads through the beautiful Solitude Bay with its rocky shores and hummock dunes stabilised by coastal desert plants adapted to grow in harsh conditions. The Omaruru River Walking Trail, a long hike along the riverbed and across the Namib Desert plains, gives hikers an experience of the harsh but beautiful desert environment. Remember to take drinking water along. The Henties Bay Golf Course is laid out in the Valley. It is a nine-hole course, extending over 2.7 km, and has welltended grass greens and tees, while the fairways are being planted with grass, which will turn it into a lush green spot in the riverbed. Golf competitions are organised regularly, especially during the December holiday season. While quad-bikes provide fun on the beach, they should be used responsibly and with due consideration to residents and other holidaymakers. Areas specifically designated for their use are 10 km upstream in the Omaruru River environs and the beach either side of the residential areas. When riding on the beach, please take other people into consideration and be on the lookout for children and pets, especially during the holiday season. Quad-bikes are not allowed north of the Omaruru River and east of the C34 or in front of residential areas and campsites.

Where to eat

Henties Bay offers the Fishy Corner Seafood Restaurant & Take-away, Legends Pub & Grill, Desert Sands lapa bar & braai, De Duine Hotel, Pirate’s Cove sports bar and pizzeria, the Skubbe Bar and Solitude, a beach bar and restaurant on the southern edge of town. Good options for coffee

and cake are the Coffee House, Misty Bay Café & Coffee Shop, and NamPie coffee shop.

Henties Bay environs

Situated in the Dorob National Park (the former National West Coast Recreation Area), Henties Bay offers the nature lover an attractive albeit sensitive natural environment with diversified fauna and flora and many sites of interest. Some of the biggest and best specimens of the renowned Welwitschia mirabilis grow among the hills of the Messum Crater. This curious plant – some specimens are estimated to be at least 1 500 years old – is endemic to the Namib Desert, from Swakopmund northwards to Mossamedes in Angola. Desert-adapted game species seen on the desert plains and in the dry watercourses include steenbok, springbok, gemsbok and Hartmann’s mountain zebra. Ostrich are commonly seen in southern Damaraland. This wonderland can be explored along 4x4 routes to destinations such as the Messum Crater, Brandberg West, the Ugab Menhir, Spitzkoppe, Omaruru River and various mineral mines. All roads are signposted and graded. An A2 satellite map with all the routes can be bought from the Henties Bay Tourist Office. Please note that permits are required for trails in and traversing the Dorob National Park. Lichen fields can be viewed at Mile 30 south of Henties Bay, just north of the turnoff to the Cape Cross Seal Reserve and on the way to the Messum Crater. Visitors are asked not to leave the existing roads, but to park their vehicles next to the road and inspect these interesting organisms on foot. If a little water is sprinkled on them, they magically come to life. The Damara Tern, a bird endemic to Namibia that makes its nest in shallow scrapes among the saltbushes (ganna) on the gravel plains, is especially threatened by off-road driving. The nesting grounds of these diminutive birds are between the coastal road and the sea, and there is an important breeding colony just north of the Omaruru River. If you leave the road to reach the beach, stay on the existing tracks. The Omaruru River offers opportunities for walking, quad-biking and 4x4 driving, and has excellent picnic sites. The Old Fig Tree is a wellknown and popular picnic site not far from Henties Bay. You can also drive up the sandy riverbed past the Omdel

| COASTAL STRIP | Dam to Skoenklip and exit the river at Lêwater to follow the route to the Spitzkoppe. The Omdel Dam – mostly dry – offers picnic sites, a variety of bird species, especially when there is water in the dam, and interesting desert-adapted plants. To reach Omdel Dam, take the C35 to Uis for ±27 km, then turn right and follow the narrow track for 14 km to the Omdel Dam wall. Alternatively, the course of the Omaruru River can be followed in a 4x4 to reach the dam.

Cape Cross Seal Reserve

The Cape Cross Seal Reserve, with a surrounding area of 60 km² consisting of flat gravel plains and the rocky outcrop where the seals gather, was proclaimed in 1968 to protect the biggest and best known of the 23 colonies of Cape fur seals that breed along the Namibian and western South African coast. The reserve is situated approximately 130 km north of Swakopmund. From January until the end of June the reserve is open on weekdays from 08:00–17:00; from the beginning of July until the end of November from 10:00–17:00; and in December again from 08:00–17:00. On weekends the reserve is open from 08:00–17:00. For further information contact the Ministry of Environment and Tourism at Cape Cross, Tel: 064 69 4037. It was here that the Portuguese navigator, Diogo Cão, on his second expedition to Africa south of the equator, erected a stone cross in 1486. Two replicas of this cross can be viewed

at the site where the original one was erected. The original padrão is currently in Portugal. A small lichen reserve containing a relatively large variety of species can be viewed from close by. Bird islands off the coast are also protected. The South African (Cape) fur seal, Arctocephalus pusillus, is the largest of the world’s nine fur-seal species. As many as 210 000 of these animals gather at Cape Cross at any one time during the November/December breeding season.

SKELETON COAST PARK

The Skeleton Coast Park, proclaimed in its present form in 1971, extends from the Ugab River for 500 km up to the Kunene River in the north, covering an area of 16 845 km². It protects about one third of Namibia’s coastline. The landscape in the park ranges from sweeping vistas of windswept dunes, to rugged canyons with walls of richly coloured volcanic rock and extensive mountain ranges. Over a hundred species of lichen grow on the plains and west-facing mountain slopes, changing colour and becoming soft and leathery to the touch when the coastal fog generated by the cold Benguela Current pushes inland. Animals occurring on the plains are gemsbok, springbok, jackal, ostrich and brown hyaena, while desertadapted elephant and even black rhino, lion and giraffe roam up and down the dry river courses.

The following rules apply to vehicles, including quads and other motorised bikes: • Permits are needed when entering

• •

•

•

• • • • •

the Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) area in the dune belt between Langstrand and Walvis Bay. Permits are required for trails in and traversing the Dorob National Park. No driving is allowed on the beaches at Henties Bay, Wlotzkasbaken, Swakopmund, Cape Cross and the camping sites at Mile 14, Jakkalsputz, Mile 72 and Mile 108. East of the C34 routes, self-drives are allowed only on designated 4x4 tracks. (Detailed maps are obtainable from the Henties Bay Tourism Office). Bikes are prohibited on beaches between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, and all areas north of Henties Bay. Beach driving is allowed elsewhere on clearly marked tracks. No bikes are allowed north of the Omaruru River up to the Ugab River. Bikes are allowed 10 km upstream from Henties Bay within the Omaruru River course. Vehicles are not allowed in the park between 21:00 and 05:00, except on proclaimed roads. Closed and exclusionary areas include the Damara Tern breeding area, the Swakop River, and lichen fields.

BELOW

XENIA IVANOFF-ERB

It is estimated that over 1 000 shipwrecks are scattered along Namibia's coastline from the Orange River in the south to the Kunene in the north.

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The northern section of the Skeleton Coast Park is a tourism concession area that is restricted to fly-in safaris and guests to Shipwreck Lodge north of Möwe Bay. Of special interest are the clay castles of the Hoarusib, the saltpans near the Agate Mountain and the seal colony at Cape Frio. The southern section – between the Ugab and Hoanib rivers – is accessible to the general public staying at Terrace Bay and Torra Bay. Because of the ecological sensitivity of the coastal desert, the entire park is managed by

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the MET as a wilderness area. A day permit to drive directly through the southern section of the park is obtainable from the MET Tourist Office in Swakopmund, as well as at the Ugab and Springbokwasser gates. Visitors driving through need to enter before 15:00 and leave by 17:00 and may not visit Terrace Bay or Torra Bay along the way. Overnight visitors must be in possession of a valid reservation advice for Terrace Bay or Torra Bay and arrive at the checkpoints at the Ugab Mouth and Springbokwasser

gates no later than 15:00 and leave from these points no later than 17:00.

Adventure at the coast

The coastal strip offers a wide variety of activities for adventure lovers, from quad-biking, ocean cruises, paragliding, sea kayaking, skydiving and sand-boarding, to exploring the Namib on the back of a camel or horse. The possibilities are endless. See the Adventure section on page 53 for further information.

Terrace Bay Resort P/Bag 13378, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 285 7200, Fax: (+264 61) 22 4900 Email: reservations@nwr.com.na, Web: www.nwr.com.na

Terrace Bay is an angler’s paradise offering an exceptional coastal experience inside the famous Skeleton Coast Park in Northwest Namibia. The resort is located on the coast, set in an undisturbed and peaceful spot, surrounded by the majestic dunes of the northern Namib Desert. You can easily venture into the nearby Uniab River Delta, for a glimpse into Terrace Bay’s wildlife diaspora. Here, you can hike, bird watch, spot game or witness breath-taking sunsets from atop the dunes. Choose from two Beach Chalets or our 20 Double Rooms and enjoy our restaurant, bar and kiosk during your adventurous stay. 20

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Torra Bay P/Bag 13378, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 285 7200, Fax: (+264 61) 22 4900 Email: reservations@nwr.com.na, Web: www.nwr.com.na

Torra Bay is a seasonal fishing retreat, situated inside the Skeleton Coast Park on the Atlantic coast. Open only in December and January, Torra Bay is famous in the angling circle due to the variety and quantity of fish that come down the Atlantic current. Other activities include bird watching, walking along the beach, and more fishing. The resort offers minimal facilities for a lesser impact on its natural surroundings: 60 campsites (that need to be booked in advance, and visitors are advised to bring all of their equipment with them), a shop, petrol station, and communal shower facilities. 60

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Strand Hotel Swakopmund Tel Reservations: (+264 64) 411 4308 Email: strand.res@ol.na Web: www.ol-leisure.com

With its extensive and entertaining Restaurants, Bars, Lounges, Deli, sea facing Terraces and Conference & Banqueting Centre the Strand Hotel is the social epicenter of Swakopmund, Namibia. Uniquely located on the iconic and historic Swakopmund Mole and surrounded on three sides by the Southern Atlantic Ocean its 125 Rooms and Suites offer the finest uninterrupted sea views available anywhere in this quaint historic town. The Strand Hotel Swakopmund has been “sculptured” to be more than just a hotel. It is an integral part of the town’s historical centre and a beachfront entertainment destination in itself hosting both visitors and locals.

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Villa Margherita

| COASTAL STRIP |

34 Daniel Tjongarero Street, corner Otavi Street PO Box 4392, Swakopmund Tel: (+264 64) 40 2991, Cell: (+264 81) 332 4293, Fax: (+264 64) 40 0131 Email: info@villamargherita.com.na

Villa Margherita – The Charming House – is a very unique establishment in the heart of Swakopmund under Swiss management. A fusion of contemporary charm and a historic colonial building, Villa Margherita offers seclusion and personalised service. Our ten double rooms, most with a private lounge area, are for connoisseurs looking for a truly remarkable retreat. All our rooms have a flat-screen TV, safe, coffee/ tea station, hairdryer and high-speed wireless Internet connection. Subject to availability, personal laptops are available on request. Our beautifully tended garden is ideal for relaxation; an organic bistro is open throughout the day; we offer professional massages, a laundry service and sumptuous breakfasts served from 7:00; as well as mouth-watering a la carte dinners with a selection of the best South African and international brands of wines and liquors. Room service is available at no extra charge till 21.00. 10

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Flamingo Villas Boutique Hotel 30 Kavambo Nujoma Drive, Meersig, Walvis Bay Tel: +264 64 205 631 / +264 64 207 455 Email: manager@flamingovillana.com / reservations@flamingovillana.com Web: www.flamingovillana.com

The Boutique Hotel has a total of 17 standard rooms, 4 luxury rooms, 5 deluxe rooms, 1 presidential suite with the best view of the lagoon and splendid interiors. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, TV, free wireless, mini bar, laptop safe, coffee station and exquisite amenities, including fluffy soft bath robes – fit for our esteemed guests to cuddle in, after a hard day of discovering our beautiful Namibian nature and cultures. Our restaurant offers the best fine dining cuisine in Namibia, also open to the general public and our full service bar is stocked with top of the range wines and spirits from all over the world. 27

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The Delight Swakopmund Tel: +264 (0)61 427200 Email: bookings@gondwana-collection.com Web: www.store.gondwana-collection.com The Delight Swakopmund, Corner of Theo-Ben Gurirab Ave and Nathaniel Maxuilili Street

Amongst the town’s captivating contrasts and old traditions, Gondwana’s Delight is a fresh breeze in the desert. A refreshing, relaxing, modern, light and airy establishment to uplift and inspire. Effortless and comfortable, with the distinctively warm and welcoming Gondwana service and charm, your stay is always a memorable experience. 20

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Swakopmund Guesthouse Hendrik Witbooi 35, Swakopmund Tel: +264 (0)6446 2008 Email: reservations@swakopmundguesthouse.com Web: www.swakopmundguesthouse.com

Situated in the town centre, a mere five-minute walk from the beach and main shopping area, Swakopmund Guesthouse is owned and run by the Borg family. We provide excellent ambience and service for guests wanting to indulge in a comfortable stay-over close to the ocean. The guesthouse offers eight standard rooms, eight luxury rooms and one family suite - all with ensuite bathrooms. All rooms come complete with minibar and television. We are a bed & breakfast facility, offering more than just the usual by providing guests with a scrumptious breakfast buffet, catering for the more upmarket traveller, with facilities ranging from laundry services to “anything else that guests might ask for“. This includes a shuttle service and wheelchair-friendly accommodation. The Swakopmund Guesthouse is run with an eco-friendly approach, making use of solar energy. We are an owner-run property, with top management being close by at all times making sure the service level is at its best throughout your stay. 20

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Swakopmund Plaza Hotel 42 Liberthina Amadhila Ave, Swakopmund Tel: 064 426 500 Email: info@namibia-collection.com Web: www.namibia-collection.com

Swakopmund Plaza Hotel is ideally located in the heart of Swakopmund and surrounded by a number of historic buildings and restaurants. This 3 star hotel offers a total of 67 rooms in a variety of room types from stylish standard comfort rooms and family rooms to a luxury suite. The Bistro and Coffee Shop is open daily for breakfast as well as coffee, wine and soft drinks throughout the day. A fully equipped multi conference and event centre is available and can seat up to 240 guests. 67

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Atlantic Villa Boutique Guest House 24 Plover Street, Swakopmund Tel: 064 463 511 Email: info@namibia-collection.com Web: www.namibia-collection.com

Atlantic Villa Boutique Guest House is situated within sight and sound of the mesmerising Atlantic Ocean and a few minutes from the Swakopmund town centre. The Guest House offers 47 elegantly appointed, luxury accommodation in a quiet and relaxed atmosphere. There is also a cosy lounge and bar area as well as a small restaurant that serves light meals throughout the day. Modern conference facilities and spacious event venues with the latest technology is also available on site. 47

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Beach Hotel Swakopmund 1 Suedstrand Street, Swakopmund Tel: 064 417700 Email: info@namibia-collection.com Web: www.namibia-collection.com

Beach Hotel Swakopmund is the perfect place to stay whether on business, a romantic trip or family holiday. The hotel is located merely 50m from the Atlantic Ocean and within walking distance from the town centre of Swakopmund. The accommodation varies from 34 comfort rooms to family and luxury apartments. There is a restaurant and bar “Anchor Point” located on the ground floor and open 365 days a year for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Other facilities includes a roof terrace and pool, fitness room, massage treatment room and 24 hour reception. 34

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Oyster Box Guesthouse

| COASTAL STRIP |

Corner of The Esplanade, JJ Cleverly Street Tel: (+264 64) 20 2247, Fax: (+264 64) 24 9597 Email: oysterboxguesthouse@oysterboxguesthouse.com Web: www.oysterboxguesthouse.com

The Walvis Bay Lagoon, regarded as the most important coastal wetland in Southern Africa, is a RAMSAR site that is an important way station for African and Palaearctic migrants. It is also home to large numbers of resident birds and thousands of lesser and greater flamingos. If you’re not an avid bird watcher, the harbour town offers a range of other activities, such as angling from the beach; sand-boarding down the dunes; sailing, kayaking and wind- and kitesurfing on the lagoon; watching dolphins and seals; quad-biking; venturing on 4x4 trips into the Namib Desert; or simply taking a leisurely stroll on a paved walkway around our famous lagoon. Start your day with a hearty Oyster Box breakfast, and end it by unwinding on our open deck, watching the vibrant African sunset over the Atlantic or enjoying a cosy sundowner in our sheltered lounge and bar! 12

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Hotel Schweizerhaus PO Box 445, Swakopmund Tel: (+264 64) 40 0331/2/3, Fax: (+264 64) 40 5850 Email: reservations@schweizerhaus.net

Hotel Schweizerhaus, situated in Swakopmund on the Namib Desert coast, is a mere two to three minutes’ walking distance from the beach and the centre of town. Most of Schweizerhaus’s rooms have their own balcony, affording a view of the sea. Swakopmund’s famous coffee shop, Cafè Anton, serves traditional German confectionery, including Black Forest cream cake, Florentiners and the ever-popular Bee Sting, all of which are baked on the premises. The establishment has been in the hands of the Anton family since 1965, and is owned and managed by Heidi Snyman. A variety of functions, desert excursions, angling trips and sporting opportunities can be arranged for visitors on request. 24

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Hotel Zum Kaiser Taleni Africa Reservations: Tel: (+27 21) 930 4564, Fax: (+27 21) 914 9930 Tel: (+264 64) 41 7100 (for last minute reservations only) Email: reservations@hotelzumkaiser.com, Web: www.hotelzumkaiser.com Location: 4 Sam Nujoma Avenue, Swakopmund GPS Coordinates: S22°40’ 43.56” E014°31’ 22.75”

Perfectly positioned on Sam Nujoma Avenue in the picturesque Swakopmund, the luxurious Hotel Zum Kaiser offers direct access to the beach and the town’s vibrant street life, quaint architecture, shopping and fine dining. This exclusive hotel houses 21 fully air-conditioned bedrooms, each featuring a full en-suite bathroom, television, coffee-and tea-making facilities, bar fridge, electronic safe and wireless internet. Uniquely combining modern furnishings with a touch of classic elegance dating from imperial times, the Hotel Zum Kaiser creates a truly authentic and intimate ambiance. Enjoy delectable cuisine at the onsite Bistro Zum Kaiser and sip sundowners whilst experiencing the spectacular sunsets over the Atlantic from the hotel’s idyllic Roof Terrace. The Hotel Zum Kaiser is fully equipped and offers the ideal setting for conferences, banqueting and celebrations. Exciting activities in the area can be booked directly at reception. 21

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Desert Breeze Lodge Tel: +264 (0) 64 406 236, +264 (0) 81 149 4979 Email: info@desertbreezeswakopmund.com Email (Reservations): reservations@desertbreezeswakopmund.com Web: www.desertbreezeswakopmund.com

In it’s prime position above the ephemeral Swakop River overlooking a vast and sensuous apricot dune sea, Desert Breeze offers the ultimate desert experience. A short drive from central Swakopmund, its spectacular location provides peace and tranquillity away from the bustling town, and the privilege of savouring the ancient Namib Desert. Surrounded by the colourful and unique architecture contrasting but yet fitting in with the desert landscape, it will sooth any soul. Big basalt sculptures stand guard over the desert landscape. The luxury bungalows with their creative atmosphere and the friendly staff will make your stay one to remember.

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The Stiltz Tel: +264 (0) 64 400 771, +264 (0) 64 400 711 Email: info@thestiltz.com, reservations@thestiltz.com Web: thestiltz.com

Unique in every aspect, staying at The Stiltz offers the most spectacular views in Swakopmund. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the Namib sand dunes and the bird-rich lagoon at the river mouth, the Stiltz offers breathtaking views and unforgettable sunsets. If that does not take your breath away, the architecture of these wooden bungalows built on stilts will. Each private bungalow has been attended to in the finest detail, interlinked by wooden walkways to each other and to the main dining bungalow. You will feel like you are staying in a remote location, yet you are only minutes away from the charming town centre with plentiful restaurants, loads of activities and all the amenities you could wish for ... that is if you really feel like leaving your bungalow!

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Protea Hotel by Marriott Walvis Bay Corner of Sam Nujoma Avenue & 10th Road, Walvis Bay Tel: +264 64 213700 Email: res.walvisbay@proteahotels.com.na Web: www.protea.marriott.com

Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the Walvis Bay Lagoon and the world’s oldest desert, the Protea Hotel by Marriott Walvis Bay is located in the heart of the town. All 58 en-suite rooms are comfortably furnished and offer free wireless internet. The hotel is close to Walvis Bay International Airport and Walvis Bay Harbour. Local restaurants and shops are all within walking distance of the hotel. Adventure activities like camel rides, quad biking, sandboarding and desert excursions can easily be arranged. The hotel offers a spacious restaurant, bar, plenty of secure parking and conference facilities for up to 200 people. 58

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Protea Hotel by Marriott Pelican Bay The Esplande, Walvis Bay Tel: +264 64 214 000 Email: cro@proteahotels.com.na / res.pelicanbay@proteahotels.com.na Web: www.protea.marriott.com

Protea Hotel by Marriott Pelican Bay overlooks one of the most important wetland areas on the African coastline, the Walvis Bay Lagoon. With its temperate climate, Walvis Bay offers a safe refuge from the Atlantic Ocean to the abundance of majestic flamingos, pelicans, dolphins and gigantic whales that flock to these waters. Protea Hotel by Marriott Pelican Bay offers 50 comfortable en-suite rooms with balconies that lead guests to a magnificent view of the lagoon, where some of Africa’s rarest bird species can be heard and seen. All rooms and public areas are equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi. The conference facilities can accomodate 150 people comfortably. 50

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Images by Xenia Ivanoff-Erb

| COASTAL STRIP |

S wa ko p mu n d M u n i c i p a l i t y P O Box 53, Swakopmund, Namibia, 13001 Tel: +264 64 410 4111 | Fax: +264 64 088 614 514 marketing@swkmun.com.na | www.swkmun.com.na

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TARRY BUTCHER

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COASTAL & THE DEEP SOUTH

FISH RIVER,

ANNELIEN ROBBERTS

• The region is home to one of the most majestic canyons in the world • It hosts Namibia’s first transfrontier conservation area • A diamond-mining industry of note was established here • Lüderitz is renowned for its distinctive German colonial architecture • Namibia’s most famous ghost town is found on this coast

The country’s most spectacular geological phenomenon and the highlight of Namibia’s ‘Deep South’ is the Fish River Canyon. The famous ravine lies in the lower reaches of Namibia’s longest river, the Fish River. It took millions of years to evolve to its present shape – a massive 161 km long, up to 27 km wide and up to 550 metres deep.

TOP ATTRACTIONS IN FISH RIVER CANYON THE SOUTH AND /AI-/AIS Top tourist attractions in the region RICHTERSVELD include the quaint coastal town of TRANSFRONTIER Lüderitz; Namibia’s most famous ghost town, Kolmanskop, a former PARK diamond settlement that was deserted in the 1950s; the Northern Sperrgebiet, which can be explored with concession-holding tour operators. Further east are the Quiver Tree Forest, Giant’s Playground and Brukkaros Mountain, the latter not an extinct volcano as is popularly thought but the remnants of a gaseous explosion that took place many millions of years ago. Lying at the centre of this region is the unofficial capital of the south, Keetmanshoop – the gateway to many of these attractions. Further south lies the Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world.

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The /Ai-/Ais Hot Springs and Fish River Canyon were first proclaimed in 1968, and in 1989 the Huns Mountains complex west of the canyon was added to these features to form a single conservation entity. The Namibian Government acquired several farms in the surroundings, which were also incorporated into the unit, and in 2003 the long-term conservation objective to manage the Huns Mountains and /Ai-/Ais Game Park jointly with the Richtersveld National Park in South Africa as one integrated Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA)

ACTIVITIES AND ADVENTURES Take a step back in time in the deserted mining village of Kolmanskop – be sure to take your camera along! Hike the Fish River, or tackle it on the back of a mule Sample some fresh home-grown oysters in Lüderitz Surf the waves of the Atlantic Ocean in the Lüderitz waters Visit the Quiver Tree Forest and Giant’s Playground Go on a guided canoe or kayak adventure down the Orange River

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This is just an approximate indication of where these establishments are situated

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became a reality when the /Ai-/AisRichtersveld Transfrontier Park became Namibia’s first transfrontier conservation area. The attraction of this rugged wilderness is its isolated and otherworldly landscape, and wealth of interesting xerophytic plants, such as the halfmens or elephant’s trunk, Pachypodium namaquanum. Geologically and botanically the area is similar to South Africa’s Richtersveld south of the Orange River. Eroded over many millennia, the Fish River Canyon is the second-largest natural canyon in the world. Set in a harsh, stony plain, dotted with droughtresistant succulents such as the distinctive quiver tree or kokerboom, Aloidendron dichotomum, and Euphorbia gregaria, the canyon is a spectacular natural phenomenon that took hundreds of millions of years to evolve. While its full length is 160 km – the width is up to 27 km and depth up to 550 metres – its most spectacular section is the 56-km stretch downstream of the northernmost viewpoint. Because the river flows intermittently, there is always water in some of the pools, except in very dry years. Containing small- and largemouth yellowfish, sharptooth catfish, tilapia and common carp, the pools are also frequented by the water monitor or leguan. Baboon, rock hyrax, ground squirrel and klipspringer are often seen in the canyon, while the presence of leopard and mountain zebra is indicated by tracks left at waterholes. Kudu inhabit the densely vegetated lower reaches north of /Ai-/Ais. An interesting variety of birds, such as the Olive Thrush, Cape Robin-chat and African Black Duck, are found in the canyon.

Fish River viewpoint

The enviro-friendly viewpoint overlooking the spectacular Fish River Canyon was completed in 2010. Designed by Windhoekbased architect Nina Maritz – who is internationally recognised for her expertise in energy efficiency and sustainable building in developing countries – the new facility greatly enhances this popular southern destination. Displayed at the viewpoint are a series of interpretive information posters for tourists, providing details on the flora, fauna and geology of the canyon,

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the history of the area, the human footprint, the transfrontier process and the Fish River Canyon hiking trail.

LÜDERITZ

One of Namibia’s truly unique destinations is the coastal town of Lüderitz in the so-called Deep South. Originally named Angra Pequena (small bay) by the famous Portuguese explorer Bartholomeu Dias in 1487, the settlement was renamed Lüderitz in honour of its founder Adolf Lüderitz in 1884. Located directly on the shores of Lüderitz Bay facing the Atlantic Ocean, Lüderitz forms a barrier between the towering coastal dunes of the Namib-Naukluft Park directly to the north, and the unforgiving rocky coastline to the south. The town has a colourful fishing harbour surrounded by early 20th century German colonial buildings. Ten kilometres to the east the world-renowned ghost town, Kolmanskop, affords you the opportunity to gain a spellbinding insight into what life was once like in this former diamond settlement. Other activities include bird-watching such as at Halifax Island to view Namibia’s largest colony of African Penguins via a boat, exploring the Lüderitz Peninsula and its many bays and beaches, whale watching, windsurfing and speed-sailing. Lüderitz is especially famous for its delicious fresh seafood: west coast rock lobster (called crayfish locally), oysters and the much sought-after delicacy abalone (perlemoen variety). The town celebrates its rich seafood culture with an annual Lüderitz Crayfish Festival. Current developments in the town include the construction of a wind farm, known as Ombepo Wind Farm. Namibia’s first wind farm is expected to generate wind energy at a capacity of 44 megawatts. A major project for the future is the establishment of the largest maritime museum complex in Africa. This multi-million-Namibia-dollar tourist attraction will display Namibia’s rich maritime history, geology and marine fauna and flora. Cafés, restaurants, an outdoor arena, a yacht jetty and large promenades will provide additional relaxation opportunities for the visitor. The scheduled date for completion of this major maritime centre is 2019.

Lüderitz is easily accessible by good roads from Windhoek, Keetmanshoop and the Fish River Canyon, as well as with direct Air Namibia flights from Windhoek International Airport several times a week. To fully appreciate Lüderitz, a minimum of two nights’ stay in the town is recommended.

Distinctive architecture

Among the most striking architectural attractions are the Goerkehaus and Felsenkirche. Both adorn the slopes of Diamond Mountain. The church with its beautiful stainedglass windows is truly unique, as all building materials – even the sand were shipped from Germany. In the ‘old town’ are the houses of former mining magnates and prominent businessmen, including

FROM TOP, LEFT TO RIGHT Goerkehaus, an archeological icon of Lüderitz • The lighthouse overlooking the Lüderitz Harbour • Indulge in locally farmed fresh oysters • African Penguins • The Felsenkirche - overlooking the sleepy town of Lüderitz.

Kreplin House and Troost House. The Krabbenhöft & Lampe Building was erected for a trading business during the period of economic prosperity that followed the discovery of diamonds. The Deutsche Afrika Bank is part of the historic street view of Bismarck Street, one of the oldest roads in town. In Berg Street, in the historic core of the town, is a complex of residences built during the diamond boom. Other noteworthy structures are the old post office, the former German school, the Lesehalle and the Turnhalle. The small Lüderitz Museum on Diaz Street is another fascinating stop to learn about the town’s history and heritage.

Beaches, bays and birds

The Lüderitz Peninsula is characterised by numerous bays, lagoons and unspoilt stretches of beach. At Diaz Point a replica of Bartolomeu Dias’ padrão can be seen, while a memorial on Shark Island commemorates Captain Cornelius Fredericks. Another one, which was unveiled in 1903 to mark

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FISH RIVER, COASTAL AND THE DEEP SOUTH | 20 years of German colonisation, originally stood in the old Nautilus cemetery on the site of the first surveyor’s beacon but was moved in 1976, as were the graves of German soldiers. The popular local beaches are Grosse Bucht, Sturmvogelbucht and Agate Beach, the latter with its excellent barbecue facilities, long sandy beach and good bathing opportunities. The remains of an old Norwegian whaling station can be viewed at

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A Quiver tree (Aloidendron dichotomum) • Explore Namibia's famous ghost town - Kolmanskop • The desert has taken over this once bustling town • Marloth's brownanthus (Brownanthus marlothii) • Brown hyena roam the beaches and desert • View over the Orange River from Hohenfels lookout point.

Sturmvogelbucht. The Lüderitz area is home to a wide variety of aquatic birds. Large numbers of flamingos, cormorants and seagulls inhabit the shallow lagoons. When sailing in the bay, seals and dolphins can be seen playing in the water. For anglers, favoured species are galjoen, steenbras, dassie and rock lobster. It is not unusual to see an occasional jackal or brown hyaena trotting along the beach, or a group of springbok close to the sea. An attractive plant in the surroundings is Bushman’s candle, its pink flowers contrasting vividly against the black rock. Unusual species of dwarf succulents grow in the area, such as small but intriguing lithops, colloquially referred to as Hottentot’s buttocks.

Activities in and around Lüderitz

Excursions from Lüderitz range from guided overnight self-drive 4x4 trips into the Namib sand sea and guided day trips to Elizabeth Bay and the Bogenfels to exploring the Lüderitz Peninsula which is accessible by sedan vehicle. Attractions on the peninsula include the abandoned whaling station, WWI entrenchments, Dias Point, secluded bays and beaches and the old lighthouse. Sightings of Cape fur seals, Heaviside’s dolphins

and, in season, Humpback and Southern Right whales, as well as a variety of seabirds are possible on a catamaran cruise. Deep-sea angling, private charter and bird watching are other possibilities. The large Lüderitz second lagoon, with strong winds coming from the surrounding Namib Desert, offers windsurfers and kitesurfers exciting sailing opportunities throughout the year – this is a real sailing paradise with no crowds and plenty of opportunity to test your skills.

Festivals

The annual Crayfish Festival is celebrated in April/May, a Snoek Derby normally takes place during the long weekend in May, and in September the bi-annual Lüderitz Karneval is held according to German traditions. Windsurfing and speed sailing are two activities that draw crowds to the small town during October/November for the annual Lüderitz Speed Challenge. Excellent wind conditions and a specially made 1km long canal attract the world’s best kitesurfers and windsurfers to compete for the top world-ranking in speed sailing. More than 100 national and 17 world records have been achieved since the first event in 2007 and Lüderitz has become synonymous with speed sailing records. Lüderitz offers the perfect conditions for speed sailing records: warm winds gain momentum on their way through the coastal hills of the Namib Desert and are accelerated to incredibly high speeds by thermal atmospheric pressure when they reach the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Statistically the wind blows at 35 knots and more at least 3 times a week during the event, often reaching 40-45 knots and sometimes even 50 to 65 knots (119 km/h). If you are in Lüderitz during the annual speed challenge it is definitely worth your while to see these worldclass speed sailors in action. www.luderitz-speed.com

Abalone and oysters

Oyster and abalone production in Lüderitz is on the rise, with marine aquaculture enterprises currently producing abalone, oysters, mussels and seaweed in the Lüderitz sea lagoons and the salt-ponds of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. There is a wide choice of eateries serving

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seafood. The Lüderitz Nest Hotel has two restaurants: the Penguin Restaurant and Crayfish Bar & Lounge. Another place to enjoy is Essenzeit at the Waterfront.

Lüderitz Waterfront

A number of exciting modern developments have taken place in the centre of Lüderitz. One of them is the Lüderitz Waterfront Development which currently includes the harbour square that hosts the annual Crayfish Festival. The harbour square consists of shops, restaurants and coffee shops, offices and apartments. The Yacht Club is also at the Waterfront. The second phase of the development, currently underway, is the upgrading and renovation of the historical power station located directly on Lüderitz Bay. Future developments that will put the bay on the map include a shopping centre with sea views, luxury apartments, a fourstar hotel, indoor and outdoor sports facilities, a modern satellite campus for the Namibia University of Science and Technology, and Africa’s largest Maritime Museum.

Kolmanskop

Namibia’s most famous ghost town, Kolmanskop, is situated in the Tsau//Khaeb National Park about 10 km inland from Lüderitz. It was named after transport driver Johnny Coleman, who lived in the tiny settlement of Aus at the turn of the century. During a fierce sandstorm he was forced to abandon his ox wagon on the small incline from where Kolmanskop can be seen. It stood there for a while, giving rise to the name Colemanshügel, which eventually became Kolmanskop. In 1908, the railway worker Zacharias Lewala found a sparkling stone in the sand he was shovelling at Grasplatz railway station nearby Kolmanskop. His supervisor, August Stauch, was convinced he had found a diamond. When this was confirmed, the news spread like wildfire, sparking a frantic diamond rush and causing fortune hunters to converge on Kolmanskop in droves. It soon became a bustling little centre, featuring a butchery, bakery, furniture factory, sodawater and lemonade plant. By 1915, Kolmanskuppe was one of the richest towns in the world with its own millionaire’s row, large outdoor

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salt-water swimming pool, bowling alley, hospital, entertainment hall and ice-making factory. The first X-ray machine in the southern hemisphere was introduced here, as well as the first tram in Africa. Today, Namibia’s diamond-mining operations take place offshore in the Oranjemund area (on the border with South Africa). The development of the town reached its pinnacle in the 1920s, with approximately 300 German adults, 40 of their children and 800 Owambo contract workers living there. In spite of, or probably because of, the isolation and bleakness of the surrounding desert, Kolmanskop developed into a lively little haven of German culture, providing entertainment and recreation to suit the requirements of the affluent, for whom large, elegant houses were built. However, when richer diamond deposits were discovered further south, operations were moved to Oranjemund. Today, the crumbling ruins of the ghost town bear little resemblance to its former glory. The stately homes, their grandeur now scoured and demolished by desert winds, are gradually enveloped by sand. In 1980 the mining company CDM (now Namdeb) restored a number of the buildings and established a museum for tourist viewing. Permits are needed to enter Kolmanskop. These can be obtained at the entrance gate, which is open daily from 08:00 to 13:00 (longer for visitors who have a photo permit). Interesting guided tours are conducted free of charge, in English and German, from Mondays to Saturdays at 09:30 and 11:00, and on Sundays and public holidays at 10:00.

AUS

An almost-forgotten hamlet on the north-south and east-west crossroads between the Maltahöhe– Rosh Pinah and Keetmanshoop– Lüderitz routes has reinvented itself. Most people usually pass Aus or just drive in briefly to fill up with fuel. However, apart from refuelling, having refreshments and perhaps staying at one of the accommodation establishments, there are more reasons to stop at Aus, as it offers much of interest. The settlement has several historical buildings and traces of crucial historical events, including the remains of the prisoner-of-war

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camp where over 1 500 German prisoners were kept after the surrender of the German forces in 1915. Aus is also a starting point for viewing the well-known wild horses of Garub and a trading centre for the karakul farmers of the surroundings. Aus is not only at the crossroads of major transport routes, but also at the meeting point of three main ecological biomes – the Succulent Karoo, Nama Karoo and Dune Namib. In terms of natural assets this makes Aus one of the most diverse places in Namibia. Over 500 plant species have been recorded in the environs, representing nearly one fifth of Namibia’s entire flora. Some species are restricted to the granite koppies around Aus, and grow nowhere else but there. The sporadic occurrence of winter and summer rains, and diverse landforms including granite koppies, sand-and-gravel plains, and rivers, contribute to this extraordinary natural diversity. As an outpost of the Succulent Karoo biome, the area yields flower displays that rival those of Namaqualand a few weeks after significant rains. These could occur almost any time of the year due to the transitional nature of the Aus environs between the two major climatic regimes in Southern Africa. Good times to view the plant life are from May to June and from August to September. Aus is also a rewarding spot for birding. Namib endemics such as the Namib Dune Lark can be seen here, as well as a variety of other larks, raptors and shrikes, in addition to the regular inhabitants of the marginal desert areas, such as Ludwig’s Bustard, Rüppel’s Korhaan and Namaqua Sandgrouse.

The Desert Horses

A captivating feature of the Sperrgebiet are the legendary desert horses seen from the road when travelling between Lüderitz and Aus. About 100 km east of Lüderitz, a signpost indicates the turn-off to Garub, a maintained water point where the wild horses can be observed and photographed as they come to drink. There are several theories regarding their origin. One is that they are descendants of the horse stud belonging to Baron von Wolf, who built Duwisib Castle 160 km

northeast of Garub. Another is that they are descendants of horses left behind when the German Schutztruppe abandoned Aus during the South West Africa Campaign in 1915, and yet another that they are descended from some 6 000 horses belonging to South African soldiers who camped at the borehole at Garub in 1915. There was also the so-called Kubub stud at the Kubub Station under management of Emil Kreplin (mayor of Lüderitz from 1909–1914), who bred workhorses for mining purposes and racehorses. It is thought that the Kubub horses also added to the evolvement of the famous desert horses of Aus.

ROSH PINAH

Rosh Pinah, a mining village south of Aus, is yet to gain town status. Mining operations in Rosh Pinah started in 1969 when the Rosh Pinah Lead-Zinc Mine commenced operations. In 2001, the village received another economic boost when the Anglo Skorpion Zinc Mine started operations. Rosh Pinah doesn’t offer much in terms of activities and leisure, but serves as a convenient stopover between Aus and Oranjemund. The Geo Centre is worth a mention though, displaying rocks and minerals from the Rosh Pinah and Skorpion mines, as well as from other areas in Namibia. Open Mondays to Fridays from 8:00 to 17:00, the Geo Centre also offers geology and history trips to interesting locations in the vicinity, ranging from day trips, to five-day, all-inclusive tours.

ORANJEMUND

Known as the ‘town built on diamonds’ where jackal, ostrich and gemsbok wander the streets amongst the local inhabitants, Oranjemund was officially granted local-authority status in August 2011. The long-standing plan to proclaim Oranjemund as an open town came to fruition following the proclamation of a 90-km access road linking Rosh Pinah to Oranjemund as a national road. The town was previously owned privately by Namdeb. Oranjemund can lay claim to being the only town surrounded completely by the Tsau//Khaeb National Park. In its heyday, when Oranjemund boasted 15 000 inhabitants, the mining giant DeBeers provided

FISH RIVER, COASTAL AND THE DEEP SOUTH | luxuries for its employees, such as one of the best 18-hole golf courses in Namibia. Fishing and birding are further popular pastimes in Oranjemund, as the town is located at the Orange River mouth, a RAMSAR wetland. Air Namibia offers flights to Oranjemund four times a week. As of October 2017, visitors to the town no longer require to apply for an entry permit prior to their visit.

Oranjemund Border Control

Oranjemund Border control is situated between Namibia and South Africa. On the Namibian side you have the town of Oranjemund, and on South Africa’s side, Alexander Bay. A single paved carriageway leads towards the border post crossing at the bridge at Alexander Bay to Oranjemund.

TSAU//KHAEB NATIONAL PARK

Sperrgebiet National Park, now renamed to Tsau //Khaeb National Park (Tsau meaning Soft and // Khaeb meaning Sand), was proclaimed in 2008. While it is still

largely undeveloped and much of it remains inaccessible to visitors, a small section of this wild landscape can be explored with a tour group, accompanied by an official of the MET. The Sperrgebiet (forbidden territory) covers 26 000 km² of globally important semi-desert. It forms part of the Succulent Karoo biome that extends into South Africa. With its profusion of succulent species, unrivalled anywhere else on the planet in terms of endemism and quantity, conservation scientists have classified this area as one of the world’s top 35 Biodiversity Hotspots. To qualify for hot-spot status, an area must contain at least 1 500 endemic vascular plants (0.5% of the planet’s total) and must have lost at least 70% of its original habitat. Prior to the establishment of the Tsau// Khaeb National Park, a mere 11% of the surviving Succulent Karoo, which is home to 2 439 endemic plants, was in protected areas. Now, following the proclamation of the park, 90% of this zone is protected. Concessionaires with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) take visitors from Lüderitz to the colossal 55-metre-high Bogenfels rock arch; the modern diamond mine and the mysterious ghost town

at Elizabeth Bay; the ghost town of Pomona (noteworthy for enduring the highest average wind speeds in Southern Africa); and Märchental – the famous ‘Fairy Tale Valley’ – where diamonds were once so common they could be picked up in handfuls from the surface as they lay gleaming in the light of the moon. Activities further south include kayaking down the Orange River to observe the birds and animals that frequent this internationally renowned Ramsar Wetland Site and viewing the wealth of succulents, some growing as tall as trees and many putting on a spectacular floral display after winter rains. Because the Sperrgebiet, due to its diamond wealth, has been off limits to the public for close to a century, the habitat is largely untouched and pristine, making a visit to the park a truly unique wilderness experience.

Northern Tsau//Khaeb Concession

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) has given tour operators concessions to conduct

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JACO VENTER ANNALIEN ROBBERTS

Bogenfels rock arch - a colossal 55 m high feature along Namibia's Southern Coastline.

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guided 4x4 trips along the coast from Lüderitz to Saddle Hill and safaris from Lüderitz to Walvis Bay in the wilderness section of Namib-Naukluft Park. Participants drive in their own vehicles and are accompanied throughout the trip by a tour guide in the leading vehicle and an assistant driving at the rear of the convoy with the kitchen equipment and food for the tour on board. A MET representative assists the tour when deemed necessary. Points of interest include Saddle Hill, Koichab Pan, Sylvia Hill, Conception Bay, Langewand, the wreck of the Eduard Bohlen, Fischersbrunn and Sandwich Harbour.

Ancient shipwreck discovered

In April 2008, a shipwreck was discovered along the southern Sperrgebiet coast with priceless treasure in the form of glittering gold coins and hundreds of almost mint-condition silver pieces. Other artefacts retrieved were fifty ivory tusks, thousands of Portuguese and Spanish gold and silver coins minted in late 1400 and early 1500, and pewterware. Astrolabes were the only navigational tools found on the wreck. Astrolabes were used to determine how far north or south you had sailed, although what doomed this ship still remains a mystery. In all likelihood it ran aground due to bad weather, as this stretch of coast is notorious for fierce, disorienting storms. Unofficial estimates are that the gold coins alone are worth N$16 million. The origin of this find remains a mystery, although informed sources speculate the ship could have been one of a fleet of four small, fast Portuguese ships – led by Bartholomeu Dias in the 15th century - that came to grief during a storm off the Cape of Good Hope in May 1500. Dias’s caravel was part of a fleet of a dozen ships that set sail from Portugal in early 1500 under the stewardship of the legendary sailor Pedro Alvarez Cabral, who stumbled on Brazil after becoming lost at sea. The discovery was made inside Namdeb’s Mining Area 1, which is accessible only with permits issued jointly by the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Government’s Protective Resources Unit. Namibian heritage laws on such discoveries automatically give ownership of the

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treasure to Government. A maritime and mining museum for Oranjemund is in the pipeline to display, among others, the artefacts found on the wreck.

BETHANIE

The historical town of Bethanie, one of the oldest settlements in the country, lies west of Keetmanshoop. It can be visited from the road leading to Lüderitz. A significant historical event took place in Bethanie in 1883 when the first recorded deed of sale was signed at the house of the 19th century Nama Chief, Joseph Fredericks, for the land that was to become known as Lüderitz. The house, built in the same year, is a national monument. Buildings of historical interest in Bethanie are the Evangelical Lutheran Church Complex, comprising Schmelenhaus, built in 1814 and believed to be the oldest existing building in the country, the original mission church, and the adjacent graveyard. Situated next to the road between Bethanie and Goageb is a Site of Veneration, a stone heap known as a prayer mound or Heitsi Ghub in the local Khoekhoe language. This feature is protected as a cultural historical relic. The Musical Stone, a large block of dolomite that produces different pitches when struck by a sharp stone, and found on the farm Rooipunt, is another relic of early Namibian history. Because it is situated on private land, permission needs to be obtained to visit the site.

KEETMANSHOOP

The main centre and focal point of the scenic and historic attractions in the south is its ‘capital’ Keetmanshoop. Founded in 1860 by the Rhenish Mission Society, the town still retains vestiges of its original German buildings, and some dating back to the arrival of the first Europeans, who trekked across the Orange River to trade, hunt and explore the land. The first of these expeditions was in 1791. It was led by Hendrik Hop, who trekked as far as Hainabis on the Löwen River, about 12 km from Keetmanshoop. In 1866 preacher John Schröder of the German Missionary Society built a shelter at Keetmanshoop from which to operate. It is said the two acacias he used to support

the shelter are still alive and well. Schröder approached the rich industrialist, Johan Keetman, chairman of the society, for funds to build a church and dwelling for himself and his family. Keetman donated 2,000 German marks for the church, and was rewarded for his generosity by having the settlement named after him, although he never saw the town himself. The first version of the Rhenish Mission Church built by Johan Schröder was swept away in 1890 by floodwaters of the Swartmodder River. It was then rebuilt on higher ground, completed in 1895, and used as a church until 1930. It is now a museum with displays depicting the colourful past of the region. Eagle’s Monument, built between 1897–1907 in remembrance of the casualties in the battles fought with the Bondelswarts and the Namas and declared a National Monument in 1966, can be viewed in the Garden of Remembrance. Former officers' barracks built in German colonial times, the Turnverein Gut Heil, has been converted into tourist accommodation. Much of the German architectural style was retained, as well as unexpected Jewish motifs in the shape of the Star of David, lending an interesting detail to the tall windows of Schützenhaus. The previous owner transferred the windows to the house when the old Jewish Synagogue in Keetmanshoop was demolished. The Southern Tourism Forum (STF) operates from an information office in the centre of Keetmanshoop. The building in which it is housed was inaugurated in 1910 as Kaiserliches Postamt (Imperial Post Office) and is a national monument. The STF is actively engaged in the annual Dorsland Trek/Fish River Canyon awareness project, which entails collecting refuse left by hikers on the hiking trail. Also in the Keetmanshoop vicinity is the site of the former monolith Mukurob, a relic of erosion also referred to as the Finger of God, which collapsed in December 1988. Today, only the the base and part of the neck are still in evidence. Also in the Keetmanshoop district, albeit in a remote area on the edge of the Kalahari about 28 km east of Aroab on the road to Botswana, is an impressive stone rondavel, erected in 1900.

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Quivertree Dolerite Park

Forty-two kilometres northeast of Keetmanshoop on the road to Koës is the Mesosaurus Fossil Site & Quivertree Dolerite Park. Father and son, Giel and Hendrik Steenkamp, happened on a rock with an imprint of a reptile’s skeleton on their farm, which geologists informed them was a fossil of the early saurian Mesosaurus tenuidens, a predecessor of the dinosaurs. They unearthed further fossils in the layers of mudstone, and, having gained permission from the National Heritage Board, started taking tourists to the site in 2000. Tourist facilities are provided on site. Close by is a quiver tree ‘forest’ and a ‘singing rock’. A guided tour takes 90–120 minutes. For those who prefer to explore on their own, there are two marked trails.

QUIVER TREE FOREST AND GIANT’S PLAYGROUND

SEEHEIM

Founded in 1896 as a base for the

German Schutztruppe, and serving as an overnight stop for visitors travelling by rail to present-day Lüderitz, the settlement doesn’t offer much, although the historical hotel was recently renovated. Seeheim was a booming settlement during the 40s and 50s, of even greater prominence than Keetmanshoop. In the late 50s it started falling into decline and in 1974, the last remaining business – the Seeheim Hotel – was forced to close down. After standing empty for 30 years, the hotel is once again open for business. Near Seeheim, on the farm Naiams, is an old German Fortress, built in 1898. Two historical graves are found in the vicinity.

NAUTE DAM

Some 50 km southwest of Keetmanshoop en route to Seeheim, is Namibia’s third-largest water reservoir,

BELOW

Brukkaros Mountain, a crater-like landmark of Namibia's southern landscape.

RIÈTH VAN SCHALKWYK

A much-favoured subject for photographers, the Quiver Tree

Forest can be viewed on Farm Gariganus, some 14 km northeast of Keetmanshoop. About 300 specimens of this Aloidendron dichotomum, also referred to by its Afrikaans name, kokerboom, reach skywards with graphically forked branches. On average about 3–5 metres tall, the trees are rewarding subjects to photograph, especially at sunset or sunrise. They produce bright yellow flowers during the winter months, and their trunks are smooth and shiny with light silverygrey bark, which peels and forms intricate rectangular and diamondshaped patterns as the tree matures. Across the road from the Quiver Tree Forest is Giant’s Playground, an impressive jumble of massive dolerite boulders between 160 million and 180 million years old. Wandering through the maze of boulders is an interesting excursion, but care must be taken not to become lost in the extensive rocky labyrinth.

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LIZA DE KLERK

the Naute Dam, fed by the Löwen River, a tributary of the Fish. Surrounded by flat-topped ridges and large rustcoloured boulders, the area is scenically attractive, and harbours a surprising variety of birds, including some aquatic species. The Naute Recreation Resort was proclaimed in 1989, offering picnic sites, toilets and a small shop. The Naute Project is an irrigation scheme fed by the dam for the production of domestic white maize, dates, grapes, prickly pears and pomegranates. Only about 20–25 tonnes of the dates produced at Naute are distributed locally, as Namibians are not great consumers of this highly nutritious fruit. The other 70–75 percent is exported primarily to Britain, Canada, Spain and France.

BRUKKAROS MOUNTAIN

About 130 km northwest of Keetmanshoop en route to the small settlement of Berseba, where a mission station was established in 1850, is the conspicuous Brukkaros Mountain. In a landscape devoid of vegetation, this mass of dark-coloured lava rises abruptly from a vast, sun-scorched plain. The turnoff to the base of the mountain, accessible only with 4x4 vehicles, is south of Tses. A wellmaintained footpath leads from the end of the road via the eroded southern rim to the mountain. The footpath was built when the Smithsonian Institute installed a solar telescope in a tunnel on the crater’s southwestern rim in 1929 to determine the amount of energy the earth received from the sun. It closed down two years later. At the turn of the century the German authorities maintained a heliograph station on the

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eastern rim of Brukkaros. Relatively recently, a VHF radio mast was placed on the northern rim. Brukkaros is not an extinct volcano, as its shape would suggest, but the eroded remnants of a pile of fragmented rock produced by a gigantic gaseous explosion some 84 million years ago. At its highest point it is about 1 580 metres, the mountainous ridge surrounding a deep crater of almost 2 000 metres in diameter, with a flat, rock-littered floor. The mountain’s vernacular name, the Nama word Geitsigubeb, refers to its resemblance to a large leather ‘trouser apron’ worn traditionally by Khoekhoe women.

HELMERINGHAUSEN

Although the small settlement of Helmeringhausen doesn’t offer much in terms of tourism it is a nice stopover seemingly in the middle of nowhere. Founded during the German colonial era as a farm by a member of the Schutztruppe, the Helmeringhausen area later became famous for the breeding of karakul sheep. On the farm Mooifontein is a cemetery containing graves of German soldiers who were killed during the Nama uprisings against German Colonial rule (1903–1907), as well as some civilian graves. The farm was formerly a German military post known as Chamis.

WARMBAD

For most Namibians the small settlement of Warmbad in southern Namibia is a mere dot on the map. However, in historical times Warmbad occupied a prominent place in the country. Two hundred years ago the Albrecht brothers, Abraham and Christian, as representatives of the London

Missionary Association, settled in Warmbad to introduce Christianity to local inhabitants. By then, in addition to its Nama residents, including Bondelswarts people who were farming in the surroundings, the settlement was an important stopover for big-game hunters, traders and adventurers en route to and from South Africa. Thus, although these activities started as early as 1760, the Albrecht brothers are regarded as the founders of Warmbad. Today the town is inhabited primarily by Nama people, a friendly race with a rich history of folklore and tales of heroism in battle. Of great historical interest in Warmbad is the site where the Bondelswarts leader, Jan Christiaan Abraham, was shot and killed by German district officer Lieutenant Jobst when resisting arrest in 1903. The Bondelswarts retaliated by shooting Lieutenant Jobst and a non-commissioned officer, an incident that gave rise to the Bondelswarts taking up arms against the Germans. This historic event is re-enacted every year on the weekend preceding or following 25 October. Also of interest in Warmbad is the stone entrance built between 1907 and 1913 as a gateway to the German fort. Completed around 1895, the fort with its single tower was enclosed by a stone wall. Although the fort no longer exists, the remains of the Schutztruppe stables with their beautiful stone cribs can still be seen. Nearby is the old prison building with its two cells, still in a relatively good condition. To appreciate the historic attractions offered by Warmbad, it is best to engage the services of a guide. The hot-water springs at Warmbad were discovered by the Bondelswarts people more than 200 years ago when searching for water and grazing for their livestock. Another site of interest is that of a commemorative stone erected in 1929 for Reverend Edward Cook, the second Wesleyan missionary to arrive in the area. The community-based Warmbad Museum is the result of an alliance between the Warmbad Community Based Tourism Enterprise (WCBTE) and the History Department of the University of Namibia. It houses pictures and items that are unique to Namibia. Other sites of historical interest are old German and South African graves, the 1805 Lutheran Church and and the Roman Catholic mission building.

FISH RIVER, COASTAL AND THE DEEP SOUTH |

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Fish River Canyon & Hobas Lodge P/Bag 13378, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 285 7200, Fax: (+264 61) 22 4900 Email: reservations@nwr.com.na, Web: www.nwr.com.na

Hobas Lodge is located in the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, near Fish River Canyon, one of the largest canyons in the world and the main attraction in Southern Namibia. Hobas Lodge sits at the start of the 90 km long Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail, ranked one of the best hiking trails in Southern Africa. The lodge offers six en-suite rooms and 14 campsites nestled among shady trees at the top end of the Fish River Canyon. Hobas is closely located to the Fish River viewpoint.

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/Ai-/Ais Hot Springs Spa P/Bag 13378, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 285 7200, Fax: (+264 61) 22 4900 Email: reservations@nwr.com.na, Web: www.nwr.com.na

/Ai-/Ais Hot Springs Spa offers comfortable accommodation in 36 exquisitely appointed double rooms facing either the Fish River or the mountains, all with direct access to the indoor spa pools, and seven selfcatering chalets. Visitors can enjoy the therapeutic powers of the thermal springs in the central indoor spa or choose to wallow in the large outdoor thermal pool, and experience an invigorating and relaxing foot massage with a magnificent view of the surrounding mountains. For a true Namibian touch, true relaxation and true tranquillity that heals body, mind and soul, a wide range of massage options are on offer. Hikers and visitors alike can experience exotic massages on the banks of the Fish River. 36

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Shark Island P/Bag 13378, Windhoek Tel: (+264 61) 285 7200, Fax: (+264 61) 22 4900 Email: reservations@nwr.com.na, Web: www.nwr.com.na

Shark Island is located on the Shark Peninsula in Lüderitz Bay in southwest Namibia. The resort overlooks the bay, town and harbour. Onlookers can spot the seals and pelicans that frequent the rocky areas around the site. The resort is an excellent central point for exploring the town of Lüderitz, the famous Kolmanskop Ghost Town, and Diaz Point, the historic landing spot of 17th century explorer Bartolomeu Dias. The resort also runs its own signature trip, Sand Roses, into the Diamond Area at Agate Beach. Visitors get to see the sand roses formed from crystallised gypsum, which are a stunning natural marvel, unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Visitors can also swim at the Agate Beach. 1

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Fish River Lodge – ‘On the Edge of Eternity’ PO Box 91045, Klein Windhoek Reservations Tel: (+264 61) 22 8104 Lodge Tel: (+264 63) 68 3005 Booking Email: fishriver@journeysnamibia.com Web: www.fishriverlodge-namibia.com

We are the only lodge situated directly on the rim of Namibia’s Fish River Canyon, the world’s second largest canyon and with access down into the heart of the canyon. Set amongst ancient “kokerbome" (quiver trees) the uniquely designed lodge with drypacked stone walls and large windows has breathtaking views of the canyon from sunrise to sunset. The 45 000 hectare Canyon Nature Park includes 75 km of river frontage and offers incredible hiking from the lodge. Take a stroll along the rim, a guided hike or 4 x 4 drive down into the heart of the canyon. Enjoy the scenery on our fat bike cycling routes. The Canyon Hiking Trail (that lasts 2-5 nights) along the river in the heart of the canyon is a unique experience reserved exclusively for guests at Fish River Lodge from April to September. This is a journey of amazing discoveries, solitude and a true feeling of wilderness as you camp under the stars in this pristine and dramatic landscape. 20

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Lüderitz Nest Hotel 820 Diaz Street, Lüderitz Tel: (+264 63) 204000 Fax: (+264 63) 20 4001 Email: reservations@nesthotel.com Web: www.nesthotel.com

The four-star Lüderitz Nest Hotel features a private tidal beach and jetty, unique in Namibia. A sauna, restaurant, various terraces, lounge and bar all overlook the Atlantic Ocean. The hotel’s outdoor sparkling pools and secluded verdant gardens are for in-house guests only. With modern décor, all spacious rooms and luxurious suites feature climate-controlled air-conditioner, extra-long beds, direct sea views, Wi-Fi (free), satellite HD TV, laptop safe and coffee facilities. A full buffet breakfast (Complimentary for in-house guests) is served daily in the Penguin Restaurant. Other meals here include international cuisine and seafood. The Crayfish Bar and Lounge on the upper level warmly welcomes outside visitors and offers unsurpassed views of the sea, peninsula and Felsenkirche (1912). There is free and secure parking on site. The ethos of this long-established reputable hotel is to offer a friendly efficient service in a relaxed ambience. 73

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Bird’s Accommodation PO Box 460, Keetmanshoop Bird’s Mansion Hotel Tel: (+264 63) 22 1711, Fax: (+264 63) 22 1730 Bird’s Nest Guesthouse Tel: (+264 63) 22 2906, Fax: (+264 63) 22 2261 Email: birdnest@iafrica.com.na / birdsmansions@iway.na Web: www.birdsaccommodation.com

Situated in the centre of Keetmanshoop is the gracious Bird’s Mansions Hotel with 24 rooms and 2 self-catering flats, and the clean and fresh Bird’s Nest Guest House with 10 rooms. All the rooms are air-conditioned and have bathrooms en suite, direct-dial telephones, free Wi-Fi and television (DStv Hotel Bouquet + extra channels). Both establishments have barbecue facilities and secure parking, and provide a laundry service and transport to and from the airport or station. They prepare takeaways and lunch packs on request. The hotel has a fully licensed restaurant, shaded beer and tea garden and two conference venues. 33

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Gondwana Canyon Collection Tel: +264 (0)61 427200 Email: bookings@gondwana-collection.com Web: www.store.gondwana-collection.com Canyon Roadhouse & Campsite, 20 km east of the Fish River Canyon on the C37

The second largest Canyon in the world – the Fish River Canyon is home to spectacular sights, sounds and experiences. Join Gondwana in the 126 000 hectare Gondwana Canyon Park, which hosts three stunning lodges to suit every taste and need. Canyon Lodge, Canyon Village and Canyon Roadhouse await your arrival.

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Klein-Aus Vista: Eagle’s Nest and Desert Horse Inn Tel: +264 (0)61 427200 Email: bookings@gondwana-collection.com Web: www.store.gondwana-collection.com Klein-Aus Vista, 2 km west of Aus on the B4

Forever landscapes, solitude, silence and sunsets. Klein-Aus Vista’s Eagle’s Nest is a self-catering getaway with eight individually-built rock chalets. Keep to yourself or drive to Desert Horse Inn’s restaurant for delicious fare and congenial company. Return to dream of peace and wake to magnificent sunrise scenery.

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FISH RIVER, COASTAL AND THE DEEP SOUTH | 9

Bahnhof Hotel Aus PO Box 2, Aus, Karas Region Tel: (+264 63) 25 8091 Direct email: bahnhof-hotel-aus@iway.na Reservations email: marketing@travel-weaver.com Web: www.bahnhof-hotel-aus.com, www.bahnhof-hotel-aus.de

The historic Bahnhof Hotel presents itself in a modern, elegant format, combining rich history and traditional comfort with excellent service and à la carte cuisine. Light lunches, daily fresh bread and cakes from the kitchen are best enjoyed on the sundeck. 26 stylishly refurbished double rooms with en-suite facilities, including a 4-bed family unit and a room accessible by wheelchair, as well as one self-catering unit, are inviting the weary traveller to stop over for a good night’s rest. 26

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Namtib Desert Lodge PO Box 19, Aus Tel: (+264 63) 68 3055, Fax: (+264 88) 63 3459 Email: stay@namtib.net, Web: www.namtib.net

Discover a different meaning of luxury: tranquillity, wide open spaces, clear skies, unspoilt environment. Situated on the most scenic route along the Namib Desert, Namtib Desert Lodge finds itself in a unique, contrasting landscape. It is on a 16,400 ha privately-owned Biosphere Reserve enfolded by the Tiras Mountains. Here the owners will personally welcome guests and introduce them to rustic farmstyle living.

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Kalahari Game Lodge Lodge Tel: +264 63 252 052 Head office Tel: +27 21 880 9870 Email: reservations@kalaharigamelodge.com.na Web: www.kalaharigamelodge.com.na

Kalahari Game Lodge is a luxury private game farm situated next to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park on the south-eastern border of Namibia. It is an oasis surrounded by red dunes and home to the free-roaming Kalahari lion. The lodge comprises of eight luxury chalets and for the more adventurous six spaciously set apart campsites along the dry Auob riverbed. Accommodation provide idyllic views of the tranquil surroundings. At the lodge, guests can enjoy the restaurant, swimming pool, bonfire pit, and bar facilities. The lodge offers open vehicle game drives all year round of which the lion tracking is the main attraction. Guaranteeing an unforgettable encounter with these magnificent animals. 8

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GERHARD THIRION

GENERAL INFORMATION The bedrock of Namibia’s tourism is a versatile range of natural assets – from the hauntingly beautiful landscapes of the Skeleton Coast, Sperrgebiet and Namib-Naukluft Park, featuring the celebrated Sossusvlei with its monumental dunes of red-orange sand – to the famous Etosha National Park where rare and endangered species such as black rhino, cheetah and black-faced impala can be viewed against the unique backdrop of the Etosha Pan. In the far northeast there are the river paradises of Zambezi and Kavango, and in the deep south, expansive grassy plains sandwiched between the colourful sand seas of the Kalahari and Namib deserts. Additional drawcards are the friendliness and cultural diversity of the Namibian people, a welldeveloped infrastructure and an extensive choice of parks, resorts and accommodation establishments ranging from luxury hotels and upmarket guest lodges to simple and rustic facilities in the quiet seclusion of the bush. Namibia has it all, whether you opt for travelling in luxury or economically, with a guide or by yourself, and whether your interest is in wildlife, landscape, people, adventure, geology, photography, culture or cuisine. Namibia’s bountiful sunshine, abundance of wildlife, scenic beauty, and rich diversity of geological phenomena make it a tourist destination to which visitors return again and again.

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FAST FACTS

• Namibia has 13 cultural groups. • Between 2001 and 2011 the

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annual population growth was 1.4%, down from 2.6% in the previous ten-year period. www.npc.gov.na English is the official language. Other languages spoken are the Bantu languages of the Owambo, Herero, Kavango, Zambezian and Tswana people; the IndoGermanic languages – Afrikaans, German and English; and the Khoesan languages spoken by the San, Nama and Damara. Namibia has a surface area of 824 269 km². Situated on the south-western Atlantic seaboard of the African subcontinent, Namibia is bordered by Angola and Zambia in the

north, South Africa in the south and Botswana in the east.

HISTORICAL AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT

Namibia’s varied geographical features have played a significant role in the history of the Namibian people. In pre-colonial times a relatively stable water supply and the well-wooded terrain in the north-eastern regions of the country encouraged cattle farming and agricultural practices by people along the Okavango River. Among the earliest inhabitants of the central and southern areas were the San, who were hunter-gatherers; the Damara, about whom little is known

| GENERAL INFORMATION | other than that they were hunters and to a lesser extent pastoralists; and the Nama, who were nomadic stock farmers.

GOVERNMENT AND THE RULE OF LAW

Namibia has a democratic constitution that is highly regarded by the international community. • The country is ruled by a multiparty parliament. • Nine political parties are represented in the National Assembly, the lower chamber of parliament. They are SWAPO, Rally for Democracy and Progress, Congress of Democrats, Popular Democratic Movement (formerly DTA), United Democratic Front, National Unity Democratic Organisation, Republican Party, All People’s Party, and the South West Africa National Union. • Following independence the territory was divided into 14 regions: Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena and Oshikoto in the north; Kunene in the northwest; Kavango East, Kavango West and Zambezi in the northeast; Erongo in the west; Otjozondjupa, Omaheke, Khomas and Hardap in the central region; and Karas in the south. • Namibia hosts the following diplomatic missions: Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Brazil, China, Congo, DRC, Cuba, Egypt, the European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Libya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Portugal, the Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom, the United States of America, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe. • The country is represented by diplomatic missions in Angola, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, China, DRC, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, India, Japan, Malaysia, Nigeria, the Russian Federation, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, United Kingdom, United Nations, the USA, Zambia and Zimbabwe. • The Namibian Police Force, based on the British model of policing, has its headquarters in Windhoek. It has 22 A-class, 26

B-class and 70 C-class police stations, 36 sub-police stations, 18 immigration border posts, 14 satellite police stations and three checkpoints across the country. • The judiciary, headed by the Chief Justice, is independent and accountable only to the Constitution and the Law. The judicial power is shared by the Supreme Court, a High Court and lower courts, consisting of regional and magistrate’s courts.

THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF NAMIBIA

The Electoral Commission of Namibia was established by an Act of Parliament, the Electoral Act, Act 24 of 1992. The Electoral Commission of Namibia is mandated to specifically: a. Supervise and control the registration of voters for the purposes of any election under this Act; b. Supervise the preparation, publication and maintenance of a national voters’ register and local authority voters’ register; c. Supervise and control the registration of political parties under this Act; d. Supervise, direct and control the conduct of elections under this Act; e. Supervise, direct, control and promote voter education in respect of elections; Vision To be an excellent and independent election management institution committed to credible elections. Mission To promote and deliver free, fair and credible elections, managed in a transparent, innovative and participatory manner to the Namibians. Did you know? In the 2014 general elections, Namibia was the first SADC nation to implement the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The EVMs replaced the cumbersome process of manual voting and thereby minimised challenges associated with the normal voting process. Electoral Commission of Namibia Private Bag 13352, Windhoek

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Namibia Tel +264-61-376-202 Email: vhango@ecn.na Visit us at: www.ecn.na

THE NAMIBIAN ENVIRONMENT

Namibia’s main topographical regions are the: • Central plateau • Namib Desert in the west • Kalahari in the east • Kavango and Zambezi high rainfall areas in the northeast.

Distinctive mountains

• Brandberg – highest, western Erongo

• Moltkeblick – second highest,

Auas range, south of Windhoek

• Bismarckfelsen – third highest, south of Windhoek

• Gamsberg – fourth highest, • • • • • • • •

table-topped, Khomas Hochland, southwest of Windhoek Mount Etjo – south of Otjiwarongo Spitzkoppe – most imposing peaks, Erongo Region Omatakos – twin-peaked, between Okahandja and Otjiwarongo Erongo Mountains – between Usakos and Omaruru Naukluft Mountains – massif, Namib-Naukluft Park Waterberg Plateau – east of Otjiwarongo Brukkaros Mountain – crater-like, halfway between Mariental and Keetmanshoop Dicker Willem – conspicuous inselberg, towards the west near Aus

Rivers

Namibia is the most arid country in southern Africa, with water being a key resource. Perennial rivers: • Orange River, forming the southern border • Kunene, in the northwest • Okavango, Zambezi & Kwando/ Linyanti/Chobe, in the northeast Ephemeral/seasonal rivers: • Fish and Nossob, tributaries of the Orange • Kuiseb, Swakop, Omaruru, Hoarusib, Hoanib, Ugab and Khumib, all west-flowing and

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draining into the Atlantic

• Tsauchab, landlocked, with

floodwaters occasionally feeding Sossusvlei • Marienfluss and Omatako, northflowing • Cuvelai, a drainage system of rivers originating in southern Angola, with floodwaters flowing into the Etosha Pan.

Climate

• Typical of a semi-desert

country, with droughts a regular occurrence. • Namibia is the most arid country in southern Africa, with a humidity of less than 10% during the winter months and varying from 50% to 80% during the summer. • Except for the south-western areas where winter rainfall occurs, rain usually falls during the southern-hemisphere summer. Rainy season • Short – October/November to March/April • Main – January to March. Average annual rainfall • 50 mm and less, along the coast in the west • 350 mm, central highlands • 700 mm, far north-eastern areas Temperatures • Days – mostly warm to very hot, summer from 20–34°C, in winter average day temperatures vary from 18–22°C. • Nights – generally cool, dropping to ± 18°C, average from 0–10°C, as low as 8°C. • Interior – lower than in pre-Namib due to altitude. • Coast and hinterland – moderate due to influence of cold Benguela Current, causing the fog typical of the coast, reduces rainfall in the rest of the country.

Fauna

Namibia’s abundant wildlife is arguably its greatest tourist asset. Fast facts on fauna • The country hosts eight endemic mammal species. • Over 20 antelope species, • A wealth of small mammals, including mongoose and jackal; the less common, solitary and nocturnal aardvark; and the honey badger. • The Namib Desert is worldrenowned for its large number of

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endemic dune-dwellers, especially lizards, including 30 endemic species. • Large game species are elephant, rhino, giraffe, buffalo, lion, leopard and cheetah. • Endangered mammals are wild dog, cheetah, black rhino, lion, puku, oribi and waterbuck.

Flora

Namibia’s plant-life is categorised into 14 vegetation zones: • Desert • Semi-desert • Mopane • Mountain • Thorn bush • Highland • Dwarf shrub • Camel-thorn • Mixed tree and shrub savannahs • Forest savannahs and woodlands • Golden expanses of African grasslands, dotted by solitary acacias, typified by stretches of silvery grass after rains Fast facts on flora • Over 120 species of trees grow in Namibia. • There are approximately 200 endemic plant species. • A large variety of dwarf succulents grow in the Lüderitz environs. • The Namib hosts over 100 species of lichen, several endemic. • Namibia’s most noteworthy plant, the Welwitschia mirabilis, is endemic to the Namib Desert and one of the oldest plants known to man.

CONSERVATION AND ECOTOURISM

Namibia was the first country in the world to include the protection of the environment in its constitution. Today approximately 19% of its surface area is protected, either as a national park, game reserve, conservancy, or other form of state protected area, exceeding the 10% prescribed by the IUCN. The broader conservation network, including private and communal conservation areas, covers over 46% of the country.

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Birds

Of 887 bird species recorded for southern Africa, 676 occur in Namibia. About 500 breed locally, the rest migrate; 11 species are endemic, with over 75% of world populations found in Namibia. Special endemics • Herero Chat • Rockrunner • Monteiro’s Hornbill • Damara Tern For detailed information, refer to Atlas of Namibia – A Portrait of the Land and its People by John Mendelsohn, Alice Jarvis, Carole Roberts & Tony Robertson.

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endangered species was boosted in 1972, when the Waterberg Plateau Park was proclaimed a sanctuary and breeding ground for animals such as white rhino, eland, buffalo, roan and sable antelope and tsessebe. Protection of the black rhino in the western arid regions gained momentum in the early eighties. Today Namibia is one of the few countries in Africa with growing populations of the highly endangered black rhino, within as well as outside national parks. The first Marine Protected Area – stretching 400 km along the coast and 30 km offshore, incorporating 10 islands – was established in 2009. This will be expanded to encompass the entire coastline (excluding towns), as the NamibSkeleton Coast National Park, set to be the eighth largest park in the world and the largest in Africa. In the private sector several NGOs assist Government with conservation and development. These include the Namibia Nature Foundation, Save the Rhino Trust, Cheetah Conservation Fund, AfriCat Foundation, and the Namibian Association of Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) Support Organisations, an association comprising 15 nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) and the University of Namibia (UNAM). Certain game ranches and lodges focus especially on the conservation of certain species of wildlife on their farms. The largest private conservation area in Namibia is the NamibRand Nature Reserve, an area of 180 000 ha situated south of Sesriem.

| GENERAL INFORMATION | Others are the Gondwana Canyon Park in the south, Erindi Private Game Reserve in the central plateau area, the Huab Private Nature Reserve in the northwest, and AfriCat North in the north. A total of 161 private game reserves are registered with the MET. Venture Media, the publisher of Namibia Holiday & Travel, also publishes Conservation and the Environment in Namibia annually, detailing the latest information on conservation efforts by the MET and NGOs in Namibia. www.travelnewsnamibia.com

THE ECONOMY

Namibia’s economy is based on agriculture, fishing, mining, food processing and tourism. • Mining is the biggest contributor to the GDP. • The country’s economy provides many employment opportunities. • Green Economy promotes sustainable development. • Agricultural production is small but sustains ±70% of the population.

Agriculture – Facts & Figures

• Only 2% of Namibia’s surface area is arable.

• ±46% is suitable for natural

grazing and livestock rearing.

• 22% is forested. • The rest is semi-arid to arid. • Irrigation schemes are possible

only along two perennial rivers on the northern and southern borders. • Irrigation schemes produce mainly white maize and mahangu. • Beef, mutton and exports are the largest single contributor to GDP. • Dairy industry mainly in Gobabis, Mariental and Windhoek areas. • Poultry farming became productive early in 2012. • Local fruit production consists mainly of table grapes, olives, dates. • Namibia Organic Association promotes organic agriculture. Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry: www.mawf.gov.na Agricultural Union: www.agrinamibia.com.na Namibia Organic Association: www.noa.org.na

Mining – Facts & Figures

• The Chamber of Mines of Namibia, with 105 members, represents interests of the industry. • In 2012 the sector grew by 11.2% • Exports rough diamonds, uranium oxide, high-grade zinc and acidgrade fluorspar. • Produces gold bullion, blister copper, lead concentrate, salt and dimension stone. • Mines and exploration companies collectively employ some 15 000 people. www.chamberofmines.org.na

Uranium exploration and mining in Namibia

The presence of the radioactive metal uranium, used to fuel commercial nuclear power plants, determines Namibia’s mining future. • While uranium was discovered in the Namib Desert as far back as 1928, intensive exploration was carried out only in the late 1950s. • In 1966, Rio Tinto took the rights to the low-grade Rössing deposit, 65 km inland from Swakopmund. • Namibia’s two major uranium mines are at Trekkopje, a calcrete deposit 80 km northeast of Swakopmund, and Langer Heinrich, a calcrete deposit 80 km inland from Walvis Bay within the Namib-Naukluft Park. • Further drilling for uranium has taken place in the Namibplaas area, 7 km northeast, and at the Etango project 30 km southwest of Rössing and 35 km east of Swakopmund. • Namibia is party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, has a comprehensive safeguards agreement in force since 1998, and in 2000 signed the Additional Protocol. • Due to the boom in uranium exploration worldwide, Bureau Veritas, a global provider of conformity assessment, certification services and mineral analysis, opened its first geochemical laboratory in Swakopmund in 2010. • Extract Resources completed its definitive feasibility study for the Husab Uranium Project in March 2011. Husab is likely to be the world’s second-largest uranium mine and the largest open-pit mine on the African continent. The

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mine was expected to commence production in December 2015. In April 2011, the Namibian Government announced that its state-owned mineral exploration company, Epangelo Mining Ltd, would have exclusive control over new strategic minerals developments, including uranium. Canada’s Xemplar Energy Corp is exploring its Cape Cross Uranium Project in the Namibian ‘uranium corridor’, near the coast. The Namibian Government has articulated a policy position of supplying its own electricity from nuclear power. While Namibia’s identified uranium resources are about 5% of the world’s known total, the country is capable of providing 10% of world mining output.

Namibia’s gemstones

Namibia is also internationally known as a producer of a large selection of fine gemstones. These include tourmaline, beryl, garnet, pietersite, jeremejevite, iolite, dioptase, topaz, sodalite, agate, jasper, amethyst, rose quartz, carnelian and a host of others.

Iron ore

The latest mining development in Namibia involves the proposed mining of approximately 1.8 million tonnes of magnetite and haematite, two of the most prominent iron ores used in steel and sponge-iron industries. The Lodestone Magnetite Mine Prospect of Dordabis is expected to produce an estimated 600 000 tonnes of produce per year once it starts mining in 2016.

THE FISHING INDUSTRY

Marine fisheries

The marine fishing industry is currently Namibia’s second-largest earner of foreign currency. • Due to the inshore upwelling of the nutrient-rich Benguela Current, Namibia’s fishing grounds of 200 nautical miles are highly productive. • With over 90% of the output already being exported, the Namibian coastline is potentially one of the world’s richest fishing grounds. • Namibia currently lands nearly

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600 000 metric tonnes of fish and shellfish per annum for processing onshore. • Over 20 commercially important species are currently harvested, including hake, monkfish, horse mackerel, pilchard, deep-sea red crab and rock lobster. • Mariculture production comprises predominantly oysters, abalone and seaweed, farmed in Lüderitz, Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. • Walvis Bay is one of the largest seafood processing centres in the southern hemisphere.

Freshwater fisheries

Inland fisheries are crucial in the north-eastern Zambezi and Kavango regions. • The Okavango and Upper Zambezi rivers provide food for more than 100 000 people. • Fish is a source of subsistence and livelihood for over 90% of these households. • Selling fish provides income for approximately 45% of households.

Aquaculture

The development of aquaculture is aimed at: • enhancing food security • reducing poverty • generating employment • improving rural livelihoods

Freshwater aquaculture • Tilapia, catfish, and carp are • •

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currently being cultured by centres in the northwest and northeast The viability of culturing a second species of tilapia is underway. The Onavivi Inland Aquaculture Centre (IAC) at Onavivi is focussed on training, fingerling production, and breeding. Fingerlings not distributed are taken to the Epalela Fish Farm in Omusati to mature, where market-size tilapia and catfish is available to the community all year round. The Kamutjonga Inland Fisheries Institute (KIFI) in the Kavango Region does research and training, and produces fingerlings and mature fish. The Uis Fish Farm Ecotourism Enterprise is focussed on farming tilapia in cages The potential culturing of rock lobster, freshwater prawns, marine shrimps, dusky kob,

rainbow trout, scallops and clams is being researched by commercial companies. Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources: www.mfmr.gov.na

INVESTING IN NAMIBIA

Namibia enjoys one of the most peaceful and politically stable environments in Sub-Saharan Africa and has an infrastructure to rival those of many developed countries. • Most of the country’s primary resources are exported. • Almost all consumer goods are imported. • There is scope for investment in manufacturing for both local and international markets. • Namibia is complemented by an advantageous legislative and fiscal environment and a government keen to boost the engines of economic growth and prosperity. www.gov.na See also the 2018 Namibia Trade Directory, the official foreign investment directory for the Ministry of Industialisation, Trade and SME Development. www.namibiatradedirectory.com

Investment incentives

Namibia has a highly competitive incentive and fiscal regime, which adds to its attractions for foreign investors. Cornerstones of this regime are: • The Foreign Investment Act and its provision for a Certificate of Status Investment • The Special Incentives for Manufacturers and Exporters, and • The Export Processing Zone Incentives. • The Foreign Investment Act provides for: • Liberal Foreign Investment conditions; • Equal treatment of foreign and local investors; • Openness of all sectors of the economy to foreign investment; • Full protection of investments; and • The granting of a Certificate of Status of Investment (CSI).

Tourism structures

Rigid standards of protection,

conservation and control are practised to ensure sustainable utilisation of Namibia’s natural assets by the tourism industry. • Tourism developments are closely monitored, with the emphasis on high-quality tourism, carrying capacity and minimum impact on the environment • Environmental impact assessment studies are required. • New resorts or expansion of existing resorts require registration and endorsement by the MET and the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB). NTB ensures that services rendered and facilities provided to tourists comply with prescribed regulations. www.namibiatourism.com.na

• Before any development takes

place, The Federation of Namibian Tourism Associations (FENATA) acts as an umbrella organisation for tourism associations in the private sector. • The Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA), Tour and Safari Association (TASA), and the Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) are amongst the three oldest and largest tourism associations in Namibia. • The Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa (RETOSA) is a specialised agency of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), mandated to facilitate the development of regional tourism and market the region as a single destination. www.retosa.co.za

Top-notch diamonds

Namibia is one of the world’s foremost producers of gem-quality diamonds and the world’s sixthlargest diamond supplier by value. The first ‘pretty stone’ to be identified as a diamond was picked up by railway worker Zacharias Lewala in 1908. Today the leading diamond-mining company, Namdeb Diamond Corporation (Pty) Ltd, produces 90% of all Namibia’s diamonds and employs over 1 600 people, primarily Namibians. De Beers and the Government of Namibia are now equal shareholders in Debmarine Namibia. Namdeb does land-based prospecting, mining and rehabilitation operations and

| GENERAL INFORMATION | services for Namdeb Holdings, primarily along Namibia's southwestern coast and inland areas around and between the coastal towns of Oranjemund and Lüderitz. The Namibia Diamond Trading Company (NDTC) is a diamond sorting facility established in 1988 under the name Central Selling Organisation (CSO) Valuations. NDTC, headquartered in Windhoek, sells diamonds in Namibia for local manufacturing, and handles all diamonds produced by Namdeb and Debmarine Namibia. www.debeersgroup.com

PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Namibia has well-developed and efficient infrastructures to supply its citizens consistently with electricity and water. A total of 126 bulk national schemes supply water for domestic, stock-watering, mining, irrigation and industrial purposes.

Electricity

Oil and gas

Namibia is attracting significant international interest as an emerging offshore producer of oil and gas. In 1973, gas was discovered in the southern offshore area, about 170 km off Namibia’s coast from Oranjemund northwards. The proven gas reserves of 1.3 trillion cubic feet will be sufficient to supply an 800 MW station for over 20 years.

Fuel

Namibia has no refining capacity, and imports the petroleum products consumed in the country mainly from South Africa.

TRANSPORT SERVICES Roads

Namibia has a well-established road network of over 45 645 km, of which 6 664 km is bitumen surfaced and the responsibility of the Roads Authority of Namibia. • Arterial roads link Namibia with Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa. • The Trans-Caprivi and TransKalahari highways provide a road link between Walvis Bay and landlocked neighbouring countries in the Southern SADC Region, reducing the time required to transport imports and exports by at least five days. • There are also 37 170 km of wellmaintained gravel roads, and 287km of salt roads, providing access to most towns, parks, nature reserves and tourist attractions in the country. www.ra.org.na

Ports and harbours

Namibia’s two harbours, Walvis Bay and Lüderitz, are administered by the Namibian Ports Authority (NamPort), a state-owned organisation.

GERHARD THIRION

Namibia depends to a large extent on imports of electricity to meet national demand. Opportunities for hydrocarbon exploration exist on and offshore.

The local power utility company, NamPower, has three power stations: the Ruacana Hydro Power Station on the Kunene River (249 MW), the coal-fired Van Eck Power Station in Windhoek’s north (120 MW), and the diesel-powered Paratus Power Station in Walvis Bay (24 MW). The latter is used mainly to match short-term demand peaks. The latest development in terms of energy is the construction of the Ombepo Wind Farm near Lüderitz. www.nampower.com.na

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NamPort: • Manages a Syncrolift (dry-dock facility) that can lift vessels of up to 2 000 tonnes for repairs. • Operates two floating docks with a lifting capacity of 8 000 tonnes each through its subsidiary – the ship repair company, Elgin Brown & Hamer. The Port of Walvis Bay: • Is Namibia’s largest commercial port. • Is a sheltered deepwater harbour benefiting from a temperate climate. • Has direct access to principal shipping routes. • Is strategically located halfway down the Namibian coast. • Provides a fast transit route between southern Africa, Europe and the Americas. The Port of Lüderitz: • Provides access to markets in South Africa’s Northern Cape. • Caters for southern Namibia. • Serves the needs of the Namibian fishing industry. • Also caters for the needs of the offshore diamond industry. www.namport.com

Railways

Namibia’s railway network comprises 2 615 km.

• The Cape gauge (1 067 km)

railway network is managed by TransNamib Holdings Ltd. www.transnamib.com.na

Walvis Bay Corridors

This network of transport corridors consists of well-maintained tarred roads and rail networks for transport, accommodating transport from Walvis Bay via the TransKalahari, Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Development Corridor (Trans-Caprivi Corridor), the Trans-Cunene Corridor, and the Trans-Oranje Corridor, providing landlocked SADC countries with access to the global market. www.wbcg.com.na

COMMUNICATION SERVICES Telephone services

Namibia’s leading communications company, Telecom Namibia: • Has a transmission network that is 100% digital.

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• Provides a comprehensive portfolio

of communication services and solutions in broadband, data and voice-over fixed, fixed-wireless and mobile platforms. • Enables Namibians to enjoy full Internet connectivity through various independent Internet Service Providers. • Offers a mobile service called TN Mobile (formerly trading as Leo) that covers much of the country. • Has a highly developed international network that provides direct connections from Namibia to more than 240 destinations worldwide. • Is an investor in some of the world’s most sophisticated submarine cable systems, such as SAT3, Seacom and WACS (West Africa Cable System), to which it was linked with a new fibre-optic cable of approximately 14 400 km along the southern Atlantic coast in 2012, improving Internet and other telecommunications capabilities to and from the African continent. • Is involved in business operations in Angola and South Africa through joint ventures with Startel and Neotel. www.telecom.na

Other

• Mobile Telecommunications

Limited (MTC) is the country's largest mobile operator with over two million active subscribers. MTC is a joint-venture between the Namibian government and private partners. • Paratus is the first privately and wholly owned Namibian telecommunications operator.

Postal service

Namibia has one of the most modern postal infrastructures in Africa. NamPost (Namibia Post Ltd) was established in 1991 following the commercialisation of post and telecommunications. It is affiliated to the Universal Postal Union, provides postal, logistics and financial services to customers through more than 128 post offices countrywide. NamPost Philately, which is wellknown for its outstanding stamp designs and first-day covers, has won two international awards for its beautiful stamps. Financial services such as SmartCard savings accounts

with fingerprint identification, Save-As-You- Earn, and tax-free investments for individuals are also available. The Tourist SmartCard provides tourists with a safe option to transact at all post offices and selected merchants nationwide. www.nampost.com.na

SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE Health and welfare

Namibia currently has: • About 700 registered medical practitioners • Approximately 250 medical specialists in various specialities • An average of one doctor per 4 000 people Qualifications of medical practitioners measure up to international standards. All specialist fields are available in Windhoek, where 90% of emergency cases can be treated. All medication is obtainable in the capital. There is strict adherence to the American Food and Drug Organisation standards, and the local Drug Control Board controls all imported medication. www.hpcna.com.na

Emergency medical services

Emergency evacuation services extend to the furthest corners of Namibia. • E-MED Rescue 24 is a Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) company. • Crisis Response Rescue Union offers an emergency medical service that includes a medical service, transfer and standby. • Air evacuation is a highly reliable service, since weather conditions are suitable for safe flying most of the time.

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Hospitals

All major centres have state-run hospitals. In Windhoek there are four world-standard, privately run hospitals and two state hospitals, all with fully equipped and maintained intensive care units. There are state hospitals in virtually all major towns. In smaller towns, villages and rural settlements, the Ministry of Health and Social Services operates well-equipped clinics and health-care centres with professionally trained medical staff.

| GENERAL INFORMATION | Windhoek has four private hospitals: • Medi-Clinic in the Eros suburb. • The Paramount Health Care Centre, also in Eros. • The Roman Catholic Hospital in the centre of town. • The Rhino Park Private Hospital, accessible from the northern highway. • The Lady Pohamba Private Hospital, in Kleine Kuppe. Major private hospitals outside Windhoek include Cottage MediClinic in Swakopmund, the Medi-Clinic Private Hospital in Otjiwarongo, the Tsumeb Private Hospital in Tsumeb, the Welwitschia Hospital in Walvis Bay, and Ongwediva Medipark in Ongwediva.

HIV/Aids in Namibia

• Namibia is one of the countries

in Africa most affected by the pandemic. • The overall HIV prevalence in Namibia stands at under 20%, peaking in the age group of 30–34 years. • The Namibian Government has called on stakeholders in the public and the private sector to establish comprehensive HIV/Aids programmes. • Non-governmental organisations, churches, and youth and women’s groups are assisting by raising awareness and provide care and support. www.mhss.gov.na

Religion

Freedom of religion is enshrined in Namibia's Bill of Fundamental Rights. • About 90% of the population is Christian. • There are three Lutheran denominations. • Major denominations represented are Roman Catholic, Dutch Reformed, Rhenish, Anglican, Methodist and Protestant. • There are several reformed groupings and independent African churches. • Many traditional African celebrations have permeated the Christian denominations, such as Ancestors’ Memorial Day observed by the Herero people in Okahandja, and similar festivals in Gobabis and Omaruru. • In 1995 Namibia’s first mosque opened in Windhoek. • The Council of Churches in

Namibia (CCN) is the governing body for most Christian churches.

Media

Despite its small population, Namibia has a varied and lively press, with 13 newspapers. • Five are dailies – The Namibian, New Era (issued by Government), The Namibian Sun, Allgemeine Zeitung and Die Republikein. • The Namib Times appears twice a week • The Economist, Informanté and Confidénte once a week • A weekend tabloid, the Windhoek Observer, appears on Fridays, as does Namibia Today, mouthpiece of the SWAPO party. Caprivi Vision and The Northern Bulletin are published twice monthly. Likewise, there is an eclectic variety of broadcasting media: • The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) has nine radio services and one television channel. It broadcasts in English, German and eight indigenous languages. • There is one privately owned television channel, One Africa TV. • Privately owned radio stations operating from Windhoek are Radiowave, Radio Kudu, Radio Omulunga, Fresh FM, Radio Energy, Kosmos, 99FM and Channel 7.
Base FM is owned by the Katutura Community Trust, while UNAM Radio, also community-owned, operates from the UNAM campus. • In July 2012, Hitradio Namibia, a commercial radio station targeting the German market, was launched. • Private commercial enterprises, such as Multichoice Namibia, account for several additional television channels. • The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) is an NGO with members in 11 SADC countries. The MISA Namibia Chapter was launched in November 1998, aimed at maintaining a genuinely free and pluralistic media in southern Africa. www.misa.org

Literacy and education

The current literacy rate in Namibia is about 83%, one of the highest in Africa. • An estimated 94% of children

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between the ages of seven and 18 now attend school. • There are over 1 600 schools in the country, with an average learner/ teacher ratio of 29:1. • The University of Namibia (UNAM), Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), Polytechnic School of Health and Applied Sciences, two agricultural colleges, four colleges of education (that fall under UNAM) and seven vocational training centres provide tertiary education. • The privately owned International University of Management (IUM) – which has its roots in the Institute of Higher Education (IHE) – was founded in 1993. • The Microsoft IT Academy was launched as a partnership between the Polytechnic of Namibia Centre of Entrepreneurial Development and Microsoft Tate Group. www.nust.na www.unam.edu.na www.ium.edu.na

ART AND CULTURE Architecture

The German-colonial architecture found in many of Namibia’s towns contrasts with the open expanses of African bush and savannah. Residences with wide, shady verandas reflect European architectural styles of the time, adapted to the local climate. In Windhoek, Swakopmund and Lüderitz many of these earlier buildings have been renovated as government offices, libraries and research facilities. New developments follow the postmodern movement, echoing the German-colonial style, with the emphasis on shape and colour. www.nia.org.na

Art and crafts

The first artists of Namibia were the San, whose rock art can be viewed in shelters on mountains and hills throughout the country. Today, relative to its small population, Namibia has a surprisingly large and active community of artists and craftspeople. • The National Art Gallery of Namibia (NAGN) and Arts Association Heritage Trust (AAHT) have comprehensive

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Permanent Collections of Namibian art that can be viewed by the public. • The Katutura Community Art Centre (KCAC) offers a wide range of training programmes for young artists and houses the John Muafangejo Art Centre, an NGO that also offers training programmes and exhibition space for young artists. • Work by contemporary artists and craftspeople can be viewed and purchased in galleries, craft centres, at urban and rural street markets, and along roadsides. The biggest of these is the Namibia Craft Centre (NCC) in Tal Street, Windhoek. Traditional crafts include woodcraft from Kavango and Zambezi; Owambo, Kavango, Zambezian and Himba baskets; and San eggshell jewellery. Embroidery and appliqué work, wall hangings and carpets woven from karakul wool feature native designs of trees, animals and birds. www.nagn.org.na www.namibiacraftcentre.com

Cultural activities

Performing arts

The National Theatre of Namibia (NTN) is situated in the heart of the city, providing art lovers with activities ranging from theatre, contemporary dance and music to ballet and opera. Higher up in Robert Mugabe Avenue is the Bank Windhoek Theatre School. The College of the Arts and UNAM Performing Arts Department presents music recitals, art, drama, ballet and experimental theatre. The Warehouse Theatre in

ANNELIEN ROBBERTS

NINA VAN SCHALKWYK

Cultural development is promoted by institutions such as the National & Mobile Museum, Museum Association of Namibia, National Art Gallery of Namibia, National Theatre of Namibia, College of the Arts, the Art Department at UNAM and the Bank Windhoek Namibia Theatre School. Reflecting the traditions of the many different groups that coexist in the country are: Namibian cultural groups performing customary African dances to rhythmic drumbeats. The COTA Youth Choir and Voices

of Namibia choir, with singers drawn from different cultural groups singing songs that originate from all over of the country. Multicultural events that include exhibitions, dance and music concerts featuring Namibian and foreign artists. The cultural activities of diplomatic missions have expanded the cultural dimensions of Namibians considerably, and helped promote rural art abroad. The FrancoNamibian Cultural Centre (FNCC) has been particularly active by organising different cultural activities and supporting all art disciplines. It regularly presents film screenings and courses in French, English, art, photography and cooking. Annual events on the arts calendar are: The Windhoek Jazz Festival stages an array of local and international artists. The /Ae//Gams Arts and Cultural Festival usually takes place during the first week of September at various venues throughout the city. The event showcases Namibia’s artistic and cultural diversity through music, cuisine, traditional attire, dance and song, contemporary visual arts, crafts, theatre and poetry. www.cityofwindhoek.org.na

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the Old Breweries Building provides a platform for theatrical and social needs. African music groups perform at the Windhoek Showgrounds and the Independence Arena in Katutura. www.ntn.org.na

The museum circuit

A wealth of historical collections are presented as concise and viewerfriendly overviews of local history, natural history and cultural life to educate and interest children, members of the public and visitors to the country. • The National Museum of Namibia houses collections with more than two million cultural and natural history items. It has a reference library for public use and facilitates research on the different collections. There are two National Museum display facilities in Windhoek – the Alte Feste Museum and the Owela Museum – both in Robert Mugabe Avenue. • The new Independence Memorial Museum is next to the Alte Feste Museum. • The TransNamib Railway Museum in the historical Windhoek Railway Station at the bottom of Bahnhof Street depicts the history of railways and transport in Namibia. • The National Earth Science Museum, on the ground floor of the Ministry of Mines and Energy at 1 Aviation Street near Eros Airport, houses displays of minerals, fossils and meteorites in their geological context. Namibia’s mining activities and geology are depicted with collections of maps, ore samples and photographs. • The Museum Association of Namibia (MAN) – accessible from Love Street – works on new

| GENERAL INFORMATION | museum projects in regions and communities where museums and heritage sites were previously underdeveloped. MAN joined up with the National Museum of Namibia in 2008 to launch the annual Museum Week. In 2010 the National Heritage Council was also included and it became known as Namibian Heritage Week, held each year under a different theme.

Museums in the north

• Nakambale Museum and Rest

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Camp is part of the Olukonda National Monument in the Oshikoto Region in northern Namibia. Guided excursions are offered in the Omusati Region, among others to the Uukwaluudhi Royal Homestead near the town of Tsandi, the former traditional house of King Taapopi of Uukwaluudhi. Also of historical interest is the Ombalantu Baobab Tree Heritage Centre in the centre of Outapi, a town 80 km west of Oshakati. The Tsumeb Museum in the town’s main street depicts the history of copper mining in the Tsumeb region. It includes a large display of items raised from Lake Otjikoto (World War 1 cannons and ammunition). The Okakarara Community, Cultural and Tourism Centre (OCCTC), a short drive from the Waterberg Plateau, contains displays focussed on the culture of the Ovaherero community and their war against German colonial forces in the early twentieth century. The Omaruru Museum is housed in the Rhenish Mission House, a national monument in the main street in Omaruru (arrange with the municipality to view). The Grootfontein Museum in Das Alte Fort is a private museum with displays of domestic life, mining and minerals, wagon construction, blacksmithing and traditional crafts. Franke Haus Museum in Outjo makes for another interesting visit. In Katima Mulilo the small Sangwali Museum tells the interesting story of the journey of early missionaries in the region and the pre-colonial Kololo invasion. The Sambyu Museum, 30 km from Rundu, is an art and crafts facility containing mainly woodcarvings and traditional crafts from the Kavango Region and southern Angola.

Museums at the coast

• The Swakopmund Museum in

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the Old Customs House displays archaeological and historical artefacts, the natural history of the Namib Desert and the Atlantic Ocean, and the cultural anthropology of Namibia’s ethnic groups. The Walvis Bay Museum in the Civic Centre of the harbour town focusses on domestic and commercial developments in the town and its links with the sea. The Lüderitz Museum in Diaz Street in the harbour town is a private local history museum, offering special displays on the Dias expeditions of discovery, diamond mining and the history of Lüderitz. The Kolmanskop Ghost Town, 10 km east of Lüderitz, is an open air museum portraying the history of this legendary diamond mining community. Some of the houses are kept clear of sand. Another private enterprise is the Sperrgebiet Museum in Oranjemund, featuring local history, minerals and mining, fossils and regional history.

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Museums in central and southern Namibia • Colonial household items and •

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farming implements are displayed at the Gobabis Museum. A unique display of Baster history can be viewed in the Rehoboth Museum housed in the old Postmaster’s House. Situated at the edge of the Namib Desert is Duwisib Castle, built in 1908/9 by the legendary Baron von Wolf. Housed in one of the oldest mission houses in Namibia is the small Schmelenhaus Museum in Bethanie, containing natural history and Rhenish missionary displays. Keetmanshoop Museum depicts the history of Keetmanshoop and the traditional culture of the Nama people.

CUISINE

Traditional cuisine in Namibia is unusually interesting and varied. • Mahangu (pearl millet) is the staple food of countless families in the north. • Ekaka is a wild spicy spinach that grows in the mahangu fields. • Oxuxwa is a dish made from fresh chicken fried in nutty-tasting

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marula oil, also produced in Namibia. A seasonal delicacy is omaungu, or mopane caterpillars, named after the mopane leaves on which they feed. Another Namibian delicacy is goat’s head cooked on an open fire until it is tender and tasty and the flesh around the teeth becomes soft. For centuries San people have been harvesting nuts from manketti trees and edible tubers from nearby bushes as their main staple. A highly sought-after form of edible mushroom found in Namibia is omajowa, the Herero name for the large fleshy mushrooms that appear at the foot of termite hills shortly after the February rains. The elusive Kalahari truffle is found in the sandy eastern regions of the country. The truffles are also known by their Nama name nabba, and appear only when the rains have been late. Popular across all cultures in Namibia is the traditional braai, an institution that bridges social and economic divides. It typically includes lamb and pork chops, chicken portions, beef or game steaks, and boerewors, a savoury spicy Namibian and South African sausage specialty. A top favourite on festive occasions is sosaties (kebabs), cubes of succulent lamb on skewers marinated beforehand in a spicy sauce containing soaked, dried apricots. A popular variant on the braai is potjiekos (pot food), prepared over an open fire in a three-legged cast-iron cauldron, the potjie. Other local specialities worth sampling are Swakopmund green asparagus (September to April), Lüderitz oysters (all year round), homemade cheese (including goat’s), Namibian olives, and, of course, the famous and much enjoyed brötchen (a German bread roll). Because Namibia’s cattle live entirely off savannah grass and shrubs, Namibian beef is free from harmful residues, hormones and antibiotics, as is Namibian mutton. Venison is becoming increasingly popular; especially ostrich, springbok and gemsbok, while

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game birds, crocodile and seafood are also highly regarded. • Namibia is well known for its local beer, brewed by Namibia Breweries Limited according to the traditional purity law, the Reinheitsgebot, issued in 1516 in Bavaria. • Wine is produced in Namibia at the Kristall Kellerei and Erongo Mountain Winery in Omaruru, and at Neuras, part of the N/an ku sê Foundation, on the edge of the Namib Desert in southern Namibia.

CONSERVANCIES

The objective of a conservancy is to reinstate the original biodiversity of the area and to share resources amongst all conservancy members. • The first conservancies in Namibia were commercial conservancies, now called freehold conservancies, as they are on privately-owned land. Today there are 25 freehold conservancies in Namibia, all voluntary associations that came into being through the concern and dedication of communities in the commercial farming areas. • To streamline the conservancy movement in Namibia, an umbrella organisation, CANAM, was established in 1996 to co-ordinate and liaise conservancy efforts and to act as a lobby group in the interest of conservancies and conservation with the relevant ministries. • Communal conservancies are managed by local inhabitants. They provide employment, and give locals the opportunity to benefit directly from their wildlife and other natural resources. There are currently a total of 82 registered communal conservancies in Namibia, adding another 19% to Namibia’s protected area network. Areas under conservation management cover 46% of Namibia’s total land area. www.canam.iway.na www.nacso.org.na

Environmental management

After independence in 1990, a Directorate of Environmental Affairs (DEA) was established in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism,

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to actively promote and maintain the welfare of the people. • Namibia, as a signatory to several international environmental treaties, has introduced a number of groundbreaking programmes and policies aimed at tackling environmental challenges while implementing national development goals. • Desertification is Namibia’s most pressing environmental concern. • Other issues are deforestation, overgrazing, soil erosion, bush encroachment, climate change, loss of groundwater resources and decreasing crops. • Threats related to mining and habitat and biodiversity loss have also been highlighted as areas of concern.

Environmental Investment Fund

The Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) of Namibia provides economic opportunities and a stake in the use of natural resources to the impoverished sectors of Namibian society. www.eifnamibia.com

Eco Awards

The Eco Awards Namibia programme was launched in 2004 to promote sustainable tourism practices. Any accommodation establishment in Namibia can apply for the Desert Flower emblem, which is awarded to establishments that work successfully according to sustainability principles. The programme is the only certification scheme that rates the sustainability of tourism establishments. www.ecoawards-namibia.org

Recycle Namibia Forum

As a private-public sector partnership, the Recycle Namibia Forum (RNF) is aimed at promoting the 3Rs (Recycle, Reuse and Reduce) of products through projects and networking. www.rnf.com.na

Namibian Chamber of Environment

The Namibian Chamber of Environment (NCE) is an umbrella Association that provides a forum and mouthpiece for the broader environment sector, that can lobby with government and other parties, that can raise funds for its

members and represent the sector. The Chamber aims to become a financial (and other) resource centre, sponsored by industry, but at the same time keeping industry at arm’s length and ensuring complete independence. Many environmental specialists work in remote areas, often alone or in small groups with little in the way of support structures. The Chamber aims to provide support to such individuals and organisations. www.n-c-e.org

Non-governmental organisations

The Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) is Namibia’s leading nongovernmental environmental organisation. Other NGOs that aim to support the environment are the Desert Research Foundation of Namibia (DRFN), which incorporates the Desert Ecological Research Unit (DERU); the Namibia Institute for Sustainable Development (NISD); the Namib Desert Environmental Education Trust (NaDEET); Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC); and the Namibia Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO). One of Namibia’s longest-standing NGOs is Save the Rhino Trust (SRT), founded in 1982. Others worth mentioning are the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF); the AfriCat Foundation; N/a’an ku sê; Harnas; the Namibia Animal Rehabilitation, Research and Education Centre (NARREC); the Namibia Environmental and Wildlife Society (NEWS); the Large Carnivore Management Association of Namibia (LCMAN); the Elephant Human Relations Aid (EHRA); the World Wildlife Fund (WWF); Rare and Endangered Species Trust (REST); the Namibia Development Trust (NDT); and the Southern African Institute for Environmental Assessment (SAIEA). www.nnf.org.na www.savetherhinotrust.org

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)

In Namibia SEAs offer a welldeveloped methodology for improving strategic decision-making and integrating of environmental

| GENERAL INFORMATION | issues into policies, plans and programmes. The country’s Environmental Management Act (EMA) of 2007 stipulates mandatory environmental assessments for a number of policies, plans and programmes. An Environmental Commissioner’s office was established within the MET.

Private game reserves

Guided by strict ethical standards set and encouraged by the Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA), hunting is intrinsically part of the Namibian culture. The country’s hunting activities have evolved into a highly specialised wildlife industry, with trophy hunting playing a crucial role in managing wildlife populations and contributing significantly to the GDP. www.napha.com.na

Transfrontier Conservation Areas

The concept of TFCAs (Transfrontier Conservation Areas) has rapidly gained momentum in SADC countries such as Namibia, Angola, Mozambique, Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia. TFCAs are transfrontier wildlife sanctuaries that embrace crossborder conservation areas and game parks. The first TFCA established in the region was the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, which incorporates parks in Botswana and South Africa. www.peaceparks.org

The Namibian Government is firmly committed to the transfrontier process and has achieved several agreements with cross-border countries. Namibia established its first TFCA, the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, in 2003, with South Africa as co-signee. About 70% of the 6 046 km² is situated in Namibia, comprising the /Ai-/ Ais Hot Springs Game Park, the Hunsberg conservation area, the Huns Mountains, Fish River Canyon and /Ai/Ais Hot Springs. A Memorandum of Understanding between Namibia and Angola was signed in 2003 to establish the Iona Skeleton Coast Transfrontier Conservation Area, encompassing 31 540 km² of the northern Namib coastal desert. Officially launched in 2012 and spanning over 444 000 km² (similar in size to Sweden), the KavangoZambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KaZa) is the world’s biggest conservation area, comprising national parks, game reserves, forest reserves, conservancies, game/wildlife management areas and communal lands in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. www.kavangozambezi.org

TARRY BUTCHER

Private landholders in Namibia have played a significant role in the conservation of wildlife by establishing conservation initiatives on their land. • The NamibRand Nature Reserve, a vast area of about 202 000 ha situated south of Sesriem – is a scenically beautiful conservation area created by Windhoek businessman, Albi Brückner. • The Erongo Mountain Nature Sanctuary encompasses an area of more than 200 000 ha, protecting a unique wilderness reserve with the Erongo Mountains at its centre. • In southern Namibia the Gondwana Collection consists of four private nature reserves (about 197 000 ha combined). • Also in the south is the Sandfontein Nature Game Reserve, which extends over 76 000 ha. • The Erindi Private Game Reserve (79 000 ha) in central Namibia is home to over 20 000 animals. • Situated in the upper reaches of the Huab River, the Huab Private Nature Reserve (8 060 ha) provides a sanctuary for the desert-dwelling elephants of the area. • Fischer’s Pan Private Game Reserve (7 000 ha) lies east of Etosha National Park. • The 36 000 ha Onguma Private Game Reserve adjoining Fischer’s Pan, harbours many of the mammals and birds found in Etosha. At present there are about 200 private game reserves registered in Namibia.

Hunting and hunting safaris

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GENERAL INDEX /Ae//Gams Arts and Cultural Festival 216 /Ai-/Ais Hot Springs 194 /Ai-/Ais Hot Springs Spa 205 3D Archery Range 16 4x4 Desert Trips 59 A Aawambo 64 Aba-Huab Campsite 40, 73 Acacia Forest 84 Accommodation, classification of establishments 12 Activities at NamibRand 171 Adonai Tours 75 Adventure 53 Adventure at the Coast 186 African Art Jewellers, Swakopmund 180 African Profile Safaris 35 African Tracks 4x4 Car Hire 24 AfriCat Foundation 136, 140, 210, 218 Afrodite Beach 183 Agate Beach 199, 205 Agriculture 211 Ai Aiba Lodge 152 Air Namibia 28, 98, 100, 114, 183, 196, 201 Air travel 28 Albrecht brothers 204 Alliance Française Cultural Centre, Swakopmund 180 Alte Feste 80 Alte Feste Museum 216 Ama Buruxa 75 Amarula 1 Ameib farm 150 Ancient shipwreck discovery 202 Andersson Gate 113 Andersson’s Camp 119 Andoni plains 113 Andoni waterhole 113 Angling 54, 82, 100, 174, 179, 183, 184, 186, 189, 199 Ankerplatz 179 Annual cultural events 216 Aquaculture 88, 199, 212 Aranos 75 Archery 16 Architecture 33, 78, 80, 81, 150, 176, 194, 196, 215 Art Africa 179, 180 Art Africa Garden Café 179, 180 Art and crafts 98, 113, 179, 180, 144 Art and culture 215 Art-i-San 70 ASCO Car Hire 26 Atlantic Villa Boutique Guesthouse 44, 188 Auas Safari Lodge 93 August Stauch 83, 199 Aus 158, 199, 200, 209 Autovermietung Savanna 26 B Bakkery Outjo 113 Bahnhof Hotel Aus 207 Baobab Bistro 100 Baraka Beads 71 Basket traditions, Kavango and Zambezi 103 Baster community 83 Beach Hotel Swakopmund 44, 188 Belvedere Boutique Hotel 88 Best-culture practice 14 Bethanie 202, 217 Bezi Bar 100

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Bird’s Accommodation 206 Birds 11, 100, 113, 114, 128, 136, 180, 183, 196, 199, 210 Birds of Nambwa 4 Bocian Safaris 36 Boerewors 217 Bogenfels rock arch 197, 201 Boiteko Campsite 38 Bondelswarts people 204 Books on Namibia 5, 81 Border posts 13, 17, 209 Botanical Garden 82 Boulders Safari Camp 170 Braai 14, 103, 128, 136, 217 Brandberg 33, 59, 70, 72, 73, 144, 146, 149, 209 Brandberg White Lady Lodge 155 Brötchen 14, 217 Bruckaros Campsite 39, 75 Brukkaros Mountain 194, 203, 204, 209 Bull’s Party boulders 150 Burnt Mountain 32, 73, 144, 146 Bushman’s Paradise 149 Bwabwata National Park 103 C Canyon Collection 51, 206 Canyon Lodge 51, 206 Canyon Roadhouse 51, 106 Canyon Village 51, 106 Camel Inn Restaurant and Bar 136 Camp Kipwe 50, 154 Camping 38 Camping2Go 51, 94, 165 Camping on the Kunene 128 Camping tips 40 CANAM 218 Cape Cross Seal Reserve 184, 185 Cape Fur Seal 185, 199 Caprivi Car Hire 25 Caprivi Mutoya Lodge 107 Caprivians/Zambezians 62 Cardboard Box Travel Shop 34 Car Rental Association of Namibia (CARAN) 19 Car rentals and self-drives, tips 22 Casa Blanca 89 Caving 136 CBNRM 210, 218 Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) 141,136, 210, 218 Cheetah Tours & Safaris 35 Chief Samuel Maharero 83 Chobe Community Campsite 39 Chobe River 63, 100 Chobe River Camp 51, 105 Chobe Water Villas 45, 104 Christuskirche 81 Classic Collection 50 Climate 210 Coastal Strip 172 Coastal Strip, map 175 College of the Arts 216 Commiphora wildii Resin Project 67 Communal conservancies 218 Communication services 214 Community Based Natural Resource Management 210 Community campsites, Zambezi Region 39, 63, 64, 104 Community Forests, Zambezi 63, 103 Conference facilities 16, 183 Conservancies 218 Conservancy Safaris – Namibia (CS-N) 67

Conservation and ecotourism 210 Contents 8 COTA Youth Choir 216 Crafts in Zambezi (Caprivi) 63 Credit cards 13 Cuisine 217 Cultures 60 Cultural activities 69, 216 Cultural Township Tours, Walvis Bay 183 Currency 13 Customs 13 Customs duties 13 Cuvelai River 114 CYMOT 41 D Daan Viljoen Game Park 32, 34 Damara Living Museum 73 Damara Mopane Lodge 51, 154 Damara people 72, 144 Damara tern 180, 184, 185, 210 Damaraland, Brandberg & Twyfelfontein 142 Damaraland, Brandberg & Twyfelfontein, map 145 Damaraland Camp 45, 151 Dâureb Crafts 73 Dâureb Mountain Guides 73, 149 Day trips from Windhoek 32 Dead Pan 158, 160 Desert Air 31 Desert Breeze Lodge 190 Desert Camp 167 Desert Flower emblem 218 Desert Hills Glamping Camp 168 Desert Hills Lodge 168 Desert Homestead Lodge 46, 169 Desert Homestead Outpost 46, 169 Desert Horse Inn 51, 206 Desert horses 200 Desert Rhino Camp 45, 151 Desert Whisper 51, 165 Desert-adapted elephants 40, 58, 67, 124, 126 Desert-adapted elephants, viewing 128 Desert Quiver Camp 167 Diamonds 196, 200, 201, 211-213 Diaz Point 196 Die Alte Kaserne 176 Die Muschel, Swakopmund 180 Dinosaur footprints 134, 136 Djokhoe Campsite 71 Dolomite Resort 47, 117 Dolphin Park Recreation Resort 183 Dordabis 83, 211 Dörgeloh Chocolates 149 Dorka carpets 83 Doro !Nawas Granietkop Campsite 40, 73 Doro Nawas Camp 45, 150 Dorob National Park 59, 174, 184, 185 Doros Crater 59, 144 Dragon’s Breath, cave 134, 136 Driefontein Safari Lodge 44, 153 Driving in sand 23 Dune 7 33, 174, 183 Dune Camp 170 Dunes Lodge 170 Düsternbrook Safari Guestfarm 92 Duty-free allowances 13 Duwisib Castle 47, 163, 164, 200, 217 E Eagle’s Monument 202 Eagle's Nest 51, 206

Eagle Tented Lodge 44, 121 Eco Awards 218 Economy 211 Ecotourism 210 Eenhana Heroes’ Memorial Shrine 116 Efundja 14, 114 Ekaka 217 Ekipas 65 Ekori 66, 69 Electoral Commission of Namibia 209 Electricity 211, 213 Elephant Song Campsite 71 Elephant’s trunk 196 Elizabeth Bay ghost town 199, 201 Emergency medical services 214 Emma Hoogenhout Building 80 Endangered mammals 210 Eningu Clayhouse Lodge 95 Environmental Investment Fund 218 Epacha Lodge 44, 121 Epupa Falls 65, 67, 128 Epupa Falls Campsite 40, 67 Epupa Falls Lodge 130 Equitrails Namibia 58 Erindi Private Game Reserve 211, 219 Erongo Mountain Nature Conservancy 149 Erongo Mountains 57, 149, 150, 209, 219 Erongo Mountain Winery 149, 218 Erongo Region 38, 72, 73, 176 Erongo Wilderness Lodge 49, 152 Etambura Camp 68 Etendeka Mountain Camp 49, 153 Etoscha i Büro 113 Etosha National Park & Owambo 108 Etosha National Park & Owambo, map 111 Etosha Aoba Lodge 122 Etosha Heights Private Reserve 123 Etosha King Nehale 51, 123 Etosha Mountain Lodge 50, 123 Etosha National Park 110 Etosha National Park - NWR 117 Etosha National Park, regulations 113 Etosha Pan 110, 210 Etosha Safari Lodge 51, 123 Etosha Safari Camp 51, 123 Etosha Village 121 F Farm Ghaub 136 Farm Ibenstein 83 Fauna 210 Federation of Namibian Tourism Associations (FENATA) 19, 212 Ferdinand Stich Collection 179 Figtree Campsite 40 Fine Art Gallery, Swakopmund 180 Firearms 13 First National Bank (FNB) inside front cover First-timer Route 32 Fish River Canyon 34, 56, 58, 194, 196, 202, 219 Fish River Canyon and /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld TFP 194 Fish River Canyon viewpoint 196 Fish River, Coastal & the Deep South 192 Fish River, Coastal & the Deep South, map 195 Fish River Canyon & Hobas Campsite 47, 205 Fish River Lodge 44, 205 Fishing industry 180, 211, 214 Flamingo Villas Boutique Hotel 187 Flash floods, hazards of 11, 23

Flora 210 Fly-in adventures 28 Fly-in safaris 28 FNCC 81, 216 Fog-basking beetle 160 Fonteine Community Restcamp 40 Former State House 81 Fourways Stopover 136 Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre 81, 216 Franke Tower 146 Freshwater angling 54, 32, 100 Fuel 213 G G!hunku Crafts 70 Gallows 184 Galton Gate 32, 113 Game Reserve No 2 110 Game viewing 11, 12, 55 Gamsberg 34, 209 Ganigobes Campsite 40 Garub 200 Gas 213 Gateways to Etosha 113 Gemstones 78, 113, 149, 211 General information 208 General safety precautions 22 Geological Survey Museum 81 Ghaub 136 Ghaub Caves 136 Giant’s Playground 194, 203 Gibeon Folk Art 75 Gibeon Meteorites 81 Goamus Campsite 40 Goat’s head 217 Gobabeb Training and Research Centre 160 Gobabis 69, 83 Gobabis Museum 83, 217 Gocheganas Nature Reserve & Wellness Village 90 Golden Snake rock-art site 149 Gondwana Collection 51, 219 Government and the Rule of Law 209 Grashoek 71 Gravel-road driving 22, 55 Grootberg Lodge 44, 151 Grootfontein 72, 136 Grootfontein Museum 136, 217 Gross-Barmen 82 Gross-Barmen Resort 47, 86 Grosse Bucht 199 Guinas Lake 114 H Hai||om 72 Hakos 84 Hakos Guest Farm 84 Hakusembe River Lodge 51, 105 Halali Resort 47, 55, 117 Hälbic House 150 Halfmens 196 Halifax Island 196 Hammerstein Lodge 168 HAN 19, 212 Harbours 213 Hardap Game Reserve 82 Hardap and Karas regions 209 Hardap Resort 47, 82, 88 Hartlief 16 Haus Woll 150 Health and welfare 214 Health Tips 12

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Heavenly Herbs 149 Heinitzburg Castle 87 Helmeringhausen 204 Helvi Mpingana Kondombola Cultural 113 Henckert Tourist Centre 149 Hendrik Witbooi 74, 81 Hentie van der Merwe 184 Henties Bay 11, 174, 184, 185 Henties Bay environs 184 Henties Bay Fish Festival 184 Henties Bay Golf Course 184 Herero Festival 68 Herero headdresses 69 Herero people 69, 83, 139, 215 Hermanus van Wyk 83 Himba people 66, 114, 128 Himba crafts 67 Himba head and hair ornamentation 67 Himba traditional jewellery 67 Hillside @ Tenbergen 91 Hippo Pools Campsite 38, 128 Historical and political development 208 HIV/Aids in Namibia 215 Hizetjitwa Festival 68 Hizetjitwa Indigenous Peoples Organisation 68 Hoachanas Campsite 40 Hoada Camp 40, 44, 73, 151 Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp 45, 130 Hoanib Valley Camp 50, 131 Hoba Meteorite 136, 137 Hobatere Lodge 44, 116 Hoeka Toeka, Swakopmund 180 Hohenstein Lodge 46, 155 Hohenzollern-Haus 176 Horse-back safaris 58 Horseriding 58 Hospitals 214 Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) 19, 212 Hotel Heinitzburg 87 Hotel Schweizerhaus 189 Hotel Zum Grünen Kranze 150 Hotel Zum Kaiser 189 House on the Hill 40, 67 HuntiNamibia 4 Hunting and hunting safaris 219 I Ibenstein Teppiche 83 Iishana 65, 114 Ikhoba, Swakopmund 179 Imke Engelhard Design Studio, Swakopmund 180 Impalila Island 100 Independence Museum 78, 80, 81 Index 220 Investing in Namibia 212 Investment incentives 212 Ivanoff Erb Gallery 37 J Jackalberry Tented Lodge 107 Jakkalsputz walking trail 184 Jan Jonker Afrikaner 74, 78 Johan Keetman 202 John Muafangejo Art Centre and Gallery 216 John Schröder 202 Journeys Namibia 44 Ju/’Hoansi 38, 70, 71, 139

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K Kaiserbrunnen 150 Kaiserliches Bezirksgericht 176 Kalahari Anib Camping2Go 51, 94 Kalahari Anib Lodge 51, 94 Kalahari Desert 71 Kalahari Farmhouse 51, 94 Kalahari Game Lodge 207 Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge 46, 89 Kamanjab 32, 146 Kambahoka Restcamp 38, 69 Kanaan N/a’an ku sê Desert Retreat 48, 85, 164 Kaokoland & the Kunene Region 124 Kaokoland, map 127 Kaptein’s Tree 83 Karakul trade 84 Karibib 149 Karibib Marble Works 149, 150 Karibu Safaris 36 Kashana Landhaus 149 Katima Craft Centre 100 Katima Mulilo 63, 100 Katima Mulilo Airport 100 Katutura Community Art Centre 216 Kaumbangere Restcamp 38, 69 Kavango and Zambezi regions 96 Kavango and Zambezi regions, map 99 Kavango basket Project 98 Kavango East 70, 98, 209 Kavango people 62, 98 Kavango Region 98, 139, 212 Kavango West 98, 209 Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area 100, 103, 219 KAZA TFCA 100, 103, 219 Kazile Island Lodge 50, 104 KCAC 216 Keetmanshoop 75, 194, 202 Key phrases in local languages 15 Key tourism-related associations 19 Khaudum Campsite 139 Khaudum National Park 139 Khomas Hochland 33, 56, 58, 84 Khorab memorial 32, 136 Khorab Room 113 Khorixas and environs 144 Khorixas Camp 47, 153 Khowarib Campsite 40, 67 Khwe fruit 63 King Nehale Gate 65, 113 Kitsch Collectables, Swakopmund 179 Klein Aus Vista 51 Kokerboom 196, 203 Kolmanskop 83, 194, 196, 200, 217 Königstein 73, 146 Kramersdorf building 176 Kristall Kellerei 149, 180, 176, 218 Kubas Station Building 150 Kulala Desert Lodge 45, 163 Kunene Region 40, 66, 126 Kunene River Lodge 44, 129 Kwaluudhi 64 Kwando River 62, 100, 103 Kwanyama 64 L Lake Guinas 114 Lake Oanob Resort 94 Lake Otjikoto 32, 113, 114 Lichen fields 28, 146, 184, 185 Life on a Table 4

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Literacy and education 215 Little Kulala 45, 163 Little Ongava 118 Little Spitzkoppe 149 Living Museum of the Ju/’Hoansi San 38, 71 Living Museum of the Mafwe 39, 63 Lizauli Traditional Village 100 Local lingo 14 Lodge Groups 44 Long Beach Lodge 191 Lüderitz 194, 196 Lüderitz architecture 196 Lüderitz Karneval 199 Lüderitz Nest Hotel 199, 206 Lüderitz oysters 196, 217 Lüderitz Peninsula 196, 199 Lüderitz Speed Challenge 199 Lüderitz Waterfront 199 M Maack’s Shelter 73, 146 Mafwe Campsite 39 Mahangu 62, 63, 65, 103, 114, 116, 211, 217 Mahangu Festival and Mahangu Championship 114 Maid in Africa, Swakopmund 179 Maiteko Cultural Group 75 Maize Triangle 136 Makalani palm 40, 65, 67, 103, 114, 116, 128 Malaria 12, 15 Maltahöhe 160 Mangetti National Park 98, 103 Map of Namibia 6 Marble Campsite 40, 67 Märchental 201 Mariental 84 Marine Memorial 176 Martin Luther ‘steam-ox’ 176 Marula 114, 217 Mashi Crafts, Kongola 100 Mbamba Campsite 39 Mbangura Woodcarvers Market 83 Mbunza Living Museum 62 Media 215 Meme Ikhoba, Swakopmund 179 Mesosaurus Fossil Site 203 Message from the Namibia Tourism Board 3 Messum Crater 59, 146, 184 Midgard Country Estate 45, 57, 87 Miracle Africa Tours and Safaris 36 Mokuti Etosha Lodge 45, 116 Mondesa 174 Money matters 13 Mountain biking 56 Mowani Mountain Camp 50, 155 Mudumu National Park 100, 103 Makuri Campsite 71 Musemes 103 Museum Association of Namibia 83, 216 Museums 15, 32, 71, 217 Museums at the coast 217 Museums in central and southern Namibia 217 Museums in the north 217 Mushara Collection 49, 120 Musical Stone 202

N N//goabaca Campsite 39 N/a’an ku sê Collection 48, 85 N/a’an ku sê Foundation 48, 85 N/a’an ku sê Lodge and Wildlife Sanctuary 48, 85, 88 Nabasib 75 NaDEET 163, 218 NAGN 215, 216 Nakambale 64, 114, 217 Nakambale Cemetery 65 Nakambale Church 66, 114 Nakambale Mission House 114 Nakambale Museum 38, 65, 114, 217 Nakambale Museum and Restcamp 38, 65 Nama people 40, 74, 75, 204, 217 Nambwa Campsite 39 Nambwa Tented Lodge 50, 104 Namib Desert Camping2Go 51, 165 Namib Desert Environmental Education Trust 163, 218 Namib Desert Lodge 51, 165 Namib Dune Star Camp 51, 166 Namib Oasis farm stall 150 Namib section, Namib-Naukluft Park 158 Namib-Naukluft Park 158, 160, 196, 202 Namibia2Go Car Rental 27 Namibia as conference destination 16 Namibia Breweries Ltd inside back cover Namibia Car Rental 25 Namibia Collection 44 Namibia Craft Centre 13, 70, 75, 78, 80, 216 Namibia Nature Foundation 210, 218 Namibia Scientific Society 81 Namibia Tourism Board 3, back cover Namibia Trade Directory 4 Namibia Wildlife Resorts 12, 19, 47, 59, 82 Namibia University of Science and Technology 199, 215 Namibian Broadcasting Corporation 215 Namibian Environment 209 Namibian public holidays 15 NamibRand Desert Research & Awareness Centre 163 NamibRand Nature Reserve 58, 160, 163, 170, 210, 219 NamPort 213, 214 Namtib Desert Lodge 207 Namushasha River Lodge 51, 106 Namushasha River Villa 51, 106 Namutoni Resort 47, 55, 117 National Archives and Library of Namibia 81 National Archives of Namibia 81 National Art Gallery of Namibia 81, 215, 216 National Botanical Garden of Namibia (NBGN) 82 National Earth Science Museum 216 National Library of Namibia 81 National Heritage Council 146, 217 National Marine Information & Research Centre 179 National Museum of Namibia 80, 216, 217 Naturally Namibia 49 Natural Selection 50 Naua Naua Art Shop 149 Naukluft Camp 47, 163 Naukluft section, Namib-Naukluft Park 160 Naulila Monument 113 Naute Dam 204 Navachab Gold Mine 149 Ncumcara Craft Shop 62

| GENERAL INDEX | Ndonga 64, 65 Nedbank Cycle Challenge 56 Neuras Wine and Wildlife Estate 85, 165 Newspapers 81, 179, 215 Ngandjera 64 Ngoma Crafts Centre 100 Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge 106 Nkasa Rupara National Park 39, 100, 103 NNF 218 NUST Hotel School 94 Nyae Nyae Conservancy 70, 71 O O&L Leisure 45 Oanob Dam 84 Odyssey Car & 4x4 Hire 25 Off-road 4X4 desert trips 59 Office of the Ombudsman 80 Ohangwena Region 64 Ohumba 67 Oil and gas 213 Okaepe Living Museum School Project 69 Okahandja 83 Okakarara Community Cultural and Tourism Centre 69, 139 Okapuka Horse Safaris 58 Okapuka Ranch 91 Okarohombo Community Campsite 40, 128 Okatjikona Environmental Education Centre 136 Okaukuejo Resort 47, 117 Okavango River 39, 62, 98, 103, 208 Okonjima – AfriCat Foundation 49, 136, 140 Olifantsrust Camp 47, 117 Old Iron Jetty 176
Old Prison Building 180, 204 Old Rhenish Mission House 146 The Olive Exclusive 91, 49 Olukonda 38, 65, 114, 217 Olupale Safari Lodge 44, 121 Omaanda 90 Omaheke Region 38, 69, 70, 83 Omaheke San Trust 70 Omajowa 217 Omarunga Epupa-Falls Camp 51, 130 Omaruru 146 Omaruru River 59, 146, 149, 184, 185 Omatako Valley Restcamp 38, 71 Omauni Community Campsite 38 Ombalantu Baobab Heritage Centre 116 Ombalantu Baobab Tree Campsite 38 Ombo Rest Camp 93 Ombwiya 66 Omdel Dam 184, 185 OMEG 113, 176 Omuguluwombase 65 Omuntu Garden 146 Omusati Region 64, 65, 114, 217 Onandjokwe Lutheran Hospital 116 Ondangwa 114 Ondangwa SME Start-Up & Tourist Information Centre 114 Ondato 66 Ondili Lodges & Activities 46 Ondjowo 67 One Africa TV 215 Ongava 49, 118-119 Onguma Nature Reserve 50, 122 Ongwediva Trade Fair 114 Onjala 93 Onkoshi Resort 47, 117 Opening times at border posts 17

Opuwo 67, 114, 128 Oranjemund 17, 200, 201, 202, 213 Organ Pipes 32, 73, 144, 146 Oshakati 114 Oshakati Omatala 114 Oshakati-Ongwediva-Ondangwa 114 Oshana Region 114 Oshanas 110, 114, 116 Oshikoto Region 114 Otavi 32, 72, 136 Otavi Minen und Eisenbahn Gesellschaft Minenbüro 113 Otavi-Bahn 176 Otjihavera Xperience 56 Otjikaeva 69 Otjikoto Lake 32, 113, 114, 217 Otjimbingwe 150 Otjimbondona 93 Otjiwarongo 136 Otjozondjupa Region 38, 71 Outjo 113 Outjo Museum 113 Owambo houses 64 Owambo people 64, 65, 110, 114 Owambo regions 64, 65, 113 Owambo tribes 64 Owambo, social structure and lifestyle 64 Owela Museum 216 Oyster Box Guesthouse 189 Oysters 180, 196, 199, 212, 217 Ozondato 66 P Palm Beach 179 Palmwag Lodge 51, 154 Palmwag Camp 51, 154 Paula's Cave 149 People of Namibia exhibition 179 Peperkorrel 83 Performing arts 216 Performing Arts Department, University of Namibia 216 Petrified Forest 32, 73, 144 Philipp’s Cave 150 Photographing people, tips 14 Physical infrastructure 213 Pomona ghost town 201 Pondok Mountains 57, 149 Pongrácz 18 Popa Falls Resort 47, 103, 104 Popa Game Park 103 Port of Lüderitz 214 Port of Walvis Bay 214 Ports and harbours 213 Postal service 214 Potjiekos 217 Potters of the Zambezi 63 Powder magazine 150 Prinzessin Rupprecht-Heim 176 Private Camp, NamibRand Nature Reserve 170 Private game reserves 211, 219 Protea Hotels by Marriott 48 Protea Hotels by Marriott Fürstenhof 48, 95 Protea Hotels by Marriott Ondangwa 48, 116 Protea Hotels by Marriott Pelican Bay 48, 190 Protea Hotels by Marriott Thuringerhof 48, 95 Protea Hotels by Marriott Walvis Bay 48, 190

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Protea Hotels by Marriott Zambezi River Lodge 48, 107 Proviantamt 150 Public Holidays 15, 200 Public Library 81, 176, 179 Public transport 21, 78 Puros Campsite 40, 67 Puros Traditional Village 67 Q Qgu (!kung) 38, 70, 71 Quiver tree 73, 160, 194, 199, 203 Quiver Tree Forest 194, 203 Quivertree Dolerite Park 203 R Railway Station Building, Swakopmund 176 Railways 214, 216 Rare and Endangered Species Trust (REST) 113, 218 Recycle Namibia Forum 218 Regimental badges 176 Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa 21, 212 Rehoboth 83 Rehoboth Basters 83 Rehoboth Museum 83, 217 Reitturnier 179 Religion 72, 74, 215 Responsible tourism 14, 19, 85 Rhenish Mission Church 150, 180, 202 River Crossing Lodge 58, 87 Rivers 23, 54, 63, 209, 211, 212 Roads 213 Rock climbing 57, 73 Rösemann Building 150 Rosh Pinah 200 Rossmund Golf Course 179 Roy's Rest Camp 141 Ruacana Falls 128 Rundu 98 Rundu Airport 98 Rundu Open Market 98 S Sãa Ta Ko 38, 71 Safarihoek Lodge 50, 131 Safety precautions 22 Safety precautions for driving on gravel roads 22, 24 Safety precautions for self-drivers 24 Salambala Community Campsite 39 Sam Cohen Library 81, 179 Sambyu Museum 98, 217 San (Bushmen) 38, 70, 139 Sandwich Harbour 33, 59, 33, 184, 202 Savannah 2 Scenic Air 30 Seeheim 203 Self-drivers, precautions 24 Self-drives, tips 24 Sense of Africa 36 Serondela Lodge 107 Serra Cafema 45, 130 Sesriem Campsite 47, 164 Sesriem Canyon 33, 160 Shark Island 47, 196, 205 Shipwreck Lodge 44, 50, 129, 186 Shovel-snouted lizard 160 Sikereti Campsite 139

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Site of Veneration 202 Skeleton Coast Park 59, 128, 174, 185, 186 Skeleton Coast Safaris 28, 49 Small Bushman’s Paradise 149 Snake Park, Swakopmund 176 Snoek Derby 199 Snyfontein Camp 40 Social infrastructure 214 Solitaire 33, 59, 160 Solitaire Namibia 166 Sonop 169 Sosaties 217 Sossus Dune Lodge 47, 164 Sossus Oasis Camp Site 167 Sossusvlei 33, 59, 84, 157, 158, 160 Sossusvlei & the Namib-Naukluft Park 156 Sossusvlei & the Namib-Naukluft Park, map 159 Sossusvlei Lodge 167 Special endemics 210 Speed limits 24, 55 Sperrgebiet 58, 194, 200, 201, 202 Spitzkoppe 33, 38, 57, 73, 149, 184, 209 Spitzkoppe Rest Camp 38, 73 Sport and adventure in Swakopmund 179 Sprokieswoud, Phantom or Fairy Forest 113 Stargazing 84, 158 State-owned conservation areas 12, 43, 53 STF 202 The Stiltz 190 Strand Hotel Swakopmund 45, 186 Strategic Environmental Assessment 218 Sturmvogelbucht 199 Sugarloaf Mountain 57, 149 Sun Karros Daan Viljoen 47 Supreme Court 64, 80, 81, 209 SWA Safaris Namibia 37 Swakop River 68, 72, 185 Swakopmund 176 Swakopmund Aquarium 179 Swakopmund Arts Association 176, 180 Swakopmund environs 180 Swakopmund green asparagus 217 Swakopmund Guesthouse 50, 188 Swakopmund Indoor Sport Centre 179 Swakopmund Municipality 191 Swakopmund Museum 81, 176, 217 Swwakopmund Plaza Hotel 44, 188 Swakopmund Public Library 176, 179 Swakopmund River Mouth 180 Swakopmund Saltworks 180 Sylvia Hill 202 T Taleni Etosha Village 121 Taranga Safari Lodge 106 TASA 19, 212 Tax and customs 13 Temperatures 11, 210 Terrace Bay 47, 186 Teufelskrallen Lodge 46, 89 TFCAs in Namibia 103, 194, 219 The Delight Swakopmund 51, 187 The Desert Grace 51, 166 The Farmhouse 113 The Grand, African Villa 140 The Mole 176, 179, 180 The Mushara Collection 49, 120 The Rock Lodge 16 The Secret Collection 51 Tigerfishing 54 Ti Melen 46, 89

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Tintenpalast 81 Tips for photographing people 14 Tips for Travellers 10 Tips on driving in sand 23 Torra Bay 47, 186 Tour and Safari Association of Namibia (TASA) 19 Tourism structures 212 Tourist information 15, 83, 113, 114, 136 Towns close to Windhoek 83 Traditional cuisine 217 Traditional San crafts 70, 71 Trailer towing, tips 23 Train travel 21 Trans-Caprivi Highway 98 Trans-Kalahari Highway 83, 213 Transfrontier Conservation Areas 219 TransNamib Railway Museum 21, 81, 216 TransNamib’s Starline Passenger Service 21 Transport services 213 Travel documents 21 Travel News Namibia 4 Travel Tips, seasonal 11 Travelling with children, tips 15, 40 Tree Park, Grootfontein 136 Treesleeper Camp 39 Trekkopje Battlefield 150 Tsandi 38, 65, 114, 217 Tsau//Khaeb Concession 201 Tsau//Khaeb National Park 174, 199, 200, 201 Tsisab Gorge 146 Tsiseb Conservancy 149 Tsumeb 113 Tsumeb Arts and Crafts Centre 113 Tsumeb Cultural Village 113 Tsumeb Museum 113, 114, 217 Tsumkwe 38, 70, 71, 139 TUCSIN Tsumkwe Lodge 141 Tulipamwe Sewing Project 114 Turnhalle Building 81 Tutaleni Village and Relocation Project 183 Twyfelfontein 144 Twyfelfontein rock engravings 32, 40, 70, 73, 144, 149 U Ugab Vingerklip (Finger Rock) 146 Ûiba-Ôas Crystal market 149 Uis Information Centre 73 Uranium exploration 211 Usakos 150 Utopia Boutique Guesthouse 48, 88 Uukwaluudhi Royal Homestead and Museum 114 Uukwaluudhi Traditional Homestead 38, 65 V Van Zyl’s Pass Campsite 40, 67 VAT 13 Vegetable ivory 65, 67, 114 Venison 217 Villa Margherita 49, 187 Visiting neighbouring countries 17 Von Bach Dam 82 Von Bach Recreation Resort 82 Von Lindequist Gate 32, 113 W Walvis Bay 33, 180

Walvis Bay Corridors 214 Walvis Bay environs 183 Walvis Bay Lagoon 33, 174, 180, 183 Walvis Bay Municipality 183, 191 Walvis Bay Tourism Centre 183 Walvis Bay Waterfront 183 Warehouse Theatre 216 Warmbad 39, 75, 204 Warmbad Hot-Water Springs 204 Warmbad Museum 204 Waterberg, Khaudum and surroundings 133 Waterberg, Khaudum and surroundings, map 135 Waterberg Resort 47, 141 Waterberg Plateau Park 84, 134, 210 WCRA 174 Welwitschia mirabilis 144, 146, 158, 184, 210 Westair 29 West Coast Recreational Area 174 We-Kebi 168 What to do in Henties Bay 184 Where to eat in Swakopmund 180 White Elephant (rock art) 150 White Lady of the Brandberg 33, 70, 73, 146 White Sands-N//goabaca Campsite 39 Wild Africa Travel 17 Wild horses of Garub 200 Windhoek, day trips 82 Windhoek & surroundings & Central East 76 Windhoek Public Library 81 Windhoek Railway Station 21, 81, 216 Windhoek Jazz Festival 216 Windhoek, Art and Culture 215 Wilderness Safaris 45 Woermann Brock Arcade 179 Woermann House 176, 180 Woermann Tower 176 Wolwedans Collection 170 Wronsky House 146 Wuparo Campsite 39 Z Zacharias Lewala 199, 212 Zambezi Mubala Camp 51, 105 Zambezi Mubala Lodge 51, 105 Zambezi Region 11, 54, 63, 100, 101 Zambezi River 63, 100, 212 Zoo Park 81, 82

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NTB Head Office C/O Haddy & Sam Nujoma Drive Private Bag 13244, Windhoek Tel (+264 61) 290 6000 Fax (+264 61) 254 848 info@namibiatourism.com.na www.namibiatourism.com.na

NTB South Africa 25th Floor, Atterbury House, Unit 2502 9 Riebeeck Street, Cape Town, 8000 South Africa Tel (+27) 21 4223298 namibia@saol.com www.namibiatourism.com.na

NTB Europe Schiller str. 42-44 60313 Frankfurt/Main, Germany Tel (+49 69) 133 7360 Fax (+49 69) 133 73615 info@namibia-tourism.com www.namibia-tourism.com