Archive for the ‘Namibia’ Category

The NamibRand Nature Reserve was established to help protect and conserve the unique ecology and wildlife of the southwest Namib Desert. It is one of southern Africa’s largest private nature reserves, stretching over 2,100 km².  Just south of Sesriem, the NamibRand shares a 100 km border with the Namib-Naukluft National Park in the west and the Nubib Mountains to the east. Nearly all facets of the Namib Desert are found on the reserve, creating a kaleidoscope of living colors.

The NamibRand Nature Reserve originated in 1984 with Windhoek businessman Albi Bruckner’s dream to extend the frontiers of the Namib Desert by incorporating a number of former sheep farms into a land specifically used for a wildlife sanctuary, free from farm fencing and other farming paraphernalia. Several drought years proved to be too difficult for livestock ranching, and the poaching of wild game increased considerably, however decreased with the oncoming of plentiful rains in the following seasons.

Conservation on a sustainable basis is the NamibRand Nature Reserve’s foremost priority.

Tourism is strictly limited and controlled, with entrance fees and bed levies going directly into a fund to maintain and preserve the NamibRand Nature Reserve. In 1992, the NamibRand Nature Reserve was registered as a non-profit private reserve. With the registration, all current landowners signed an agreement and adopted a constitution which sets the land aside for conservation from that point onward. The reserve is self-sustaining through high quality ecotourism.

Flora and Fauna

The same plants and animals found in the western areas of the Namib- Naukluft National Park can be found in the NamibRand: oryx, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, springbok, red hartebeest, bat-eared fox, spotted hyena, Cape fox, and the African wild cat. In the more rugged territory, kudu, klipspringer, baboon, and leopards are found. In the dunes, there is a rich diversity of lizards, beetles, spiders, and the elusive golden mole. There are approximately 100 bird species, including the rare and endangered lappet faced vulture, black eagle, and the endemic dune lark.

Places of Accommodation at NamibRand Nature Reserve

• Wolwedans Dune Camp
• Wolwedans Dune Lodge
• Wolwedans Boulders Camp
• Wolwedans Private Camp
• Tok Tokkie Trails
• Sossusvlei Desert Lodge

Contact a Wild Safari Africa representative to enquire about lodging and availability.

The Namib Naukluft Park is rich in biodiversity, size, and attractions. It is not only one of the oldest deserts in the world, but is Namibia’s most versatile area of conservation home to magnificent sand dunes, the gravel plains, and the isolated Erongo Mountains. Totaling 50,000 sq. km of protected desert wilderness, its main feature, Sossusvlei, attracts visitors from around the world.

The word Namib, Nama in origin meaning the ‘land of our ancestors,’ contradicts our general perceptions of a desert as a dry, uninhabited place with extreme temperatures. In fact, the Namib was once inhabited by peoples and continues to be so with animals today. Parts of the Namib can even be cultivated where soil and water are found. The word Naukluft owes its name to the seasonal Tsondab River that, over thousands of years, had eroded and cut a gorge through the Naukluft range during the more humid times in its history. First named by Afrikaner farmers as Nou Kloof (Narrow Gorge), it later took its present name Naukluft during Germany’s reign.

The Namib, The Oldest Desert in Namib Naukluft Park

When compared with the Sahara, the Namib is extremely small. The Sahara is ten times the size of Namibia and thirty times the size of the Namib. The Namib is one of the world’s most diverse deserts in terms of plant and animal life. One in every five species in the Namib is endemic, including the ancient Welwitschia plant.

There are four broad types of landscapes to be found: the great sand dune (commonly referred to as the sand sea), the gravel plains, the ephemeral riverbeds, and the inselbergs, or island moutains. Life in the desert is controlled by the infrequent, unpredictable and isolated downpours that quickly get soaked up by the toughest of life in desperate need for water.

The Sand Sea

Once in sight of the dunes, it is mind boggling to see what the popular conception of a desert is. The dunes stretch, reach, tumble, and drift across the open nothingness along the Atlantic Coast. Covering 34,000 sq. km and extending from the Kuiseb River southwards to Lüdertiz, lay the sea of sand. Beneath the younger sands is an ancient desert believed to have formed some 65 million years ago, eventually becoming petrified between dispersed times of moisture and drought. These fossilized dunes are easily seen in areas of the NamibRand Nature Reserve and in the proclaimed Sossusvlei area.

The Dunes at Namib Naukluft Park

The dunes are like a gigantic beach, and spark a curious question: Where does all that sand come from? The shifting, dancing sand is a product of both weathering and erosion, originating mostly from the South African hinterland, which are transported to the Atlantic Ocean via the Orange River. The north-flowing Benguela current then returns the sediment by the powerful ceaseless waves crashing onto Namibia’s Diamond Coast. There it is dried and further thrown inland by the ubiquitous southwesterly winds.

Like other minerals, the desert sand slowly begins to oxidize. The tiny quartz particles, beginning pale, carry iron particles that very, very slowly begin to oxidize. The coloration begins to change, and the oldest of the dunes turn to deeper shades of red; red with rust.

There is great debate as to whether the dunes are purely created by the sediments washed up from shore, or also from sediment from the Kalahari Desert. Some geologists believe that a significant amount of the eastern Namib’s sediment comes from the red dunes of the Kalahari. This is possible by the winds blowing in a northeastern fashion during the winter, and consequently the highest dunes and their windward side faces the northeast. Whatever the case may be, there is no denying the fact that the dunes are special.

The Gravel Plains

One of the largest gypsum surfaces in the world, spreading nearly 10,000 sq. km from the sand sea north to the Swakop River. It is believed the gravel plains’ history begins in the sea. This theory states the Benguela’s pantry of plankton is constantly recycling, dying, and drifting to the bottom of the seabed, where the decomposing material releases hydrogen sulphide into the atmosphere. In the atmosphere it combines with oxygen to produce a diluted sulphuric acid. Fog from the coast then transfers this to the alkaline calcrete of the gravel plains. The exchange of molecules, as an acid and alkali mix, creates the gypsum that makes the gravel plains so unique. Over some 80 million years of weathering and erosion, slicing the gypsum surface into a series of inhospitable canyons, resembling the surface of the moon.

The Erongo Mountains

The Erongo Mountains are just north of the Namib-Naukluft Park, where they rise from the desert floor. These mountains are uniquely formed as molten magma that never reached the surface and had solidified. Due to millions of years of erosion, it was eventually exposed. The main peak of Spitzkoppe now stands at 5,440 ft (1,700 m) above the desert surface and is often referred to as the Matterhorn of Namibia. Tours to Spitzkoppe can be arranged in Swakopmund.

The nearby Erongo massif succeeded in erupting as a true volcano, belching out molten rock and ash for a believed 20 million years before collapsing, forming today’s caldera. Further north, Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg, ascends nearly 8,320 ft (2,600 m) at its highest peak named Konigstein, meaning ‘King’s Rock’ in German, above the desert floor. The mountain is striped with black stripes made of iron and manganese known as ’desert varnish.’

Tailor Make Your Safari to Namibia.

Namibia Safaris will take youto what has been described as the last frontier, a wild and rough country, exposed to the elements like no other southern African nation. Sandwiched between two of the world’s oldest deserts, the Namib and Kalahari, the landscapes are weathered, desolate, and exposed to some of the harshest conditions on the face of our planet. From the rolling hills of Kaokoland, to the Skeleton Coast and the misty cold blanket of the South Atlantic, to the diamond rich area of Sperrgebeit, Namibia is a diverse and contrasting place to experience no matter where your Namibia safaris take you.

What makes Namibia safaris so unique?

With its distinct and what appear to be uninhabitable landscapes and environments, it’s a wonder any people could have settled here. Despite such hard conditions, the San are believed to have been in the area for thousands of years. Namibia safaris allow you to enjoy the diversity of the people, from the Owambo, Caprivian, Herero, Himba, Tswana, Damara, Nama, and Kwangali, Namibia safaris diversity is unmatched with an original beauty. Sing with the people, dance with the children, and laugh over a traditional meal. No matter how you interact with the people, you will leave with a feeling of genuine friendship. The cultural diversity will keep you on your toes, making no place the same.

Namibia is the first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution, giving life to thousands of species and providing great photographic opportunities for many travelers. Thus a HUGE reason Namibia safaris are exploding in popularity. Game and National Parks define the country, glittered from north to south. Namibia safaris – guided, self-drive, fly-in – all allow you to easily enjoy the wealth of wildlife in Etosha National Park, contemplate life over the enigmatic red dunes of Sossusvlei, recapture your youth sand boarding down the world’s highest dunes near Swakopmund, find Africa along the banks of the mighty Okavango River, and marvel at the wondrous Fish River Canyon. Namibia is wide open, full of outdoor activities to keep your spirits tuned to nature, while allowing for relaxation under the big open skies draping from above. Here adventure and relaxation go hand-in-hand.

Wild Safari Africa is a one stop shop offering a complete travel and reservation service for Namibia Safaris

(We also do South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Victoria Falls). Our team can recommend a range of options for making your Namibia safaris a success.  We offer the most comprehensive travel service available.  If you’re looking for car rental, accommodation, lodges, safaris, self-drive itineraries, day trips, vehicle hire, travel advice or general information about Namibia, Namibia safaris (or other southern Africa destinations) or Wild Safari Africa, we are here to assist.

You can choose from our extensive selection of Namibia safaris and lodge trips to any area of Namibia with a choice of some of the most stunning lodges in breathtaking surroundings. Adventurous travelers may like to join one of our camping Namibia safaris to really experience Namibia at its best. If you have a more specialist interest we also arrange fly-in safaris and activities such as horse riding, bird-watching, hiking, ballooning and angling. For the days you need to spend in Windhoek, we even have a variety of day trips on offer. Of course you can always tailor your own holiday with a custom-made safari that suits all your must see and must do requests.

If you want to drive yourself (The overwhelming majority of Namibia safaris are self-drive), we can help you plan your own itinerary, make sure you choose the correct rental vehicle for your needs from a full-range, and make the booking a simple and pain-free process. We provide estimated driving times/ distances and can also book the accommodation you want from a full range of options (rest camps, lodges, hotels, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, campsites and even backpacker hostels) to suit all budgets. We will take care of even the smallest details to make your self-drive safari a special holiday.

We look forward to working with you to ensure you have a pain-free planning process to Namibia and southern Africa.

Learn more about Namibia’s activities, highlights, lodges, and everything you need to know when planning your holiday to Namibia.

Every October Namibia, Africa hosts one of the most beautiful marathons in the world –the Lucky Star Marathon.  This year, 2012, the Lucky Star Marathon will be held NOT in October but September 22, 2012.

The event is open to the public and is a road run and walk event.  Participants can choose between the 10km, 2 x 21km, or do it in its entirety.  Namibian schools will be participating in the event doing a 4 x 10km relay.

For registration forms, click on the following:

10km event – Entry Form

2×21 relay – Entry Form

Marathon – Entry Form

This is the basic form and prices but the amount may differ closer to the time of race. The form however, will not change.

Description of the marathon.

Runners will begin in Walvis Bay and follow the B2 road north to Swakopmund.  Nestled against both the Atlantic Ocean and the Namib sand dunes, runners will be pleasantly cooled by the cold south Atlantic waters and the Benguela Current.

The Benguela current originates in the freezing waters of Antarctica and flows north to the southernmost tip of Africa, where it continues to drift along the western coast of South Africa, Namibia, and up into Angola. The current temperatures are extremely cold, and with the current so close to the coast, the waters that crash onto land are much colder than the waters further out to sea. The current also carries with it sediment which is randomly deposited along the shore.

The trademark morning fog that makes the area’s weather different from the rest of Namibia is directly a result from the Benguela current. The fog is created by the cool air hovering over the current, mixing with the warm air inland. At night when the desert cools, the humid air resting over the current during the day condenses and becomes a visible living mist, thus making the ever so common morning fog. As the sun begins to warm the desert floor, the condensation formed during the night begins to disperse in the wind into a blurry haze which lasts for most of the day, until the same pattern begins all over again.

The little life that can be found along the coastal shores on the Namib Desert is attributed to the mist created and dispersed each morning by the Benguela current. The life found here relies entirely upon it. The plants drink up what little water can be offered, grow and flourish to become edible salads for other insects, reptilian, or larger game such as springbok and oryx. The current is also extremely important to several fish species, the same fish targeted by a number of Walvis Bay fishing companies.

Race participants and families can enjoy the areas attractions before and/or after the race.

The coast is one of the most diversified, contrasting regions in all of Namibia. The Erongo and Naukluft mountains tower over the rolling desert savannas, while the Namib Desert seems to appear out of nowhere. Together they create the Namib- Naukluft, one of Africa’s largest National Parks. It is here you can trek through a multitude of environments amongst the wild animals that roam this desolate land, explore the romantic red sand dunes of Sossusvlei, and kayak with thousands of seals at the Walvis Bay lagoon.

Swakopmund is a little resort town with German colonial buildings, having one of the best infrastructures in Africa. It caters to visitors with an itch for adrenaline and fine cuisine. Walvis Bay is an industrious town and boasts southern Africa’s deepest port. A large number of goods arrive in Walvis Bay, before being quickly loaded onto semi trucks and taken into Namibia, Botswana, the Congo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Henties Bay is renowned for fishing, and is the first stop onwards to Cape Cross, the place where Europeans first set foot in Namibia.

The coast is a very popular destination for all who visit Namibia. During the months of December and January the region quickly becomes a playground for Namibians, South Africans, and Western visitors. To simply sum up the coast, it has it all.

Tailor a holiday specifically to meet your needs by contacting us or see an example of an itinerary entirely revolved around the Lucky Star Marathon.

For most travelers, Windhoek will be your first introduction to Namibia and the capital is an ideal starting (and ending) point for any Namibia self drive itinerary as it is located in the middle of the country. Windhoek is a great place of culture and gives you plenty to do before and after your grander Namibian self drive itinerary tour. When in Windhoek, be sure to check out the German colonial buildings, eat at exotic eateries like Joe’s Beer House where the menu lists plenty of African plains game dishes, and pick up some souvenirs at the crafts bazaar at Post Street Mall.

One Week

The one week Namibia self drive itinerary begins after one night in Windhoek, head north to Okahandja stopping at the wood market for souvenirs and crafts, then continue on to Etosha National Park. Stay two nights in Etosha N.P. and on the third day begin to make your way to Swakopmund. Stay two nights in Swakopmund, exploring the coast and its adrenaline junkie activities, reserving a day trip north to Cape Cross to visit the seal colony. On the third day head back towards Windhoek and prepare for departure. If your one week Namibia self drive itinerary is not planned accordingly you run the risk of spending lots of your valuable time driving and not experiencing the country.

Two Weeks | The 10-14 day Namibia self drive Itinerary

The two weeks Namibia self drive itinerary is plenty of time to see a grand portion of Namibia, including a quick 2-3 day trek in one of the National Parks. There are several directions you can travel, each unique in its own right. Take a day or two to rest and explore Windhoek. From Windhoek you can head south towards the Fish River Canyon, staying at Hobas Rest Camp to ensure a spectacular sunrise (keep in mind it takes 5 days to complete the 85km trek through the canyon), sightsee, trek, and then off to Lüderitz for a reminiscent feel of an old German colony. Also nearby is the ghost town of Kolmonskop, an option of a boat tour to see seals and penguins, and depending on the season stuff your belly with fresh lobster. Stay in the central corridor and visit Swakopmund, explore its many activities, north to the Skeleton Coast, and south to the Namib-Naukluft Park and into the red sands of Sossusvlei.

An alternative two weeks Namibia self drive itinerary may take you in this direction. If you are looking for more ‘Africa’ than what the south has to offer, travel to Owamboland, Kaokoland the Kavango, or the Caprivi region. In these areas you will feel and experience the Africa you came to see. Keep in mind it will take you an entire day of traveling from Windhoek to reach these areas. In Kaokoland, 4WD the mountainous bush, get lost on trails in the lands the nomadic Himba tribe roam, bathe in the running waters of Epupa Falls and relax at top notch resorts in Opuwo. Or better yet, spend your time between Owamboland and Kaokoland. Do the same activites as mentioned before in Kaokoland and add Ruacana Falls (depending on the season) to your list, as well as the open market in Oshakati.

Spending your two weeks in the Kavango and Caprivi regions will allow you time to canoe down the Okavango River alongside gigantic crocodiles, in the presence of ever dangerous hippos while watching the sky fill with ruby-orange colors as the sun falls over the horizon. Journey through thick green forests – different from all the rest of the country – and increase your chances to see more wild game. Choose between Khaudom and Mahango Game Park, and take day tours through some of Namibia’s most beautiful environments. Traveling the Kavango and Caprivi regions gives you a great jumping off point into Botswana’s Chobe National Park and even possible to cross over into Zambia and visit Victoria Falls.

Experience Namibia’s Highlights on this 10-14 day Namibia self drive itinerary.

Generally most visitors to Namibia will embark on one gigantic circle beginning and ending in Windhoek. They will hit the most sought after highlights:

Sosssuslvei

Namib-Naukluft National Park

Swakopmund

Damaraland and Twyfelfontein

Etosha National Park

Waterberg Plateau / Africat Foundation and/or the Cheetah Conservation Fund

Three Weeks

A 3 week Namibia self drive itinerary make play out to something like this. After a day or two in Windhoek, head north to Etosha National Park. Spend 2-3 days exploring the many waterholes on the search for big cats and other game. On the third or fourth day continue north, through Rundu and on to the Caprivi Strip. Spend the night in the Bwabwata National Park. Travel east to Katima Mulilo the following day and reserve three to four days to travel into Zambia and experience Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park. On the fifth day travel back west across the Caprivi Strip and spend the night in Rundu. Take one day in Rundu to explore the Okavango River. Continue west to Owamboland and camp at Hippo pools at Ruacana Falls giving you a chance to escape into the wilderness. Then continue on to Opuwo, and spend 2-3 days exploring the Himba culture and taking day treks through the areas open wilderness. After Opuwo, travel south to Swakopmund, spending 3-4 days enjoying the German influence and partaking in some adventure activities. On the fifth day travel to Sesreim and prepare yourself for a sunrise at Sossusvlei the next morning. Spend 1-2 days at Sossusvlei, enjoying these majestic dunes before heading back to Windhoek.

The Ultimate 17 Day Namibia Self drive Itinerary:

Day 1    Windhoek: Fig Tree Guest House

Day 2    Okonjima Main Camp

Day 3    Halali Camp Etosha National Park

Day 4    Halali Camp Etosha National Park

Day 5    Epupa Camp – Kaokoland

Day 6    Epupa Camp

Day 7    Opuwo Country Lodge

Day 8    Twyfelfontein Lodge – Damaraland

Day 9    Pebble Stone House – Swakopmund

Day 10    Pebble Stone House

Day 11    Mountain Homestead – Sossusvlei

Day 12    Mountain Homestead

Day 13    Fish River Lodge – Fish River Canyon

Day 14    Fish River Lodge

Day 15    Kalahari Anib Lodge – Kalahari Desert

Day 16    Heinitzburg – Windhoek

Day 17    Fly out

*This will be a lot of driving and time spent in the vehicle however you will see much of Namibia and go home with a very rich experience.

Four Weeks or More

A Namibia self drive itinerary of four weeks or more will give you absolute freedom to choose your own itinerary and allow enough time to hit all the places of interest plus more. If this is your option, it’s best to sit down with a map and figure out a plan that will minimize hassle and maximize experience. It may be best to hire a car, stay at game lodges along your way, or if you have the cash fly-in to more remote destinations saving you an incredible amount of time.

Touring Zambia, Botswana, South Africa, and Namibia in four weeks can be done. Cape Town is only two days by car, or an overnight bus trip. Victoria Falls is only two hours from Katima Mulilo and Chobe and the Okavango Delta is only a day’s drive south from the Namibian border. Take the above suggestions and loop them together to ensure you make the most out of your journey.

Detailed options for self-drive itineraries.

Wild Safari Africa’s favorite car hire companies in Windhoek.

Ngepi Camp is Wild Safari Africa’s favorite Kavango River lodge located in the upper regions of the Okavango Delta panhandle, in the western Caprivi Strip of Namibia.  Only 14 km from the nearest town, Divundu, Ngepi Camp is nestled on an island under spectacular trees amongst the flooded plains and swampy backwaters, in a region teeming with wildlife as Ngepi Camp is located directly between Mahango National Park –a few kilometers to the south –and Bwabwata National Park directly opposite the river.

Ngepi Camp’s main building has a kitchen, restaurant, dining area and bar with riverfront views.  There is also an education center for the curious travelers.  Ngepi Camp is only powered up to 6 hours a day by generator, the remaining hours by inverter/battery –allowing only the pristine wilderness to be heard.

Complementary tea/coffee is available at the bar where a metered telephone can also be found.

Ngepi Camp also has a secured swimming area (hippo and big croc cage) that offers great opportunity to cool down while relaxing on the shores of the mighty Okavango River.

Ngepi Camp Accommodation:

• 13 Tree houses.  Double/ twin beds. En-suite bathrooms.  Comfortable and rustic, all having fabulous open views of the river.
• 3 Bush huts. All are family units with 2 bedrooms and en-suite bathroom.

Braai (barbeque) facilities for both can be arranged.  All rooms are equipped with mosquito nets.

Ngepi Camp activities include:

• Mokoro (traditional dug-out canoe) trips
• Houseboat safaris
• Boat cruises
• River rafting
• Fishing trips (catch and release only)
• Guided bird/village walks
• Game drives
• Bushman art trip to Tsodillo Hills
• Visits to Popa Falls

Excursions into the surrounding game parks opens up fantastic opportunity to sight elephant, lion, leopard, hippo, buffalo, the African Wild Dog and the rare Sable and Roan antelope.  Ngepi is famous for being one of Namibia’s absolute best birding spots.

Transfers to and from Bagani or Shakawe airstrips can be arranged.

If you book with Wild Safari Africa what will you receive? Take a look here -

Erindi Private Game Reserve is a place of magic. Erindi, translated to “the place of water” in the indigenous Herero language, is home to over 15,000 animals of southern Africa’s best!  Endangered species such as the African wild dog have found a healthy and protected habitat needed at Erindi Private Game Reserve to ensure the survival of their species.

The experience is set on 71,000 hectare of pristine wilderness with varied landscapes in a malaria-free area, from mountains to savannah to open grassland right in the heart of Namibia: Erindi Private Game Reserve is situated in the triangle between Okahandja, Otjiwarongo and Omaruru. The pure tranquility, abundant wildlife and distant horizons with awesome sunsets will sweep you off your feet. The Game Reserve is carefully managed, allowing for a “one-of-a-kind” experience, providing visitors with the opportunity to step back into a time when Africa was left in the undisturbed hands of nature.

It is here, at Erindi Private Game Reserve, you are guaranteed close interaction with BIG cats and fast prey.  So are you up for a visit to one of Africa’s largest remaining wildlife sanctuaries?

Erindi Private Game Reserve is one of southern Africa’s best practiced and enforced environmental rehabilitation projects currently underway.  The rehabilitation includes vegetation surveys, veld condition assessment, with the long-term aim to manage a careful ecological balance between endemic vegetation, herbivores, and predators.  Erindi Private Game Reserve is also on the move to actively restore local wildlife to the game reserve, with phenomenal success.  Animals that were once considered too aggressive for “normal” game parks and those that were once hunted and persecuted have now found a safe haven, and are fully protected, inside the game reserve.

Highly threatened species such as black rhinoceros, lion, the rare brown hyena, cheetah, African wild dog, and leopard all reside and thrive at Erindi Private Game Reserve, offering a unique opportunity to have amazing safaris near these amazing animals, and a predator diversity that is matched by only a handful of other wildlife sanctuaries.  This wildlife can all be viewed on morning and afternoon game drives offered by Old Traders Lodge.

The main building is the ‘Old Traders lodge,’ which constitutes the main dining room and viewing deck.  All meals are ordered from set menus offering anything from cereals, eggs, muffins and fruits for breakfast, to lasagna, schnitzel, leg of lamb, sushi, seafood, to game meat for lunch and dinner.  All meals are complimented with a selection of wines, beer and cool drinks from the bar.  Guests with dietary requirements, or physically challenged, are asked to book their requirements in advance.  Enjoy your meals looking out over the lodge’s floodlit waterhole where hippo, crocodile, and all the other variety of game are thirsty for a drink.

Erindi Private Game Reserve and Old Traders Lodge is a perfect destination for a SAFE FAMILY SAFARI, being malaria FREE, children of all ages are welcome at the game reserve, offering indoor and outdoor play centers.

There are 35 suites and they ALL look out onto the waterhole.  Each suite is equipped with a comfortable double or twin beds, en-suite bathroom (bath and shower), remote controlled air-conditioning, a fridge and kettle, tea/coffee, an in-room safe and study desk along with satellite TV.  Insect screens, nets, and repellent are all provided.

At Old Traders Lodge you can expect:

Fully Inclusive -Luxury accommodation

• Double bed with crisp clean linen and warm blankets
• Luxurious en-suite bathroom with bath and shower
• Private patio with reclining chairs and view of waterhole
• Remote controlled air-conditioning
• Fully stocked mini-bar
• Night stands, desk and cupboard
• Satellite TV, hairdryer safe

Safari a land where there are more wildlife than people.

Activities offered at Erindi Private Game Reserve:

Early Morning Game Drives

The day begins before first light. Meet at the main lodge where the kitchen prepares hot brewed coffee, tea, muffins. Then we depart in the Land Rovers, the air crisp and the morning alive with the sounds of the bush. The rangers have an intimate knowledge of the environment, reading signs of last night’s activity they take us into their world. It’s not long before we pick up the spoor of a predator left not long before as the first rays of sun pierce the mountains in the distance. Communicating by radio the vehicles share information on sightings giving us a greater chance of experiencing as much as possible.

Evening Game Drives

A short trip takes a sundowner location. Intense golden hues make the evening surreal as we sip drinks and enjoy light snacks. The light softens after a magnificent sunset, as the sun dips behind the horizon, the air cools day transforms to night. Animals leave the safety of their daytime shelters. The numerous nocturnal hunters, including lion and genet pick up scent trailing the night air. Evening trips also bring incredible viewing of little creatures such as striped polecat, African wild cat, bat eared foxes, porcupine and pangolin, brown hyena, spotted hyena and jackal.

Informative & Educational

Apart from the daily game drives that are aimed at providing knowledge on the unique fauna and flora of Erindi Private Game Reserve, interactive lectures are offered to interested guests. The “Global Leopard Project” presentation focuses on the leopard research project conducted at Erindi and the “Awesome Ecology of Erindi”. Other presentations give insight into the daily fieldwork that leads to the successful functioning of one of the most amazing conservation areas on earth. Kids game drives, children under 6 can’t view any of the big 5 animals. If the lodge is full kids under 6 won’t be able to go on game drives and a baby sitter will be available.

Erindi Private Game Reserve Price List | Old Traders Lodge has 3 choices of accommodation:

• Luxury (N$1,890 Dinner, Bed, Breakfast (DBB) N$2,500 fully inclusive (FI) per person)
• Superior (N$2,190 DBB, N$2,800 FI pp)
• VIP (N$2,490 DBB, N$3,100 pp)

*Pricing accurate until October 2011 and stated on double occupancy.  Single supplement quotes available upon request.

Shuttle transfers are also available to and from Erindi Private Game Reserve for visitors not already doing a self-drive tour.

Swakopmund activities are the reason people visit the coastal town. Swakopmund, or Swakop as the town is referred to by the locals, has a whole slew of activities, tours and excursions, to satisfy everyone’s appetite.  Quickly becoming the extreme sports Mecca of southern Africa, Swakopmund activities caters to all adrenaline junkies, and even the more mellow of adventure seekers. Between the sands of sea, the coastal waters, and the open skies, there are a variety of activities to suite everyone’s needs, from Cape Cross Tours, Fishing, expanding your knowledge about local minerals, hiking, skydiving, and excursions to Spitzkoppe.  With so many Swakopmund activities for everyone it’s no wonder Swakop is a favorite destinations for visitors to Namibia.

Swakop is also one of my favorite places in all of Namibia and each visit I plan to get myself out and about, generally participating in two or more of the following (also my absolute favorite) Swakopmund activities.

My favorite Swakopmund Activities:

Alter-Action Sandboarding: Sandboarders will be collected from their accommodation in Swakopmund at 09h30 and taken to the Namib Desert, the oldest desert in the world, which houses some of the largest sand dunes on this planet. There is no better way to experience these mountains of sand in more eco-friendly way, than to zoom down them head first on a sandboard and/or sled. Over the years, and countless hours of engineering and design, the equipment used to speed down the dune slip-faces, has advanced from a simple piece of cardboard to imported snowboards with redesigned bottoms, especially adapted for speeding down the sandy surfaces.

There are 2 styles of sandboarding:

• Lie down. – For the lying down style you use a specially polished board to slide headfirst down a dune. Speeds of up to 80km/h can be reached. Talk about the best buzz to wake you up!
• Stand-up – For the standing-up style, you use standard snowboarding equipment and you ‘surf’ your way down the dunes. Stand-up boarding is snowboarding with a much slower experience compared to that on snow. Two different slopes are on offer with various runs on either.

No experience is needed for either Lie-down or Stand-up sandboarding, although if you have previous experience in either surfing or snowboarding, the stand-up is a whole lot easier. There are a total of 6 different slopes to test your skills (or lack of them!).  Although, the lie down is my favorite (you just can’t beat 80 km/h speeds!) I also recommend doing both.

Sandboarding is ALWAYS done in the morning hours, leaving the afternoon open for additional Swakopmund activities.

Mondesa location, just a few kilometers away from the town’s center, was established by the apartheid government in the 1950s as the area for the black population to live. Today it is a vibrant area of Swakopmund where much of the black population prefers to live. The location is rich in Namibia culture, with members from all of Namibia’s clans living here. When you get to talking with the people, you will be amazed at how many languages they are fluent in, how friendly and accepting they are, and how much fun you will have with all the different people. Simply putting yourself in this unique place is what makes this act local. How local you become depends on what you are willing to taste, drink, dance, or talk.

To tour Mondesa, Swakop Township Tours organizes daily visits at 10h00 and 15h00, each four hours in length. A minimum of 2 people is required. Their tours are excellent and culturally rich, allowing traditional food tasting, the visiting of schools, insight into traditional healing, as well as the location’s history. If prearranged, you can visit a Herero lady who runs an HIV clinic.

Quadbiking This is one of the best ways to access parts of the Swakopmund sand dunes that even 4×4′s can’t reach. It is no secret about the apparent controversy over the use of quads over the sands posing threat over the environment and the rare species that thrive in the sand. However, the legitimate companies that make quad biking in the dunes an adventure experience also make conserving their environment a TOP priority.

They have set out a route that goes for about 35km in an area that’s great to practice your wheelies and kick up sand but causes little damage. There are two types of bikes you can choose from. For those who have no or less experience there are 160cc semi automatic bikes, while for those who desire a bit more thrilling ride there are 200cc manual quad bikes.

Companies, if arranged beforehand, will pick you up at your place of lodging, provide all equipment, and even a bit of training.

The following are tour options:

1hr Quad Tour:

20km guided tour. (± 1hr) = a short dune tour.

2hr Quad Tour:

38 – 55km guided tour. ( ± 2hrs)

• This tour is the most popular, a real adventure on the ride of your life.
• Ride the wildest dunes, roller-coasters and spirals of the Namib.
• Excellent photographic opportunities.
• Adrenaline guaranteed.
• Cold drinks included.

3hr Combo Tour:

1hr sand boarding (lie-down only) + 2hr Quad Bike Tour.

Any time of the day (preferably in the morning due to weather conditions.)

2hr 30min Quad and Go-Kart Combo Tour:

Time: 09h00-12h00 or 16h00-Sundown. (min 4 pax) Tour includes: Transfers, water and guides.

Enjoy a real adventure:

• Start within the dunes – riding the wildest dunes.
• Finish off the day with a race against time and laps at the Go-Kart Club.

3hr 30min Quad, Lie-down Sand boarding and Go Kart Combo Tour:

Time: 08h00-12h00 or 15h00-Sundown. (min 2 pax) Tour includes: Transfers, water and guides.

• This is the same tour as the 2hr 30min Quad and Go-Kart Combo Tour, but with the added attraction of:
• Lie-down sand boarding, to round off an action packed day.
• Finish off the day with a race against time and laps at the Go-Kart Club.

3hr Quad Breakfast Run:

70–80km guided tour (± 3hrs)

• Drive up the Swakop riverbed, and enjoy a hearty breakfast at Rossmund Lodge Golf Club.
• Ride the dunes for ±2hr on your way back.

Swakopmund Activities for the whole Family

Living Desert Tour: The tour starts from Swakopmund where you will be collected from your accommodation around 08.30. You travel across the Swakop River towards the local dune belt between Walvis Bay & Swakopmund, which is about 30km long and 5 km wide and supports an impressive wealth of fauna and flora.

We slowly drive along the foot of the dunes, taking precaution not to drive on the gravel plains and cause any unnecessary damage to the environment. As your guide will explain, the gravel plains are protected and home to nesting Damara Terns, which are endemic to this area. In addition, driving along gravel plains leaves scars, which can take up to 100 years to recover, and therefore this is why a guide is needed on the excursion. Conservation issues and the geological structure of the desert will be discussed in detail en-route. Sit back and enjoy the day with frequent opportunities to take photos of the dunes and the surrounding environment.

Your guide will stop continuously to look for tracks (known locally as reading the bushman paper) to determine which animals were active the night before and wherever possible will try to catch some of them to show you. Delve into the guide’s knowledge he shares with you on each desert animal, including emphasis on special adaptations and perfect design used for survival in the desert. Time and care is taken to ensure each animal is returned safely to its home.

We cross the dune belt from East to West in a 4×4 vehicle, lending opportunity for incredible views of the desert landscape and a packed journey where experienced knowledge of sand driving is essential.

Swakopmund activities / tours and excursions should be arranged 1-2 days beforehand.  Your lodge accommodation will help you arrange these upon request and if not, the next easiest way to book your adventure is to call them yourself or book at the Namib i office located in the center of town, or we can easily integrate it into your self-drive or guided safari.

Learn more about safaris in Namibia! - http://wildsafariafrica.com/destinations/safari-namibia/

In 2007, Etosha National Park celebrated its first 100 years of existence and continues to be one of Africa’s best game parks. Viewing Africa’s large game populations against the Etosha Pan backdrop is like no other experience found in Africa. The Etosha Pan, the parks definitive feature, is an immense, shallow depression of some 5,000 km² of dry, white sun beaten mud. Mirages shimmer in the distance while game animals stride across the desolate lands looking completely out of place. Throughout most of the year the area is dry, giving rise to the name ‘the Great White Place of Dry Water.’

When the rains at Etosha National Park begin, the oshanas in Owamboland drain into the pan, creating an important breeding ground for flamingos. Like that of the Okavango Delta, the life giving power of water is incredibly apparent with the onset of rains. The pan quickly becomes a vast lake teeming with grasses and wild flowers, while elephants gracefully stride through.

There are a total of 114 species of mammals, including the rare and endangered black rhino, cheetah, and black-faced impala. The only animals that are not found in Etosha National Park are the hippo and crocodile. Almost every other animal can be found roaming the park. There are also about 340 different species of birds including the ostrich and secretary birds.

The best places to see game during the dry season is at one of the parks thirty-something waterholes. During the rainy season the animals are hidden behind the dense vegetation and congregate around natural depressions and puddles only present during this season. Nevertheless, it is almost guaranteed to see lion, plains game, giraffe, and other big cats when visiting Etosha National Park. The leopard is a rarity, and if you are extremely lucky you may even witness a predator kill.

What is the best season to visit Etosha? http://wildsafariafrica.com/destinations/safari-namibia/