July 13, 2018

Starlings not that Common

If there were a lion behind every second bush, or a leopard in every tree, would they be so special? Would photographers want to shoot them (to protect them), would photographers drive off-road or into a no-entry road to get a better angle on their million dollar picture? I have in fact seen people drive all over each other to get a closer look at a lion, to get to the front of the scene of the crime. Imagine, for a lion! Luckily no photographer will ever do that. The point I want to make about starlings is that they are too common. Most of the starlings have a metallic sheen flashing back when the sun touches their feathers, but unfortunately they are not so special because they are just too common. This might be where this terrible word is coming from: ‘common’, like too many seen too often. Possibly it is also because they are robust and gregarious. Let’s rather call them plebeian.
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July 17, 2018

Life Skills From the Camel-Thorn Tree

On a recent trip to Wolwedans I found myself in awe of the thriving desert life. It hasn’t rained here in the last five years, but that doesn’t mean that this part of the world has come to a standstill. Au contraire. We discovered life, and more significantly, growth in the desert. Inspired by the acacia forest we came across I dug up some interesting facts about the hardy camel-thorn tree. My motto for 2018 is “Be as tough as a camel-thorn.” Here is why:
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July 17, 2018

Joining Forces and Uniting Conservationists

Conservationists and biologists are usually, through the nature of their work, people who work in isolation – especially those that are field based. Communications between individuals or even organisations may be limited to formal information exchanged via publications, workshops or social media. Events that unite multiple people, structures and organisations in a personal and interactive manner, a sort of one-on-one interaction in the desert, swamp, ocean, savannah or wherever they might be working, are rare. 
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July 17, 2018

Mika Shapwanale and the Strength of the Human Spirit

I had the good fortune to meet one such person. Mika Shapwanale, manager of the Mushara Collection east of Etosha.  On a recent visit to Mushara, Mika and I sat down in the shade of the trees and chatted about his journey in tourism. But it wasn't merely an exchange of the usual what do you do's. Mika is an exceptional person.
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July 17, 2018

Neuras – Wine and Wildlife Estate

Bright green vineyards are set against a harsh desert backdrop. Neuras Wine and Wildlife Estate mainly consists of stony desert or savannah grassland but nevertheless, it is an oasis in every sense of the word. Because the estate sits on a geological fault that creates a near-perfect terroir for cultivating grapes. Five springs provide pure water, while the mountains shield the earth from the unforgiving desert wind and the alkaline soil is just right for vines.
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July 17, 2018

10 Reasons to Visit Hardap Dam in Namibia’s South

A special hidden gem in the Namibia Wildlife Resorts portfolio is Hardap. Often overlooked, this sprawling resort lies along the banks of Namibia’s largest dam and boasts not only a wide array of accommodation options but also an enticing experience for visitors who love nature, water and views. The Travel News Team recently visited and came up with 10 reasons why Hardap should be added to your travel itinerary.
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July 18, 2018

My Stint as Tour Guide in Owambo

Before we went on this adventure I really hoped, prayed, that my two colleagues who have never been to the north would love Owamboland as much as I do. I wanted them to see the beauty in everything. I wanted them to be in awe of this part of THEIR Namibia. But above all I wanted them to say the four little words: WE WILL BE BACK. 
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July 18, 2018

Riemvasmakers: The Peaceful Simplicity of Life

Despite the way the Riemvasmakers found their way to Namibia, the small community thrives in the arid region west of Khoixas. Some live at Bergsig, some at Vrede, and some, like Bassons at De Riet, a small cluster of informal structures close to the Aba-Huab River. With little fencing to protect themselves or their livestock, the pre-fab church destroyed by a heavy rainstorm last year, they don't have much. But what they have been able to hold on to through all the disruption caused by the relocation, and years of living in harsh conditions is a sense of self and culture, as well as their beautiful Afrikaans mother tongue vocabulary that sets them apart from many cultural groups in the area.
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July 18, 2018

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Cheetahs

Cheetahs are the fastest land animals on earth. Probably one of the most well-known mammals. They even make really cute plush toys. And in Namibia, their populations are on the up and up, due to the fantastic efforts of conservation organisations and government. But cheetahs still have a lot about them to surprise us with.
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July 27, 2018

5 Reasons Why the Shepherd’s Tree is One of the Coolest Trees in Africa

The Shepherd’s Tree (Boscia albitrunca) stands sentinel across the valleys and plains of Namibia. Standing not-so-tall yet proud on the savanna bush- and grasslands, aside mountainscapes or on the banks of dry rivers across the land, it is one of the most easily recognisable trees in Namibia, clearly identifiable by even the most novice of flora-natics. Here are Travel News Namibia’s five reasons why this rockstar of the Namibian biosphere is one of the coolest trees out there:
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