Explore – Page 131 – Travel Namibia

June 1, 2022

The desert rain frog

Not many people can claim that a rain frog was named after them – even fewer can assert that they were once almost arrested for searching for one – in a desert of all places. Let me introduce you to the world of frog expert Vincent Carruthers.

June 1, 2022

Birding in Lüderitz

I wonder if any of those pioneers in the early 1900s ever saw Barlow’s Lark (Calendulauda barlowi) at Pomona, or the Dune Lark (C. erythrochlamys) in the dunes near Lüderitz? Looking at the barren ‘killing fields’ those diamond hunters left behind as memories for later generations, I doubt it very much. I suppose the diamond’s blinding effect on your eyes has the same effect on your mind. In the end, it’s the larks that are still around, and not those diamond hunters.

June 1, 2022

Living Wild – A barbel in a desert canyon?

It is our tradition, whenever the Sesriem Canyon fills with water, to go and swim there. In January the time had come again.

June 1, 2022

The Lüderitz Peninsula

We’re exploring the Lüderitz Peninsula, the aforementioned Toyota making easy work of the well-laid-out salt routes and dirt tracks and acting as a very adequate barrier between us and the wind.

June 1, 2022

A Cell phone on bush trip

A few tips on how to have a phoneless holiday. Feed it to an elephant, accidentally drop it in the hippo-infested river, stand on it or just throw it against the wall.

June 29, 2022

Along the Eastern Edge of the Great White Place

Stepping out of routine has never been this rewarding, and the eastern part of the Great White Place is a worthy addition to every traveller’s Etosha itinerary.

June 29, 2022

Pangolin conservation

Despite being the most trafficked animal in the world, there is surprisingly little known about pangolins.

June 29, 2022

Naye Naye Pans

These thousands of birds on the water in the middle of nowhere are standing in the shallow water of the pan in the Naye Naye Conservancy close to the north-eastern border with Botswana.

June 29, 2022

Unlocking TSAU //KHAEB

What enticed men to leave their homes in Europe for a far-off German colony on the African Continent to dig through burning gravel under the relentless sun of the Namib Desert for a gemstone made of carbon arranged in a crystal structure? Many romantic stories are told citing various reasons, but in actual fact these men were motivated by one thing alone – greed.

June 30, 2022

Bush TELEGRAPH

News from the tourism industry.

June 30, 2022

Gross Barmen

Bold and sharp lines to contrast the flowing nature of water. If the apocalypse were to come, I volunteer as tribute to hide at Gross Barmen.

September 1, 2022

Birding with Pompie: Quelea quelea

Visiting Etosha National Park in early May this year we encountered what might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience: watching a flock, or rather flocks, of Red-billed Queleas at Goas waterhole one morning coming in for their daily drink. Apparently this usually happens twice a day, but my fellow waterhole visitors in the car got a bit fed up with the once-in-a-lifetime experience after a few hours and I had to leave the birds on their own for the rest of the day, to my utter dismay.

September 1, 2022

AN ESCAPE TO YOUR OWN PRIVATE WILDERNESS at Etosha Heights with Natural Selection

The crisp morning in July does little to dampen our excitement: we are leaving on a game drive through the Etosha Heights Private Reserve. As we descend the steep hill leading away from the lodge, the sun, not yet visible, starts to change the colours of the surrounding bush. With the change of light the temperature drops and adds a little extra bite to an already sharp winter's morning.

September 1, 2022

BLUE WILDEBEEST FIGHT ENDS IN WATERHOLE

Territorial blue wildebeest bulls can be spotted at several waterholes in Etosha National Park. Establishing their territory around these important drinking places is like hitting the jackpot for these bulls because the females have to come to the water at least once a day. This is the opportunity to mate with many females, but it is equally exhausting to keep all the rivals at bay. For intruding bulls this is also a problem because they will be chased away by the “owner” of the territory.

September 1, 2022

A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

Crisp winter air hangs over the horizon, creating a soft white filter for every tree and hill. Looking down, you see a veil of yellow and orange mopane leaves crushing softly under your feet. In a single file line, you tread lightly, one foot in front of the other, so as to not disturb the life that surrounds you, or the black rhino spotted at the lodge’s subtly lit waterhole the previous night.

September 1, 2022

Embracing the wild side of the Erongo

Situated some 10 kilometres west of Omaruru and roughly a two-hour drive from Windhoek, Erongo Wild invites guests to become absorbed by the natural beauty of the Erongo Mountains. It is a place brimming with life, which is evident as soon as you arrive. You are immediately surrounded by the calls of White-browed Sparrow-weavers, African Red-eyed Bulbul and a chorus of Rosy-faced Lovebirds – sounds that will become synonymous with Erongo Wild.

September 1, 2022

Hiking the Naukluft: 120 kilometes in eight days

I’m not a hiker. Yet, here I find myself lifting my ridiculously heavy backpack onto my back for the first time on the morning before the start of an eight-day-long hike. The weight of the backpack immediately triggers the question: why am I doing this?

September 1, 2022

Turning travel into impact: Celebrating 10 years of TOSCO

The uproar in the Namibian tourism industry as a result of the poisoning incident was a direct reason for stakeholders to open the dialogue. The consensus towards the end of the meeting was overwhelming: an organisation was needed to strengthen the relationship of the tourism industry with communities and conservation organisations. That same year, Félix founded the Tourism Supporting Conservation Trust which has become known as TOSCO.

September 1, 2022

A sleepout to remember

Towering over the desert landscape, anyone who has explored the area can attest that the Brandberg is an icon of Damaraland. The mountain holds the mythical secrets of the people who lived here many centuries ago, secrets preserved in their rock art and remains of their dwellings. It serves as a beacon to travellers, the more than 2500 metre Königsstein peak is visible from far away.

September 1, 2022

Three adventures to embark on in the Zambezi Region

Whenever explaining travels, destinations, and the roads leading to adventure in Namibia, my right hand comes out. Palm facing down, index finger folded and thumb stretched out, the back of my hand instantly becomes a map. The shape of Namibia can be indicated with a single hand, and the Zambezi region is the thumb. No coincidence then that this corner of the land, often overlooked or left off visitor itineraries for being so far- flung, can be summarised by “an indication of satisfaction or approval” (a.k.a. “thumbs up”).