Journeys are about exploring and discovering. They are crammed with surprises: interesting people, fascinating stories and intriguing places. Instead of racing to your destination, consider slowing down and spicing up your trip with some colourful stops.
Flamingos can be viewed along the Namibian coast and although they may all look the same there are some important differences between the various species.
It is said that the Strand Hotel Swakopmund is the most ambitious hotel project in the history of Namibia. It has 125 rooms and is recognized as a four star hotel and the reason for this huge investment made by O&L Leisure is all the activities in and around Swakopmund. The Strand Hotel Swakopmund recommends exploring Namibia on horseback the next time you pay them a visit.
Nanofasa Conservation Trust has received a generous sponsorship from Bank Windhoek, N$190 000. The money will be used to finance the Barefoot Academy they run with San communities in the Nyae Nyae Conservancy.
According to the World Wildlife Fund, the African wild dog is one of the world’s most endangered mammals. The largest populations remain in southern Africa and the southern part of East Africa. Namibia has finally taken the necessary steps to ensure the survival of this species.
In 2015 the luxurious Strand Hotel Swakopmund opened. It was by far the most costly hotel project in the history of the country. In anticipation of visitors from all over the world that have not yet been to Swakopmund, or those that would simply like to know more about the quaint town, Strand Hotel decided to answer a few frequently asked questions.
Information and tips to leave you well equipped to explore Namibia.
Most of us have heard of the “Big Five”, which include the lion, buffalo, leopard, rhinoceros and elephant, but have you ever heard of the “Lagoon Five”? The Lagoon Five refers to the Big Five of the Namibian coast, which includes some less popular,but by no means less spectacular, animals.
Namibia’s capital has several historical sites that are well worth a visit. So take a day or two to learn more about the city’s diverse legacy. Here are a few tips to enthuse you about exploring heritage sites in Windhoek.
Strand Hotel Swakopmund is situated along the Namibian coast, making it the ideal base from which to explore the surroundings. Not too far from Swakopmund you will find Sandwich Harbour, one of Namibia’s wetland wonders and top birding destinations.
Acclaimed Namibian photographer, the late Paul van Schalkwyk, had a wonderful way of narrowing down the essence of what it means to be a photographer. In a country like Namibia, those with an eye that loves peering through the viewfinder, and fingers itching to push the shutter button, live with that wandering spirit. Those who are constantly traveling have the added advantage of being more often exposed to bigger and greater moments just yearning to be caught on camera. In this issue’s Photography Feature we highlight four tourism professionals who are frequently immersed in the many marvels of Namibia and let their Canons and Nikons capture the stunning moments before their wandering eyes.
Namibia is country rich in culture. From the Zambezians in the northeast, the Oshiwambo in the central north and the Ovahimba in the northwest, to the Herero and Damara in the central regions and the Nama and San in the south and east, Namibians across the country are proud of their heritage, language and communities. As part of this year’s Namibia Tourism Expo’s theme, which centres around communties, we delved into our archives and scanned and bookshelves for books that feature, pay homage to and explore various Namibian cultures and communities.
A chill in the twilight air and a crystal-clear view of the evening star herald the dawn of a new season in Etosha. The rains have gone but the legacy of grass remains; the desiccating heat is a distant, almost forgotten prospect and the white dust remains settled and firm underfoot. It is the start of winter in a place most noted for its summer; the start of a period where yellowing grass dominates and shadowy movements hide an artificial calm.
To appreciate the Naukluft Mountains, you need to walk into them and not just look at them from a distance. There are many trails to hike, their duration ranging from three hours to eight days. From the camping site at Naukluft in the park, you can tackle the Waterkloof or Olive Trail, eight and five hours respectively.
The members of the Large Carnivore Management Association of Namibia (LCMAN) have created the Carnivore Tracker App. for both Apple and Android phones. Carnivore Tracker is a citizen science driven project which collects presence data for all carnivores across Namibia from the yellow mongoose to leopards and lions.
Namibia has an abundance of sand, so what better way to utilize it than creating our own version of snowboarding? A few enterprising winter sport enthusiasts realized that it was possible to sled down the sand dunes on thin wooden boards. Sand boarding quickly became a national pastime, and a few years after this discovery someone got the idea that you could strap a snowboard to your feet and go “dune boarding.”
The dunes are singing. While sitting amongst them on a windy dawn, an eerie music can be heard vibrating through the sand, like a whale song, or a didgeridoo moan. It’s as if the Universe has plucked a chord on her ancient harp and it is resonating here in this red world of sand.
My ten-day safari around Namibia had reached the northern regions and we now veered west to the drier parts of the country. Days of desert dreaming were before us. Strangers from various continents, we had now become a group of travellers on the same wonder-filled adventure.
Ever imagine finding a fortune? Most of us do. Some scour car-boot sales hoping to find a Rembrandt painting tossed aside as a worthless daub, others dream of a long-lost uncle leaving them an inheritance of millions. All over the world people clutch their lottery tickets expectantly in the hope that a matching series of numbers will open the door to a world of wealth and wonder.
