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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September 12, 2018

This is My Namibia – Conrad Brain

Without a single word that we know or express, there has been – almost without exception – an exchange of contact or expression between myself and […]
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November 15, 2018

5 Movies and TV shows you didn’t know were filmed in Namibia

Namibia is Africa’s best kept (cinematic) secret. Known for being the country of wide open spaces, boasting a varied geographical landscape within our 824,292 km2 and the most sought-after Namib Desert, are reason enough to visit Namibia, but we’re also an ideal filming location. Blockbusters such as The Mummy or Mad Max: Fury Road are prime examples, however, there are lesser-known productions that have showcased Namibia’s beauty.
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November 8, 2019

The road less travelled

As Namibia becomes an ever-more popular destination we are very conscious of the fact that we need to have a responsible approach to how we travel and traverse this awe-inspiring travelled country. A game plan, a strategy and a sense of awareness of the impact that we as humans (and in this case travellers) have on our environment, the imprint we may leave on other people and the after-effects of our journey. We so often use the adage Leave only your footprints behind, but are we truly conscious of each footprint? And perhaps they aren’t only physical.
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November 14, 2019

Local tours and adventures you have to try in Namibia

There’s no better way to get to know a place than through a tour. Tours allow for a guided and informative up-close experience of a place and its people, from authentic unscripted cultural encounters to the discovery of hidden treasures. Here are a few tours you need to try during your visit to Namibia.
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March 10, 2021

Are Namibian Fairy Circles Euphorbia Tombstones?

Fairy circles in the Namib Desert have fascinated people for centuries – from Himba traditions to more recent scientific theories, we have formed numerous different explanations for how these enigmatic circles of sand came into being. Several recent theories revolve around competition among plants or termites, or both. A scientific study this year went back to one of the original theories for fairy circle formation, and found some compelling evidence to support it.
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March 10, 2021

Wellness in the Desert at Little Kulala

When Wilderness Safaris reopened their much loved Little Kulala lodge in November last year, not only did it boast a stylish revamp but also introduced a new holistic approach to the guest experience. Wellness now goes hand in hand with conservation and appreciation of the fragile arid ecosystem.
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November 1, 2021

Living in the land of sand and freedom: Driving on empty

One of our favourite activities every year is the annual vulture tagging. We have been participating since 2016, at which point one child was two and the other five. The first time we joined this outing we hadn’t yet met everyone involved, but had made telephonic arrangements to meet the team at Sesriem.
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December 1, 2021

From the desert to the mountains

As widely as the Namibian landscapes can differ when comparing the northeast of the country to the southwest, as quickly it can change over short distances. Such changes in scenery will not be as drastic, of course, but can nonetheless give one the feeling of being in a completely different place.
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March 9, 2022

Emboldened conservation beyond boundaries: The Namib Tsaris Nature Reserve

The area bordering the Namib-Naukluft National Park in Namibia’s south, which may seem like a wasteland to some, has become synonymous with conservation. Unsuccessful commercial small livestock farms having given way to large tracts of fencless land allowing for the unhindered movement of desert adapted wildlife.
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March 20, 2022

It’s about time, not distance

In Damaraland you don’t measure a trip from here to there in distance; you measure it in time. Forged from an outpouring of lava some 130 million years ago and then exposed to millions of years of erosion, fluvial drainage, sun, wind, temperature extremes and seismic activity, the landscape is so rugged, it ranks as one of the harshest terrains on our planet. In this regard, the extreme terrain acts as its own fortress, a barrier to outsiders and a haven for those that can adapt to live within this land of sun-baked basalt and hardship. The wildlife that has forged a life in Damaraland’s mountains and valleys is unique, not in their physiology, but in their generational knowledge – survival messages passed on from old to young – which enables them to survive the very extremes of life itself.
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September 1, 2022

Living wild in the land of Sand and Freedom: Three become four

In the beginning of our journey there were three. Two adults and a small boy with blonde hair and blue eyes. After our first steps in the south and watching him make his way into the (then) head-high grass without looking back even once, we knew it was right. We knew that we all belonged here.
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September 1, 2022

Spring Tripping

Spring in Namibia offers everything to please a weather-worn traveller. Except flowers in bright colours. The sun shines every day all day from tangerine sunrise to scarlet sunset. The sky changes to different shades of blue throughout the day and temperatures are pleasantly high. It is hot and dry since most of Namibia is desert, but cool to cold at night because of the lack of moisture.
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March 24, 2023

Discover Namibia with Ondili

Discover Namibia, a land of diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage. From the red dunes of the Kalahari and the ancient trees of the Namib Desert to the vibrant coastal charm of Swakopmund, each region offers unique adventures. Experience Namibia's magic and connect deeply with its stunning nature and history.
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March 29, 2024

Dwarf Lions of the Desert

The ancient Greeks referred to the chameleon (chamai leon) as dwarf or earth lion because of the fighting spirit the small creature revealed when attacked. Given the fact that the embryo develops underground – the female digs a hole for the eggs and the young have to literally dig their way out – these tiny creatures fight for their survival from the word go.
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June 12, 2024

What were you thinking?

Like being on the ocean, there are huge, ever-changing big-sky vistas to get your head around. Your ears take on a new sensitivity in the beckoning silence, though even in the desert the birdlife is astonishing. The body adapts to the Namib massage – local shorthand for the unending corrugated road surfaces which shake both vehicles and people to pieces. And then there is that most elusive of Namib sensations: the “singing” dunes, vibrating with soo-oop-wa. “The sand shrieks beneath your feet”, wrote John Marsh who first described the Skeleton Coast in his 1944 book.
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