December 1, 2021

The quintessential Namibian Safari at Ongava

From the back of a game viewer driving through Ongava Game Reserve, it is hard to imagine what the area must have looked like 30 years ago when it was still a cluster of unproductive cattle farms. Today it is a protected piece of land where antelope are plentiful and lion, rhino and elephant freely go about their business, all part of and contributing to a healthy, thriving biome.
December 1, 2021

Gerhard Thirion on Capturing the Wilderness

Gerhard Thirion grew up on a 106 000-ha game farm north of Etosha National Park where he developed a burning passion for wildlife, nature and indigenous cultures at a very early age. He initially pursued a career in the aviation industry as a loadmaster with the national airline. Fuelled by his love for aircraft and flying, this was where his interest in photography was conceived.
December 1, 2021

Namibia with wings

From stark desertscapes to lush woodlands. Rugged mountainous terrains to smooth, uninterrupted coastline. Namibia is as geographically and topographically diverse as it is culturally. The land of endless horizons. That is how we have known, and marketed, Namibia since our young country’s birth. Our great expanse of sights and delights is unsurpassed.
March 10, 2022

When conservation becomes a way of life

All of us had to adjust while the pandemic filtered into our day- to-day life, making major lifestyle changes as we went along. For nearly two years of having to find new creative ideas and hoping for the travel industry to recover, conservation continued… education continued… and so did the passion for sustainable tourism. You see, while the world seemingly came to a standstill, nature forced us to keep going. Conservation had to continue. Supporting communities had to continue. Therefore, tourism had to continue. Because conservancies and communities still rely on tourism.
March 20, 2022

On the Frontlines of PANGOLIN PRESERVATION

Across the vast landscapes of central, northern and northeastern Namibia, the plight of the pangolin, an inconspicuous creature, continues. This small mammal plays a major role in the bushland ecosystems of sub-saharan Africa and, as the most trafficked mammal in the world, lives under an ever-present dark cloud of threat. Enter Namibia’s newest concerted effort trained directly at the preservation of this important species - the Namibian Pangolin Working Group.
March 20, 2022

FlyNamibia Safaris

Namibia is great for self-drive adventures, and for those who have the time this can be a rewarding experience. But if you truly want to make the most out of your vacation, fly-in safaris are the most effective, and enticing, mode of travel. From the views to the ease with which you can reach far-flung and remote places, seeing Namibia by air is an other-worldly experience. Enter FlyNamibia Safaris.
March 20, 2022

Paul van Schalkwyk: A Photographic Collection

The late Paul van Schalkwyk’s body of work, published by his wife Rieth in his honour, is a phenomenon. The collection of photographs feature familiar Namibian destinations such as the Namib Desert, Etosha National Park, the Messum Crater and the Skeleton Coast of Namibia from an aerial perspective, completely reinventing the way that these popular photographic subjects are generally viewed and perceived.
March 20, 2022

Birding with Pompie: Lapwings and Plovers

Corgis are highly alert dogs, they react to any sound by barking. They are fearless, aggressive and excellent watch dogs, reacting by sounding the alarm for almost everything. Unfortunately it barks at almost anything, which can get annoying. They also become destructive, chew on furniture or other forbidden things. Separation anxiety can occur when not saying goodbye, and barking all day, getting on everybody's nerves, is a well known trait. Not unlike the Lapwing...
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

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”).
September 1, 2022

The value and virtue of vultures

I was hoping I would spot a Pygmy Falcon on my last trip to the Namib-Naukluft Park, Namibia’s largest conservation area. Small, spirited and snow-white, the bird appeared as misplaced as an Edelweiss flower in the desert. The Pygmy Falcon soared like a white star, in stark contrast to the dry riverbeds, gravel and grassy plains.
September 1, 2022

Namibia Laid Bare – Photography Feature: Toast Coetzer

Toast Coetzer is a Cape Town-based travel journalist best known for his long association with the popular South African travel magazine Go (and its Afrikaans version, Weg). “Because Namibia is such a popular road trip destination among South Africans, I’ve been lucky enough to visit the country at least once a year, sometimes even two or three times,” Toast says.
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.
March 24, 2023

Space and Time

Untouched landscapes spanning as far as the eye can see. An abundance of wildlife roaming free, as nature intended, over bushveld, desert and wetland. A world of birds brimming with sought-after endemic species, found nowhere else on the planet. To the novice this may seem like scenes from the Lion King. In Namibia it is commonplace.
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.