June 21, 2023

Looking for Namibia’s EMPEROR MOTHS

They are nature’s flying nocturnal artworks, short-lived, some well-known but others secretive and little-known, often overseen and attracted to light. The adults do not feed at all, and the larvae – caterpillars – are very selective regarding their food plants. A few species are a valuable food source for humans, such as the so-called “mopane worms”, whereas of some species the caterpillars and food plants are not yet known.
June 21, 2023

The ‘Slow Travel’ Check List

Namibia is a destination to be savoured and enjoyed at a leisurely pace. Don’t rush through the vast vistas in order to tick as much as possible off your to-do list. Curate your itinerary, stay longer, explore more. Here is a list of ways to enjoy Namibia more thoroughly as part of our ‘Slow Travel’ theme for this issue.
June 21, 2023

Travel News Namibia’s Bush Diving Playlist

What’s playing on the radio? A podcaster with a droning voice telling you about the intricacies of silverware antiquing? Skip that. Rather pull up your Spotify app and press play on our Bush Diving roadtrip playlist, specially compiled to bring some much-needed up-beat vibes into the interior of your game-viewing conveyance.
June 21, 2023

10 things you might not know about rhino conservation in Namibia

Namibia is a leader in rhino conservation, boasting the largest population of black rhinos in the world. Namibia's success is attributed to various efforts, including community-based initiatives, anti-poaching programs, and breeding schemes. Notably, Namibia’s pioneering “rhino trophy hunting” program generates significant revenue for conservation by allowing the hunting of a limited number of non-breeding animals. Programs like the Black Rhino Custodianship, government actions against wildlife trafficking, and the involvement of the tourism industry also contribute to rhino protection.
June 21, 2023

The art of taking it easy: Exploring some of Namibia’s most scenic roads

The saying goes that of all the roads you travel, make sure that some of them are dirt. Only, around here, most of the roads are. Deep in the south of Namibia, gravel roads and jeep tracks run like veins through the desert landscape. These roads connect destinations like Sesriem to Lüderitz or the Fish River Canyon. They are often looked upon as a means to an end instead of being part of the journey.
June 25, 2023

FlyNamibia goes on safari with EES

FlyNamibia participated in the world’s largest tourism expo, the ITB in Germany, in early March. Together with the Namibia Tourism Board and several other tourism operators, FlyNamibia’s team had three full days of back-to-back meetings with global tourism operators to promote Namibia as the ultimate travel destination. Over 10,000 exhibitors from more than 180 countries and regions attended the ITB, with nearly 40,000 visitors drawn to the expo on the first day alone.
June 25, 2023

30 years of putting Nature First at Ongava

Article 95 stipulates that the State shall actively promote and maintain the welfare of the people by adopting international policies aimed at, among others, according to Section 12 the “maintenance of ecosystems, essential ecological processes and biological diversity of Namibia and utilisation of living natural resources on a sustainable basis for the benefit of all Namibians, both present and future; [...]." This made Namibia one of the first countries to include provisions for environmental protection in its constitution.
June 29, 2023

Looking back: 30 Years ago in the pages of Travel News Namibia

Thirty years ago, Travel News Namibia offered readers a snapshot of the country’s burgeoning tourism landscape in an edition brimming with optimism and ambitious milestones. We covered the sixth annual congress of the Hotel Association of Namibia, highlighting Namibia’s ranking among the top-five global destinations and underscoring the industry’s call for a national tourism strategy. We also celebrated local developments, such as the opening of the Mbangura Woodcarvers Market, which gave Northern artisans a platform for their craft, and the launch of Ongava Lodge near Etosha—a luxurious safari experience designed to attract international visitors. This edition captured Namibia at a pivotal moment, as it moved to solidify its reputation on the world tourism stage.
June 29, 2023

35 years of HAN: Some roads well travelled, many more still to create

When various pioneers in the Namibian hospitality sector came together in late 1987, their aim was to pave the way for the creation of a lobby group to speak out for the interests of the tourism accommodation sector, and to see tourism take up a key role in Namibia’s economy. Fast forward 35 years and much has been achieved: the Namibian tourism industry is one of the three economic pillars in Namibia, and tourism businesses provide an impressive percentage of employment opportunities for Namibians at all skill levels and in all regions. But while much has changed in the tourism landscape over the past 35 years, it is noteworthy that much has stayed the same.
January 21, 2024

Empowering the Visually Impaired

There are around 32,000 Namibians who are visually impaired. These individuals face many challenges to find stable employment, such as ignorance, social stigma and limited access to educational programmes. However, one company in the business of rejuvenation is rewriting the script. Nomad Wellness Homestead is a sanctuary of relaxation in the capital city of Windhoek.
January 21, 2024

ECO AWARDS NAMIBIA

Eco Awards Namibia is the only certification program for rating sustainability in Namibian tourism establishments. It is an NGO partnership of twelve organisations, representing the private sector, civil society, parastatals, tertiary institutions and the government, including the Namibian Tourism Board.
January 21, 2024

Namibia’s Biomass Revolution

With 45 million hectares of the country considered “bush encroached”, Namibia finds itself in a unique situation – one which holds the potential to provide revenue and opportunity. And indeed, a dynamic industry is developing around the biomass resource. Here is a summary of what was discussed at the recent Standard Bank Biomass Fair 2023.