June 21, 2012

Trees – Namibia’s big five

By Barbara Curtis Most people who come to Africa want to see “The Big Five” – the five African mammals considered by hunters to be the […]
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May 8, 2013

The extraordinary sausage tree

Text by Abigail Amos Although the baobab richly deserves its place as a symbol of sub-Saharan Africa, the extraordinary sausage tree is equally interesting and much […]
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July 18, 2013

Makalani Palm Nuts

Text and photos by Ginger Mauney  Tall, elegant trees with long, fan-shaped leaves armed with sharp, black thorns – this is the makalani palm, Hyphaene petersiana, […]
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October 17, 2014

Namibia | Tree Awards 2014

Mopane tree. Photo ©Ron Swilling – Main photo The annual Tree Award 2014 was hosted this week. The award is a Botanical Society of Namibia award […]
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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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March 10, 2021

The life of birds in trees

It might sound like a bit of a cliché to mention the importance of trees for birds and vice versa, although there are unfortunately people who still cannot see that importance, and probably not the importance of trees for humans either – so how in hell would they ever see the importance of trees at all.
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March 10, 2021

The end of a drought era? Namibia celebrates the rain

Explore the hidden charms of Lüderitz, the gateway to Namibia's historic Kolmanskop ghost town. Immerse yourself in rich history, dine at seaside eateries, and discover stunning architecture. From the iconic Felsenkirche to the intriguing Kolmanskop, Lüderitz beckons with tales of the past.
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November 1, 2021

Hiking in the Namib Naukluft

In my opinion the road from the coast to the Naukluft Campsite of Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) is among the most visually charming drives in Namibia. Coming from the mostly misty coast and making your way into the sunshine of the dry, dusty desert is experiencing the diversity of Namibian landscapes first-hand!
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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.
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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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June 4, 2023

Become one of the pride at Hobatere Tree House

Welcomed by handshakes and friendly introductions, arriving at Hobatere is like coming home. The journey begins from the moment guests enter the ≠Khoadi-//Hôas conservancy at the main gate, framed by two towers reminiscent of classic stone castles. Barely three kilometres into the conservancy, we spot the first wildlife. Stocky mountain zebras trot across the jeep track, shy to show us their striped pyjamas as they disappear between the mopane forest dotted with honey-coloured boulders.
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January 17, 2024

Meet the Peeling Bark Ochna

In this series we explore the beauty of trees with our beloved local nature-enthusiasts and authors, Helga and Pompie Burger. Each with a unique voice and opinions on how best to identify the trees of the Kavango and Zambezi, Helga and Pompie help us through the tricky trials of identifying northeastern Namibia’s most iconic flora.
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January 21, 2024

Back to Basics

The juxtaposition of Namibia’s landscapes continues to leave me speechless. The northwest, characterised by rocky flat-top and pointy mountains cascading into valleys and then rivers. The deep south, where standing on a hilltop has you overlooking endless stretches of deserted plains. Our coastline, misty and magical, where gemsbok occasionally stroll on the beach. The fingertip of the Caprivi, lined by wondrous waterways, lush greenery and punctuated by rural villages.
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June 10, 2024

Honeymoon Camping at Epupa Falls

I always had a stereotypical notion of the perfect honeymoon: sandy beaches, scuba diving adventures, perhaps jetting off to somewhere exotic like Zanzibar. It never occurred to me that travelling locally, that camping or even gravel trails could make for a dream honeymoon. For my husband, the latter defined perfection, and so that was what we did. Providently.
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