Saturday 31 October 2015

Namibia: aerial photos of Liebig ghost house in Khomas Hochland | Дом с привидениями в Намибии

#GhostHouseNamibia #LiebigHouseNamibia #GhostHouseNamibiaPhotos
#BloodHouseNamibia #ScaryHouseNamibia #NeuHeusisNamibia 
#ДомСПривидениямиВНамибии
 
Location of Liebig House

GPS: -22°36'30.09" 16°43'6.93"


Directions to Liebig House


Take road C28 from Windhoek towards Daan Viljoen Park, drive for around 20 km (last 16 km on gravel road). The house is on your left, 100 m from the road. Note that house is on private property.

Namibia's ghost house near Windhoek

This large delapidated building is visible from the road but can not be visited by members of the public as it is a private property. The Liebig House is a reminder of the early colonial history of Namibia. The house was originally built in 1912-13 to accommodate the farm managers of the Karl Liebig Company, specialised in cattle breeding. The Liebig Company owned most of the commercial farming land in the Kuiseb River basin upper catchment and was formed in 1907 by the Deutsche Farmgesellschaft of South-West Africa. Liebig Co bought large areas of land on a nationwide scale - in order to establish a cattle farming and meat processing industry in the country. In 1939, the South African Government bought the land from the Liebig Company. It is not clear when the house was finally abandoned and what is its current fate, some sources suggest it was in 1955.
The large windows of the house provide beautiful panoramic views across the veld, whilst a deep rocky river gorge bisected by an old dam can be found a short walk away from the house.

Liebig Ghost House, Khomas Hochland, Namibia - photo gallery

Liebig Ghost House, Khomas Hochland, Namibia - photo gallery

Liebig Ghost House, Khomas Hochland, Namibia - photo gallery

Liebig Ghost House, Khomas Hochland, Namibia - photo gallery

Liebig Ghost House, Khomas Hochland, Namibia - photo gallery

Liebig Ghost House, Khomas Hochland, Namibia - photo gallery

Liebig Ghost House, Khomas Hochland, Namibia - photo gallery

Liebig Ghost House, Khomas Hochland, Namibia - photo gallery

Liebig Ghost House, Khomas Hochland, Namibia - photo gallery

Liebig Ghost House, Khomas Hochland, Namibia - photo gallery

Liebig Ghost House, Khomas Hochland, Namibia - photo gallery

Liebig Ghost House, Khomas Hochland, Namibia - photo gallery

Liebig Ghost House, Khomas Hochland, Namibia - photo gallery

Liebig Ghost House, Khomas Hochland, Namibia - photo gallery

Liebig Ghost House, Khomas Hochland, Namibia - photo gallery

Liebig Ghost House, Khomas Hochland, Namibia - photo gallery

Liebig Ghost House, Khomas Hochland, Namibia - photo gallery

Liebig Ghost House, Khomas Hochland, Namibia - photo gallery

Liebig Ghost House, Khomas Hochland, Namibia - photo gallery

Liebig Ghost House, Khomas Hochland, Namibia - photo gallery

Liebig Ghost House, Khomas Hochland, Namibia - photo gallery
 www.traveltonamibia.com
Purchase photo/4K video: portfolio1 portfolio2
Aerial photo/video service/inquiries: info@traveltonamibia.com

Thursday 29 October 2015

News from Rhino Africa

Dear friends of Rhino

It is with a shared feeling of sadness and gratitude that we say farewell to a dear member of the Rhino family, Fazlin Floris. Having worked with Faz over the past 4 years, you will understand what a great loss this will be for us at Rhino. As Product Coordinator for Rhino Africa, Fazlin has been an integral part of our Product team, especially when it comes to engagement with you our valued partners. They say “a change is as good as a holiday” and as Faz departs, we wish her every success in the new challenge that awaits her career.

It’s not just her incredible knowledge and the integral role she has played in keeping us closely connected to our key partners that will be missed though. The office will be a little quieter without her vivacious laughter and high-spirited nature. We wish her all the best on her new journey and have enjoyed celebrating her significant contribution to Rhino Africa this week!

Faz will be extremely difficult to replace. So while we undertake the colossal task of filling Faz’s shoes, please would you refer any product queries you may have to myself in the interim. As our partners, knowing the shoes we are looking to fill, we would be most grateful as always for any referrals or recommendations you may be able to send our way.

I look forward to working with you all closer over the coming months and years and sharing Rhino’s vision to further enhance the wonderful partnerships Faz has been so instrumental in building over the past few years.

All the best
Stuart

Botswana: top destination in 2016

#LonelyPlanetBotswana
#BotswanaTopDestination2016

Lonely Planet named Botswana the best travel destination for 2016

According to Lonely Planet list of the best world destinations for travel next year Botswana is the number one country.

The country has been described as “progressive, enlightened – but above all, invigoratingly wild.”

Botswana will celebrate 50 years of independence in 2016.

Lonely Planet's top ten destinations in 2016:

1. Botswana
2. Japan
3. USA
4. Palau
5. Latvia
6. Australia
7. Poland
8. Uruguay
9. Greenland
10. Fiji

Chobe Safari Lodge Botswana

Chobe Safari Lodge Botswana

Chobe Safari Lodge Botswana

Chobe Safari Lodge Botswana

Chobe Safari Lodge Botswana

Chobe Safari Lodge Botswana

Chobe Safari Lodge Botswana

Chobe Safari Lodge Botswana

Chobe Safari Lodge Botswana
YouTube channel: Exploring Namibia
Aerial photo/video service contact: info@traveltonamibia.com

Namibia: Windhoek Eros Park aerial photo gallery just before the rain

#DJIPhantom3ProNamibia
#WindhoekAerialPhotos
#WindhoekErosParkPhotos
#WindhoekRainPhotos
#NamibiaAerialPhotoGallery
ErosPark

#PhantomNamibiaPhoto
#WindhoekAerialPhotosNews
#WindhoekAerialNightPhotoNews
#DJIФантомНамибия
#Фантом3НамибияВиндхукЭросПарк


Windhoek Eros Park aerial photo gallery just before the rain

Namibia: Windhoek Eros Park area aerial photo gallery just before the rain

Namibia: Windhoek Eros Park area aerial photo gallery just before the rain

Namibia: Windhoek Eros Park area aerial photo gallery just before the rain

Namibia: Windhoek Eros Park area aerial photo gallery just before the rain

Namibia: Windhoek Eros Park area aerial photo gallery just before the rain

Namibia: Windhoek Eros Park area aerial photo gallery just before the rain

Namibia: Windhoek Eros Park area aerial photo gallery just before the rain

Namibia: Windhoek Eros Park area aerial photo gallery just before the rain
YouTube channel: Exploring Namibia
Aerial photo/video service contact: info@traveltonamibia.com

Notice from Air Namibia: SW 285 flight on 02 December 2015

#AirNamibiaDecemberFlight
#AirNamibiaUpdate
#AirNamibiaSW285December
#AirNamibiaNews

Flight SW 285 on 02 December 2015 - change of departure time

Air Namibia wish to inform all key stakeholders that one of our Airbus A330-200 aircraft will undergo a mandatory maintenance check from the 1st December 2015 to 3rd December 2015.

This maintenance event will affect our schedule in such a way that flight SW 285 scheduled on 2 December 2015 will operate as a day flight, departing Windhoek at 09:00 a.m. and to arrive in Frankfurt at 18:25 (all times local).

We would like to apologize to all passengers whose journeys will be negatively affected by this schedule change.

Conditions for the procedure 

. All passengers will be re-protected on SW flights only. Passengers are to be rebooked on the applicable morning flight and/or on the preceding or next flight (3rd December 2015 flight).

. Passengers are to be rebooked at no fee.
. No re-routing to other airlines.
. Passengers, who are already ticketed at the time of this trade release, will be offered accommodation if and when required.

Refund procedures: 

. Apply for full refund on your net/published fare level via your GDS and quote the following reference number:


AUTHSW15M09210

. Full refunds for unused tickets will be granted regardless of terms and conditions of the fare (even non-refundable tickets). 

. Please note: all refunds must be processed within 7days from receipt of request for the refund by passenger.

YouTube channel: Exploring Namibia
Aerial photo/video service contact: info@traveltonamibia.com

Wednesday 28 October 2015

Namibia: opening of Strand Hotel in Swakopmund

#StrandHotelNews
#StrandHotelOpens
#StrandHotelNamibia

All new Strand Hotel opens in Swakopmund

Swakopmund, Namibia: the newly built Strand Hotel opened on 09 October 2015.

The 4 star hotel offers spectacular sea views and boasts a spa, gym and various food and beverage outlets. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in all public areas and rooms. Strand Hotel offers 125 rooms.

YouTube channel: Exploring Namibia
Aerial photo/video service contact: info@traveltonamibia.com

Airlink: direct flights from Cape Town to Maun

#AirlinkNews
#AirlinkFlightsCapeTownMaun

Airlink will launch direct flights from Cape Town to Maun in 2016
 

SA Airlink will commence direct flights between Cape Town in South Africa and Botswana's Maun, the gate to Okavango Delta from 11 March 2016.

Flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, departing Cape Town at 10:35 and arriving in Maun at 13:05. The return flight will depart Maun at 13:35 and arrive in Cape Town at 16:10.

YouTube channel: Exploring Namibia
Aerial photo/video service contact: info@traveltonamibia.com

Tuesday 27 October 2015

Namibia: Otjiwa Lodge news

#OtjiwaLodgeNews
#OtjiwaLodgeNamibia

Update from Otjiwa

Otjiwa is one of the most diverse Namibian destination and not only an stop-over or gateway en-route the world famous Etosha National Park and Damara- or Kaokoland in the west or the Waterberg Plateau in the east. Otjiwa Safari Lodge offer much more than our unique and fragile nature that vary from savannah to acacia forest. Otjiwa enhance animal welfare of not only some endangered and several rare species as as well as an tremendous bird life collection. We encourage also day visitors to share our interest in Game drives, Angling, Canoeing, Mountain biking, Star Gazing, Hiking Swimming and Rhino tracking. Otjiwa sets the stage for unique romantic Weddings, Team Building, other special events and Conferences. Our superb restaurant serves gourmet dishes as well as a variety on excellent home-style Namibian meat.

Namibia: Caprivi River Lodge update

#CapriviRiverLodgeUpdate
#CapriviRiverLodgeNews
#CapriviRiverLodgeNamibia 

Caprivi River Lodge is a small very exclusive home from home establishment, it is owned and operated by Keith and Mary Rooken-Smith who are very much hands on in the running of the lodge. Situated on the banks of the Zambezi River, Caprivi River Lodge invites you to enjoy a relaxing, body and soul experience. Just a few minutes from Katima Mulilo, Caprivi River Lodge will leave you in awe of the closeness it offers with nature.

What is new?
We are busy with renovations and improvements, you will note that we will have 2 x luxury chalets, 2 x semi-luxury chalets, only 4 x standard chalets as well as the en-suite cabin.  The cabins are being phased out and we now only have 1 in use, next year we will add another luxury chalet.  Our renovations and improvements are on-going and will continue until we have all luxury chalets, but this will take a number of years still.

YouTube channel: Exploring Namibia
Aerial photo/video service contact: info@traveltonamibia.com

South African immigration regulations

#SouthAfricaImmigrationNews
#SouthAfricanImmigrationRegulations

Immigration regulations: South Africa

The South African Cabinet has agreed to amend the immigration regulations so that within the next three months, travel to South Africa will be made easier.

Visa applications by post
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) will accept visa applications by post from countries that require a visa to visit South Africa but do not have a South African consulate or embassy. Recommendations for accredited travel agents to make visa applications for their clients have also been approved by Cabinet.

Biometrics captured on arrival at port of entry
The DHA will capture and implement biometrics of travellers, including fingerprints and photos, on arrival at ports of entry, doing away with the need to apply for visas in person. Pilot sites will begin with OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, King Shaka International Airport in Durban and Cape Town International Airport.

Child travel and unabridged birth certificates
With regards to inbound child-travel where visas are required, original birth certificates or certified copies of required documents will still need to be submitted during the visa application process. For visa-exempt countries, travellers are strongly advised to carry proof of the relationship and consent from the absent parents or guardians. (South Africans under the age of 18 still need to travel with an unabridged birth certificate.) 

Accredited Tourism Company (ATC) Program
The DHA will also look at introducing an Accredited Tourism Company (ATC) Program, initially for countries such as China, India and Russia. This means that these companies will be able to make visa applications on behalf of their clients, thus addressing the issue of tourists having to travel long distances to apply for their visas.

Namibia: wildlife kills 48 Namibians between 2013 and 2015

#WildlifeKills48Namibians

Wildlife kills 48 Namibians between 2013 and 2015

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has confirmed that 48 Namibians were killed by wild animals for the past two years. Out of that number only two cases were recorded in Erongo Region (snake bites) while majority of deaths occured in Kavango and Zambezi Regions (crocodile and elephant attacks). Number of injured Namibians can not be established.

Statistics show that 17 people were killed in 2013, 19 in 2014 and 12 people died in 2015.

YouTube channel: Exploring Namibia
Aerial photo/video service contact: info@traveltonamibia.com

Monday 26 October 2015

South Africa: fire at Wildside Safari Camp | Вайлдсайд Сафари Кемп Южная Африка

#WildsideSafariCamp
#WildsideSafariCampNews
#WildsideSafariCampFire

Fire at Wildside Safari Camp

Wildside Safari Camp, one of the five Entabeni Lodges in the Entabeni Safari Conservancy located in Limpopo, South Africa, was damaged by a bushfire on Thursday, 08 October 2015.

The camp lost its reception, lounge and bar areas, as well as nine of the 20 thatched canvas rooms. None of the guests or staff members were injured in the fire and none of Entabeni’s other lodges were affected. The guests staying at Wildside during the period of the fire were evacuated and upgraded to Hanglip Mountain Lodge and Legend Golf & Safari Resort for the remainder of their stay.

Wildside Safari Camp is closed and will re-open towards the end of November 2015 – the exact opening date will be confirmed closer to the time. Guests booked at Wildside over this period will be upgraded to one of the other Entabeni lodges.

YouTube channel: Exploring Namibia
Aerial photo/video service contact: info@traveltonamibia.com

Namibia: new video of Windhoek's three castles from above | Три замка Виндхука с Фантома 3 Про

#NamibiaPhantom3Video
#Windhoek3CastlesVideo
#NamibiaAerialVideoNews 
#ТриЗамкаВиндхукасDJIФантома3Про

Namibia: new video of Windhoek's three castles from above - taken by DJI Pnantom 3 Professional | Виндхук, Намибия: район Лакшури Хилл и три замка Виндхука с Фантома 3 Про
YouTube channel: Exploring Namibia
Aerial photo/video service contact: info@traveltonamibia.com

Sunday 25 October 2015

Botswana: Desert Delta Safaris news

#DesertDeltaSafaris
#CampOkavangoNews
#ChobeGameLodge
#ChobeSavannaLodge
#SavuteSafariLodge
#XuganaIslandLodge
#CampMoremiBotswana
#CampXakanaxa
#CampOkavango
#LerooLaTauBotswana

Desert Delta Safaris news

We would like to take this opportunity to update you on some important developments at Desert & Delta Safaris.

Most of you may have heard that Camp Okavango is undergoing a complete rebuild. We are very excited about the project and are looking forward re-opening the newly designed Camp Okavango in April 2016. Importantly please note that Camp Okavango will be closed from the 27 November 2015.

Camp Okavango Botswana

Part of the Camp Okavango rebuild is to include a new family unit. Further to this we are building family rooms at Camp Moremi and Savute Safari Lodge. These new family units together with our existing family rooms at Chobe Game Lodge and Chobe Savanna Lodge will allow you to book a complete Desert & Delta Safaris circuit for your family travelers. More details on the rooms can be found below.


Camp Okavango Botswana


We are very excited to announce that we have a new team member joining our marketing department. We have put together a brief introduction of Stuart's background and what his role is within Desert & Delta Safaris.

Chobe Game Lodge together with Freedom Won have been hard at work on the construction of their first solar powered boat. As an Eco Tourism Botswana certified property, Chobe Game Lodge continues to develop sound environmental sustainability projects. We are very proud of the hard work done at Chobe Game Lodge as they continue to lead the way in Eco Tourism.

Lastly, we would like to invite you and your staff to share your  #ILoveDDS moments that showcase what makes a Botswana safari with Desert & Delta Safaris truly unique. We are offering two amazing prizes for the best #ILoveDDS moments and encourage you to join in.

Rebuild of Camp Okavango
 
The new Camp Okavango will open on 14 April 2016 following a full rebuild of the entire camp. Stunning public areas accessed by raised walkways will be linked with the new luxury suites boasting expansive views right across the Okavango Delta. The new Camp Okavango will consist of eleven guest suites and one family suite. The company has taken a good look at the layout of the existing camp and we recognise that for future years, ensuring a true and unique Okavango Delta experience can be achieved from within the camp as well as on activities.

Camp Okavango Botswana

Camp Okavango, located on the remote Nxaraga Island, in the heart of the permanent Okavango Delta, has a rich history, not only within the Botswana Tourism Industry as a whole, but more so in the establishment and traditions of what Desert and Delta Safaris as a company, is today. Camp Okavango has hosted and been the base for Okavango Delta travellers for 35 years. In recent concession lease renewal process, Desert and Delta Safaris has been granted further lease rights to operate Camp Okavango for future years. Given this extended lease period to operate Camp Okavango, the company has taken the decision to completely rebuild the camp within the 2015/2016 camp closure period.

Room structures will encompass a blend of timber and canvas, ensuring that the best use of ventilation and light can be achieved. All rooms will be raised off the ground (floor level at least 2meters / 6.5 ft off the ground) ensuring that each room enjoys a unique view of the Okavango Delta ecosystem. Rooms will be accessed via raised decks, which all lead to the main camp public areas. The standard rooms will encompass a foyer and lounge, large bedroom area and en suite bathroom containing double vanity, double shower and separate toilet. Expansive decks lead out from both the lounge and bedroom area through stacking doors. The family suite will have an additional bedroom built to the one side of the suite with separate access to the bathroom area.

The public areas will be uniquely built to ensure that expansive views of the Okavango Delta can be utilised. The main area, which will include a lounge and bar area, separate dining area, library and computer room, curio shop and various areas for guests to relax, will be built on the site and to the front of the current Okavango Suite. Expansive decks, with a fireplace and stargazing decks will lead off from this towards the jetty where most activities depart and arrive from.

Recognising the UNESCO World Heritage Site status of the Okavango Delta, Desert and Delta Safaris is committed to ensure that the new Camp Okavango not only offers a unique and premier location and experience for those wanting to visit this incredible water wilderness in future years, but the new camp is built in a manner in which the impact on this fragile environment is kept to a minimum. The Okavango Delta is one of the world’s last true remaining natural heritage sites and the new Camp Okavango will allow future visitors the opportunity to truly immerse themselves into this environment without compromise of comfort and luxury offered by this new facility. Camp Okavango’s power demands will now be provided for by a renewable solar energy source. An off the grid solar plant installation will provide quiet, environmentally friendly electricity 24/7. We have reduced the power demands through the installation of energy efficient appliances and equipment (thermodynamic geysers and solar panels for hot water, LED lighting) by 25%. Sophisticated state of the art water recycling plant will recycle 100% of water waste for irrigation needs for the grounds and the natural grass covered airfield on the island. All timber and furniture used in the construction is from renewable commercially grown timber plantations.

On 27 November 2015, Camp Okavango will close.  The entire infrastructure as it is will be broken down and the new Camp Okavango will take establishment – opening for new guest arrivals on 14 April 2016. Camp Okavango redecorated the tents and public areas in February 2015. We assure that all guests travelling prior to the rebuild will enjoy the exceptional Okavango Delta experience for which Camp Okavango is renowned.

Construction on the first five rooms, located in an undeveloped area to the south of the existing Camp Okavango has commenced.  All of the rooms are linked by means of an elevated walkway, in a manner which has not had any effect on vegetation.

We will continue to update our industry colleagues on the progress of the New Camp Okavango as this project progresses.

New Family Rooms

It is with great excitement that we announce the development of new family room units at Camp Okavango, Camp Moremi and Savute Safari Lodge.

Desert & Delta Safaris have commenced the complete rebuild of Camp Okavango. The new Camp Okavango will open for travellers on 14 April 2016. Within this new development, Camp Okavango will boast a brand new family room. The structure of this room will be based on the eleven standard units which are also being rebuilt, however will have an additional bedroom, equipped with twin configuration, which will have access to the main room and bathroom.

Camp Okavango Botswana

At the same time, we have commissioned the building of a family room unit at both Camp Moremi and Savute Safari Lodge. At both of these properties, one of the existing rooms will be renovated and adapted so that an additional bedroom, the same size as existing bedrooms, equipped with twin configuration and access into the existing rooms.

The new family rooms at Camp Moremi and Savute Safari Lodge will be completed during the camp closure period of 01 February 2016 to 01 March 2016, ensuring that they are built and available for bookings and travellers post 01 March 2016.

Taking into consideration the existing family room units at Chobe Game Lodge and Chobe Savanna Lodge, these new family units at Camp Okavango, Camp Moremi and Savute Safari Lodge are going to offer the best value family safari options for future travellers to Botswana.

Desert & Delta Safaris accept children of all ages at Chobe Game Lodge and Chobe Savanna Lodge. Children 6 years and older are welcome at Camp Okavango, Camp Moremi, Camp Xakanaxa, Leroo La Tau, Savute Safari Lodge and Xugana Island Lodge.

Triple occupancy rooms can be configured at Camp Xakanaxa, Leroo La Tau and Xugana Island.

Stuart Parker joins Desert & Delta Safaris

Camp Okavango Botswana

We are very excited to announce that Stuart Parker has joined the Desert & Delta Safaris family. Stuart joins in the marketing department as a Business Development Manager, focusing on our Southern Africa based clients. He is also helping develop and implement our online content strategies. Below is a brief introduction on Stuart's background in the travel industry.

Stuart has worked in the Africa travel industry for over 10 years. After studying tourism management he started his career as a travel consultant based in Cape Town, specialising in tailor-made vacations throughout Southern Africa. He later moved to Johannesburg where he continued to work as a consultant but changed his focus to groups and series travel.

After several years in Johannesburg he had enough of the city life and moved up to Botswana where he worked as a lodge manager in a well known bush lodge. While here he continued to develop his life long passion for travel photography and discovered new interests in travel writing and social media marketing.

Returning back to South Africa, Stuart developed his own travel blog and social media presence sharing stories of his Africa travels. He worked closely with us in 2014 on our award winning #ThisIsChobe campaign which continues to showcase the best experiences in the Chobe National Park.

Camp Okavango Botswana

Stuart has an ingrained passion for Africa travel and we are very excited to have him as a permanent member of our team. Watch out for some exciting new online developments including our #ILoveDDS campaign (details below) starting this November.

If you haven't yet joined us on social media please do so through the social media links in this newsletter. We aim to use our social media platforms to support your travel business and assist you with promoting Botswana as a top Africa travel destination.

The Fist Solar Boat Safari

Exciting news from Chobe Game Lodge – work has begun on Africa’s first fully solar powered safari boat. Another major development that further enhances Botswana’s reputation as one of Africa’s leading destinations for ecotourism safaris.

10 panels are currently being fitted onto the roof of the safari boat which, when ready, will produce 255 watts each and generate enough power to travel more than 40km up river without the need for any other power source.  We’re confident we shouldn’t need to charge the boats with additional power unless weather conditions do not work in our favour.

Together with Freedom Won our dedicated team are working through the heat of the 37 degree day constantly dousing the roof with water to avoid burning their hands on the hot sun heated solar panels – no shortage of power in this part of the world that is for sure!

Follow Chobe Game Lodge on twitter, Facebook and Instagram as we’ll keep you posted on her progress and of course the first voyage!

#ILoveDDS Campaign

This October, November and December we have a number of familiarisation trips moving through our camps. We have invited those traveling with us to share their favourite safari moments and we'd like to extend the invitation to all our industry partner's who have experienced our camps. There is an exciting opportunity to win one of two amazing safari prizes through our camps.

Camp Okavango Botswana

We are looking for those special safari moments that make a Desert & Delta Safaris experience truly unique. We want to know what you loved most about your previous safari and why. Get creative! Share your funniest moments, your happiest selfie or even your deepest moment of reflection.

We invite you to follow the #ILoveDDS campaign for inspiration and look forward to receiving your messages.
 
How to Enter
 
Share your best safari moments from your Desert & Delta Safaris experience on social media using the tag #ILoveDDS and the tag relating to the camp where the picture was taken.

#ChobeGameLodge | #ChobeSavannaLodge | #SavuteSafariLodge | #XuganaIslandLodge | #CampMoremi | #CampXakanaxa |#CampOkavango | #LerooLaTau.

Camp Okavango Botswana

We will accept all posts on twitter, Instagram and Facebook. If you use Facebook please tag us (@DesertDelta) in your post together with the relevant hashtags or we wont receive your entry.

You can enter as many times as you like, in fact the more posts the better.

We will pick our top five posts and from there the one with the most votes wins. Runner up receives second prize. You will earn extra points if your company shares, retweets or regrams your posts.

Camp Okavango Botswana

Competition closes 31 December 2015. Winners announced 10 January 2016.

1st Prize
6 night Maun to Maun Desert & Delta Safaris circuit for two. Prize includes accommodation, meals, activities and drinks as per standard DDS includes as well as all scheduled light aircraft transfers starting and ending in Maun.

2nd Prize
2 nights at Chobe Game Lodge in one of our new suites including a private dinner for two. Includes accommodation, meals, activities and road transfers as per standard DDS includes and excludes.

YouTube channel: Exploring Namibia
Aerial photo/video service contact: info@traveltonamibia.com

Namibia: Epupa Falls Lodge news & updates

#EpupaFallsLodgeNews
#EpupaFallsLodgeNamibia

Updates from Epupa Falls Lodge

It has been a year of change in the Kunene Region. The drought continued and changed the ways of the Himba in more ways than one. Here at Epupa Falls Lodge & Campsites we settled into a rhythm of serving & chilling while Alzheimer's Dementia Namibia reached new heights both locally and internationally.


Epupa Falls Lodge Namibia

A look at the 2012 - 2015 Draught
Speaking to the Himba people of the area, it becomes clear that this is the driest years in living memory. The Kunene Region, being a semi-desert, has never known the vast amounts of rain that the Caprivi has come to know.


Epupa Falls Lodge Namibia

Yet, anyone that has been to Epupa before 2011, will tell you that the numerous cattle and goats along the way is a hazard to the careless driver. Not so anymore. Where the Himba people had an estimate of 200,000 cattle in 2010, this amount has dwindled to a mere 50,000 in 2015. Driving the road from Opuwo to Epupa recently, I was fortunate to see a heard of cattle of about 20 and maybe 50 goats along the way.


Epupa Falls Lodge Namibia

Adapting to the 21st Century

Epupa Falls Lodge recently had a case where a client was very upset to hear a cellphone ring in a Himba hut. We were accused of selling an activity that is fake.
The truth of the matter is, that you will have a hard time finding a Himba without a phone. Even in the wilderness. Just like western civilization has come to depend on it, the Himba now use it to find water. It is much quicker to call a fellow family member to hear if a certain borehole still has water, than walking there with what livestock you have left, only to find dust.

Epupa Falls Lodge Namibia

It is a sad reality, but one that must be taken into consideration. The traditional Himba like we know them, are quickly evolving into a new people. A people that still live by the rules of nature, but are adjusting to make things easier. In fact, to proof a point - there are more pick-ups in the Kunene region than there are donkey carts. Why? Simple isn't it. So why is it so difficult to understand that they too will soon wear Nike and prefer I-phone to Nokia?


Epupa Falls Lodge Namibia

What about bird and wildlife?
It is not only the Himba people that are influenced by the drought. The bird life that once was a selling point of the region, has almost completely disappeared in the bush. At Epupa, along the river where there still is plenty of water and a remarkable source of food, the birds still frolic and enjoy life. Even wildlife has returned to the green along the river.


Epupa Falls Lodge Namibia

The Future
Talking to the Himba or just driving along dirt tracks, can be a depressing sight. Where farmers in the rest of Namibia are struggling to keep the conditions of their animals, the Himba are struggling to survive. Should it not rain in the very near future, only time will tell what will happen to the once, nomadic and traditional Himba.


Epupa Falls Lodge Namibia

Slow down, sit back and relax at Epupa Falls Lodge.
Although Epupa Campsites have been in existence for 24 years, Epupa Falls Lodge were only built in 2012. The addition of 5 chalets and a restaurant was inevitable. Staff were recruited and we were off to a good start.


Epupa Falls Lodge Namibia

Keeping up with the Joneses
Epupa Falls Lodge has always tried to be as green as possible while blending in with nature and the surrounding area. Since Epupa does not have electricity, the lodges in the area rely on generators. EFL, on the other hand, has opted for solar energy. In 2015, we went as far as lighting our chalets. Our guests no longer have to rely on flash lights to see at night and they can even charge their equipment in their chalets.


Epupa Falls Lodge Namibia

Credit Card Facilities
In keeping up with trends everywhere, we now also have a speed point and guests can settle their outstanding accounts with credit cards.


Epupa Falls Lodge Namibia

Nightsbridge
Nightsbridge have covered extensive ground over the last few years in Namibia and since we could see that the benefits were certainly more than the negatives, we jumped on the bandwagon. To agents, this generally is no good. But in our case, it might be of good use. Since EFL falls in an area where cellphone reception is a miracle and Telecom only works on Saturdays, agents can now check availability online rather than trying to reach at the lodge.
Where can you do this? Epupa Falls Lodge!


Epupa Falls Lodge Namibia

As time goes by, the needs of our guests change and so we adapt accordingly. I am sure that every agent that have been in the industry for longer than a decade, can attest to the fact that the requests of tourists have, well, become quite extravagant!

The story of Ndjinaa reaches global audiences at the annual conferences during Alzheimer's Month in September 2015.
Epupa Falls Lodge & Campsites support the Alzheimer's Dementia Namibia project. You will probably ask yourself, of all the project, why ADN? Well, it's fairly simple.
The Story (in short)
Chief Kapika - who is the chief headman of the Epupa area - has a sister by the name of Ndjinaa. And Ndjinaa was the first Himba to be diagnosed with dementia in 2012. Since then, the ADN team together with the owner of Epupa Falls Lodge & Campsites, have identified quite a few Himba with possible dementia.
Want to read more about this project? Head over to our activities page. 
Follow the news of Alzheimer's Dementia Namibia and keep posted!


Epupa Falls Lodge Namibia

Road Works
Road's Authority decided to build and repair some bridges along C43 from Opuwo to Epupa. Due to the dry conditions, the detours have deteriorated so that only 4x4's can pass through.
A lot of guests seem to be unaware that the C43 between Sesfontein & Opuwo is closed. Please take note of this and plan the itineraries accordingly.

Epupa Falls Lodge Namibia

Epupa Falls Lodge Namibia

Epupa Falls Lodge Namibia

Epupa Falls Lodge Namibia

Epupa Falls Lodge Namibia

Epupa Falls Lodge Namibia

Epupa Falls Lodge Namibia

Epupa Falls Lodge Namibia

Epupa Falls Lodge Namibia
YouTube channel: Exploring Namibia
Aerial photo/video service contact: info@traveltonamibia.com