Namibia: camping at Oanob Resort near Rehoboth | Оаноб Намибия

#CampingAtOanob
#OanobNamibia
#OanobResortNamibia
#ОанобНамибия

Oanob Resort - weekend getaway 80 km south of Windhoek, Namibia

The resort has beautiful camping sites overlooking Oanob Dam. There are 31 shaded, unshaded, waterfront and standard campsites available all year around. Camp is suitable for large or smaller tents as well as cars with roof tents, camper and caravans.
Camping areas are all with barbecues, drinkable water point, power point and light. High quality hot water ablution blocks is equipped with toilets and showers.

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A very sad loss for Footsteps in Africa

#PeterSandenbergh

A very sad loss for Footsteps in Africa

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of our very much loved and well respected Owner/Director, Peter Sandenbergh. He sadly lost his fight with cancer on Thursday night, peacefully, surrounded by his family.
We feel such a loss as we say our goodbyes to our friend, a dear, kind, spirited and honest man.

Peter was extremely passionate about Botswana and the tourism industry. For the last thirty years, he has owned two of the most famous camps in the Okavango Delta and, of course, Delta Air. His life revolved around promoting and sharing this piece of paradise with people from around the world.

Peter intended and made sure that the operation of Footsteps in Africa would not see any interruption or change, despite his death. His wife, Chloe Sells, who was co-director of the company with Peter, Kathy Ives, who is the office manager for Northwest Holdings Groups and myself, will ensure that everything remains true to the quality, passion and service that you expect from Footsteps In Africa.

~ Tara Venter - General Manager ~

Mozambique: Vamizi Island join &Beyond portfolio | Вамизи Мозамбик

#&BeyondThirdIslandLodge
#VamiziIslandQuirimbasArchipelago
#ВамизиМозамбик

&Beyond Expands Portfolio to Include Third Island Lodge

Be one of the first to experience &Beyond Vamizi Island

&BEYOND EXPANDS PORTFOLIO TO INCLUDE THIRD ISLAND LODGE

&Beyond is set to expand its island footprint by adding &Beyond Vamizi Island to its portfolio. Situated in the Quirimbas Archipelago off the coast of northern Mozambique, we will take over the management of the island from 01 March 2016. The island’s six luxury private villas will continue to operate under our signature brand of warm and authentic hospitality, and intend to re-open the lodge in the future.

Boasting one of the most pristine habitats on the East African coast and home to exceptional marine life, Vamizi perfectly complements &Beyond’s other island destinations, namely, &Beyond Mnemba Island off Zanzibar and &Beyond Benguerra Island in Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago.

Six Individually Designed Luxury Villas

Vamizi’s six individually designed luxury villas provide an intimate setting for up to 10 or 16 people, making them the perfect choice for families, small groups or high profile guests in search of a private holiday. Each villa comes with a dedicated team of staff, as well as a vehicle that can be used to visit one of the island’s five secluded picnic sites or to explore the mangrove swamps.
“These exclusive houses are very different to what we have to offer at either &Beyond Mnemba Island or &Beyond Benguerra Island, adding yet another dimension to our portfolio. They represent the ultimate private beach hideaway for individuals, families or groups looking to escape winter or to end their safari on this very unique island,” explains Joss Kent, &Beyond CEO.

Marine Conservation

Set in a marine conservation area, the waters surrounding &Beyond Vamizi Island boast some of the most untouched coral reefs in the Indian Ocean, with over 180 species of coral and more than 400 kinds of reef fish making this one of the world’s top diving sites. The island is situated in a marine sanctuary that covers much of its eastern side, extending three kilometres (almost two miles) out to sea.
Known for its conservation ethos, &Beyond intends to augment its existing conservation efforts at &Beyond Mnemba Island and &Beyond Benguerra Island by supporting and driving the environmental initiatives already in place at Vamizi. While &Beyond already has a positive influence on over 9 million acres of protected wildlife land in the areas where it operates, the addition of a third marine habitat to the company’s portfolio means that marine conservation will now receive the same focus as its land-based projects.
“With its strong conservation background, Vamizi Island perfectly aligns with our values of Care of the Land, Care of the Wildlife, Care of the People,” says Kent. “The new addition is part of a broader strategy that will promote the conservation of the Indian Ocean from Zanzibar in the north to the southern tip of Mozambique. Home to one of the world’s great marine archipelagos, this entire area is under threat. We intend to use our influence and expertise to protect it, focusing on reef conservation and on creating safe migratory routes for the endangered species that travel this coastline, from turtles to whale sharks.”

Community Partnership

With the island’s community a long-standing partner in Vamizi's conservation efforts, &Beyond will continue to work closely with the local inhabitants through its social development partner of choice, the Africa Foundation. Following the examples already established at &Beyond Mnemba Island and &Beyond Benguerra Island, the company will use its operations to bring much needed income to the local communities, while exposing the beauty of these areas to international travellers and working diligently towards the conservation of their natural riches.

Activities

°    Scuba diving – most notably to Neptune’s Arm,
°    recognised as one of the top scuba sites in the world
°    Whale watching (seasonal)
°    Kayaking
°    Traditional dhow cruises
°    Sailing
°    Castaway picnics
°    Guided nature walks
°    Local community visits
°    Deep-sea fishing, ethical spear-fishing, fly-fishing
°    Private in-room yoga sessions
°    In-room spa treatments
°    Seasonal turtle nesting and hatching excursions -
°    &Beyond Vamizi Island is renowned as a breeding site for green turtles

Useful Information

Access
International scheduled flights to Pemba International Airport (POL) from Johannesburg, Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.

This is followed by a one hour connection on a charter flight, aboard a mono-propeller plane to the Vamizi airstrip. Upon landing, guests will be collected by their personal chauffer for a 30 minute scenic drive to their villa.

&Beyond

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South Africa: Bushmans Kloof news | Бушманс Клуф Южная Африка

#БушмансКлуфЮжнаяАфрика
#BushmansKloofCedarTreePlanting
#BushmansKloofSouthAfrica

A Word from James

GM James Basson salutes the passing of summer and the successes his team has achieved throughout the season

Dear friends of Bushmans Kloof,
It’s hard to believe that the end of the first quarter of the year is already on our doorstep. How time flies…when you’re having fun!
Besides our beautiful property, our exceptional staff members are our biggest assets. We pride ourselves on recruiting outstanding people and we invest time and money, across the group, in the training and development of our people. Their dedication is a significant part of our success.
Testament to this investment was the annual Red Carnation Staff Appreciation Awards function held in London recently, to honour excellent staff members from all the properties within the group’s hotel portfolio around the world. Six people from Bushmans Kloof attended the glittering ceremony, following an exciting week of work experience in the various UK hotels. I know this wonderful opportunity will have a lasting professional and personal impact on each one.
Due to the size of our 7500-hectare reserve, as well as the drought experienced in the Western Cape, we have to keep our game numbers under control. We will therefore be removing some Eland, Red Hartebeest and Cape Mountain Zebra from our property to sell to other reserves, at the end of April. This game capture will be performed by a qualified capturing team and veterinarian under CapeNature’s supervision. Over the next couple of years, we will be introducing new blood to our existing gene pool and will keep you posted on exciting additions.
On 21 May we will be hosting our annual Clanwilliam Cedar Tree event at Heuningvlei - the 15th consecutive year this wonderful event takes place. Late last year, we received the very sad news of the passing of our very good friend and conservation colleague, Patrick Lane, who had been with CapeNature since 2010. The Cedar Tree event was very close to his heart - he will be sorely missed but never forgotten. In his absence, his family have created a Cedar Restoration Fund to honour his passion for conservation.
Another important community project Bushmans Kloof is proudly involved with is our annual stationary sponsorship to Elizabethfontein Primary School. This project was started a number of years ago and the impact it has had on the school and its pupils is so rewarding.
I am delighted to announce that Pieter van Dyk, our HR Manager for the past four years, has been promoted to Deputy General Manager. I know he is going to have a very positive influence on our guest experience and we wish him all the best in his new role.
More exciting news is the arrival of our new Executive Chef, Ryan Weakley, who comes with years of experience working in luxury lodges and camps in Botswana, as well as a number of well-known restaurants in the Cape. He is looking forward to further enhancing the gastronomic experience at Bushmans Kloof.
Finally, may I please ask you to vote for us in the 2016 UK Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Travel Awards – we’d like to be up there where we believe we belong!
Wishing all our BK friends a cosy winter as we look forward to welcoming you to the Cederberg.

Bushmans Kloof

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South Africa: Bushmans Kloof annual Cedar tree planting | Бушманс Клуф Южная Африка

#БушмансКлуфЮжнаяАфрика
#BushmansKloofCedarTreePlanting
#BushmansKloofSouthAfrica

Bushmans Kloof Cederberg, South Africa: Annual Cedar Tree Planting
 
Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat, in association with Cape Nature, will again host the annual Clanwilliam Cedar Tree event which will take place at Heuningvlei in the Cederberg Wilderness area on Saturday 21 May 2016. Other participants include the Wildflower Society, the local branch of the Botanical Society and the Cederberg Conservancy, as well as local schools.

The endemic Clanwilliam cedar tree occurs only in the Cederberg mountains, some 250km north of Cape Town, and it represents one of 1 000 surviving conifer species in the world. The species is categorised as endangered on the Red Data List as it is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild. To date the project has initiated the planting of more than 800 young cedar trees in the Cederberg area.

In what has now become a greatly anticipated botanical event for the local community, the annual Cedar Tree planting will this year be taking place at Heuningvlei, a rural village in the Cederberg, on Saturday, 21 May 2016. Now its 14th year, this significant event also involves the community members of Heuningvlei, as well as children from local Primary Schools from the area, where it forms an important part of environmental and conservation education. Members of local groups such as the Botanical Society, the Wildflower Society and the Cederberg Conservancy also participate.

Rika du Plessis, Conservation Manager at Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve, Cape Nature will be present to underpin the day’s activities that will include the planting of cedar seeds that will be transported to Bushmans Kloof. Here they will be nurtured in the nursery until they have reached a growth stage where they can be transplanted safely back into the wilderness. The highlight of the day’s events will be the planting of mature seedlings in the grove and the surrounding wilderness area.
Program - Saturday 21 May 2016

09:30am to 10:00am
Refreshments on arrival.
The gate at the top of the Pakhuis Pass will be open on from 08h30 in the morning.
Please note that only 4 X 4 vehicles will manage this road as it is not in a good driving state at the moment.
All non 4 x 4 vehicles need to access Heuningvlei from the Wupperthal Road.

10:00am to 10:30am
Welcome by Rika du Plessis, Cape Nature.
Planting of the seeds by the local school children and ceremonical planting of trees in the grove

10:30am to 01:00pm
Planting of the trees in the Wilderness Area

01:30pm to 03:00pm
Lunch will be provided by Bushmans Kloof

Please remember to bring well marked hand spades for the planting of the small trees.
 
Note

Guest numbers required for catering purposes.

Bushmans Kloof

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Namibia: African gem from space | Намибия из Космоса

#SatelliteImageOfNamibia
#NamibiaAfrica'sGem 
#НамибияИзКосмоса

Earth from space: African gem

This Envisat image, acquired on 4 July 2011, shows southern Namibia and northern South Africa on Africa’s lower-west coast. We can clearly see the sand dunes of the Namib Desert - considered to be the oldest desert in the world. To the south of the desert is the Sperrgebiet diamond mining area. Further south, the Orange River forms part of the border between South Africa and Namibia before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean at Alexander Bay, which is noticeable by a lighter green colour in this image. Credit: ESA
 
This Envisat image shows southern Namibia and northern South Africa on Africa's lower-west coast.

We can clearly see the sand dunes of the Namib Desert – considered to be the oldest desert in the world. Partially located within the Namib-Naukluft National Park, it is also the site of some of the world’s tallest dunes, rising over 300 m in height. These dunes slope down into the Sossusvlei salt and clay pan.

To the south of the desert is the Sperrgebiet diamond mining area. Between them is Luderitz, a German-colonized town that was prosperous in the early 20th century after the discovery of the gemstones.

Further south, the Orange River forms part of the border between South Africa and Namibia before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean at Alexander Bay, which is noticeable by a lighter green color in this image.

Two towns lie on either side of this river: Namibia’s Oranjemund on the north shore and South Africa’s Alexander Bay on the south. Both were established in the early 20th century to service the diamond mines.

This image was acquired on 4 July 2011 by Envisat’s Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer in full resolution mode.

Provided by: European Space Agency

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Namibia: satellite image of Etosha's salt pan | Спутниковое фото парка Этоша в Намибии

#EtoshaSaltPanImage
#EtoshaParkSatelliteImage

The most prominent feature is the Etosha salt pan. It is believed that a lake was first formed tens of millions of years ago. More recently – mere thousands of years ago – the Kunene River would have flowed through this area, filling the large lake before tectonic movement changed the river course. The lake then dried up, leaving behind some 4800 sq km of exposed minerals.

Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2015], processed by ESA

Today only the Ekuma River, seen flowing down from the upper left, feeds water into the pan – but very little water actually flows in as it seeps into the riverbed.

Part of the wider Etosha National Park, the pan is a designated Ramsar wetland of international importance. It is the only known mass breeding ground for flamingos in Namibia, seeing as many as one million flamingos at a time during the wet season when rain water forms pools in parts of the pan.

Built-up mounds of clay and salt throughout the pan also draw animals who use them as salt licks. Animals including lions, elephants, leopards and even black rhinoceroses can be seen in the park.

The name 'Etosha' means 'great white place' in the language of the local Ovambo tribe – and looking at the image we understand why.

The straight lines cutting across the image are roads, and the one on the right side clearly delineates the border of the protected park to the south. On the northern side of the road, we can see agricultural structures.

Provided by: European Space Agency

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The five most remote lodges and camps in Namibia

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#NamibiaRemotestLodges 
#HoanibCampNamibia
#WolwedansLodgeNamibia
#TerraceBayResortNamibia
#SerraCafemaCampNamibia
#LianshuluLodgeNamibia  

The most remote lodges and camps in Namibia

Namibia is African country remote enough by any means but do you want to get even further? See our selection of fine lodges and camps lost in the wilderness even by Namibian standards yet of the highest level of comfort and facilities.

1. Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp, scenically located in a broad valley at the confluence of two tributaries of the dry Hoanib River in the northern part of the private Palmwag Concession. Its convenient location allows to explore Palmwag area and misterious Skeleton Coast National Park, in one of the most remote areas of the Kaokoland.

2. Wolwedans Dunes Lodge NamibRand Nature Reserve is set on top of a dune plateau, overlooking panoramic views in all directions and capturing the beauty of the Namib Desert an hour drive from Sesriem - the gate to Sossusvlei.

3. Serra Cafema Camp Kunene River in Kaokoland is one of the most remote camps in southern Africa, located in the north-west of Namibia on the banks of the Kunene River bordering Angola in the Hartmann's Valley.

4. Lianshulu Lodge, located in the eastern Caprivi, overlooking Kwando River and is part of a private concession inside the Mudumu National Park of Namibia - area of true African wilderness of riverine forest, marsh and open woodland, famous for its abundance of wildlife.

5. Terrace Bay Resort Skeleton Coast Park is located deep in this national park. The area south of Terrace Bay consists of the gravel plains, while high sand dunes appear north of this resort. The shipwrecks scattered along Skeleton Coast are witnesses to many souls lost along these desolate shores.

Do you have your picks? Write to us!

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