Namibia's Oktoberfest

#WindhoekOktoberfest
#Namibia

Namibia: All Set for the Windhoek Oktoberfest

The Windhoek Oktoberfest was launched earlier this week in Windhoek and will take place from 28 to 29 October at the Sport Klub Windhoek.

The annual Windhoek Oktoberfest is set to deliver a perfect combination of German food, traditional games and beer brewed according to the German purity law, the Reinheitsgebot of 1516, ensuring a truly unique event and like last year the organisers expect close to 28000 visitors The Oktoberfest which was held in Germany in September this year managed to attract 5.6 million visitors.

The Windhoek Oktoberfest is marked as the biggest Oktoberfest in Africa with an annual turn-up of at least 5000 people from within Namibia, and abroad, and is but a part of the global Oktoberfest celebrated all over the world. Namibia Breweries Limited Global Sponsorship and Events Manager, and member of the Windhoek Oktoberfest organizing committee, Ian Stevenson: "Although the Oktoberfest originated from Germany, the Windhoek Oktoberfest is not a German party as such but celebrates and appreciates culture in Namibia."

The Windhoek Oktoberfest, as well as the Windhoek Oktoberfest in Cape Town which will be held for the second consecutive year on the 21st and 22nd of October at the Hillcrest Quary, Durbanville, will be enriched by the presence of Authentic German music with the world's coolest Oktoberfest band straight from Munich - The Kirchdorfer!
Namibia Economist.

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Namibia: Windhoek Gardens Guest House introduction

#WindhoekGardensGuestHouse
#WindhoekGardensNamibia

WINDHOEK GARDENS GUEST HOUSE

Located under five minutes from the center of Windhoek and the CBD, Windhoek Gardens boasts 28 uniquely Namibian themed rooms. Supplying a perfect mix of convenience and practicality all rooms have high speed internet and an ample work station.
The gorgeously furnished modern fitted rooms, combine with a restful and rustic setting offers you the perfect stopover in Windhoek. They guarantee you will have a wonderful stay, because they do what they do with passion.

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Namibia: Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge transfer fees

Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge - Pick up & Drop off Transfers Fee

Please be advised that with immediate effect, the cost for a pick-up transfer from Sangwali will be N$50 per person (one way) and will be charged to guests.  Drop-off transfers to Sangwali will be charged at N$50 per person (one way).

Lodge need to know the arrival details of the guests as well as what type of vehicle they are driving so that they are able plan operations properly.

Guests are requested to phone the Lodge Management from Kongola or Katima so that he may estimate their time of arrival at Sangwali Village where Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge has an agreement with their joint venture partners for secure parking for your clients vehicles. A vehicle will be stationed at Sangwali from 12:00 - 13:00 which is the preferred time of pick-up.

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Namibia: Schutzenhaus update - renovations

#SchutzenhausNamibia
#Keetmanshoop

NEW ROOMS AT SCHUETZENHAUS

After a huge refurb and some building work, Schuetzenhaus is now offering 26 rooms which range from the normal double/twin, single and family rooms, however they now offer a more luxury option in the brand new luxury room and family room. They will also soon be online for direct bookings and availability checking. Well done to Ingo and his team!

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Namibia: Cheetah Conservation Fund Carnivore Tracker

#CheetahConservationFundCarnivoreTracker
#CCF
#CCFNamibia

CHEETAH CONSERVATION LAUNCHES NEW APP

We are excited that Carnivore Tracker is the first App. of its kind for Namibia. Carnivore Tracker is a free to download and free to use application designed to allow anyone with a smartphone to contribute to the conservation of Namibia’s carnivore species regardless of their background or level of knowledge by simply logging their sightings as they occur. Data or Wi-Fi connectivity is not required as the sightings are stored and uploaded when they become available making it ideal for use in remote wilderness locations where they may not be available.

The data will be used to create a national presence map for Namibia which will allow researchers to identify differences between protected/unprotected areas, human-wildlife conflict hot spots, long-term changes in carnivore populations and in turn where to target much needed conservation action and management. As well as feeding the information into key government departments such as the Ministry of Environment and Tourism in order to inform national carnivore management strategies. In return users are able to see their personal sightings on a map of Namibia as a permanent record. To guard against misuse of the App. overall user sightings can only been seen on a limited scale map which will allow people to see a general picture of where various carnivore species can be found without providing a specific location. As members of the tourism industry you all represent the benchmark for safari guides, lodge / hotel owners, travel agents or tour operators throughout Namibia and we believe your organisations co-operation and endorsement of Carnivore Tracker would significantly enhance its uptake and use by both tourism workers and visitors and therefore greatly increase its effectiveness and in turn benefit all of us who have a stake in protecting Namibia’s wildlife. Carnivore Tracker enables safari guides, lodge and tour operators such as yourselves to connect with scientific researchers across Namibia who want to contribute to the collection of essential distribution data to ensure we have accurate and robust data on the distribution and status of the wild carnivore population across Namibia. The data obtained from Carnivore Tracker will be open source as it will upload data into the Environmental Information Service carnivore atlas which contains a long history of carnivore records across Namibia and is Namibia’s leading online knowledge repository. We hope that you will be able to see the benefits to both your staff and clients and will consider joining us in this exciting citizen science project. Namibia’s wildlife is amazing and it brings people from all over the world to Namibia to view it. We all have the same vision to help conserve and enjoy our unique wildlife now and for future generations. Join the active conservation community and download the Carnivore Tracker App. today.

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Namibia: news from Taleni Etosha Village | Талени Этоша Виледж Намибия

#TaleniEtoshaVillage
#TaleniNamibia

Just a quick update - exciting developments at Taleni Etosha Village!

As you all know our beautiful Etosha Village has now been fully renovated and due to popular demand we have added another five rooms. This will hopefully slightly relieve availability concerns and now brings us to a total of 45 rooms.

The 45 individual luxurious rooms are uniquely positioned amid an indigenous Mopane forest, ensuring maximum privacy and tranquillity.

Each unit offers a spacious air-conditioned bedroom and a modern en-suite bathroom with shower. Room amenities include a fridge, coffee- and tea making facilities, electronic safe, as well as a sleeper couch where 2 small children (under 12 years) can be accommodated when sharing with 2 full paying adults.

The patio and outside seating area creates an ideal space to sit back, relax and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you.

The Restaurant and Bar Area boasts a fresh new look that complements our legendary Taleni buffets.

We have added an on-site activity information centre where our in-house guests can enquire about and book our various activities offered.

From 01 November 2016 we shall discontinue our afternoon game drives into the National Park because guest feedback indicates that our Half Day Morning Game Drives and Full Day Game Drives are most popular with the best record of great wildlife sightings.

We have an exciting new activity to further complement our current collection:

Our NEW sunrise nature walk takes place along a beautiful footpath winding through the lush Mopane Forest where wildlife is abundant but at times invisible to the untrained eye. Our knowledgeable guide will focus on the small things often missed - Tracks left by the many mysterious nocturnal creatures, an introduction to our indigenous tree species and local wildlife. We’ll spend some time at our delta hide where nature will completely surround you.
Includes: Still Water, Coffee and Rusks.

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Namibia: Batis Birding Safaris | Батис Сафарис Намибия

#BatisSafaris
#BatisNamibia
#БатисСафарисНамибия

BATIS BIRDING SAFARIS – DESERT DAY TOURS

Batis Birding Safaris offers your guest a very special experience with their Desert Day Tours. The specialized team of guides at Batis bring the dry and “dead” Namib Desert to life on their tours. They will show your guests the beauty of the desert life and things our untrained eyes normally miss.

Please also remember that these tours are offered in the afternoon. With other words guests can first do their normal morning activities such as Dolphin Cruises and then join Batis Birding Safaris in the afternoons on these educational trips.
With their fleet of vehicles consisting of 2 x 4 seaters, 1 x 8 seater and 1 x 10 seater they will make sure your clients have a memorable experience.

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Namibia: Hosea Kutako International Airport safety notice

#WindhoekAirport
#HKIA
#NOTAM
#WindhoekHoseaKutakoInternationalAirport
 
Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) had to issue a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) earlier on 26 October due to a safety hazard as there was a disabled aircraft at Threshold 26. At least one flight was unable to land and had to return to Johannesburg. The NOTAM was issued at 14:40 and was lifted at 15:20 and the airport is fully operational again. A NOTAM is a notice filed with an aviation authority to alert aircraft pilots of potential hazards along a flight route or at a location that could affect the safety of the flight. It could not be confirmed how many planes were unable to land.

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Namibia: Zambezi Queen, Chobe Princesses and Ichingo Chobe River Lodge news & special

#IchingoLodge
#ZambeziQueen
#ZambeziPrincesses

The holiday season is coming and most are looking forward to slowing down...but for us at our Namibian island safari lodge and Chobe River floating hotels we're about to get very busy making guests' holiday a memorable one.

It's the time of year when the Zambezi Queen Collection guides and staff scurry about like Santa's elves to make every one of your client's stays a joyous one. It's never too late for them to book a home away from home holiday on board our 4 luxury houseboats, the Zambezi Queen and her Chobe Princesses, or at our secluded Ichingo Chobe River Lodge.

What's more, 'tis the season for a holiday sale and a new family tent at Ichingo!

HOLIDAY SEASON SPECIAL OFFER

Stay 4 nights and only pay for 3! Your can enjoy an extra night on board the luxurious Zambezi Queen on us.


This offer includes accommodation, all meals, all soft drinks, mineral water, coffee, tea, beer and wine, water-based game viewing and bird watching on smaller motorised boats, a cultural tour of a local village, tiger and bream fishing in season, as well as road and boat transfers.

Valid on select dates in December 2016 and January 2017.

NEW FAMILY TENT AT ICHINGO CHOBE RIVER LODGE

We are very happy to announce our new family tent at Ichingo Chobe River Lodge. This is a sharing facility for up to 4 children to share a tent separate from the grown ups. This addition makes family travel less of a stress for those wanting to take their children to the lodge, one of the only lodges in the region that accommodates children of all ages. The tent is adjoining and ideal for 2 adults in one tent and up to 4 kids under the age of 12 to share accordingly. What's even better? The staff and guides at the lodge are used to dealing with kids at the property and are more than happy to keep the inquisitive youngsters company during your client's stay.

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Botswana: Requirements For Travelling With Minors

Requirements For Travelling With Minors

Desert & Delta Safaris would like to advise all concerned of changes in the requirements for minors travelling through all Botswana ports of entry. We have received an official communication from the Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs on the 19 October 2016. The press release reads as follows:

“The Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs informs the general public that it has imposed requirements for minors (children under 18) travelling through the county’s ports of entry.

Effective from the 1st October 2016 minors travelling through the country’s borders will be required to produce certified copies of unabridged birth certificates in addition to their valid passports. In the event that one parent is not travelling with the child, the other parent's affidavit consenting to such travel should be availed. However, an affidavit will not be required if the father’s name does not appear on the child’s birth certificate.”
To summarise the above, should families be travelling with children below the age of 18 they will require the following:

°    Valid Passports
°    Certified unabridged birth certificates for all minors below the age of 18
°    A letter of consent from the other parent should the minor be travelling with one parent

Please note that this new development will have an immediate impact on all families travelling to Botswana. It is, however, our understanding that the majority of families travelling through our camps are arriving through South Africa which currently has similar border requirements. Families should, therefore, have all the required documentation in place.

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Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris news

#SpringbokAtlas
#2016LilizelaTourismAward

Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris Wins 2016 Lilizela Tourism Award

We are thrilled to announce that Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris has won the Service Excellence Award for the Best Established Tour Operator Services in South Africa at the 2016 Lilizela Tourism Awards held in Johannesburg on 16 October 2016.

We were recognised “for commitment to excellence, innovation and outstanding service that delivers maximum value to clients and sets benchmarks of excellence in the industry”.

Glenn McKeag, CEO of Springbok Atlas, attended the prestigious awards evening and collected the trophy.

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South Africa: rebranding of Sun City Hotel | Сан Сити Отель ЮАР

#SunCityHotel
#SunCitySouthAfrica

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Namibia: Nambwa Tented Lodge - why to visit | Намбва Лодж Намибия

#Bwabwata #NambwaTentedLodge #Caprivi #MahangoGamePark #ZambeziRegion
#НамбваЛоджНамибия

Come and explore Bwabwata!

Get excited!

Nambwa Tented Lodge

“Nambwa Tented Lodge, the only lodge inside the Bwabwata National Park, where the biggest herds of elephants that traverse the largest conservation area in Africa can be seen”.

Formerly referred to as the Caprivi, the Zambezi Region is a fertile wilderness of riverine forest, flood plains, swamps and open woodland created by a complex network of rivers and relatively high summer rainfall.

In 2007 the former Caprivi Game Park, proclaimed in 1966, was incorporated into the 6100-km2 Bwabwata National Park, inclusive of the Kwando or Golden Triangle, and the Buffalo and Mahango (the former Mahango Game Park) core areas. This heralds a new generation of parks in terms of an integrated approach towards park management.

Bwabwata was established not only to protect the environment, but also to generate income for the surrounding communities. Bwabwata takes its name from a village in the park, and refers to the sound of bubbling water.

The park is sanctuary to 35 large game species - including elephant, buffalo, impala, reedbuck, red lechwe, sitatunga, hippo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, Chobe bushbuck, tsessebe, sable, roan antelope - and numerous small game species. Predators such as lion, leopard, cheetah and African wild dog also occur in Bwabwata.
Over 460 bird species have been recorded here, conspicuous examples being kingfishers, herons, cormorants, African skimmers, wattled cranes, pygmy geese and African fish eagles.



Visitors feedback

"In a nutshell we had the most amazing time at Nambwa Tented Lodge and would really recommend it.

It really is in the middle of nowhere which was hugely appealing to us. You do need a four wheel drive vehicle to get to it but don't let that put you off; the drive through the Bwabwata National Park is an experience in itself and well worth the effort.

We arrived tired and weak having suffered badly from food poisoning the day before. We were ready to collapse but Juan, the manager and Andrew, the guide were waiting for us and clearly had activities planned for us. So we ended up going along with everything they suggested and thank goodness we did as we would really have missed out!

Our tented suite was so spacious and luxurious with plenty of storage space. And it was fun being elevated in the tree tops overlooking the floodplain.

We enjoyed two evening safaris whilst at Nambwa, both with Andrew, the lovely guide. It was like being in our own private park as we rarely saw another vehicle and in the evening when the park gates had shut, there was literally no one else around; just us and the wildlife. We saw a lot of animals and so many birds. We were able to get up close to elephants which was amazing and we got caught up in a storm which was scary but wonderful at the same time! Juan and his team laid on a few surprises which were very special. I won't mention what they were exactly so I don't spoil the surprise but be warned you will end up getting out of the safari jeep and there is always food and drink involved! Make sure to see what might be waiting for you when you get back to your tent after a dusty evening drive...!

We also went on a boat cruise up the Kwando river, again with Andrew and just three other guests. Once again we had the river to ourselves; we didn't see another boat but saw a lot of hippos very close up and also crocodiles and numerous birds. What a contrast to Chobe where there are far too many boats including many large ones all over the place (a real shame). Another surprise was in store for us on our way back to the lodge which was also very welcome!”  Guest at Nambwa – Oxford, UK

Nambwa Tented Lodge is located in the Eastern Zambezi Region of Namibia along the Kwando River. It is the only lodge uniquely situated inside the Bwabwata National Park in the heart of KAZA, and is nestled high amongst majestic trees, honouring the elephants’ right of way below. An authentic walkway joins decadently spacious tented suites, which emanate a feeling of vastness and evoke a gentle balance of serenity. Our unquenchable desire to create memorable African experiences takes you on foot, by boat or vehicle, up close and personal with some of the biggest herds of elephant that traverse the largest conservation area in Africa.

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Namibia: public notice: excavation activities at Sesriem, SDL, Ai-Ais and Hobas

PUBLIC NOTICE

Excavation Activities at Sesriem, SDL, /Ai-/Ais and Hobas

Kindly take note that there are excavation activities currently underway at Sesriem, SDL, /Ai-/Ais and Hobas.


Due to the delay in the project of putting up new sewerage infrastructure and system at Sesriem and SDL, a decision was taken to extend the working hours of the contractors at SDL from 08:00 - 14:00 to 08:00 - 17:00.

This may cause some inconveniences therefore we beg for your indulgence as this project will greatly contribute to the sustainable use of the pristine natural environment in the area.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further clarification or information.

Epson Kasuto 
Chief Marketing Officer 
189 Erkrath Building, Independence Avenue 
PO Box 13378

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Finland: Helsinki aerial view | Дрон Намибия в Хельсинки

#HelsinkiVideo
#AerialVideoFinland
#ДронНамибия
#АэровидеоФинляндия

Aerial views from drone - central Helsinki, Finland

http://www.shutterstock.com/video/video.html?id=19014109

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Namibia: drumming session video | Шоу африканских барабанов Намибия

#NamibiaDrums #TravelVideoNamibia #ExploringNamibiaTV #JoesBeerHouse
#ШоуафриканскихбарабановНамибия

The African drumming sessions every Wednesday at Joe's Beer House in Windhoek have become very popular and it is a nice way to relieve some tension and stress at the end of the day. Event is to be topped with a relaxing beer or wine in a vibrant atmosphere of one the most famous restaurants in Namibia.

Шоу африканских барабанов - интерактив с гостями в городе Виндхук, столице Намибии, проходит каждую среду в ресторане Пивной Дом Джо. В составе коллектива лучшие африканские барабанщики и шоу приносит музыку и энергичные ритмы африканских живых барабанов в жизнь гостей интерактива. Для участия в нем не требуются ни навыки или опыт, ни собственные инструменты.

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Qatar Airways launched service to Namibia

#QatarAirwaysNamibia

Qatar Airways has launched service to Namibia with its inaugural flight landed in Windhoek last week.

The airline's four weekly flights to and from Namibia's capital will be serviced by the Boeing 787 Dreamliner through Qatar Airways' hub in Doha.

"The new flight route provides the opportunity to promote Namibia as a business and leisure destination amongst Qatar Airways’ wide network of travelers," Namibia Tourism Board CEO Digu Naobeb said. "The route not only improves connections with mature destinations, but allows Namibia to tap into new markets that are also served by the airline."

With the new Namibia service, Qatar Airways now provides flights to 23 destinations in Africa.

"We are delighted to extend our network within Africa by adding the premium leisure and business destination of Windhoek to our route map," Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker said. "Africa remains one of our key target areas for growth, and we have identified Namibia as an important African nation to include in our expansion plans."

Qatar Airways features a network of more than 150 destinations around the world.

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Namibia travel video: Swakopmund Jetty - history and modern days | Джетти Намибия

#ДжеттиНамибия
#JettySwakopmund
#TravelVideoNamibia

New video - Swakopmund Jetty pier

See video portfolio here

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Namibia: aerial photos of old railway bridge near Windhoek | Аэрофото Намибия Виндхук

#AerialPhotoNamibia
#RailwayBridgeWindhoek
#DronePhotoNamibia

Early evening aerial view over the old railway bridge on the outskirts of Windhoek

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Namibia: new video: timelapse of Windhoek Independence Avenue traffic | Движение в Виндхуке, Намибия

#ВидеоНамибия
#ТаймлапсВидеоНамибия
#VideoNamibia
#TimelapseVideoWindhoekTraffic

Namibia: new video: timelapse of Windhoek Independence Avenue traffic | Движение в Виндхуке, Намибия

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Namibia: new video of chacma baboons in Windhoek | Бабуины в столице Намибии

#AfricanChacmaBaboon #БабуинНамибия #Виндхук

Chacma baboons near the house in Eros Park in Windhoek, at the end of dry season:

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Namibia: Onguma camps manitenance closure & The Hide at Onguma | Онгума Намибия

#ОнгумаНамибия #OngumaNamibia #OngumaTheFort #OngumaCamp

Onguma The Fort and Onguma Tented Camp Maintenance Closure

Onguma The Fort and Onguma Tented Camp will be closing for some maintenance on the decks and will be closed as follows:

Onguma The Fort
18.01.17 - 31.01.17 inclusive

Onguma Tented Camp
06.02.17 - 12.02.17 inclusive

Onguma will no longer be offering night drives as a scheduled activity, however guests can still enjoy a lovely sunset drive on the Onguma Reserve.

The Hide at Onguma

For photographers and nature enthusiasts, check out the new "Onkolo hide on Onguma". (Onkolo means zebra if you were wondering....)
°    Bookable from any lodge
°    No under 16 years old
°    Maximum of 8 guests at a time
°    A bathroom is available so guests can walk along a shielded walkway to the toilet area
°    There are windows which can close, reducing insects getting in when people are not there
°    The water has been moved closer to the hide,  giving stunning photographic opportunities for animals with reflections on the water.

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