Tuesday 29 August 2017

Avoid Von Bach - extremely rude management, no reservation service! | Избегайте Фон Бах Намибия

#AvoidVonBach #NoServiceVonBach #IgnoranceVonBach#BadServiceVonBach
#BadServiceVonBachNamibia #OosthuysenNamibia #VonBachTungeni #ИзбегайтеФонБахНамибия
 

Avoid Von Bach - extremely rude management, no reservation service!
 
We have had a very bad experience with Von Bach and its manager Ian Oosthuysen. Reservation service does not exists - resort do not reply to requests and client reserved well in advance in December 2016 comes as a surprise from heaven in May 2017 despite receiving all requests and
confirmation months in advance. Tax invoice,
requested several months ago, has been received only after client's arrival. Moreover, Ian Oosthuysen is extremely rude in his correspondence and has a very vague concept of customer service if any at all.

Namibia: Goibib Mountain Lodge - Accommodation and Activities Guide | Гоибиб Намибия

#ГоибибНамибия #GoibibMountainLodge #Namibia #GreatKarasMountains #Grunau #QuiverTreeForest #FishRiverCanyonNamibia #Giant’sPlayground

Goibib Mountain Lodge - Accommodation and Activities Guide
 
Goibib Mountain Lodge is a tranquil hideaway in the heart of the Great Karas Mountains in Southern Namibia easily accessed via the main B1 tar road, 48 km North of Grunau.

Goibib is an ideal stopover or as a base from which to explore the Fish River Canyon, Quiver Tree Forest, Giant’s Playground, Brukaros Volcanic Crater and Ai-Ais Hot Springs with absolute serenity. The main building boasts reception area, Lounge, Bar and Dinning room which serve buffet-style meals.

Our accommodation comprises of eight (8) Standard spacious en-suite rooms, each furnished to the highest standards and fitted with the comforts of home, allowing Guests to relax and recuperate.

Each room has en-suite bathroom, air-conditioning, television with local and satellite channels, mini-bar, built-in safe for valuables, coffee/tea station and wireless internet connection. Rooms are serviced daily.

Seven (7) Campsites: All campsite are leveled with normal soil, fireplace with grid, no electricity  points available, partial shade, ablution block with showers hot & cold water, accessible by all types of vehicle, Overlander buses, suitable for Caravans, no pets allowed, firewood available for sale. we are more than happy to assist set up your camp for your comfort.
The Lodge facilities include a swimming pool, bar, Lodge library and credit card facilities (Visa or Master). Complimentary on-site car-parking is available for all guests.

Activities
A range of activities are offered to our guests and we are always happy to share our experiences with them.

Nature Drives: a 2 hour drive on the farm with the intention to find and view our local game.

Morning Drive: Start after breakfast, around 9h00.
°    View the animals as they move to grazing area from their locations of shelter in the night
°    time.
°    View birds being very active, flying around to get to their daily tasks.
°    Return to the lodge after 2 hours’ drive.
Afternoon Drive, sun-downer drive: Start at around 15h30
°    View animals that make way to their shelter for the cold for the night, or as they head for
°    water locations
°    Enjoy the magnificent sunset as they sip on a complimentary sun-downer drink.
°    View birds at the water locations and as they start settling in trees for the night.
°    Return to the lodge after 2 hours’ drive in time for freshen up and have dinner.
Night Drive: Start after dinner, around 20h00
°    View animals in their shelter for colder nights
°    View animals grazing
°    View nocturnal animals like the Aardvark and Aardwolf
°    Star gaze as the guide switches of the lights to leave the guest for 15 min in complete
°    darkness
°    Return to the lodge after 2 hours’ drive

Hiking Trails and Photo Safaris
This is a unique photo opportunity for the enthusiastic photographer. Guest can select preset photo itinerary to have full opportunity with a greater variety of shots.

Three sets of hiking trails are also available to cater for all age groups and or fitness level.

The early bird or sunrise hike: Approximately 5km for 2-3 hours depending on guest’s fitness level. The hike includes a slight mountain climb, to view the sunrise and then descend where local flora can be viewed.

Day River and Mountain Adventure: Approximately 7km roundtrip for the more enthusiastic hiker. From the lodge, guest head for the river bridge 200m north of the Lodge, follow river line and turn towards Glocken Berg. Exit the river into mountainous landscape and head for the “amphitheatre”, then climb the “tower mountain”, then descend the mountain in the lodge’s direction.
The iron full day hike: Approximately 20km hike, over a period of 6-8 hours depending on animals that are viewed, level of fitness and hike pace. Light lunches with refreshments are part of the package, where guests will have the opportunity to take a 1 hour rest, eat and rehydrate, and enjoy the “picnic”.

Guests are invited to attend a 2 hour star gazing activity. Goibib is equipped with a telescope and guests will be guided and informed.

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

Friday 25 August 2017

Namibia: road condition update | Состояние дорог в Намибии

#Namibia #NamibiaRoads #NamibiaTraffic #NamibiaRoadConditions #EtoshaPark #SolitaireNamibia #KhorixasNamibia #Twyfelfontein #СостояниеДорогНамибии

Road Conditions in Namibia - important update!
We need to notify all of the deteriorated state that some of our gravel roads are in. You are advised that the booking of SUV’s or 4x4’s will be beneficial for the safety of guests as these vehicles do handle better on a gravel road and are fitted with offroad tyres.

Traveling in a 4x4 vehicle or an all-wheel drive vehicle gives better traction on some very badly corrugated roads.

The recommend speed limit on gravel roads is 60 km/hour and we recommend that guests engage into 4x4 high range when traveling highly corrugated gravel roads. We mention the most important / most deteriorated roads below:


- C14 route (Walvis Bay / Solitaire) Rough uneven roadsurface with some heavy .corrugation and potholes.


- C35 route (Henties / Uis) Rough road surface with heavy corrugation.


- D 2612 route (C35 / Twyfelfontein) very heavy corrugation and sandy patches


- C39 from Twyfelfontein to Khorixas – heavy corrugation on roads, especially in the dry rivirbeds guests have to cross.


- Main road within Etosha National Park from Dolomite Camp up to Namutoni Camp very corrugated in places – speed limit 60km/h!


- C12 and C37 from Seeheim to the Fish River Canyon – please use the D545 to travel to Fish River Canyon from the B1 and do not turn into the C12 at Seeheim.


- C33 route (Omaruru / Uis) Uneven road surface with occasional potholes and deep corrugation.


- C34 route (Henties Bay / Swakopmund) Roadworks and early morning fog with sometimes wet and slippery road conditions.


- C19 route Maltahöhe to Sesriem very corrugated and sharp corners in road.

- B2 route (Arandis / Usakos) Significant drop at road edge, reckless driver behaviour, high truck volumes resulting in bottleneck effect on traffic.


- B2 route (Swakopmund / Walvis Bay) Reckless driver behaviour: solid line overtaking, speeding, significant drop at road edge.

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

Thursday 24 August 2017

Zambia: Bushtracks Africa: KAZA UniVisa Important Notice | Каза УниВиза Замбия

KAZA UniVisa Important Notice

Please note the KAZA UniVisa has been temporarily suspended from the following points of entry:
- Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport (Livingstone Airport)
- Victoria Falls Border Post (The bridge border on the Zambian side)
- Kazungula Border Post (Zambian side from Botswana).
 

This is due to a shortage of visa stickers available at the borders. The Livingstone Tourism Association have been informed as well as the regional Immigration Department and will also be followed up with Lusaka to see how fast the shortage can be dealt with.

Please note you are still able to purchase KAZA UniVisas from the ZIMBABWEAN sides.

However if arriving in Zambia, until this matter has been resolved, the standard Zambian single and double entry visas will be available at these Ports of Entry:
 

CATEGORY B: ZIMBABWE VISA FEES
Single Entry US$ 30
Double Entry US$ 45
Multiple Entry - See notes above US$ 55
 

CATEGORY B: EXCEPTIONS
British and Irish
Single Entry US$ 55
Double Entry US$ 70
Canada
Single EntryUS$ 75

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

Россия: УБРиР и его "сервис"

Отделение (единственное) в Москве на Мытной, 23 августа 2017, около трех часов пополудни. Из 6 или 7 кабинок работают 2 сотрудницы. Очередь человек 10-12, на каждого уходит до получаса. Видя такую ситуацию и являясь фанатично клиенто-ориентированным банком делается ход конем: одна из сотрудниц покидает сей скорбный офис. И остается? Да, одна!
Между делом несколько фланирующих туда-сюда сотрудников мужеского пола упорно пытаются выбрать занятие в такой тяжелой обстановке напряженного трудового ритма: сходить выкурить двухсотую сигарету или налить восьмидесятый по счету за день стаканчик кофе.
Хотелось бы и дальше наблюдать сей яркий праздник победившего офисного труда, но пришлось уйти в связи с отсутствием лишних 3-4 часов свободного времени. Невероятное маркетинговое усилие УБРИРа по посылке СМС-кода для открытия вклада благополучно закончилось пшиком.

Wednesday 9 August 2017

Namibia: Improvements at NWR resorts are nearing completion

Improvements at NWR resorts, nearing completion

Windhoek – Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) earlier this year undertook to improve its /Ai-/Ais Hotsprings and Spa, Terrace Bay resort and Okaukuejo restaurant. The upgrades were aimed at bringing the facilities up to date and to a standard that its guests have come to expect from the tourism establishment.


/Ai-/Ais Hotsprings and Spa, which was partially closed, underwent a major facelift. Some of the work that was done is the upgrade of the entire sanitary fittings in the rooms, the replacement of the spa pool tiles and the refurbishment of the restaurant and store room. The entire resort was also painted to refresh its look.


“Telios Namibia Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd who are managing the project has assured NWR that the resort will be fully functional from 4 August 2017. Based upon a further assessment that was not part of the initial renovations, Telios Namibia Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd have committed to renovating the VIP rooms to bring them to the standard of the rest of the resort. “These renovations are envisioned to be completed within the first week of September 2017,” said Mrs Zelna Hengari, NWR’s Managing Director.


Mrs Hengari further said, “with regards to the Okaukuejo restaurant, 80% of the work has been completed with some minor work remaining to be done. It is worthy to note that all the pool areas have been tilled. When it comes to Terrace Bay, 90% of the work has been done with minor touch ups remaining”.


Mrs Hengari is delighted at the progress that has been completed thus far, however, she was saddened at the impact that some of the renovations have had on their guest experience. “Our guests are our number one priority and we want to assure them that we do appreciate their business and will always strive to enhance their experience at our facilities,” concluded Mrs Hengari.

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

Wednesday 2 August 2017

Botswana: opening of Gomoti Plains Camp | Гомоти Плейнс Кемп

Located on the edge of the Gomoti river is the Gomoti Plains Camp, the latest addition to Machaba Safaris. With 10 luxury tents, which include 2  family tents and 8 double tents, Gomoti is a paradise escape for all.

As Gomoti is well known for its large concentrations of wildlife the new camp is perfectly situated. Described as a well kept secret, the region is riddled with guiding and local history, giving it a nostalgic atmosphere.


"The large tents are raised on wooden decks, as are the main areas of the lodge. The tents are decorated in a classic safari style incorporating the land and water of the Okavango delta which make up this beautiful land. Luxurious, comfortable, classic. All eight double tents take two guests and the two family rooms can hold four guests."


The dining experience at camp is described as "a wonderful mixture of local cuisine flavoured and cooked in good old fashion home style cooking." What they refer to as 'bushfare', the camp tries to incorporate dining with an outdoor experience under the stars.

"Just 18 km south of Chitabe Camp, Gomoti Plains Camp is waiting to spoil you and your guests with its classical comfort and amazing wildlife. Travel the waterways by motor boat and mekoro and traverse the Gomoti plains enthralling in the dense wildlife concentrations of the Gomoti area."

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