Tuesday 16 April 2019

Avoid Hochland Nest camping site!

Niel_vd_Wath wrote a review Jul 2015
Paarl, South Africa
Hochland Nest camping site !! Do Not Ever Go There !!

Hochland Nest Camping site is not owned by the Lodge although they do the bookings and should therefore make sure that the facilities are kept clean and presentable to the public. It is confusing because the camping and lodge operate under the same name, but are not at all on the same standard.

The camping site is owned by the Namibian Water Works and is run by Hochland Nest Lodge. The facilities at the camping grounds are beyond disgusting (spider webs in the showers, foul smelling water, condoms in the toilets and no drinking water ANYWHERE!! 

The camping site itself is not kept up to standard and there are thorns big enough to puncture your car's tyres. This is ironical because you can't drive to where you are camping and have to carry everything down a 5 meter long steep hill. There are about 10 or 15 camping plots but they are each just a few meters wide and they all share the same disgusting ablution block that is at the top of the hill by the reception.

The guy who took our booking was very unorganized and could barely speak English. The owner of the Lodge then showed up and showed us the camping plots in the dark. There is also no power or water at the camping plots. When we asked about water to drink they scurried and "please explained" and after 30 minutes they brought 10 liters of drinking water for 13 people. We had to cook, make coffee, brush our teeth and wash hands with that water because the tap water is sickening.

They are so ashamed of the place that when we complained they offered to fully refund us for the entire two nights we booked (we only stayed that one horrible night).

We drove very far that day and expected a relaxing evening. Instead we arrived at a horrible place like Hochland Nest. Even their rates where ridiculous. We payed the same amount at Daan Viljoen Game Reserve and Erindi Private Game Reserve and got to see some of the Big Five and had nice and clean ablution blocks.

Date of stay: July 2015

Friday 12 April 2019

Namibia: The Brewer & Butcher Restaurant Extension | Брювер и Бутчер ресторан Свакопмунд

Extension of the Brewer and Butcher Restaurant at the Strand Hotel Swakopmund

The popularity of the Brewer and Butcher with locals, and both- Strand Hotel, and outside guests alike, has led to the decision to extend the inside beer garden and cover it with a permanent roof. This will offer our valued guests even more comfortable restaurant seating, in this always busy and "vibey" eatery at the Strand. The expansion will allow us at the same time to expand the popular “Swakopmund Brewing Company” and install a bottling facility.
The building works at the Hotel have already started, due to a last-minute opening with the construction company. The works are scheduled to run until end August. Building work will be limited Monday – Friday from 08:00 until 17:00, public holidays will be excluded.

During this period the parking facilities will be reduced and please note that until the completion of the work there will be no brewery tours available.
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Friday 5 April 2019

O&L Leisure news

Foreword by Terence Makari - Managing Director of O&L Leisure
I was most surprised when my marketing team asked me to write the foreword for the Christmas edition of our newsletter.  Did this really mean that 2018 had come and gone?

Time sure rushes by when you are having fun and 2018 has been a demanding, challenging and remarkable year for O & L Leisure.  All 4 of our properties, Chobe Water Villas, Strand Hotel Swakopmund, Mokuti Etosha Lodge and Midgard Country Estate have enjoyed many changes, additions, events and media visits.

O & L Leisure has invested a lot of time and effort in upgrading both Mokuti Etosha Lodge and Midgard Country Estate. The changes are phenomenal with guests not holding back with their praise.

The Strand Hotel is enjoying the reputation of being the “best” hotel in Swakopmund, boasting a variety of restaurants seems to be “the” place to stay and to be seen.  The additional “Poetry evenings” are a winner too.

Chobe Water Villas, being in a class of its own, is now known as the most luxurious Lodge in Chobe.  It definitely has the best location and is a dream holiday destination.

But, most importantly, we have invested in our staff.  We have teams training at all 4 properties and pride ourselves in the well-being of each and every individual.

There have been staff relocations, promotions and new appointments at all the properties. For example, Ivan Kasozi now being General Manager at Mokuti, Herbert Van Schalkwyk the new chef at the Farmhouse Deli and Michelle Godenschweig starting the very successful Poetry Evening at the Brewer & Butcher (just to mention a few)…

As this year comes to an end we are already a in full swing with all our planning for 2019.  As always, there will be changes and upgrades to constantly keep our properties competitive and up to date and our staff educated and motivated.

Thursday 4 April 2019

Zimbabwe new RPA regulations

Zimbabwe has promulgated new regulations governing drones (Remote Pilot Aircraft/ Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) referred to as Civil Aviation (Remote Pilot Aircraft) Regulations, 2018 or SI 271 of 2018 which stipulates all the requirements about drone operation including but not limited to the following;

Registration eligibility

The following persons shall be eligible to register a remotely piloted aircraft in Zimbabwe—
(a) a Zimbabwean citizen or permanent resident of Zimbabwe; or
(b) companies, organisations, associations, partnerships or institutions whose principal place of business is in Zimbabwe. 
(2) A remotely piloted aircraft shall not be eligible for registration in Zimbabwe if—
(a) it is registered outside Zimbabwe; or 
(b) such remotely piloted aircraft is owned by a person not qualified in terms of subsection (1);
(c) such registration would be detrimental to the public interest.

Temporary importation of remotely piloted aircrafts

(1) No person may temporarily import a remotely piloted aircraft for the purposes of private, corporate, non-profit operations or commercial use unless that person—
(a) applies for a pre-clearance approval to the Authority at least 30 days before the day of the temporary importation, stating the following information—
(i) full name and address of owner or operator of the remotely piloted aircraft;
(ii) country where the remotely piloted aircraft is registered and its use;
(iii) model, serial number and manufacturer of RPA;
(iv) weight of the remotely piloted aircraft;
(v) specific cations of the remotely piloted aircraft;
(vi) purpose of the temporary importation;
(vii) period of the intended temporary importation; and
(viii) details of the place where the remotely piloted
aircraft will be operated in Zimbabwe;

(b) upon entry of the remotely piloted aircraft into Zimbabwe, obtains a temporary import permit from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.

(2) A remotely piloted aircraft pre-clearance approval shall be valid for three months from the date of issue.

Remote pilot licensing

No person shall operate an RPA unless he or she is in possession of a valid remote pilot licence in the relevant category.

We compel all applicants to be conversant with these regulations which are available from Zimbabwe Government printers.
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Namibia: Camping2Go Gondwana | Гондвана Намибия

#Camping2Go #Namibia #Gondwana #camping #Africa #NamibDesertLodge #KalahariAnibLodge #Гондвана #Намибия

Camping2Go
Camping2Go is a new Gondwana product born from the world-wide desire for an effortless outdoor experience. Starting with an introduction price of N$450 per person per night (price valid until 31 October 2019), it is sure to be one of the most affordable and comfortable ways of camping for those who are not necessarily equipped to camp. Welcome to the Namibian way of life.
Several fully equipped permanent tents have been set up near Namib Desert Lodge (8 safari tents) and Kalahari Anib Lodge (4 safari tents), each with four beds, an en-suite bathroom with a shower, a kitchen that includes a fridge, stove, sink and all the necessary cooking utensils and cutlery. There is an outside braai, as well as a firepit. Campers can also make use of the facilities at the nearby lodges and join their activities.

Gondwana intends to roll out the Camping2Go concept to most of its properties. Next on the list is Etosha Safari Camping2Go in August 2019.
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Namibia: Omarunga Lodge Kaokoland | Омарунга Каоколенд, Намибия

#Omarunga #EpupaFalls #Kaokoland #KuneneRegion #Opuwo #Himba #Ruacana #Омарунга #Намибия #Каоколенд #Ангола #Руакана

Omarunga Lodge
Omarunga Lodge in the far north of the Kunene Region enchants with its unique location just 200 metres upstream from the spectacle of Epupa Falls. The Lodge offers 12 en-suite twin chalets and 1 Honeymoon suite, all with river view. The chalets and the 10 spacious campsites are shaded by swaying Makalani palm trees. Meals can be enjoyed on the restaurant terrace with a magnificent view of the Kunene River.

The Epupa area has much to offer: stunning sunsets, imposing mountain ranges, an interesting birdlife and a glorious riverine landscape. The area is home to the Himba tribes who still lead a traditional way of life. Various activities provide variety and fun. Go hiking on well-maintained trails along the Kunene River, participate in a guided visit to a Himba village or join nature drives and seasonal rafting tours.

Omarunga Lodge can be reached from Opuwo (180 kilometres) via C43/D3700. The alternative track from Ruacana to Epupa via Swartbooisdrift is not for the faint-hearted and should only be tackled by experienced 4x4 drivers.


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Namibia: Palmwag Lodge & Concession | Палмваг Лодж Намибия

#Namibia #PalmwagLodge #Damaraland #Khorixas #Kaokoland #Angola #TravelToNamibia #Sesfontein #ПалмвагЛодж #Намибия #Дамараленд

Palmwag Lodge & Concession
Well-known Palmwag Lodge has been a popular holiday destination in Damaraland for many years. It is the gateway to sparsely populated Kaokoland where adventure beckons. Nestled among huge old Makalani palms and Mopane trees, the lodge has 29 comfortable rooms (13 standard rooms, 10 tented chalets, 2 family units and 4 safari tents) as well as 13 spacious campsites. The large restaurant and a bar with a shaded deck offer grand vistas of the river course and the mountains. Two swimming pools and a pool bar provide refreshment on hot summer days.

Enjoy and discover nature on daily excursions and guided hikes along well-established trails in the surrounding concession area, a vast nature reserve that covers 5,500 km². With over 100 lions, cheetahs, leopards and brown and spotted hyenas Palmwag’s predator population is the largest outside Etosha National Park. Birdlife is prolific and diverse, and most of Namibia's endemics are found there. The Palmwag Concession is home to a healthy population of the legendary desert-adapted elephant and black rhino.

Palmwag Lodge is situated 500 metres north of the veterinary control gate on the C43 to Sesfontein. From Kamanjab Palmwag Lodge can be reached via the C40 (120 kilometres), and from Khorixas via the C39 (160 kilometres). It is an ideal stopover en route to Kaokoland, Etosha or the coast.



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Tuesday 2 April 2019

CAMP SYNCO - KAOKOLAND NAMIBIA - NEVER STAY HERE!!

https://www.hellopeter.com/camp-syncro-kaokoland-namibia/reviews/camp-synco-kaokoland-namibia-never-stay-here-2343008

CAMP SYNCO - KAOKOLAND NAMIBIA - NEVER STAY HERE!!
When we planned a trip to Kaokoland in Namibia, friends of us advised us not to book at Camp Syncro for our stay in the northern part of the Marionfluss, but rather to book at the Himba Community camp not far from Camp Syncro. Their reason was that when they stayed at Camp Syncro they found the Swiss owner of Camp Syncro very arrogant. They had a booking there for one night but due to problems they could not make it that night, but arrive there 1 night later. The owner would make them to pay again for that night! We took their advice and booked at the Community Camp nearby. We received a good welcome from the Himba community members on our arrival and had a good night`s camping there. When we left the Community Camp the next morning, we decide to visit Camp Syncro to see how it looks like, and then also buy some ice from them. This is were our bad experience began with them. When we got at Camp Synco, we came to a closed gate. A Black man came forth to meet as as the closed gate and our member in the front vehicle explained to him that we just want to have a look at the place and buy some ice. As he was talking to him, a short arrogant man with a hat and his wife came to the gate and wont allowed us in, or sell us some ice. What they don`t understand is that a good, friendly reception from him, would most probably made us to buy a drink or 2 from him, and spread a good word about his place when at home again. The way he treated us was disgusting and we never came across such bad reception at any other Himba Camp in Namibia. Indeed we discovered that the Himba people made us feel welcome wherever we came in contact with them - this we cant say about these 2 arrogant foreigners. Be assure Swiss man and lady - we will go out of our way to inform people to give Camp Syncro a miss as far as possible- I hope the same message will spread through Hellopeter! Go to the Himba people to teach you how to run a camp - you dont deserve any guest at your place!!

Namibia: Ancient cemetery in Daan Viljoen National Park near Windhoek

#Windhoek #Namibia #DaanViljoenCemetery #DamaraGraveyard #oldlocation #KhomasHochland

Ancient cemetery in Daan Viljoen National Park near Windhoek, Namibia

The old cemetery dating back to 40-50s and earlier can be found in Daan Viljoen Park, on the banks of riverbed. Some inscriptions are still visible. Apparently it is Damara Cemetery and it is located on the walking path to the Stegel Dam, part of the 1.5 km “Wag ‘n Bietjie" hiking trail.








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