Showing posts with label Midgard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Midgard. Show all posts

Wednesday, 2 March 2022

Namibia: OL Leisure: Mokuti Renovation Project 2022/23

Mokuti Lodge Renovation Project 2022/23

28.02.2022

We are heading into exciting times not only for our brands, but also the tourism industry, as travel begins to pick up slowly, both in Namibia and internationally. Having recently unveiled our revamped Midgard, we are excited for another one of our establishments to be transformed into a contemporary destination, whilst we preserve its 32-year character and heritage.

Today I share with you the exciting news that Mokuti Etosha Lodge will be undergoing a full upgrade. As a result of the construction to take place, the lodge will be closed as of 22 March 2022 for a period of twelve (12) to fifteen (15) months for the envisioned refurbishments to be completed.

The renovations will include a completely new main building (reception, bars, dining room, kitchen, conference center, including the pool bar and pool area, as well as the main entrance) will be demolished and rebuilt. The current Boma will also be demolished and relocated to a new bush location in a form of a new Sky-Boma. Current rooms will be upgraded, and additional rooms as well as new guest experiences and exciting activities will be added (e.g. conservation center, cultural village, new viewpoints, upgrades to the airstrip etc.)

Our grand dame, Mokuti, is ready for a facelift and keeping in line with our Purpose, “Creating a future, enhancing life”, we want to ensure that it will still be at the forefront of the hospitality industry in Namibia going forward. It is with faith in our future and the future of tourism, despite the unprecedented challenges we have faced, that O&L is investing in Mokuti once again and setting new standards for our country.

While this project was planned for a long time, key project requirements, including planning, financing and resourcing, were unfortunately delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. These have now been put in place and in the current climate of uncertainty, we have taken the opportunity to proceed with this long-overdue project now, in a focused and purposeful manner. While Mokuti is already among Namibia’s top safari destinations, we now have the opportunity to totally reimagine the lodge and deliver what could be Namibia’s most loved destination under the theme of “Africa Reimagined”. 

We look forward to this new chapter in Mokuti Etosha Lodge’s books and invite you to join us in this very exciting journey.

Purchase photo/4K video: portfolio1 portfolio2
Aerial photo/video service/inquiries: info@traveltonamibia.com

Monday, 24 January 2022

Namibia: O&L Leisure news: Strand, Chobe, Midgard & Mokuti

What happened in 2021 at O&L Leisure and Properties?

All the properties have exciting activities and experiences lined up for you in the new year, 2022.

You have been a great customer and on behalf of Leisure, we want to wish you and your family a very happy new year. May this New Year bring you plenty of success and sound health. We are

looking forward to serving you with better value-added services. Working towards our vision on becoming Namibia's most loved destinations, we have realized we need to celebrate our customers more often. In 2022 the focus is on you. Get ready for a year filled with exciting events, campaigns and upgrades to some of our properties.

Message from our new Managing Director, Norbert Wurm 

We have not given up and we continue to stay in possibility. We as O&L Leisure are firmly focused on our Vision 2025, a future beyond Covid-19! The necessary and difficult business rescue measures that had to be implemented reminded us of how fragile our business is. 

However, 2021 also marked quite a remarkable year for us with many exciting achievements which we all can be extremely proud of, and I challenge each of us to take a moment to remind yourself of all the achievements and successes, however big or small. Now, more than ever, we should place our focus on the future.

Let us start living 2025 now and continue to imagine everything we do going forward. Let us capitalize on every opportunity and leave no stone unturned, where we can create unforgettable experiences and memories for you and allow you to support us in our purposeful journey of becoming Namibia’s most loved destinations

News from Strand Hotel

Activity at the Strand Hotel

To all our valued guests,

During the past year of 2021, many challenges were experienced as we traded. The Covid 19 Pandemic continued to present restrictive measures to us. The month of June and July onwards experienced domestic travel restrictions and curfews and restrictions to restaurant trading. Despite all these obstacles, we have remained resilient as your hosts and our teams were innovative in many ways.

We continued to engage all our guests, whether domestic, regional, or international, as we remained open to doing business. Some of them have said the following of us. “Popular hotel, along the beach with three different restaurants. Very amazing views too.

We ate at the Ocean Cellar restaurant, serving only sushi and other fish dishes. It's an awesome place to unwind, with an equally amazing view of the popular beach. It's a must when visiting Swakopmund” 

“The hotel has awesome staff, wonderful people, exceptional food and good live music. Strand hotel is top notch. I’m definitely coming back and bringing my family with me the next time I come by the hotel.”

News from Mokuti

Activity at Mokuti Etosha Lodge

Despite a challenging 2021, Mokuti Etosha Lodge managed to pull off one of its signature events which is the Mokuti Sishanyama, one of its only kind in the northern parts of the country. The event, which took place on the 1st of May 2021, saw records numbers of attendance of over 100 visitors from all corners of the country mainly from Tsumeb, Grootfontein ,Otavi, Omuthiya and Ondangwa to name but a few. Sishanyama is multicultural event that showcased the different food cultures of Namibia, visitors were treated with a variety of dishes raging from the traditional ‘Kapana’ to potije kos delicacies also showcasing products from Hartlief, Pick n Pay and Namibian Breweries.

The following Month of June, Mokuti Etosha Lodge hosted its first ever food & wine festival which attracted wines makers from as far a South Africa, local wineries were also present, and the festival exceeded expectations. After the festival Mokuti Etosha lodge renewed its Wine list with only the best selection of the wines showcased. 2021 also saw Mokuti welcoming Victor Matfield and Toks en Tjops which attracted a storm of rugby fans who had an opportunity to have dinner with the rugby aces.

News from Midgard

Welcome to the New Midgard

For those of you that have not had the pleasure of visiting this magnificent resort amongst the Otjihavera Mountains, snug next to the beginnings of the Swakop River, a pleasant surprise is awaiting you.

Our recently refurbished lodge now features state-of-the-art conference facilities, a wedding chapel for weddings with breathtaking views, a spa, stunning restaurant and bar. From garden to plate. Fresh vegetables from the garden find their way to your plate in an expression of comfort food. 

The game farm at the lodge is nestled in a breathtaking landscape where you can finish off your game drive with a sundowner at the Hilltop bar, overlooking the valley and Swakop River. Celebrate the beginning of a new day with a champagne breakfast of Steenbokkie Hill or God’s Window. 

The Midgard stables offer country horse riding, game viewing on horseback and kiddies pony rides. The lodge is known for all its outdoor and family orientated activities such as mountain biking, horse riding, team building events, bowling, hiking, rock climbing, game drives and many more.

News from Chobe Water Villas

Pure Adventure

The magnificent Chobe Water Villas, the uber exclusive property situated on the Chobe River is the place for you to discover African luxury. This is what our guests had to say. “In a special corner of the African wilderness, where two mighty rivers meet, a wetland paradise that is a haven for nature and wildlife.

Discover the wonders of this magical destination at Chobe Water Villas. At the very tip of Namibia’s Zambezi Region, previously known as Caprivi Strip, Chobe Water Villas is nestled in the beautiful lap of nature on the bank of the Chobe River. The exclusivity and style of this boutique hotel is unparalleled.”

Botswana is on the opposite side of the river, so you are spoilt for choice to enjoy boat safaris on the river or game drives on land on the Botswana side – either way you’ll have a magical experience witnessing wildlife at the Chobe National Park. And from your Villa you’ll see crocs, elephants and hippos in the river and more on the opposite (Botswana) side.

Another guest had to share their experience with us. We also went on a day trip to the Vic falls which was oh so magical to experience. It is only about an hour’s drive but allow for about an hour and a half to pass through Namibian, Botswana and Zim immigration. The flame of Africa was our ground handler and took such good care of us.

I spy with my Eye...

The events that you should add to your calendar this year.

Midgard – Wobbly Wine Warrior Race

2 Oct 22

Wine puns are never in pour taste, but this time we’ve made sure to add some exciting exercise for everyone! What do you get when you mix wine, exercise and good-spirited competition? An all-reigning cocktail called the Wobbly Wine Warrior, that’s what! The warrior race was a fun 5km race including 10 easy obstacles with wine tasting points as the reward at every obstacle.

Strand Hotel Swakopmund – Strand Markets

​​​​​​Strand Hotel Swakopmund

We hosted a range of markets on the promenade including an Independence market, Easter market, Christmas market and many more. Our markets are always a highlight and filled with live music, entertainment, delicious food and activities for the whole family.

Purchase photo/4K video: portfolio1 portfolio2
Aerial photo/video service/inquiries: info@traveltonamibia.com

Friday, 6 August 2021

Namibia: O&L Leisure update

“The devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism industry in particular, and the commensurate mitigating measures taken by governments around the world whereby industry revenues collapsed, can be described as worse than the worst-case scenarios anticipated locally and globally”, says Norbert Wurm, Managing Director of O&L Leisure.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, 21 July 2021, O&L Leisure – a subsidiary of the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group – announced its decision to introduce urgent rescue measures to safeguard the future sustainability of its business and mitigate the risk of the impact on an already crippled tourism sector. Says Wurm: “With the pandemic continuing to impact us negatively and the current government regulations and health measures including restrictions on trading in our restaurants and international travel regulations linked to infection levels, we are further hampered in our ability to operate our business resulting in this situation becoming unsustainable. Our focus during and throughout this crisis has always been to trade our way out of this difficult situation, with emphasis on revenue generation, while reducing costs without reducing standards and simultaneously protecting livelihoods. Unfortunately, the 3rd wave of the pandemic has hit the region and our business, like many others, hard especially during the second quarter of the year.”

During the entirety of the crisis until recently, O&L Leisure has reduced overtime costs and adjusted work schedules, amongst others, while choosing not to resort to restructuring, retrenchments, or mandatory salary reductions. “In an effort to alleviate the pressure and safeguard the wellbeing of our employees and sustain our business, we unfortunately have no other choice but to take necessary measures to ensure we overcome the short-term challenges facing us. Having exhausted all other alternatives, our focus remains on securing jobs and livelihoods in a sustainable manner while requiring a collective sacrifice by all, whereby we urgently need to reduce our operating requirements in line with forecasted activity and in terms of section 12 of the Labour Act”, Wurm said. 

O&L Leisure has as such effected the following temporary measures at its various properties/sites with basic salary reductions of between 25-50% (depending on level of activity) (not total Cost to Company/CTC incl. allowances and benefits, etc.), effective 1 August 2021 to 30 October 2021:

° Chobe Water Villas and Mokuti Etosha Lodge will be closed temporarily until 1 October when it will be reopened. 

° Strand Hotel Swakopmund will remain open for business with reduced operations and its Farmhouse Deli remaining in operation for in-house guests and take-away.

° Midgard Country Estate will remain open for business and at full operation with ongoing training and construction for official opening towards the end of September.  

° The O&L Leisure Central Office will also reduce working hours between 25% and 50%, depending on work requirements, and remuneration adjusted accordingly.

“These are trying times and while we had hoped to overcome this crisis, we now have the opportunity to become more resilient than ever before by collectively taking hands and pushing through this crisis, together. Guided by our collective Purpose of ‘Creating a Future, Enhancing Life’ that requires us to be responsible and our Vision 2025 which is ‘to be a catalyst for positive change, creating new realities, and fulfilling dreams’, I am confident and inspired by our team’s passion and resilience that speaks for itself, and therefore have no doubt that we will unite in finding breakthroughs to overcome this crisis as we cannot afford to put our jobs and livelihoods; and, indeed the future of our business, at risk. 

I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to our people – our valued employees – for their commitment and sacrifice as well as our valued stakeholders and customers for your continued support over the last fifteen (15) months as we navigated through these troubled waters. Please note that the measures implemented are only temporary and we look forward to welcome you to the iconic Strand Hotel Swakopmund as well as the new and exciting, revamped Midgard - where you can still experience and enjoy our warm Namibian hospitality, world-class food and service excellence while having a good time away from home. We are also confident and optimistic that our Chobe Water Villas and Mokuti Etosha Lodge will reopen on the 1st October and therefore welcome you to make your bookings in advance to avoid disappointment. Let us take hands, endure and overcome this together to ensure the future for ourselves and each other, our country, our children and generations to come”, Wurm concluded.

Purchase photo/4K video: portfolio1 portfolio2
Aerial photo/video service/inquiries: info@traveltonamibia.com

Tuesday, 24 December 2019

Namibia: O&L Leisure Group today

O&L LEISURE TODAY

A Christmas message from Managing Director, Norbert Wurm

It is with a sense of accomplishment that I can share that the O&L Leisure Group has done quite well during 2019, whereby we continue to show healthy growth and find opportunities in a challenging market. This success is wholly attributable to our people, who are continuing to create memorable and unique experiences that our guests love. Our iconic properties look amazing and plans are in the pipeline to further enhance these at every opportunity (watch this space) as we strive to be a catalyst for positive change creating new realities and fulfilling dreams:

Midgard added the very unique accommodation in the new “Train section”. The Midgard Train complex is conveniently located in the MCE gardens and within a short walking distance of the main lodge where the hotel’s dining room, bar, lounge, TV Room, boma and various outdoor terraces, pools, etc. are located. This unique facility is made up of three stationary passenger train carriages. These three carriages share two separate male and female ablution blocks. The facility also includes 3 basic kitchens and separate dining room. In the garden courtyard area is an open boma fire pit and a wood burning barbecue area.
We successfully hosted the Taste event at Midgard and were overwhelmed how well the event was accepted and attended by all, which has emboldened us to immediately start working on the next set of exciting events.

Chobe Water Villas welcomed a new GM couple in 2019. They bring with them new innovative ideas, many years of experience and a passion for nature. New boats and offerings are in the pipeline.
Mokuti is excelling and Ivan, the GM, is doing a tremendous job.  Little extra touches in the rooms are creating a stir. New cocktail menus and other ideas, including exciting night games drives with experienced rangers are either implemented already or will be in the very near future.
The Strand Hotel has revamped the Brewer and Butcher and it looks “wow”. The menus are constantly being reviewed at all 3 restaurants as to tantalise guests to come back for more, especially over the busy Christmas period. The new beer garden, with its charm and tradition, is perfectly suited for corporate functions and bigger groups.

Our properties have featured prominently on television and other media with each and every journalist loving the charm, the facilities, activities and great cuisine that we offer our guests. We must never forget that it is people, especially our staff at O&L Leisure, that make our business the success that it is.  At O&L Leisure we believe that investment in our staff gives the best return on investment and one can clearly see that our family is a happy one. Training, career opportunities, expansion and so much more are constantly addressed as to make this family smile. We thank each and every one of you that has worked so hard to make this year great.
We plan to excite and entice our guests with new offerings for the year 2020. 
As we look back and reflect upon the past year, with all our achievements and successes, we would like to show our appreciation for your support and continued loyalty during 2019. As we embark on this journey with you into 2020, we will embrace a future of continuous innovation to deliver new realities and fulfill dreams. You have been an integral part of shaping our business and for that we sincerely thank you. We wish you a very merry Christmas, a wonderful holiday season and we look forward to connecting with you in the New Year – All the best for 2020.
Purchase photo/4K video: portfolio1 portfolio2
Aerial photo/video service/inquiries: info@traveltonamibia.com

Tuesday, 22 October 2019

Namibia: Midgard Country Estate renovations | Мидгард Намибия

#Midgard #Namibia #Africa #OLLeisure #Okahandja #HoseaKutakoAirport #Windhoek #CarlList #МидгардНамибия

O&L LEISURE TODAY - 2019

Exciting improvements on the horizon for Midgard Country Estate
As part of our 2025 vision, Midgard is undergoing an extensive refurbishment.

In our drive to accommodate both conferences, events and tour groups, the decision was made to increase our room capacity. Some of the existing areas are being re-developed with additional room placement, as well as a new block of rooms being built overlooking the park area.
The conference facilities are getting an entire overhaul with state of the art fittings to accommodate not only conferences, but also weddings and other events.

Another crucial part of the refurbishment, is the upgrade of the current restaurant and kitchen, making it the heartbeat of Midgard. This will allow us to further showcase the organic vegetable garden offering.
The arrival experience has not been ignored either, with new parking and reception areas being developed.

To further enhance the overall guest experience the refurbishment of the Midgard stables is nearing completion and development of the vegetable garden in the amphitheater has started.
There are also many more exciting developments in the pipeline for the next phase of development, allowing Midgard to be the bespoke destination for locals as well as international travelers.
Keep a look out for detailed upgrade plans soon!
Purchase photo/4K video: portfolio1 portfolio2
Aerial photo/video service/inquiries: info@traveltonamibia.com