The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, in collaboration with Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR), have announced that there is sufficient water in the Fish River Canyon for the upcoming hiking season in May.
NWR spokesperson Nelson Ashipala said this in a press release.
“We are pleased to announce that, following a thorough appraisal of water resources in Fish River Canyon, there is sufficient water available for the upcoming hiking season.
“This means hikers can look forward to a rewarding experience,” he said.
Ashipala said water marshals will be stationed at strategic points along the hiking routes, including King Palace and Bushy Corner, to ensure the safety and well-being of all hikers.
“These marshals are part of our commitment to providing a secure and enjoyable hiking environment,” he said.
NWR will also launch a new Responsible Hiking Campaign, starting next week.
“Our social media channels will feature valuable tips on hiking preparation, safety and environmental responsibility,” said Ashipala, adding that these tips are designed to enhance the hiking experience, while preserving the natural beauty of the environment.
“We encourage all interested hikers to stay tuned to our social media platforms and to prepare themselves for a memorable adventure in one of Namibia’s most breathtaking landscapes,” he said.
Astonishing facts about Dead Vlei, the dark and dead natural wonder in Namibia
This natural wonder has been attracting travellers, scientists and photographers from all over the world for a long time now.
Dead Vlei is one of the most weird places to visit on earth. The place is located in Namibia's Namib-Naukluft National Park and is unique in many ways. This natural wonder has been attracting travellers, scientists and photographers from all over the world for a long time now.
Here are 10 astonishing facts about Dead Vlei that will leave you awestruck:
1) Otherworldly beauty: Dead Vlei looks otherworldly because of its ethereal landscape. It is distinguished by its white clay pan encircled by soaring red sand dunes, creating a visually striking contrast of colours.
2) The name: Vlei in Afrikaans means marsh or pan, while Dead signifies the dead or blackened trees. So, Dead Vlei translates to dead marsh.
3) Home to ancient trees: Here at Dead Vlei, you’ll get to witness ancient, dead camel thorn trees (Acacia erioloba). These have been preserved for over 900 years and are believed to have died due to the shifting sands and climate changes.
4) Petrified trees: Surprisingly, the trees in Dead Vlei have not decayed. It is because the extremely dry climate of the Namib Desert prevents decomposition. So instead of being dead, they have become petrified, which gives the entire forest an eerie appearance.
5) White clay pan: The white clay pan floor of Dead Vlei is composed of dry, cracked clay that can become extremely hot during the day making it difficult to walk on.
6) Red sand dunes: The towering red sand dunes around Dead Vlei are some of the highest in the world! Some of these have a height of over 300 m. Dune 45 is famous in the region.
7) Photographer's dream come true: Dead Vlei is every photographer’s dream destination. Sunrise and sunset are absolutely divine here!
8) Harsh climate: The climate in Dead Vlei is extremely harsh, with scorching daytime temperatures and minimal rainfall. This extreme environment contributes to the preservation of the dead trees.
9) Tourist attraction: Despite its remote location, Dead Vlei is a renowned tourist attraction in Namibia, drawing visitors from around the world who are eager to witness its beauty.
10) Conservation: Dead Vlei, along with the surrounding area, is protected within the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Conservation efforts are being taken to preserve this unique ecosystem.
Bo Plaas camping site temporarily closed till November 2023
State-owned enterprise, mandated to run the tourism facilities within the country, Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) announced the temporary closure of the Boplaas campsite.
The campsite is located in the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park along the Orange River in the //Karas Region and will be closed effective 14 September.
The temporary closure is due to security and infrastructure upgrades and a three-metre fence will be erected as well as the construction of ablution facilities.
All confirmed clients will, for now, be moved to Ai-Ais Resort for the meantime as Bo Plaas campsite is expected to reopen again on 1 November 2023.
Remains of tourist discovered in Fish River Canyon
Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) has reported an incident in which the remains of a tourist that had been hiking in the Fish River Canyon were discovered today.
NWR spokesperson Nelson Ashipala said the hiker was discovered six kilometres from the finishing point.
"All we can say right now is that they came in on 12 September and they went hiking, we don't know how many they were or which country they are from, we are still working on establishing those details.
“Details are very sketchy at the moment but there are teams on the ground busy with searches," said Ashipala.
Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp is located in one of the most remote corners of Africa, where the desert landscapes of Kaokoland meet the Skeleton Coast the rugged mountains and canyons of the Hoanib River provide a last refuge for some of the continent's most unique wildlife; this is the home of the legendary desert elephant and the last free roaming rhino population on earth. In fact seventy five per cent of Namibia's endemic species inhabit this last bastion of the wilderness.
The Save the Rhino Trust has been involved with rhino conservation in this area since the early eighties, and in partnership with Wilderness Safaris, offer the chance to experience one of the most incredible desert treks in Africa. Camel expeditions, following ancient paths worn into this harsh land by countless generations of desert elephant and rhino, lead you through this timeless landscape; one that few people have ever seen. Experience the wilder side of Africa where only the sporadic roar of lion or cackle of hyena punctuates the silence of the night. Save the Rhino Trust employ professional trackers from the community who travel with us to search for the rare desert-dwelling black rhino.
Hoanib River Camp is the exclusive tented camp close to the Hoanib River is a relaxed haven from where guests explore this wild land on foot, by camel or from the comfort of one of safari vehicles. The camp is powered by solar-powered inverter systems and there are no generators or pumps running whilst guests are in camp. The near-mythical Hoanib River provides a meandering thread of life in this unforgiving land. Lined by hundreds of Ana Trees, whose copious production of pods attracts large herds of antelope, giraffe and elephant, the oasis like river is rated by purists as one of Africa's great wilderness experiences.
Hoanib River Camp is a must-visit on your Namibian safari.
Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp is located in one of the most remote corners of Africa, where the desert landscapes of Kaokoland meet the Skeleton Coast the rugged mountains and canyons of the Hoanib River provide a last refuge for some of the continent's most unique wildlife; this is the home of the legendary desert elephant and the last free roaming rhino population on earth. In fact seventy five per cent of Namibia's endemic species inhabit this last bastion of the wilderness.
The Save the Rhino Trust has been involved with rhino conservation in this area since the early eighties, and in partnership with Wilderness Safaris, offer the chance to experience one of the most incredible desert treks in Africa. Camel expeditions, following ancient paths worn into this harsh land by countless generations of desert elephant and rhino, lead you through this timeless landscape; one that few people have ever seen. Experience the wilder side of Africa where only the sporadic roar of lion or cackle of hyena punctuates the silence of the night. Save the Rhino Trust employ professional trackers from the community who travel with us to search for the rare desert-dwelling black rhino.
Hoanib River Camp is the exclusive tented camp close to the Hoanib River is a relaxed haven from where guests explore this wild land on foot, by camel or from the comfort of one of safari vehicles. The camp is powered by solar-powered inverter systems and there are no generators or pumps running whilst guests are in camp. The near-mythical Hoanib River provides a meandering thread of life in this unforgiving land. Lined by hundreds of Ana Trees, whose copious production of pods attracts large herds of antelope, giraffe and elephant, the oasis like river is rated by purists as one of Africa's great wilderness experiences.
Hoanib River Camp is a must-visit on your Namibian safari.
Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp is located in one of the most remote corners of Africa, where the desert landscapes of Kaokoland meet the Skeleton Coast the rugged mountains and canyons of the Hoanib River provide a last refuge for some of the continent's most unique wildlife; this is the home of the legendary desert elephant and the last free roaming rhino population on earth. In fact seventy five per cent of Namibia's endemic species inhabit this last bastion of the wilderness.
The Save the Rhino Trust has been involved with rhino conservation in this area since the early eighties, and in partnership with Wilderness Safaris, offer the chance to experience one of the most incredible desert treks in Africa. Camel expeditions, following ancient paths worn into this harsh land by countless generations of desert elephant and rhino, lead you through this timeless landscape; one that few people have ever seen. Experience the wilder side of Africa where only the sporadic roar of lion or cackle of hyena punctuates the silence of the night. Save the Rhino Trust employ professional trackers from the community who travel with us to search for the rare desert-dwelling black rhino.
Hoanib River Camp is the exclusive tented camp close to the Hoanib River is a relaxed haven from where guests explore this wild land on foot, by camel or from the comfort of one of safari vehicles. The camp is powered by solar-powered inverter systems and there are no generators or pumps running whilst guests are in camp. The near-mythical Hoanib River provides a meandering thread of life in this unforgiving land. Lined by hundreds of Ana Trees, whose copious production of pods attracts large herds of antelope, giraffe and elephant, the oasis like river is rated by purists as one of Africa's great wilderness experiences.
Hoanib River Camp is a must-visit on your Namibian safari.
Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp is located in one of the most remote corners of Africa, where the desert landscapes of Kaokoland meet the Skeleton Coast the rugged mountains and canyons of the Hoanib River provide a last refuge for some of the continent's most unique wildlife; this is the home of the legendary desert elephant and the last free roaming rhino population on earth. In fact seventy five per cent of Namibia's endemic species inhabit this last bastion of the wilderness.
The Save the Rhino Trust has been involved with rhino conservation in this area since the early eighties, and in partnership with Wilderness Safaris, offer the chance to experience one of the most incredible desert treks in Africa. Camel expeditions, following ancient paths worn into this harsh land by countless generations of desert elephant and rhino, lead you through this timeless landscape; one that few people have ever seen. Experience the wilder side of Africa where only the sporadic roar of lion or cackle of hyena punctuates the silence of the night. Save the Rhino Trust employ professional trackers from the community who travel with us to search for the rare desert-dwelling black rhino.
Hoanib River Camp is the exclusive tented camp close to the Hoanib River is a relaxed haven from where guests explore this wild land on foot, by camel or from the comfort of one of safari vehicles. The camp is powered by solar-powered inverter systems and there are no generators or pumps running whilst guests are in camp. The near-mythical Hoanib River provides a meandering thread of life in this unforgiving land. Lined by hundreds of Ana Trees, whose copious production of pods attracts large herds of antelope, giraffe and elephant, the oasis like river is rated by purists as one of Africa's great wilderness experiences.
Hoanib River Camp is a must-visit on your Namibian safari.
Qatar's government wants to work closely with the state-owned Namibia Wildlife Resorts to scale up cooperation in Namibia's hospitality sector. The emir of Qatar, sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, agreed to investments in energy, mining and the hospitality sector.
Катар инвестирует в NWR
Правительство Катара хочет тесно сотрудничать с государственной компанией Namibia Wildlife Resorts, чтобы расширить сотрудничество в гостиничном секторе Намибии. Эмир Катара шейх Тамим бин Хамад Аль- Тани дал согласие на инвестиции в энергетику, горнодобывающую промышленность и гостиничный сектор.
Businessman Laban Kandume is planning to build a pay-to-use road in the Namib Desert after his initial idea of building a railway transport system was rejected by the tourism industry.
Kandume's company Sky Eye Hospitality and Tours had proposed to construct a motor and railway transport system and a tethered balloon ride in the renowned Sossusvlei. The plan has been heavily criticised by several players in the tourism industry, including state-owned Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR).
This concession was granted to Kandume's Sky Eye Hospitality and Tours by the minister of environment, forestry and tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, who unilaterally stripped NWR of its rights to carry out shuttle services into Sossusvlei – an undertaking which used to bring them more than N$10 million in yearly revenue.
Kandume then crafted a plan to introduce a train, road system and tethered helium balloons leading into Sossusvlei – which offers landmarks with its red dunes, white salt pan and Dead Vlei – situated in the western part of Hardap Region in the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Kandume said they still plan to go ahead with the road system and tethered helium balloons project.
Several industry players said this move would damage the environment. “The train project is a good idea. It's just that we are 10 years too early because of Covid-19, which is affecting the arrival of tourists,” said Kandume.
He is, however, adamant that the train project would be realised in the future.
“It may not even be during our concession time, but it will happen. I hope I will be alive by then to see it happening,” he said.
TOLL GATE
The new plan would see Sky Eye Hospitality and Tours constructing a road that will have a toll gate. A toll gate is a barrier across a road where drivers or pedestrians must pay to travel further. Other tour operators would then have to pay a fee before transporting their passengers to their lodges. “Everyone can use our detachable road, but will have to pay a toll gate fee,” said Kandume.
The new plan, according to Kandume, would mean there would be no more complaints about job losses, a monopoly, or environmental damage. He does not expect any issues with the new plan. “If we do then these are no longer genuine concerns regarding the environment, but hidden agendas. Then this is playing the man instead of the ball,” he said. Kandume said the tourism industry needs transformation.
“Black people must participate in this industry. They must sit at the decision table,” he said. Chirstelle Du Toit-Oosthuizen, representing Taleni Africa Tourism, which owns Sossusvlei Lodge, said they were not aware of the latest development.
She said they are still waiting for feedback after they had a meeting with the company conducting the environmental impact assessment on 1 April. “Sky Eye Hospitality was supposed to give us feedback on all the questions they couldn't answer during the meeting,” she said.
“We are looking forward to any official communication with regards to any future plans,” Du Toit-Oosthuizen said. NWR spokesperson Nelson Ashipala last month refused to comment since the parastatal has not seen the new bid information document detailing the latest development.
“NWR was not consulted on this new development,” he said.
Ashipala said NWR was informed through a letter from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism about the allocation of the motorised transport proposal. “We are yet to receive full technical and operational information on this prospect,” he said.
Kandume said they would issue a press release later to explain the new plan.
Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR), a state-owned enterprise mandated to run the tourism facilities within the country, announced the commencement of major renovations in eight of its resorts.
Some of the resorts still to be refurbished are Sossus Dune Lodge, Onkoshi, Ai-Ais, Waterberg and Hardap Dam Resort. Renovations started this week and are expected to be completed by 31.10.22.
According to the WTTC 2021 country report, Namibia's total tourism sector in 2020 contributed 16.8 billion Namibia dollars or 9.8 % to the country's economy.
Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR), государственная компания, управляющая туристическими объектами в стране, объявило о начале капитального ремонта в восьми своих отелях: Sossus Dune Lodge, Onkoshi, Ai-Ais, Waterberg и Hardap Dam Resort, среди прочих.
Ремонтные работы начались в июне и должны быть завершены к 31.10.22. Согласно страновому 2021 отчету WTTC, туристический сектор Намибии в 2020 году принес 16,8 млрд долларов или 9,8% ВВП страны.
Happy Days! With Namibia's third wave rapidly waning in time for high season, following last week's Nature Heals message, further good news breaking today: Namibia is removed from the List of Virus Variant Areas, Frankfurter Allgemeine 30.07.2021 - 13:11 Deutschland streicht afrikanische Staaten von Virusvariantenliste
Translate: Breathe a sigh of relief in the tourist regions: According to F.A.Z. information, the federal government no longer classifies any African country as a particularly sensitive country of origin. However, two countries in Latin America remain on the list.
Transfer through FRA on to Schengen countries will be permissible, book your limited release Ongava special.
We’re grateful for the exemplary appetite for the vaccines among our colleagues who responded enthusiastically as soon as they became available in Namibia. Staff have been receiving their vaccine regimen at the designated health centres in the various districts and also at Ongava.
May 8, 2021: “Ongava's much reduced workforce volunteered for our first COVID-19 vaccinations over the weekend. We are grateful for Ministry of Health and Social Services-Namibia Outjo Staff who travelled to Ongava, generously giving up their weekend. They set up a temporary vaccine centre at the Ongava Research Visitor Centre. Eight-seven Ongava and Research Centre staff volunteered for their first jab, plus the five staff from the town office previously vaccinated in Windhoek, that's now 92 of the Ongava family's immune systems are primed to combat COVID-19.
June 5, 2021: “Ongava staff volunteering for the next round of COVID-19 vaccinations at the Ongava Research Visitor Centre. With our grateful thanks to Ministry of Health and Social Services-Namibia.
Staff returning from restricted areas quarantine for seven days and present a negative PCR test in order to report for duty.
We look forward to sharing a cheerful campfire under the southern cross with you in the not too distant future.
Gross Barmen Resort is located around 100 km from the capital city of Windhoek, nestled on the banks of a tributary of the Swakop River. Set between rows of palm trees, green lawns and many pleasant walks, the resort is ideal for all ages.
Gross Barmen includes facilities for spa & wellness, fitness, recreation, and leisure. The main attraction of the resort is the health and hydro/ medical spa centre, featuring thermal springs and providing a full range of treatments, massages, and health activities for relaxation.
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