Namibia: Update from Reservation Destination: Brigadoon Guest House

Brigadoon Guest House   -    Sale of Property  &  Closure

Greetings to everyone,

Well, this has definitely been an interesting year to remember. 

Since our last Newsflash sent out in January 2021, there has been a few new changes.

Current changes within the Portfolio (though this Covid pandemic feels ever lasting) and through this difficult and challenging time we are still committed to serve the Industry and the Lodges, persevering and anxiously awaiting the day that travel resumes once again as was the norm.

With some mixed feelings of sadness as we have 'lost' 1 portfolio member, Brigadoon Guest House, and then 2 Lodges are making this an exciting experience by doing some renovations - closing for the remainder of 2021.

We have served Brigadoon Guest House since 2014 and it has been a truly fabulous journey to have grown our business  together over the years.

The original owners, Bubble and Bruce Burns, have sold Brigadoon Guesthouse to Ondili Lodges & Activities Namibia and they sent out a notice to the industry about their plans to renovate the building over the next 12 months.

We thank Bruce & Bubbles for the privilege of representing Brigadoon Guesthouse and for all their support over the past 7 years, it’s been an honour!

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Botswana: new Mankwe Tented Retreat | Манкве Ботсвана

NEW  BOTSWANA CAMP | MANKWE TENTED RETREAT

Sun Destinations is extremely proud and excited to announce the launch of Mankwe Tented Retreat, a new addition to the Botswana portfolio of coveted camps and lodges. Welcome on board!

After a devastating fire in 2016, the camp underwent a complete revamp and rebrand. Mankwe Tented Retreat is effortlessly stylish, yet so simple in its design.

Perfectly situated on a massive private concession, this lodge boasts a combination of finely tuned luxury with the classic authenticity of canvas and wooden structures. Mankwe blends in seamlessly with its natural surroundings and adds a feeling of being reunited with Africa’s endless wilderness.

From elegant spacious suites to health spas and secluded lounge areas to sit and lament on the wonders of safari, Mankwe Tented Retreat has every aspect of what a modern safari to Botswana should offer. There are also two swimming pools, both of which offer the perfect respite from the African sun.

This wooded retreat is the perfect way to start or end a dream safari to Botswana.

Mankwe Tented Retreat is effortlessly stylish, yet so simple in its design.

Hidden among the mopane trees in a 365 000 hectare concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve, lies a simple and stylish wooden tented lodge.

Optional game drives and excursions take place in the world-renown Moremi Game Reserve and Okavango Delta, while daily drives take place in Mankwe's private concession.

The exceptional location of the lodge in true Botswana wilderness makes it a regular host to elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah, and wild dogs.

It is in the perfect position for observing the perennial drama of the African Bushveld and provides excellent birding.

Activities at the camp include morning and afternoon game drives, as well as after-dark spotlight game drives in the concession.

Mankwe is the perfect place from which to begin a journey into the Delta, where there are many islands dotted throughout the myriad of waterways. If the water levels are high enough, guests can add on a traditional mokoro or boating experience while out in the Moremi.

Other activities on-site include special sundowner set-ups, birdwatching and guided walks with the San people.

South Africa: Breaking news - Drakensberg is home to the world's highest waterfall | Водопад Тугела Южная Африка

Breaking news - Drakensberg is home to the world's highest waterfall

Officially the worlds highest waterfall is in South Africa

The Tugela Falls is now accepted as the world's tallest waterfall as a revisited validation was done and that it is actually the tallest waterfall in the world, rather than Venezuela's Angel Falls. The combined total drop of its five distinct free-leaping falls is officially 948 m. You have got to put the Tugela Falls on your bucket list.

Tugela Falls is a complex of seasonal waterfalls located in the Drakensberg (Dragon's Mountains) of Royal Natal National Park in KwaZulu-Natal Province, Republic of South Africa. It is now accepted as the world's tallest waterfall as a revisited validation was done and that it is actually the tallest waterfall in the world, rather than Venezuela's Angel Falls.

The combined total drop of its five distinct free-leaping falls is officially 948 m. In 2016, however, a Czech scientific expedition took new measurements, making the falls 983 m tall. The data were sent to the World Waterfall Database for confirmation. The source of the Tugela River (Zulu for "sudden") is the Mont-Aux-Sources plateau which extends several kilometers beyond The Amphitheater escarpment from which the falls drop.

Height controversy

Tugela falls as it flows off the escarpment showing the first drop and cascade

There is an argument that Tugela Falls is the tallest waterfall in the world, rather than the more commonly cited Angel Falls. This argument is based on two likely inaccuracies regarding the presumed heights of the respective falls.

Firstly, many now believe that Angel Falls is not as tall as it was initially surveyed by American journalist Ruth Robertson in 1949. The quoted figure of 979 m corresponds almost precisely with the difference in altitude between the top of the falls and the confluence of the Rio Gauja and the Río Churún, which is roughly 2 km away from the base of the Auyan Tepui escarpment and 1.6 km downstream from the last segment of the Rio Gauja that could possibly be considered a "waterfall".

The starting altitude of Angel Falls is often given as 1,500 m, from which the falls plunge a vertical 807 m, then proceed to cascade for approximately 0.4 km with relatively little altitude loss, before a final drop of 30 m below the Talus Rapids, near the famous viewpoint known as Mirador Laime. After this the Rio Gauja flows with very little altitude loss, with nothing approaching a waterfall or even cascade before it empties into the Río Churún. However, the altitude of Mirador Laime is usually given as approximately 700 m, which would suggest that Angel Falls is only about 800 meters in total height (roughly the height of the first drop).

Angel Falls, however, is almost universally regarded as having the tallest single uninterrupted drop of any waterfall in the world (the total height of Tugela Falls, even though possibly the tallest on Earth, is divided into five smaller tiers, and its tallest individual tier is 411 m). Even this measurement invites some debate, however, as some botanical sources list the height of Angel Falls' tallest drop as 738 m, rather than the usually cited 807 m.

Access

At the right time of year, the falls are easily visible from the main road into the park, especially after a heavy rain. There is an undeveloped camp site and mountain hut immediately above the falls.

There are two trails to Tugela Falls. The most spectacular trail is to the top of Mont-Aux-Sources, which starts at "The Sentinel" car park (through Phuthaditjhaba on the R57, approximately two hours drive from Royal Natal National Park via the R74, 90 minutes from Harrismith via the R712, or 80 minutes from Golden Gate Highlands National Park). From here it is a relatively easy climb to the top of the Amphitheatre, however it does take about 4.5 to 8 hours round-trip depending on fitness level. Access to the summit is via two chain ladders. This is the only day hiking trail which leads to the top of the Drakensberg escarpment. Another trail to the foot of the Tugela Falls starts at Royal Natal National Park. The easy 7 km gradient up the Tugela Gorge winds through indigenous forests. The last part of the hike to Tugela Falls is a boulder hop. A little chain ladder leads over the final stretch for a view of the falls rushing down the amphitheater in a series of five cascades.

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Namibia: B1 Butcher - an unknown serial killer

B1 Butcher

The B1 Butcher is an unknown serial killer in Namibia. The B1 Butcher murdered at least five women between 2005 and 2007, with all murders related to the national road B1.

In 2007, a German-born Namibian was accused of rape, arrested, and later linked to these unsolved murders. However, he was after a long detention acquitted for lack of evidence. In 2008 a man who committed suicide was implicated as the series of murders ended in 2007, but the connection could not be conclusively proven.

Name
The B1 Butcher got its name from the Namibian media, because all of their murders victims have been found in close proximity to the Namibian National Road B1, which crosses the country from north to south. The "butcher" part of the name stems from the professional way in which the bodies were dismembered.

Murders
Body parts were found in June and July 2007 in the Khomas Region along the B1 in the greater Windhoek area between Rehoboth and Okahandja. These body parts were wrapped in garbage bags and belonged to two different women. As far back as 2005 two similar unexplained murders of women occurred, those two murders have subsequently also been blamed on the B1 Butcher.

The head and an arm of the so far last victim were found in August 2007, further north on the B1 between Windhoek, Okahandja. Further body parts of the same victim were discovered in September 2007 near Grootfontein in the Otjozondjupa Region. This woman has never been identified. Police took this sequence of events as a clue that the murderer's center of life might have moved from Windhoek further northwards.

In October 2007, investigations were helped by three senior serial murder detectives from the Republic of South Africa. Still the murder series was never solved, and it is believed that it might never be solved.

Victims
All five of the B1 Butcher victims were young or middle-aged women. Two of the five women killed (both found in 2007) could not be identified. The other three women are Juanita Mabula (21 years, murdered in 2005), Melanie Janse (22 years, 2005) and Sanna Helena ?Garoes (36 years, 2007).

All murdered women were coloured Namibians, each of the three identified victims was fluent in Afrikaans, Damara, or both. In addition, all victims' body parts showed signs of freezing or refrigeration, suggesting that they were in some sort of cold storage. The method of killing, however, was different: Janse was strangled, Mabula was hit on the head with a blunt object.

At least two of the three identified victims clearly were prostitutes, working in Windhoek's downtown Ausspannplatz area. Two of the victims, Janse and ?Garoes, apparently knew each other well.

Suspects
In August 2007, the German citizen Heinz Knierim was arrested because he was suspected of having raped a 29-year-old Namibian near Windhoek the previous month. He was also said to have tried to subsequently strangle the woman. Knierim denied all allegations. In February 2010, he was acquitted for lack of evidence and released from custody. Knierim sued for damages against the Namibian government due to his ordeal of having been accused to be the B1 Butcher.

In 2008 Hans Husselmann from Rehoboth took his life after being implicated in the murders. He had served a life sentence for two murders before, and was only released in 2004. Although ?Garoes' DNA was found in Husselmann's flat and Husselmann's DNA was found on a letter to the Police concerning the Mabula murder, evidence was inconclusive. At that time, suspicions arose that the B1 Butcher might not be one single person but rather one "lead actor" and several copycats.

Aftermath and consequences
In July 2007, women from Windhoek, Rehoboth and Tsumis Park published a joint open letter to the B1 Butcher to provide information on to the still missing body parts for decent burial of the murder victims. He was also told to hand himself over to the Police.

In 2010, a human head and an arm were discovered on a farm in Rehoboth, raising fear that the Butcher might be active again. A connection to the murders of the B1 Butcher in this was, however, not considered likely because it did not show many of the previous similarities: The body parts were not found near a highway, and were burnt instead of frozen.

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Namibia: TeaterHuis Guest House in Tsumeb near Etosha National Park

The old dormant Van Riebeeck Theater in Tsumeb in the northern Namibia, near Etosha National Park, was not in use for many years.

The inside of the theater with its original retro red 535, amphitheater style seats was beautifully preserved.

A renovated theatre called Teaterhuis (“theatre house” in Afrikaans) with 535 stunning red retro seats and a massive auditorium, it had been converted into a coffee shop and boutique hotel. Where were the rooms, that is the question. Did one enjoy your cake on the stage? The owners Theo and Suine Bekker preserved this building.

There it is: across from the politically correctly named United Nations Park, along Presidential Avenue. The Theater is the massive block that is the largest auditorium in Namibia. Not even the National Theatre in Windhoek has as many seats. Built during the middle of the last century and known as the Van Riebeeck Theater, this theatre was the hub of Tsumeb social life during the town’s mining heyday. During that time it belonged to the mine, along with the gymnasium across the road. And while the gymnasium is still in use, it does seem a little in need of tender love and care. In contrast, Teaterhuis has that in spades.

The fact that anyone took up the challenge of renovating this amazing space is impressive enough, the couple, their two sons and daughter actually lived there while they were at it. Imagine staying on a building site for not just a couple of months, but two years! That’s how long it took to return the theatre into something that could generate a proper income. What must have been so exciting was finding all the little storage rooms, the little nooks and crannies, tucked away in this corner or that, above the stage, behind the projector room, rooms with seemingly no way to access them, no stairs, nothing. It was a process of discovering and converting. All of it done with lots of guts and plenty of grit.

Owners discovered unused rooms behind the huge stage and converted them into luxury rooms. The former dressing rooms were also upgraded into small guest rooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom.

Teater Huis is an old amphitheater style theater that has 535 seats. The building is recently renovated inside and the foyer is converted into a café with eclectic décor. It is still in the process of being transformed. The "new meats old" glamour is quite unique and trendy. The breakfast is great, coffee awesome and a nice selection of wines from over the world, local iced tea and craft beer to choose from. The accommodation is the former backstage dressing rooms and is tastefully decorated. Guest are given a warm welcome in a relaxed homey vibe. Access only via the theatre to the rooms: unique and excellent!

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In Residence: Explore extraordinary Antarctica from Cape Town

Explore extraordinary Antarctica, the world’s last true wilderness frontier, following in the pioneering footsteps of a mere handful of...

It is a rare privilege to set foot on Antarctica’s ancient blue ice and immerse yourself in an otherworldly environment guaranteed to fascinate, challenge and change you. Antarctica is not to be trifled with; it is a vast, ancient world owned—and tamed—by no one. Parts of this ice-sheet continent have had continuous glacier cover for perhaps as long as 20 million years.

Just a five-hour flight by Gulfstream jet from Cape Town gets you to Wolf’s Fang ice runway in Queen Maud Land.

The crystal air, remarkable light, the sculptural sweep of snow and ice, and the sharp mountain peaks of the Henriksen Nunataks that pierce through the glaciers envelop you. Expect to be dwarfed by the wild, austere majesty.

Antarctica’s landscapes are surreal and hauntingly beautiful. The luminous light in the ice tunnels whittled out beneath the Southern Ocean makes them a photographer’s dream. From the summit of a nunatak, the horizon is endless: the world’s largest ice sheet is the essence of infinity. The wind etches its stories into the shapes and forms of the frozen landscape, and the glacial meltwater rivers and streams form turquoise capillaries that undulate through the bright white snowscapes during the ephemeral Antarctic summer.

From the warm cocoon of your base camp, each day brings new encounters and new wonders. Even now, reaching the southernmost point on Earth is a feat achieved by very few and it certainly is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. A flight to the geographic South Pole brings you to the Amundsen-Scott South Pole station made famous by those legendary polar explorers.

For the wildlife lover, a day at the 28,000-strong colony of emperor penguins in Atka Bay—the largest penguin species is life-changing. Emperor penguins have no natural predators so are unafraid of humans, giving you the chance to immerse yourself in the noise and commotion of the colony. At the fringes, you may see predatory Southern Giant Petrels and South Polar Skuas, as well as Leopard and Wedder seals.

Thrill-seekers will rise to the challenge of scaling blue-ice glaciers—formed millennia ago—or summiting a nunatak during rock-climbing expeditions guided by former world-champion climbers. Antarctica is not just for athletes, however. If ice climbing or abseiling down an ice wall are not on your bucket list, treks and exploration by ski or skidoo give you unprecedented access to this snowy wonderland. And there is enormous peace and serenity to be found in gentle hikes in these pristine surrounds. Listen out for the sounds of silence: from the wail of the wind to the ghostly singing of the vibrating ice shelf or the sharp cracks of breaking sea ice reverberating through the icy air. The Antarctic soundtrack is a phenomenon of its own: curiously compelling and one-hundred-percent natural.

The Antarctic season is short – these camps are accessible only in the southern hemisphere summer months of November to January, so book now.

Given the vagaries of the Antarctic weather, you must be based in Cape Town for at least two days before your scheduled departure date, ready for a weather gap. But who needs an excuse to visit this über-cool city? In Residence by Pieter Brundyn has exclusive-use villas to match the wow factor of Antarctica, albeit for completely different reasons – so speak to us to find your perfect match.

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Zambia: Bushtracks Classic River Safari | Буштракс Замбия

Bushtracks Surfs with Gentle Giants

Bushtracks Classic River Safari offers the chance to see beautiful sights few will ever get to see, as they navigate the scenic and fast-flowing waters of the Zambezi River just above Victoria Falls.  Getting so close to the waterfall is made possible by specially designed jet-propelled boats and skilled boat captains with superb knowledge of local currents and conditions.

In late May, guests aboard the River Safari had a wildlife encounter that encapsulates the unique experience. They viewed a large bull elephant crossing the Zambezi between the islands just 800 metres above the 110-metre drop of Victoria Falls. The sighting highlighted the strength and beauty of both the river’s current and the elephant’s power. Staying at a respectful distance Captain, Misheck skilfully manoeuvred against the current to maintain his position and allow the best viewing.

The elephant's body pushing against the current created a bow wave - with his tusks breaking the crest as he moved forward with incredible power. At times as he negotiated the uneven ground beneath the water it covered his eyes yet he was relaxed, taking time to playfully lower his head and drink from the Zambezi.

The shallow waters and islands directly above the Falls that are visited on the Bushtracks Classic River Safari are an area of great beauty. Birdlife thrives here and hippo, crocodile or elephant may be seen. In fact, it was when describing this area on his approach to the Victoria Falls that Livingstone wrote "The whole scene was extremely beautiful; the banks and islands dotted over the river are adorned with sylvan vegetation of great variety of colour and form…no one can imagine the beauty of the view from any thing witnessed in England. It had never been seen before by European eyes; but scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight."

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South Africa: Cederberg Brewery in Western Cape | Пиво Седерберг Южная Африка

Cederberg Brewery
Western Cape
South Africa

OUR STORY

What started as a hobby grew/brewed into a full-scale Craft Beer revolution. In 2009, our tiny old-school brew house produced 200 liters.

Fast forward a few years and we're brewing 50 x that.

David Niewoudt (winemaker and owner of Cederberg Wines and Brewery) pioneered the venture with a simple goal in mind:

"TO BREW THE BEER WE WANT TO DRINK."

Our brewery is run by a small and passionate team. Current brewmaster Thinus Botha operates with a deep respect for the ingredients + process. Gerrit Smit (also better known as Gert Koevert) heads up the business side of things - and he's not scared "om 'n paar kilometers te skuif nie" (he drives quite a bit).

From Vioolsdrift to America - Cederberg Brewery is committed to bringing you hand-crafted natural beer made with the purest ingredients.

Once exclusive to only a lucky few, this is a lager, so good, so refreshing, and so generous that we just couldn't keep it to ourselves any longer. A masterful blend of crystal clear mountain water and the noblest hops well rested for 3 weeks at a cool zero degrees. Like a well-tuned Pontiac, this medium-bodied lager balances powerful flavour with timeless style: floral notes with a hint of citrus complement its full malty aroma.

Per bottle: 340ml | 4.5% alc.vol

Boggom’s relaxed attitude makes him the more approachable half of the iconic pair. His laid-back and welcoming personality is reflected in the broad appeal of this refreshing and fruity ale with an elegant roasty character, medium-bodied with a sweet malty finish. It’s unmatched drinkability makes it a beer anyone can fall in love with.

Per Bottle: 340ml | 4.5% alc.vol

Following the mantra of living fast and dying young, Voertsek forms the wilder side of the legendary duo. When it comes to having fun, Voertsek doesn’t play around. Such a bold approach to life might not be for everyone, but those that get it always want more. Pleasantly hoppy with floral and citrus aromas with a brilliant dry finish, Voertsek Pale Ale is a full-flavoured beer for the hop lovers, flavour that forces you to confront and consider what you are drinking. 

Per Bottle: 340ml | 6% alc.vol

This beer pays tribute to our charming old 1924 watermill, The Chatterbox, it cheerily chattered as the wheat was scattered evenly, perfectly grinding and crushing the vital ingredients for a weiss beer. A one of a kind weiss! Fruity, banana and yeast aromas with a delicious full-bodied taste from the wheat. A beer worth chattering about.

Per Bottle: 340ml | 5% alc.vol

WHY IS OUR WATER SO SPECIAL?

Since beer is mostly water, it's obvious that the quality of the beer brewed is directly proportional to the quality of water used. At Cederberg Brewery, we only use crystal clear, fresh spring water flowing from the Mountains. It is drawn through many layers of sandstone - filtering impurities and gathering trace minerals en route. We're not claiming that our beer is the best; we're saying our water is and you can do the maths.

In the Heart of the Pristine and unpolluted Cederberg Conservation Area, you'll find our one-of-a-kind Microbrewery. We're based at Cederberg Private Cellar on the Dwarsrivier farm (also Home to the family-owned Sanddrif Holiday Resort offering self-catering accommodation, outdoor activities, and peace and quiet all year round.) 

Our Taproom is situated right above our brewery, where guests are part of the hustle and bustle of the brew.

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Namibia: Lake Oanob Resort special offer | Озеро Оаноб Намибия

Lake Oanob Resort is located around 80 km south of Windhoek, near small town Rehoboth, off main B1 road to the southern Namibia.

Would you like to discover one of the most beautiful and peaceful countryside in the world?

Are you looking for peace and relaxation? If so, the you have chosen the right address to make your dreams come true.

Lake Oanob Resort special:

Lake Oanob Resort project was chosen with the principal of keeping the landscape the way it is. In this wonderful area you can discover one of the most beautiful and quiet places on earth.

Conserving a vanishing way of life. If you've stayed with us, my "kuame" (meaning friend) you've helped to make this dream come true. Lake Oanob Resort offers a range of waterfront accommodation possibilities such as luxurious Chalets, en-suite rooms and campsites.

The Resort is built on the banks of the very scenic Oanob Dam. Majestic mountains are set on fire by spectacular sunsets. From your patio you can see the reflections of the moon and stars on the lake. 6 200 ha of unspoiled nature provides the perfect haven for an abundance of free roaming game.

An a la carte Restaurant and fully licensed bars will make your visit complete and unforgettable.

The Resort provides activities for all age groups and levels of excitement, from water skiing, canoeing and to relaxing sundowners by boat.

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