Namibia: Etosha National Park: Condition of roads is being addressed

Etosha National Park: Condition of roads is being addressed

The Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism announced on 29 October 2024 that the condition of roads in the Etosha National Park is being addressed as matter of urgency. According to the Ministry, the deterioration of the road between Okaukuejo and Namutoni, for instance, is impacted by large traffic volumes. This leads to loss of gravel, severe corrugations, potholes and drainage problems. As an immediate remedy, three graders have been deployed to blade the roads between Halali and Namutoni, Okaukuejo and Halali as well as between Namutoni and King Nehale Gate. The Ministry anticipates that this intervention will improve the road condition in the specified sections within a period of two weeks. Furthermore, the roads from Okaukuejo, Halali, Namutoni to King Nehale Gate will soon be upgraded from gravel to low-seal volume (tarred road).

While the road situation in Etosha National Park is being addressed, the Ministry encourages visitors to consider alternative routes from Okaukuejo to Halali via Gemsbokvlagte, Olifantsbad and Aus for a better travel experience.

Since 2018, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has successfully rehabilitated the western section of the tourist road between Okaukuejo and Galton Gate, completing over 200 kilometers of road upgrade by March 2024.

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Namibia: Ongava - World Rhino Day plea

Ongava Game Reserve - a black rhino in Etosha National Park

With the uptick in rhino poaching earlier this year the Etosha National Park authorities approached WWF Namibia to assist with raising emergency donations to bolster their wildlife protection initiatives. In turn, WWF Namibia asked Ongava to help spread the message: we'll appreciate if you can you help pass on this urgent plea Save the iconic black rhino to your audience before World Rhino Day.

How you can help

WWF is trying to raise US$250,000 by World Rhino Day—September 22—to fund an emergency response. We’re working closely with the Namibian government and other partners to put in place an urgent antipoaching plan in Etosha National Park. This includes training a sniffer dog unit to track poachers, building housing for elite rangers (known as the Wildlife Protection Service), and creating a horse patrol unit to help rangers monitor the park’s remote areas. We need your help to make it happen. 

Will you join us in protecting critically endangered black rhinos before it’s too late?

You can help save rhinos today by making a donation to our emergency antipoaching campaign. 100% of your donation will go directly to fund antipoaching efforts in Namibia, and every dollar will be matched by an anonymous donor (up to $250,000).

NATURE FIRST 30

We’re equally as excited and energised as we were back in 1993 to continue providing the circumstances for nature to thrive and prosper for the next 30 years. And the 30 that follow. And so on, ad infinitum. With thanks to your support. Nature First.

Rob Moffett

Ongava Game Reserve

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Namibia: Mushara Lodge Etosha National Park | Мушара Лодж Намибия

Mushara Lodge, located a mere 8 km from the Von Lindequist Gate on the eastern outskirts of the Etosha National Park, is ideally situated for travellers visiting famous Namibian game reserve. Our Lodge consists of ten spacious chalets, one family unit, a triple room two single rooms. The name Mushara derives from the Purple Pod Terminalia tree, which grows in abundance in the lodge grounds and the surrounding area. The thatched public area consists of a small library with a selection of good books, a bar with an extensive wine cellar, airy lounge with welcoming fireplace for winter evenings, a dining area and well stocked curio shop. Great attention has been paid to the décor, which is an eclectic blend of traditional African and modern art works combined with original paintings.

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Namibia: Coronavirus COVID-19 chronicles: Ongava Camps closure

19 March 2020
  
Ongava camps closure April - June 2020

To our guests and valued partners,

For many years our business is built on warm hospitality and memorable wildlife experiences which is at odds with social distancing, a key defense in the global efforts to counter the Coronavirus pandemic:
  
° Public health measures can slow the transmission and spread of infectious diseases. These measures can take the form of personal protective, environmental, social distancing, and travel related interventions.”
  
° Social Distancing saved thousands of lives both during the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 and, more recently, in Mexico City during the 2009 flu pandemic.”

By being part of the solution, we hope to accelerate the passage of the contagion in order to rapidly recover post-pandemic. In line with the science, Ongava will discontinue hospitality operations up to June 30th, 2020. Remaining bookings will be accommodated up to 31 March. Our Reservations office will be in contact with bookings affected by camp closure commencing April 1st, guests:
  
° are encouraged to select new dates with our no-fee change / no annual rate increase offer through to 31st of December 2021. As per Ongava communication March 16th, 2020 this offer extends universally to all our partner Naturally Namibia properties, including Namib Sky Balloon Safaris, or,
  
° cancel, and be fully refunded.

The sooner we can work together to get this contagion behind us the sooner we can resume normal service. Our focus is on the well-being of our families, our colleagues and our fellow citizens. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience our decision may create for our guests and partners.

Take Care,
Rob, Abigail, Stuart and Karin for The Ongava Team

Namibia: Mokuti Etosha Lodge | Мокути Лодж Намибия

#MokutiEtoshaLodge #Namibia #Africa #OLLeisure #Windhoek #Tsumeb #safari #EtoshaNationalPark #Big5 #МокутиЛодж #Намибия

O&L LEISURE TODAY - 2019

Being one of the most beloved lodges in the Etosha area, Mokuti Etosha Lodge, can now look forward to a major and very exciting upgrade.

The Mokuti Refurbishment seeks to modernize the public areas of the Lodge ensuring a balance between a classic and rustic safari look that introduces elements of Namibian culture and as well as Etosha –being the ideal safari destination to all visitors to Namibia.

Please check back again in the near future for full details on the upgrade.

Very exciting times to come!

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Gondwana update: Etosha King Nehale Lodge

#Namibia #EtoshaNationalPark #EtoshaKingNehaleLodge #Africa #Namutoni #Okaukuejo #Halali

Product Update
Dear partners and friends, get a first impression of our unique guest chalets at Etosha King Nehale.

Etosha King Nehale: First impression of the interior design

Only 254 days until the opening of Etosha King Nehale, and we are proud to offer you the first glimpse at our modern, spacious guest rooms reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the area.

The natural wonders of Etosha National Park are only a stone's throw away. Experience the peace and tranquility of this legendary animal kingdom at our exclusive water hole in the Park, which is not frequented by other visitors.

Etosha King Nehale is located one kilometre from the north-eastern King Nehale Gate and an hour's drive (48 km) from Namutoni. To the north, the lodge is surrounded by the pulsating life of the communal areas in Owamboland.

Etosha King Nehale will open its doors on 1 May 2020.

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Namibia: Etosha Roadside Camp

#Namibia #EtoshaRoadsideCamp #Kamanjab #GaltonGate #EtoshaNationalPark #wildlife

Etosha Roadside Camp

Location: 69 km or 40 minutes drive north-west of Kamanjab, Namibia

Situated 69 km from of Kamanjab, off the road C35, half a kilometer north of Galton Gate of the Etosha National Park. The camp consists of 6 sites of which one is a group site. Ablutions are tucked in between the granite boulders. Wood boilers (donkey) provide hot water to the showers and flush toilets are provided. No electricity is available. This campsite is situated in a wilderness area with wild animals roaming free. The campsites are not fenced off and care should be taken, especially at night since predators may lurk in the dark.

Within walking distance from the campsite is a view deck over an animal drinking hole.

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Namibia: Olupale Lodge

#Namibia #EtoshaNationalPark #OlupaleLodge #Tsumeb #Africa

New luxury lodge to be built in Namibia

A new luxury lodge, Olupale Lodge, is set to be constructed at the beginning of 2019 near Namibia’s iconic Etosha National Park.

The lodge is expected to be opened at the end of 2019 and will offer 30 standard 4-star rooms as well as ten luxury 5-star units.

Facilities will include a restaurant, a rim-flow swimming pool with a sunbathing deck, open-air seating and pool bar as well as a lounge. Activities will include cultural experiences, game drives into the Etosha National Park and horseback safaris.

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Namibia: new lodge in Iipumbu ya Tshilongo Conservancy

#IipumbuYaTshilongoConservancy #newlodge #Nuvella #OlupaleLodge #EtoshaNationalPark #Oshivambo

Iipumbu ya Tshilongo Conservancy

The Ministry of Environment and Nuvella Development Marketing Management have signed a 25-year lease contract with the Iipumbu ya Tshilongo Conservancy for construction of a N$40 million lodge in the conservancy.

Construction of the lodge, to be called Olupale Lodge, is expected to take place at the beginning of 2019.
Olupale, an Oshiwambo noun, refers to the central meeting fire place of a homestead where tales and culture often take center stage.

The lodge is to be constructed on the same basic principles of a homestead.
It will be situated near the northern boundary of Etosha National Park and it will cover 70 000 hectares during construction of 40 key lounges in traditional style, which will be designed with wooden decks, canvas tents covered in wooden sticks on the sides and with palm leaves on the roofs in an upper three market with four finishes, the owners say.

The aim of the concession is for the concessionaire to attract quality private-sector investment in the concession area, with the objective of developing and operating the concession to its optimal potential and thus contributing to conservation and poverty alleviation within the local community.
The aim is to create a unique product that has not been introduced into the Namibian market as such, an Oshivambo village experience, and this would be the unique selling point of the lodge.

The design concept will be similar to that of Lesedi Cultural Village and Shakaland in South Africa. Having a lodge in the area will create a demand for various products, such as uniforms, fresh produce, meat, arts and crafts which can be supplied to the lodge by the local community.

The lodge will cater for all the basic needs of guests including restaurant, bar, pool, laundry service, activities and curio shop.
A visit to a local cultural village which is a newly erected village in the traditional style, including the staff accommodation will give guests a unique Namibian experience of the Oshiwambo culture.

This area has a rich heritage in artisan products, including jewelry and wooden products and we feel that visitors, whether they are Namibian, Southern African or international will be fascinated and charmed to see the skills in making of these products and to have the opportunity to purchase these, either for their own use or for gifts.

Chairperson of the Iipumbu ya Tshilongo Conservancy, Kamati Joseph emphasised the agreement must be honoured especially that the lodge must not be transferred to the conservancy and it must not be sold to any other person before the expiry date of the agreement.

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Namibia: Gondwana Collection new lodge

#Namibia #KingNehaleConservancy #GondwanaCollection #EtoshaNationalPark #Africa #NehalelyaMpingana #OndongaTraditionalAuthority #Owambo

Gondwana and the King Nehale Conservancy Join Forces

Exciting developments are afoot, as the Gondwana Collection Namibia signed a Joint Venture Agreement with the King Nehale Conservancy on 28 June 2018. The agreement will allow Gondwana to develop and construct a new lodge within the Conservancy, about 5 km north of the King Nehale Gate to the Etosha National Park. The envisioned lodge will host 40 rooms, which will pay homage to the rich cultural heritage of the area. Furthermore, it enables the conservancy to generate an additional income.

“We at Gondwana are extremely humbled and excited about this opportunity. Etosha, together with our traversing rights into exclusive parts of Etosha, will remain the anchor of this lodge,” says Gys Joubert, Managing Director of the Gondwana Collection. “This location also affords us the opportunity to open up the wonderful tourism potential of the four O regions. The modern traveller wants to experience and interact with the local cultures and we hope to play our part, together with the local communities, to explore this last frontier of Namibian tourism.”

The King Nehale Conservancy is situated along the northern border of the Etosha National Park. To the north, the conservancy is surrounded by the pulsating life of the communal areas of the Oshikoto, Oshana, Ohangwena and Omusati Regions. The new Gondwana lodge gives guests the opportunity to combine the natural wonders of Etosha with the cultural vibrancy of the Owambo people. Construction is scheduled to commence towards the end of the year.

The King Nehale Conservancy was registered in September 2005 and has been named after the late Nehale lya Mpingana, King of the Ondonga Traditional Authority. The area is characterised by vast and spectacular landscapes including the Andoni Plains, artesian springs and woodlands. Guests will experience antelope grazing amongst cattle and abundant birdlife attracted by diverse habitats.

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Namibia: news from Taleni Etosha Village | Талени Этоша Виледж Намибия

#TaleniEtoshaVillage
#TaleniNamibia

Just a quick update - exciting developments at Taleni Etosha Village!

As you all know our beautiful Etosha Village has now been fully renovated and due to popular demand we have added another five rooms. This will hopefully slightly relieve availability concerns and now brings us to a total of 45 rooms.

The 45 individual luxurious rooms are uniquely positioned amid an indigenous Mopane forest, ensuring maximum privacy and tranquillity.

Each unit offers a spacious air-conditioned bedroom and a modern en-suite bathroom with shower. Room amenities include a fridge, coffee- and tea making facilities, electronic safe, as well as a sleeper couch where 2 small children (under 12 years) can be accommodated when sharing with 2 full paying adults.

The patio and outside seating area creates an ideal space to sit back, relax and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you.

The Restaurant and Bar Area boasts a fresh new look that complements our legendary Taleni buffets.

We have added an on-site activity information centre where our in-house guests can enquire about and book our various activities offered.

From 01 November 2016 we shall discontinue our afternoon game drives into the National Park because guest feedback indicates that our Half Day Morning Game Drives and Full Day Game Drives are most popular with the best record of great wildlife sightings.

We have an exciting new activity to further complement our current collection:

Our NEW sunrise nature walk takes place along a beautiful footpath winding through the lush Mopane Forest where wildlife is abundant but at times invisible to the untrained eye. Our knowledgeable guide will focus on the small things often missed - Tracks left by the many mysterious nocturnal creatures, an introduction to our indigenous tree species and local wildlife. We’ll spend some time at our delta hide where nature will completely surround you.
Includes: Still Water, Coffee and Rusks.

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Namibia: satellite image of Etosha's salt pan | Спутниковое фото парка Этоша в Намибии

#EtoshaSaltPanImage
#EtoshaParkSatelliteImage

The most prominent feature is the Etosha salt pan. It is believed that a lake was first formed tens of millions of years ago. More recently – mere thousands of years ago – the Kunene River would have flowed through this area, filling the large lake before tectonic movement changed the river course. The lake then dried up, leaving behind some 4800 sq km of exposed minerals.

Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2015], processed by ESA

Today only the Ekuma River, seen flowing down from the upper left, feeds water into the pan – but very little water actually flows in as it seeps into the riverbed.

Part of the wider Etosha National Park, the pan is a designated Ramsar wetland of international importance. It is the only known mass breeding ground for flamingos in Namibia, seeing as many as one million flamingos at a time during the wet season when rain water forms pools in parts of the pan.

Built-up mounds of clay and salt throughout the pan also draw animals who use them as salt licks. Animals including lions, elephants, leopards and even black rhinoceroses can be seen in the park.

The name 'Etosha' means 'great white place' in the language of the local Ovambo tribe – and looking at the image we understand why.

The straight lines cutting across the image are roads, and the one on the right side clearly delineates the border of the protected park to the south. On the northern side of the road, we can see agricultural structures.

Provided by: European Space Agency

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Namibia: Tsumeb Museum video | Музей в Цумебе, Намибия

#NamibiaTsumeb
#TsumebMuseumVideo
#TsumebMuseumNamibia

Visit to Tsumeb Museum in mining town Tsumeb, northern Namibia

Tsumeb Museum is located on Main Street next to the Lutheran Church, facing the park and houses excellent displays of the area's rare minerals and mining history, as well as Bushmen and Himba artifacts and details the history of the German colonial forces in the area.

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Namibia: La Rochelle Lodge presentation | Ла Рошель Лодж Намибия

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#LaRochelleLodgeNews
#ЛаРошельЛоджНамибия

Rochelle Lodge Namibia join the Weavers Portfolio

La Rochelle Lodge is located slightly east from Etosha on the B15 / M75 road, 45 km north from Tsumeb amidst majestic fig trees, lush gardens and meandering fresh water springs, a fine complement of Luxury and Private accommodation. Everything about this establishment disseminates its opulent offering from the moment you arrive. Personal hosting and optimum relaxation is the focus at La Rochelle. Its not only a destination but a venue with potential considering its location. They are well versed at arranging intimate wedding ceremonies and hosting small corporate functions or breakaways on request.
 

Both the morning and afternoon game drives are engaging with superb views of picturesque waterholes, varied flora and abundant game and bird life.
The reserve can also be explored on foot while accompanied by one of the resident guides. Children from 12 years and above may join.
Etosha National Park is in easy reach via the D3001 district road that turns west before reaching Tsintsabis.

Accommodation configuration: 
Luxury thatched chalets each with adjoining deck overlooks the gorgeous landscape (Inclusive of Air-Con, DSTV, MiniBar & Bathroom amenities)
6 Double Rooms
2 Single Rooms
Family Room 1 - with 1 Dbl bed & 1 Single bed
Family Room 2 - with 1 Dbl bed & 2 Single bed
          

Private Villa - (Inclusive of all meals & selected drinks & one Game drive)
The Villa is sold at an exclusive rate per night for exclusive use only
Three Queen size Dbl Rooms (Two of the double rooms each have an inter-leading room with two single beds, ideal for children or friends sharing).

Weavers

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