Namibia: Wolwedans Collection Joins Naturally Namibia Family

Welcoming Wolwedans Collection to the Naturally Namibia Family

Naturally Namibia is delighted and proud to announce the newest addition to our family – the Wolwedans Collection.

At the core of Naturally Namibia’s values lies our dedication to providing unparalleled guest experiences, contributing to nature conservation efforts, and actively engaging with local communities.

While each partner within Naturally Namibia boasts its unique charm and character, we all share a personal commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences. Ongava Nature Reserve and AfriCat have earned international recognition for their outstanding contributions to nature conservation. Simultaneously, Namib Sky Balloon Safaris and Etendeka have excelled in community involvement, with the Namib Sky Community School being a project very close to our hearts.

Wolwedans Collection, nestled within the NamibRand Nature Reserve, excels in all these components of Naturally Namibia’s ethos.

The alignment of Naturally Namibia’s ethos with Wolwedans might not be a coincidence, as Stephan Brückner was involved in founding Naturally Namibia and shaping its ethos – a lesser-known fact, perhaps.

A visionary leader in the Namibian Tourism industry, Stephan Brückner continues the remarkable legacy of the late Albie Brückner, the founder of the NamibRand Nature Reserve. Today, still under Stephan’s management, Wolwedans comprises five tourism properties, an active Foundation, and the Desert Academy – all carried by a bracing, forward-looking, holistic, and, at times, what some people would call a radical vision, themed “The AridEden Project”. In pursuit of the enduring objective to safeguard the Pro-Namib for generations to come, Wolwedans declares, “We strive to shift away from the passively consumptive tourism paradigm of the past and instead aspire towards a more engaged, active, and participative mode of travel – curated by a diverse array of experiences and activities that nurture the head, hand, and heart.”

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Namibia: Astonishing facts about Dead Vlei

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.

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Namibia: Strong east winds trash Namibian coastline

Strong east winds in Namibia, southern Africa

Strong east winds trash Namibian coastline causing damage

Several coastal businesses closed their doors for the day as residents were smothered in dust in the midst of the strong eastern sand storm. The east winds, also called "Berg winds" ("Mountain winds") reached gale force on 27 June 2022 at around 8:00.

Coastal residents are advised to remain vigilant to the possibility of downed trees and other debris affecting homes and property as the east wind continues to batter towns along the coastline.

The strong winds swept sand into the air, causing low visibility and sand heaps on coastal highways.

Winds of 60 km/hour with gusts of 90 km/hour pummeled the coastline throughout the morning, causing uprooted trees, broken tree branches, and caused the mooring of a boat to break at Lüderitz, washing the vessel onto the rocks.

The inside of the Platz-am-Meer Mall at Swakopmund was left covered in sand.

Gale force winds are winds stronger than a strong breeze; specifically a wind of 50 - 100 km/hour, corresponding to force numbers 7 to 10 on the Beaufort wind force, a descriptive table that depicts the force of wind by a series of numbers from 0 to 12.

Strong east wind conditions and high temperatures reaching over 30 degrees Celsius are  expected to continue throughout the next three days.

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South Africa: Maitland Beach in Eastern Cape

Magnificent Maitland

Just 30 km to the west of Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape you’ll find the magnificent dunes and golden sands of Maitland Beach.

Situated at the mouth of the Maitland River, the beach borders on to the Maitlands Nature Reserve. This area was once the property of the Maitlands Lead Mines, but is now a thriving forest reserve with towering yellowwood trees and protected milkwoods.

The 125 ha forest provides refuge to several small buck, and dozens of bird species, including the Knysna lourie and the paradise flycatcher. The small section of coastal forest can be explored from various short circular hiking trails ranging in length from 3 km to 9 km.

Trails begin at the old wagon trail and lead through a variety of biomes, primarily dune vegetation and coastal forest. Nature at its finest.

Великолепный Мейтленд

Всего в 30 км к западу от Порт-Элизабет, Восточный Кейп, находятся великолепные дюны и золотые пески пляжа Мейтленд.

Расположенный в устье реки Мейтленд, пляж граничит с заповедником Мейтлендс. Этот район когда-то был собственностью компании владельца свинцовых рудников Мейтленда, но теперь это процветающий лесной заповедник с высокими деревьями желтого дерева и охраняемыми молочными деревьями.

Лес площадью 125 га является убежищем для нескольких мелких оленей и десятков видов птиц, в том числе лурье и райской мухоловки.

Небольшой участок прибрежного леса можно исследовать по различным коротким кольцевым пешеходным тропам длиной от 3 до 9 км. Маршруты ведут через разнообразные биомы, в первую очередь дюнную растительность и прибрежный лес.

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