Namibia: new lodge is planned for Mangetti National Park | Новый лодж в парке Мангетти, Намибия

Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism is preparing for the establishment of a bush lodge in the recently opened Mangetti National Park, with the aim of reducing poverty among the neighbouring local communities.
“We envisage the project to be completed at least in two years from now,” chief public relations officer of the MET, Romeo Muyunda elaborated. Renowned for its natural beauty, the MNP was formally opened to tourists and the general public on 10 October 2014 since it was first fenced off in 1973.
“It is known for its typical savanna landscape, abundant biodiversity and a range of ecosystems and hosts a variety of large mammals,” Minister of Environment and Tourism, Uahekua Herunga, added.
Predators such as leopards, hyenas and the extremely rare and endangered wild dog can also be found at the park.
Herunga also added that thus far, the Mangetti National Park has collected more than N$1,1 million from trophy hunting in the park since its proclamation. The park continues to generate around N$900 000 annually in respect of promoting awareness on illegal poaching and hunting.
“Half of the amount collected is given to the surrounding communities for their wellbeing, while the other half is placed in the ministry’s game trust fund for future usage for upgrading of conservancies and security procedures,” Muyunda added.
The park operates on a daily basis where visitors can come from sunrise to sunset. A park ranger will be present at the gates to inform visitors on entry fees and regulations to be followed while in the park.

South Africa: 2014 Champion of Champions Cast-for-Cash event

The 2014 Champion of Champions Cast-for-Cash event will be held from 24-26 October 2014 at Roodekopjes Dam.  
The event includes all the top Cast for Cash teams from Limpopo, Gauteng and Mpumulanga over the past 10 months.

Namibia: Namibia Wildlife Resorts' website goes live

State hospitality parastatal group Namibia Wildlife Resorts, running all resorts in Namibia's national parks, announced that their new and improved website goes live.
NWR Corporate Communications and Online Media Manager Mufaro Nesongano announced the development recently.

Namibia: Sossus Oasis Camp site | Соссус Оазис кемпинг, Намибия

One of the most popular camping spots near famous Sossusvlei - Sossus Oasis!

Namibia's Minister: sustainable and controlled hunting will continue

Namibian Minister of Environment and Tourism, Uahekua Herunga, reiterated country's commitment to the sustainable and regulated utilization of wildlife, in the face of recent calls by a number of international organizations to ban hunting.
This was announced during the 12th Conference of the Parties (COP 12) currently underway in Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea.

Okavango River near Rundu, Namibia - photo gallery | Река Окаванго, Рунду, Намибия

Namibia, Rundu: go ahead for floating bridge's construction

The construction of the controversial floating bridge by the Angolan government over the shared Okavango River will go ahead as planned.
The construction of the bridge started in June this year, but was put on hold in July after some Rundu residents and tourism operators expressed concern over the construction of the bridge.

It caused an uproar amongst residents and tourism operators at Rundu, who said that once finished, the bridge would obstruct the free movement of boats and other water transportation on that river.

The 250-metre long bridge is aimed at making it easier for people to move to and from the two countries.

On the Namibian side, the bridge will anchor at Rundu, while it will anchor at Calai in southern Angola.

However, there is no opening on the bridge to allow for traffic on the river such as fishing boats and canoes, or for the movement of big animals such as hippos.

Angola's deputy governor for Economics in the Cuando-Cubango province, Ernesto Fernando and a number of delegates from Minonge on Wednesday visited the floating bridge.

Fernando told reporters soon after touring the bridge that its construction will go ahead, adding that the Angolan government is financing it for an undisclosed amount.

The Cuando-Cubano deputy governor explained that the bridge is temporary, and a permanent bridge is still to be built. He added that it is expected to increase trade and investment between the two countries, especially between the town of Rundu and the Calai municipality of Angola.

“We need to improve our relationship in terms of cooperation, and this bridge will facilitate that in terms of the movement of goods as well as services between the two countries,” he said.

Okavango River near Rundu, Namibia

Himbas at Epupa Falls, Namibia (photos) - Племя Химба, Намибия - фото

Namibia is opening new markets for its beef in China and Russia

Namibia sent a small consignment of beef to Russia and the two countries are completing veterinary clearance steps before fully fledged exports begin, Calle Schlettwein, Trade and Industry Minister, said by phone in the capital, Windhoek, on Oct. 13. China has cleared Namibia to start beef exports, after completing health inspections, he said.

Namibia: copper exploration plans in Bwabwata National Park

Rio Tinto, that owns Rossing Uranium mine, plans exploration activities for copper in Kavango East.

The exploration will be done in the Bwabwata National Park and the Maduva Nyangana and Shamungwa Communal Conservancies in Kavango East.

The company is currently conducting public consultations with all parties that will be affected by the exploration.

Documents showed that Rio Tinto Mining & Exploration has applied for six base metal Exclusive Prospecting Licences (EPLs) in February and June this year.

Rio Tinto has also entered a joint venture agreement with H Sands in August in terms of EPL 4934.

The planned exploration activities for the various EPLs are subject to an Environmental Clearance (EC) application as required by the Environmental Management Act.

Four EPLs located outside the Bwabwata National Park (BNP) will be jointly assessed during the EIA, while EPLs 5607 and 5608 will be grouped and assessed in a separate EIA, since they fall within a national park.

"Mitigation measures will be recommended for the negative impacts while positive impacts will be enhanced," Rio Tinto says.

The landscape of the area is predominantly flat, with gentle rolling hills dipping towards the Okavango River in the north.

"The objective of the planned exploration is to identify any base metal deposits which are viable for commercial mining, while the EIA will aim to identify sensitive environmental features that might be affected by such activities," Rio Tinto said.

All water required for exploration activities will be obtained from existing boreholes, or approved water sources, through water extraction permits.

Some of the possible negative impacts identified in the documents are soil and water contamination and disturbances and flora and fauna destruction caused by track creation and drilling.

"While some of these impacts are general for all exploration activities, others depend on the exact target area and its sensitivities," Rio Tinto said.