SPECIAL INTEREST TOURS:
SENSE OF AFRICA offers tours that
appeal to a wide range of interests. Our years of experience,
our attention to detail and quality of leadership combine
to create voyages of discovery not to be forgotten. Highly
experienced and knowledgeable experts guide our specialised
scientific tours such as Botany, Ornithology, Mineralogy,
geology and entomology. Other expertly guided tours consist
of topics such as photography, fishing, education, sports
and even weddings.
Namibia’s incredible ecological, geological and geographical
diversity turn the country into one of the most attractive
destinations on earth. Different climates in different areas
have sculptured the land into vastly diverse landscapes; bird
species in one part of the country had to adapt themselves
completely different to species in another part of the country.
Different terrain provides for different plant life, which
in turn supports different animal species. All these contrasts
again affect the way of peoples lives, in the Caprivi the
locals survive on fishing whereas in Damaraland the locals
herd cattle.
This diversity combined with the expertise, knowledge and
experience of Sense of Africa makes Namibia a fantastic destination
for any special interest tour.
MINERALOGY & GEOLOGY
Namibia is internationally renowned for its wide variety and
high quality gemstones. Although the focus has predominantly
been on the very high quality Namibian Diamonds, the country
also produces other gemstones of superior standard and quality
such as tourmaline, beryl, garnet, topaz, agate, amethyst and
rose quartz. Namibia’s mining sector is the fifth largest
in Africa. A number of minerals are mined in the country, including
arsenic tri-oxide, cadmium, copper, gold, lead, silver, pyrite,
zinc, tin, quartz, lithium, fluorspar, uranium, semi-precious
stones, natural gas and industrial minerals. The mining sector
is the main contributor to Namibia’s GDP.
Geologically speaking, Namibia is undoubtedly one of the most
fascinating countries on earth. Apart from boasting the driest
and oldest desert, the second largest canyon, the highest sand
dunes and the largest iron meteorite, the particularly clear
and revealing rock formations tell a geological story that reaches
from the present day back to the beginning of our planet. Immense
pressure, continental collisions, climatic extremes, ongoing
weathering and erosion, sea-level changes and volcanic eruptions
over millions and billions of years have led to geological fascinations
that leave the geologist stunned for choice of study.
The huge volcanic skeleton of the Erongo Mountains stands in
stark contrast to the deeply eroded and glacier-carved Fish
River Canyon. Exploding continental shifts gave birth to the
Namib Desert, the oldest desert on earth, as well as the formation
of the Kalahari Desert – a massive red ocean of sand that
that stretches over 9 African countries. The deeply eroded valley
of the Ugab Terraces and the steep conglomerate cliffs of the
Sesriem Canyon serve as a geological textbook that reconstructs
the climatic history of each region. It would be impossible
to include all geological phenomena Namibia has to offer in
a single paragraph, we invite you to explore and experience
them by visiting this awesome country. Your guide will teach
you how to see beyond the obvious to the extraordinary, how
to identify and capture the subtle beauty of all you are about
to experience. (Draft itineraries available on request or tailor-made
to suit your preference)
NAMIBIAN AGRICULTURE
Namibia is a desert country - when we talk about agriculture
and an agricultural tour, we refer to livestock farming. Although
Namibian agriculture--excluding fishing--contributes less than
5% of Namibia's GDP, about 70% of the Namibian population depends
on agricultural activities for livelihood. The typical characteristic
of a true Namibian is his love for meat – the livestock
farming we refer to serves to satisfy this purpose. 99% of all
farming procedures concentrate on delivering a high quality,
expertly graded red meat of which about 15 % gets exported to
South Africa and a number of European countries. Our meat has
one of the highest qualities on earth, as chemically treated
plantations are non-existent and farmers are prohibited to use
bone meal and hormones in animal feed. Milk production in Namibia
is minimal; the few dairies in Namibia do however cover the
needs for the local population in the form of cheese, yogurt
and fresh milk. Sheep, goat, and ostrich farming is concentrated
in the more arid southern regions. Experience Southern Namibia
with its colourful grass plains dotted with black herds of Karakul
Sheep – referred to as the “Black Gold” of
Namibia as the pelts of young lambs were rated highly on the
international market for the production of fur coats. The local
inhabitants of the region are dependent on their livestock;
goats and sheep produce meat and milk while donkeys and mules
serve as the engine of donkey carts – also referred to
as the Kalahari Porsche!
Cattle farming is predominant in the wetter central and northern
regions, where German cattle such as Simmentaler, Indian cattle
such as Brahman, French cattle such as the Charolet and British
cattle such as the Jersey have been successfully bred. Cattle
species such as the Simmentaler and the Brahman have been interbred
into Simbra cattle, which produce high quantity high quality
meat. Experience the way of life of the Namibian farmer, probably
one of the most friendly and accommodating persons in Africa,
although his mood is dependent on the annual rainfall! Subsistence
farming is confined to the "communal lands" of the
country's populous north, where roaming cattle herds are prevalent
and the main crops are millet, sorghum, corn, and peanuts. Table
grapes, grown mostly along the Orange River in the country's
arid south, are becoming an increasingly important commercial
crop and a significant employer of seasonal labor. (Draft itineraries
available on request or tailor-made to suit your preference)
BOTANY OF NAMIBIA
The extreme richness and diversity of the Namibian landscapes
ensures an environment for some of the most interesting botanical
species. Due to Namibia’s geographic location, vegetation
types vary from lush riverine areas of the Kavango and Caprivi,
to grasslands, thorn bush savannah, mountain savannah to the
Namib Desert, the driest and oldest desert on earth. This is
a living desert with the fog playing and important factor in
the survival of succulents and other desert adapted vegetation.
High on the list of desert-adapted plants is the Welwitschia
mirabilis, an endemic exhibiting a number of strange characteristics
that no other plant is known for. Over 100 species of Lichen
occur along a short stretch of the Namibian coastline, of which
some belong to the most rare and interesting species in the
world. Over 120 species of trees and 200 endemic plant species
grow in Namibia.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Namibia offers a selection of the finest photographic
opportunities. This land of contrast and beauty is ideally suited
to the professional and amateur photographer alike and the superb
weather conditions provide for excellent light variations. The
visitor can record the unique beauty of the land, its inhabitants,
the vast diversity of wildlife and the abundant nature. Our
guests can travel by land or air and as an integral part of
our service, the photographer tour guide will deliver advice
on the itinerary, film and equipment required for such a tour.
NATURAL HISTORY
Dr. Hu Berry trained as an entomologist and zoologist at Pretoria
University, worked for the South African Bureau of Standards
testing pesticides, and spent 5 years on pest control in the
USA, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. For the past 31 years
Namibia’s previous government and the present Ministry
of Environment and Tourism have employed him as ornithologist,
chief biologist of Etosha National Park and chief biologist
of the Namib-Naukluft Park.
15 years as biologist and chief warden of Etosha enabled Hu
to experience at first hand the life cycles of African wildlife.
Probably, the most memorable part of his career was the investigation
he carried out on the ecology, behaviour and population dynamics
of Etosha’s lions. An offshoot of this work was when he
and a friend, who practices as a gynaecologist, implanted hormonal
contraceptives in a number of lionesses when their numbers became
excessive. Hu will most likely share his “Lioness on the
Pill” experience with you.
Finally, to complete a lifelong career in the conservation of
Namibia’s superb spectrum of wildlife, Hu was responsible
for the Namib Research Institute at Gobabeb, a research station
set in the heart of the unique Namib Desert.
The “Natural History Safari” through Namibia with
Hu will enable you to experience the wildlife and landscapes
of this fascinating part of Africa in the company of a professional
conservationist who is one of the country’s leading authorities
in his field of expertise.
BIRDING
With habitats ranging from the Namib Desert dunes to the coastal
wetlands and vast savannah plains to the floodplains of the
Kavango and Caprivi, Namibia’s birding checklist exceeds
630 species. Heading the list of “mega ticks” are
the 14 endemic and near-endemic species. North Eastern Namibia
counts undoubtedly as one of the most rewarding birding destination
in Southern Africa. The wetlands of Walvis Bay and Sandwich
harbour rank amongst the most important coastal wetlands in
Africa and make for optimal bird watching. The coastal flats
are an important breeding ground of the endangered Damara Tern,
the gravel flats are home to Grey’s Lark while the dune
areas form the habitat of the Dune Lark, Namibia’s only
true endemic bird species.
GOLF
Namibia hosts a number o Golf courses for the experienced
golfer and the novice alike. Windhoek, the capital city of
Namibia, hosts an 18-hole course spread across 6199 meters
of grassed fairways. For the more adventurous the coastal
towns of Walvis Bay and Henties Bay offer soft pitch courses
set amongst dunes and riverbeds. Swakopmund’s golf course
is considered as one of the most attractive golf courses in
Sothern Africa, and belongs to only a few courses on earth
set in a desert environment. In the early mornings and late
afternoons you will be surprised to find herds of Springbok
or Oryx grazing the fairways.
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