NAMIBIA - A timeless adventure

Namibia has a timeless appeal for all those that live here, engendering a passion beyond logical reasoning, and a yearning to share this awesome land with others. It also time and again grows on travellers - even explorers found themselves drawn to return in spite of all they had suffered. Before long, the spell of the country holds the traveller, and he can never forget what he has experienced and seen. With nostalgia he will always recall the awesome, haunting soulfulness of the desert, the vast expanses of the south and the red dune belts of the Kalahari Desert.

The surreal palette of colours of the monumental dunes against white dust earth reaching into the blue sky at Sossusvlei always remain the entrepid photographer’s dream, where the amateur looks professional. The rolling savannah of the central plateau & the wild bush country stretches north towards the Okavango where the country mystically unravels into lush rainforests adorning the banks of raging rivers. The country is liberating in its harsh natural beauty, which will inspire your senses and captivate your soul.

Yellow Fever Vaccinations - as of 20 July 2011 - continued for 2012

The South African Department of Health (DoH) informed that there is no change to the current policy regarding yellow fever vaccination requirements for travel between RSA and Zambia. The Department of Health would like to make it very clear that proof of yellow fever vaccination is not a requirement for travel at RSA ports of entry or exit for passengers from Zambia.

In order to best service your clients and passengers, stay up to date with the current rulings and for the latest information available, please refer to the Department of Health website (www.doh.gov.za).

If there are any changes to the policy, tsi (Tourism Safety Initiative) will also inform all relevant stakeholders accordingly.

Vaccinations are available in Livingstone, Zambia and in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe but it is advisable to obtain one before hand.

Establishment, Adventure & Activity News

Below is an update on your Namibia suppliers; that are undergoing refurbishment and which may be closed for certain period this season, as well as new properties or products soon to opening in Namibia.

Should you have any further queries or require further information please contact us on info(at)sense-of-africa.com.na .

Windhoek Region
Protea Hotel Thuringerhof will now be managing The Ivy Grill House.

Namib Desert Region
Rostock Ritz no longer has an office in Windhoek but will operate entirely from the lodge.

Swakopmund Region
Hotel Europahof will be repainting the outside of the building and doing minor renovations to the conference room. There will be no inconvenience to guests.

Kaokoland Region
Khowarib Lodge has DBB Summer specials from 01st November 2011 till 30th April 2012.

Damaraland Region
Brandberg White Lady Lodge are proud to announce that they have a new exciting activity! They have introduced Hot Air Balloon Safaris to their list of activities. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you are interested. We will gladly supply you with more details.

Outjo Region
Namatubis Game Lodge, previously Namatubis Guest Farm, will stop operating from 7 December 2011.

Etosha Region
Etosha Village offers further "linger longer" specials on a DBB basis.

Otjiwarongo Region
Waterberg Guest Farm offers lunch only from 12h00 till 13h00. The kitchen is closed from 14h00 till 16h00.

Caprivi Region
Camp Kwando is going totally eco and installing solar water geysers. Two additional luxury chalets will be built and completed by early 2012. They will also be replacing all the open-air bathrooms with roofed ones. They also have a double decker aluminum platoon boat which can take 20 passengers at one time on the Kwando river.

The Impalila Island Lodge landing strip will be closed from 1 November to end April/May 2012 due to the rainy season, so flights will be landing at Kasane Airport instead.

The Namushasha Country Lodge airstrip in Caprivi has been reopened.

Namibia Country Lodges asks charter operators to contact the head office before making use of the airstrip so that the lodge can be given all the necessary information before arrival.

Fish River Canyon
Open from 01st May to 15th September each year, unless otherwise advised.

Tok Tokkie Camping
Open from 14th February to 15th December each year, unless otherwise advised.

Guesthouse Terra Africa – Windhoek
Upgrades and additions begin as of Nov/Dec 2011 and will continue until October 2012. Rooms will be completed one at a time with little disruptions to operations.

Erindi Game Reserve – Okahandja
Prefers not to allow children under 12 in the Superior and VIP rooms at Erindi. This is due to the fact that the rooms are built on the dam wall about 1.5m from the electrical fence and the edge of the dam where the veranda begins. These rooms are most suitable for honeymooners or couples only.

Büllsport Guestfarm - Sesriem
Update on facilities and activities:
One can spot black rhino while hiking either the zebra trail or the Quiver tree trail. Renovations are complete to the large glassed dining room and lounge area. Additionally feature 6 new luxury rooms to the existing 8 standard rooms.
Buellsport also offers horse riding from beginners to advanced.

Kulala Desert Lodge - Sossusvlei
Will add 6 new rooms (5 twins & 1 family) in early 2012.
The main area will be enlarged and remodelled. The lodge will be closed from 15 January to 14 April 2012 inclusive.

Mountain Homestead – Sossusvlei
Will be officially closing from 30th November 2011.
They shall endeavour to assist with the moving of the bookings that we currently at Mountain Homestead from the 01st of December 2011 onwards to Desert Homestead should there be availability.  
Thus please also note that this property is no longer offered with our Free and Easy vouchers.

Camel Activities at Twyfelfontein Country Lodge – Twyfelfontein
The scenic Twyfelfontein area with its historic rock engravings, volcanic and sandstone geology, panoramic vistas, endemic fauna & flora offer guests the ideal opportunity to explore the area on the back of a camel. No fences and unlimited space allow the camels to walk in any direction, leaving a light footprint without any noise or pollution to the environment.

Our camels are based at the Aba-Huab campsite from where guests can participate on a variety of activities Short rides: Customers get a first impression of riding a camel. They learn how to mount a camel, hear some facts about their adaptation in the desert and what efficient, comfortable animals they are to ride.

Adam & Eve Excursion: Guests can see amazing rock art on a very exclusive route by following old sand stone formations, impressive mountains and over wide open plains. This route is off the beaten track and far from the normal tourist path, its pure adventure with a possibility of encountering Desert Elephant!!

Afternoon Sundowner Ride: Guests get the basics on camel riding. They have the chance to observe wildlife from a very different position. The ride starts from the Aba Huab Campsite and follows the riverbed while exploring the dry Aba-Huab River valley in full view of the Etendeka Mountain range stretching across magnificent vistas. Break for an ice cold drink on a hill from where you can marvel at the stunning scenery before returning.

Okahirongo Elephant Lodge - Kaokoland
Will be closed from Sunday 12th  February till Sunday 11th March 2012, for maintenance and staff annual leave.

Okahirongo River Camp – Kaokoland
Will be closed from Sunday 29th January till Sunday 11th March 2012, due to the very hot period at that time of the year.

Hobatere Lodge, Kamanjab - Closure
Closed until further notice.

Dolomite Camp - Western Etosha National Park
Brand New Namibia Wildlife Resort. (NWR)

Entrance to Dolomite Camp either via Galton Gate, which is west of Etosha or alternatively Okaukuejo Gate.

When entering Galton Gate - clients will need to provide their reservation number for Dolomite Camp, however permit fees will need to be paid at Okaukuejo when exiting Etosha National Park.

Futhermore please take note on departing times, as Okaukuejo to Dolomite camp, is close to 200km, which is about 4 hours of driving time at 60km speed, which is stipulated by the park rules.

During winter time, clients leaving both camps, should not leave after 13h00 and in summer time leave no later than 14h00.

Kindly find information below about the payment of Park Entrance Fees for Dolomite Camp.

As from end June 2011, MET has set up a revenue collection center at Otjovazandu MET office, 7km from the Galton Gate.

Clients entering via Galton Gate can now obtain their permit  right at Otjovazandu -Ministry of Enivironment and Tourism - office. Clients entering and exiting Galton Gate, can pay at Otjovazandu MET office and no need to go to Okaukuejo anymore. Their permit will be official stamped upon payment at MET office as well as at Dolomite Camp on arrival to indicate that they are staying there (there is a special stamp designed for that specific purpose).  Clients must make sure that their permit is stamp by both MET and Dolomite camp.

Mushara Outpost – Etosha
Will be closed from 01.02.2012 till 29.02.2012 (inclusive)

Mowani Mountain Camp
Mowani Mountain camp is closed till 16 March 2012 for major renovations and improvements. All bookings are being accomodated at Camp Kipwe.