Namibian News

22 September 2011 – Save the Rhino Day!
On the 22 September 2011 the world celebrated “ World Rhino Day”! In Namibia, specifically within the Kunene region, SRT – Save the Rhino Trust, has been active in conserving the black rhino population. The black rhino status is unique in the Kunene Region since it offers the highest concentration of black rhino, roaming freely within an area that has not been given a formal conservation status. Conserving the black rhino also had a positive effect on tourism, serving as a tourist highlight which increased the local revenue for the local conservancies. 

Air Namibia has announced that new routes have been incorporated into their flight schedule and on popular routes the flight frequencies have increase.

Establishment & Activity News

Chobe Game Lodge will be closing from 27 November to 09 December 2011 while we carry out an exciting new refurbishment on the foyer and reception. All reservations over this period have been contacted and addressed accordingly.
The design of the refurbishment will refresh the foyer area reflecting the natural surroundings of the iconic Chobe River front and turning that moment of the guest's arrival into an experience in itself.
As well as a full soft refurbishment to the interior and exterior of the foyer, work will be carried out on creating a brand new lounge arrival area around reception, refreshing the Linyanti and Tshwene Bars with new décor and repainting the exterior of the lodge to blend in with the Chobe environment.
Johan Bruwer, General Manager of Chobe Game Lodge, said: "Our focus is on creating the ‘wow' factor for our guests from the moment they step into the lodge. The design and layout will complement the new seamless check-in process and allow our guests to completely relax and soak in the stunning natural surroundings of Chobe Game Lodge and the river front."
"Along with the new look Chobe Game Lodge, we will also be introducing a new elevated viewing boardwalk amongst the trees and look forward to ensuring our guest's experience in the Chobe National Park is a memorable one" We will reopen on the 10th December 2011 and look forward to welcoming our guests.

Erindi – Coco Chanel and the Chocolate Sisters
Henco Bantjes, tells us about the Cheetah project at Erindi Game Reserve, which he has been managing this year.
“ Weird names for a group of four Cheetahs?  You bet – they sure are!  But, courtesy of the Cheetah Conservation Foundation,(CCF), we have a group comprising Chanel, Hershey, Nestle and Toblerone roaming free and able to feed themselves right here on Erindi.  How did it all happen?
Late in 2009, the CCF launched a program of releasing Cheetah into a 4000ha game-fenced camp, (about the size of 35, 000 football fields!), to see whether they could survive on their own. Chanel and the Chocolate Sisters were chosen to pioneer the initiative because of their close bond, their feisty attitude and the fact that they were all good runners in excellent health.  Fitted with VHF radio collars so that the researchers could keep track of them once they were running free, the four were finally released in September, 2010.  They were given an Oryx carcass to provide the necessary strength for them to start fending for themselves.  Within the first week Chanel hunted and brought down two fully-grown Oryx, but despite delivering a bite to their necks, was unable to complete the kill. The rest of the chocolate box seemed reluctant to help their elder sister and after they had been without food for seven days, the four were given a small snack of two Hartebeest legs to keep them going, but also to leave them a little hungry. The very next day Chanel killed a sub-adult male Oryx all on her own. Since that day, they were independent and hunted as a group. In the space of 118 days in the CCF camp, they made a total of 63 kills, including Oryx, Eland, Kudu, Steenbuck, Red Hartebeest, Zebra, Duiker and Scrub Hare.
On 7 January, 2011, the four were transported to Erindi and set free on our massive 79,000ha estate. Managing this rehabilitation project has been one of the most informative and rewarding experiences of my professional career in the wild. A few weeks ago, the Chocolate Sisters hunted and brought down a Springbok within viewing distance of the deck at Erindi’s main lodge.

Camel Activities at Twyfelfontein Country Lodge ( Image: Twyfelfontein Country Lodge )
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.

In Pictures