An Exquisite Blend of Flavors

Our Namibian Wines - Neuras Winery

Naankuse Wine and Wildlife Estate is an oasis on the edge of the Namibian desert and singular in the world for its combination of wine production and landscape conservation.

N/a'ankuse Foundations has a current production on 3000 bottles per year harvested from the vineyard planted in 1997. In September 2013 the vineyard was expanded to another 3ha on which Shiraz, Mourvedre and Grenache was planted. They will have production on that vineyard in 2016 which will increase the production to 15000 bottles per year. 

Not only do they pride themselves in producing delicious wines at our Namibian winery, they also commit themselves to supporting the estate conservation projects, further to Naankuse's charitable projects,
protecting and conserving threatened carnivores. All profit made from their wines sales and tourism go directly toward these projects.

Wine Tasting Notes:

Everyone has their favorite wine, and so do we! Their wines are an exquisite bled of flavors, spices and soul of Namibia. They provide wine tasting notes on the wine varietals, so you can decide for yourself which you'd like to sample upon your visit.

 2012 Neuras Shiraz: This delicate dry, red wine differs from the traditional smoky or peppery full bodied Shiraz wines. It has a medium red colour and the fruity nose is due to a small  percentage 2013 vintage win in the blend. The soft tannins make it easy drinkable and it will complement past and poultry dishes.

2012 Neuras Red: A unique blend of Shiraz with the traditional Bordeaux cultivars Petit Verdot and Merlot. The cultivars are not blended as wine but pressed together as grapes to enhance the fusion of the grapes. This dry, ruby red wine is complemented by French wood, which add to a more complex mouth feel and tannin structures. It is a more serious wine to pair with game and steak dishes.

I have for those of you who love cooking and like your wines, included a step by step Braai (BBQ) video url of Neuras Winery.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fCQ-xbiUYa4

Before signing out Neuras still have a lot to offer from Accommodation at the N/a'nkuse Lodge, Winery Accommodation and coming soon the Kanaan Desert Retreat.

Dr Rudie and Marlice van Vuuren, with long time friends Chris Heunis and Jan Verburg, started the award-winning N/a’an ku sê Foundation in 2006 to protect and improve the lives of the people and wildlife of Namibia.

For bookings and more information on whats to offer, please email us at: info@namibiareservations.com or log on to our website at: www.namibiareservations.com

'Entdecke Namibia'

We have just received this very positive news from NTB Frankfurt.
Their designed App, "Entdecke Namibia"  has been nominated for the Election of the Best Travel App of the Year, by a public vote activity of the Magazine DIE WELT and the Travel Industry Club.  Apart from the Namibia App, 27 other Apps have been nominated, including the App for the German/Austrian region of the "Salzkammergut", Baden Württenberg, Lufthansa and Expedia!
The Team of NTB Frankfurt Office has developed this App over the past year and has worked meticulously at the concept, content and functions of this app, and is proud of being amongst the top nominees.

The following link will take you to the voting site for the app:

http://www.welt.de/reise/article119002597/Waehlen-Sie-die-beste-Reise-App-des-Jahres.html

Your vote can be submitted via computer, PC-tablet, iPad or Smartphone. One vote per gadget is possible and voting can be done anonymously. Just vote for your favorite app, fill in required fields & send!  Your 3 clicks will mean one extra vote for Namibia,  and this can mean wonders, and yet another acclaim and achievement for NAMIBIA!
Please support this endeavour.
NTB Frankfurt appreciates your help, - and your contribution will help put Namibia on the map once again! 
Go for it.

Solitaire Fuel Update

Please be advised that the petrol/diesel issue has been resolved as of  June 2012, Solitaire is under the New ownership of Mr. and Mrs. Swarts, also the owners of the Solitaire Bakery, Shop, Country Lodge and Guestfarm. They promised that there will not be any more fuel shortages in the future.

Info received by Mrs. Simone Swarts

For more information please contact us at:info@namibiareservations.com

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Please note that as from 30 April 2012 Solitaire's service station will be closed and will not have any petrol / diesel until further notice.  Please make use of the service station at Sesriem for petrol / diesel fill-ups.

For more information, please contact us at: info@southern-africa-travel.com

News from the Gondwana Collection

Five Flowers for a 'green' Roadhouse

For its eco-friendly management the Cañon Roadhouse was rewarded by Eco Awards Namibia with five desert flowers (highest ranking). Cañon Lodge and Namib Desert Lodge were awarded three desert flowers each. Decisive factors were the water recycling plants (for the gardens), the eco-friendly waste disposal and the Gondwana Eco Competition at their lodges and on the web.

Exploring Damaraland on foot

Two diverse new hiking trails at Damara Mopane Lodge offer guests the opportunity to explore the flora and fauna of Damaraland at their leisure. The Mountain Top Route (4 km) requires some climbing to reach a hilltop in the vicinity of the lodge. By contrast, the Valley Walking Trail is a leisurely 4-km-walk through diverse vegetation such as Mopane forest, grassy plains and thickets of Trumpet Thorn.

The Quiver Tree - a Victim of Climate Change?

Red alert for the quiver tree was declared at the climate conference in Copenhagen in January 2010. Aloe Dichotoma and nine other plant and animal species were added to the 'Red List'. There was indeed reason for concern: In many places in southern Namibia entire groups of quiver trees were dying while hardly any young trees were discovered. Climate change was seen as the main suspect.

For more information or to make a booking email us: info@southern-africa-travel.com or visit our website: http://www.southern-africa-travel.com/

News received from Tour Brief

Opuwo Country Hotel reports that the C43 between Sesfontein and Opuwo is closed to 2X4s and buses. Use the C35 from Kamanjab as an alternative
For more information please contact us at info@southern-africa-travel.com

News received from Tour Brief

Kulala Wilderness Camp closing April 2012
Wilderness has announced that Kulala Wilderness Camp will close permanently on 15.04.2012. After Kulala Wilderness Camp has closed, future Wilderness accommodation in the Sossusvlei area will be provided by Kulala Desert Lodge and Little Kulala.
Alternative arrangements are being made for all affected bookings.

Kulala Desert Lodge is expanding
Kulala Desert Lodge will add 6 new rooms (5 twins & 1 family) in early 2012. The main area will be enlarged and remodelled. The camp will be closed from 15 January to 14 April 2012 inclusive. Alternative arrangements are being made for all affected bookings.

Laughter comes calling...
A female brown hyena has taken up residence near Serra Cafema. Picture courtesy of Wilderness Safaris.

Lüderitz Nest Hotel: gateway to the Sperrgebiet

Main points
* 73 rooms, incl. family units & paraplegic friendly rooms
* Located in Lüderitz, with all rooms overlooking the ocean
* Ideal base for visiting Kolmanskop, Diaz Point, Shark Island and the rugged coastal scenery.
* Children’s playground, pool and childcare services
* Courtyard sheltered from wind
* Noted seafood restaurant
* Conferencing
* Offers Lüderitz Town Tour, Peninsula Tour, Kolmanskop Tour and Sunset Tour
* Friendly to children
* Suitable for the aged
* Suitable for the disabled with 3 x paraplegic friendly

Destination: the Sperrgebiet, tourism's rough diamondIn 1908, when diamonds were discovered by railway worker Zacharias Lewala in the vicinity of Lüderitz, the German colonial administration quickly declared a restricted zone, the 'Sperrgebiet'. For a long time, the only sign welcoming travellers read 'keep out'. Today, all that is changing, as parts of the restricted area have been opened for the adventurous. The Sperrgebiet is a rugged, closed area, that can only be visited with a permit that must be applied for two weeks in advance. No children under 14 can enter the Sperrgebiet. Kolmanskop, although treated separately, also falls within the Sperrgebiet. The attraction of the area lies in its history, it’s marvellous natural attractions and the sense of illicit pleasure that comes from visiting a forbidden zone. The trip to Lüderitz, from where the Sperrgebiet is entered, is difficult to schedule as the distances are long, and the route in and out between Lüderitz and Aus must be repeated. However, if the traveller is pressed for time, a fly-in is recommended.

Nature: the amazing plants of the Sperrgebiet
A large part of the Sperrgebiet consists of the Succulent Karoo Biome, a global diversity hotspot. Spreading from Aus, across the border of the Sperrgebiet, this environment is an under-marketed attraction that gives consultants an interesting alternative for clients with an interest in botany, succulent plants and deserts.

For more information please email us: info@southern-africa-travel.com or visit our website: http://www.southern-africa-travel.com/ or visit our sister website http://www.namibiareservations.com/

News from Finesse

Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge: offers visitors ample space & privacy. The rooms are currently receiving shade roofs over the terrace area. 5 rooms have been completed already! The lodge is proud to announce the arrival of a new chef. His delicious meals will tickle your taste buds! An interesting activity offered by the lodge is the Tans Kalahari Walk: This is a 2-day guided walk through the breathtaking dune-landscape of the Kalahari with 2 nights spent at the Kalahari Red Dunes Lodges and 1 night at Teufelskrallen Tented Lodge. Guests will need to be quite fit for this activity, as the first day comprises of a 15km walk through the dunes.

Alte Kalköfen Lodge: Your ideal lunch stop in the South. This lodge is situated en route from/to the Fish River Canyon. Here you will be spoiled by Hilde with scrumptious light meals. Then there is the interesting history that Frikkie will tell you about the area. Visit the old lime oven close to the lodge, as well as the very interesting lithoparium. On the topics of the lithops the lodge has introduced a new activity for guests (only self-drive at this point) interested in these plants: We have over 20 locations from Lüderitz to Helmeringhausen and around the Canyon Lodge, where Lithops and other succulents grow in nature. To enable the guests to find the succulents we normally accompany them to the locations, where the plants are growing. The reason for this is that we are assisting the guests to find the plants, explaining names etc and ensure that the sites are properly preserved. Frikkie is also very proud to announce that the airstrip at the lodge is completed and ready to receive Fly-in clients. The co-ordinates are as follows: -00:26 49'12.10"S/ 017 22'37.20"E,
-18:26 49'52.56"S/ 017 22'29.88"E

Frans Indongo Lodge: boasts with another rhino calf born this year, and this brings the rhino population to 7 White and 2 Black Rhinos. One of the lodges' preferred partners for activities in the Otjiwarongo area is the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF).

Gelbingen Lodge: offers a great Himba experience especially for self-drive clients, who do not want to drive all the way up to Opuwo. Immanuel, who is one of the Himba of the village living at Gelbingen, guides you through his home and tells you all about their life and customs.

Guestfarm Kiripotib: This quaint guest farm is the ideal spot for guests interested in arts & crafts. The carpet weavery on site produces magnificent karakul wool carpets in all forms, colours and designs. You can create your own design right there and then. Also visit Claudia's gold smith studio, where she creates beautiful jewellery. It is also a "mecca" for astrologers with state of the art equipment that is available.

Lüderitz Nest Hotel: The project of refurbishing the rooms is still ongoing, and they really do look very stunning. The public areas are all done.
Whether it is a function or a seminar - be assured, our reputation has been founded on the professional way we handle these events, both from the Organisational and the Catering aspects. Conference rooms are available to provide the ideal setting for any number of guests from 5 to 200, and this flexibility is maintained in both our Menu's and Service.

Okahandja Country Hotel: They have replaced all the mattresses and pillows in the rooms, and the feedback from guests has been very positive. Ikus, Bianca and their team look forward to meeting you.

Sandwich Harbour 4x4: "The Kuiseb River is still flooded after the exceptional rains this year. The entire Kuiseb Delta is still mostly under water and the we cannot pass through this area at all. We are still able to get along the edges of the delta where we can find Dune Larks and most other desert species. The salt mining company is busy with draining the water into the sea. Naude found a big male warthog running around in the middle of the salt pans. He probably came down along the river and lost his direction after the strong east winds. We have recently added two Nissan Patrols to our fleet to cope with increasing demand for the Sandwich Harbour Excursions in season. We will continue to keep our groups as small and personal as possible."

Toshari Lodge: A curio shop and 3 additional Luxury Rooms were added to the lodge's facilities. An outside barbecue area enables the lodge to offer barbecue and carvery buffet on alternating nights. All building operations are completed.

Zelda Game & Guestfarm: The gardens at the entrance area have been completely revamped and now feature a waterfall and some small fountains. It invites you to stroll around and sit in the quiet nooks of the garden enjoying the tranquil surroundings. They are also busy upgrading the Be Wild Camp and plan to be finished with these at the beginning of 2012.

To find out more or to make a booking email us at info@southern-africa-travel.com or visit our website http://www.southern-africa-travel.com/ or our sister website http://www.namibiareservations.com/ for more establishments.

Update received from Namibia Country Lodges

Camels head to Twyfelfontein

Nine trained camels are moving to Twyfelfontein area. The scenic area with its historic rock engravings, volcanic and sandstone geology, panoramic vistas, endemic fauna & flora offer guest an 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.

The camels will arrive on the 3rd of August and be based at the Aba-Huab campsite.

A half day excursion on the back of a camel will take guests to various rock engraving sites which are hidden amongst Mopani trees and rock boulders and situated off the beaten track.

The traditional Damara Village not far from the Aba-Huab Campsite makes an easy morning or afternoon excursion to experience age old Damara customs in a unique setting.

Ride out to "Wondergat" a bottomless sinkhole north from Twyfelfontein Lodge to toss a rock down its mouth without hearing it hit the bottom, and then traverse via a different route back to the lodge while exploring breathtaking Aba-Huab valley vistas.

Guests can participate on a longer camel safari combined with camping under the stars and trekking by day through ephemeral riverbeds of the Huab and Ugab Valley. Itinerary and quote on request.

The above activities are currently being scouted and mapped as part of our activity program at Twyfelfontein Country Lodge. Detailed activity descriptions and rates will follow in the second half of August.

Twyfelfontein Country Lodge was recently awarded two Eco Award Flowers, for accommodation establishments managed according to eco-friendly principles. We follow this program with selective and careful use of our resources, reducing, recycling and reusing. Our aim is to achieve eco flowers for all six NCL establishments to prove our dedication and commitment to the environment. The desert flower symbol is proof to everyone, staff as well as guests, that we are working for the future.

Visit our website to book Twyfelfontein Country Lodge or email us at info@southern-africa-travel.com

Updated road conditions for the South of Namibia

Information received from the Gondwana Collection:

Please be advised that if you are entering the Canyon area from the north (Luderitz, Keetmanshoop areas) the C12 at Seeheim, leading off the B4 road has been closed due to severe flooding of the road.
We suggest that you rather take the Naute Dam turn off signposted the D545 and drive over the dam wall. The D545 then joins the C12 which will then lead you to the Canyon. The Canon Roadhouse, Canon Village and Canon Lodge are then well signposted off the C12.

It has also been reported that the road (C13) at Rosh Pinah has been washed away and is not accessible, therefore there is no access from Rosh Pinah up to Aus or from Aus to Rosh Pinah.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information at info@southern-africa-travel.com

News from AfriCat

AfriCat Foundation a winner!
At a glittering ceremony held at the moyo Restaurant, uShaka Marine World in Durban, South Africa, on May 6, 2011, the AfriCat Foundation scooped the Good Safari Award for ‘Best Wildlife Charity Organisation’ in Africa.

The hard work and impact made by AfriCat has been recognized by the judging panel of the Good Safari Awards. Leading a diverse field of established African conservation projects, AfriCat was crowned ‘Best Wildlife Organisation’ on the continent.

The team at AfriCat and Okonjima are thrilled to have been recognized for what they do and look forward to introducing more international guests to their unique project in Namibia.

2011 Health Check a resounding success
Every year the AfriCat Team, including our supporting veterinarian Dr. Mark Jago, undertakes a health check on the resident cheetah, leopard, spotted hyaena & wild dogs at our Carnivore Care Centre based on Okonjima farm. The lions of the AfriCat North Care Centre will undergo a similar health check in June.

In preparation for these examinations, individual animals in the Care Centre are identified according to routine and specific needs which may have arisen such as contraception, eye infections or abnormalities, worn or broken dentition, serious injuries and any other obvious symptoms indicating poor health, observed during our daily rounds.

For more information or to make a booking at Okonjima Lodge please email us at info@southern-africa-travel.com or visit our sister website www.namibiareservations.com/okonjimae.html

News from Okonjima & AfriCat

AfriCat wins 2011 Conservation Award @ Indaba SA.
7 May 2011 20h00:

AFRICAT WINS 2011 CONSERVATION AWARD @ INDABA, SA.
Category: BEST WILDLIFE ORGANISATION!
The finalists were . . .
AfriCat Foundation
Children in the Wilderness
David Sheldrick Trust Animal Orphanage
David Shepherd - David Shepherd Wildife Foundation
Endangered Wildlife Trust
Jane Goodall Institute
Ol Malo Trust
South Luangwa Conservation Society
Uthando
Wilderness Wildlife Trust

WINNER: The AfriCat Foundation
RUNNER UP: Children in the Wilderness
THIRD PLACE: David Sheldrick Trust Animal Orphanage

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WHO WORK SO HARD TO HELP THE CARNIVORES IN NAMIBIA! THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!

Donna Hanssen
AfriCat Team

Press Release
In 1960 the world population stood at about 3 billion people. Today there are an estimated 7 billion living on the planet, and by the year 2050, that number is expected to grow to over 9 billion. A tripling of mankind’s number in a little over a single lifetime.

This raises the poignant question: how will the world feed all of these mouths? In the face of man’s need for food where will there be space on this tiny planet for the last few animals to roam as they always have? Where will the elephant live? The lion roar? The cheetah hunt?

Traditionally Namibia has been a land of livestock farmers, however today wildlife utilization has become a viable option for many a Namibian through tourism, hunting and the like. But it comes with a price - human-wildlife conflict - and it is this cost that the AfriCat Foundation has committed itself to tackle.

The AfriCat Foundation started out in 1992 as a small welfare organization when 'Chinga' the Cheetah was bought by the Hanssens at a cattle auction and given a home on Okonjima. Ever since, AfriCat has dedicated its efforts to rescuing carnivores from inhumane conditions, taken care of those too injured to be set free, rehabilitated and released more than 1 000 large carnivores back into the wild.

For more information please email us at info@southern-africa-travel.com or visit our sister website to make a booking www.namibiareservations.com/okonjimae.html

Local news from the Gondwana Collection

Enjoy the Wonders of Nature at Leisure

Guests of Namib Desert Lodge who want to participate in an organized excursion to Sossusvlei have to rise early. Because the colours of the desert are at their most beautiful and resplendent in the first light of the morning. And the ascent to the top of the highest dunes on earth is not quite as taxing in the freshness of thenew day. It will definitely rev up the circulation of any morning grouch and the reward is a magnificent view across the dune landscape and Sossusvlei, currently filled with water - which is a very rare sight. Namib Desert Lodge acquired a second all-wheel drive with eight passenger seats this month. This means that the two vehicles can now take a total of 16 guests on a leisurely excursion to Sossusvlei every day. Professional guides provide details on the specific features of the landscape, the fauna and flora.

Gondwana Cañon Park a Garden of Eden

All internal fences have now disappeared in Gondwana Cañon Park. The last section of 15 km of fencing along the public road near Holoog was taken down in January. In total, 500 km of fences have been removed. They were a relic from earlier farming activities. Foraging game needs to be able to move around as freely as possible in order to survive. The park is situated in the Nama Karoo Desert where rainfall usually is scarce and scattered. Since its inception in 1995 only game species which once were indigenous to the region were reintroduced to the 1,260 km² nature conservation area, among them hartebeest, wildebeest and plains zebra. This year, however, game animals find more than enough food almost everywhere. In January 25.1 mm of rain (monthly average 19.9 mm) were recorded and in February 61.5 mm (31.2 mm). All of the park’s seasonal (mostly dry) rivers were in flood at some stage. Everything is sprouting and blooming now, the game is well-fed. In January the park rangers watched a herd of 140 springbok grazing in the grassy plains. The camera traps at Jagpos and Jakkalsdam took pictures of two leopards.

Menu enriched by traditional Speciality

There is a new delicacy on the menu of Damara Mopane Lodge: roasted Mopane worms. They are harvested on site, just like the vegetables, herbs and fruit. The worms, or more correctly caterpillars, are picked from Mopane trees around the lodge. Our guests react differently to this new speciality - which in fact is a traditional, regional one. Some leave it at a curious glance into the bowl, others valiantly reach into it. Mopane worms occur only in southern Africa and are usually unknown to guests from other continents. In its distribution area in Africa the caterpillars are an important source of protein for millions of people. For many it is also a desperately needed source of income.

For more information email us at info@namibiareservations.com

Local news from Finesse

KAISOSI RIVER LODGE Chris has advised us that Kaisosi River Lodge is definitely operational. It is only the road leading to Kaisosi, which is under water, and if your clients do not want to drive through, they can leave their vehicle at a secure parking area. The lodge will then pick them up from there. The river is quite high, but lower than last year.

KALAHARI RED DUNES LODGE Even though the lodge is new the owner keeps improving things as feedback comes back from visitors. Currently they are busy building thatched roofs in front of every chalet so that the entrance and the little terrace in front are under shade. Five units will receive air-conditioning for the time being. All chalets will be fitted with fridges, and he is planning to replace the current beds with antiques dating from the German colonial time around 1905. The terrace by the swimming pool and the outside terrace from the restaurant have received more shading as well.

NAMTIB DESERT LODGE Namtib will be closed during the month of June 2011, as from 31 May 2011 up to and including 03 July 2011.

For more details please do not hesitate to contact us: info@namibiareservations.com or visit our website our sister website for more establishments: http://www.namibiareservations.com/