Holidays in WHITE delight

Uncover Namibia's SPECTACULAR Getaway

 Brandberg White Lady Lodge

This Remarkable Wildlife wonder lies nestled at the foot of Damaraland's Brandberg Mountain.  

a Vast, compelling wilderness, in north-west Namibia. 

 The mountain, (the highest in Namibia) is best-known for its rock paintings, especially the 'White Lady'. These fascinating paintings were drawn hundreds of years ago by Bushmen people, who inhabited the area. 

Much of the landscape was formed by ancient lave flows, which add to the beauty of the surrounding countryside. It's many unusual rock formations and rare flora, including the endemic Welwitschia Mirabilis at the Petrified Forest, make it a perfect area for hiking and photography alike. The region is also renowned for its geology, as well as the World Heritage Site of rock engravings at Twyfelfontein.

Activities in and around the area:

Guided Elephant Drives

   

Especially during the drier periods of the year, group of desert elephant rove in the valley of the Ugab river. Here, there is no worry for water and bush and trees to feed on in abundance.

Directions:

For more Booking Details please contact:

Namibia Reservations at

info@namibiareservations.com or visit 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.

Swakopmund Airstrip Closed

Swakopmund Airstrip will be closed from 05 April 2012 to 31 July 2012, and air traffic will be rerouted to and from Walvis Bay.

When more information becomes available, an update will be published on Tour Brief.

Ministry of Agriculture, Water & Forestry: Foot & Mouth Desease Update in Caprivi

We received news that foot and mouth has become a problem again for the December season in the Caprivi area. Please see the information received from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water & Forestry:
 
MOVEMENT OF ANIMALS/PRODUCTS AND INFECTIOUS THINGS THROUGH VETERINARY ROAD BLOCKS, CAPRIVI.

1.    The following animals/infectious things may not under any circumstances be allowed to pass through the road blocks from any infected area:

·         All cloven hoofed animals (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and game.)

·         Raw red meat

·         Raw milk

·         Grass, hay, straw, reeds, Lucerne

·         Manure

·         Hides and skins and second hand jute bags

·         Bone, bone meal , carcass meal and blood meal

·         Large quantities of firewood i.e., vehicle load

·         Sour milk

·         Other products that might pose a risk – contact State Veterinarian.

2.    The following may cross the road block from an infected area:

·         Dogs and cats

·         Horses, donkeys and mules

·         Live or frozen poultry and birds, feathers, eggs and raw meat of poultry and birds

·         Fish, reptiles, frogs, worms

·         Vegetables, fruit, wild, free from manure or blood

·         Leafy vegetables such as cabbages, spinach, lettuce, celery, etc., if free from manure or blood.

·         Butter, margarine, cheese in original container/package

·         Sealed containers of pasteurized milk

·         Cooked meat/canned products/polony, Vienna’s in original/vacume packed container

·         Mealie – meal

·         Quarry stones for construction

·         Trophies (with taxidermy documents) wrapped in transparent material

 3   The following may cross the road block after spraying

     with 5% washing soda

·         Wood carvings, curios, mats, future manufactured from reads/grass

·         Small quantities of firewood less than 20kg

·         Horns

Dr. F. Joubert

Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer

Windhoek

Please do not hesitate to contact us for more details: info@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

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/

Namibia shines...Country ranked 3rd top tourism destination by WEF

Namibia has been ranked third top tourism destination in sub-Saharan Africa by the 2011 Travel and Tourism Competitive Index, coming ahead of much-popularised exotic countries such as Kenya and Tanzania. Namibia follows South Africa at number two spot with Mauritius toping the list of 30 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Botswana ranks fifth in the regional listing. Namibia ranks 84 in the overall ranking of 139 countries worldwide. Switzerland is at number one in the world, while South Africa and Botswana rank 66 and 91 respectively. The “rich natural resources, fauna and a pristine natural environment” along with prioritised environment sustainability and “well developed ground transport infrastructure,” played in the favour of Namibia.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) released the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report on March 07 at the Global Tourism Forum 2011 in Andorra. Last year’s football world cup contributed to South Africa as a holiday destination as it “reinforced South Africa’s position as a key international tourist destination,” along with “reasonably priced hotel rooms and a favourable tax regime,” says the report. Yet, “safety and security remain serious concerns” and so is the level of health and hygiene with “low physician density and concerns about access to improved sanitation.
Namibia’s western neighbour, Botswana, which ranked fifth in the region scored high for its natural resources, with much nationally protected land area, rich fauna, and a lack of environmental damage. The country also benefits from excellent price competitiveness, with low-ticket taxes and airport charges, a favourable tax regime, and low prices more generally. “In addition, some aspects of the policy environment are supportive of the sector’s development, including well-protected property rights and few visa restrictions,” comments the report.

To visit Namibia, South Africa or Botswana click our link: www.southern-africa-travel.com

or email us: info@namibiareservations.com