The Ancient Fish River Canyon

Fish River Lodge in southern Namibia is the only lodge perched directly on the rim of the Fish River Canyon offering guests breathtaking views of the canyon from sunrise to sunset. Experience first hand the geological forces that unfolded 300 million years ago, when the Fish River began to etch its way through hard quartzite forming a Canyon 90 km long, making it the world's second largest Canyon. Set in a grove of ancient Quiver trees (Aloe dichotoma), the Lodge has been carefully designed to echo the terraced and rugged terrain as well as the colours and textures of the landscape thereby offering guests a pleasant change from the typical 'safari' type lodge found elsewhere in Africa. There is a blend of classical and contemporary furnishings and many of the accessories have been made by San and Nama communities whose ancestors once roamed the terrain; authenticity, comfort and simplicity are key to the Lodge's unique ambiance.

Sossus Dune Lodge Special

The first lodge in the Namib-Naukluft Park, is the Sossus Dune Lodge.  Built in an environmentally sensitive manner, primarily from wood, canvas and thatch, in an attractive ‘afro-village’ style, Sossus Dune Lodge will offer guests an evocative and life changing experience.

 

 

SPECIAL FOR ALL OVERNIGHTS DONE BETWEEN THE 01.11.2013 - 30.04.2014 Single Dune Chalet  N$ 1125.00 DBB  Double Dune Chalet  N$ 2250.00 DBB

 

Wild Horses of The Namib Desert

Fighting for a life in freedom...

 

 

They hold an irresistible fascination: the Wild Horses of the Namib in south-western Namibia. For centuries their origin was shrouded in mystery. Their habitat, the barren plains around Garub on the eastern fringe of the Namib Desert, is no paradise; nevertheless they have managed to adapt to the harsh conditions. Their forebears, once in the service of man, gained freedom for themselves: a life in the vastness of the Namib, away from human civilization, according to the rules of their own horse society. Perhaps this is the reason for the fascination of thousands of visitors every year. Plans for moving the herd to farms have been discarded by now: it has been decided that also in future the horses’ place is in Namib Naukluft Park.
 

With the support of the Ministry for the Environment the numbers and behaviour of the Wild Horses have been scientifically documented since December 1993. Numbers fluctuate according to the quantity and quality of available grazing. After the drought in 1992 and the resulting drive to catch the horses, their number increased from 110 (1993) to 149 (1997). It dropped to 89 during the drought of 1998/99, but had risen to 147 again by April 2005. In order to maintain the genetic diversity the number should not drop below 100. According to estimates the area can support a maximum of 160 horses.

 

 

The adaptation of the Namib’s Wild Horses to their habitat is not genetically evident. Reports about extraordinary resilience may safely be relegated to the realm of myth as well: many of the animals which were caught during the drought of 1992 and taken to farms succumbed to horse-sickness and other ailments. Adaptation can rather be seen in their behaviour: patterns of feeding and drinking, resting and playing match available grazing and prevailing temperatures.

 During dry conditions, when grazing becomes scarce, the horses basically have to ‘work’ for the quantity of nutrients they need. Then they cover vast distances, feed wherever possible and rarely play. Visits to the drinking trough are put off for as long as possible. In contrast to domestic horses, thirst causes them very little stress. During the hot summer months (November to March) they come to drink at average intervals of 30 hours, while during the cool winter months (May to September) intervals average as much as 72 hours.

 

When good rains have brought forth fresh grass and numerous flowers the Wild Horses adopt a ‘leisure mode’: they feed at night, and as there is no need to cover vast distances to get their fill they remain close to the drinking trough for longer periods of time. Up to 80 percent of the herd gathers there. They drink every day, regardless of temperatures, and play and rest a lot. Their leisure time offers the best opportunity, of course, for watching them and taking pictures...

Apart from grass the Wild Horses also eat their own dry dung. This does not mean that they are desperate - it is natural behaviour, also seen in domestic horses if they have access to dry dung. The dung of the Wild Horses contains almost three times more fat (1.99 percent) than the area’s dry grass (Stipagrostis obtusa – 0.7 percent) and almost twice as much protein (6.1 instead of 3.1 percent).

 

 

Since horses are no ruminants, eating dung is the only way to absorb nutrients which have been excreted undigested and in concentrated form. The dung, however, is merely a supplement; less than 1 kg of dung is eaten for every 7 kg of grass. Thus there is no danger of harmful substances accumulating in the horse’s system.
 

 

Auob River reaches highest level in more than 10 years

It is still uncertain whether the water will reach the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

The Auob River, one of only two ephemeral rivers flowing through the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, has reached its highest level in more than a decade – but it is still uncertain whether it will reach the park.
The level of the river began rising sharply last weekend at Stampriet, near its source, and reached the settlement of Gochas, 72 km downstream, on Wednesday afternoon.
The General Manager of the Auob Country Lodge, Maureen De Villiers, told Tour Namibia this morning, the river was flowing the full width of its course and the water level was still rising.
De Villiers said the campsite at the lodge was flooded (Wednesday, 26 January) and that the rising level of the river has since forced the lodge to close the campsite. The Lodge however is operational.
She said the level of the Auob was about 1 m below the causeway at Gochas early yesterday evening, but this morning the river was flowing strongly over the causeway – preventing some of the learners at the village from getting to school.
De Villiers expects the river to begin subsiding in about two day’s time.
Meanwhile, Mr Jannie van der Merwe of the farm Kinkel near the Mata Mata border has told Tour Namibia the flood water is not expected to reach the border before Monday – if the flow is strong enough.
The Auob River is a vital component of the Kgalagadi ecosystem as the subterranean water supports a lush growth of Camel Thorn trees. Regular floods are essential to recharge the underground water which is extracted to provide water to the herds of Springbok, Gemsbok (Oryx), Blue Wildebeest and Red Hartebeest occurring along its course.
Water of the Auob River last reached the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the year 2000. The Auob River eventually joins the Nossob River at Twee Rivieren at the park’s southern entrance.

Derived from TourNamibia

Visit our sister site for more details regarding the Auob Country Lodge: www.namibiareservations.com/auobe.html
or email us: info@namibiareservations.com

Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge offered on our sister website - Namibia Reservations

Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge now also included on the Website of Namibia Reservations.
A Private Game Reserve of 10000 acres situated in the Kalahari Desert. Enjoy the Kalahari desert from one of twelve individual guest houses. Carrying the names of the largest wild animal species of the reservation, the stilted guest houses are arranged around a Vlei, a natural dry lake. All walking paths from the guest houses to the main building are paved, barrier-free, and well-lit.
Exterior walls made from canvas and the traditional African thatched roofs guarantee an excellent indoor climate even with high outside temperatures. All bathrooms are built as solid construction.
This Lodge is also handicapped friendly with fixed walkways between the bungalows and the restaurant, as well as the bathrooms being barrier free.

For more details visit our website:

www.namibiareservations.com/kalahari_red_dunes_lodge.html or

contact us at info@namibiarservations.com