News

Over the last weekend in April, over 78 ambitious mountain bikers met for the 7th annual Klein-Aus Vista Mountain Bike Challenge. The various stages were marked by difficult terrain, steep climbs and a few head-to-head races. More than half the competitors participated in the marathon and took on the full 60km challenge, while the rest of the group rode in the half-marathon of 33km. 

Namibia’s rainy season continued to the end of April improving water levels of major dams though some areas northwest of Omaruru received little rainfall. The mining sector featured prominently during the annual mining conference and expo. Government announced that an updated version of the economic empowerment draft law – NEEEF – is in preparation.

Rivalling the legendary braai (barbeque) as the most popular outdoor southern African cooking tradition, the “potjie” like the braai, provides an opportunity for an enjoyable social and culinary event as families and friends gather around the fire. The potjie has an interesting history going back to the first Dutch settlers and has over the centuries become an integral part of southern African culture.

A new Gondwana Collection lodge located in the Zambezi Region, will open in November. The Zambezi Mubala Lodge is a paradise for nature and fishing enthusiasts and a must for all bird lovers. Atmospheric boat trips during sunset allow you to dive into the colourful water and animal world of the Zambezi. A healthy filling for every photographer.

It was nearly three o’clock on the morning of 12 April 1954 when the farmer Renier Els discovered four lions eating off the carcass of a goat they had killed. He started firing at them from the vehicle. At daybreak, he drove back to the kraal together with his family to investigate - and was attacked by a lioness. His wife Hendrina saved his life by pulling the growling animal off her husband by the ears.

In an effort to reduce and eventually eliminate plastic water bottles at our lodges, Gondwana contracted a local business – Dial a Water Namibia (commonly known as DAWN) to source and import a machine that allows us to still sell purified water to our guests, but more importantly get rid of the loathed plastic bottles. This is in line with Gondwana’s strive to decrease the use of plastics in all our operations and speaks to our constant drive to be as environmentally sensitive as we possibly can be.

A first group of hikers will use the Easter holidays to tackle the new Canyon Klipspringer Trail. As of April this year Gondwana offers slack-packing tours in the northern parts of the Fish River Canyon, giving hikers the opportunity to enjoy the hiking trail without the added weight of luggage and equipment. 

Namibia’s wild horses have lived in the desert for 100 years and they are one of the top ten tourist attractions in Namibia. During the severe drought of the past years supplementary feed has kept them going. Now predation by hyaenas is threatening the survival of the wild horses in the Garub area of the Namib Naukluft National Park.

Customers and tourists usually cheer when they check into the B-One Service Station along the B1 in Rehoboth. Clean toilets, friendly and efficient service at the fuel pumps, a well-stocked shop, shaded parking and information boards on the history of the town, can be found along the main road that leads south. On the morning of 31 March, owner Erno Bertolini and his employees rejoiced when they heard that they were crowned the “Best Shell Petrol Station of the Year 2016 in Namibia”. 

With good rainfalls in most parts of Namibia raising hopes for good harvests and a general economic upswing, the new national budget, tabled this month, also tended to the positive by avoiding tax increases - a relief for taxpayers and the economy. Government announced plans to expropriate farms for fair compensation. Petrol prices went up by 32 cents a litre and Diesel increased by 25 cents.