News

Devoid of life. That, at first glance, is the impression given by the red dunes and the adjoining white gravel plains of the Namib Desert on the doorstep of the coastal town of Swakopmund. The seasonal Swakop River, which reaches the Atlantic Ocean at Swakopmund, forms a dividing line between the town and the dunes to the south. Sand and stones, wind and fog, otherwise nothing. Or so it seems. This area is home to an amazing array of creatures, and there are also relicts from the past to take a closer look at. 

Top-heavy sunflowers peeping over walls, lush spinach carpeting the ground and scarecrows eyeing you from the greenery may not be something you would expect to see at a tourist lodge, especially in your very own chalet garden, but then Damara Mopane Lodge breaks out of the box to offer its guests a truly unusual, memorable and extraordinary experience.

On 1 June, Namibia will be the site for a spectacular television show called Global Gladiators. ProSieben is promoting the TV premier using the following words: “At Global Gladiators, eight celebrities go on the Road Trip of their lives. Crossing Namibia, the gladiators expect harsh challenges and exciting adventures!” And this is the best time to go!

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”. 

Large elephant families swimming, with a bit of luck you may see large zebra, buffalo and antelope herds grazing in the flood plains... You are in Camp Chobe, in the extreme southeast of the Zambezi Region. This jewel for nature and bird lovers is the latest addition to the Gondwana Collection, as from 1 March 2017. 

In the past week is was raining on the farm Sandhof, on Tuesday they had 8mm and on the 700 hectare vegetation-free clay pan, the very first greenery broke through the barren soil. Here, after good rain, thousands of so-called “Sandhof lilies” grow when water fills the pan up to 15 to 20cm. On the weekend it will probably be an incredible sight when the lilies bloom.

Experience Africa like nowhere else. Discover what makes Namibia so special, how it should be, easy, up close and unforgettable, with Namibia2Go. Gondwana Collection’s new and unbeatable self-drive safari packages for two. Namibia2Go will take you on a journey to Namibia’s greatest highlights, and through some of Africa’s most dramatic scenery, all at your own pace. Packages include the comfort of Gondwana Collection’s trusted lodges, a 4x4 vehicle, and detailed on route map guide.

Namibia is becoming increasingly popular as a travel destination, especially for tourists from the European countries, particularly the German-speaking areas. The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) in Frankfurt played a decisive role in this development. In January there has been a change in leadership.

Gys Joubert started as Gondwana’s new Managing Director on 16 January. The forty year old lawyer knew exactly what he was getting himself into, as he has served on the group’s Board of Directors for the past year. “As I got to know the company better, I fell head over heels in love with it and its potential. My primary focus will be on growth, rather than change.” He is also sure of the support he will receive from his predecessor. Manni Goldbeck will stay on with the Gondwana Collection as the Director of Brand and Marketing.